The 2025 edition of RTE’s DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland, closes out in the garden county helping a local family bloom where they’re planted.

Presenter Baz Ashwamy showed up one last time on our TV screens with hundreds of volunteer tradespeople and helpers to change a deserving family’s lives with help from EZ Living Interiors. 

But shortly before that, Baz sat down with the retailer’s Laura O’Keeffe, host of the Style Stories podcast, to chat about the experience which has been making us tearful and joyful in equal measure for the last four weeks.

Despite the accolades that have come his way, including an Emmy award for his highly popular TV series, 50 Ways to Kill Your Mammy, Baz remains grounded and sincere, as much at home wading through a muddy building site in his hard hat and high viz vest as he is in the rarefied atmosphere of the awards’ circuit and the super-stylish surroundings of Style Stories’ home, the Parlour Room at EZ Living Interiors’ flagship Sandyford store.

“Pitying people does nothing for them,” he says, sipping matcha and swapping out his serviceable wellies for cool green shoes that match the Scott sofa on which he’s perched.

“What if I was that kid in a wheelchair, what would help me live a better life? What would give me confidence? That’s what DIY does. All these companies come on-board and make it work and help out. It’s the perfect storm of goodness but also for the families; the result is life-changing.”

In this final episode of what is the most tear-inducing show on Irish television, the focus is on the lives of the Ferguson family from Wicklow Town; parents Thomas and Mary and their three children, including 17 year old Kyle who suffers from cerebral palsy.

Unable to negotiate his wheelchair from room to room, Kyle is also dependent on assistance going up and down stairs from his parents, his twin sister Sophie and older brother Evan.

“I’ve never had that feeling of being able to go to my room on my own,” says Kyle. “What I really want is a lift.”

Added to this is how confining the house is becoming as he progresses into his late teens.

As the crew gets to work Baz plays referee in disagreements between tradesmen and the interior designer, and when the weather changes and deluges of rain pour down onto the site making exterior work impossible, he keeps spirits up with his banter.

Extra moral support arrives with a celebrity cameo appearance to boost the mood and complete the project within the requisite nine-day period in the form of Ireland’s most famous and notorious avian: Dustin the turkey.

Fresh from his failed bid to be the new president of Ireland, Dustin’s spirits were high and spurred everyone on, helped by the bonus arrival of lemon drizzle cake baked by a kind neighbour, and some cute DFD puppies-in-training who one day will be fully grown assistance dogs like Kyle’s dog Kazz.

Finally, at the end of nine exhausting days during which Kyle and his family moved out, it’s time for their return and the big reveal.

It’s gasps of awe and appreciation from Mary and Thomas as they’re shown around their transformed home. A kitchen, dining and living room in a warm neutral colourway is accented with rust and blue tones. Cabinetry is sleek and obstruction-free.

“I knew it was going to be different, but this is amazing,” says Thomas. “Beyond what we even thought was possible.”

Behind closed doors is a desk, “a closet office,” says Thomas beaming, as previously he had to use a corner of Kyle’s bedroom to set up a desk.

“The colours, I couldn’t have done this,” says Mary. “It’s a dream.”

Hidden discreetly behind a partition wall is the lift Kyle longed for, taking him straight up to his bedroom with its fresh grey walls accented with orange and blue. There’s ample space to negotiate his wheelchair around, and a spacious wet room allowing the teenager to shower without assistance.

Evan and Sophie each get revamped bedrooms, and for the deserving parents it’s an ensuite bedroom in a sophisticated cream and burgundy colourway with gold accents. Downstairs a super-stylish snug sitting room is designed with warm neutrals and green accents with the Florence cream three-seater sofa for relaxation.

Throughout the home, accessories and soft furnishings give it the finishing touch and personality, and the gratitude of the family is palpable.

“You’ve changed my life and that’s invaluable,” says Kyle. “What I imagined could not compare to what you’ve done. If I could thank each and every one of you individually I would. We’ll never forget what you’ve done for us.”