In a renovation competition full of relatable families and underdog stories, Emma and Michelle stand out as the high-energy, confident pair ready to shake things up.

The self-described “Maltese terriers” — small but full of fight and big personality — are bringing “luxe, bold and bougie” style to My Reno Rules.

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Who Are Emma & Michelle?

Emma and Michelle are a close-knit mother-daughter team with an unbreakable bond and infectious energy. They describe themselves as “Maltese terriers” — fiery, determined, and unapologetically themselves.

  • Emma (33) runs her own interior design, property development, and creative studio (Project E). She thrives on transformation: “Taking a blank canvas or something outdated and turning it into a space that inspires – I thrive on the creative process and love pushing design boundaries.” Emma is the creative driver, always planning and aiming for maximum impact.
  • Michelle (56) works in the hair and beauty industry but has years of hands-on experience with multiple home builds. She brings practical knowledge, fun energy, and a willingness to get stuck in.

Their dynamic is high-voltage: loud, proud, and full of big personalities. Emma leads the design vision, while Michelle adds real-world build experience and a focus on enjoying the journey. Together, they’re determined to create rooms with serious “wow factor.”

Why They Joined My Reno Rules: Celebrating Family and Hard Work

Emma and Michelle aren’t just chasing prize money — they’re motivated by deep family love and gratitude.

Emma’s big dream for the $100k prize is to help her mum slow down and finally enjoy life: “She works so hard and gives so much, and I’d love nothing more than to see her slow down, do what she loves and finally enjoy the rewards of everything she’s given to others.”

Michelle sees the show as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and wants to soak in every moment. Their shared goal is to deliver bold, inspiring spaces while strengthening their already strong mother-daughter connection.

Their Strengths, Weaknesses & Competition Style

Strengths:

  • Professional design expertise from Emma
  • Hands-on build experience from Michelle
  • High energy, confidence, and a clear vision for luxe, impactful rooms
  • Strong planning mindset (“plan, plan and plan”)

Weaknesses:

  • Tendency to push for high-end finishes, which can lead to budget challenges (Emma admits she’s a perfectionist who wants the best of everything)
  • Navigating shared House 1 dynamics and tight timelines

Their style is unapologetically “luxe, bold and bougie” — they want every room to make a statement and impress judges Neale Whitaker, Simon Cohen, and Julia Green. They’re competitive with big personalities but insist they’re not villains; they simply refuse to compromise on their creative vision.

Episode 1 Highlights: Big Ambitions Meet Early Reality Checks

House 1 quickly became strategic in the premiere episode. Emma and Michelle pushed hard for the living room, seeing it as the biggest opportunity for “wow factor.” This led to early negotiations and some tension with housemates Nathan & Julia, who secured the main bathroom and a larger share of the labour budget.

Their ambitious luxe plans — including a micro cement feature wall and custom finishes — hit a major hurdle when the labour quote came back at $23,000, far exceeding their available budget. They scaled back (and scaled back again), leading to heated moments with builder Harley.

They then took a risky pivot to a DIY rust-effect feature wall — a finish they had never attempted before. The result was later dramatically called a “crime scene,” highlighting the pressure of their bold choices. Despite the chaos, Emma later clarified in interviews: “We aren’t the villains.” It was simply “heat of the moment stress.”

Episode 2 Highlights: Recovering and Refining Their Vision

In Episode 2, Emma and Michelle focused on bouncing back from the early budget and design setbacks. They leaned on their combined creative and practical skills to refine their bold living room and bedroom concepts while managing the shared House 1 environment.

Their high energy helped keep momentum going, even as they adapted to on-site realities and tighter timelines. Viewers saw more of their mother-daughter teamwork in action as they stayed true to their luxe aesthetic.

Episode 3 Highlights: Building Confidence and Cohesion

By Episode 3, the duo appeared to be finding their rhythm. They delivered stronger execution in their rooms, with Emma’s design ambition balanced by Michelle’s hands-on approach. Their bold style started showing more cohesion, and the pair continued pushing boundaries while learning from early challenges.

Their unbreakable bond and determination shone through, proving that their fiery personalities can fuel real progress under pressure.

Why Viewers Are Talking About Emma & Michelle

Emma and Michelle bring unapologetic confidence and high drama to My Reno Rules. Fans of bold design love their “push the boundaries” attitude, while their heartfelt family story — Emma wanting to reward her mum’s years of hard work — adds genuine emotional depth.