‘I’m a passionate person,’ says Katie after ‘Room to Improve’ rows
‘ROOM to Improve’ saw architect Dermot Bannon at breaking point last Sunday over clashes with client Katie, who was on the receiving end of quite a bit of negativity on social media following the episode’s airing.
Dermot had designed a complete renovation for a 100-year-old Tipperary farmhouse but his open-plan kitchen/dining/ living area did not go down well with dairy farmer Padraig and teacher Katie.
Katie initially said she was underwhelmed with the design – giving him zero out of 10 – mainly because he gave them an open-plan design when Katie wanted a wall dividing the living area from the kitchen.
“I am a very passionate person. That did come across but I think it came across as more stubborn and argumentative,” she told the ‘Limerick Leader’.
“It came across that I have some serious notions and Dermot even said at the start about notions. Well, I don’t have any notions – I’m living on a farm in the middle of the countryside.”
She said he was “holding back a smile” when they were arguing about the wall and revealed they texted each other after the show and Dermot admitted he had been on the verge of laughter for “most of it”.
Viewers were pretty harsh on Katie, but she does not have a Twitter account so escaped the brunt of it. She told the publication that she has a “tough skin”. However, she added: “I do think in this day and age people can see the negative impact social media can have on people’s lives and I think people should be a little bit more careful.”
Meanwhile, Dermot has said he is “incredibly excited” to get to work on building his new abode after putting the place he and his family called home for 13 years up for sale.
The architect also says the people who will buy his old house will be getting the first house he ever designed.
Bannon is selling his “impeccable” Drumcondra home for €649,000 and he told Today FM listeners on Thursday evening that it is his first “signature” home.
“They get my first signature home,” Bannon said. “That was the first house I designed.
“Before that I worked in a big commercial practice. I worked on schools, I worked on hospitals but never on a house.
“The first extension I ever did was on to the back of my own house,” he added.
When asked by Matt if it included his most famous design tics, Bannon said: “Yes. Big windows, lots of light, roof lights, open plan space but it has a separate snug at the front of the house and that is one of my favourite rooms.”