House Rules’ Fiona: ‘I was disappointed. It actually looks like a junk shop’

FIONA Taylor’s uninhabitable shack was transformed into a stylish “contemporary country” home by a TV show, but she wasn’t the least bit impressed.

WHEN Fiona Taylor saw the new home built for her by House Rules’ contestants in just seven days, she found plenty to complain about.

Her former home had no running water or electricity and was deemed “uninhabitable”.

But after the Channel 7 show demolished the “shack” and contestants built the single mother a three bedroom “contemporary country” homestead, she was “disappointed” with the result.

“There wasn’t enough red,” she told News Corp, of the house located the foot of the Grampian Ranges in Victoria.

“I really like red. And the only bit of red there was in there was a soap in the bathroom which is going to be used anyway.”

After: Fiona’s new bathroom.

Before: How Fiona showered.

Struggling to make ends meet caring for her two boys, Taylor, 44, said she bought the property for $100,000 several years ago.

I vote we rewind time and give her the shack back. Enjoy your drop toilet and not even having a tap on your sink 😊😊😊 #houserules

— Charlotte (@CharlotteCant) May 2, 2017

Seems like she should be greatful for having a brand new house. They could always knock it down & give her back her bush shanti! #houserules

— Owen Minogue (@owen_minogue) May 2, 2017

Fiona- classic Jetstar Passenger. Wants champagne service on a beer budget. YOU HAD THE WORST HOUSE ON #houserules NOW YOU GOT A NEW HOUSE

— Kᴏᴏᴋᴀ (@Kooka_8) May 2, 2017

While it was in such disrepair the family were unable to live in it, Taylor rented a unit in rural Victoria where she and her sons still live permanently.

However, they visit “the shack” during school holidays.

Before: Without running water this is the toilet facilities Fiona and her kids used.

Based on the price point of similar homes in the area, the family’s holiday house is now estimated to be worth four times the amount it was bought for.

“I was disappointed. It didn’t fit my personality. They didn’t follow the House Rules. This is about following the House Rules and they didn’t,” she added.

After: Fiona’s new bedroom

Before: Where Fiona used to sleep

Taylor couldn’t hide her disappointment as she walked through the house, picking apart problems with the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, both indoor and outdoor dining areas and her son’s bedroom.

However, her most shocking statement came as she inspected the statement hallway built for her by New South Wales’ team, Troy and Bec.

“It actually looks like a junk shop,” she said of a sculpture attached to the roof made from a rusted pushbike and car parts.

Fiona’s new ‘junk shop’ corridor centrepiece

She was also offended by the antlers and animal pelt used as decoration in the dining area.

“I don’t believe in killing animals for sport. I only believe in killing them to eat so to have antelope antlers in the living room ...” she said.

Taylor told News Corp the loft bed installed in her son’s bedroom was too small for him and it would cost her “thousands” to fix and that the house needed painting.

Before: The bedroom where Fiona’s two son’s slept. Picture:Supplied

After: Fiona’s son Bannon’s bedroom

After sleeping in bug-ridden tents for the week to get the build completed on the remote property, fellow contestants were shocked and deflated by the “harsh” criticism with Bec describing the reaction as “soulless”.

However, six months after the on-air reveal in October last year, Taylor has been able to see the positives.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I’m the luckiest woman in the world. They built me a house. Before I was living without running water. I used to shower in a clam, I had shower hooked up to a battery.”

After: Fiona’s new and improved outdoor area

Before: The outdoor area Fiona and her kids enjoyed previously

Although she has no regrets about the low scores she and best friend Nic Prince, 44, gave the home.

“They didn’t follow the House Rules. And that’s what we scored on. We stand by those scores,” she said.

Taylor wasn’t fazed about the public backlash that may result. “We’re country girls, we’ve got thick skins,” she said.

House Rules airs Sunday, 7pm, and Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm.