Category: The Block

Last night’s first episode of The Block Glasshouse

Post author By Kathryn Bamford
Post date July 28, 2014
1 Comment on Last night’s first episode of The Block Glasshouse

The Block Glasshouse is here!

Let us all rejoice, Blockheads. The Block has started again which for me, means scheduling my week and social events around episodes and room reveals (surely I’m not the only one who gathers all my fellow Blockhead friends together for room reveals where we become the judges and decide who is worthy of the win that week?)!

Five couples, each with a three-bed, three-bath apartment to renovate, with 3,300 square metres of floor space in total, this is certainly weighing in as the biggest block ever (it’s almost double the size of last season’s Dux House at Albert Park). I love that it’s in Melbourne again, just a stone’s throw from Chapel Street, and the fact it’s within walking distance of my house. Well, as a total Blockhead I’m just chuffed that I can wander past and see the progress.

Of course I tuned in to the first episode last night. Did you? If not, read on to find out what you missed.

So, onto the new contestants! First up we got to meet Chris and Jenna. Chris is a cabinet maker which should come in handy (one would hope) and I have a feeling these two are going to be quite funny characters. Then we got to meet Karstan and Maxine from Newcastle NSW; these two met online and seem quite relaxed (for now). Then there’s Michael and Carlene from QLD who have been married for seven years. Michael works in construction as a project manager which could get give them a leg up against the others (I’m still undecided). We also have local Melburnians Darren and Deanne, who have a gorgeous house (which you can spy in their initial video at home). Maybe they will have an advantage being locals? Lastly, we have Shannon and Simon, the well-travelled brothers representing Sydney and NSW.

Well I guess the first relief for the couples is that there are no eliminations to come, and bang, they’re all straight through, moving into The Block for 10 weeks. I thought all the formalities went a bit too quick and it was odd that each couple just picked a number and lo and behold that was their apartments picked. There was no time to weigh up which space had the best view or the bigger rooms this time round.

Apartment wise, Chris and Jenna got first dibs and chose apartment two, which slumped them with no external windows, however they did score a rooftop terrace. Shannon and Simon were next up and chose apartment four, with a street frontage onto High Street. Darren and Deanne picked apartment number five, which has the sought-after north westerly aspect but is a little smaller. Karstan and Maxine went for apartment number three which gives them city views and which left Michael and Carlene with apartment one, also with a street frontage onto High Street.

This week’s room is the guest bedroom, which has to be delivered in seven days. Can you imagine?! Just the thought of having to deliver a room in seven days gives me anxiety! From the little snippets you see from the completed rooms it looks like we are in for some style this season and I can’t wait to see the transformation of this tired 80s office building!

I love that all the contestants are cocky at this stage, each saying that they are going to win! There can only be one winner my little Blockheads! But who will it be? Do you have a favourite couple yet or is it too early to call?

All the new couples are on Twitter: @karstanmaxine @ShannonAndSimon @chrisandjenna @DarrenAndDeanne @theblock9

As with previous seasons, come room reveal time, we’ll be bringing you details of where to buy the things you see and fall in love with on the show.

Kathryn is our girl on the ground in Melbourne and Block correspondent while Jen and Olivia are overseas (the globetrotters!). You can follow her design adventures on Instagram @thedesignrookie.

Tags blockheads, chris and jenna, darren and deanne, dux house, glasshouse, karstan and maxine, melbourne, michael and carlene, shannon and simon, the block

Furniture The Block

The Block’s Josh and Jenna release designer lamp range

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date July 18, 2014
7 Comments on The Block’s Josh and Jenna release designer lamp range

As someone who gets excited by anything remotely The Block related, I was very happy to hear that former contestants Josh and Jenna were releasing a range of designer lamps for Beacon Lighting. And I was even happier to see that these lamps actually looked fantastic!

As two-time stars of The Block (and now brand ambassadors for Beacon Lighting) Josh and Jenna are experts at using lamps as an easy and affordable way to update a room with the latest trends. Their first release, for the exclusive Josh & Jenna range, really encapsulates this, through their love of transforming raw materials such as copper, cork and concrete into contemporary pieces that are right on trend.

My favourite has to be the Stoic Table Lamp ($149), which is a combination of the earthiness of concrete, the elegance of smoked or clear glass and the enticing glow of an exposed bulb. This perfectly formed, functional statement lamp is a fresh take on classic industrial style, and is a great accessory for contemporary décor.

The Raika Table Lamp ($249), which can also be used as a pendant, is another style I’m obsessing over. Styled with a cork decorative surround and amber glass, it embraces this winter’s more muted colour palette and imbues a room’s décor with earthy character and eco-chic sensitivity.

260324 Edison TL in teak — Edison Table Lamp

Also in this range and stunning in their own right, are the Kooper Floor Lamp ($349) and Edison Table Lamp ($89.95). Shop instore or online here.

Tags beacon lighting, designer lamps, josh and jenna, lamps, lighting, the block

Art The Block

Block favourite Andrew O’Brien opens his own gallery

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date June 18, 2014

Andrew O’Brien has had his fair share of exciting milestones lately. He’s completed a work for the Danish Royal Family, had his oil paintings featured twice on The Block (for couples Dan and Dani and Mike and Andrew), been on the cover of Real Living magazine and just last month opened his own gallery in Collingwood.

For Andrew, opening a gallery was a natural progression, a way to connect with his clients, so they could see not just his finished artworks, but also his studio. “I found an amazing old warehouse that had heaps of room for a studio to paint, a product room for works on paper and of course a gallery space to display work. Primarily, my reason for having my own space is to connect directly with people who want to engage with my work. I love talking about what drives and inspires me and I think it adds lots of value to my clients who invest in an artwork.”

An abstract painter, Andrew has spent a lifetime painting but has only gone full-time in the last three years. Inspired by the landscape, all his works aim to create a brief but intimate moment with the viewer, where he hopes they will: “feel a sense of calm and an ability to cancel out the pressures of the everyday.”

With a range of new oils on display, alongside some limited edition paper prints and a series of works from his recent Brisbane exhibition, the gallery also offers you the opportunity to chat with Andrew about commissions.

The studio is open Monday to Saturday from 10am-to-5pm. More information here.

Tags abstract art, andrew o'brien, art, featured, melbourne, oil painting, the block

Covet my coffee table Designers House Tours The Block

Covet my coffee table: with The Block judge Darren Palmer

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date June 9, 2014

This week’s coffee table comes to you from the child and pet-friendly, yet ever so stylish home, of interior designer and Block judge Darren Palmer!

Every coffee table needs a tray, of course, and a bit of plant life (gum nuts from the Sydney Flower Market and roses from Thomas Dux). The books change often and the Belle magazine came courtesy of the recent Belle Coco Republic Interior Design Awards goodie bag.

The clam shell came from a store in Bali on holiday, the gorgeous gilt-edged agate coasters from Becker Minty and the brass turtle from Orson and Blake. The coral came from Contents International Design in Moore Park.

The coffee table itself came from Boyd Blue and was chosen because it’s low enough for his son to play lego on (much lego can also be found stored underneath!)

“You can also see two of our three dogs and our cat,” Darren says. Read more about his tips for a child and pet-friendly home and see photos of his home in our previous interview.

Check out all our other Covet my Coffee Tables here.

Tags agate coasters, Becker minty, coffee table, contents international design, covet my coffee table, darren palmer, design, greg natale, interiors, jason grant, lynda gardener, orson and blake, styling, the block

Competitions The Block

Win a consultation with The Block twins Alisa and Lysandra

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date June 9, 2014

Would you like some personal interiors advice for your home from the Block’s popular Alisa and Lysandra? You could win this great prize in our exclusive competition! Having won The Block Sky High and taken home a tidy profit on Fans vs. Faves, these girls have proven they know their stuff.

The lucky winner gets a moodboard for a room in their home created by Alisa and a 30-minute video Skype consultation with her. She’ll talk them through the moodboard and how to implement her design suggestions in their home. They’re also throwing in a 20% discount off anything from their store.

To enter, use the form below and describe how you would dress a room using five products from their online store, Alisa & Lysandra Collections. To complete your entry, make sure you’re signed up to their newsletter. Lysandra will select the best entry.

Read all our Block coverage. You can apply to be a contestant on the next series of The Block until 6 July 2014.

You have until midnight this Sunday 15 June 2014 to enter this competition. Good luck!

[gravityform id=”13″ name=”Interiors Addict Competition Entry 2″ title=”false” description=”false”]

Tags alisa and lysandra, competition, consultation, design, fans vs faves, interiors, sky high, skype, the block, twins, win

The Block

Applications are open for The Block 2015

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date May 25, 2014
1 Comment on Applications are open for The Block 2015

FINALLY. If you were watching the last series of The Block, thinking “I could do that,” then now’s your chance to put your money where your mouth is!

Here’s what you need to know:

Couples must be aged between 18-65, energetic and with a sense of humour.
First round couples will be reduced to final participants in the first week of filming.
Successful couples must be available for a 10-12 week shoot period in late 2014. Exact dates to be confirmed closer to filming.
Location of The Block is to be confirmed.
You will NOT be able to work during the shoot period.
Previous home renovation experience is an asset, but not required from both partners.
Long term couples, family teams and enduring friendships need only apply.
Submissions accepted from Australia wide.
Successful participants will be paid a nominal weekly fee during filming of The Block to cover basic living costs and expenses.
You must complete all elements of the application, including video, or your application will not be reviewed.
Applications can only be made online. Hardcopy submissions will not be accepted or processed.
McGregor Casting will carefully review applications for consideration of inclusion in The Block. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by September 2014.
Due to the volume of applications, only successful applicants will be notified.
Follow McGregor Casting on Facebook for any updates or announcements.

Closing date for entries: 6pm, Sunday 6 July 2014.

APPLY NOW

Tags 2015, applications for the block, apply for the block, casting, reality tv, the block

Designers Expert Tips Interviews The Block

Meet Block judges Neale and Darren this weekend

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date May 23, 2014

The Home, Food & Wine Festival starts today in Sydney and it’s your chance to meet two of The Block judges, Neale Whitaker and Darren Palmer. We asked Neale why you should go along and couldn’t help but ask him for some interiors tips too…

Belle's Neale Whitaker — Belle’s Neale Whitaker

Why should people attend the Home, Food & Wine Weekend?

Because it’s an unparalleled opportunity to get up close and personal with the editors and experts from Australia’s favourite magazines!

What events will you be involved in?

I’m hosting a session on behalf of Natuzzi Italia tomorrow (Saturday 24 May) at 3pm to talk room planning. Our special guest is my good mate and fellow The Block judge Darren Palmer. And on Sunday (25 May) at 11.30am I’ll be hosting a session on behalf of Smeg to discuss new trends and directions in kitchen design.

What are some of the latest kitchen trends?

Mixing natural materials like wood and steel or wood and marble with laminates, soft-close features and integrated technology, and tiled and decorative splashbacks. It’s an interesting mix of the raw and rustic with hi-tech!

What are some tricks for optimising the design of a kitchen?

No tricks. Just planning, planning and planning. Kitchens are a big investment and you need to be realistic about your own needs, with one eye on resale. Kitchens sell houses, as my friend (real estate guru) John McGrath always says. Priorities should be abundant storage, integrated appliances and if there is space, a work/study area is a real luxury in a kitchen.

What are some of your biggest tips when it comes to renovating or re-doing a room?

I’m going to quote Darren here as it’s his specialist area: “Get references, gather samples, shop with your phone and check all of your measurements twice!” There’s more, but you’ll have to come along on Saturday to find out! It makes a huge difference too whether you’re renovating for yourself or for resale.

The Home Food & Wine Show, today, tomorrow and Sunday, Westfield Bondi Junction. More details.

Tags darren palmer, food and wine show, kitchen design, neale whitaker, sydney, the block, the home, westfield bondi junction

Designers Expert Tips The Block

Shaynna Blaze on how to use Pantone’s Radiant Orchid in your home

Post author By Guest Poster
Post date May 21, 2014

By Shaynna Blaze

Earlier this year, Radiant Orchid was named as the 2014 Pantone Colour of the Year and it certainly ruffled some feathers with many (including Interiors Addict’s Jen!) questioning the bold choice of colour. Whether you love it, or are yet to be convinced, here are my tips for confidently incorporating the bold shades of purple into your interior colour scheme.

Purple has always been a colour of contention as some love it and others really don’t. I’ve heard a lot of talk of people fearing this new colour direction or being lost for how to make this work in their home. With any new trend it takes a while for people to embrace it, so in the spirit of embracing change, here are some of my suggestions for how to incorporate the purple jewel tones into your interior palette.

Recently, I have been talking a lot about using ‘grown up’ pastels in interior colour schemes and purple provides the depth of colour required for such a scheme, as it’s dramatic and rich, which adds punch.

There are two ways to incorporate such a bold colour into your home. You can either use it as an accent/feature colour in a room or be brave and use it on your walls as a bold statement. I’ll demonstrate this by looking at the same room but using the colour in two different ways:

As an accent colour:

The introduction of a new trend colour doesn’t mean you have to redecorate a room from scratch. You can alter the look of a room by adding accessories in various purple colours. As you can see in the picture, the bottles and accents on the cushions are a purple colour, beautifully accompanying Taubmans Endure Bald Mountain on the walls. This is an easy way of leaning gently into a new trend.

As a bold wall colour:

If you’re feeling bold you can paint your walls in Taubmans Balloon Pop. The use of neutral white, black and charcoal in the furnishings such as the couch, rug and mirrored tables allows you to be more adventurous with your wall colour and accessories. With this bold wall colour, you may choose to remove the bottles and instead have a small vase of flowers and replace the patterned cushions for textured ones in more neutral tones.

In order to embrace a bold colour, you need to know which colours it complements. There are two ways to approach it:

Select colours of a similar hue:

The first way is to select a colour that is in a similar tone to your starting colour, such as Taubmans Ellie May Rose, Taubmans Leaden Sky and Taubmans Spring Mauve. Using these colours in a lower intensity makes them blend together, creating a more harmonious look.

Taubmans Ellie May Rose, Leaden Sky and Spring Mauve

Choose a cool colour:

For a more dramatic look, you can choose a cool colour like Taubmans Grand Gusto and Taubmans Blueberry Bush with accents in Taubmans Crisp White. This colour palette creates a fresh and impactful colour scheme for your interior.

Taubmans Grand Gusto, Blueberry Bush and Crisp White

When using complementary colours, the key to creating the perfect look is to use the colours in different proportions, so one colour is dominant and the other is an accent. For example, you may decide to have your walls in Taubmans Leaden Sky and then introduce the trend colour through painting a chair in Taubmans Balloon Pop.

For those who love a crisp look, you can paint your walls in Taubmans Crisp White and accent the room with artwork and cushions in different shades of purple.

The most important thing to remember is that trend colours are supposed to be a starting point for inspiration to bring to life your perfect interior scheme, not to create colour stress. Embrace it!

For more tips for using colour in your home visit Taubmans. Interior designer Shaynna is a judge on The Block, host of Selling Houses Australia and creative director for Taubmans.

Tags colour, colour schemes, decorating, mauve, paint, pantone, pantone colour of the year, purple, radiant orchid, selling houses australia, shaynna blaze, taubmans, the block

The Block

Alisa Fraser on life after The Block for the twins

Post author By Guest Poster
Post date April 29, 2014
2 Comments on Alisa Fraser on life after The Block for the twins

Now their second reality TV experience is over, it’s time for the twins to embark on their new careers as interior designers after quitting the police. One half of The Block’s love-them-or-hate-them (we love them!) duo, Alisa Fraser, writes for us about the experience from start to finish and their plans for the future.

By Alisa Fraser

After winning The Block Sky High and being crowned the bathroom and kitchen queens, we were asked to come back to film another series of The Block. We just assumed it was going to be another All Stars season, even to the point where we had convinced ourselves that we knew who all the other contestants were going to be. It was surely going to be, Gav and Waz, Tanya and Rod, and Brad and Lara.

As we drove up to The Block, we realised that we did not recognise two of the couples. There were two tall guys standing with their backs towards us, and at that point I could see it was Brad and Dale. My eyes then moved to a female and male who I now know as Chantelle and Steve and on the end was a young couple, Kyal and Kara. My head was spinning. Was this a joke? What is going on?! Scotty soon explained that they were the new contestants and that it was a competition between the old favourites and the new fans. Talk about throwing a spanner in the works (and every other tool you can think of)!

It took a couple weeks to work out everyone’s personalities, design styles and skills. It was obvious that Kyal and Kara were the experienced couple, whilst Chantelle and Steve were the most inexperienced. We formed great relationships with both of the ‘fan’ couples and took on the bigger sister role, offering advice and help where we could. When we were introduced to our new project, Dux House, we were in absolute awe of the building. I thought how lucky we were to have been given this opportunity to renovate this piece of history.

It was so different to the old biz motel. It was an opportunity for Lysandra and I to show Australia a different side to our design and to reinforce that we have what it takes to make a career in this industry. We were handed the plans and immediately our brains went into overdrive. How could we make our apartment different to the others? We had to think beyond our game-changing move from Sky High (which included adding an elevated bath in the walk-in robe). We had to think bigger and better. How about taking a massive chance and completely changing the layout of entire apartment? We were all given the same basic plans that included the positions of each room. We took one look at the downstairs layout and our first thought was how could we create a dining room that was completely separate from the kitchen and living space?

The only way we could achieve this was by repositioning the kitchen. It was a big risk, but it was the kind of risk that was going to separate our apartment from the others. Then our next thought was, what are the key features that represent loft living? Height! How can we create light and a true sense of grandeur? A void! When I envisage loft living, I picture walkovers and openings to the upper levels, and most importantly, a sense of space. The next move was to meet with the architect, Julian Brenchley, to make sure we could turn our vision into a reality, and luckily for us it was possible.

As we completed each room, our vision remained strong. There were moments we doubted our decisions and it was challenging to stay true to the direction we were heading. We could see the overall picture in our heads, but the challenge was to convince the judges that our choices were eventually going to make sense. As we completed each room, our overall vision became clearer to the judges (big sigh). Lysandra and I could not be happier with the apartment we created. We were given a concrete slab and some very basic plans to work off. From there, we designed and created a beautiful loft-style apartment that was true to the building and unique.

Our Dux House apartment was so different to our apartment on Sky High, and I really feel like we pushed the boundaries and took huge risks. Since finishing Fans vs Favs, we have taken on another interior design project. It is another warehouse conversion located in Melbourne between the biz motel and Dux House. It is like another Block, just without the cameras. Watch this space for more updates and pics!

Lysandra and I have also launched our very own online homewares store, Alisa and Lysandra Collections. We have selected homewares that we love and have provided a place for our customers to purchase beautiful products online. We are working really hard to constantly offer new and exciting products, and are always looking at new ways to grow and improve our business. The Block has certainly allowed us to dream big. We want to thank all the amazing people we have met through this process and for giving us the inspiration to believe anything is possible.

Alisa x

You can still keep up to date with the twins on Facebook. Read all our previous Block content here.

Tags a&l collections, a7, albery park, alisa and lysandra, biz motel, brad and dale, brad and lara, dix house, fans vs favs, fraser, gav and waz, homewares, melbourne, police, sky high, tanya and rod, the block, twins

Interviews The Block

Freedom Kitchens: bringing the latest trends from Milan to Australia within weeks

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date April 14, 2014

Last week saw THE event of the interiors calendar Salone Internazionale del Mobile (the international furniture fair) in Milan, and I was lucky enough to go for the first time. Within this mega fair sits Eurocucina, a kitchens-only showcase bigger than most Aussie trade fairs and full of beautiful things (read about the top trends I spotted here).

DSC_0093-processed — A display at Eurocucina in Milan

Freedom Kitchens sent a team of 10 of their designers to Milan to be inspired by Europe’s latest trends, innovations and materials in kitchens. Because they have their own Australian factory, this inspiration can become reality in customers’ kitchen within months — weeks even. This flexibility and freedom to move fast is what keeps their kitchens cutting edge and fashionable, as you may have seen on The Block Sky High.

Kim & Matt — Matt and Kim’s Freedom Kitchen from The Block Sky High

At the fair, Freedom Kitchens’ national sales director Susan Hasler said the kitchens at Milan were darker and moodier than last year with a lot of highlights in timber veneers and more matt than gloss finishes. “Some of the Dekton surfaces were very interesting and there was a lot of the concrete look and feel. It’s all a lot about texture. Touch and feel is really important.”

Cabinetry was perhaps more vertical than horizontal with taller pull-out drawers containing several internal drawers. Another trend she noticed was for integrated handles rather than a completely handle-less look.

Freedom Kitchens will be able to translate these innovations and trends to the local Australian market very quickly, while remembering that not everything will be popular or appropriate to our lifestyle. “We will be able to update some of our designs within a couple of months due to us manufacturing in Australia. We can do smaller runs, move quickly and see if things work and are popular,” Susan says. “It’s really important for us to come here to things like Eurocucina. Australia is sometimes thought of as being behind the times. You’re going to have a kitchen for a very long time so it’s important we’re ahead of the game. You don’t want to invest in something which is already a couple of years out of date. We have 10 kitchen designers here which is a big investment but it’s worth it for what we can bring back and the level of credibility it gives us. It’s about us bringing that fashion look at a value price.”

It’s not as simple as copying a load of ideas and expecting Australians to accept them as the latest and greatest, by any means. “It’s about adapting ideas to the Australian market and our way of life,” Susan says. “In terms of the differences between Europe and Australia, we entertain outside a lot, with kitchens often leading out onto decks or yards, or other entertaining areas. This lends itself well to the single wall and island design of kitchen.”

Kitchens were moodier, with more timber veneers and matt surfaces at Eurocucina

While people are often tempted to play it safe on a room which costs a lot of money and they hope to keep for years, Susan says a good kitchen designer can help them to be braver without wasting money or making an unwise investment. Her advice for a ‘safe’ yet fashionable kitchen is to stick to neutral cabinets and be bold with things you can change every couple of years (if desired) like wall colours (wallpaper even!), pendant lights and even splashbacks. You can make a real difference with how you accessorise (the great thing about Freedom Kitchens being that you can pick up Freedom homewares in store too). “We love being able to show customers how to accessorise and style their kitchens with our examples in our showrooms,” Susan says.

In terms of the strong presence of timber veneer at Milan, Susan doesn’t think many Australians will opt for that look in a big way. They may, for example though, choose to do their base cabinets in timber veneer and top cabinets in white, or just their end panels for example. These are all flexible options Freedom Kitchens can offer. “We also have to bear in mind that something that looks great here in Europe may not translate well in Australian light. It’s very different.”

Timber veneers seen at Eurocucina in Milan

The previous snobbery about veneer is disappearing these days, due to the huge advances in quality. “The new ones are so good you can’t even tell they’re not solid timber. They’re also more durable and hygienic which makes them a smart choice for kitchens.”

Look out for more expert tips on kitchen storage and how to get the most out of working with a kitchen designer on the blog next week.

My trip to Milan was hosted by Freedom Kitchens with support from Caesarstone Australia.

The Block

The Block Auctions: TV’s biggest plot twist ever?

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date April 10, 2014
16 Comments on The Block Auctions: TV’s biggest plot twist ever?

(Otherwise known as the one where editorial assistant Olivia Shead watches the Block finale and narrowly avoids having a heart attack. — Jen)

In a result I think it’s fair to say absolutely no-one saw coming, Steve and Chantelle took out The Block Fans vs Faves last night and to be honest, I’m not ready to accept it. Scott Cam says: “It’s the craziest night of television I’ve ever done.” For me, it’s the craziest night of television I’ve ever watched.

Okay, deep breath, let’s start at the beginning: the reserves. Kyal and Kara’s comes out highest at $1,900,000, minus the money from their challenge win and their final reserve is $1,872,750. Steve and Chantelle follow suit with a reserve of $1,850,000, down to $1,834,000. Brad and Dale’s goes from $1,830,000 to $1,802,750. And Alisa and Lysandra’s shrinks from $1,775,000 to $1,759,000.

At this point, I’m feeling good; my favourites the twins have a solid reserve, substantially lower than their competitors. Naively I’m thinking, let’s make it two wins for the girls.

Now we’re up to auction order and in the first surprise of many it goes shockingly well. The order is worked out amongst the teams in a total of 30 seconds: the boys first, followed by the Super Ks, the twins and lastly, Steve and Chantelle.

Brad and Dale's winning master bedroom and ensuite — Brad and Dale’s winning master bedroom and ensuite

With that done, the auctions are ready to start and the boys are up. Down in the auction room (in other words the kitchen) the first person I spot is Frank. For committed Block fans (like me) you’ll remember him from Sky High, where he bid unsuccessfully for four out of the five apartments before finally securing Matt and Kim’s. He was certainly one to watch during last year’s auctions and the same can be said for these, but more on that later.

The boys’ auction goes fantastically well, they sell their apartment for $2,310,000 and break the record for the most money ever won on the show, going home with a sweet profit of $507,250. It seemed like no-one could dream of beating them, but that was definitely not the case.

Kyal and Kara's winning main bathroom — Kyal and Kara’s winning main bathroom

Kyal and Kara are next and they shoot past the boys profit, selling their apartment for $2,440,000, taking a profit of $567,250. Ok, so surely no one could beat that? Wrong again!

Next are the twins and I feel my stomach drop. Like those that have gone before them, the bids go thick and fast. The girls are crying, I’m squealing and then it’s over. The twins sell their apartment for $2,375,000 and take home a mammoth profit of $616,000.

Alisa and Lysandra's winning kitchen — Alisa and Lysandra’s winning kitchen

Now, only one couple stood in the way of the twins’ second Block win. Enter Steve and Chantelle. How could these underdogs possibly beat $616,000? The auction starts and once again it’s quick and this is where Frank comes into play. He’s now been bidding and unsuccessfully at that, for the last three apartments, so the question is, how desperate is he for the last one? Unfortunately for my dear twins, a lot! He’s going hard at it, and the profit margin between Steve and Chantelle and the twins is shrinking fast. They’re ten grand off the girls. First call. Come on, sell! Second call. Ad break.

Expletives may have been heard. The longest ad break of my life and we’re back.

Steve and Chantelle's winning living and dining — Steve and Chantelle’s winning living and dining

A tiresome recap and then it’s down to the ten grand margin again. I’m praying it will sell, but alas it’s not meant to be. They pass the girls. Steve and Chantelle are in shock (I’m not surprised, even they must appreciate this is the biggest plot twist ever) and their apartment is sold for $2,470,000. A profit of $636,000 plus the $100,000 for winning and they go home with a tidy $736,000. Goodness gracious.

I don’t want to be a naysayer but I’m saying it anyway, being last was the victory move here. I think infamous Frank and all the other bidders were so desperate to get one of the apartments that they went a little crazy on the last one and for Steve and Chantelle, that meant winning. Congratulations to them and now, I need a cuppa and a lie down after reliving it!

Olivia

For more information.

Tags alisa and lysandra, brad and dale, featured, kyal and kara, steve and chantelle, the block, the block auctions, the block fans vs faves, the block finale, the twins

The Block

New print series, Aqua Marine, from Ali McNabney-Stevens

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date April 7, 2014
1 Comment on New print series, Aqua Marine, from Ali McNabney-Stevens

In what is great news for art lovers on a budget, Melbourne’s Ali McNabney-Stevens has released her second run of affordable prints called Aqua Marine.

Rather different from the last series, they’re based on a number of ink and watercolour studies Ali did last summer in Helens Bay, her rather faraway home town on the stunning coast of County Down, Northern Ireland.

They are printed on 300gsm natural cotton rag artpaper, with acid free archival pigment inks (in short, these are very high quality prints!). If you don’t have the cash, or the patience, for an Ali original, I highly recommend you snap one up. There are three sizes to choose from: small (33cm x 48cm), medium (61cm x 43cm) and large (61cm x 85cm).

For all details of pricing, framing and availability, email [email protected].au

You may have spotted Ali’s work on the last two series of The Block.

Styling by Julia Green and photography by Armelle Habib.

Tags affordable art, ali mcnabney-stevens, art, art print, artist, greenhouse interiors, julia green, melbourne, northern ireland, the block

House Tours The Block

Video tour of the whole apartment with The Block’s Alisa and Lysandra

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date April 3, 2014
3 Comments on Video tour of the whole apartment with The Block’s Alisa and Lysandra

Editorial assistant Olivia Shead did a little detective work last month and found this video by the agent selling the twins’ apartment. We decided not to share it with you and spoil any surprises until the full reveals of the apartments.

Watch the twins take you around and talk about the apartment’s features. Olivia and I have made no secret of the girls being our favourites. We wish them all the best for auction next week!

Jen

Tags alisa and lysandra, apartment, auction, fans vs faves, reveal, terrace, the block, twins, video

Bathrooms House Tours The Block

Brad and Dale win the Block master bedroom suite reveal

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date March 25, 2014
14 Comments on Brad and Dale win the Block master bedroom suite reveal

Well I never, Brad and Dale, with their brave bath in the bedroom, won last night’s (delayed!) room reveal. I’m a massive bath lover so it does appeal to me, although I have to say I don’t like the idea of the dust, and cleaning it, but hey, it’s rather unique and luxurious! I think a master suite should be a bit different and special like this, even if it’s not a 100% practical or a safe choice! What did you think?

Great bathroom too, in my opinion.

Get the look: Reece Pol shower mixer, Posh Domain round overhead shower, Nikles Pure Rail shower.

Get the look: Ziporah towels, Scala floor mounted spout, Sealy Posturepedic bed.

Chantelle and Steve were just half a point behind them this week and I really liked their effort too. I really liked the darker feature wall with built in bedhead and side tables.

Get the look: Design by Boys cushion, mini macrame hanger, Cockatoo cushion, Enzo desk lamp, Chair Candy chair, Yvette pendant, Mark Douglas jelly light, watercolour artwork cushion.

And how good are these basins?!

Get the look: Mark Douglas jewel light, Milli Axon chrome and black tap set.

Next up my favourites, Alisa and Lysandra, although hand on heart theirs wasn’t my favourite this week. That said, how amazing is the void and the difference it makes to upstairs too? That was a brilliant decision, girls!

Get the look: Clouds artwork by Marija Basic, gumball pouffe, ripple throw.

Get the look: Concrete pendant, San Sebastian dining chair, butterfly cushion, Scoop pendant (in ensuite), Alisa & Lysandra Collections towels, Reece Milli black basin mixers, Teknobili ceiling mounted shower.

And last but not least, Kyal and Kara.

Get the look: Bill Sampson artwork, Zuster bedside tables, grey tweed bathroom towels, herringbone towels , Mizu Bloc overhead shower.

Absolutely stunning bathroom!

If something you like that’s not mentioned here, you can find full supplier lists for all the couples’ rooms on Nine’s Block website.

Read all our previous Block coverage.

Tags alisa and lysandra, bath, bathroom, bedroom, brad and dale, chantelle and steve, en suite, kyal and kara, master bedroom, master suites, room reveal, the block

Bathrooms Expert Tips The Block

Timber in the bathroom? Not just for The Block!

Post author By Guest Poster
Post date March 22, 2014
2 Comments on Timber in the bathroom? Not just for The Block!

Following the first Block bathroom reveals a lot of you asked me if it was really practical to use timber in the bathroom or did it just look good? I asked Reece Bathrooms’ Belinda Geels for her expert advice.

Timber has been a big feature of many of The Block teams’ bathroom spaces this season. From the bespoke timber vanity tops in Brad and Dale’s bathrooms and feature paneling in Alisa and Lysandra’s main bathroom, to Steve and Chantelle’s parquetry ceiling feature and the stunning full timber wall in Kyal and Kara’s perfect score main bathroom, it’s been a winning element of many of the standout bathrooms from both the fans and favourites.

We often get questions from customers about how to properly use this beautiful material in bathroom spaces, particularly when it comes to reducing the risks of swelling or warping of timber in damp spaces or close to wet areas. To help out those of you looking to recreate some of The Block’s best looks at home, we’ve compiled top tips from our experts and industry partners on using timber in everything from vanities to flooring and feature walls in your bathroom.

Timber choice is key

Whether you’re looking to use wood for your vanity, flooring, walls or furniture, your timber selection is crucial. As well considering the look and feel of your timber, it’s important to think about the tightness of the wood grain. According to Stephen Royce from Australian bathroom product manufacturer Formed, solid timbers with a tight grain are best for bathroom spaces as they’re less likely to be affected by moisture. Think mahogany, teak, cedar or even bamboo (preferably local plantation grown) for best results.

Seal for success

One of the most common questions asked about timber in the bathroom is around the risk of expansion or warping. According to Stephen, regardless of the timber you choose for your bathroom space or how you plan to use it, you must ensure that it is properly sealed and waterproofed.

“It all comes down to using the correct seal. Sealing prevents moisture getting into the timber, and can reduce any issues with warping, staining or significant expansion or contraction,” he says.

Sealing is the most important factor in the process, as it helps make the timber more resistant to water and moisture. There are various water, oil and wax-based sealants available on the market, which are suitable for different timbers and applications. Be sure to speak to an expert to help select the best sealant for your timber and to ensure it is properly applied. To be doubly sure that your timber doesn’t stain or warp, make sure you wipe up any water that may pool on its surface as quickly as possible.

Ventilation must-dos

Timber looks beautiful in the bathroom, however, as it’s a natural material, it pays to ensure you’ve got the right ventilation in place. A well-ventilated bathroom space will reduce the moisture in the air as quickly as possible, helping ensure the timber will respond well over time as the product ages.

Kyal and Kara's winning bathroom from The Block — Kyal and Kara’s winning bathroom from The Block

Fake it

If using natural timber is not for you, there are now plenty of great ‘timber look’ options available, particularly for flooring.

Kate Fuller from our tiling partner Perini Tiles says porcelain timber tiles are becoming increasingly popular. As well as looking and feeling like real timber, they’re perfect for wet areas like bathrooms as they’re water resistant, low maintenance and durable. They won’t warp or scratch and don’t require the sealing or oiling real timbers need in damp spaces.

“Timber tiles have become so popular there is now an abundant of colours and textures available — from oak, blackwood, spotted gum to recycled, raw and coloured options. Advancements in tile technology and digital ink printing ensure tiles perfectly simulate the look and feel of the real thing with no two tiles looking alike,” Kate says.

Reece Bathrooms provide the bathroom products and accessories you see on The Block each week. Check out www.reece.com.au for more bathroom inspiration and how to incorporate the timber look into your bathroom.

Tags bath, bathroom, bathroom design, bathrooms, formed, kyal and kara, perini, perini tiles, reece bathrooms, sealing timber, super ks, the block, timber, timber tiles, ventilation

Appliances House Tours Kitchens The Block

Editorial assistant Olivia Shead gets to look inside The Block

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date March 21, 2014
6 Comments on Editorial assistant Olivia Shead gets to look inside The Block

Up front there are two things I’ve got to disclose. First, I’m a massive twins fan and though all my university studies have taught me being a journalist means being balanced, when push comes to shove it’s hard to put into practice. Second, this was kind of the best day of my life, so please humour this rather indulgently long post. Now that’s sorted, let us begin.

The day began at 1pm, when I flew from Sydney to Melbourne. Staying at The Blackman (one of the Art Series Hotels and a favourite of Jen’s) on St Kilda Road, I had a suite on the 17^th floor. The room was rather excessive for a single person, including two separate sleeping areas, a bathroom, kitchenette, dining area and balcony, but who am I to complain?!

After staying at the hotel for a couple of hours, in a rather jittery excitement, the time had come. I was off to see The Block!

The Block is situated on a quiet street in Albert Park. All the neighbouring houses are cute single story terraces, which juxtapose rather dramatically against the massive structure that is The Block, or as the building is actually called, Dux House.

Once in, the common area and pool is immediately on your right. Everyone who was attending the media preview got ushered into there, where, with some drinks and canapés, we waited for the proceedings to begin. This is also where some very disappointing news was broken to me: we were only allowed on the first floor of the apartments, not upstairs. They even had Channel 9 personnel guarding each staircase so no over eager Blockheads like me could sneak up! However, in perfect timing, I was handed the menu for the five-course dinner and suddenly I no longer felt as gloomy.

From then on we went through each apartment and, in each kitchen, we were talked through the appliances, ate our next course and then had some time to walk around the entire ground floors. The first stop was Brad and Dale’s apartment. In one of their wisest moves, we discovered they had changed their dining table from the tiny four-seater to a more reasonable six-seater.

What however was very obvious was how small the apartment’s entertaining space was. In fact, apart from the twins (I’m not biased, others agreed with me!) and even Steve and Chantelle’s, the others felt surprisingly tiny in comparison. That being said, we were a group of 40 or so people and how often are you going to have that many people in your apartment?

The boys’ guest bathroom was a knockout and their feature artwork in the kitchen was as amazing in real life as it had been on screen.

Next up were Steve and Chantelle, who were probably my surprise of the night. Their kitchen, which I must admit I thought was a bit of a disaster when I saw it on TV (who puts a stove top in the middle of their soon to be living space?) worked really well and meshed nicely into the living and dining sections. They also had managed to separate their dining area somewhat from the living, which both the boys and Kyal and Kara didn’t do.

The Super Ks’ apartment was our third visit and the timberwork was truly magnificent. Their guest bedroom was gorgeous and so spacious, which then made their living and dining area seem even smaller in comparison.

I couldn’t help agreeing with the judges on this one; it was such a grand entrance to the apartment — a real standout foyer and hallway — that you just expected the area that awaited you on the other side to be on the same level of grandeur. That said, I loved all their furniture and styling, and in terms of personal aesthetic, they definitely match mine the most.

Our last stop was Alisa and Lysandra’s apartment and what a different it makes switching the kitchen and the dining. It truly made the space seem so much bigger. If you hadn’t had known that all the apartments were the same size, you wouldn’t have believed it.

You also got to see the light well in action, which made the ceilings seem huge. Unfortunately, it was dark when we arrived at their apartment but I’m sure it would have also added a lot of light to the space.

I’m trying to think of something critical to say about them but I honestly can’t. If I’m scraping the barrel I think a mirror as a splashback in the kitchen would be a nightmare to clean… but that’s all!

The night ended after that and I got to take home the most incredible goodie bags (plural), a big box I later found out had a pot and pan in it and literally the biggest piece of parmesan cheese I’ve ever seen! You can imagine what I looked like flying this all back to Sydney as carry on!

The night was incredible and a big thank you to The Good Guys Kitchens for getting me there. Come auction day, may the best twins (I mean team) win!

The evening’s sponsors: Samsung, Fisher & Paykel, Electrolux, Bosch and Smeg.

Tags alisa and lysandra, brad and dale, chantelle and steve, featured, good guys, kitchen, kyal and kara, melbourne, the block

House Tours The Block

All the rooms from The Block living/dining reveals

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date March 17, 2014
17 Comments on All the rooms from The Block living/dining reveals

The thing about being out of Australia now is that I can’t watch The Block for the rest of the series! But before you all start shouting “first world problems!” at me, don’t worry, I’m relying on my sources to continue to bring you the weekly Monday wrap-up of every room reveal. It’s probably about time I admitted I was lucky enough to have a tour of The Block a few weeks back. And editorial assistant Olivia Shead gets to check it out tomorrow night, so look out for her social media pictures and a blog post to come later this week.

So here we go. Last night’s winners were, for the first time, Steve and Chantelle. At the time of writing, I’d not had a chance to catch up on the reaction to their win. What did you think? If I’d been judging though, I’d definitely have picked Alisa and Lysandra. But I wasn’t, so hey…

I’ve made no secret of my twins favouritism but I defy anyone not to see what I’m talking about after last night’s living/dining reveal. Their apartment is HOT. I want to move right in. Not that the other couples aren’t doing some great things too (I like Brad and Dale’s kitchen more than most and Kyal and Kara’s bathroom was brilliant) but Alisa and Lysandra, in my opinion, have the most consistently strong look, week after week (hanging bathroom moss aside). And their living/dining area is not only stylish and texture-tastic, but so practical and functional with its separate dining, desk nook and generous living area. Top marks from me!

ALISA & LYSANDRA