Grand Designs creator Kevin McCloud is one of our favourite presenters - up there with Kirstie, Phil and The Beeny.
He introduces us to glorious homes from around the world with his hit show
Grand Designs, and is now back on our screens with his new series, Escape to the Wild.
Having Kevin back in our lives as got us reminiscing about why we love the design genius...
1. The Grand Designs drinking game
After the first few seasons of Grand Designs had aired, viewers created the GD drinking game - take a shot each time Kevin says the word ‘bespoke', and a double shot if the couple announce they are expecting a baby half way through the build. Naturally, Kevin saw the funny side, and even joked in an interview that he actually wrote an entire episode of the show around the game - keeping it secret so one programme was designed to get people as merry as possible without them knowing. Our kind of guy!
2. He isn't just about Grand Designs
Thanks to his new show, Escape to the Wild, Kevin has proven he's more than just eco builds in rural Wales. The new programme follows families who have escaped the rat race and built their own home in the most remote parts of the world. Jealous, us?
3. He asks difficult questions
Kevin is no stranger to tricky discussions with property planners, and he always makes sure the people building their own Grand Design know exactly what they are letting themselves in for, and how much they're spending. Naturally, this is doesn't always go down well...
4. He loves a project manager
One of Kevin's top design tips is to bite the bullet and hire a project manager to oversee work - money well spent as numerous couples on Property Ladder can testify when they're £10k over budget at the end of the build (and still have the skirting board to paint).
5. He rocks a hard hat - maybe even better than The Beeny
No one looks quite as dashing in a hard hat as Kevin. He takes every opportunity on his shows to see the builds up close and personal, which of course requires a hard hat and sturdy wellies. We like!
Property show fan? Read our six reasons to bring back Changing Rooms.
******
-
Every homes editor I know owns this Joseph Joseph kitchen essential, and I've finally been persuaded to buy one tooI've never known a washing up bowl have such a cult following
-
5 things you need to know before installing a porch to avoid an expensive mistakeCheck these things off before diving in to avoid and expensive mistake when installing a porch
-
This energy mistake could cost you hundreds when moving house, warn energy expertsYou won't want to leave this small task off your moving house checklist
