If you are an avid fan of Grand Designs and live in Melbourne, there is a huge chance you made it to the first Grand Designs Live Australia event over the last few days. Whilst many would have attended this event to discover innovative and cutting edge design, it was evident there was also a significant crowd there just to lay eyes upon the very popular host – the charming and amusing Kevin McLeod (we love you too Peter Maddison – it’s just that Kevin won us over first!).
The closest I will ever get to Kevin McLeod!
Did I get close to Kevin McLeod? No where near him. Not wanting to stand in line for hours for a personal book signing, instead I stood on tiptoes, and shifted around the crowd for better vantage points – but the crowd held fast – No late comers to his presentations could shuffle/muscle their way to the front!
There was further eye candy however to see, and a number of items caught my attention. Terracotta herb filled pots impressively adorned a kitchen wall. Whilst I wouldn’t like to be the one climbing to the top to water or pick the herbs, it was a striking display.
Lighting was also an attractive feature at Grand Designs. My friends at Who Did That were showing off their sustainable timber flat packed (and award winning) Grandelier light shades (top image), and James (Loz Abberton’s other half) was drawing quite the crowd. Weave by Ed Linacre was also a standout with his 100% recycled veneer honeycomb pendants casting a luminous soft shadow against the rear wall.
The glass lighting display by About Space was incredibly eye catching. Although the filament globes looked stunning, I’m not quite sure of their eco credentials?
The RMIT Landscape Architecture students featured interesting angled and curved ply pieces slotted into one another, and interspersed with flashes of green plants.
And last but not least I am ashamed I didn’t get the details of this room design (above) [Postcript: This room ended up wining Gold and was designed by Natasha Busbridge~Congrats!]. This room looked such a welcome respite. I could have turned on the tap and jumped into that wonderful egg shaped bath – but for the thousands of onlookers …….
Sydneysiders, you’re next. Grand Designs (and Peter Maddison) lands on your doorstep on 5 October. Enjoy!
Jenny, not only are you an Eco design warrior but you are funny as well.
I would like that bath for Christmas.
E
Dubai