Winters rule in tense decider

A DREAM came true last night for Aaron and Daniella Winter when they were crowned the winners of House Rules for 2017.

The Gold Coast couple were awarded $200,000 by the Channel 7 program after they defeated “besties” Team SA Kate Whiting and James “Harry” Harris in a nail-biting grand final.

Judges Wendy Moore, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and Drew Heath gave Team Qld 27 out of 30, which saw them win by two points.

Carpenter Aaron, 31, and dance teacher Daniella, 38, burst into tears when they heard the result.

“We just didn’t think it could happen,” said Aaron, his voice choked with emotion.

“House Rules has not only brought us closer but the $200,000 helps us get ahead in life.

“It means I can spend more time with my family, it’s beautiful.”

The prizemoney is “lifechanging” for the family.

“We definitely want to put all the money on to the mortgage,” Daniella said. “And then we’ve got about a billion plans of what we would want to do — I might kick Aaron out of the house and I’ll go on a massive holiday,” she quipped.

And, in what may be the most amicable ending in House

Rules history, the couple also plan on taking a family holiday with their “lifelong” friends Team SA, who remained graceful in the face of defeat and said they were “genuinely happy” for their friends.

A force to be reckoned with from the outset, the Winters triumphed with their final transformation of the side passage of Team SA’s Adelaide home, despite all judges agreeing it was a “difficult” space to work with.

They also struggled to interpret the House Rule which asked them to create an “ultimate boho blokes’ hangout” and tool shed for Harry within only four days.

“It was the hardest thing we’ve ever had to do,” Aaron said.