HOME RESCUE NEW SEASON
■ Crew has grand plans for quick turnaround times ■ TV DIY fixers change homes and lives for better
HAVING A RIGHT BALL: Designer Dee Coleman and builder Peter Finn
IT’S the telly DIY show that brings order to chaotic homes across the country.
Home Rescue: The Big Fix is back on our screens tonight for a new series, as the team of experts changes the homes – and lives – of families in just five days.
Builder Peter Finn, designer Dee Coleman, and their crew of fitters, plumbers and carpenters will revamp and renovate six homes in Louth, Kildare, Dublin and Clare over the coming weeks.
The Big Fix team travels to a different home each week – and for the first episode, they’re in Dundalk with the Kelly family, where three generations are living in the one bungalow. There’s granny Doreen, her daughter Claire, Claire’s husband Pearse Jeffers, and Claire’s three children.
The home was originally built by Doreen’s husband, former firefighter Pat.
It’s a large living space in a house that should be big enough for all of them, but is not fit for purpose.
Claire, Pearse and the kids moved in with Granny Doreen two years ago when Pat - who has dementia - moved out to a care home.
With mum and dad sharing a bedroom with their son Odhran (9) who has additional needs, the room is cramped for all three of them.
Claire is an account manager, while Pearse is a full-time carer and stay-at-home dad.
Struggle
But the house has a chaotic layout – a disconnected dining room and a tiny kitchen, so it’s a struggle to manage.
Dee sets out to re-invent the kitchen and create a sensory space in the bedroom for Odhran – taking expert advice from the teachers at his school.
Pete and the build crew lay the groundwork for a brand-new kitchen to replace the cramped, cluttered and storage-free galley.
But the results are impressive - showing what’s possible in just a few days.
The dated, glum-looking kitchen becomes a modern, bright space that is functional, clean and clear, with plenty of storage space.
The bedroom is transformed from its plain beginnings to a cosy, comfortable and calm room, in natural shades of oatmeal and cream and relaxing lighting.
Builder Peter Finn told it’s not only possible on TV - you can transform your own home, once you have the confidence in what’s possible.
You don’t need a crew of workers, or even a big budget.
Said Peter: “Don’t be afraid of doing a bit of DIY. You can paint a room or lay a floor. You’d be surprised what you’re capable of.”
Peter - known to TV audiences as Pete the Builder – said start small and build on that.
The Star
“Plan to do one thing or one area. One chest of drawers, three shelves or one room, like the utility room or the area under the stairs. Once you do the first step, it becomes doable and then anything is possible.”
“Sometimes it’s the fear of not knowing how to do something that stops people, whereas you can take it step by step.”
He said clutter begins outside the home. Irish people are quite the consumers, but it’s good to think twice.
“When you’re out shopping ask yourself
BED-VROOM: An amazing difference - do you really need this item? Go to second-hand shops, markets and swap items online.
“We salvage things. Get things secondhand and also just sand them or paint them. Upcycling is so satisfying.”
Our homes have changed since the pandemic. They have become more functional places, rather than places you enjoy.
“We work at home now, so it’s not just a place for our time off. So keep that in mind that you may convert an area with a desk or workspace. Give yourself a blank canvas. We can clear out a lot of stuff. Use spaces we don’t use.”
“We get the sledgehammer out for the shows, but you don’t have to go that far and take down walls.