Grand Designs Live will return to Birmingham’s NEC from 9 – 13 October 2019, welcoming an amazing showcase of the latest innovations, trends and all-new products across each of the five sectors of the show, which span Build, Kitchens, Bathrooms, Gardens and Interiors. Set over 5 days, this unique event is a must-visit for anyone looking to gather information and learn about the world of interiors, design and self-build.
Visitors to the show can hear from a variety of industry experts at the Grand Theatre, sponsored by Go Ultra Low, where an engaging line-up of talks will take centre stage across all days of the show; with seminars ranging from architecture to interior design, to adding value to existing homes and much more. While the Design & Build Forum will host an array of industry experts ready to advise on various aspects of every home project, from kitchen and lighting design to a guide to getting planning permission.
Daily sessions at the Grand Theatre, will include ‘Meet The Grand Designers’; presented by different home owners from the new 2019 series of the popular TV series on which the exhibition is based; visitors will be able to engage with the Grand Designers as they discuss the trials, tribulations and triumphs that their ambitious self-build projects presented. Grand Designers who will be at the show will include Angela Mastropietro, who’s cave house featured on Kevin’s Grandest Design, along with Paul and Amy Wilkinson, who’s Celtic-inspired timber framed roundhouses feature in the latest series of the TV show. Each day the Grand Designers will also take part in ‘Self Build Simplified’, where they will be joined on stage by a panel of our industry experts for a dynamic discussion exploring various aspects of their self-build projects; covering everything from architecture, to project management, to building materials and everything in between.
Visitors keen to undertake projects, whether big or small, can hear from our panel of experts including the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), hosted by Kunle Barker, as they discuss ‘Working With Architects’ and how they can add value to projects and property, and join Kunle for a step by step guide to Self Build in his seminar ‘Road Map to Self Build, for those with a potential renovation or extension in mind, Kunle will also head a panel to talk ‘Extensions’ and debate open plan living, kitchen design, space and value. Kevin McCloud will head up a panel of Simon McWhirter, of HAB Housing, Sally Tagg, NaCSBA representative and Managing Director of Foxley Tagg Planning along with Chartered Financial Advisor Mary Riley to discuss ‘Modern Methods of Construction’, and how they can improve business efficiency, quality, customer satisfaction, environmental performance, sustainability and the predictability of delivery timescales, making renovation and build a more viable option for many. While an expert panel, Award winning Inside out architect Tarek Merlin of Feix & Merlin Architects and Kunle Barker, will discuss ‘Curb Appeal’, and how making a great first impression is key, discussing simple, low-cost curb appeal improvements that you can do in a day or a week.
Visitors can also learn about the rising trend for electric cars and how our homes are changing to accommodate electric vehicles, in a panel hosted by Kevin McCloud; ‘Electric cars and carbon neutral homes’.
For budding interior designers, ‘Meet H&M HOME’ is a talk not to be missed! H&M Home are one of the leading home accessories brands to burst onto the high street and the Concept Designer Guilleaume Vaillant, talks through the H&M Home journey with Grand Designs magazine Editor Karen Stylianides and reveals what’s hot for 2020 in interiors and where where Guilleaume and the team go to for inspiration. Join a panel of interior design experts and industry leaders including Jenny Gibbs, Principle of the KLC School of Design, Karen Stylianides Editor of Grand Designs Magazine, and BIID President Harriet Forde. As they discuss how the catwalk has a major impact on our interiors and the influences it has on our personalities in ‘Catwalk to Coffee Table’. After this, discover the winner of the Under The Stairs competition, and hear from judges Kevin McCloud, Jenny Gibbs and Harriet Forde, along with the designers themselves about their submissions.
Visitors can expect invaluable inspiration and instruction on everything from renovations to home builds, decorating and much more. With more seminars and presenters due to be announced, the timetables for both the Grand Theatre and the Design & Build Forum are shaping up to be the most exciting and informative yet.
Grand Designs Live will return to the NEC from 9 – 13 October 2018; www.granddesignslive.com
