October 28th 2024.
Coming up next on Grand Designs is the heart-wrenching story of a couple who faced unexpected health battles while appearing on the show. Tony and Ara Searby took on the ambitious project of transforming their Henley home into a wellness retreat, but little did they know the challenges that lay ahead.
In September 2022, as their dream home was being built, Ara was diagnosed with cancer. She shared in a recent episode, "Nobody could have predicted what was going to happen to me. Now, my path is to peace, contentment, and gratitude. I have so much to be grateful for, living in this little piece of heaven."
Ara's words moved presenter Kevin McCloud to tears, as he expressed his admiration for the couple. "It's very tough and wonderful of you to have gotten this far. I think that's just a great thing," he said.
Tony now reveals that the stress of the £1,000,000 project took a toll on Ara's health. He says, "The way things have worked out, specifically around Ara's health and well-being, does create a level of questioning. If I had known what would happen to Ara's health, maybe I wouldn't do it all over again. The whole irony was how the house was being built for wellness, but it had a negative impact on Ara."
Their plans to renovate their 1960s bungalow, which was built by Tony's late parents, into a six-bedroom, "horseshoe-shaped" house with large windows to admire the nature around them, seemed like a perfect vision. They also incorporated high-tech features, such as lights that change colors to match natural daylight and circadian rhythms. The couple also dreamed of hosting wellness programs and retreats in their new home.
However, their renovation journey was not without its challenges. Tony suffered a fall during construction, resulting in a fractured tailbone and stitches. And on top of that, Ara's cancer diagnosis added to the difficulties they faced.
Despite the setbacks, the couple have no regrets. They are determined to make their home a place of healing and fulfillment. Kevin praised their perseverance, stating, "After such a tough time getting there, it's an incredible transformation."
Tony adds, "I wouldn't have been able to do it all by myself. Before Ara became unwell, she gave me a lot of help. Things have picked up for her at the moment, which is good, but she still has concerns about her underlying health condition. With a project into the unknown, you have to plan and think carefully about how two people embrace a journey they haven't been on before and how they deal with the challenges."
He also shares that if he could go back in time, he would make some changes to make the process easier and more efficient. But despite any hindsight, Tony stands by the fact that he felt it was the right thing to do at the time. He says, "Life is what it is. With any project, there are things you can look at with satisfaction, achievement, and pride, but there are also things you would have done differently. That's life."
After their emotional episode aired, viewers showed their support for the couple, with many sending well-wishes and positive messages. Although their journey was not easy, Tony and Ara's resilience and determination have inspired many.
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