Jillian Harris sits down with us!

When we found out a few months ago that Jillian Harris would be joining one of our favorite shows, ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition we were beyond thrilled to have Jillian back on the big screen. Yesterday if you missed our latest news you can read all the details here and make sure you don't miss the season premiere on Sunday. In the mean time we chatted with Jillian yesterday about the big preimere and just what we can expect this season! 

How did you joining the team come about? 

After I came off Bachelorette,  I was asked by a few ABC exec’s what my next plan was. I said to get off TV! (laughs) I was in publicity overdrive and honestly just thought about going back to my old job and escaping all things TMZ and Us Weekly.  Someone asked me if there was ANYWAY I'd continue on, as a host or correspondent and I said no. And then I said the ONLY show I would ever do was Extreme Makeover: Home Edition – they soon called me up (I think completely separate from that conversation) and asked if I wanted to do a guest appearance.  The guest appearance led to a full time gig and now I've landed the job of my dreams!

Were you a fan of the show? 

I swear ABC is not paying me to say this, but I’m an ABC girl.  I don’t watch a lot of TV but when I do, its The Bachelor and Bachelorette,  America’s Funniest Home Videos and Extreme Makeover.  (can you tell I'm a sucker for feel good TV?)  

We can only imagine how it is behind-the-scenes? How fun is taping? 

Behind the scenes is just as hectic as you would think.  There are fans lined up along the streets from morning till night all 7 days.  There are tents everywhere for people to eat and hang out to watch the build.  At night when the cameras stop rolling,  they pump up music on massive speakers to get the whole neighborhood pumped!  Its like a big party, where everyone is stressed out running around like chickens with their heads cut off! (laughs) 

Do you have a favorite episode so far?  

My favorite is probably the one coming up (the premiere) .  I was going through some really tough personal struggles in my life, and was loosing someone I loved more than the world.  I choked back tears the entire morning when we met the family. But when I heard one of the mama’s stories, about how she lost her husband – I broke down.  It was a huge moment for me, to realize that life sometimes just isn't fair, and you can love someone your whole life and STILL lose them ... Forever!   It was one of those pivotal moments for me, especially for the struggles I had been going through,  that as sad as I was, I knew I had a good life and lots of time ahead of me, it was important for me to be strong for this family and remember that I have an opportunity to give them love and support.  I left that episode feeling so excited about my opportunities and life!

We have to ask, Is Ty always yelling? He is always so excited! 

No. Actually he’s a pretty chill guy.  I think when he gets excited. Yes he’s yelling. And on the show... Everyone is always really excited so you see him always on fire! But... When we have down time – he’s pretty relaxed and chill.  

What inspires you when designing? Do you have a favorite room you like to decorate?  

I love decorating the girls rooms – I have been lucky so far to always get a girls room to decorate.  I can regress and imagine what my own would look like or even think about how I’d decorate my own little girls room one day!  I connect with kids, so as much as I thought I wouldn’t enjoy doing the kids rooms ( I was worried about the rooms coming off too cheesy)  I actually really do!  I love doing bathrooms too – I love a good spa bath! 

Can you give us any designer tips we can use in our own home?

My one tip is own your style.  Never make your space feel like you just walked into a box store.  Mix and match styles according to your personality and don’t spend more than you can afford.  I always say splurge on the items you’ll have forever and never get sick of (sofa, coffee table etc)  and save on accessories.  I like to splurge on one or two accessories ( my latest favorite are the burlap pillows from cottage coastal store) Also with art, I always recommend people connect with their art.  When I travel I look for prints, newspapers, trinkets, keys or any little keepsake that I can frame.  I now have a collection of one of a kind art, that tells a story.   

Make sure you tune into ABC on Sunday night for the big season premiere and follow Jillian on Twitter! 

Jillian Harris on ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition

You know we are big fans of Jillian Harris. If you didn't catch our last chat with her, check it out here.

In the meantime, we are so excited to share this news with you! It has been in our planner for months & we just can't wait. Jillian Harris has now teamed up with one our favorite shoes, ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition. A new season of the life-changing reality show premiers this Sunday, September 26th at 7/6c! Not to mention, the team's first stop is in cupcakeMAG's editors home town of Baltimore, Maryland! Set your TiVo's now! 

Former star of The Bachelorette Jillian Harris returns to TV on ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition as a designer working to make dreams come true. She’s still following her heart for love, but this time it’s in honor of others. Jillian says the viewers who tune in remind her that “kindness, humility, compassion and love are still desperately needed on TV.”

The special two-hour season premiere airs this Sunday, September 26 at 7/6c on ABC and will featurecelebrity volunteers Katy Perry, Raven-Symoné, Shaquille O’Neal and the kids from ABC’s Modern Family building and designing for well-deserving students in Baltimore, Maryland- even through an epic rainstorm that threatened to throw the building plans off schedule.

“There really are no words to describe this opportunity,” says Jillian of working with ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition. “I felt extremely blessed and emotional at times - just so grateful to work with such an incredible team to produce something so profound.”

About Jillian Harris

Jillian Harris first charmed an audience with her irrepressible humor and emotional honesty on ABC’s The Bachelor and The Bachelorette.  Now Jillian brings 10 years experience in the design industry to Extreme Makeover Home Edition.

Growing up in the picturesque Peace River valley in Alberta was a catalyst for Jillian’s creativity and vivacious character. A self-proclaimed “polished redneck,” she’s not afraid to get her hands dirty or climb a ladder with heels on. Whether applied to design or daily life, she carefully combines elements of the metropolis and country, low brow and high class, and the classic versus the absurd. From ATV’ing and campfire roasts to perusing the shops of the Merchandise Mart for design trends- or searching endlessly for the perfect pair of heels- Jillian’s motto about ‘doing it all’ never rests.

While this lifestyle makes Jill the quintessential “busy bee,” those close to her would say her passion to make others happy might be the highlight to her multi-faceted personality.  So when Extreme Makeover Home Edition asked her to join the team as a permanent designer, it was a perfect complement to her love for design and her love of helping others. This venture was a cherry on top of her truly blessed life.

Outside of her work in television, Jillian jets between the U.S. and Canada to run her firm Jillian Harris Design, where she creates custom-made 18th century dining and lounge pieces, and collaborates on restaurant interiors with architecture firm The Dobbins Group. In her free time, Jillian thrives while traveling, taking in fine fashion and, of course, cuisine.  She is dedicated to charities including supporting no-kill animal shelters and recycling initiatives, and she sits on the board of Big Brother Big Sisters.  

Stay up-to-date with all things Jillian by visiting her website and following her on Twitter! 

the girl everyone loves -- getting to know jillian harris

We first fell in love with the bubbly personality and adventurous spirit of Jilly, the interior designer from Peace River Alberta, Canada and her hot dog theory. Not only was she our fave gal but she was an instant fan favorite on Season 13 of The Bachelor. At the time we didn't realize the good things to come as we all watched Jason let go of Jillian Harris. Lucky for us the Canadian beauty became the star of The Bachelorette where we fell in love with her all over again - and where she found her love as we all looked on.

Since the show, it has been anything but calm - but we were able to catch up to find out just how humble and down-to-earth she really is and get the dish on life since the show, fashion & let's not forget…..bowling!

Cupcake Mag: Since the show has ended, how have things been? And of course how is your Ed?

Jillian: Since the show has ended, the roller coaster is still going up and down, but thank god we’re off the ‘loopy’ part of it! Life is slowly returning to normal, and everyday I am more and more grateful for the experience. Eddie and I are better and better everyday too. We (thankfully) go through the same growing pains as any new couple, but we are having so much fun building our life together!

Cupcake Mag: Any comments on the current season of The Bachelor? It was great seeing you & Ed giving advice. It is surely filled with controversy and drama but we all adore Jake.

Jillian: Like any season, the creators and cast will do an excellent job of keeping us glued to the screen... It’s like magic, or ok, maybe just a good mystical formula. I tried to say I wouldn’t watch again after my season, but it’s just too much fun to miss! Jake is a sweetheart, and deserves the best – we (all of us who have walked in his shoes) know though, that this route to happiness, is not so without some drama and suspense to keep us (the viewers) coming back.

Cupcake Mag: You have a great style and always look so chic! We all know you are a huge fan of Alice + Olivia, what other designers do you crave? What is your go-to outfit?

Jillian: My go to outfit these days is my Minnetonka knee high moccasins, and a plaid shirt from Aritzia. Aritzia definitely hogs my closet, their stuff just fits me so well, and their prices fit in my budget. But I do love Joe Fresh (Canadian Superstore) Target, Theory, Frye, Michael by Michael Kors and of course, forever 21!

Cupcake Mag: When we meet you during Fashion Week back in September, you seem to be very much into fashion - will we see a Jillian Harris collection in the future? (Fingers Crossed!)

Jillian: Oh don’t get me going ... But where does a person start? This has always been a dream of mine and my girlfriends; I would love to work on this for sure! My style is very “high brow low brow” and I think I could design a line that reflects that – like a plaid tee and sequined skirt! Yeeeee! Thank you so so much for the compliment, I better get to the drawing board!

Cupcake Mag: We noticed on twitter you were asking for help in naming "JEDS Bowling Team" for Big Brothers - did you ever decide on a name? Can you tell us a little more about your experience being a mentor with Big Brothers?

Jillian: Ed really wants to call the team “better off Jed” ... I am still not sure, our fans gave us so many great names and idea, we are just deciding which one it will be now. One of my favorites was “the most dramatic bowling team ever” haha! I was a volunteer for Big Brothers in Vancouver for years, and now that I am here in Chicago most of the time, I decided to join the board, and help with fundraising events. I always wanted to be a bilingual (French) teacher, as I was a French immersion student (second language) for 10 years, but life brought me to design and television instead. Helping with Big Brothers is the next best thing to teaching; I can make a difference in children's lives, and still do what I love for work!

To stay up to date on everything Jillian you can visit her website here and follow her on twitter!

Image Credits: Wedded Bliss Photography from Vernon B., ABC & by friends of Jillian!