Latest news with #BanjoBeale
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
US contestant wins Scotland's Home of the Year contest.
'After watching the shows and getting to see our competition in detail, it really must have been a hard decision to make MAJOR WINNER US contestant wins Scotland's Home of the Year contest. Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN American who brought 'Californian cool' to the wilds of Scotland has won a prestigious BBC TV property award. US-born Jessica Zanoni and her artist hubby Chris Labrooy have scooped this year's Scotland's Home of the Year title. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 5 essica Zanoni and her artist hubby Chris Labrooy are this year's winners. 5 Style like this saw them pip their rivals to the title. 5 TV judges Banjo Beale, Anna Campbell-Jones and Danny Campbell hand over the award to the happy couple. 5 The couple's luxury bath helped them win the top accolade. The couple, who live with their son Chase, 18 and dogs Enzo and Dino came out on top after building contemporary Hilltop House near Pitmedden, Aberdeenshire, beating five other finalists to the gong. Jessica, 39, said: 'It has been such a lovely experience all around, and to win it has been fantastic. 'After watching the shows and getting to see our competition in detail, it really must have been a hard decision to make.' Chris, 45 adds: 'It's great to win. The house is a reflection of our tastes and personalities and we are proud of what we have created.' The couple, who run their own art business, built their property on the footprint of the surrounding farm steading, filling it with colourful statement pieces from bright yellow sofas to a pastel pink bathroom. And their efforts paid off as it left the show's trio of judges impressed by their 'charismatic' choices. Interior designer, Anna Campbell said: 'This home managed to feel perfect in every way whilst still feeling like a place where real people live. 'I particularly loved the way their art was reflected in their choices of colour and furniture managing to create the perfect balance between playfulness and sophistication.' Fellow designer Banjo Beale added: 'It's an artful sanctuary - every corner tells a story, and it's quiet and charismatic all at once.' While architect Danny Campbell stated: 'This was a home that manages to be both deeply personal and architecturally ambitious. 'There's a clarity of vision that's rare - every corner feels considered, every material honest, every space deliberate and thought through. 'It felt like the building was completely in tune with the people who lived there, which is especially impressive for a conversion.' The eighth series of Scotland's Home of the Year will begin filming from June. For more information on how to enter, please head to for full terms and conditions.
Daily Record
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Scotland's Home of the Year 2025 winner crowned as Aberdeenshire Hilltop House scoops glory
BBC Scotland's Home of the Year 2025 has been crowned after a tough grand finale. A stunning Aberdeenshire house has been crowned Scotland's Home of the Year 2025. The Hilltop House, near Pitmedden, was named the winner in the much-anticipated finale of the popular BBC Scotland series, which was filmed at Glasgow's House For An Art Lover. Hilltop House belongs to Jessica Zanoni and husband Chris Labrooy, who live at the luxury pad with their teenage son Chase, 18, and dogs Enzo and Dino. The winning home fuses together mid-century and Californian cool style, creating a dream home for all the family, which oozes character. Designed by the couple themselves, the home is filled with colourful statement pieces from bright yellow sofas to a pastel pink bathroom. The pair - who run their own art business - are inspired by nature and led by sustainable design principles, purchasing items which will last for decades. The judges, Anna Campbell-Jones, Banjo Beale and Danny Campbell, crowned Hilltop House the winner from a shortlist of six finalists found across Scotland. Jessica and Chris were over the moon to be announced as the winner. Jessica said: 'It has been such a lovely experience all around, and to win it has been fantastic. After watching the shows and getting to see our competition in detail, it really must have been a hard decision to make!' Chris added: 'It's great to win. The house is a reflection of our tastes and personalities and we are proud of what we have created.' Anna Campbell Jones said that Hilltop House is a very worthy winner of the prestigious title, she beamed: 'This home managed to feel perfect in every way whilst still feeling like a place where real people live. I particularly loved the way their art was reflected in their choices of colour and furniture managing to create the perfect balance between playfulness and sophistication." Isle of Mull based interior designer Banjo Beale agreed, saying: 'It's an artful sanctuary - every corner tells a story, and it's quiet and charismatic all at once.' The six finalists came face-to-face at the season finale in Glasgow, meeting the judges for the first time as well as getting a chance to cast their eyes over each other's homes. For Jessica, meeting the other finalists was a real highlight of the day: 'The finale was a whirlwind of a day! We met all of the finalists and had such a great day talking to them. We have a WhatsApp group now that we keep in touch through. "It's easy to get on with people that are like minded and have put their heart and souls into the design of their homes. So, everything from building and designing and filming SHOTY were all shared experiences for us! It was so interesting to see all their ideas.' The 2025 series of Scotland's Home of the Year visited 18 exceptional properties across the length and breadth of Scotland. The eighth series of Scotland's Home of the Year will begin filming locations around Scotland from June. For more information on how to enter, please click here for full terms and conditions. The full seventh series of Scotland's Home Of The Year is available to view on BBC iPlayer. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Banjo and Ro's Grand Island Hotel - New BBC Scotland series to follow the two designers as they transform a derelict mansion on a remote Scottish island
New six-part series Banjo and Ro's Grand Island Hotel sees interior designer Banjo Beale and husband Ro take on their biggest design project – turning a derelict mansion on the remote Isle of Ulva in Scotland into a stunning boutique hotel. Together, Banjo and Ro hope to transform the fortunes of the crumbling house and the island community. Banjo and Ro's Grand Island Hotel is a Hello Halo production for BBC Scotland with filming beginning in June. Situated 150 metres off the west coast of the Isle of Mull in Scotland, Ulva used to have a population of 800 but now just 14 call it home. At the centre of the island stands Ulva House, a once enchanting Regency home, the former residence of the first Governor of Australia, Lachlan MacQuarrie. However, in recent years, Ulva House has stood abandoned, falling into disrepair until the local community bought it in 2018. Banjo and Ro's Grand Island Hotel will follow the trials, tribulations, design dilemmas and community spirit it takes to bring Ulva House back to life and, hopefully, turn it into a must-visit getaway. Along the way, the couple - who have relocated to Ulva along with Grampa the dog as well as their chickens and pigs - will face the challenges of remote island life and a limited budget but these two dreamers are determined to transform the crumbling mansion into a stunning destination hotel. Says Banjo: 'This is my biggest project yet with an absolute nightmare of a client - myself. Ro and I have officially lost the plot. We're going to try and rescue a crumbling, abandoned manor on the wild and windswept Isle of Ulva. With 16 residents, no roads and no clue how we're going to pull it off, it's going to be my boldest and muddiest adventure yet. There'll be midges, madness, and hopefully a miracle or two.' Banjo's husband Ro adds: 'I thought we were just here for a quiet escape, next thing I know, I'm knee-deep in filth, chasing pigs out of the hallway, and somehow in charge of sourcing vintage chandelier crystals from 1855. Banjo calls it a vision; I call it grounds for divorce.' The Executive Producers on Banjo and Ro's Grand Island Hotel are Wendy Rattray and Joff Wilson for Hello Halo and Steve Allen for BBC Scotland. The series will be directed and produced by Joe Sharpe. Wendy Rattray, Executive Producer, says: 'An abandoned house, a wild, untamed landscape. No road access. No running water. Barely any electricity. Banjo and Ro may have lost the plot but have no shortage of dreams and schemes as they attempt the most staggering of transformations in one of the most magical parts of the UK. We're delighted to be joining Banjo and Ro on this real world, high stakes renovation as they attempt to turn around the fortunes of this once stunning mansion and breathe new life into the island.' Steve Allen, BBC Scotland's Executive Producer, adds: 'Banjo and Ro's Island Grand Hotel, the duo's biggest design challenge to date, will provide pure escapism for our audiences. Combining the nation's love of interior design and renovation, this series will be full of emotion, skill, and heart. Set amongst a stunning Hebrides backdrop, the weather might not always be warm but the welcome to Ulva will be.' Filming on Banjo and Ro's Grand Island Hotel begins in June through to October. The series is expected to air on BBC iPlayer and BBC Scotland in 2026. JM2
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Scotland's Home of the Year finalists - who to watch out for
Since its arrival in the BBC Scotland schedules in 2019, SHOTY has become an audience favourite for its mix of design chat, architectural observations, and the banter between Campbell-Jones and fellow judges Banjo Beale and Danny Campbell. This year has seen standards reach new heights, with an incredible four out of six finalists scoring top marks of 30. The remaining two were a whisper behind at 29. Every homeowner who gathers at Glasgow's House for an Art Lover will be hoping the place they have poured money, sweat and yes, sometimes blood into, will receive its just reward. But only one can go away with the prize. Here are the contenders for Scotland's Home of the Year 2025. This year's competition has seen several perfect scores (Image: free) Sandstone Bungalow, Giffnock, the West Home to Pamela and Gordon, their son Caleb and Rosa the Irish Setter, the Sandstone Bungalow blends old with new, whilst retaining the beautiful original 1930s details. The couple's design choices bring the home up-to-date with a bright and modern kitchen, dining and living spaces. Remembered for: Scoring top marks from the judges straight out of the gate, setting a high standard the rest of the series would follow. Hilltop House, Aberdeenshire, North East and Northern Isles Situated on the outskirts of Pitmedden in rural Aberdeenshire, Hilltop House is home to Chris, Jessica, their son Chase and dogs Enzo and Dino. The couple designed their bright, contemporary house around the original footprint of the farm steading, fusing mid-century and Californian cool style to create their dream home. Remembered for: Another showstopper, earning a trio of tens from the judges - the second in the series. Read more Wee City Nook, Edinburgh, East A first-floor traditional tenement in the Stockbridge area, Wee City Nook is home to Devin and Max. The couple combined their creative skills to design and rebuild each room in this small-but-perfectly-formed home, creating clever storage solutions, maximising every nook and cranny. Together, they have created a bold, bright and colourful abode which truly packs a design punch. Remembered for: More top marks and turning skateboards into wall art. The Tree House, Broughty Ferry, Central and Tayside A modernist 1960s property, The Tree House is home to Jackie, Paul and their cats Mirren and Kaja. The couple fell in love with this neglected house, which had lain empty for five years, lovingly breathing new life into it whilst preserving the original architect's vision. Amongst their changes, they reworked the upstairs space to create their bedroom of dreams overlooking the treetops. Remembered for: Introducing the concept of enfilade ('without corridors') into viewers' lives. An Cala Cottage, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands A cosy cottage, An Cala Cottage is home to Caroline, Lee and their dog, Nuala. This traditional cottage was brought back to life on a budget, with the couple incorporating charming charity shop finds with a creative use of colour throughout. They took inspiration for their interior design from the coastal and mountain views which surround, creating a cosy and relaxing home. Remembered for: Being another school day for the judges, with Banjo describing a bedroom as 'hurkle-durkle' - a place to hibernate in all day. Craigmount, near Dalbeattie (Image: PHOTOGRAPHER:IWC Media) Craigmount, near Dalbeattie, South A Victorian semi-detached house that's home to Ozzy, Laura, daughter Grace and Ethel the pug. The property's coastal views won the family over and they made it their own by renovating and adding a tasteful extension to the original granite building. Remembered for: The family entered SHOTY because the show was a firm favourite of Grace's late gran. And another trio of perfect tens from the judges. Head judge Campbell-Jones says: "As always we have a set of finalists that are uniquely different from each other, from restored modernist dreams to handcrafted miniature perfection, there's inspiration for everyone. "When we film the final we are never sure who the winner will be - it could genuinely be any of these amazing homes." Scotland's Home of the Year: the final, 8.30pm Monday, BBC1
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
See inside the 2025 Scotland's Home of the Year finalists
Giffnock, Aberdeenshire, Edinburgh, Broughty Ferry, Isle of Skye and Dalbeattie all feature in the series finale of BBC Scotland's series on Monday, June 2. After visiting 18 contenders in the West, the North East & Northern Isles, East, Central & Tayside, Highlands & Islands and the South, judges – interior designers Anna Campbell-Jones and Banjo Beale along with architect Danny Campbell – will now choose which of the six homes will win. The finale is filmed at Glasgow's House for an Art Lover - designed by the architect Charles Rennie MacIntosh. This year's SHOTY search showcased a variety of styles from period properties to modern new-builds, cosy cottages to bespoke flats, farm steadings to contemporary abodes. This year's finalists are: Sandstone Bungalow, Giffnock Home to Pamela and Gordon, their son Caleb and Rosa the Irish Setter, the Sandstone Bungalow blends together old with new, whilst retaining the original 1930s details. The couple design choices bring the Sandstone Bungalow up-to-date with a bright and modern kitchen, dining and living spaces. Hilltop House, Aberdeenshire Situated on the outskirts of Pitmedden in Aberdeenshire, Hilltop House is home to Chris, Jessica, their son Chase and dogs Enzo and Dino. The couple designed their bright, contemporary house around the original footprint of the farm steading, fusing mid-century and Californian style to create their dream home. Wee City Nook, Edinburgh A first-floor traditional tenement in Edinburgh's Stockbridge area, Wee City Nook is home to Devin and Max. The couple combined their creative skills to design and rebuild each room in this small-but-perfectly-formed home, creating storage solutions, maximising every nook and cranny. Together, they have created a bold, bright and colourful abode. The Tree House, Broughty Ferry A modernist 1960s property in Broughty Ferry, The Tree House is home to Jackie, Paul and their cats Mirren and Kaja. READ MORE: Jobs lost as luxury Highland spa goes bust amid 'mounting cost pressures' The couple fell in love with this neglected house which had laid empty for five years, breathing new life into it whilst preserving the original architect's vision. Amongst their changes, they reworked the upstairs space to create their bedroom of dreams overlooking the treetops. An Cala Cottage, Isle of Skye An Cala Cottage is home to Caroline, Lee and their dog, Nuala. This traditional cottage was brought back to life on a budget, with the couple incorporating charming charity shop finds with a creative use of colour throughout. They took inspiration for their interior design from the coastal and mountain views which surround, creating a cosy and relaxing home. Craigmount, near Dalbeattie A Victorian semi-detached house near Dalbeattie, home to Ozzy, Laura, daughter Grace and Ethel the pug. The property's coastal views won the family over and they made it their own by renovating and adding an extension to the original granite building. The family entered Craigmount as Grace's late gran loved SHOTY. Interior designer Anna Campbell-Jones said: 'As always, we have a set of finalists that are each uniquely different from each other, from restored modernist dreams to handcrafted miniature perfection there's inspiration for everyone. When we film the final we are never sure who the winner will be - it could genuinely be any of these amazing homes. "Through debate, much discussion and not a little heartbreak, we gradually whittle them down to one that we all agree has that magical edge - the home that best exemplifies what home means.' Isle of Mull-based Interior Designer Banjo Beale praised the 2025 finalists: 'Each home's bursting with personality - bold, beautiful, and a real labour of love. The finale of SHOTY is the big emotional payoff - surprises, stories, and a stunning winner that'll take your breath away.' Architect Danny Campbell adds: 'This year's finalists are an eclectic celebration of design adventures — bold, heartfelt, and unapologetically individual. Each home tells a story of its owner's passions, priorities and aesthetic DNA, from slick architectural statements to soulful reimagining of traditional spaces. "The finale is always a head-spin - equal parts tension and celebration. Viewers can expect impassioned debates, inspiring interior insights and that brilliant moment where we finally agree on a winner!' The finale will be aired at 8.30pm.
