This nine-part series sees the owners of some of
the most beautiful properties in the country

competing for the right to say they own Britain’s
Best Home. The series focuses on individuals who
are passionate about their homes: ordinary and
extraordinary people who have toiled over build,
design and décor to leave a personal stamp on
their properties. In this week’s instalment, the
presenters visit a sleek, modern home in Leeds, an
art-deco house in Middlesex, and a palatial
Victorian house in South London.
I Own Britain’s Best Home sees a team of three
enthusiastic presenters travel the length and
breadth of Britain in search of the nation’s best
residence. Property consultant Melissa Porter
(presenter of ‘Put Your Money Where Your House
Is’ and ‘Get a New Life’), architectural designer
Charlie Luxton and property developer Russell
Harris have the expertise and the eye to hunt
down truly exceptional homes.
After making their selections, the presenters
spend 24 hours in their favourite properties,
getting acquainted with the buildings and sniffing
out the special features that make them unique.
However, I Own Britain’s Best Home is not just
interested in beautiful design and architectural
flourishes – the series emphasises ‘the home’ as
opposed to ‘the building’, and it aims to
encompass the story of the owners’ relationship
with their properties. To this end, the presenters get
to know the owners and their families to find out
what drove them to design and build their homes.
They are keen to explore the individual charms of
the properties, irrespective of value or location.
Each programme features three properties of
different types, from thatched country cottages to
urban bachelor pads. At the end of the show,
viewers have the opportunity to vote for their
favourite. The winner from each heat goes through
to the final, where one property will eventually be
awarded the title of Best Home.
Homes featured across the series include a
converted chapel in Yorkshire, a Georgian manor
house in Essex, an award-winning new build in
North London, a surprising bungalow in
Eastbourne and a footballers’ wives-style house in
Hertfordshire. Such a wealth of amazing properties
promises an extremely tough competition – but
only one home can win the ultimate accolade.
First up this week, Charlie heads to Yorkshire to
examine a modern family home in the ‘millionaire’s
row’ area of Leeds. With interiors inspired by the
Sanderson – a lavish, five-star boutique hotel in
the heart of London – this ultra-modern house is
sleek and stylish. However, the space avoids
appearing cold and clinical thanks to a passion
for creating a comfortable and warm family home
on the part of owners Marc and Lucinda.
Melissa, meanwhile, visits Northwood in
Middlesex to look at a detached, art-deco style
house built in the 1950s. Ken and Yvonne Spektor
moved into the property 22 years ago, and have
since built numerous extensions and undertaken
substantial renovations. Behind the elegant greenand-
white exterior is a unique, interesting interior.
Open-plan living acts as a perfect backdrop for
Yvonne’s paintings and a plethora of eclectic
artefacts, bold furniture and decorative
accessories. Surrounded by modest suburban
architecture, the Spektors have created something
rather special in this quiet corner of Middlesex.
Finally this week, Russell visits a Victorian
house in the southwest of London. Michael and
Catherine Bains, an architect and a writer/stylist
respectively, have created their own interpretation
of a white palace within their five-bedroom
Victorian house in Tooting. With a love of all things
white, the couple have painstakingly restored the
original fixtures and fittings, and have extended
the property at the rear with an ultra-modern
lounge/dining area. Michael’s masculine
approach to design is softened by Catherine’s
passion for classic French style. But is the
property grand enough to win the coveted title?