{"id":10433,"date":"2025-04-11T09:38:17","date_gmt":"2025-04-11T09:38:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/10433\/"},"modified":"2025-04-11T09:38:17","modified_gmt":"2025-04-11T09:38:17","slug":"grand-designs-viewers-celebrate-best-build-ever-after-widow-rebuilds-family-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/10433\/","title":{"rendered":"Grand Designs viewers celebrate ‘best build ever’ after widow rebuilds family home"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A widow determined to stay on the same street she\u2019s lived on for over 60 years has rebuilt her family home<\/a> on Grand Designs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The latest episode<\/a> of the Channel 4<\/a> series followed Kathryn, who undertook an ambitious project <\/a>aged 82.<\/p>\n

A year after the death of her husband Jon, she decided she could no longer live in their family home.<\/p>\n

The couple had moved into their 4-bedroom Edwardian house in Barnet, North London<\/a> in 1965, where they went on to raise their two children (their daughter was even born in one of the upstairs bedrooms).<\/p>\n

However, after the death of her husband, she\u2019d been struggling to live there, especially with the number of stairs that she was finding increasingly difficult to climb.<\/p>\n

\u2018It has lovely memories, but I think I\u2019ve come to the end of my time here,\u2019 she said.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Grand
\n\t\tKathryn had lived on the same street in Barnet for 60 years(Picture: Channel 4)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Grand
\n\t\tA widow has rebuilt her family home on the latest episode of Grand Designs (Picture: Channel 4)<\/p>\n

\u2018I have an urgent need to move as I can\u2019t look after the house\u2026I know I\u2019ve got to move.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018But if I were to leave this street I would feel desolate.\u2019<\/p>\n

Not wanting to give up living on a street she\u2019d loved for so long, Kathryn came up with an audacious plan to build a new, accessible, ultra- sustainable home right next door where a garage and extension had sat.<\/p>\n

It was planned to be a mirror image of her current home, but with a 21st century twist.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Grand
\n\t\tSome, including her own daughter, questioned the project (Picture: Channel 4)<\/p>\n

With everything she needed to be built on the first floor, the second level would provide extra rooms for her family.<\/p>\n

The project had a budget of \u00a3607,000, but as always, the build faced several issues and spiralling costs, including eye-watering fees just to connect basic services (which ended up costing \u00a350,000).<\/p>\n

However, a year and three weeks after the work began, the home was finished.<\/p>\n

After tuning in, many viewers shared their thoughts on the final result.<\/p>\n

\u2018Best one ever. At least it\u2019s not like a. Village hall, b. glasshouse c. concrete cold interior designed house,\u2019 Sue posted on X.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Grand
\n\t\tIt was completed in just over a year (Picture: Channel 4)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Grand
\n\t\tHost Kevin McCloud was in awe (Picture: Channel 4)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Grand
\n\t\tThe open-plan living area was designed to be accessible for Kathryn (Picture: Channel 4)<\/p>\n

\u2018What a lovely property, wishing Kathryn many years of happiness in her new home,\u2019 Chris shared on Instagram.<\/p>\n

\u2018What a great project, and an inspiring lady transforming life. Wishing her all the happiness in her new home.\u2019<\/p>\n

Within a few hours of being put up for sale, the family home of 60 years was snapped up by a young family who were already living nearby.<\/p>\n

Speaking about her new home, Kathryn said she \u2018felt at home\u2019 and was \u2018very pleased\u2019.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Grand
\n\t\tIt ended up costing between \u00a3800,000-\u00a3900,000 (Picture: Channel 4)<\/p>\n

Meanwhile host Kevin McCloud said it was \u2018the most beautiful place to walk into\u2019, highlighting the open-plan living space and massive skylight.<\/p>\n

Despite the entire build going way over budget (it cost between \u00a3800,000-\u00a3900,000), Kathryn was glad it had all come together.<\/p>\n

\u2018I think it\u2019s a beautiful building and I am really looking forward to spending the rest of my life here,\u2019 she said.<\/p>\n

As Kevin said at the end of the episode: \u2018She gets to stay on the street she\u2019s lived on for over half a century. What price do you put on all that?\u2019<\/p>\n

Grand Designs airs Wednesdays at 9pm on Channel 4.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Got a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff<\/a> page \u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: Inside Grand Designs \u2018biggest ever home\u2019 now worth \u00a34,000,000 10 years later<\/a><\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: Kevin McCloud reveals update on Grand Designs house with \u2018most heartbreaking story\u2019 2 years later<\/a><\/p>\n

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