House Rules' Mel: My DIY baby!

She might claim to have a unique eye for interior design, but for House Rules contestant Mel, no home would ever be complete without the pitter-patter of tiny little feet down the hallway.

Seeing Mel and her daughter Abby, seven, cosy up to each other when we visited them in their hometown Adelaide, it was clear Mel was born to be a mum.

House Rules' Mel and her seven-year-old daughter Abby. Source: New Idea

After dating a string of lousy men, Mel decided at the age of 30 to have a go at parenting: alone!

"It has always been in my mind that I would have children", the primary school teacher, 39, tells New Idea exclusively.

Read all about Mel's story in this week's New Idea, on sale now.

"I never really found myself in the right relationship and as I got to 30, I knew that time was ticking.

"I really wanted to have a baby more than a partner, so I looked into different options", she added.

Pick up this week's issue of New Idea to read Mel's story.