Grand Designs fans stunned as influencers finish mad build – but brand it ‘Travelodge’

Influencer Zara, 31, and Giuliano, 29, just achieved something few people do when building their houses on Grand Designs: they actually did it, under budget and within their time frame – and with no prior experience.

Moving from Reading, the couple raised eyebrows – including presenter Kevin McCloud’s – as they explained bold plans for a malthouse-inspired sprawling home in the Lincolnshire countryside, and Giuliano – a project manager in, he, IT – said he would be overseeing the whole shebang.

They purchased a £135,000 one-acre plot with planning permission – on the condition they reinstated the site’s old malthouse history into their modern home – and got to work.

On top of their land purchase, the couple budgeted £700,000 for their mad build, which, incredibly, came from a mortgage – with a 7% monthly interest, meaning they were spending £3,000 extra a month (and £40,000 over the whole build ).

But, deep breaths, people: after their 18 months, they planned to convert to a standard rate mortgage (if they managed to get the job done in time).

Luckily for them, they did finish before their deadline and – even more incredibly -did so with £77,000 of their budget to save.

While many viewers took to social media impressed at the achievement – ​​if not a little surprised – some thought they recognized the exterior design.

‘From the outside tonight’s looks like a posh Travelodge,’ said @Brian_The_Fish.

‘That’s a lovely looking travel tavern,’ added Peter Swann, while @aberquine said: ‘It looks like a Travelodge from the outside!’

Meanwhile, X user @Udders38 posted a picture of the outside of Chipping Norton’s Premier Inn, suggesting the build resembled it.

Others took their hats off to the couple, as @TheMizzCCB said: ‘Listen, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen an ep with under budget and early is crazy. Fair play to Giuliano and Zara.’

@EmmaThommo added: ‘Under budget, ahead of schedule and lovely people. It’s never been known.’

The pair drafted in a few members of the community for their various expertise for the project, but largely did a lot of the leg work themselves.

However, one moment did cause a £15,000 error, as they installed a five-ton centerpiece in their modern design – but deciding to cut costs, measured it themselves and it ended up being wrong.

Giuliano says at the start of the episode that during lockdown the duo set their hearts on the countryside, as he told Kevin: ‘We sort of craved peace, quiet, outdoors space.

‘We sort of thought, what’s stopping us from making that move to the next chapter of our lives now, to raise a family? Somewhere we can call home.’

Meanwhile, influencer Zara explained how they decided to try and make their dream house a reality after her mother died.

‘My mum very out of the blue died of a brain haemorrhage, which was a massive shock,’ she said.

‘I don’t know if it will ever sink in. It’s events like that which make you think you have to grab life. Anything can happen tomorrow.’

At the end of the episode, admiring the result of 18-months hard work, she said: ‘My mum would love it so much. I think she’d be extremely proud.’

Meanwhile, Kevin applauded the house as a ‘miracle’ and said: ‘It’s come in ahead of schedule and under budget. Credit where credit is due. Very well done.’

Grand Designs airs on Channel 4 on Wednesdays at 9pm.

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