An 82-year-old widow, Kathryn, appeared on the latest episode of Channel 4’s Grand Designs as she took on a bold project — rebuilding her home on the same street she has lived on for more than 60 years.
A year after her husband Jon passed away, she decided she couldn’t stay in their old family house anymore.
The couple had moved into their 4-bedroom Edwardian house in Barnet, North London, in 1965, where they raised their two children.
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Their daughter was even born in one of the bedrooms upstairs. But after her husband passed away, she found it hard to live there, mainly because the stairs were getting too difficult for her to manage.
It has lovely memories, but I think I’ve come to the end of my time here. I have an urgent need to move as I can’t look after the house…I know I’ve got to move. But if I were to leave this street I would feel desolate.
she said
Kathryn didn’t want to leave the street she had loved for so many years, so she came up with a bold idea — to build a new, easy-to-access, eco-friendly home right next door, on the spot where a garage and extension used to be.
The new house was designed to be a modern version of her current home, with everything she needed on the ground floor. The upper floor was meant to have extra rooms for her family.
The project had a budget of £607,000, but like many builds, it ran into problems and rising costs — including a huge £50,000 just to connect the basic services.
Also Read: Grand Designs Couple Reveal Incredible £540,000 Transformation After Rotting Barn Caused Chaos
But after one year and three weeks, the house was finally completed.
After watching the episode, many viewers shared their opinions about how it all turned out.
Best one ever. At least it’s not like a. Village hall, b. glasshouse c. concrete cold interior designed house
Sue posted on X
What a lovely property, wishing Kathryn many years of happiness in her new home. What a great project, and an inspiring lady transforming life. Wishing her all the happiness in her new home.
Just a few hours after being listed for sale, a young family already living in the area bought the family home Kathryn had lived in for 60 years.
Talking about her new house, Kathryn said she “felt at home” and was “very pleased.” Host Kevin McCloud called it “the most beautiful place to walk into,” pointing out the open-plan layout and large skylight. Even though the build exceeded the original budget — costing between £800,000 and £900,000 — Kathryn was happy that everything had come together.
I think it’s a beautiful building and I am really looking forward to spending the rest of my life here. She gets to stay on the street she’s lived on for over half a century. What price do you put on all that?
she said and then As Kevin said at the end of the episode
Source: Metro.co.uk