Tag: house rules

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Before & Afters Design Kitchens RENO ADDICT Shopping

How to get the Reno Rumble kitchen look

Ayden and Jess

Sponsored by Freedom Kitchens

A dramatic first week on Reno Rumble saw two talented teams delivering two amazing home makeovers.

Ayden and Jess
Ayden and Jess’ kitchen

When it came to the kitchens, the heart of these two homes, Redbacks’ Ayden and Jess were briefed to turn Alex and Angela’s cramped kitchen into a spacious and sophisticated space. Whilst the dynamic Blue Tongue duo Nick and Chris, were tasked with transforming Lisa’s dated kitchen into an open plan, coastal cooking haven.

How did they do it? 

Ayden and Jess extended the kitchen area in Alex and Angela’s home, choosing Freedom Kitchen’s Alaskan white gloss cabinetry, soft grey Newbury Baye and on-trend copper accents to brighten and modernise the space. The Caesarstone benchtops in Calacatta Nuvo are nothing short of stunning and add an air of elegance. The black handles pull the look together, resulting in a modern classic that will stand the test of time.

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Ayden and Jess’ kitchen

Homeowners Alex and Angela say it’s the abundant storage and new appliances that have them grinning: “We have our whole family over every second Sunday for lunch, so it’s now going to be a joy to cater for 10 people, rather than fighting for space in the kitchen!”

Ayden and Jess' kitchen
Ayden and Jess’ kitchen

Nick and Chris chose a fitting neutral base, pairing Freedom Kitchen’s Iceland White matt finish and light grey Impressions Alaskan Nuance cabinetry. Caesarstone Sleek Concrete benchtops and complementary overhead pendants add to the earthy, coastal appeal. Mirrored splashbacks and LED strip lighting further accentuate the new, bright space, whist the big deep soft close drawers ticked Lisa’s box for “ample storage.”

Chris and Nick's kitchen
Nick and Chris’ kitchen

Lisa says the generous island and the extra-large sink for cleaning those big pots are the big winners for her: “The kitchen is now not only very functional for food preparation, it also serves as another living and entertaining space that family and friends enjoy spending time in.”

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Nick and Chris’ kitchen

— To get the Reno Rumble look, visit your local Freedom Kitchens showroom. For a free, in-home kitchen design appointment, visit freedomkitchens.com.au or call 1800 113 733. And follow Freedom Kitchens on Instagram @Freedom_Kitchens.

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Before & Afters Design DIY RENO ADDICT

Reno Rumble’s first full house reveals and elimination

They promised it’d be a shock elimination but I still didn’t see it coming. With the Blue Tongues (otherwise known as the ex-House Rules contestants), mounting an epic comeback and piping the Redbacks (Blockheads) by one point!

Despite trailing the Redbacks by nine points after the first judging round (where the first four rooms of each house had been revealed) the Blue Tongues managed to close the gap and snag themselves top honours with the second round of room reveals. I’m still not sure how that really happened! I always thought the Blockheads had it in the bag!

So who went home? Really it should have been Kyal and Kara, who scored just 10 out of 20 for their dining room. But they were saved by their immunity, after scoring the highest score in the first round of room reveals. So, sadly, in the end it was Michael and Carlene, scoring 14 out of 20 for their bathroom, that left Reno Rumble.

Onto the judges comments…

Blue Tongues

Michelle and Steve

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“That’s more like it,” said judge Darren Palmer when he walked into the lounge room. Judge Romy Alwill loved the warmth and Darren loved the light. They thought the lamps and console were spot on, though agreed the styling could have been a bit better and the rug a bit bigger.

Ben and Jemma

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After falling short in their first room, they were keen to step it up in the dining room. “Wow,” said Darren upon entry. Romy loved how by raising the ceiling they had made the space light and bright. Both judges loved the speakers, the art and the aircon, but thought the styling on the table was a bit too much.

Nick and Chris

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Both judges agreed that removing the structural column that was in the old kitchen was the right thing to do and really opened up the space. Romy loved the colour palette, the benchtops and the mirrored splashback. In the living room the judges loved the addition of the sky light and Darren “love love loved the fireplace.” However, both judges thought the rug was too large for the space and upon close inspection thought the furniture was more retro than contemporary coastal (which was the homeowners’ brief).

Carly and Leighton

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“This is such an improvement,” said Romy. Both judges loved the bath and its shape. They thought the colour scheme fit perfectly with the rest of the house and that the floor tiles and pendant were brilliant. However, they agreed that while the vanity hit the brief it lacked bench space.

Redbacks

Josh and Jenna

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Romy loved the colour scheme of the entry and lounge room. Darren loved the sliding paneling to hide the TV: “How cool is that?!” The judges agreed the room hit the brief of classic contemporary and felt expensive, like a Hollywood A-lister’s house. Romy felt the black pendant was a bit too small and high and that the curtains could have been longer.

Ayden and Jess

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“Holy moley,” said Darren. Both judges agreed it felt like the biggest kitchen ever. Romy loved the herringbone splashback and the big sink. Darren loved all the bench space, but felt the extension of the kitchen into the dining room (for a breakfast bar) had been a really greedy move, at the expense of Kyal and Kara.

Kyal and Kara

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The judges loved the artwork, chairs, mirror and console, but the compliments pretty much stopped there.  “This is the most ridiculous sized tabletop I’ve ever seen,” said Romy. Darren agreed: “How can four people eat here?” Both judges thought the kitchen’s breakfast bar shouldn’t have been there, but rather a dining table for six to eight people. The judges thought the room was a fail. “It pisses me off,” said Darren.

Michael and Carlene

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The judges loved the tiles and the generous shower. Darren didn’t particularly like the form of the shower head but liked the function (it had a music speaker!). Both judges thought the space was nicely styled, but that the pendants were a bit dated and the vanity bench space a little small. Romy thought stylistically they had hit the ball out of the park, but functionality had been put second.

So what did you think of the reveals? Which house was your favourite? Do you think Michael and Carlene deserved to go?

More on Reno Rumble.

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Bedrooms Competitions House Rules RENO ADDICT

House Rules’ first home reveal

After

This week’s first home transformation was quite literally one of blood, sweat and tears; with contestant Karina, having to be rushed to hospital! But when it came to tools down, first-time homeowners Bronik and Corrine, who had previously been sleeping in their living room (as it was the only habitable space!) had themselves a beautiful, fully transformed 1960s weatherboard home.

So what did the Victorian couple and judges Wendy Moore and Joe Snell think?

Karina and Brian – 20/30

Before
Before – Living Room
After
After – Living Room

After a falling roof tile left WA’s Karina with five stitches and out of the competition for one day, the husband and wife duo fought back to win this week’s renovation. Their ensuite and living room received a combined score of 20, narrowly beating Team NSW on 19 who were their biggest rivals. Although not the judge’s favourite zone, Bronik was particularly impressed with his new ensuite and their use of timber in the living room: “The ensuite is one of my favourite rooms in the house!”

Steve and Tiana – 19/30

DINING ROOM BEFORE (NSW ZONE)
Before – Dining Room
After - Dining Room
After – Dining Room

The judges felt that Team NSW, Steve and Tiana, followed the his and her rules perfectly in the dining room, giving them the highest combined score of 13 out of 20. However, the homeowners disliked the dining chairs and artwork, only scoring them a six.

Ben and Danielle – 17/30

Before - Kitchen
Before – Kitchen
After - Kitchen
After – Kitchen

Team QLD, Ben and Danielle served up the kitchen of Corrine’s dreams finishing in third place on 17 points: “It just blew my mind, it’s amazing!” But they were let down by their unfinished entry and hallways and were marked down by both the judges and the homeowners.

Ryan and Marlee – 16/30

Before - Master Bedroom
Before – Master Bedroom
Before - Master Bedroom
After – Master Bedroom

Although impressed with SA’s master bedroom, the judges struggled to find something positive to say about Ryan and Marlee’s laundry and gave them the lowest combined score of eight. Luckily, Corrine loved her “happy and bright” laundry, saving SA from the dreaded tent.

Cassie and Matt – 15/30

Before - Guest Bedroom
Before – Guest Bedroom
After - Guest Bedroom
After – Guest Bedroom

Tassie were not surprised to finish last this week on just 15 points, especially after ignoring Bronik’s rule to deck their house in black steel and timber. Their decision to use composite boards on the deck instead of timber and failing to complete their zone will see them sleeping in the tent next renovation.

With the first renovation down, the teams will now head to South Australia to transform Ryan and Marlee’s double brick bachelor pad into a love nest for two. House Rules airs Monday to Wednesday at 7:30pm with a new house reveal each week on Sunday at 7:00pm.

For more on House Rules.

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Architecture Design DIY RENO ADDICT

New renovation series, Reno Rumble, starts tonight!

Quick to fill the gap The Block’s left in our lives, new, super-charged renovation series, Reno Rumble begins tonight!

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From left to right: House Rules’ Carly and Leighton, The Block’s Kyal and Kara and House Rules’ Nick and Chris

Seeing reality renovators from The Block take on favourites from House Rules, each week the two competing shows will renovate two neighbouring homes (owned by everyday Aussies). The catch? They have just one week to complete the reno!

The Block Triple Threat's Ayden and Jess are back!
The Block Triple Threat’s Ayden and Jess are back!

Hosted by Scotty Cam, the renovations will be judged by interior design experts; with each week seeing one team crowned the winners and one couple (who received the lowest score on the losing team) being eliminated. The couple that wins the entire series will collect $100,000, half going to their chosen charity.

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From left to right: House Rules’ Jemma and Ben and The Block’s Michael and Carlene

Reno Rumble airs tonight at 7:30 on Channel 9. And we will have all the news, goss and updates here on Reno Addict. Watch this space!

Photography by Channel 9

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House Rules RENO ADDICT

House Rules returns next week!

Australia’s biggest renovation show is back, with six new teams from around Australia putting their homes on the line and their skills to the test, as they battle it out to become mortgage free!

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Together, they’ll travel the country, hand over the keys to their homes and leave their opposition to transform every room of their house in just seven days! One by one the teams will be eliminated before two couples face-off in the grand final for a chance to win the most coveted prize on Australian TV… their entire mortgage completely paid off!

The familiar House Rules faces will be back, with Johanna Griggs hosting the show and designer Carolyn Burns-McCrave supervising the teams. The expert judges – award-winning architect and Reno Addict resident expert Joe Snell and Home Beautiful magazine editor Wendy Moore – will also return.

House Rules premieres Tuesday 5 May at 7.30pm on Channel 7. For more information.

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Architecture Design Expert Tips RENO ADDICT

Knocking down walls: what to consider first, with Joe Snell

Across Australia, the drive is on to unleash our homes’ full potential and lifestyle value. Our renovation radars need to be focused on maximising the space, light and lifestyle appeal of what we already own.

Ask yourself how could a disused or neglected part of my home be made into a beautiful asset? Big-ticket items such as views, garages and pools are no longer the only assets. Rather in a hot property market, every inch counts. Once neglected areas such as side paths, old laundry rooms, tiny courtyards, overgrown yards and boxed in kitchens are now assets ready to be brought to life. In contemporary living terms, this means opening up and refreshing every inch of a space. Nothing has to be too dark, small or cluttered. Rather, emphasise what you already own.

Image: iDesignArch
Image: iDesignArch

One clear path to unleashing a home’s potential is through improving its floor plan. If you’ve ever attended an open for inspection it’s not unusual to hear buyers talking about knocking down a wall. No one wants to buy a place and be limited by a constricted floor plan. Removing walls is a well known strategy for transforming a space thanks to television programs like House Rules, Selling Houses, The Block and Grand Designs showcasing the results.

Knocking down a single wall, or numerous walls, has become a hugely popular solution for creating more light, space and value. Australians are world leaders when it comes to open plan living and there’s a huge premium placed on contemporary design to deliver free flowing spaces where the lounge room, kitchen and ideally, indoors and outdoors, merge.

Image: Tommy Welsh
Image: Tommy Welsh

There are certainly positives to rearranging a home’s floor plan through removing walls. But before you start knocking them down, please remember that when it comes to design, nothing is in isolation, rather it’s all connected.

Consider the following before undergoing your wall removal project:

  1. Acoustics: the more you open up a space, the more it creates echoes and noise problems. There is such a thing as too open when it comes to sound.
  2. Be careful about stripping a space of its character. Traditional buildings such as terraces, semis, cottages and pre-1960s apartments, were designed with separate rooms because privacy and warmth were of major importance compared to today’s premiums on light and space. With a traditional building, consider retaining the feeling of the building’s original spacing by leaving a beam where the wall once stood. Beams can also help give a sense of grace that suits traditional spaces. Sometimes, your mind wants to know that the beams are holding everything up so emotionally you feel safe and secure.
  3. Creating a social home that’s not too hectic. We all love the idea of the social home where the kitchen is at the heart of the action. It’s the place where everyone congregates and therefore it should be located in the best part of your site. In open plan living, the kitchen and lounge room create a feeling of connection rather than isolation. However, consider creating a sense of division somewhere amongst this openness once the wall/walls are removed. Try to create two living areas that give the opportunity for families to handle the complexities of sharing a space. For example, where are the kids going to play Lego where it’s not in the way of the adults? Perhaps consider a half wall, or a flexible solution like a bi-fold, which will give you the right amount of area division so kids have their own play space and aren’t on top of the adults. Then you have the best of both worlds.

At the end of the day, knocking down a wall can be all the difference in terms of space, light and a lovely home, but think very carefully about it, and do your planning, as you want openness but not over exposure.

—Joe Snell is an architect and judge on Channel 7’s House Rules, coming back to our screens soon. Read all articles by Joe.

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Designers House Rules RENO ADDICT

House Rules 2015 sneak peek video

House Rules judge and Reno Addict resident expert, architect Joe Snell

Hoorah for another home show about to start! I have to admit I only got into House Rules at the end of the last series. I’d decided I just didn’t have enough TV time left to watch it as well as The Block, and Grand Designs and Selling Houses Australia… and all the others!

But I actually really love the concept and think it’s a fresh take on the reality renovation genre. I mean, what better prize in this day and age than having your mortgage paid off?! And I love the emotions involved because the contestants own homes are the ones being made over. It adds a whole extra element to reveal time!

House Rules judge and Reno Addict resident expert, architect Joe Snell
House Rules judge and Reno Addict resident expert, architect Joe Snell. Photo by Jacqui Turk

[contextly_sidebar id=”dYJg2Wj3UkrijqRFzB4tyMIlWTuQssGE”]I’m also a big fan of host Johanna Griggs. she’s just so down to earth and real! I think I’d like to have a coffee and a chat with Joh! And then there’s architect Joe Snell, one of the resident experts on our sister site, Reno Addict. He is so super passionate about good design, it’s contagious, and it’s great to see his TV career taking off.

Hope you enjoy the series preview video above.

We look forward to bringing you more about the Channel 7 show, due to start again soon, in the coming weeks.

Are you a House Rules fan? Which is your favourite reality TV show?

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House Rules Interviews RENO ADDICT

House Rules’ winner Adam Dovile on his new role on Better Homes and Gardens

Ever since watching House Rules last year, I’ve been a big fan of Adam Dovile, one half of the winning Victorian couple, Adam and Lisa. With his happy-go-lucky attitude, broad grin and roaring laugh he has a personality that seems made for TV. So it comes as no surprise he’s now back on our screens, this time as the resident builder on Better Homes and Gardens.

Adam Dovile interiors addict

“I was working back in Melbourne when I got a phone call asking if I’d like to join the team for 2015. I actually said to them are you sure you want me? I was absolutely blown away. So now Lisa and I have moved to Sydney. It was a big decision, but we just thought you only live once you, have to give it a shot!”

The move to Sydney meant Adam had to put his building business on hold, Lisa quit her job and they both had to leave their newly renovated House Rules’ home. However for Adam it’s all been worth it, being able to share his love of building and DIY with the rest of the country. “As the resident builder and carpenter for the show, I’m basically there to show people the DIY tricks they can do around their home and also the big projects both indoors and out. We’ve been doing bathroom and kitchen renovations, so people will be able to get ideas and tips on all the processes that are involved in renovating. There’s a lot of steps people aren’t aware of.”

Adam Dovile interiors addict 1
Adam on set

While the building and DIY jobs have come naturally, Adam does admit that the biggest challenge has been talking to the camera! “In House Rules it was completely different. That was reality TV and the camera basically just captured Lisa and I doing work. But as a presenter, you have to talk to the camera like it’s a person and that feels a little weird!”

However, what has made the process easier is getting to just be himself (as he says: “If I can’t do that, there’s something wrong with me!”). With no script or teleprompter in sight, instead he just speaks his mind. “When I got offered the role I said to them, yes I’m a builder and I understand all the processes, but I’ve never presented in my life. But they said they just wanted me to be myself and I didn’t need to read anything. That took a lot of the pressure off.”

Adam with presenters Johanna Griggs and Demi Harman
Adam with presenters Johanna Griggs and Demi Harman

Having had a whirlwind 2014 after taking home the House Rules’ grand prize of getting his mortgage paid off, Adam is ready for an equally big year. “Winning was amazing! Not having all that money taken out of our account each month (for the mortgage) has been great. It’s opened up a lot of new opportunities and I’m very excited for what this year holds.”

Better Homes and Gardens starts Friday 6 February at 7pm on Channel Seven.

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House Rules RENO ADDICT

Interview with House Rules grand final winners Adam and Lisa

They were my favourites from day one and on Sunday night, Victoria’s Adam and Lisa took home one of television’s biggest prizes, their entire $526,000 mortgage paid off!

2014 HOUSE RULES CHAMPIONS ADAM DOVILE & LISA LAMOND.
Adam and Lisa

“It’s very surreal,” says Adam. “I’m just in shock. It’s a massive prize; I still can’t believe it’s happened. It’s amazing!”

The engaged couple took out the House Rules win after beating WA’s Carole and Russell in one last renovation challenge – to transform a secret room in each other’s homes. The judges then scored the rooms (which were a bar and a spa area for both teams), with those scores then being combined with a public vote to determine the winner.

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Before: Carole and Russell’s secret room transformed by Adam and Lisa

For Adam and Lisa it was the viewers’ vote that propelled them to victory, as they trailed Carole and Russell after the secret room scores were revealed, with the VIC team getting a combined score of 17 out of 20, versus WA’s 19.

“I was happy with the scores from the judges, we loved the room we created and we wanted to have fun with that last challenge,” explains Adam. “But I’m not going to lie, I was a bit concerned with the scores. I think at that time we didn’t think it was possible to get the mortgage paid off, I don’t think we ever thought we were going to win anyway.”

But win they did, with their design skills and their likability getting them over that finish line thanks to the public vote. “It’s awesome to have been received so well by the public,” says Lisa. “I said to Ads it’s made me feel a little guilty of how much we have received from the competition, because I really don’t know how to thank all the people who have supported us. It’s so humbling.”

After: Carole and Russell's secret room transformed by Adam and Lisa
After: Carole and Russell’s secret room transformed by Adam and Lisa

Adam and Lisa were long referred to as the dark horses, with their first renovation in week one, seeing them get scores of three and four from the judges. It wasn’t until weeks later, at the Townsville renovation, that things finally changed, with the duo receiving three perfect 10s from the judges and homeowners.

“After that first week, I didn’t see us going past the first phase of the competition, purely on me, nothing on Adam,” explains Lisa. “I still think we were hard done by on that first week but you couldn’t let yourself get down about it, you had to pick yourself up and dust yourself off and go again. My coping skills throughout the competition definitely got a lot better.”

ADAM & LISA CELEBRATING THEIR WIN

Now that they’re mortgage free, many of their long-term plans can now be fast-tracked, with their wedding set for September and the possibility of starting a family and going into business together, real possibilities for the near future. For both of them, they’ll have House Rules to thank for the rest of their lives and could not recommend the experience highly enough.

“You’d be crazy not to apply,” says Adam. “Not many people will go on this journey. It’s hard, it’s challenging but the rewards and the feeling you get when you complete your zones and challenges, it is the best feeling you could ever feel. Definitely apply, if you’re thinking about it or you’re not, it’s a journey you’ll never forget!”

Applications are still open for the next series of House Rules until the end of July. For further details, go to the official website here.

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House Rules RENO ADDICT

Post House Rules reveal chat with Grand Final contestants Adam and Lisa

House Rules judge Wendy Moore had said they could be the dark horses if they got their vision right and stuck to it, and last night she was proved right, with Victorian duo Adam and Lisa being the first team into the Grand Final, receiving a score of 18 out of 20.

adam and lisa
Adam and Lisa

“I loved that comment Wendy made,” says Adam. “Obviously if you haven’t worked together as a team and you haven’t done this stuff before you’re not going to be the best straight away. So when she said she thought we could have been the dark horses I really loved that. It really drove us and I thought that’s what it’s all about, we are trying, we can get there. So it was fantastic, her words came true!”

The engaged couple will go up against Perth grandparents Carole and Russell to determine who will live mortgage free, after the WA team narrowly beat NSW’s Candy and Ryan — 17 points to 16 — to claim the last spot in the Grand Final. “It feels really good to be going up against Carole and Russell,” explains Lisa. “I think it’s going to be quite competitive! I did say it’s a bit like the apprentice and the master, but I can hopefully, no I know I can keep up with them now. It’ll make for an interesting race.”

WA (Russell & Carole Bramston) & VIC (Lisa Lamond & Adam Dovile)
WA (Russell and Carole) and VIC (Lisa and Adam)

The charity house challenge, which was revealed last night, saw the three remaining teams transform a tired holiday home on the NSW south coast used by Barnardos Australia foster families. With the largest zone in the house consisting of the dining room, main kids’ bedroom, laundry, hallway, second toilet and deck, the odds were stacked against Adam and Lisa repeating their semi-finals win, but they did.

“It was hard, but in a way it was good. It just made sure we had to put into place all the planning we had learnt along the way,” explains Adam. “If we failed it just meant we didn’t deserve to be in the Grand Final. But I think we succeeded and we had such a big zone, so I think that really cemented the fact that we had learnt so much along the way and really deserved to be there. I love a challenge anyway!”

Before: Adam and Lisa's main kids' bedroom
Before: Adam and Lisa’s main kids’ bedroom
After: Adam and Lisa's main kids' bedroom
After: Adam and Lisa’s main kids’ bedroom

But as Adam and Lisa could agree, though the week was hard, they had to put it in perspective. “Everyone at Barnardos would ask: Is it hard?” says Adam. “And like I said to them, this might be hard but nothing can be as hard as what these kids have gone through, so I’m not going to stand here and whinge about the size of my zone! What I was hoping is the kids would watch what we had done and see that nothing is impossible, and try to keep positive no matter how hard it is. Hopefully it may have motivated them.”

Before: Adam and Lisa's dining room
Before: Adam and Lisa’s dining room
After: Adam and Lisa's dining room
After: Adam and Lisa’s dining room

With such a large zone it may have been surprising that Adam and Lisa finished at all, let alone had the time to do all the detailed finishing touches of styling the dining room table, labeling the linen closet and putting individual reading lights on all the kids’ bunk beds. “I literally felt like I shopped til I dropped,” says Lisa. “But it was such a special thing for Ads and I to do so I wanted to make it really functional for all the different families that go into the home. What it comes down to, and it took me a little while to realise, is it is all about those finishing touches, going that little bit further to hit home and really deliver.”

Before: Adam and Lisa's hallway
Before: Adam and Lisa’s hallway
After: Adam and Lisa's hallway
After: Adam and Lisa’s hallway

With the live Grand Final this Sunday at 6.30pm, the teams will return to their opponents’ homes for one last renovation challenge. The judges’ scores will then be combined with a public vote to determine the winner, with viewers being asked to vote for the most deserving team based on their work throughout the competition.

For Adam and Lisa the possibility of being mortgage free next week is a real possibility, but that being said they’re definately not getting their hopes up. “We haven’t even dared to dream really,” explains Lisa. “It’s just surreal, you’re this close to having every bit of dream come true, but I’ve certainly not tried to think about it too much. We are holding out hope but you don’t want to be overly confident, so we are far from that!”

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House Rules RENO ADDICT

Post House Rules reveal chat with Carole and Russell

After: Carole and Russell's zone

With the final two exteriors revealed on last night’s episode of House Rules, engaged Queensland couple Maddi and Lloyd were sent home, receiving a combined score of 12 from judges Joe Snell and Wendy Moore.

Maddi and Lloyd
Maddi and Lloyd

Making over Victorian team Adam and Lisa’s backyard, they were applauded for their decision to extend the back deck but criticised for their design, furniture choice and planting.

Candy and Ryan, who took the front, received the highest score of the night with a score of 16. While on the other side of the country, Perth grandparents Carole and Russell edged-out previous semi-final winners Adam and Lisa, to receive a 14 from the judges for Maddi and Lloyd’s front yard, compared to Adam and Lisa’s 13 for the back.

Carole and Russell
Carole and Russell

Seeing as we’ve heard from all the contestants, bar Carole and Russell, I had a chat with them this morning about what it was like receiving the highest score for the Queensland property and how it feels competing against all those young ones!

“I kind of sit back and think how did we get this far? I expected the young ones to do a lot better than us,” Carole admitted. “They are so technically minded and look at things so differently I didn’t expect to get as far as we have. So it is a nice surprise!”

08 October 2013 Townsville, QLD - Photo: Cameron Laird (Ph: 0418238811)
Before: Carole and Russell’s zone

While Carole does see how being young could be a factor in success, she believes having conviction in your ideas is more important. “I don’t think we have an advantage because of our age at all. Rather to be honest, I think my strength is that I have confidence. In this competition I think it all comes down to confidence, confidence to have a go.”

Yet she does admit that while she may seem confident about her work upon reflection, before judging that all goes out the window! “This week I thought we would have done okay, the research definitely spelt out what you were looking at in our garden. But you just don’t know until the judges have really had a look at it and given their critique.”

After: Carole and Russell's zone
After: Carole and Russell’s zone

With the house rule of creating an exterior that was ‘Palms Springs cool,’ Carole and Russell had not only a huge area to make over but were left battling against the ferocious Queensland elements. “The heat was massive and if we didn’t have the heat and the humidity I think we would have coped a lot better. It was so hot up there.”

Yet they still coped remarkably well, getting the second highest score of the night and creating a garden entrance that both the judges and Maddi and Lloyd loved. “Making sure we made a statement with the entrance took a lot of thinking, a lot of organising and a lot of hours because we really wanted to nail that, which I think we did. It was certainly something different, it was grand, it was big and it definitely makes a statement.”

After: Carole and Russell's zone
After: Carole and Russell’s zone

The overall leaderboard, which combined all the exterior makeovers, saw Adam and Lisa on top with 30 points; Candy and Ryan in second with 29; Carole and Russell in third with 28; and eliminated couple Maddi and Lloyd on 23.

The leaderboard has now been wiped, leaving the three remaining couples on a level playing field as they battle it out tonight for a place in the Grand Final.

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House Rules RENO ADDICT

Post House Rules reveal chat with winners Adam and Lisa

With the teams having finally gained their confidence renovating interiors, it was time for their biggest challenge yet: exteriors and gardens! Last night’s episode of House Rules saw the first semi-final exterior reveal, with the popular Melbourne pair Adam and Lisa taking out the win.

adam and lisa
Adam and Lisa

Tasked with the job of transforming Carole and Russell’s barren and rocky front yard into a tropical paradise, the team was nervous from the outset, though it turns out there was no reason to be!

“Literally Lisa and I hadn’t planted a plant between us, so to win that was an unbelievable feeling,” says Adam. “It just proves that if you stick to a plan, do your research and do the hard yards, then eventually it will pay off.”

Yet receiving a 17 out of 20 from judges Joe Snell and Wendy Moore, didn’t come easy. The pair took on a mammoth task: moving the rocks that littered the garden into a carefully designed rockscape. “Across the road from Carole and Russell’s are magnificent mountains with all these natural rocks, and straight away we noticed there were heaps of them on the property as well,” explains Lisa.” So we were just hoping and praying that there would be enough to set the terracing and create a rockscape down the hill.”

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Before: Carole and Russell’s front yard

With a time limit of just three and a half days, Adam spent most of his time running up and down the steep WA property maneuvering rocks, with them being too heavy for Lisa to carry. “It was an absolute killer,” says Adam. “It was unbelievable. It seriously felt like we were working on Mars, there was just red dirt up there and rock, it was hectic. But I think the harder a challenge, the better the feeling when you’ve finally finished it.”

Receiving such positive comments has also given Adam and Lisa some extra confidence for tackling the next round of exteriors. “We’ve learnt a lot,” explains Adam. “We learnt about grouping, that you need to make sure you have multiple areas in the garden and obviously we learnt about layout and landscaping, that you have to make sure it all flows. So we wanted to take all that forward to the Townsville garden.”

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After: Carole and Russell’s front yard

While Adam and Lisa may have come out on top, not all teams were so lucky, with Candy and Ryan, who made over Carole and Russell’s backyard, receiving a 13 out of 20 from the judges. The other exterior that got a transformation was Candy and Ryan’s NSW property, with the judges scoring Carole and Russell a 14 for the backyard and Maddi and Lloyd an 11 for the front yard.

The second semi-final showdown kicks off tonight at 7.30pm with the reveals on Tuesday night. The four teams must next make over the gardens and house exteriors of Maddi and Lloyd’s Townsville Queenslander and Adam and Lisa’s Melbourne cottage.

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House Rules RENO ADDICT

Post House Rules reveal chat with winners Candy and Ryan

With the first House Rules elimination occurring earlier this week, the pressure was well and truly on! In just four days, the five remaining teams were tasked with what seemed like an impossible challenge: transforming an entire Sydney unit each, in just four days.

NSW
Candy and Ryan

Last night’s episode saw the conclusion of the challenge, with NSW team Candy and Ryan taking home the win. They managed to score their first elusive 10 from judge and Home Beautiful editor Wendy Moore and a nine from fellow judge and architect, Joe Snell.

“I can’t even put into words how it felt to get that 10,” says Ryan. “Candy and I tried for so long, one thing we really wanted to achieve in the competition was a perfect 10 and to be the second team to do it was awesome. We pushed so hard and it felt like for so long as well and to get it for Monica’s apartment… we’re rapt.”

NSW' UNIT_KITCHEN BEFORE
Before: Kitchen

Assigned with the job of making over the home of single, insect-loving Monica, most of the house rules were easy to follow – bar the fact that she wanted an insect theme! “Candy and I got really lucky this week, the house rules Monica wanted were edgy and eclectic and that’s really similar to the style we like ourselves,” explains Ryan. “However, the insect component was the total opposite! We had no idea what direction we were going to go with that. We knew we had to get insects in somewhere and we thought the best way to introduce them was with some creative wallpaper which we think really looked good in the end.”

NSW' UNIT_KITCHEN AFTER
After: Kitchen

Used to spending a week on a renovation and just working on one zone, the change-up in the format was a lot of pressure. “It was crazy. We thought seven days was tough but then to do a whole apartment in four, we were just so under pressure,” says Candy. “I think you could really see how hard it was and how stressful it was, especially for me. When we finished I just broke down, I was so relived it was over. I was exhausted.”

Before: Bathroom
Before: Bathroom

However, because of both the time limit and the budget, the challenge was presented as a makeover challenge rather than a full-scale renovation. “Our budgets were so tight we couldn’t go crazy replacing everything,” explains Candy. “We spent most of our money on the bathroom and completely re-did that. Then the rest was more cosmetic, painting things, adding extra furniture, that type of thing.”

While the makeover was no doubt one of their toughest experiences thus far, Ryan believes it was all worth it for the chance to give back: “It definitely felt great to give something back, but then it was really challenging cause the last thing we wanted to do was to give Monica an apartment she wasn’t in love with. So we really threw ourselves into this week and I think you could tell.”

140220_HR_Apt4_MW_Bathroom_060
After: Bathroom

The unit makeover challenge saw Candy and Ryan come in first with a total score of 19; followed by Adam and Lisa with a score of 15; Carole and Russell with 14; Maddi and Lloyd with 12; and Bomber and Mel with eight. Luckily for Bomber and Mel, they were saved from the expected elimination and instead they, and all the other contestants scores, will be carried over into the next phase of the competition: the 24-hour fix-up challenge. 

House Rules continues Sunday at 6.30pm with the 24-hour fix-up challenge, where the remaining teams must return to their renovated homes and choose one zone to change. The reveals will be on Monday at 7.30pm when another team will be eliminated.

 

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House Rules RENO ADDICT

House Rules has its first elimination

AFTER: Adam and Lisa's master bedroom

Normally, post house reveal I speak to the homeowners, but unfortunately this week’s contestants Bomber and Mel are not doing any press.

Last night’s episode of House Rules saw the completion of the last interior renovation and also the first elimination, with the controversial Tassie duo Brooke and Grant being sent home.

TAS
Brooke and Grant

Despite receiving their highest scores to date, by both the judges and the homeowners Bomber and Mel, it was a case of too little too late, with the duo unable to secure enough points to gain a place in the next phase of the competition.

On that note though, I think Bomber and Mel should be applauded. They were fifth on the overall leaderboard prior to their home renovation (second last in front of Brook and Grant) and by scoring strategically they would have had a real chance of saving their own skin. But while their scores weren’t the highest (ranging between six and eight ), they didn’t do that, and as a result could have been sent home. Either crazy or kind! But luckily for them they live to see another renovation.

SA
Bomber and Mel

My favourites, Adam and Lisa, took out this week’s renovation for the second time running, for their master bedroom, walk-in wardrobe, ensuite and entry. Brooke and Grant followed in second with a kid’s bedroom, family room and toilet. Both these teams met the brief, of turning a tired century-old cottage into a home that was junkshop chic. Bomber and Mel were wanting the space to be filled with upcycled furniture and for the family room to have a warehouse feel, both requirements which were successfully achieved.

AFTER: Adam and Lisa's master bedroom
Adam and Lisa’s master bedroom
Brooke and Grant's family room
Brooke and Grant’s family room

Yet not all teams got it right, with Maddi and Lloyd scoring the worst for their kitchen, dining room and a second kid’s bedroom, with the judges singling out their modern kitchen cabinetry and DIY painted splashback as not fitting into the space or the house rules

Maddi and Lloyd's kitchen
Maddi and Lloyd’s kitchen

After scores from all six interior renovations were combined Carole and Russel finished first on 107 points; Adam and Lisa second on 105; Candy and Ryan third on 103; Maddi and Lloyd fourth on 101; Bomber and Mel fifth on 97; and Brooke and Grant sixth on 91 points.

Following the elimination of Brooke and Grant, the leaderboard has now been wiped clean for the next phase of the competition, which starts tonight. All five teams are once again on a level playing field as they face their toughest challenge yet, to transform an entire home in just four days!

House Rules airs Tuesday and Wednesday at 7.30pm and continues Sunday at 6.30pm.

Read ALL our House Rules coverage.

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House Rules RENO ADDICT

Post House Rules reveal chat with contestants Maddi and Lloyd

Last night’s episode of House Rules definitely got the waterworks going. I’d be lying if I said a tear didn’t escape my eye. Reality TV shows are emotional, people!

Maddi and Lloyd
Maddi and Lloyd

But with my favourites Adam and Lisa not just taking out the top spot on the leaderboard for their kitchen and guest bedroom, but also getting 10/10 from both the judges and the homeowners Maddi and Lloyd, you were bound to see some emotion (from contestants and viewers alike)!

“As soon as I walked through the house and got a glimpse of that kitchen I was speechless,” says Lloyd. “How good it was, the location, everything, I just couldn’t fault it. The kitchen’s definitely my favourite part and that lounge room just compliments it really nicely.”

KITCHEN AFTER SHOT_VIC ZONE
Adam and Lisa’s winning kitchen

With this being the first perfect score from the judges and the homeowners, Maddi and Lloyd’s scoring was in complete opposition to last week’s more strategic style, which didn’t win Brooke and Grant many fans.

“We never wanted to be strategic,” explains Lloyd. “We told ourselves we were going to mark with our hearts and our initial reaction, because for us, we wanted to walk in and get an amazing feeling from each of the rooms. The kitchen and the guest bedroom were a 10/10 and that was exactly what it deserved. We would have felt like we would have let down the team who did it if we scored them any less than that.”

The kitchen before the renovation
The kitchen before the renovation

However, the whole house wasn’t a success, with Brooke and Grant’s master bedroom, walk in wardrobe, linen closet and deck being a miss in the eyes of the homeowners.  They received a score of six.

“It was definitely not what Maddi and I wanted,” says Lloyd. “We like things open and light and the hessian ceiling and external paneling on the walls made the whole thing quite claustrophobic.”

MASTER BEDROOM AFTER SHOT_TASSIE ZONE
Brooke and Grant’s master bedroom

Yet that said, Maddi and Lloyd are still both ecstatic with the final result and have only had to make minor changes since moving back into their home post-show. “We were very lucky we were towards the end and not the front of the competition,” says Lloyd. “Because a few of the houses at the beginning were just practices for ours!”

Having lived in their Queensland home for a year prior to the show beginning, they had bought it with the intention of renovating. “We saw the potential in our house, but the amount of work that needed to be done, it would have taken us years and years,” explains Lloyd. “We were in a position where we could apply and thought what’s the worse that can happen?”

Tune in tonight at 7.30pm as the teams begin their last interior renovation in South Australia.

Read all our House Rules coverage.

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House Rules RENO ADDICT

Applications are open for House Rules 2015

Have you got a run down house that needs a serious renovation? Do you have a massive mortgage that needs to be paid off? Do you fancy yourself the next reality TV star?

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If you answered yes. Well you’re in luck, because applications are now open for the third series of House Rules!

To be eligible you must own your own home and it must be your primary place of residence. Team members must be over 18 years of age and have a pre-existing relationship (friends, relatives, partners etc).

The fine details

  • 

Both team members must be an Australian citizen or have been a permanent resident for at least two years to participate.
  • 
All applications must be completed online.
  • 
All photographs must be submitted online.
  • 
Ensure you read the Terms and Conditions on the application form.
  • 
To complete this application you will need photos of both you and your team mate, as well as of your home.
  • 
You may also like to include a video. If so, it should be no longer than three minutes and no larger than 50MB. It does not need to be fancy! You don’t have to edit it or add music. It should not be a collage of pictures. All you need to do is introduce yourselves, and give us a tour of your home – both inside and out.
  • 
OPTIONAL: If possible include BEFORE and AFTER floor plans of your home ie. A drawing or actual floor plan of the existing lay-out plus a second drawing or floor plan of how you would like to see it laid out, preferably within the home’s existing footprint (ie external wall area). The plans do not have to be professionally drawn, they can be hand drawn.
  • 
If you are successful in applying for this opportunity you MUST be able to commit to a filming period of up to 3-4 months.

Closing date for entries: 30 July 2014. 

APPLY NOW

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Interiors Addict

Urban Couture’s new showroom offers one-on-one service without the snobbery

Sponsored by Urban Couture

There’s no question that the internet is increasingly a game changer for all industries, not least interiors. It’s amazing the products and services we can sell online these days. But despite having an innovative and digitally brilliant online model, new business Urban Couture realise that there are some people who still want to touch and feel! That’s why they’ve just opened this gorgeous warehouse space in Sydney’s Ultimo.

Urban couture showroom 2

“We decided to open the showroom as it became evident that although the majority of Australians are increasingly confident to buy furniture online, there is still the need for people to “try before they buy”– in relation to seeing and touching the products before they purchase. This is common with our big ticket items such as beds and sofas where clients really want to test the comfort,” says creative director Katriarna Rodgers, a stylist and graphic designer. “We also felt that it is important that we have a beautiful creative space where clients can visit us, be inspired and receive a one-on-one design service.”

urban couture showroom 1

Online, Urban Couture is both a homewares and furniture store, a place to create your own moodboards with their free tool Couture Boards, and a place to get free e-decorating advice. Katriarna runs the business with Tom Towhidi who, with a background in accounting and law, looks after the logistics, legal and financial side of things.

Katriarna and Tom
Katriarna and Tom

The showroom is a converted warehouse and former wool factory. It’s open to anyone, but Urban Couture have made it by appointment only so they can give everyone a specialised, one-on-one service. They hope to avoid the snobby and unfriendly feel of some high end showrooms and will even be offering customers a glass of wine or a cup of tea: “A process that in our opinion always helps you to relax and decide what it is that you really need!”

Katriarna believes it is thanks to shows like The Block and House Rules, and online inspiration from design blogs and Pinterest, that the general public are increasingly interested in interiors and excited to have a go themselves. While there is still a perception that professional design advice is only for the very wealthy, Urban Couture are trying to make it more accessible by offering free e-decorating to their online homewares customers. “E-decorating is simply an avenue for us to understand our clients’ needs, in order to deliver tailor made design and decoration which works for them and importantly, represents their personal style.”

“One of our goals is to make great international design more accessible to the consumer, no matter where you live or what your budget. We want to continue doing what we love by traveling the world and bringing new and inspiring furniture and homewares to Australia. We hope to play a big part in changing the perception of buying furniture and homewares online, by showing customers that choosing furniture and homewares for their homes can be simplified and enjoyable for them through effective and efficient customer service. Further, by offering a one stop shop and design service, we hope that customers will be in a position to enjoy the process, rather than being faced with the task of searching tirelessly around shopping malls on the weekends and wasting their valuable time.”

Shop online or make a showroom appointment.

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House Rules RENO ADDICT

Post House Rules reveal chat with contestants Brooke and Grant

Last night’s episode of House Rules had its fair share of controversy, with Tassie couple Brooke and Grant scoring contestants dramatically low for their zone makeovers.

TAS
Brooke and Grant

“We didn’t know who had done what zones so it was definitely not personal,” says Brooke. “However, it was strategic. We’re on the bottom of the ladder and we needed to do what we could to move up again. So I guess we just had to see what we absolutely loved and we decided seven would be our top score and kind of went down from there.”

As a result, NSW couple Candy and Ryan, who had scored an eight and a nine from the judges, got a five from Brooke and Grant, allowing Carole and Russell to nab their second win, receiving a seven from the homeowners.

MASTER BEDROOM_AFTER_WA ZONE
Carole and Russell’s winning master bedroom

While the scores may not have been indicative, Brooke and Grant were overwhelmed by the transformation of their tiny two-and-a-half bedroom cottage into a huge family home for nine, which thanks to the extension, now has five bedrooms.

“We weren’t expecting the extension at all,” explains Brooke. “We hoped our patio area out the back would be enclosed so our laundry could be undercover but we had no idea they would actually rebuild!”

MASTER BEDROOM_BEFORE
The master bedroom before the renovation

Yet it wasn’t just Brooke and Grant who loved the results; their seven kids were ecstatic to finally have their own spaces to enjoy. “They were so excited to get into their own rooms and have a look,” says Brooke. “They were all so surprised and really happy.”

Surprisingly there’s also been no fighting between the kids, with no one claiming that someone else’s room was better than theirs! “They’ve all been amazing,” says Brooke. “All been really grateful and happy with what they’ve been given. So thankfully, no fighting!”

Candy and Ryan's kids room was loved by the judges and kids but not Brooke and Grant
Candy and Ryan’s kids room was loved by the judges and the kids but not by Brooke and Grant

While it’s all worth it now, Brooke admits that the week away from their home, while the others were doing the renovation, was the longest week of her life. “All you could do was just wait around and wonder what they were doing. Obviously being in the same state but not being able to see the kids, was hard as well.”

Having decided to enter the show after watching last year’s season, the couple hope to continue doing renovations long after the show’s over. “It is something we’ve always wanted to have a go at,” explains Brooke. “We definitely want to buy more houses and renovate them, so that’s why this experience was so perfect.”

Tune in tonight at 7.30pm as the teams make their way to Far North Queensland, where one team will receive the first perfect ten!