It was the second “tools down” moment of the first season of Channel 7’s popular renovation reality show Dream Home, marking the first two completed luxury homes.
And the participants’ scores for this week — as judged by buyers agent Simon Cohen, architect Rosie Morley and Three Homes Renovations’ Lana Taylor — have flipped the competition on its head.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Dream Home judges reveal their scores.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
First, the judges turned their attention to Brad and Mel’s house in Northcote, Victoria, scoring the three couples that brought the home to life.
The facade, created by Taeler and Elle, was “faultless”, with the judges calling it the best-looking home on the street.
In particular, they mentioned the sweet detail of naming the home “Harmony”, a personal nod that nearly brought homeowner Mel to tears.
“That’s my word!” she said.
Taeler later shared with producers that hearing Brad and Mel’s delight “almost made me cry”.
However, the positive feedback did not continue into their second “bubble gum” room, which the judges said was “lacking the fun”.
For their efforts, Taeler and Elle received a total score of 26 out of 30.
Queensland parents of twins, Hannah and Jonny, were tasked with transforming Brad and Mel’s hallway, upstairs bathroom and one child’s bedroom.
Lana Taylor said the hallway was impressive but there was “a lot going on”.
But Hannah and Jonny had reason to smile, delivering a light bathroom and nailing the bedroom with a creative archway — for a score of 23.5.
The final couple of Brad and Mel’s home was Jacinta and Jordan, who took a gamble this week, focusing on the master bedroom.
Perhaps for that reason, the judges were disappointed by the laundry, confused as to why the couple did not continue the style of the nearby kitchen they completed last week.
The judges said the walk-in wardrobe was fine but missing “wow factor”.
But Simon, Rosie and Lana didn’t stay underwhelmed for too long, each exclaiming a “wow” after stepping foot in the master bedroom.
Jacinta and Jordan had used Venetian plaster as a feature wall and curved it onto the ceiling.
The judges said if they were marking on the master alone, the couple would get three 10s, but the laundry in particular brought their scores down.
The Sydney couple received a score of 25.5 out of 30.
Elle’s Watsonia home
Rounding the corner to Elle’s home in Watsonia, Melbourne, the judges were instantly wowed by the facade created by Lara and Peter.
Calling it a “Scandinavian ski resort” vibe with an “Australian twist”, the judges said the brief was nailed.
Aside from one minor colour issue, they could not fault the work.
The praise for Lara and Peter continued in their entry hallway, with the judges marvelling at the couple’s choice to continue the timber into a grand feature wall.
Lara and Peter scored 26.5 out of 30.
Next, it was into the master bedroom and wardrobe created by Brad and Mel, who are at the bottom of the leaderboard.
The room was “impeccably executed” and delivered on the brief of “super luxe”.
When the Melbourne couple took a gamble and used open cupboards, the judges were unbothered, explaining that it added to the luxurious feeling.
It was a major moment of redemption for Brad and Mel, who received a game-changing score of 25.5 out of 30.
Finally, it was time to score the work of tradie brothers Rhys and Liam who finished last week at the top of the leaderboard, receiving an extra $10,000 in money and support.
The brothers were confident, particularly about their ensuite, and the judges were impressed “from a distance”.
But Rosie Morley said that, as she inspected the tiling work closely, she was not as amazed and said a lot was going on.
Unlike Brad and Mel, the brothers’ gamble to not put a door on the room did not pay off — with all three judges questioning the decision.
Moving into their next space, the hallway, they wondered if the job had even been finished before arriving at the study.
Lana Taylor said “it makes me feel like the world was crashing in on me” because it was so cramped.
The brothers had quite the fall from grace, finishing with a score of 20 out of 30.
Dream Home continues on Monday, where the pairs will take on the two Queensland homes of Hannah and Jonny and Liam.
The episode airs on Channel 7 and 7plus Monday 7.30pm AEST.
