Grand Designs fans were left emotional as Kevin McCloud reunited with the family featured on the show’s first-ever episode 25 years ago.
Premiering on Channel 4 in April 1999, *Grand Designs* has followed ambitious home-builders across 22 seasons, watching as they navigate the journey of building their dream homes. Over the years, the show’s audience has seen hopeful homeowners face challenges like budget overruns, delays, and even relationship struggles.
In the season finale, Kevin took a nostalgic trip to revisit the very first project in Newhaven, East Sussex, reconnecting with Tim and Jules, the original featured couple.
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Back in 1999, Tim and Jules, paragliding school owners with four daughters between them, aimed to build their dream home on a cliffside in just three months before welcoming their first child together. Despite their ambition, things didn’t go smoothly, and when Kevin last visited, their son Tiger had already arrived, but the house was far from finished.
Today, the couple’s home is surrounded by flourishing trees planted back then. Inside, they’ve made few changes over the years, with Tim and Jules explaining how they’ve kept much of the house as it was, even keeping the bright green walls.
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Reflecting on their decision not to redecorate, Jules said, “We decided once it was done, we wouldn’t do it all over again.” Kevin admired their commitment, saying, “While we often remodel homes, here’s a couple content with what they have.”
Viewers echoed this sentiment, with one fan on X saying, “It’s all about making a family home, not showing off. Just a place to grow over the years.” Another shared, “Are you even human if you didn’t cry at those beautiful trees grown over 25 years?”
Wrapping up the episode, Kevin noted, “Although we focus on construction dramas, the true narratives unfold when the buildings are lived in.”
Grand Designs is streaming on Channel 4.
Source My Celebrity Life.
