PETER MADDISON ‘IT’S PART OF WHO I AM’
Saying goodbye to Grand Designs Australia is bittersweet for the presenter
Fourteen years is a long time in the normal world, but it’s an age in TV. So it’s no surprise Peter Maddison feels torn about his gig as the host of Grand Designs Australia coming to an end this season.
“I’m very grateful,” the Melbourne-based architect tells Woman’s Day. “It’s been a sensational journey and I’m very honoured to have been selected. It will always be part of who I am.”
The TV presenter says he’s had letters of support from viewers around the globe. “From Scotland and Sweden, all manner of places – people have heard about it and sent me notes,” he says, touched.
Which property made the biggest impression on you?
Mystery Bay from season nine – retired architect Rob and wife Sally purchased a remarkable old dairy farm just outside the NSW town with spectacular views.
What’s the biggest home budget you’ve dealt with, either on the show or with your own business?
I wanted to change the name of the show when I was appointed, not to be called Grand Designs, because I think it conjures the idea that we’re only following expensive and extravagant people doing lavish things. I think that casts a shadow on what we actually do on the show. It’s revolting, you know, the average Australian doesn’t relate to it. If you look at the homes we’ve done, most of them are humble budgets with people trying to get the best results they can and actually doing work themselves to save money.
It was important to you to reach 100 episodes of the show – why?
When I first met [UK host] Kevin [Mccloud], the first few years he was up to his 80th episode. And then I remember when his 100th went to air, and they made a big deal of it over in England. And I thought, “Oh wow. Imagine if I could ever get to the point where I had that backlog of shows and rich milestone.” And I thought, “Not many hosts in television are around for that long. But here I am!”
‘Not many hosts are around for long but here I am’
Are you and Kevin close?
I’ve been able to see Kevin a number of times in England and stayed with him at his place and got to know him. And I thought, “Gee, imagine if I could ever be that established, how amazing!” I’d feel so satisfied about that.
Is he sad to see you go?
I haven’t spoken to him, although he sent me a note
the other day, saying something like, “Go get ’em Peter!” so that was nice.
Are there any home or architecture trends you wish would die out?
Well, I think that the extravagance of having a media room where you lock yourself in a basement in a home theatre is pretty odd to me. I just think it’s a bit indulgent. I also don’t support the butler’s pantry. It’s a very weird trend. It’s trying to sanitise cooking and sanitise mess, which is part of cooking. You know, it’s part of life. So I don’t agree with the butler’s pantry.
Are you always on the hunt for your dream home?
Well I’ve been living in our dream home in Brighton [Victoria] for 23 years. It’s a mid-century house and we love it. We’ve spent 20 years renovating. And we’ve been very careful about that because it’s actually an important piece of Australian history that should be kept. So our house has just been heritage listed, which my wife and I are very happy about. We’ll have trouble leaving this house.
What’s the most common question fans ask you if they see you in the street?
They just say that they love the show. As if I make it and do everything myself. So I think it’s very much loved universally, across all ages from little kids up to the elderly.
Are you a fan of watching property shows yourself?
I don’t watch property shows much at all. No. In fact, I don’t even watch all the episodes that we make [laughs]. GRAND DESIGNS AUSTRALIA