The Block Blog
The Block debut each year gets me just as excited as when the https://www.adairs.com.au/ Linen Lovers half yearly sale is announced – like a kid in a candy shop really on both accounts really!
I always play along and dream about “what I would do” on the Block and on numerous occasions open the application form for the next series only to realise there is no way known to man that I could nurture my marriage through the trials and tribulations of a renovation show and shut that idea down as quick as I opened it.
For now, I will be happy sitting as a Keyboard critic for anyone interested in reading. Join me this year as I do a weekly recount on my thoughts on the weeks that’s been on the Block. Ill give you my feedback as I see it ….. which is not always the same or as polished as our veteran judges Darren, Shaynna and Neale.
The Intro! Week 1 (Guest Bedroom and Ensuite)
Well the first week is all about us getting acquainted with the contestants and them getting acquainted with the building they are about to transform, and haven’t they chosen a good one this year with the Oslo- a 1353-square metre block in St Kilda housing this heritage listed property which was built in 1861. For me in this location and with the architecture I would be straight away be considering trendy styles that match / compliment the era such as an Art Deco, Contemporary or Lux.
But it’s not about me so let’s meet the couples and their anticipated style in this series –
Mitch and Mark: The eccentric grandad couple – Mid Centaury Lux
Andy and Deb: The comedian & his wife – Australian lux meets California Cool
El’ise and Matt: - The most loveable couple - Contemporary Industrial
Jesse and Mel: The trouble makers– Classic Contemporary
Tessa and Luke: The rookie newlyweds - Australian Contemporary
After seeing the teams plans early in the week, I honestly thought that Jesse and Mel were insane thinking that a fabric feature wall was a good idea…. They obviously don’t have kids! I mean can you imagine trying to clean off the kids finger marks after a good feast of fish and chips down on St Kilda Beach! However, the judges disagreed and much to my amazement awarded them the win in the guest bedroom area which saw them take home an array of goodies from the safe including a $10K voucher from ArtLovers Australia!
To date I am a big fan of Mitch and Mark’s style and feel it has the right direction to make a spectacular home in the Oslo. Personally, I also love the Australian Lux meets California cool that Andy and Deb have but tend to agree with Shaynna that it needs something else more to really compliment the area they are in. Not sure I would go as far as Scotty Cam though with labeling their style as Byron Bay boring!!
I look forward to seeing how they all progress over the coming weeks
But for now here is our take on Mitch and Mark’s style choice of Mid Centaury Lux – what do you think?
Week 2 - Lounge Room Reveal
Well wow! What an awesome week and so fantastic to see the transformations …. We can really get a feel where all these teams are headed now. Generally, all round a sense of Luxe – which I suppose isn’t that surprising given their location and proposed price tags!
What I absolutely love about the Block is how much importance they place on styling. An agent I heard speaking in Brisbane a few weeks back really hit the nail on the head when he said “They won’t sell a unit on the Block without styling so why would I”? I mean he is right when he says it because it’s the styling that’s attracted us and the buyers in initially isn’t it! Once you are in there you will be checking out the handywork too but it’s the first visual impression that sparks that interest and emotion.
This week the contestants raised the bar high with their styling. We saw beautiful integration of bold colours such as burnt orange, royal blues, charcoals and deep eucalypt greens. The Design Seeds have created a beautiful pantone below “Colour Harvest “which depicts just how well these tones work together.
These courageous matches are simply gorgeous together but a little left of the more neutral tones we use in the properties we style to sell.
Check out this phenomenal winning room by El’ise and Matt this week featuring art from Kellie North –
Week 3 (Master Bedroom….. no wait entertaining area…. Ummmmmm)
Wow didn’t Mitch and Mark shake the sauce bottle up when they changed up their floor plan! I am not entirely sure how I feel about that to be honest ……. A courageous and ingenious move or are they knee capping themselves by limiting the buyer pool? Time will tell I suppose
Im not sure though the producers are doing anyone a favour either by highlighting the fact that this entertaining area in now bordering itself with 2 other apartments master bedrooms. I can tell you now that I would be thinking long and hard about wanting to buy any of them after that cause as they have shown this strategic change in layout potentially could cause a lot of neighborhood feuds.
And the last thing I will say about this situation is how they judged this as a winning room – I mean we are always told to play fair right? Well how can you judge an apple against a pear? I don’t know…….. But check this out https://9now.nine.com.au/the-block/mitch-mark-defend-four-bedroom-property-listing-entertaining-room/9d48178e-307a-45e2-9e62-450f9bb902b1 apparently even though presented for judging as a 3 bedroom property it will be actually listed as 4??
Week 4 (Main Bathroom Week)
Well if you can make a bathroom in apartment style living look and feel like it has an outdoor double shower then I think you should be crowned the winner not runner up.
El’ise and Matt are starting to take the lead in my eyes by remaining consistent in their finishes and styling choices. This bathroom for me was next level and just so different to what we have traditionally seen offered in Block bathrooms. The light created in that space was a game changer but that’s not to say I didn’t love the others.
I mentioned in by Block unpacked insta story this week that I love that they are all using the classic whites, greys and golds but adding really rustic, earthy tones to their styling which is creating interest and warmth. I particularly love this in both Andy & Deb’s and Tess & Luke’s reveals –
But cant say that about Jesse and Mel’s …….. I struggle to see more than an over produced bathroom style that we would see in the Sofitel in Dubai as opposed to trendy down town St Kilda.