Celebrity Homes

Dedicated, decisive and driven - these are the words the describe David and Carrie Grant of BBC's fame academy. But when it come to home life, the results are surprisingly melodic

Music influences both the working and domestic lives of fame academy's
vocal coaching couple, Carrie and David Grant, who are renowned for coaching singing excellence from the likes of Will Young, Gareth Gates, S-Club 7 and Charlotte Church. Flame-haired Carrie and David, her husband of 16 years, invited celebrity homes into their pared-back yet luxurios residence for an exclusive look at how they achieve harmonious elegance at home.

'Our style is opulent minimalism' says Carrie, as she seats herself on her blue Heal's sofa, the first couch the Grant's bought during their time together. 'But we arent indulgent people. This was our most extravagant purchase. When I saw it in the shop, I had to call David and he insisted on seeing it before I bought it.' Looking out towards the blue and white tiles pool in her lush back
garden, the sofa is firmly established as Carrie's favourite part of the house; the deep cushions and vivid greenery provide a perfect tonic to a stressful day.

And with a booming careeer and two children to raise, busy days are
common. In addition to her vocal coaching duties, Carrie had been a session singer for Diana Ross, Roberta Flack and Rod Stewart. She also sings with the ten piece multi-racial group, united colours of sound she co-founded with David. She takes great pleasure in furnishing their home, but its not always easy 'its hard to find homey things when going for the minimalist look; we try to keep furnishings to a minimum. I wanted to decorate the house like the
Blanche House Hotel in Brighton with each room having a different theme. For instance, we wanted our sitting room to reflect images of sky, trees and water; it isn't focused on a tv as a centrepiece, and it doesn't have a coffee table or curtains. Oyr kids love to dance to the music of Tchaikovsky at night and a coffee table would get in the way. 'there are no curtains either; the windows act as mirrors for the kids to dance in front of and curtains would
obstruct their view.'

A chart star in the 80s with funk duo Linx, David teamed up with Jaki
Graham in 1985 for Top 5 single could it be im falling in love. Alongside Carrie, David was presented with the MOBO award for best gospel act in 1998 after achieving success with their album watching and waiting and this success mean theyre not short of friends. 'people are always saying,' David continues, 'which pleases us because we love a full house. We always wanted a bigger
home to give us more space for people to visit.'

'Friends who visit for the first time are always saying "ooh, you've got a pool"' adds Carrie 'and are shocked by how big the house is inside because it looks tiny from the front. But for us, home is all about sharing, laughing warmth and love.' as the Grant's workplace the music room has been designed with a distinctive tempo. Acting as the focal point of the space is a piano that has seen the likes of Atomic kitten, Gareth Gates and the spice girls crowded
around it in the early days of their careers.

'Carrie and I have been vocal teaching for years in other peoples homes and studios,' explains David. 'We took a risk about 4 years ago and bought the piano so we could give lessons from home. It cost £1,500, even though we were broke then. The day we ordered it, 19 management asked us if s club 7
could come and have lessons. It paid for itself in the first week! When it comes to finds, however, the best item has to be a Louis Vuitton trunk dating from 1893 that was purchased from a shop in Muswell Hill. 'I paid £30 for it and just wanted to use it for storing linen,' grins Carrie. 'I originally saw a wooden one for £70, but the shop owner said he would give me both trunks for £90. When I got it home that's when I saw the Louis Vuitton label. Its now
worth thousands.'

Interspaced throughout the room are ethnic touches from around the world. As Carrie says 'I like different cultures and im fascinated by people.' An Indian mirror on the wall provide light and opens up the room to give a wider sense of space. 'I bought that mirror from a shop in Camden' says Carrie 'I once bought a pink sari in Nepal when I went to do a documentary about missionaries. A man .lived 10,000 feet up in the mountains making lollipops from one room. All the mans saris were piled up and cost about £3.50...except for mine. I chose the wedding sari and it set me back £52.'

Carrie's favourite mew purchase is a clock in which you can place photos where the numbers should be. 'it's the perfect item that combines a sense of home while maintaining its simplicity.' Packed with pictures the Grant home is a living chronicle of family life. Photos adorn every table and wall giving visitors a sense of the wealth of memories and love the Grants have shared throughout their long relationship.

'My favourite picture was one taken with the queen, at the 2002 commonwealth games. I sang aint no stopping us now for the baton relay and was invited to Buckingham palace. We got dressing rooms inside the palace:
they were so clean it was frightening. That night, David and I had dinner with Will Young and he loves the queen. I stole two biscuits for him from the place
with the royal crest on. Two weeks later I saw them in Sainbury's! They were the duchy of Cornwall biscuits that are sold everywhere.'

With a busy schedule, home comforts are particularly treasured. Cosy
places to relax are a must to escape the stresses and strains of everyday life. 'I love my comfy bed as I love reading. It's my wind-down place,' Sigh Carrie. 'If I had the choice, I would never leave the pool in the summer,' Says David. 'Being Jamacan, I heat it to 92 degres, but the pool man has warned me not the heat it over 82,'

The Grant's love of entertaining is most evident in the clean-lined kitchen. Designed by sculptor Denis Hennessey, the black and marble work tops were selected by the Grant's in order to crisply complement the slate tiles and light wood cabinets, making the kitchen both inviting and functional. 'Denis finds he can't really make enough of a decent living as a sculptor so he dabbles in kitchen surfaces,' Explains Carrie, showing of the sleek worktops.

'Our favourite colours are actually blue and lilac, but they didn't suit the kitchen. We love all colours and like colour clashing, so we painted the nursery and the office lilac and turquoise instead.'
'We run an open house policy,' Says David. 'We regularly have 70 to dinner in the summer - directors, runners, pop stars - we cook food for everyone. If we
had too many 'things' we'd never be able to fit them all in! We wanted a welcoming kitchen as that's where people tend to congregate,' He continues. 'I love making bread at least once a week. I just pour it all in and the machine does the work. I don't even have to do any kneading or stirring!'

Convenience and cutting edge items are a must in a busy household. Packed with time saving yet style conscious items, the room is a salute to modern living. 'the big pans I have are one of my favourite things,' Beams Carrie, wielding the huge items. 'Those and my electronic salt and pepper mills. They have a light on so I can see exactly what I'm putting in my dishes. I often cook for huge amounts of people at a time sp I need my kitchen gadgets.'
'I'm the king of the kitchen though,' Laughs David. 'We were on ready
steady cook earlier this year. I won the show after cooking a dish made from chicken, rice, peas, broccoli, eggs and fruit. It's nice to beat Carrie for once. There are no winners or losers in this house…as long as I win!