A south Belfast home, named 'The Gallery' and renowned for its art-filled interior, has been shortlisted as a finalist in this year's BBC House of the Year competition. The unique residence is one of 15 featured in the BBC NI program, where interior designer and TV personality Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen visits and evaluates each home. The Gallery is owned by Bernard, a retired dental surgeon, and Sinead, a holistic therapist and counsellor. The house is an open-plan space with different functional areas that blend seamlessly into one another. Downstairs, there's a music area with a grand piano, a spare bedroom with a sink area and utility room, and Sinead's client treatment room accessible via a separate entrance. The central staircase, with a black banister and a lift, leads to the upper level with a double-height ceiling. The main lounge space, a kitchen with a hidden prep area, and the principal bedroom suite, complete with walk-in wardrobe, dressing area, and en suite, are all located upstairs. The home features several pieces of art that both Bernard and Sinead admired, and Llewelyn-Bowen praised their ability to make the house so personal. Bernard said the artwork was a priority when designing the home, and even put windows in the outside doors to save wall space for the art. A painting by Neil Shawcross is the centerpiece of the home, and Bernard said the house has been a love story, created like the Taj Mahal. The location of the house, according to Sinead, is serene, and she enjoys the bath in the bedroom while Bernard plays the piano downstairs. Bernard said his love for Sinead inspired much of his design, and he created the house like the Taj Mahal, Belfast's own Taj Mahal.
