Last weekend I got myself down to the Homebuilding & Renovating Show at Birmingham’s NEC. As ever, the cavernous hangar of a venue was packed full of self builders and developers, as well as people looking to improve their own homes. The seminars were informative and expertly-chaired, while the range of exhibitors was absolutely vast.
Amongst the usual conservatory, bi-fold door and insulation companies, I picked out my five favourite products from the show. Here they are, in no particular order…
1. Kit Homes
There were loads of kit home manufacturers at the show, but I had two favourites. First was the Zenit by Potton, a company associated with traditional-looking houses. The Zenit is a departure from this, with an ultra-contemporary look which on some models includes the pitched roof more often associated with the Huf Haus.
The second kit home manufacturer that caught my eye was Meisterstück Haus (pictured above). They’re a 100 year old company from Germany whose designs range from contemporary, timber-clad boxes to modest bungalows, via ski lodges and mock-castles. Their energy performance credentials appear to be impeccable, and they really do have a kit for all tastes.
2. Focus Fireplaces
A French company specialising in fancy floating fires with exposed flues – c’est belle, non? Similar, in fact, to the iconic fireplace in the Bristol Modernist Grand Design.
3. Feature Radiators
This stand caught my eye for their show-stopping collection of contemporary radiators. They had seemingly limitless desirable designs, and their staff informed me they provided heating devices for the Big Brother house. A favourite of mine was their Twister, shown here horizontally rather than upright for the benefit of the blog!
4. Solatube
For a long time it’s been a mystery to me why these aren’t fitted in everyone’s homes. They’re relatively easy to install, pretty cheap, and will lower your electricity bills. Their stand also had lots of nice diagrams and demonstrations about how they work – all very Tomorrow’s World.
5. Castello Luxury Baths
Pictures don’t really do these baths justice – you need to touch and feel them to properly understand the quality and care that goes into them. No one’s going to pretend they’re particularly affordable, but if you want to make a splash with a beautiful free-standing bath then they’re well worth a look.
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Commentsoldest first
wow – how much is that bath? i want one.
not a fan of floating fireplaces however.
This year’s show was a triumph, really liked the seminars by Michael Holmes,
clearly knows his stuff, and managed to speak to Jason, Ed of Homebuilding &
Renovating mag and was impressed at how friendly and helpful he was about
our project.
Glad you enjoyed the show Katharine – I tried to get a word in with Jason Orme but he was super-busy. Always enjoy these shows, makes me wish I had unlimited funds and a big patch of empty land.
Sorry you’re not keen on the fireplaces Peter… I love em but they do take up a lot of space.
Thanks for your kind words on Solatube and for high lighting the product.
Regards
Chris
No worries Chris, I love the product and think they should be mandatory in all new homes! Was impressed as ever with your stand at the show
[...] from the 4Homes blog shares his 5 Fave Things from the Homebuilding & Renovating Show (we love the [...]
Nice bath, and I like the lights but the fireplace would not be for me!
The designer radiators are available in so many designs you wouldn’t believe how they can become a feature of your home rather than an eyesore.
I have to agree it was an awesome show and deffinately worth going to.
[...] the Channel 4 website, design expert Rich Payne says: “This stand caught my eye for their show-stopping collection [...]
That is a really nicely built house
In the right house the floating fire would really make a room.
It does not look like a diy installation though!
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