A PROPERTY near Glasgow has been crowned the winner of Scotland's Home of the Year.
The beautiful Georgian renovation known as The Moss took the much-coveted title tonight during the grand final of the hit BBC Scotland show filmed in the city's House for An Art Lover.
The stunning pink house is found in rural Killearn and sits on 26 acres of land.
It has been home to Karen and Matt Welstead, both 43, their daughters Cora, 12, and Marnie, 7, and son, William, 9, since 2018. The family moved there after living in Milngavie for several years.
A delighted Karen said: "It has been a surreal experience. Filming took place in one afternoon and then we put it out of our minds until the final was filmed.
"It was amazing to win but then we all went home and didn’t talk about it for months.
"Now, watching all of the amazing homes on the show it is actually quite overwhelming!
“In a year of lockdowns and very sad and worrying times it was a really lovely wee highlight for us.
"Plus, it meant we tidied the house thoroughly which is always a bonus!
“I absolutely love Scotland’s Home of the Year. It is a chance to sneak a look at other real homes but it gives the viewer a sense of the diversity of Scotland: our fellow Scots, the landscape around which we build our homes and what inspires us.
"All of the homes have been a joy to watch - there is something lovely about seeing the pride, love and humour that goes into creating a home.”
Unanimously named Scotland’s Home of the Year by all the judges including renowned interior designer Anna Campbell-Jones, lifestyle blogger Kate Spiers and architect Michael Angus, The Moss beat off stiff competition from eight other finalists from locations across Scotland such as Castle Douglas, Skye, St Andrews, Ayr, Dunblane, Shetland, Edinburgh, and Inverness.
Kate said: "From the dreamy pink exterior to the impressive arched window overlooking the staircase, we were completely stunned by the spectacular interiors from the moment we saw The Moss!
"I think it’s that balance of design and personality working in harmony that makes a home - even though the space was impressive, it still had that essence of family life, as well as a ton of character.”
Anna added: "I loved the boldness and variety in The Moss. It managed to be spectacular at the same time as being a humorous, welcoming family home.
"The pool room was brilliant. Actually just two simple but bold decisions, the colour of the baize and the exuberant wallpaper, created a uniquely quirky space.”
READ MORE: Inside the West End pad named Scotland's Home of the Year
The Moss took over a year to restore and was a passion project for Karen and her family.
She said: “Living in the house while we undertook all the work was a challenge - we have three kids and busy lives so there was a bit of upheaval.
"The temporary kitchen in the utility with a microwave which didn’t work very well and a tiny two-ring hob was not ideal! Also, mice moved into my investment Chloé boots."
For Karen, her inspiration for the project came from various sources: “I am inspired by Scandi designs - my mum is Norwegian - and I always find hotels really inspiring.
"Art plays an important part in helping me put rooms together - be it working with the colours or providing a contrast.
“A home should be a reflection of the people who live there. It should keep memories and provide a welcome and comfortable place for a family to live, to grow and to entertain.
"I also have a thing about how homes should make you feel - they should illicit responses.
"I want my kitchen to feel organised and invigorating, the dining room to be glamorous and a bit sexy and the bedroom to be calm and inviting.
"Of course, It’s nice if other people like your home but the bottom line is that it’s for you and your family.”
READ MORE: Inside the properties of Glasgow families vying to win Scotland's Home of the Year
Anna, Michael and Kate’s search for Scotland’s Home of the Year took them the length and breadth of the country, visiting 27 exceptional homes, including everything from a renovated croft house to a Victorian conversion, stunning new builds to 1970s period homes, and rural homes to city dwellings.
A fourth series of the popular property show, made by IWC Media, begins filming later this month.
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