There was lots to look at and lots to listen to.
Maybe it helped that my dad was there to keep me company and, if you can believe this, his enthusiasm matches mine when it comes to anything to do with houses and homes. His dad was an architect and I think it's passed down in the blood.
However,
Grand Designs 2012 ?
Lots of filler.
Whereas GD11 equalled interesting products on exhibit; informative and useful talks that were balanced just right - ie. no talking down to prospective homebuilders - at GD12 there was nothing new, except it would seem that the current climate around the globe has led to desperate self promotion.My ear was to the ground every time I turned up at a potential presentation that looked good on paper, but all I heard was 'I am x; my company is x; we aim to x etc etc'. Yes a couple of minutes verifying that you are qualified to speak is all good but any longer and your audience are bound to wonder why they started listening in the first place. After all, as a punter all I have to do to find out this info is to read a company leaflet or .. to google them. If I've paid for a ticket and made the effort to turn up in person, I want a little more for my money.
Same with GD Kevin.
Now I love Kevin. I find his pomposity endearing because it is backed up by a wealth of logic, intelligence, charisma and, lets face it, product knowledge. He knows what he is talking about. 
I liked a small exhibition of Kevin's heroes; which I'll show you further down the page. Good for him: promoting something he really believes in.Then again, interesting as it was to see a GD couple from one of the GD TV shows interviewed by him on the stage.. did it really give me anything more than the TV programme did? Probably not.
But would I go next year... no I wouldn't. Shame.
I think GD has fallen victim to trying to appeal to too many and, in so doing - in trying to appeal to the masses - it has diluted itself and lost its wonderful vitality.
Enough pontificating.
After all, I don't do it like Kevin does it.
Here we go:
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Two of Kevin's Green Heroes:
by Hulger & Samuel Wilkinson:
Designed by Hulger & Samuel Wilkinson, this beautiful baby is the first of its kind as the world's first designer low energy lightbulb. It uses 80% less energy than the traditional incandescent light bulb and lasts around 8 times longer. The name Plumen comes from the “plume,” the decorative feathers of a bird and “lumen,” the unit of light.
In 2011 the Plumen 001 was awarded the Brit Insurance Design of the Year, one of the world’s highest profile international design awards. It has also been recognised by renowned design collections around the world including the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the Finnish Design Museum and the Cooper Hewitt collection, based in New York.
In February this year it also joined the permanent collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum.
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| Craftsmanship & Design are key with this talented south London based team. These chairs are made from reclaimed hardwood and Victorian floorboards. |
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For instance, I loved the i-hut
a towable beach hut
tiny but perfectly formed
with a double bedroom, shower room & loo,
bunk up a ladder for the kids
and a living/kitchen/diner
super cool second home
A cosy bedroom for Mum & Dad, with a hideaway for the kids (don't worry the sign was for the show only!)
on cold evenings
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| Alongside all mod cons |
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Another pint size home on display was the eco-'Perch', comprising an open-plan bedroom/living space & kitchen, bathroom & a separate bunk room for the kids
Organic in form and not requiring planning permission, this beauty can be constructed on the ground or amidst the treetops. An escape pod fit for the 22nd century. 
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BEST OF THE REST
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To be continued...
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