Home Rescue

For over a decade Ann’s home has been getting more and more cluttered. In 2007, her twin daughters, Becky and Megan, were born prematurely. With all of Ann’s time and energy taken up caring for the girls, the house took a back seat. Downstairs is inundated with a tidal wave of books, magazines and paperwork! Upstairs, Ann’s bedroom is so crowded with clothes, duvets and bed linen that even the sun can’t get in!

Derek and Valerie’s semi-d is so full it’s about to burst! Valerie’s clothes have had 14 years to grow and multiply! And husband Derek has reached tipping point! As a dedicated follower of fashion, Valerie has taken up every spare inch of their home. She loves to shop online and in store and loves a bargain. With so many clothes and so little wardrobe space, Valerie has taken to stuffing her work clothes into the hot press and has taken over the spare room too!

Just outside the pretty town of Adare, county Limerick stands the equally picturesque colourful Rainbow Cottage – a tiny, century old estate house shared by former adventurer Mary McKeon, her daughter Leah and their three dogs. Designer Róisín’s quite elaborate plan to brighten two rooms with just one roof light is the first of many challenges for Builder Peter. But with time ticking away and more issues with painting added to the mix. Will Róisín, Peter and the team change Rainbow Cottage from cramped and cluttered to a crock of gold?

Last year, when Isabel was born with Down syndrome, the house took a back seat. With their space now cluttered, the current layout just isn’t working for this family, with Isabel’s physio needs happening in the middle of the living room floor! The house itself has plenty of space, but lacks function. And right now, what should be big sister Emily’s playroom is so crammed with toys, it’s more of a storeroom, with no space to play. Caoimhe and Barry need help to sort their clutter and make the house more of a family home with new storage and less stuff!

Meet Dolores. Her family are staging an intervention. Over the last ten years as Dolores’s three children have moved out, she has moved more and more clutter in! The house is now at bursting point with clothes, shoes and paraphernalia for community events. Róisín’s design challenge in this house, is only one aspect of this Home Rescue. Convincing Dolores to let go of clothes and event props will be a completely different task for the clutter busters to tackle! This dedicated fashionista will have difficult choices to make!

This four-bed semi was where Jim and his wife Ann raised their six kids – a happy home and a busy one. Unfortunately, in 2010, Jim’s wife passed away after a long illness and ever since then he has been turning the house into a man shed! Jim longs to get back to entertaining in his precious home. But with only three days, can Róisín, Peter and the Home Rescue team transform his home in time for his 70th birthday party?