Finalists Revealed: Home of the Year 2026 Features Stunning Homes from West Cork, Kerry, Kildare and More

When I first saw the news about Marie and Jo’s 20-year-old neo-Georgian house in West Cork making it to the Home of the Year 2026 final, I didn’t just witness a beautiful renovation story—I saw a mirror held up to what’s happening in neighborhoods from Portland to Providence. The way this Irish couple transformed a structurally sound but dated property into a deeply personal sanctuary through sheer vision and elbow grease? That’s not just inspiring television; it’s a blueprint for how American homeowners are reimagining their relationship with space in 2026.

What struck me most wasn’t the golden key moment (though Hugh Wallace’s instinct for spotting that “joy to live in” quality was spot-on), but how Marie and Jo approached the renovation: not as contractors chasing trends, but as artists and inhabitants designing every inch to reflect their family’s essence. Their blend of classical neo-Georgian bones with artisan quirks—highlighted by Marie’s own artwork—creates something increasingly rare: a home that feels both timeless and unmistakably *theirs*. This isn’t about staging for resale; it’s about staging for life.

Here in Austin, where I’ve watched neighborhoods like East Cesar Chavez and South Congress evolve over the past decade, this philosophy resonates deeply. We’re seeing a shift away from the flip-and-flip mentality that dominated the 2010s toward what urban planners at the University of Texas School of Architecture call “meaningful inhabitance”—where renovations prioritize long-term livability over short-term market gains. Just last month, the Austin Housing Department reported a 22% increase in permits for owner-occupied renovations in established neighborhoods, suggesting homeowners are investing in places they plan to stay, not just flip.

The West Cork story too highlights something our local preservationists at Preservation Austin have been advocating for: that character isn’t just in historic districts. Marie and Jo’s 20-year-old house wasn’t protected by any heritage designation, yet they treated its neo-Georgian structure with respect while making it genuinely contemporary. That balance—honoring architectural integrity while allowing personal expression—is exactly what neighborhoods like Hyde Park and Clarksville are grappling with as new residents seek to update older homes without erasing their soul.

What’s particularly relevant for Austinites is how the couple handled the renovation themselves. In a city where construction costs have risen nearly 40% since 2020 according to the Austin Chamber of Commerce, the DIY ethos isn’t just charming—it’s increasingly necessary. But it’s also where many homeowners gain stuck: they have the vision but lack the technical know-how to execute complex updates safely and beautifully. This is where local expertise becomes invaluable—not to take over the vision, but to help realize it.

Given my background in urban storytelling and community development, if this trend of deeply personal, renovation-as-self-expression impacts you in Austin, here are the three types of local professionals you need:

Historic Sensitivity Contractors: Look for teams that specialize in working with mid-century and postwar homes (like those ubiquitous 1950s ranchers in Allandale or Tarrytown) who understand original materials and methods. The best will ask about your lifestyle first—how you cook, where you gather, what light you crave—before suggesting a single structural change. Check if they’re familiar with the City of Austin’s Historic Landmark Commission guidelines, even if your home isn’t designated, as this shows they respect architectural integrity.
Material-Specific Artisans: Since Marie and Jo’s magic came from blending classical elements with handcrafted quirks, seek specialists who work with traditional materials in innovative ways. This might be a plasterer who can create subtle textures on otherwise smooth walls, a woodworker who designs built-ins that reference the home’s original era but feel utterly contemporary, or a tile artist who creates custom accents. The key is finding artisans who collaborate rather than dictate—they should bring samples to your home to see how materials interact with your specific light.
Human-Centered Design Consultants: These aren’t interior decorators; they’re professionals who help translate your lived experience into spatial solutions. Look for those affiliated with organizations like the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) who offer “discovery sessions” focused on how you actually apply your space—where the morning chaos happens, where you need quiet, what memories you want the house to hold. The best will create diagrams showing sight lines and movement patterns before discussing aesthetics.

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