Michelle Holden
He’s rubbed shoulders with the queen of talk-show television, Oprah Winfrey, and dined with the 44th president of the United States of America, Barack Obama.
Now, Aussie design guru Jamie Durie is set to join Australian TV royalty as a judge on Channel Seven’s House Rules.
Chatting exclusively to New Idea while showcasing his exquisite and exclusive furniture collection, Jamie says he is beyond excited to be back on home soil after spending the last 12 years living between Australia and the US.
“I’ve missed Australia in many, many ways,” he explains ahead of his debut appearance on the popular reality show next year.
“I’ve missed our down-to-earth mentality, our beaches, our landscapes – just everything about it. I’m now ready to put my roots down and stay in one spot.”
Despite this, Jamie admits the decision to come home, wasn’t an easy one. “I’ve got a bit on, so it took a bit of convincing,” he says with a laugh.
“Obviously I’ve built quite a career in the US and also in Asia and so being able to juggle all of that and let go of some of those commitments in order to put aside time for House Rules was a big step.” But Jamie has no regrets.
“I think its a step in the right direction for me because, in a way, this show…it’s brought me home and it feels great.”
And it’s not just being back in Sydney that makes this transition an exciting one for Jamie.
The 48-year-old says he is also looking forward to reuniting with his long-time friends and fellow House Rules judges Wendy Moore and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen once filming gets underway
“I’ve known Laurence for years,” Jamie says. “We get along like a house on fire. I just find him hilarious. And Wendy, well she is just an absolute darling.”
So just what will next season’s reno rookies need to do to impress Jamie?
“I’ll be looking at the construction techniques, their room plans and whether the furniture chosen for each room speaks to the clients.
“I’ll also be looking at how they’ve treated the environment along the way because I feel when it comes to design, there should be a social conscience in every decision you make.”
And while Jamie will no doubt “tell it like it is”, throughout the series, he promises not to be as critical as
Laurence. “I think I’ll be a little kinder than Lozza,” Jamie laughs. “But at the same time I’ll be very honest.”
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