Exclusive: Johanna Griggs Dishes the Dirt on House Rules 2016

House Rules is landing soon on channel Seven, with a whole new batch of contestants and a lot of reno-related twists, turns and drama. I personally can’t wait to sink my teeth into the new season. Who better to get House Rules 2016 goss from that the show’s host, Johanna Griggs?

I took five with the lovely lady to ask her about season four, what we can expect as viewers and what she thinks sets it apart from other reno shows on TV.

Johanna Griggs on House Rules 2016

Thanks for talking to TLC, Joh. Tell me, what can viewers expect this year on House Rules 2016?

“We have sensational teams, some incredible designs and quite a different feel about the show as virtually all the teams have families of their own, as well as a bit more life experience, which as a result gives them a bit more perspective on why they are there, and how they react to things”.

House Rules transforms homes for the owners who live in them, not potential buyers. Do you think this is what sets House Rules apart from other shows in the reno genre? 

“Absolutely, there’s so much more emotion around the fact that it is their own homes. I also love the fact that no one goes home a loser. Even if they are the first team that is eliminated, they go home with a beautiful new home, and the skills to fix or change anything they want”. 

Have you found yourself getting emotionally invested in the contestants and their stories?

“I always do. It impossible not to. You see how much it means to them. You see how invested they are, and how hard they are trying and it’s near impossible not to have empathy for what they are going through”. 

The whole team is back this year. What’s it like to work with them?

“They are an absolute delight. Wendy is one of the smartest, kindest most generous people I’ve ever had the good fortune to work with. She juggles being editor of Home Beautiful magazine, a mum to twin girls and her role on House Rules like a boss. Joe and I share a great passion for architecture, so I always love hearing what projects he is working on, picking his brains and discussing the latest architecturally designed homes I’ve been through on Better Homes.

Both of them have a wicked sense of humour (which you don’t often get to see on the show) and both of them care greatly about what they are saying and really try to be constructive. I really enjoy their company and we manage to have a lot of fun on some very long days. And then, we have Carolyn Burns McCrave on site for every Reno who is brilliant to work with as well. It’s a terrific team”. 

Can you reveal any secrets, twists or turns about this year’s series that viewers won’t see coming?

“We’ve kind of gone back to basics as far as our format, but we have thrown a couple of twists in, just to keep the teams on their toes. I’m not giving anything away, as I’ve seen it revealed on our promos already, but the renovation done to Claire and Hagan’s homes is beyond incredible. We’ve added an extra story to a home in one week. And it’s stunning. It’s easily my favourite Reno in all 4 seasons of House Rules”.  

What’s one of the misconceptions you think people have about the show?

“That the reno’s aren’t really done in one week. It is… and the exhaustion on the teams’ faces, and the way they speak about their experiences after it’s all over is testament to that. Even the teams from the first series right through still reflect on it being the hardest thing they have ever done in their lives”. 

Has the show inspired you to get hands on at home? Have you attempted any renos or decorating of late at your place?

“My husband and I run a construction company, so pretty much my whole life away from work is about renos and rebuilds, invoices and chasing payment! We finished off our most recent house three years ago, which is perfect for now. (Although I’m starting to get itchy and am ready to do another one).

We’ve done mini renos at our farm, but most of our recent work has been for clients. We will probably take on another project for us personally within the next 12 months. I’ve already designed it in my head, and we talk about it all the time. We just have to wait for the right time and the right block to come up”.

The new series of House Rules starts Wednesday, April 27 on Seven. Check back in soon as TLC Interiors will be covering off more news, reviews and interviews this season.