The Illawarra Mercury has a good article on the transformation of Chelsea and Koa’s house, including a Go Fund Me page to help Chelsea pay the mortgage.
House Rules Grand Final
Dairy Farmers Toad & Mandy and competitive couple Mel & Dave stormed to the Grand Final after a heartfelt reveal.
Homeowner Chelsea, joined by host Johanna Griggs, made an emotional return to her renovated house. After successfully applying for House Rules, Chelsea’s partner Wayde died in a tragic accident 12 months ago. Both joy and sorrow prevailed as Chelsea saw her brand-new home for the first time. Johanna and Chelsea were both in tears as Chelsea acknowledged it was “under such unreal circumstances but it’s so perfect.” Chelsea declared to her daughter Koa: “Daddy would be so proud, wouldn’t he?” Chelsea said: “This is just what we dreamed… he (Wayde) would just be so happy his girls are so looked after.” On the life-changing gift the teams had given her, Chelsea said: “That’s why we applied for House Rules because we knew we would never be able to make this happen. I just want to thank them so much.”
The points from Chelsea’s reveal decided the grand finalists. In dramatic scenes at home base, Chiara & David felt the intense pressure ahead of scoring. Johanna rushed to comfort an emotional David who said, “I’m about to pass out.” before being eliminated from the competition after scoring 20/30 from the judges. Although “devastated” David said: “I’m so grateful we get to go home to our beautiful three kids; we’ve got an amazing renovated home. I’ll forever be grateful for this opportunity and what it’s taught us as a couple.”
The bonus room back landing that Mel and Dave did should have failed, I think. It was just a crowded Ishka indoor display plonked outside. It would have worked in an enclosed alfresco, but virtually every piece they used was meant for indoor not outdoor which means it wasn’t practical.
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And the song played was quite appropriate, I thought. Vance Joy’s Your Mess is Mine. 
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Chelsea has posted on her Instagram thanking the teams for renovating the house.
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I agree with littlegezzybear, the deck should have been a fail. It was a split decision by the judges - Wendy barely gave it a pass while Drew called it a fail and LLB said it was a “fabulous pass”. Without a roof on top the boho decoration will be soaked in the rain.
According to promo aired this week, the final challenge would see Toad and Mandy transforming the front yard of Mel and Dave’s house, and vice versa. It’s different from past five seasons when the two grand final teams had to renovate each other’s “secret room”, and front yards were transformed together with back yards.
House Rules Grand Final
Winners’ announced
Toad & Mandy won House Rules 2018 with a judges’ score of 24/30 just one point ahead of Mel & Dave on 23/30. Dairy farmer Toad was overcome by emotion about the life-changing $355,000 prize, thanking their families, other teams and fellow competitors Mel & Dave. When host Johanna Griggs asked what they would do with the prize Mandy said: “We are probably going to get married first.”
A grateful Mel & Dave walked away with a fully renovated home inside and out. Dave said: “We’re happy to be standing here. We are proud of how far we’ve come too. Congratulations Toad and Mandy.” House Rules will return for its 7th season in 2019.
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Last night Mel and Dave did Toad and Mandy’s front yard in Candelo. In the previous renovation episodes in Candelo a major obstacle for the couples were that they had to go to Canberra to buy a substantial amount of the furnishings. In this episode Mel and Dave still went to Early Settler but it was if they just drove up the road to the local shops. The closet Early Settler is in Canberra, so House Rules did some fudging as has happened throughout this season.
The most idiotic fudging was the renovation in Wollongong where the contestants were constantly shown driving on the Sea Cliff Bridge. Why would they have driven north out of their way to go from Woonona to go south to the Wollongong CBD.
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Just caught up with the grand final. I think both team were quite restrained in the renovation of each other’s backyards, perhaps due to time and/or small budget (Toad and Mandy got a first quote of over $8,000 for the timber fence of Mel and Dave’s front yard, and Toad said it was over budget. Given he and Mandy also had to pay the tradies for their time, I reckon the budget for the front yard was only around $30,000-$40,000). Anyway both teams did a great job transforming the front yards, in the end it was Wendy’s 9 points that gave Toad and Mandy the win. Congratulations to the dairy farmers.
The absence of 48 hour fix it challenge this season means that if the seven teams do not like any part of the interior renovations, they will have to use their own time and money to change it to their taste. That and the zone allocation are the only things I do not like this season. Next season teams need to be allocated adjoining rooms (e.g. main bedroom, walk in robe and ensuite in one zone, and pantry and kitchen in one zone) to reduce conflict between teams. For the first time, Seven is conducting a survey to seek feedback from viewers. If you want to contribute (with a prize of $250), click here
It was also nice to see Chelsea and Koa visiting the Home Base at Seven’s Eveleigh studios to meet all the seven teams.
P.S. Kim and Michelle changed their Instagram account name after Monday’s grand final (it’s now kimandmichelle7)
P.P.S. Mandy posted yesterday that their Candelo farm was just “holding on” under the current drought affecting the eastern states.
Toad and Mandy, and Kim and Michelle posted on Instagram on Thursday, reminding us it was one year since they left for Sydney to begin filming for season 6. This means production for season 7 will start pretty soon.
The house near Lake Fyans in western Victoria, built for season 5 contestant Fiona (who competed alongside friend Nicole), is now up for sale.
https://www.realestate.com.au/news/lake-fyans-house-rules-pad-up-for-grabs/
Jamie Durie joining House Rules.
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Every room is now to have a water feature
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I think Jamie Durie will replace Drew Heath as a judge.
Jamie Durie creates a home on HOUSE RULES
Australia’s favourite design guru returns to Seven
Australia first fell in love with do-it-yourself designer Jamie Durie two decades ago. Now, Jamie’s back in Australia and ready to make Channel 7’s HOUSE RULES his home.
Durie’s genuine enthusiasm and passion for everything he does has won over audiences, combined with his charm and down-to-earth personality he’s quickly become one of the most knowledgeable and innovative designers in the industry.
Having hosted 52 primetime design shows worldwide, authored 12 best-selling books, spent his career passionately committed to the environment and launched his own design business; Durie Design - Jamie’s taking on a new role as an expert judge on HOUSE RULES .
On joining HOUSE RULES , Jamie says:
“I couldn’t be more excited to be back at Channel 7. We built some great memories together. I’m looking forward to getting my teeth into all things design on one of Australia’s favourite design shows; HOUSE RULES ”
Jamie’s evolved into a multi-disciplinary designer, specialising in the areas of architecture, interior design, landscaping, and Jamie’s greatest passion – furniture design. He’s on a mission to bring the outdoors indoors and reconnect people with their homes.
Drawing inspiration from the natural form, Durie’s one-of-a-kind furniture has been awarded 33 international design awards. Designs that now feature in the homes of Comedienne Chelsea Handler, Actresses Charlize Theron and Anne Heche, and Actor Bruce Willis.
Rikkie Proost, Channel 7’s Head of Unscripted Production says:
“We’re thrilled to welcome Jamie back to Seven. Durie’s expertise and keen-eye for design will be invaluable on HOUSE RULES .”
HOUSE RULES host Johanna Griggs, will head up the team that sees Jamie joining the judging panel featuring British born international design style star Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and Pacific Magazines general manager of homes and food and fellow judge Wendy Moore.
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Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen constantly showed his disdain for Drew Heath, questioning his knowledge and competence. It’s really no surprise that Heath has been replaced.
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Jamie Durie is a sliver fox. Gets better with age
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I only watched the odd ep but Drew always seemed like a deer in the headlights next to LLB
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That’s why Seven last month bought a two-storey warehouse in Beaconsfield in inner Sydney.
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Seven has been spotted shooting House Rules at a three story house in Ferntree Gully.
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