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Kevin McCloud has spoken out about an architectural feature he thinks British homeowners could largely do without.
The veteran presenter of Great designs He usually tends to keep his design tastes to himself, but in an interview with The timesThe 65-year-old presenter explained why he doesn't see the point in installing folding patio doors in UK homes.
A folding door opens by folding back in sections, using a concertina-type structure.
When asked by the paper if the rumor that he “detests” this style of door is true, McCloud provided more context for his displeasure.
“I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with a folding door,” McCloud said, admitting that “if you have a house on an island in Greece, it might be a good idea to install one.”
“But in our climate there's nothing that a quick walk outside can't fix, and if possible, sitting outside and eating during those four days of the year when it's warm enough at night to do so,” he said.
He added that people often try to bring “the outside in” and the inside out” by installing this feature, but their attempts often backfire.
“Half a ton of leaves fall into the kitchen when the wind blows and a sparrow comes in and defecates on the floor.”
McCloud worked in set design and owned his own lighting design and manufacturing business before moving into television.
He has presented Great designs since the show made its debut on Channel 4 in 1999, and has also featured spin-off shows such as Great designs for interiors and Great designs abroad.
In the show, McCloud meets with people who embark on ambitious home design projects, often with surprising or unusual architectural features. He then follows the progress of the project over the next few years.
Talking with The timesThe presenter admitted that the role can be “a bit like being a therapist, both in terms of holding the viewer’s hand and also listening to people’s stories”.
“Sometimes I think, ‘They are lovely people. It would be nice to see them again,’” she added. “And then you see them again and realise that all they want to talk about is their cooking. It’s like the therapist taking their client to the pub – the session doesn’t stop.”
