House Rules’ 24-hour challenge and first elimination

This week our six teams returned to their renovated homes for a high stakes 24-hour transformation, where they had to choose one zone within their home to make-over.

It was a fast and furious fight to the finish with an elimination on the line. WA’s Brian and Karina needed big points to lift them from last place. However, while they finished with a respectable score of 15/20, it wasn’t enough to save them.

So what did judges Wendy Moore and Joe Snell think?

Ben and Danielle — 18/20

Queensland’s Ben and Danielle topped the challenge with 18 points. They hit the zone left unfinished by team NSW – the master bedroom, butler’s pantry, hall and back entrance. The thick navy stripes in the hallway and the new artwork were a big hit with the judges. “You have a great knack for bringing together a collection of art,” said Wendy. The newlyweds added shelving and storage in the master bedroom as well as an eclectic print of a cat. For coming first, the pair were awarded five bonus points bringing their final score to 23.

Cassie and Matt — 16/20

Competition leaders Cassie and Matt made a bee line for the dining room and bathroom that had been renovated by WA. The bold move paid dividends for the Tassie duo earning them 16 points. “It was a brave choice re-tiling that back wall with the same tile as the floor,” said Joe. “Changing the colour and the tone was a good idea and it added drama to the space.” De-cluttering the busy dining room table also won them points. “You did a great job using styling to completely change both the look and atmosphere of the room,” said Wendy.

Brian and Karina — 15/20

The WA parents tackled the pantry, laundry and living room previously done by SA. They made the brave decision to change the terracotta wall colour, which the judges had originally loved, but it paid off. “The paint colour was such a big change,” said Joe. “It was a big risk and it was lovely.”

Ryan and Marlee — 13/20

SA’s Ryan and Marlee tackled a monster zone – the living room, laundry, entry and hallway – and finished with 13 points. “The hallway looked so much better,” said Wendy, noting the vast improvement on Victoria’s unfinished efforts. “I love that deep teal you chose.” The black penny round tiles in the laundry and the furniture rearrangement in the living room were also standouts.

Steve and Tiana — 13/20

For NSW, it was a no-brainer to remake the master bedroom, toilet and linen closet by team WA – who received the lowest score this series for that zone. The judges commended them for demolishing the walk-in robe and awarded them 13 points. “It was just too small to ever be luxurious,” said Wendy. “You put the master back into master bedroom.”

Bronik and Corrine — 12/20

As last week’s winners, Victoria received an extra $1000 on their budget, but that didn’t stop them finishing last on 12 points. While their unfinished deck would have been a prime fix-up candidate, Bronik and Corrine chose a zone the judges had loved instead. “I don’t understand why you chose to redo the dining room and bathroom when immediately next door was the unfinished deck that really needed some love,” said Joe. “You were not able to make a big enough change to make the impact we are looking for in a 24-hour fix-up.”

The scores from all the transformations so far — plus the 24-hour fix up — were then combined, with Tassie’s Cassie and Matt topping the leaderboard and only one point separating NSW and WA from elimination. Sadly, it was the end of the road for Karina and Brian, who kissed goodbye any chance of winning the incredible grand prize of having their entire mortgage paid off.

Now, the leaderboard has been wiped clean and the biggest week in House Rules history will kick off this Sunday. Over one massive week, the remaining teams will tackle the biggest renovation in the show’s history!

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