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Interview: House Rules judge Joe Snell

May 19, 2014

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Have you been watching the second series of House Rules? We chat to judge Joe Snell about why he loves the show’s format and why you should tune in.

The biggest single reason House Rules is so watchable is simple, says Sydney architect Joe. “It is their own home! This is the essence of the show and is what makes it so compelling. At the end of the day, you can’t dispute that these teams are completely invested in their own home, both financially and emotionally. My absolute favourite part is the natural joy that the teams feel when the homeowners thank them for what they have done and express how it has affected their lives. This is amazing particularly when, in the context of the show, they are ardent competitors. It is lovely to see this basic humanity.”

Joe Snell

The show took a while to get into its stride and attract viewers last year, but Joe, who once worked as a real estate agent, thinks this was simply because it was a new format and people didn’t know whether to commit to another reno show. “I wasn’t surprised by its eventual popularity because it is a well made show by some seriously smart and passionate people.”

If you’re still not sold on why you should tune in, Joe, 36, says: “Imagine the hopes and dreams you have for the renovation of your own, or eventual, home. Then imagine putting those renovating hopes and dreams in someone else’s hands – your competitors’ hands. Then put all that into hyperdrive! Lastly, every team comes out a winner with a renovated home, and one team with the ultimate prize of their mortgage paid off!”

Well, when you put it like that…

This year, there’s a big change in that the judges give their feedback to the teams personally. “This means much better communication and hopefully means that they see that we are being constructive and trying to help them achieve a better result.” Sounds like added tension to me, which always makes for good viewing!

What many people seem to like about the show is that it is real people making over real homes. But there’s no doubt the fact that they’re making over each other’s homes which adds the spice, and potential for upset as well as delight. “One of the most interesting aspects is the interpretation of the house rules laid down by the homeowners. Styles and intentions are interpreted in many different ways – some valid and some not so valid. Further to this is the difference between the judges’ and the homeowners’ opinions as they both score each renovation. We are sometimes not impressed, and then the homeowners come in and absolutely love it!”

Joe Snell

The father-of-two hopes to be a constructive judge and remembers how hard it was to have his own work critiqued in his uni days. “After a while though, you realised that the criticism was directed at your work – so that you could improve it next time – and not at you personally. This is one of the biggest things the teams have to overcome, as it is most likely a new experience for them. So my criticism — if any — is directed at the work and is intended to help the teams improve!”

He and fellow judge Wendy Moore, editor of Home Beautiful, make a good combo, with Joe saying he has learned a lot from her. “Wendy is such an experienced editor. She spends a huge amount of time thinking about styles and design for a massive audience every week, while as an architect, I tend to focus on one design and one client at a time, admittedly over a number of projects. We come from completely different backgrounds, with very different training, yet we still work in the same industry and this can only mean that together we have a richer conversation about the different aspects of design and people’s homes.”

Watch House Rules tonight at 7.30pm on Seven.

Stay tuned for Olivia’s weekly interviews with the contestants from this week.

House Rules is on at 6.30pm on Sundays and 7.30pm on Mondays, Tuesday and Wednesdays.

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Want to try a different tipple this weekend? Toda Want to try a different tipple this weekend?

Today's #iafoodiefriday recipe is a lemon and pink peppercorn spritz by our friends at @thewholefoodsrefillery 🍸 

They'll give you 20% off your first order with our code. Find everything you need on the blog now via link in bio.

Cheers! 

#pinkpeppercorn #spritzlife
Those finishing touches make ALL the difference! Those finishing touches make ALL the difference! 

@kethy.australia, whose cabinet hardware I've used in my own kitchen, laundry and on my recent sideboard glow up, are passionate about bringing you the latest design and finishes from around the world! 

Their stunning timber knobs and handles from Denmark add texture, warmth and an organic feel to your projects that can only be achieved by using natural materials.

Whether you're embarking on a new build, renovating an existing kitchen, bathroom or laundry or updating a piece of furniture, Kethy have something for you in their huge range.

See it all online and find your local re-seller at their website via link in @kethy.australia bio.

#timberhandles #timberknobs #cabinethardware #cabinethandles #finishingtouches #drawerpulls #kitchenhandles #kitchenpulls #kitchenknobs #kitchendrawer #kitchendrawers #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #theinteriorsaddict #homerenovations #interiordesignaustralia #interiordesigninspo #transformyourhome #housemakeover #designinspiration #trusttheprocess #designwork #beautifulhomes #dreamhouse #homestylingsydney #beforeandafterrenovation #creatingbeautifulspaces #kitchentrends2022 #kitchenglowup
Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping ALL the character!

What a great example this is by @huntingforgeorge 

See all the details, and the laundry, on the blog now, via link in bio.
The patient has very much bounced back! Letterbox The patient has very much bounced back!

Letterbox kinder egg deliveries from a friend, dressing changes without a flinch and refusing to nap despite all the bribes (check the face on him in pic 3!).

Thanks for all your care and messages/comments for this tired and shaken up mama! Now very relieved and grateful 🙏
Before & after It's not just the award winning de Before & after

It's not just the award winning designer houses that get us excited here. It's also the beloved family homes which are renovated and extended to make them fit for purpose so people can continue to live where they love 🤗

@inspiredspacesaus helped her clients with teenage kids transform this house in Sydney's Hills District inside and out, making it their forever home. 

Due to the nature of the block they could only extend sideways and then gave it street appeal with render, new windows and doors.

See inside on the blog now, via link in bio. It was completely overhauled!
Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into tiled steps 🤕

Oh what a night. Thankfully Hornsby Hospital were as amazing as always and we avoided stitches. All taped and glued  back together and now to keep him calm for the next few days (🤪) and watch for signs of concussion. 

Bravest little patient ever. Yes I've had a 🍷

Funny how we go into super organised mama mode in times like these. Grabbed dinosaurs, textas and scrapbook on the way out in case we had a long wait!

UPDATE: thanks for all the love! Charlie is so well this morning after a big sleep!
Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressi Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressive!

The new @studio.xox ONLY sells Australian brands. Like @nood_co coloured basins, lead-free eco brass from @faucetstrommen and @lindseywherrett's  ceramic basins made by hand in Tassie.

And as for their Sydney showroom (they also sell online): WOW.

See and read more on the blog now via link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop
#creatingbeautifulspaces #homestylingdesign
#designbywomen #homestylingtips #sydneycreatives
#homestylingsydney #interiorstyling #interiordesignsydney
#everydaydesign #interiortrends #renovationinspiration
#homedesigninspo #lovemyhome #stylingdetails
#loveinteriors #homeimprovements #interiordesignaustralia
#dreamhomeinspiration #homemakeover #personaldesign
#interiordesignaus #creatingbeautifulspaces
#creativehomes #housestyling #sydneyhomes
#interiorinspiration #myhomedesign
I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new @madeinaustshow in Sydney this August.

🦘🐨Forget every tacky association you ever had about touristy Australian made and prepare to see a showcase of the best of home, lifestyle, fashion and beauty made right here. If the pandemic has made you appreciate buying local even more, this is for you.

It's the first business to business trade event connecting retailers with Australian made products to champion our local makers🙏

Apply to exhibit or find out more at their website, via their bio, now!

Are YOU buying more Australian made post covid?

#madeinaustralia #australianmade #aussiemade #aussiedesign
Do I recommend a timber vanity top? A big fat NOP Do I recommend a timber vanity top?

A big fat NOPE! 💧 

Which is why we have recently covered ours with a Caesarstone top (thanks to @justinplace_sydney for the advice and supply) and the sweet RELIEF of not having to worry about this high traffic area anymore, I'm telling you!🤗

Doesn't matter what they tell you or how many times it's sealed, I'm not sure it's a great idea in a room which is so, well, wet!

I love having the warmth of timber in the bathroom and it's a beautiful piece, but timber on the top? Never again.

Ours probably lasted a year (if that) before it started to go downhill (and we want a good decade out of a bathroom, right?!). 2.5 years on, everything else in this bathroom looks virtually brand new and the water marked vanity top was really letting the side down and making me sad!

But I'm so pleased with this solution, I have to say! Took the plumber less than an hour to remove the sink, install the top and connect the sink back up. We didn't need to move the tap and it isn't too close to the basin.

The kids are allowed to brush their teeth and wash their hands (liquid soap 🥴) in here again and I can leave my hair straightener on there with gay abandon 😆

The reflective surface (which I can clean with whatever I like!💪🏻) brightens the room up too!

Next week I'll tell you what I really think of my brass tile trim too 😉

#interiorsaddictbathroomreno2 #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #timbervanity
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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 8 years. She is married to Damian and mum to Sebastian and Charlie.

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