Kevin McCloud: You never know where design is going to lead you until you begin-Deviantart - 2 views
-
Ezra Mae Richmon on 21 May 13designers boiler house rooms avanti consulting engineers The presenter of the ever popular Grand Designs has lent his watchful and withering expressions to many a building project. The show follows some of Britain's most ambitious self-building projects, as individuals attempt to design and construct the home of their dreams (you can currently catch it on More4 and 4oD). McCloud also hosts the Grand Designs Live London show (www.granddesignslive.com), which takes place at Excel in spring, and spearheads Grand Designs magazine. You once said you 'wouldn't know a trend if it hit you in the face'. How do we keep our homes looking fresh if we don't follow trends? Trends are interesting things. They're like fish. They appear and then they go off very quickly. I think Rem Koolhaas once said architecture takes so long that if you try and follow a trend, by the time you have finished, the building it will be out of date. I'm all for people following their autobiographies, expressing themselves in their homes. What magazines do is underline that if I use that colour or buy that fake fur rug, I will be happier and win the approval of my friends. Which is possibly true but it is more interesting if you do your thing and find your way. Build a home that reflects your personality, which is much more individual. So how do we make our homes future-proof? Keep them fresh - paint the walls. Wash and polish the windows, that helps. Wash the curtains, steam clean things, keep them fresh and not cruddy, brown and grey. You can rent a steam cleaner that will renew your home. You don't even need to paint, you can wash your walls and the stains come off, just like people and clothes. Also, go and buy stuff that is beautiful and crafted. My argument is: is it better to buy five pairs of trainers at £100 each that last you a year each or one pair of boots that will last you 15 years? I think you'll find the latter represents much better value for money. The same goes
-
Suzanne Mendelin on 21 May 13Well, resolving such issues is important because of many reasons.