Shaynna’s career isn’t set to slow down anytime soon. The interior designer is set to once again appear as a judge on The Block later this year. But before that she is appearing on the new reality show Buying Blind.
The property show will see six couples sign over their life savings to three experts, who will make the crucial decision of finding, purchasing and renovating a property, to meet the expectations of the couple.
‘They only see the house when they are standing in front of it, about to move in,’ reveals Shaynna.
‘It is really crazy! When the concept was sold to me, I thought: “Not on your life, I wouldn’t do it.”’
Of course, the interior designer has years of experience under her belt, but for everyday Aussies, buying a house can be extremely challenging.
‘These people were in a situation where they thought, look it’s high risk, but it’s better than what we’re doing right now,’ she says.
‘The jeopardy is huge, we’re making compromises on their behalf that they don’t know about, so we have to use every skill we’ve got to make sure that yes, we are making the right compromises.’
Shaynna will be teaming up with successful buyer’s agent Rich Harvey, and builder and architect Marshal Keen to help these couples and families find their dream home.
But it isn’t always smooth sailing for the three experts.
‘We did butt heads professionally,’ she admits. ‘But it’s good when you can come to that conclusion that you’re there for the people, not yourself.’
Shaynna credits her passion for interior design to helping out her late father on all his creative endeavours.
‘My dad was a bit of a Mr DIY and always had a bit of a Mr DIY and always had a bit of a project,’ she gushes. ‘But I’ve always had a very creative life, whether it be artwork, painting, music or helping my dad.’
Creativity certainly runs in the family.
Shaynna’s two children from a previous relationship, Jesse and Carly, have also caught the bug – albeit in a very different industry to their mum.
‘They’re more creative in the TV industry,’ she reveals. ‘One is a sound assistant and the other one is an editor, so that came out of the blue. But they’re both trying to get into the property market, so they are valuing my opinions a little bit more right now.’
While Shaynna loves her job, she believes being a mum is by far her best role.
‘I think standing back and watching the wonder of these human beings creating their own life is amazing,’ she gushes. ‘I’m quite in awe of them.’
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