It’s back to the drawing board as teams struggle to perform in the first massive backyard renovation challenge.
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With the House Rules leaderboard wiped clean for the commencement of the backyard makeovers, the remaining teams had a chance to redeem themselves in the eyes of House Rules judges Wendy Moore, Laurence Llewlyn-Bowen and Drew Heath.
Four teams competed to makeover the first two backyards in the competition, with each yard divided into two zones.
The judges were underwhelmed with the efforts of teams across the board, causing Wendy to suggest the following approach, “The modern backyard should be approached in the same way you approach any living space. Plan your zones, choose your style and work out how each area flows into the next. Think about how these areas will feel to live in – don’t just look at them as gardens.”
Hope Island – Mel & Dave’s home
Rules:
1. Create a cool coastal vibe
2. Make a shipwreck island for the boys
3. Give us a chill out area by the pool
4. Design a haven for body and soul
5. Choose your zone
Zone 1: Toad and Mandy – Pool and chill out area
In their chill-out zone Wendy liked the statement monsteria wallpaper but would have preferred to see more of it to cover the entire ceiling – as suspected by Toad & Mandy who didn’t order enough.
Drew said although they got the plan right for the pool area and everyone one pleased to see them retain the palm tree within the decking, all the materials were brutal and bland: “I thought planting would have saved your whole zone.” LLB was very disappointed, although all judges agreed the small step-down deck with curved chair and potted plant was “spot on”, with Wendy saying, “More of that would have served you very well.”
Toad and Mandy scored a total of 18/30 from the judges.
Zone 2: Kim and Michelle – Garden with shipwreck island and body & soul haven
Wendy liked the zoning of Kim and Michelle’s area but felt the seating was too uncomfortable and not designed for chilling out. LLB thought Kim & Michelle’s haven for body and soul was ‘tokenistic’. Wendy said this was, “Such a shame – because you could have made this a lovely little oasis of calm with the right furniture.”
The shipwreck island wowed the judges and saved Kim and Michelle’s entire zone – LLB labelled it ‘genius’ and said the boat was a ‘total star’. Wendy agreed: “I loved the kind of Peter Pan idea of making that platform around the tree… I wanted to get in there and just play myself.”
Kim and Michelle scored 20/30 from the judges.
Maryborough – Josh & Brandon’s home
Rules:
1. Go modern Aussie outdoor style
2. Plunge into a swim up bar
3. Build a beer garden on the deck
4. Give us a games area with a secret cinema
5. Choose your zone
Zone 1: Jess & Jared – Entertaining deck and games area
Jess and Jarod struggle all week to bring their design together, running out of time at the end to dress the space with plants and accessories. The judges were visibly disappointed in what should have been a wonderful area for Josh and Brandon to relax and entertain in.
A last-minute change to their design to accommodate the movie screen, “Just didn’t work,: according to Wendy and had a negative impact on the entire zone and, whilst Wendy like the idea of a hidden garden felt their ideas fell in a heap. “You guys have such a great sense of style – this was a great example of how applying your learned skills creating living space inside should have helped you create fabulous living areas outside,” she said.
Their firepit was a hit with LLB but not Drew, who was underwhelmed in the beer garden deck too asking, “Where are the hammocks? Where are the potted plants?”
All three judges also thought the games area was a missed opportunity.
Jess and Jared scored 16/30 from the judges.
Zone 2: Chiara & David – Pool with swim up bar
The judges commended Chiara and David for achieving so much in four days, including the ‘major achievement’ of putting in a pool, but were divided on their BBQ and bar area. Drew thought it was ‘rustic’ and really suited the boys, but LLB disagreed. His judgement at home base was brutal and both he and Wendy would have preferred the swim-up bar to be lower and more accessible from the pool.
The judges did love the plunge pool and Wendy loved the pergola and dining area, though felt they were too cramped. Whilst the fire pit was admired, two in the same backyard was felt to be overkill.
Chiara and David scored a total of 20/30 from the judges.
Mel and Dave, Josh and Brandon all return to their homes tonight and will deliver their scores to the teams to see who finishes at the top of the leaderboard. Following this backyard battle, three teams will be eliminated from the competition.
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