WA duo's shock at new home
The moment Carole Bramston walked into her newly renovated Perth Hills home she was instantly struck with the feeling that she had entered someone else's abode.
The Boya grandmother just could not fathom how the rundown cottage she bought with husband Russell off classifieds site Gumtree could be transformed into a "sensational" new home in one week by their fellow contestants on reality renovation series House Rules.
And following last night's big reveal on the Seven show, Carole told Access All Areas she was still speechless at how the teams turned the dilapidated building upside down.
"It's hard to believe that in seven days all those people traipsing up and down that driveway in the heat got it done," she said. "Now we can have the grandkids up there and it's all safe. It's just amazing, it's a massive gift."
Among the couple's favourite features from the renovation were an alfresco dining area, a plush walk-in robe leading off the bedroom and a decadent spa bath with a view over the surrounding bush land - the last two forming the winning space of the week by Queensland pair Maddi Carter and Lloyd Wright.
The kitchen, on the other hand, was slammed by the show's judges, architect Joe Snell and Home Beautiful editor Wendy Moore, for its awkward butler's pantry. But Carole said she wasn't prepared to be as critical of the other contestants' handiwork.
"It's not their house so the judges don't have that gratefulness behind them," she explained.
"They are professionals critiquing the interpretation of the house rules and the workmanship, whereas we looked and thought 'Who cares if that's not painted?'
"We are just so grateful."
After their week-long break, the Bramstons will head back into renovations this week on Melbourne couple Adam Dovile and Lisa Lamond's home. But considering they were the first team to secure a win, the WA team have already been dubbed the biggest threats by their rivals and Russell said all eyes would be on him and Carole to see what they came up with this time around.
"They didn't think we would be much chop at the start because of our age but I think the key to it is the final product," he said. "I think they are going to be watching Carol like a hawk to see what she does."
