On this week’s “Restoration Australia,” the romance isn’t between people, but between a couple and a dilapidated house. Sydneysiders Rod and Susan have fallen hard for a timber colonial house in Tasmania, a “spartan relic,” as the ABC describes it, in desperate need of attention. They’re pouring their hearts, souls, and presumably a hefty chunk of their savings into transforming this historical curiosity into something resembling a livable home – ideally with running water and electricity.
Thursday’s episode follows their journey, exploring the realities of heritage home restoration: the sheer willpower required, the financial rollercoaster, and the inevitable strain on relationships. Because let’s face it, stripping wallpaper for the hundredth time can test even the strongest of bonds.
As always, architecture expert Anthony Burke is on hand to guide viewers through the intricacies of this and other projects featured on the show. He’s the calm, reassuring voice amidst the chaos, offering context and reminding us why these often-frustrating endeavors are worth the trouble. Will Rod and Susan’s gamble pay off? Will their Tasmanian dream house become a reality, or remain a charming but uninhabitable monument to their ambition? Tune in to ABC or ABC iview on Thursday, 8 May at 8:00 PM to find out.
Restoration Australia is a Fremantle production for ABC. Supervising Executive Producer is Brooke Bayvel. Executive Producer is Michael Collette. ABC Commissioning Editor is Jo Chichester.
