Instagram Story Save

“A Year in Granada”

Just watched Tom Swarbrick from LBC talk about how much more expensive life is in the UK compared to Spain—and it hit home.

This is exactly why we moved.
• ☕ Coffee: €1.50, not £4
• 🍻 Beer with tapas: €2.80
• 🚌 Bus ride: €0.45
• 🍏 Weekly groceries for a family of four: €60–80
• 🏫 International schools (if needed): €6,300/year—not £6,700 a term

Rents are very reasonable—up to 40% cheaper than in the UK. Groceries are around 24% cheaper, and eating out costs about 29% less. You feel the difference daily.

But beyond the money, it’s the family life that’s transformed.

Our girls are thriving at the local Spanish school. They walk into town on their own, buy burgers in Spanish, play in the streets, and swim in lakes on school nights. They’re now bilingual. We’re outdoors more, stressed less, and finally living at a human pace.

A friend here summed it up:
“In Spain, especially in Granada, there’s a dignity to life.”
Enjoyment and happiness—the foundation of family life—aren’t saved for a few precious holiday weeks; they’re built into daily life.

“A Year in Granada” seems to be going mainstream. No surprise there.

Share, like, follow this page as it really helps us to keep producing this content

Next up: visa options—and how we made it happen.

Thinking of making a change? Get in contact—we’re happy to share what we’ve learned.

#AYearInGranada #LifeInSpain #CostOfLiving #WhyWeMoved #GranadaLife #MoveToSpain #FamilyFreedom #BetterLifestyle #SimpleLiving #BilingualKids #LivingNotEscaping #VisaOptions #AffordableLiving #DignityOfLife #EverydayJoy #FamilyLifeSpain

This video is a throwback to something I filmed with the brilliant Alex Polizzi (aka The Hotel Inspector) for Channel 4 just before the world changed.

The concept? One Euro Home.
Not about dream holiday homes or glossy second homes—but about people genuinely wanting to change their lives. People looking for a new way of living, not just a new location.

Funny how life imitates art… because just a few years later, that’s exactly what I did—moving my whole family to Granada, Spain, for A Year in Granada.

Working with Alex was fantastic, and the whole team poured so much heart into it. It’s a shame the show never really saw the light of day. But with everything going on in the world, maybe it’s time we bring it back?

A proper show about real people making bold but achievable life changes—surely that’s just the tonic we all need.

#OneEuroHome #AlexPolizzi #Channel4 #AYearInGranada #LifeChange #TVThrowback #MoveToSpain #ChangeYourLife #GranadaLife #PropertyJourney #TVPresenting #RealStories #naturalplaces

Clerkenwell Design Week - Walking Tour

Thanks to everyone who’s messaged about the RIBA Journal walking tour — there are still a few tickets left, so now’s the time to grab one.

In this video I share three of my favourite Clerkenwell stories: a strange little traffic island that was once the outer gate to the Priory of St John, the hidden River Fleet beneath Clerkenwell Green, and the old Turnmills nightclub, now home to Grimshaw Architects.

History, design, showrooms, materials, furniture and a few unexpected stories along the way.

Come and join us.

🎟️ Register here: https://www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com/riba-tours-cdw

#ClerkenwellDesignWeek #CDW2026 #RIBA #Clerkenwell #LondonDesign Design Architecture InteriorDesign RiverFleet Grimshaw Turnmills LondonHistory DesignCulture

Clerkenwell Design Week

Really excited to be partnering with RIBA for this year’s FREE design tours during Clerkenwell Design Week.

Throughout the walk we’ll be visiting some fantastic showrooms to explore the materials, furniture, finishes and surface coverings that help make great design possible.

Along the way we’ll uncover the stories behind this extraordinary part of London — from medieval history and hidden rivers to contemporary design culture and craftsmanship. Clerkenwell has always been a place where ideas, makers and creativity come together, and that spirit is still everywhere today.

If you’re visiting CDW this year, come and join us.

📍 Free RIBA Tours
📅 Clerkenwell Design Week
🔗 https://www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com/riba-tours-cdw

#ClerkenwellDesignWeek #CDW2026 #RIBA #Design #InteriorDesign Architecture LondonDesign Clerkenwell Materiality FurnitureDesign SurfaceDesign DesignCulture BuiltEnvironment LondonEvents

Grand Designs Live – Day 1 Update (Part 2)

Part 2 from this morning’s Flatpack World Championships at Grand Designs Live – and what a way to start the show.

Huge congratulations to Hayley for retaining her title as World Champion – an incredible performance under pressure.

And a big thank you to all the contestants who took part. It’s not easy building flatpack furniture against the clock, in front of a crowd, and on live television… but everyone absolutely rose to the occasion.

Day 1 has been a great success so far. Brilliant to see so many people here, all sharing that love of design, making and building.

If you’re thinking of coming down over the next few days, do it. It’s shaping up to be a fantastic show.

#GrandDesignsLive #GrandDesigns #BBCBreakfast #Flatpack #FlatpackChallenge DesignLife Architecture HomeDesign SelfBuild ConstructionLife LiveEvents LondonEvents BuildingDreams DesignInspiration DayOne we q

Grand Designs Live – Day 1 Update (Part 1)

An early start this morning, but a brilliant way to kick things off at Grand Designs Live… hosting and judging the Flatpack World Championships.

This clip is from our segment live on BBC Breakfast earlier today – always good fun bringing a bit of flatpack chaos to the nation first thing in the morning.

It’s one of those competitions that everyone can relate to. We’ve all been there… a box of parts, an instruction manual that may or may not make sense, and a race against time (and patience).

The atmosphere was fantastic, great crowd, great energy, and a proper celebration of something we all secretly take a bit too seriously.

More to come from Day 1…

#GrandDesignsLive #GrandDesigns #BBCBreakfast #Flatpack #FlatpackChallenge DesignLife Architecture HomeDesign SelfBuild ConstructionLife LiveEvents LondonEvents BuildingDreams DesignInspiration DayOne

Grand Designs Live - Behind the Scenes

Ever wondered what it’s like behind the scenes hosting the Main Stage at Grand Designs Live?

This third video gives you a little glimpse into the buzz, energy and organised chaos that goes into putting the show together. From meeting guests, chatting with experts, welcoming audiences and keeping everything moving — it’s always a brilliant few days.

I’ve loved being part of this event for almost 10 years now, and I’m looking forward to being back again this year. If you’re thinking of building, renovating or improving your home, there really is nowhere better to spend a day.

📍 ExCeL London
📅 1st–4th May

#GrandDesignsLive #BehindTheScenes #MainStage #HomeImprovement #SelfBuild RenovationIdeas GrandDesigns LondonEvents Architecture Property

Grand Designs Live

Nearly a decade on, and I still genuinely love being part of Grand Designs Live. The event has evolved over the years, grown, adapted and moved with the times — but at its heart it’s still the same brilliant place for anyone passionate about homes, design and creating something special.

This second video is myself and Kevin McCloud reminiscing about some great Grand Designs memories from years gone by. Plenty of laughs, a few stories, and a reminder of why this event has stood the test of time.

If you love homes, ideas and inspiration — come along.

📍 ExCeL London
📅 1st–4th May

#GrandDesignsLive #GrandDesigns #KevinMcCloud #DesignInspiration #HomeIdeas SelfBuildUK RenovationProject LondonExpo DreamHome Interiorso

Grand Designs Live - Starts Tomorrow

Back in London — and what a city it is when the sun’s out.

There’s something about London in the sunshine that just hits differently. The architecture, the streets, the energy, the mix of old and new — it’s one of the great cities of the world for a reason.

Genuinely, there are few better places to be right now. Great buildings, incredible culture, and some of the best people you’ll find anywhere.

I’ve just arrived back and I’m really looking forward to the next few days at Grand Designs Live, which all kicks off tomorrow. If you’re thinking about building, renovating, or just want to soak up some ideas and inspiration, come down and join us — it’s going to be a brilliant few days.

📍 ExCeL London
📅 1st–4th May

#London #GrandDesignsLive #LondonInTheSun #Architecture #DesignInspiration CityLife UKEvents HomeDesign SelfBuild Renovation

Grand Designs Live

It’s hard to believe it’s been almost 10 years of working with the brilliant Grand Designs Live team and being part of such a fantastic event. Over that time, one thing has never changed — the passion, creativity and inspiration that makes it such a special place to be.

This first video is a conversation between myself and Kevin McCloud talking all things Grand Designs, the show, the event, and some of our favourite things about being involved.

Whether you’re planning to build, renovate, redesign or just looking for ideas, Grand Designs Live is still the place to be.

📍 ExCeL London
📅 1st–4th May

#GrandDesignsLive #GrandDesigns #KevinMcCloud #HomeDesign #SelfBuild Renovation Interiors BuildingDreams LondonEvents PropertyInspiration

Happy anniversary to my wife, Katie Mills.

This video was taken 14 years ago today in Granada. It rained that day, which is unusual for Granada, and probably felt a bit disappointing at first. But thank you to Giles Perry for calming me down and using your exhibition skills to help me see the bright side through the rain.

In the end, it meant we had this wonderful wedding in the gypsy caves of Sacromonte, in Granada.

It’s strange watching this video now. There are people in it who aren’t with us anymore, and we miss them. Looking back on it, I guess this wedding wasn’t just about me and Katie. It was about friendship, family and togetherness.

Great memories. Here’s to the next 14.

#granada #family #Friends #wedding #spain❤️

Join @kunlebarkerat Grand Designs Live London, sponsored by Daikin, this May.

Whether you’re building, renovating, or simply looking to refresh your space, there’s inspiration, ideas and expert advice waiting for you at the show.

📍 1–4 May | Excel London | 10am–5pm

Book tickets via the link in our bio.