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House Rules

House Rules 2017: Meet the six teams vying for the 200k prize!

Renovation show House Rules returns to Channel Seven tomorrow, with six teams handing over their house keys and competing for a $200,000 cash prize. Each of the six teams will see their homes transformed by their competitors and while host Johanna Griggs returns with previous judge Wendy Moore, this year’s team boasts two new judges – English interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and Australian architect and builder Drew Heath.

The six teams

Aaron & Daniella: Queensland
Hailing from the Gold Coast, carpenter Aaron, 31, and dancer Daniella, 38, will be leaving their two young children behind to pursue their House Rules dream. “Leaving both kids is difficult,” says Aaron who hopes to bring his carpentry experience to the competition. “As a carpenter, I’ve got a fair bit of experience. Not only house frames and fit outs, but I’ve been a supervisor and project manager. All that sort of stuff adds up,” says Aaron. “I like fashion and design. So, I guess we’ll complement each other,” says Daniella who has no renovation experience.

Aaron and Daniella

Kate & Harry: South Australia
This Adelaide couple bought the worst house on the best street leaving no money left to renovate. “Financially, we wouldn’t have been able to renovate so it’s amazing being on the show; we feel like we’ve won the lottery!” says Harry, 32 and a carpenter, of the chance to undertake a dream renovation with Kate, 28. “We want a big family so the house has to be grand and spacious.
I’ve got lofty ambitions for the location. We want to be there forever,” says Harry who explains that the couple would love another child (their son Xavier is one) but don’t have the space. House Rules will put an end to that!

Kate and Harry

Sean & Ella: Tasmania
24-year-old teenage sweethearts Sean and Ella have been together since they were 15 and share the same occupation too – they’re both paramedics. After buying their first home in Hobart last year (a 1960’s fixer-upper), the couple are keen to transform it. “We bought the house as a renovator. So to have it done for us is amazing!” says Sean. The couple have no renovation experience but feel their careers will stand them in good stead. “With our job, we get thrown into new and different situations every day that you’re not prepared for. We can’t prepare for most things and that will be an advantage in the competition as the whole renovation is going to be new to us,” says Sean.

Sean and Ella

Andrew & Jono: Western Australia
Twin brothers Andrew and Jono, 27, bought a house together in 2011 after their mum hinted it was time to leave the nest. “We’ve done a few minor renovations but we didn’t have the money to do it all,” says Andrew who is looking forward to seeing his home transformed.

Andrew studied architecture for eighteen months and has dabbled in basic renovation techniques such as painting and sanding floors while Jono’s has very little renovation experience at all. “We’re not going to be able to do much of the building so we might have to rely on tradies more than the other teams,” says Jono.

Andrew and Jono

Fiona & Nicole: Victoria
Best friends Fiona and Nicole, both 44, are House Rules’ first all-female team. Friends for thirty years, Fiona asked Nicole to help renovate her dilapidated Melbourne home. “I do believe it’s got amazing potential. I have grand plans for it and hopefully with HOUSE RULES it will become a reality,” says Fiona who grew up on building sites with her builder father. Nicole has extensive renovation experience too after completely overhauling an old Victorian home in 2005.

Fiona and Nicole

Troy & Bec: New South Wales
Divorced father of one Troy, 46, is hoping to transform his 1960’s western Sydney weatherboard home to accommodate his girlfriend Bec, 39, and her two children. “We use a camp barbecue which isn’t ideal and not to mention dangerous,” says Troy of his home that has a toilet that doesn’t flush. Understandably, the couple are super excited at the chance of renovating their home.

Bec brings no renovation skills to the competition while Troy is a self-confessed handy man. “I’m basically good at a lot of things and can pick up things pretty quick. I’m a handy man of sorts – a jack of all trades, master of none. Hanging doors, painting doors, decorating, gardening and gyprocking – that’s about the extent of my experience,” says Troy.

Troy and Bec

House Rules commences on Channel Seven tomorrow (April 30).

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House Rules RENO ADDICT

NSW father daughter team win the 2015 House Rules grand final

They were the underdogs from the start, but last night, Sydney’s Steve and Tiana Falzon took home the big win; becoming mortgage free after defeating Queensland in an epic grand final clash.

NSW win House Rules
Steve and Tiana

Steve, 47, competed alongside his daughter Tiana, 26, who entered the show to give thanks to her dad who struggled following the death of her mum when she was only seven. Taking home one of television’s biggest prizes – his entire $250,000 mortgage wiped clean – Steve battled to contain his emotions after the result was announced live by host Johanna Griggs. “This is a dream come true,” said Steve. “I’m so overwhelmed. It’s been a dream of mine for so long to pay this house off.”

SteveTiana2

Steve paid tribute to his daughter, who sustained a sprained ankle during the dying hours of the final renovation. Despite the injury, she rose to her feet determined to finish. “There’s no way I could have done this without Tiana. I’m so glad we’ve shared this experience together.”

autv_hr3_p6_qldgallery2
QLD’s garage designed by Steve and Tiana

The grand finalists were given one last renovation challenge – to transform each other’s garage into an entertainer’s paradise. It was incredibly close with NSW edging ahead of Queensland, 19 points to 17. The Sydney duo transformed Ben and Danielle’s dull Brisbane garage into a Ralph Lauren inspired oasis. “I’m so impressed that a team that struggled at the beginning have come to deliver a room like this,” said judge Wendy Moore. “For the grand final, you couldn’t ask for more.”

NSW's garage designed by
NSW’s garage designed by Ben and Danielle

Queensland also impressed, turning Steve’s garage into a retro wonderland which oozed ‘Fonzie cool’ complete with a jukebox, bar and Cadillac couch. “This is excellent work; so deserving to be in the grand final,” said judge Joe Snell.

After the judges’ scores were combined with the public vote, NSW were declared the winners. Runners-up Ben Edgeworth, 33, and Danielle Russell, 31, don’t walk away empty-handed after having their entire house, garden, exterior and garage completely renovated.

Ben and Danielle
Ben and Danielle

Team NSW won the prize after a gruelling competition which saw six house interiors, four garden/exteriors, a holiday house and a special charity home completely transformed. So in my mind, I think it’s now time for a well deserved rest. Great job guys!

For more on House Rules.

Photography by Channel 7

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House Rules’ grand finalists revealed after their most heart-warming reno yet

In their hardest but most heart-warming challenge yet, the final three transformed a house for four kids and their carer into a place to call home. Given a brief to make the home warm and cosy with robust easy-care furniture, the teams exceeded judges’ expectations and that of the home’s caretakers, Care South, who for over 20 years have been working with vulnerable children, youth and families.

Grand finalists Ben & Danielle (QLD) and Steve & Tiana (NSW)
Grand finalists Ben and Danielle (QLD) and Steve and Tiana (NSW)

Tackling their biggest zones ever NSW were the first team through to the grand final after scoring 17 points. Queensland scored 16, edging out Victoria by only two points to claim the second spot.

So what did judges Wendy Moore and Joe Snell think?

Steve and Tiana – 17/20

After: NSW shower room
After: NSW shower room

Team NSW had the largest zone with six rooms in total including the kitchen, study nook, shower room and sitting room. From VJ boards in the sitting room and hall, to rustic lighting choices for the kitchen, the pair hit all the house rules.

After: NSW kicthen
After: NSW kitchen

“You guys have come a long way,” said Joe. “You have done some really lovely and well-designed spaces.”

Ben and Danielle – 16/20

After: QLD lounge
After: QLD lounge

The Queensland zone included the lounge room, entry and carer’s residence.

After: QLD Carer's residence
After: QLD carer’s residence

“You absolutely transformed your zone and made this home a much more welcoming one,” said Wendy. “But you didn’t seem to be firing on all cylinders in your areas of strength, colour and styling.”

Bronik and Corrine — 14/20

MAIN BATHROOM (VIC ZONE)
After: VIC main bathroom

Victoria took a risk with their design choices this week but sadly missed the mark and were sent home. The corrugated iron roof in the bathroom and their slate tile feature wall in the dining room let them down.

BEDROOM 3 (VIC ZONE)
After: VIC bedroom

“Your feature statements got the better of you,” said Joe. “You lost sight of the basics and also the house rules.”

Now only two teams remain, with Sydney father and daughter duo Steve and Tiana taking on Brisbane newlyweds Ben and Danielle in the 2015 House Rules grand final. The winner will be announced by host Johanna Griggs this Monday night (7:30pm), when the teams take on one last renovation challenge. The judges’ scores will be combined with a public vote to determine the winner.

For more on House Rules.

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House Rules Outdoor & Exteriors RENO ADDICT

One point sends SA home as the final three head towards the grand final

SA - After backyard

Last night’s second semi-final saw only one point separate third and fourth place, with the teams having to transform the remaining four gardens. Unfortunately, when the scores were counted it was time for SA’s Ryan and Marlee to go home. Now only three teams remain, who will battle it out for a life-changing place in the House Rules grand final.

So what did judges Joe Snell and Wendy Moore think?

Bronik and Corrine — 18/20

Before - SA Backyard
Before – SA backyard
SA - After backyard
SA – After backyard

After winning the first semi-final, Victoria again blitzed their competition, scoring 18 points for their landscaping efforts in SA’s backyard. Bronik and Corrine hit the Australia Day party house rule for six with a cricket pitch embedded in the lawn, a large deck for entertaining, a pergola and an orchard to relax in. “The timber retaining wall around the cricket pitch was terrific,” said Joe. “It made it feel like a stadium.”

Ben and Danielle — 17/20

Before - VIC front yard
Before – VIC front yard
After - VIC front yard
After – VIC front yard

Queensland bounced back after their last-place finish in the first semi-final, scoring 17 points for their work in Victoria’s front yard. Ben and Danielle nailed a classic design with a deck in the entry way, an arbor gate, a new concrete aggregate driveway and white-themed flowering plants. “The clean, simple lines of the garden beds were lovely,” said Joe. “What we saw this week was some very graceful, sophisticated design.”

Steve and Tiana — 14/20

Before - SA front yard
Before – SA front yard
After - SA front yard
After – SA front yard

NSW escaped elimination by only one point, scoring 14 for revamping team SA’s front garden. The father and daughter duo righted a wrong by lining up the decking boards along the front of the house as well as adding a roof to cover the two front decks, a bold and structured pathway and a burst of floral colour in the raised garden beds. “You had some really strong ideas and you picked the right things to change but you didn’t push your ideas far enough to really finish them as well as you could have,” said Wendy.

Ryan and Marlee — 13/20

Before - VIC Backyard
Before – VIC Backyard
After - VIC backyard
After – VIC backyard

The Adelaide pair finished last after their efforts in Victoria’s backyard failed to impress the judges, who gave them a combined score of 13 points. Ryan and Marlee took the ‘urban cool’ house rule too far with their lime green fence and street art graffiti wall. “I liked your plantings but it was your artistic feature wall where you really lost control of your vision,” said Wendy. “I know it was urban but it just didn’t make for a cool backyard.”

Combining the scores with last week’s, Ryan and Marlee came out with the lowest combined score and were eliminated. The remaining three teams will now battle it out for a place in the grand final and the chance to live mortgage-free. Tonight they’re given their hardest but most heart-warming challenge yet, and with a grand final spot up for grabs, teams collide as they push themselves to the limit.

House Rules continues tonight at 7.30pm and Sunday at 7pm. For more House Rules.

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Designers House Rules Outdoor & Exteriors RENO ADDICT

The battle of the gardens begins with House Rules’ first semi-final

After - NSW front yard

After tying for first place in last week’s holiday home challenge, Bronik and Corrine’s good form continued with the Victorians taking out the first semi-final.

Here’s what judges Wendy Moore and Joe Snell had to say:

Bronik and Corrine — 17/20

Before - NSW front yard
Before – NSW front yard
After - NSW front yard
After – NSW front yard

The pair earned 17 points for overhauling team NSW’s front exterior. They impressed with a modern front fence and a diagonal wooden path, giving Steve’s yard an angular and contemporary look. “You guys delivered a really fantastic front garden,” said Wendy. “Great design, great ideas and great execution.”

Steve and Tiana — 14/20

Before - QLD front yard
Before – QLD front yard 
After - QLD front yard
After – QLD front yard

NSW and South Australia tied for second place with 14 points, joining forces to transform Ben and Danielle’s red-brick eye sore into a French Riviera masterpiece. Steve and Tiana worked on team Queensland’s front yard, using boulders and stairs to create different levels heading up to the front door. They also splurged on a luxe outdoor setting in the courtyard to create a French inspired retreat. “You guys instantly changed the street appeal of that home,” said Wendy.

Ryan and Marlee — 14/20

Before - QLD backyard
Before – QLD backyard
After - QLD backyard
After – QLD backyard

Ryan and Marlee renovated the Brisbane backyard, creating a raised deck area and a separate alfresco lounge area. “Your decked area was great,” said Wendy. “And the decision to put that retractable awning was a really good design choice.” But their furniture choices cost them points. “The lounge whilst a great idea in terms of design, the aesthetic was nowhere near French Riviera and that was just disappointing,” said Joe.

Ben and Danielle — 13/20

Before - NSW backyard
Before – NSW backyard
Before - NSW backyard
Before – NSW backyard

Ben and Danielle were not up to their usual high standards finishing last on 13 points. The newlyweds were tasked with transforming Steve’s massive backyard. Their design included a timber deck and paved outdoor lounge area with a fire pit. “Whilst part of the design worked beautifully, it really didn’t have a clear vision,” said Joe.

The second semi-final showdown kicks off Sunday at 7pm with the final garden reveals on Monday at 7.30pm. For more House Rules.

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Major House Rules upset after the toughest renovation yet

After

It was the most gruelling transformation in House Rules history, with teams having just seven days to convert a rundown Queenslander into the ultimate dream holiday home (which will be won by one lucky home viewer!). It was the first time they’d been entrusted with renovating both an interior and exterior zone; and with the leaderboard wiped clean and an elimination on the line, teams were pushed hard and relationships were put to the test.

Before
Before
After
After

Hobart’s Cassie and Matt, who were looking to be the strongest competitors after regularly finishing on top of the leaderboard, had the advantage of choosing their zone this week. However unfortunately, it wasn’t enough, with the Tassie couple being sent home in a shock elimination.

Cassie and Matt
Cassie and Matt

So what did judges Wendy Moore and Joe Snell think?

Ben and Danielle

After: Back deck
After: Back deck

While Tassie may have struggled the others flourished, with Queensland and Victoria both tying for first place on 20 points. After a rocky week, Brisbane’s Ben and Danielle finished with a perfect score for their guest bedroom, bathroom and back deck. Both judges were particularly impressed with their deck and outdoor kitchen, which had been a bone of contention for the newlyweds earlier in the week. Danielle’s fight for a custom-built kitchen paid off. ”You really splashed some money around there but it was money well spent,” said Wendy.

Bronik and Corrine

After: Back yard
After: Back yard

Melbourne’s Bronik and Corrine scored their second perfect set of 10’s for their zone. It was a difficult week which saw Bronik’s body give in but Corrine stepped up with the heavy lifting and together they triumphed. Their zone of the living room, shower room and back yard received high praise from the judges. “You guys really have a good design eye,” said Joe. Their outdoor shower really hit the house rule of luxury. “It is like a tropical resort,” said Wendy.

Steve and Tiana

KIDS HIDEAWAY (NSW ZONE)
After: Kids magical hideaway

Team NSW’s Steve and Tiana pulled out their highest score so far in the competition with both judges awarding them nine points for their master bedroom, verandah, laundry and kids magical hideaway. Their entire zone was well received but it was their magical castle which earned them the most praise. “You had water cannons, you had slippery dips; the memories that place will create will last forever,” said Joe.

Ryan and Marlee

After: Dining
After: Dining

SA’s Ryan was able to show off his paving skills this week when he and Marlee created a stunning carport. “I really liked the pavers you used; they were very well laid and I really liked the pattern,” said Wendy. The Adelaide duo also had the dining room, front deck and entrance. The judges both felt they had really lifted their game this week and scored them 17 in total, with only one point saving them from elimination.

Cassie and Matt

After: Kitchen
After: Kitchen

Cassie and Matt received a score of 16 points for their kitchen, kids bedroom and front garden. Their incomplete zone and choice of kitchen wallpaper were their undoing. “The style was just a bit graphic and a bit modern for that classic Queenslander style,” said Wendy.

Now, with only four teams remaining the battle for a spot in the grand final begins. The teams will now makeover each other’s front and back yards in the final transformations of their homes. House Rules airs Monday and Tuesday at 7.30pm and Sunday at 7pm.

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House Rules’ most emotional home reveal yet

After - Bathroom

The teams worked extra hard this week to transform a lifetime of wear and tear into an award-winning display home for father and daughter duo, Steve and Tiana. At just 28, Steve was left to bring up Tiana and her younger brother Andrew when Tiana’s mother Danielle passed away. It was therefore an emotional homecoming, with the duo being delivered some amazing highs and some rather bewildering lows!

So what did team NSW and judges Wendy Moore and Joe Snell think?

Ben and Danielle – 22/30

Before - Living Room
Before – Living Room
LIVING ROOM AFTER (QLD ZONE)
After – Living Room

Queensland’s Ben and Danielle took out their first victory with a score of 22. Their zone (Andrew’s room and living area) was a hit with both the homeowners and judges. Praise was given to Danielle, who painted an original artwork in the room of Steve’s eldest son, Andrew. The homeowners gave them a top score of nine with Tiana heaping praise on the living area: “You did such a great job.”

Bronik and Corrine — 21/30

Before - Bathroom
Before – Bathroom
After - Bathroom
After – Bathroom

After being near the bottom of the leaderboard last week, Victoria bounced back with 21 points to finish second. Bronik and Corrine impressed the judges with their bathroom and dining room. “The bathroom was the best room in the house,” said Joe. “I liked the layout in that crisp white space.” But the homeowners were less impressed, scoring them only a six. “I definitely wasn’t a fan of the artwork in the bathroom,” said Tiana. “To me it looked like a zombie massacre.”

Cassie and Matt — 20/30

Before - Laundry
Before – Laundry
After - Laundry
After – Laundry

Tassie’s Cassie and Matt couldn’t repeat their win from last week, settling for third spot with 20 points. Their super-hero themed room for Steve’s six-year-old son Rory was a winner, but their laundry let them down with Wendy saying: “The laundry was like a great book with a bad cover. Inside there was good storage, a fantastic use of space…but the doors themselves were so poorly finished, they brought down all the good work.”

Ryan and Marlee — 19/30

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

SA’s tumultuous week was reflected in their scores. After several heated arguments, Ryan and Marlee could only manage 19 points for their zone to finish in second last place. Tiana called their kitchen “absolutely amazing” but the judges were less complimentary. “It was generous, well-planned and showed the makings of some design flare,” said Joe. “But a house rule was also to create the feel of an award-winning display home, and that’s where it stumbled.” Their unfinished hall also cost them points.

Karina and Brian — 10/30

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

After delivering an unfinished master bedroom, WA’s Karina and Brian hit rock bottom with only 10 points. Their plan to mask their incomplete feature wall with a tacked on curtain didn’t fool anyone. “The master bedroom was just awful,” said Wendy. “The quick fix solutions to fake a finish just made it look tacky.” Tiana called the toilet a “let down” and together they gave WA the lowest homeowner score this series – three points!

This week the teams are off to Queensland to transform Ben and Danielle’s house of horrors. 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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House Rules’ second and toughest home reveal

With 40-degree temperatures, the contestants battled the elements to turn Ryan’s South Australian bachelor pad into the perfect home for him and girlfriend Marlee. However, it wasn’t just the extreme Adelaide heat that saw there be a struggle, with the house rules causing a considerable amount of confusion! So in the end — despite having this week’s secret house rule — WA’s Karina and Brian were knocked off their perch by last week’s lowest scorers, Tassie’s Cassie and Matt, who went from zero to hero with their yellow kitchen. Who would have thought?!

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

Cassie and Matt – 23/30  

KITCHEN BEFORE (TAS ZONE)
Before – Kitchen
KITCHEN AFTER (TAS ZONE)
After – Kitchen

The South Australian homeowners loved Tassie’s kitchen and dining room, with Marlee saying: “As soon as I walked into that zone I burst into tears, it was everything I could have asked for.” The judges were equally as impressed, with Wendy adding: “You guys completely turned your game around this week. I liked your use of yellow cabinetry. It really was a ray of sunshine.”

Karina and Brian – 22/30

MASTER BED BEFORE (WA ZONE)
Before – Master Bedroom
MASTER BED AFTER (WA ZONE)
After – Master Bedroom

Western Australia’s master bedroom and ensuite won rave reviews from the judges and homeowners alike. “Your master bedroom was a real display of confident design,” said Wendy. Ryan was blown away by his ensuite adding: “I’ve never had an ensuite before and now I’ve got an awesome one!” However, their decision to run their decking boards in a diagonal fashion – in stark contrast to the adjacent deck designed by Team New South Wales – was criticised.

Ben and Danielle – 19/30

GUEST BED BEFORE (QLD ZONE)
Before – Guest Bedroom
GUEST BED (QLD ZONE)
After – Guest Bedroom

Although the judges loved Danielle’s original artwork in the guest bedroom, Queensland lost points for their “dark and moody” bathroom, with Joe and Wendy scoring them 5 and 6 respectively. However, the South Australian homeowners awarded them their highest score of 8, with Marlee telling them the guest bedroom was her favourite room in the house. “That artwork was incredible,” she said. “If you painted that, that’s a new career for you girl. I was blown away!”

Bronik and Corrine – 15/30

Before - Living Room
Before – Living Room
After - Living Room
After – Living Room

The Victorian reno rookies were given the biggest zone this week consisting of the living room, laundry, hallway, entry and broom closet! They scored 5s all round to finish in second last place. Their first renovation earned them praise with Wendy stating: “I was really impressed with your living room. It showed great talent.”

Steve and Tiana – 13/30

Before - Mancave
Before – Mancave
After - Mancave
After – Mancave

Team New South Wales struggled the most this week with Tiana’s lack of decision-making costing them dearly. “There is no vision in this room,” Wendy said about their lacklustre mancave. But the homeowners disagreed with Ryan saying: “I loved the mancave. When I opened the door, I felt like a big kid again!”

With the second renovation down, the teams will now head to New South Wales to give deserving father and daughter team Steve and Tiana the makeover they’ve always dreamed of. 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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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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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!

image001

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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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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Designers House Rules RENO ADDICT

New series of House Rules starts tonight on 7

For those suffering from The Block withdrawals, fear not. The second series of last year’s hit reality renovating show House Rules, starts tonight (Wednesday 30 April) on 7.

Architect and House Rules judge Joe Snell
Architect and House Rules judge Joe Snell

Get ready to see six new teams from around Australia go on a ride of a lifetime, putting their homes on the line and skills to the test, as they battle it out to become mortgage free. Together, they’ll travel the country, hand over the keys to their homes and leave their competition rivals to transform every room in their house.

With host Johanna Griggs at the helm again this year, six brave teams will gamble with the most important possession in their lives. Designer Carolyn Burns-McCrave and build supervisor Chester Drife will be overseeing the teams, who have just a week to completely transform each home. Guided by just five House Rules, the teams will each be given a designated zone in the house to work on and they must draw on all their creative talents, determination and strategy to achieve the most stunning transformations.

Two expert judges – architect Joe Snell and Home Beautiful magazine editor Wendy Moore – will score each team’s renovation. But the last word will go to the homeowners. Without knowing who was responsible for each zone, they will score them all. Will they love or loathe what they see?

Scores will be revealed at Homebase, where eliminations will also take place. And in the final, the last two teams will face off for the chance to walk away with their entire mortgage paid off in full.

I only got into the show at the end of the last series but wish I’d watched more of it as I found the concept really interesting. Will you be watching?

More info.