On Sunday we hopped, skipped and jumped up to London Excel to join all the other interiors addicts for a day of pure indulgence.
Grand Designs has become a truly iconic show over the past few years, filling our screens with designs from the unutterably outlandish to the classically chic, and near-on everything else in between.
The couture catwalk show of its genre, Grand Designs fills your mind with spectacular design ideas that, whilst not always feasible on a more meagre wage than the pocketbooks of the featured homeowners, nevertheless offer inspiration to those of us hell-bent on pursuing home perfection.
The Highlights:
From left to right: Borastapeter by Hanna Werning; Daphne by Albany; Jena by Harlequin. All available from Wallpaper Direct
Modern art on display in the Grand Art Fair
The world’s first designer low-energy light bulb by Plumen
Modern water dwellings by Eco Floating Homes
Double-glazing sales on a Sunday afternoon? Er, no thanks!
Pick’n'mix, popcorn and doughnut stalls. I’m not sure how a rather expansive sweets stand fits into the Grand Designs aesthetic, and isn’t it just a bit unfair on parents visiting with children?
Union Jack prints EVERYWHERE! Enough already. It may be the Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics this year, but I’m really not sure it’s necessary to bring out Union Jack fridges, curtains, chairs, sofas, radiator covers, art prints, and so much more! Won’t a bit of bunting suffice?
Union Jack Bunting by The Cotton Bunting Company, at notonthehighstreet.com
A room designed by British paint company Dulux, with stools by Claire-Anne O’Brien
Online boutique Theo had lots of cool homeware on show, and Donna Wilson accessories that we adore!
The Armadilla – use as a garden room, office, or even a room to sleep two, designed and made in Scotland.
