Scotland's Home of the Year Winner Compares Renovation to Childbirth

Robert and Emily Haistans spent 15 years renovating their Edinburgh bungalow, Homegrown Hoose, which won Scotland's Home of the Year 2026. Judges praised its timber design, open-plan kitchen, and unique evolution as a family home.

15 Years of Transformation for Scotland's Home of the Year 2026

The owner of Scotland's Home of the Year 2026 (SHOTY) describes the renovation journey of her award-winning property as akin to childbirth.

Homegrown Hoose, a mid-century bungalow located in Mortonhall, Edinburgh, has been under extensive renovation by Robert and Emily Haistans for 15 years.

Emily and her husband Robert, along with their children Jackson and Ada and their family chickens, have modernised the bungalow extensively to suit their lifestyle.

"It's been a ride. I mean, it's been a very, very extended process, but it's been really good fun. It's a bit like childbirth. You look back and it's a lot easier if you're looking back on it."

IWC Media An image of the front of a modernised 1960s bungalow. It is painted navy blue and has a modern side extension in grey materials. Rows of wildflower line the path to the front door which is a rich royal blue. — The Homegrown Hoose in Edinburgh was ripped apart and completely redesigned inside

Judges Select Homegrown Hoose as Winner

The SHOTY judges—interior designers Anna Campbell-Jones and Banjo Beale, and architect Danny Campbell—selected Homegrown Hoose as the winner from a shortlist of six finalists across Scotland.

Despite initially disliking the house, horticulturalist Emily and her husband Robert, a Professor of Timber Engineering, shared a vision to create an ideal family home, heavily influenced by structural timber technologies.

"We have lived here for a number of years and the house has evolved with us. The slow, organic nature of the design process I think makes us unique."

"That, and obviously the offsite methods of timber construction of course. It is homely because it's just us and the things that mean something to us."

Robert added,

"I don't think what we have done will ever be replicated. It's a collage of our life of 15 years on display. Homegrown Hoose brings together upcycled furniture, horticulture and advanced timber technologies and blends it together with what we needed from the house as a growing family."

IWC Media A different view of the living area shows more of the warm orange touches, a lamp, a velvet cushion on a wooden crafted chair, warm lights in the kitchen beyond. Children's paintings are framed on the wall. — The couple reversed the house to put the kitchen and living areas at the back

Design Highlights and Judges' Praise

The distinctive house received universal acclaim from all three SHOTY judges. For Banjo and Anna, the open-plan kitchen was a standout feature.

"Hands down it was my favourite part of Homegrown Hoose – a place where mud, meals, and magic all collide in the most beautiful, modern and unexpected way."

Anna commented,

"The kitchen – which is lower than the rest of the space created – just the right amount of separation, creating a child height breakfast bar. The open design of the storage and robust materials combined with direct access to the garden for ingredients would make it the perfect place to spend all day cooking up a family feast."

IWC Media A bright dining area sits within a sunlit extension, featuring large wooden-framed windows that look out onto a green garden. A rectangular table covered with a patterned cloth is surrounded by dark chairs, with pendant lights and colorful string lights hanging above. A mix of natural wood, exposed brick, houseplants, and shelving adds warmth and a relaxed, lived-in feel to the space. — The open-plan kitchen flows to a bright dining area which then moves to a sitting area, all pulled together by the timber theme

Architect Danny Campbell highlighted the timberwork throughout the home, describing it as having the "wow" factor.

"The use of timber was extraordinary, this was not a gimmick, it's a deliberate and well thought out approach to extending a home that I had never seen before to this level. The three unique extensions harmonising together against the original home and hard-working back garden was fantastic."

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IWC Media A wooden staircase with open risers climbs against bold orange walls, creating a striking, modern interior focal point. Framed artwork decorates the wall, while hooks below hold jackets and backpacks above a small storage bench on polished wooden flooring. — Timber and pops of bright colour are the signature marks of the house

IWC Media More timber in a view through an opening into a bedroom, lined in wood, with a wooden floor and wood shelving. Bright skylights on the sloped right hand side flood the room with light. — Timber is the star of the show in the Homegrown Hoose

Inspiration and Renovation Process

Emily has been a fan of the BBC Scotland programme since its inception.

"From series one, we all love that kind of thing,"

she said.

"We've sort of trained the kids to love those kinds of shows too."

The family kept the show in mind throughout their renovation, which involved stripping out and reimagining the interior, including switching rooms from the front to the back of the house.

"We had been wanting to enter the house for years. We knew that the kind of the combination of the timber technologies, Robert's research and the colours and the charity shop furniture.

All that kind of stuff made a unique kind of quirky, different household environment. And those were always our favourite homes to see on Scotland's Home of the Year.

So it was always the plan whenever we'd finished. Once we did the kitchen extension, then everything got repainted, everything got a bit of an upgrade. And then we went, right, that's us, we're ready."

IWC Media A calm, neatly arranged bedroom features deep teal walls, a central bed with neutral bedding, and matching light wood bedside tables and drawers. Large bay windows with blinds let in natural light, complementing the warm tones of the wooden furniture and soft-textured rug. — The couple upcycled much of their furniture from charity shops to create an eclectic mix

Challenges and Evolution of the Home

The renovation was a labour of love and not without its difficulties.

"When we bought it, this house, we called it the Sit Ooterie because it was probably more akin to sitting outside than sitting inside.

Every day you'd come in and there would be slugs that would come in through the door and they'd be on the walls. And it sort of swayed in the wind. So we've added so many bits. And every change has been done very slowly and very deliberately."

Judges Reflect on the Winning Home

Judge Anna Campbell-Jones praised Homegrown Hoose as a deserving winner of the prestigious title.

"It typified the concept that home is an evolution, that it grows and changes as a family needs it to."

Banjo Beale added,

"It wasn't just designed, it was lived into existence, every inch rooted in purpose, place, and a bit of graft. I thought it was a lovely blueprint for a modern family home. It felt like the house grew straight out of the soil itself, a rare blend of soul and sustainable style."

Architect Danny Campbell remarked,

"There was an original approach to a rudimentary house type that doesn't just make it perfect for the family that lives there but encourages others to push the envelope and challenge what design can create at home."

Finals and Future of the Series

During the finals, the six finalists met the judges for the first time and had the opportunity to view each other's homes.

Emily expressed her excitement about winning the coveted title.

"It's such an honour to win - it's been a rollercoaster experience taking part in the series and hugely exciting. Our home just evolved into what it is, we didn't start out with something like this planned. All of the lovely comments the judges said about our home really resonated with us and we're so thrilled."