Extreme Makeover: Tugwell Family

The Tugwell family consists of mum Susan, a teacher, John, Vietnam vet and postal worker, daughter Abbie, her partner Erin and their 12-week-old baby Jane. When the team survey the wreckage of the Tugwell home it's truly a miracle that no one was hurt. In the words of Preston 'it's things like this that make you think of the little guy upstairs'.

Las Vegas's Venetian Hotel is the Tugwells' destination and our team set to work. When Paul suggests a giant airbag in the front yard to stop this ever happening again, you'll think he's joking. He's not! Only in America...

The family's one heirloom, an antique armoire, was smashed to pieces in the crash. Design scene investigators Paul and Preston search the wreckage for the missing parts and perform an impressive resuscitation.

Abbie and Erin yearn for some space of their own, so the team set about building an extension. But they encounter setback after setback. The surviving structure of the house is riddled with dryrot and termites and has to be rebuilt. All the while planner Alle's blood pressure is mounting...

With a cavalry of 25 extra tradesmen, a new library, master bedroom and Venetian-inspired en suite emerge. Waterfalls cascade into the family's once shabby swimming pool and wireless technology is installed throughout.

All in all it's an impressive renovation, although we disagree with the burgundy festoon blinds in the lounge. Don't miss Erin proposing to Abbie on bended knee (with $12,000 sparkler, courtesy of the show). Bless.