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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be jealous of couples on Grand Designs...

155 replies

MrsKittyFane · 16/04/2012 20:07

Who build their homes, borrow zillions, take a risk.
DH and I struggle to change a lightbulb.
(watching repeats on More4!!)

OP posts:
EdlessAllenPoe · 16/04/2012 20:10

having spent about 2 months merely refreshing the decor in my modest little abode, the thought of taking on a full scale build ...

not appealing. i'd love to design it, hand my scrawl over to an architect to turn into something buildable, and then just pay for it to get built though.

that would be the nice way.
I have lots of ideas :)

SmethwickBelle · 16/04/2012 20:13

I don't - I love watching it, admire the participants... but I am always a leetle bit relieved that I'm not left with the eye-watering mortgage and total lack of cupboards despite being in a converted hangar.

And it seems to be the law of Grand Designs that you spend the last 6 months of the build heavily pregnant and living in a caravan. In the rain.

Original poster
MrsKittyFane · 16/04/2012 20:15

:) I'm also jealous that most of them live happily in a caravan, on site, with 10 DC or pregnant for 2 years.
I would possibly kill DH.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsKittyFane · 16/04/2012 20:15

Post Smeth :o!!

OP posts:
GerardWay · 16/04/2012 20:15

I've always dreamed of building our own home but after spending 2 years on a building project that should have been finished almost a year ago I don't care if I never have to work with a builder again. I was seriously on the verge of a mental breakdown.

Original poster
MrsKittyFane · 16/04/2012 20:16

X post Smeth

OP posts:
YouveCatToBeKittenMe · 16/04/2012 20:17

I have watched it loads but have only seen a couple of houses that I have been really jealous of

Why does everyone need 17ft curved panes of gold edged glass made from the golden sands of Honolulu?

I would hate to live in a house with a huge uncoverable window, yet all of them seem obsessed with large amounts of glass.

The large boat house made from scrap made me Shock

wonkylegs · 16/04/2012 20:17

I work with builders everyday no way do I want to do that when I get home although probably will do one day

Alovelycuppa · 16/04/2012 20:20

I'm only jealous of the ones who have used an architect, painstakingly re-created period features using original materials (having spent a fortune) and do everything the way Kevin McCloud approves of.

Therefore not having Mr snooty McCloud sneering at them/ And doesn't he just love it when they run out of money, or it pisses down with rain, and the work is put on hold?

Frontpaw · 16/04/2012 20:20

Only the smuggity smugly ones who have as much money as they want and whine about not being able to find just the right shade of marble for the kitchen to match their spaniel.

There was one in Spain where an artist was building a house that he wanted to used as an artist retreat. He was doing loads by himself and didnt have bankers billions.

And I really loathe the idelwives on these who just moan about everything and decide that they are now project managers because they once worked as a PR assistant on the city. There was one annoying couple where the fiancé left him halfway through the project. They were loathsome though.

I'm not jealous, am I?

mayaswell · 16/04/2012 20:21

Some I dislike because they are arses, some work hard and deserve the fruits of their labour. But far and away the best ever was the gorgeous man who made an Eco home in the woods with the help of his friends, then on the update programme he'd met a lovely woman and had a gorgeous baby. Reader, I wept like waterfall, and so did my DH. I just felt he'd earned his happiness and was grateful.

Frontpaw · 16/04/2012 20:23

I remember him - wasn't he a woodsman? They would have to pull the house down of they ever wanted to sell it though because of she it was.

YouveCatToBeKittenMe · 16/04/2012 20:23

the right shade of marble for the kitchen to match their spaniel

that would be Bog Brown with a Hint Of Trout Aroma in my house! Grin

Frontpaw · 16/04/2012 20:24

On my sisters farm, it would be horse poo with a dash of septic tank

Original poster
MrsKittyFane · 16/04/2012 20:24

"Ed" on the episode I'm watching has just been made redundant. Why/How is he not having a nervous breakdown?

OP posts:
OneHandFlapping · 16/04/2012 20:24

They all seem to have a touch of madness about them. And I say that knowing a couple who have been on the program.

I don't understand how, when they've gone £700k over budget, they all manage to wheedle the dosh out of the bank, despite already being mortgaged up to the hilt. How do they ever pay it back?

Oh, and the lovely furnishings in the drooling final shots of the finished property is usually brought from furniture rental places, paid for by the TV company, rather than belonging to the owners.

pictish · 16/04/2012 20:25

Mayaswell that was my favourite Grand Design of all time.

Original poster
MrsKittyFane · 16/04/2012 20:25

When they say they have a little bit of money left , they mean millions don't they?!

OP posts:
bronze · 16/04/2012 20:27

Ben law is the woods man. Had at least two kids and just built a bit more

Original poster
MrsKittyFane · 16/04/2012 20:27

onehand C4 pays for the furniture?!

OP posts:
HairThieves · 16/04/2012 20:28

I love the programme but, when Kevin does his final visit, I always think the owners look like they are on the brink of a nervous breakdown - like it all catches up with them once it is finished.

DSis has just finished a major project on her home which involved the family moving out for a year. Apart from going way over budget, it almost cost her her marriage and health.

scurryfunge · 16/04/2012 20:29

The spaniel reference has just made me laugh too.
Essex fen umber is our colour match.

marshmallowpies · 16/04/2012 20:30

Yes the guy in the woods was the BEST ever & the house was amazing. Just sad the house will have to be pulled down if they ever move...but I guess that was what he signed up to...

The other 2 I loved were Monty in Peckham who built a tiny but ingenious house on a narrow plot & shoestring budget, and the retired couple who built a Huf Haus. DH and I drool over the Huf Haus every time!

OneHandFlapping · 16/04/2012 20:31

As if Mrs Kitty! The furniture all goes back to the shop at the end of the program!

mayaswell · 16/04/2012 20:31

Yes! 'We went over budget by £40k'. And usually said with a laugh!