Amanda Bone is an award-winning Architect. She established her architectural practice in Dundrum in 2000 having previously worked in both Paris and New York. She is also a Design Studio and Professional Practice Tutor at the Dublin School of Architecture, Technological University Dublin. Amanda also finds time to be on the Editorial Board of the RIAI Publication 'House & Design', Ireland's magazine for architect-designed homes and interiors. Working as a judge on “Home of the Year” is the latest string to her bow. 

Amanda speaks warmly of her past school days in the Holy Child Killiney which she says were the making of her and feels blessed to have been a student there. Starting in J4 and spending nine happy years in Killiney she studied Architecture at UCD. To be an Architect Amanda believes you should be “open-minded, interested and forward thinking”. Being a judge on “Home of the Year” allows Amanda to use her Architectural knowledge and expertise in an enjoyable, fun and lighthearted way. The Irish are an inquisitive race by nature and the program has been very successful with Irish viewers. Amanda loves to visit homes that make the best of what they have. Utilising space by clever design and layout together with good use of natural light and a strong sense of being able to bring the outside in. A house that flows seamlessly from the interior to the garden outside.

Amanda herself lives in a bungalow built in the 1990's in Wicklow having grown up in a Victorian house in Bray. She moved back to Wicklow in 2018 after many years living in Dublin. The main incentive for the move was a wish to be nearer to her parents together with a desire to be closer to the sea and mountains. She painted everything white in her new home thus creating the perfect backdrop for her eclectic art collection. Unsurprisingly as a self-confessed minimalist her home is a true a reflection of her taste which is both restrained and calm.

 Amanda as a judge on Home of the Year often seems to be at odds with fellow judge Hugh Wallace. In truth Amanda is just being herself, she prefers minimalism and contemporary timeless design, while Hugh appears to delight in innumerable displays of personal paraphernalia. He favours the flotsam and jetsam of everyday life. It could be described very simply as Traditional verses Minimalism. Life would be very boring if we all had the same opinion!  The third judge Interior Designer Sara Cosgrove may be of a quieter demeanour but is not shy voicing her opinions on each property she visits. 

Amanda has become very popular with viewers since she joined Home of the Year as a judge. She comes across extremely well being confident and knowledgeable and cuts an elegant figure on screen favouring classic style choices in a neutral palette. We look forward to seeing her again on our screens when the latest series of Home of Year returns on Tuesday 14 February.

By Sinéad Farrell