Turn your Grand Designs into a reality
If you’re getting yourself into the mood for a major refurb, remodelling or new build then make sure you block out your diary from Wednesday 19th to Sunday 23rd October, as it’s the big weekend for all DIY-ers with big dreams!
Grand Designs Live!comes to the NEC in Birmingham for five days guaranteed to excite and inspire you. The packed show will be filled to the brim with experts, including our favourite host Kevin McCloud as well as literally hundreds of exhibitors from every field of home renovation. Here’s a quick tour of some of the highlights of the show to give you a taste of what’s on offer:
The Grand Theatre
Always wanted to meet the face of Grand Designs? Head to the Grand Theatre to see Kevin McCloud, Charlie Luxton and a host of industry experts live on stage as they lead educational seminars, interactive live drawing sessions and dynamic debates.
Ask an Expert
Described by Kevin McCloud as the lifeblood of the exhibition, the Ask an Expert feature is an opportunity to discuss your plans with a professional for free. RIBA architects, interior designers and landscape gardeners, plus financial, planning and eco experts, will be available for 30-minute consultations. Bring your plans, drawings and budgets to get the most out of your session. Additional slots with our experts will be available to book on the day at the show on a first come first serve basis.
The Live Kitchen Experience
The Live Kitchen Experience, will boast a unique interactive cookery demonstration stage. With some of the biggest names from the culinary world, this year's show has the most impressive chef line-up to date. They'll show you how easy it is to produce Michelin Star quality food in your own home.
Grand Room Sets
The Grand Room Sets aim to inspire visitors and encourage them to take home new ideas and information as well as helpful supplier contacts. This year the organisers are holding their Grand Room Sets competition at the show, where they have narrowed down the entries to the top four interior stylists who submitted creative and quirky mood boards based on this year’s theme ‘Famous Places That Never Existed’.
The four interior stylists will be bringing their ideas and designs to life by using colour, materials, light and patterns to achieve some stunning spaces. All of the rooms aim to be dressed with products that are easily accessible to visitors and are either in stock or online from current British retailers, wooden flooring manufacturers and designers. This year the show has room sets themed around Somewhere Over The Rainbow, The Lost City of Gold, The Emerald City and Pandora.
The Light Lab
If you thought light bulbs were just for illuminating a room, think again. Head to the Light Lab in the Grand Technology hall to grab a coffee and test out some of the coolest smart bulbs around – and if you think light bulbs are just for brightening a room, think again – these products can also play music and change colour, while being controlled with your voice or through smartphone apps.
With so much to do and over 400 exhibitors, split across six zones, our advice is to really plan out and prioritise your day. Focus on the must-see stands that are there to help you complete your build, plan your route around the show and then, after you’ve covered off the essentials take the rest of the day to wander and get some new and exciting ideas from the experts.
Grand Designs takes place at the NEC in Birmingham frim 19th – 23rd September. Tickets are available from http://www.granddesignslive.com/nec/about/ticket-info.
Enjoy!
