It’s the feel-good reality TV series that sees everyday Australians take part in a renovation showdown, with six teams renovating and styling each other’s homes, with the aim of taking out the top prize of $355,000.
NSW country couple Toad and Mandy won the competition in 2018, telling TV WEEK they were excited to be able to build “a better life” for their family after the life-changing experience.
“We come from a town of 300 people and we’re bloody celebrities here now. But we didn’t do it for celebrity status. We did it so we could have a better life together and with our kids,” Toad said.
“It goes to show that just because you don’t have all the big shops around you, you can still have that eye for design and the will to go away from your kids and family for so long, and still do a really good job.”
Toad and Mandy were crowned winners in 2018 (Image: Channel Seven).
Who will follow in Toad and Mandy’s footsteps in 2019?
From surfie sisters Mikaela and Eliza, to Chippie brothers Tim and Matt, this season looks set to introduce viewers to some real characters when House Rules starts Sunday 28th at 7.00pm and continues Monday – Wednesday 7.30pm.
Scroll through to meet the teams!
MIKAELA & ELIZA, SISTERS, WA
MIKAELA & ELIZA, SISTERS, WA
They’re both ranked among the top 100 female surfers in the world, but for Mikaela, 24 (above left), and Eliza, 21, their new passion is renovating the family home for their mum. She’s chasing a fresh start following a divorce from their dad.
“Mum has worked tirelessly our entire lives to give us everything we could possible want and more,” Mikaela says.
Eliza adds, “And that’s what we will have in our hearts the whole time while we’re renovating.”
PETE & COURTNEY, MARRIED, VIC
PETE & COURTNEY, MARRIED, VIC
Dance teachers Pete, 32, and Courtney, 31, bring more than a killer samba to the competition – they come with one of the biggest houses the show has ever seen.
The pair, who live in a “huge brown-brick ’80s mega-mansion”, are no strangers to renovations, having once managed to flip a three-bedroom apartment in two weeks!
But don’t expect them to do anything in the competition quietly, with Pete admitting his biggest weakness is “not being able to bite my tongue”.
TIM & MAT, BROTHERS, VIC
TIM & MAT, BROTHERS, VIC
Chippies Tim, 32, and Mat, 27, declare they have no intention of losing. In fact, they believe they’re the “winning combination”.
“We’ve renovated before,” Tim says. “We’ve done it together to a high standard and are confident in what we do.”
Despite having different dads, the brothers are close. “We don’t use the word ‘half’,” Mat says.
“He’s always been my brother since I was born,” joking that he is, however, the “better looking” sibling.
SHAYN & CARLY, MARRIED, QLD
SHAYN & CARLY, MARRIED, QLD
They’ve been married for six years and have two daughters – Harper, five, and Imogen, three – so next on the bucket list for civil engineer Shayn, 33, and wife Carly, 31, is to upgrade their three-bedroom double-brick “prison”.
“It’s a small rectangular box with bars on the windows, security screens all over the place and not much light,” Shayn says of his home.
Adds Carly, “Having our house renovated into a dream home would be like winning lotto!”
KATIE & ALEX, MARRIED, NSW
KATIE & ALEX, MARRIED, NSW
While an eco-lifestyle is important to stay-at-home mum Katie, 29, and police officer Alex, 32, a working kitchen and a master bedroom that doesn’t leak is equally as essential. It’s also something they’ve both been without recently.
“When it gets cold outside, the condensation comes through the ceiling and literally drips cold water on your face at about 3 or 4am,” Katie says.
Alex says he’s a force to be reckoned with – “I’ll work until I drop, breaking myself in the process or die trying” he says – but he’ll face an extra challenge: he’s colour-blind.
LISA & ANDY, MARRIED, SA
LISA & ANDY, MARRIED, SA
Don’t let their good looks fool you: Lisa, 30, and her hubby of a year Andy, 32, are in it to win it!
“I think people can perceive me as quite ditzy because I’m bubbly and fun,” Lisa says. “I can be quite carefree at times, but I think, design-wise, I know what looks good.”
Lisa was with hubby “Handy Andy” for 11 years before they got hitched.
“We’ve renovated a house before,” she adds.
House Rules: Tim and Mat’s dining room before and after
