Grand Design London returns

Staking a claim to be the number one show for design, innovation and inspiration, Grand Designs Live is back.

Based on the successful Channel 4 TV series presented by Kevin McCloud, Grand Designs Live, London, sponsored by British Gas, will take place at Excel from 25th April to 4th May 2009.

It will bring together over 500 exhibitors and six separate shows from Design, Interiors, Building, Kitchens, Bathrooms, Gardens and an “awe-inspiring” Grand Village.

Its aim is to offer visitors the chance to see the latest in design, self build, and
sustainable living - all under one roof.

So visitors should not expect the depth of, for example, The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show on self-build projects, or the detail of EcoBuild on sustainable living.

However, consumers looking for a place to start learning more about any of the areas covered by Grand Designs Live will probably find time spent at the show extremely worthwhile.

The show has a number of visitor attractions. These include: celebrity “experts” and free advice from the Grand Design Live’s Expert Advice Centre; the House of the Future which demonstrates the latest technology and most innovative designs for the home, and a new Future Build feature which will demonstrate the innovative products that’ll be part of today and tomorrow’s house builds.

Given that one of the 2009 mantras is “Don’t move - improve”, exhibitions should be in for a busy ten days.

As far as the KBB market is concerned, the Grand Kitchens section, sponsored by Miele, promises to present the “newest, most advanced and stylish kitchens from a host of top manufacturers”.

Companies displaying products include Edwin Loxley in association with De Dietrich who plans to present a “show-stopper” or a new kitchen, and Electrolux who will display highlights from its Design Lab 08 in the House of the Future.

Grand Bathrooms meanwhile plans to display the “widest range of sleek designs and state-of-the-art technologies” for the bathroom.

Visitors will be able to discuss their plans with one of the show’s experts and they’ll show “some inspiring ideas, including the latest energy-saving, sustainable designs”, and help visitors to “find the best bathroom to suit their plans and budget”.