Couple moved to tears after room transformation

The episode featuring Chris and Anna Rudden was broadcast last night (Tuesday)

Published: Wed 27 Oct 2021, 1:00 PM

Belturbet couple Chris and Anna Rudden were left in tears on RTÉ’s 'Designed for Life' after their sitting room was completely transformed by leading international interior designer Arlene McIntyre.

The picturesque Erneside town was Arlene’s next stop for Episode 3 of this new television series.

Chris and Anna and their two children Emily and Amelia moved into Chris’s family home a few years back, with his mum Eileen moving to a smaller house nearby. But the loving Anna found making design changes hard knowing just how much history and sentimental value there is in the house for Eileen and Christopher.

Designer Arlene is hugely passionate about design and the transformative effects it can have, confident that regardless of scale or budget, universal design principles can transform problematic pads into heavenly homes.

Each week 'Designed for Life' deals with the transformation of one property where Arlene meets the clients, hears their aspirations, and also finds out about their budget. The show also features a Tips section presented by Arlene’s charismatic Project Manager, Spaniard Zara Leon.

The episode featuring Chris and Anna was broadcast last night (Tuesday).

The couple's budget was between €10-15,000, but had to go over the budget to do up their sitting room.

Arlene and her team gave the room a bright uplift, choosing cream couches, painting the walls white and putting in a new rug. She also centred the fireplace making space for firelogs as well as the cabinet to hold picture frames of all the family.

“Wow. How is this the same room?” said Anna after the big reveal. “I'm actually shaking, it's beautiful. I love it. Arelene it's like a different room.”

Chris added: “It's amazing. It's such a perfect size everything fits. I'm over the moon.”

Chris' mum Eileen then arrived to have a look at the redesign, and she too burst into tears of joy.

To watch the full episode visit RTE Player HERE.