Category: The Block

Alisa from The Block’s pick of the top new trends for bathrooms

Post author By Guest Poster
Post date September 13, 2013
2 Comments on Alisa from The Block’s pick of the top new trends for bathrooms

It’s that time of the week again: a guest post from one of the twins, and today it’s the lovely Alisa.

Since finishing The Block Sky High, I have been finding so many exciting products that I quite often think to myself ‘if only I knew about this while we were filming!’ As we were labelled the bathroom queens on the show, I thought it would be fitting to share a few of these cool new products that I’ve come across on my travels.

The GROHE Power & Soul

Power & Soul uses a spray pattern technology, harnessing the force of water through 8 dynamic spray nozzles, recreating a ‘fingertip massage’ effect and to bring about tension relief. It has 4 different spray patterns with a button to select up to 11 different varieties of spray options. Seriously makes showering seem like an inviting way to relax!

Tags alisa and lysandra, alisa fraser, bathrooms, cow, featured, grohe, hiflow, lysandra fraser, parisi, shower, the block, the block sky high, the block twins, water filter system

Expert Tips The Block

The Block’s Lysandra Fraser on creating the wow factor on a budget

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date September 6, 2013
1 Comment on The Block’s Lysandra Fraser on creating the wow factor on a budget

In the second of our regular posts from The Block Sky High winners Alisa and Lysandra Fraser, it’s Lysandra’s turn! She reveals how they spent most of their budget on the show on tradies, picking up bargain furniture, linen and accessories from Ikea, Freedom, Kmart and even op shops, only splurging here and there. Just up our ‘style without the snobbery’ street!

Growing up, Alisa and I were always taught the value of a dollar. If you wanted something, you had to work hard to get it. Money was spent wisely and it had to stretch a long way. These same values followed Alisa and I as we entered The Block, and I believe they ultimately contributed considerably to us being crowned the winners.

Tags alisa and lysandra, diy, freedom, hermon and hermon, ikea, k-mart, lysandra fraser, meizi, reno, renovating, renovation, spotlight, the block, the block sky high, the block twins, the twins, trades, tradies

RENO ADDICT The Block

3 top renovating tips with The Block Sky High’s winning twin, Alisa Fraser

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date August 30, 2013
5 Comments on 3 top renovating tips with The Block Sky High’s winning twin, Alisa Fraser

I’m delighted the twins are joining Interiors Addict to guest post and share their renovating and interiors expertise over the next few weeks. Today, Alisa sums up her best renovating advice.

As I sit down to write my very first blog, I asked myself what advice could I give the home renovator/decorator? Here are my 3 top tips to a successful renovation.

Tags alisa and lysandra, alisa fraser, channel 9, diy, featured, reality tv, renovating, renovation, the block, the block sky high, the block twins, trades, tradies

Designers Styling The Block

The Block’s Amity Dry joins Adelaide stylists Cain & Markus

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date August 29, 2013

The Block All Stars winner Amity Dry is joining Adelaide stylists Cain & Markus so she can finally give people interiors advice in their own homes.

Amity and husband Phil Rankine won the hearts of Australia when they took out first place on Channel 9’s The Block All Stars earlier this year. Amity’s decorating style and eye for design was popular with both the public and the judges and her and Phil won more challenges, rooms and prize money than any other couple on the series. Neale Whitaker praised their Hamptons inspired home and declared that “Phil and Amity are creating the house I want to live in.”

Tags adelaide, amity and phil, amity dry, cain and markus, cain rumbelow, louis bond, markus hamence, neale whitaker, phil rankine, south australia, styling, stylist, the block, the block all stars

Homewares The Block

Where to buy your favourites from last night’s The Block room reveal, including the tiles!

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date July 22, 2013
4 Comments on Where to buy your favourites from last night’s The Block room reveal, including the tiles!

There were some great things to lust after in last night’s ground floor apartment reveal. Here’s some of my favourites.

I really loved the textures and colours going on in Matt and Kim’s bedroom. Not exactly my taste but I still appreciated the look and some of the great finishes.

Tags alisa and lysandra, bec and george, feature tiles, featured, ground floor apartment, kim and matt, maddi and jarrod, mud australia, muuto dots, national tiles, retrojan, room reveal, the block, the block shop, the twins, tiles, trixie and johnno, urban edge

The Block

15,000 Blockheads turn out for The Block open inspections

Post author By Kathryn Bamford
Post date July 14, 2013

Blockheads were out in full force this weekend! Over 15,000 people braved Melbourne’s gloomy weather to attend the open for inspection yesterday alone.

There certainly are some dedicated Blockheads out there. The first person in line had been there since 3pm Friday!

Tags blockhead, featured, open for inspection, scott cam, the block, the block sky high

The Block

Matt from The Block launches polished concrete business Sky High Renders

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date July 12, 2013
3 Comments on Matt from The Block launches polished concrete business Sky High Renders

In a smart move after the popularity of their polished concrete feature walls on The Block Sky High, Matt from Matt and Kim, has launched a new business.

He wants to make polished concrete finishes both contemporary and affordable. He said: “Until now, renders such as Cement Glassface and Venetian Plaster have been exclusive to the high end market only. There is no logical reason for this. A feature wall in polished render can often be cheaper than wallpaper, tiles or timber clad. The results are more spectacular, more modern, and more durable.”

Tags cement glassface, matt and kim, polished concrete, render, rendered wall, sky high renders, the block, venetian plaster

The Block

The Block second chance re-do rooms

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date July 8, 2013
1 Comment on The Block second chance re-do rooms

Alisa and Lysandra’s bedroom looked so much better second time around, impressing the judges. It was my favourite of the re-do rooms. Darren Palmer called it “a gazillion times better than before'” and Shaynna said their apartment was one of the most saleable homes she’d seen in a long time.

Love their look? Pick up the Emma Cleine Lumiere Art + Co print, bedside lamp, pendant light and more online from The Block Shop. I’m a big fan of that pendant ($335)!

Tags alisa and lysandra, bec and george, blockheads, featured, matt and kim, maurice golotta, neale whitaker, nine, re-do rooms, reality tv, second chance rooms, shaynna blaze, the block, the block sky high, the blockshop, trixie and johnno

Art The Block

Want to buy art you’ve seen on The Block?

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date July 1, 2013
3 Comments on Want to buy art you’ve seen on The Block?

The artworks used by this series’ contestants have been some of the most asked-about products this year. Here are some of the pieces that may have caught your eye, now available to buy online.

Alisa & Lysandra’s Protea by Emma Cleine http://www.theblockshop.com.au/store/single/protea-print-series

Continue reading “Want to buy art you’ve seen on The Block?”

Tags affordable art, alisa and lysandra, art, artist, artwork, bec and george, emma cleine, featured, sarah carter jenkins, the block

The Block

Applications open for The Block 2014. Go!

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date June 27, 2013
23 Comments on Applications open for The Block 2014. Go!

Are you glued to your TV every Sunday night for room reveal? Are you a Blockhead? Do you think you could do better than most of the contestants? Might be time to put your money where your mouth is and apply for next year’s show!

Applications are now open for The Block 2014. Teams of 2 must be aged 18 to 25 and available for 10 weeks of filming between November (2013) and January. The location is yet to be revealed but applications are being taken from across Australia.

Guidelines and requirements

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-week shoot period November 2013 to January 2014. Exact dates to be confirmed closer to filming.
Location of The Block 2014 is to be confirmed.
Continue reading “Applications open for The Block 2014. Go!”

Tags blockhead, channel nine, diy, reality tv, renovation, the block, the block applications, the block casting

Designers House Tours The Block

Have a look inside The Block’s Darren Palmer’s Bondi apartment

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date June 22, 2013

He just sold it, reportedly for around a million bucks after spending five months renovating himself (trust me, I know Darren and there was a lot of hard work!). Want to have a look for yourself and play judge the judge?! See the pictures and video at ninemsn here.

Tags apartment, bondi, darren palmer, diy, renovation, the block

Kitchens The Block

The Block kitchen reveals last night

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date June 17, 2013
11 Comments on The Block kitchen reveals last night

Last night was the most impressive room reveal so far if you ask me. What did you think of the couples’ kitchens? If you liked what you saw, read on to find out which products and finishes the contestants chose from Freedom Kitchens, so you can shop the look yourselves. I don’t think the photos do them justice as much as seeing them on the TV. You can watch videos on The Block website.

Trixie and Johnno’s winning kitchen

Seems the viewing public weren’t happy with the choice of winner, with some serious bitching and calls of a fix on The Block’s Facebook page (it can get pretty vicious over there!) last night. Trixie upset many viewers by saying she’d like to dress the twins up as pigs (on account of them police officers) which many said was disrespectful.

Trixie and Johnno featured Newbury Satin Heartwood Laminex, Alaskan Gloss Crème Brulee and Caesarstone Frosty Carrina with 40mm edge.

Judges’ verdict? Designed exactly for the way people live their lives, perfect for the penthouse!

Jen’s verdict: I thought it was safe and neutral in a classy way, but not very exciting. I’m a bit over vertical gardens too. LOVED the lights though.

Alisa and Lysandra’s kitchen

Continue reading “The Block kitchen reveals last night”

Tags caesarstone, freedom, freedom kitchens, kitchens, renovation, room reveal, the block, trixie and johnno

The Block

Where to get the twins’ concrete wallpaper from last night’s The Block room reveal & more

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date June 3, 2013
10 Comments on Where to get the twins’ concrete wallpaper from last night’s The Block room reveal & more

Did you love Alisa and Lysandra’s winning master bedroom and walk-in last night? I did, especially the tub in the walk-in, but then I have a very soft spot for a good bath! I thought the concrete wallpaper in their bedroom was pretty cool. It’s by Piet Boon from Safari Living. Buy it here. $330 a roll.

If you loved the glitzy chandelier from the twins’ bathroom reveal last week, you can buy that here for $469.

Tags bec and george, chandelier, concrete wallpaper, room reveal, the block, twins

Bathrooms The Block

The Block’s steam room tension, coloured toilet paper and cool pillowcases

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date May 27, 2013
1 Comment on The Block’s steam room tension, coloured toilet paper and cool pillowcases

So, what did we all think of last night’s room reveal? I thought it was seriously impressive! Not one but two bathrooms completed by all the couples in one week. It would have been a tough call for the judges but I called it on Twitter when I guessed it’d be either Bec and George or twins Alisa and Lysandra, and blow me down, they tied!

There wasn’t much I didn’t like about any of the bathrooms and the judges were also very generous with their praise. But the steam room drama was the talk of the week and I’m glad Trixie and Johnno went ahead and revealed theirs despite promising the twins they wouldn’t. They didn’t knowingly copy and after being accused of lying again in the “fluffy roller” scandal, I think I would have done the same! Thanks goodness the girls were winners this week though, or there surely would have been steam coming out of their ears (pun intended)!

Did you watch the bedhead challenge earlier in the week?

Tags alisa and lysandra, bathroom, bec and george, black toilet paper, coloured toilet paper, pillow poets, room reveal, shelley craft, steam room, the block, the block shop, trixie and johnno

Interviews The Block

The Block’s Gav and Waz, 10 years on

Post author By John Clements
Post date May 24, 2013
1 Comment on The Block’s Gav and Waz, 10 years on

Designer boys Gav and Waz and their dog Charlie

Contestants on the very first series of The Block a decade ago, Gavin Atkins and Warren Sonin, otherwise known as Gav and Waz (and The Designer Boys), have come a long way. And despite moving to Byron to enjoy a simpler life, they’ve never been busier.

Still working as interior designers for private clients, in the last 4 years, it is their wholesale art business, Designer Boys Collections, that has really taken off.

‘’We had always been successful at buying, renovating and selling properties together in Sydney and then we were selected for The Block in 2003 and it literally changed our lives forever,” said Gavin “The executive producers obviously realised that we had a talent for interior decorating and renovation and that we had (and still have) a very solid relationship.’’

Realising the opportunity to capitalise on their popularity, the first same-sex couple to appear on Australian reality TV started their business, Designer Boys, as soon as the show wrapped up. Initially, they focused on styling properties for sale, racking up more than 750 properties in less than 3 years! “The hands-on experience we garnered was just what we needed to take the business to the next level, where we focused largely on interior design and decoration for commercial and private projects.’’

Tags art, byron bay, designer boys collections, gav and waz, gavin and warren, interior design, interiors, reality tv, the block, the designer boys, wholesale art

The Block

Last night’s room reveal and where to buy what you saw on The Block

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date May 20, 2013
6 Comments on Last night’s room reveal and where to buy what you saw on The Block

Darren Palmer and Neale Whitaker loving the timber tiles in Johnno and Trixie's bedroom

Sunday night room reveals are the best bit about the The Block. No challenges, just renovating, room reveals, judging and results. Hoorah! The long and drawn out scoring process aside, what’s not to like?

Last night’s was a great episode, with Matt and Kim’s Pollock-inspired bedroom described as both “a crime scene” and the most controversial room in the show’s history. Kudos to them for getting such a reaction! I thought their design was wholly inappropriate but admired their bravery and they definitely executed their ideas really well and with enthusiasm. Easy for me to say as an armchair critic…

I think Bec and George were probably the right couple to win, although I loved parts of Trixie and Johnno’s room too, in particular their Bonnie and Neil wall tiles. I can’t believe none of the judges had seen them before; I’ve been loving them for months and wishing I wasn’t renting so I could use them somewhere! I like the twins but I wasn’t a fan of last night’s bedroom. Next week will be interesting with two bathrooms each to complete. I do love a good bathroom reno so looking forward to those!

Tags bec and george, bonnie and neil, darren palmer, diy, renovation, room reveal, scott cam, shaynna blaze, the block, the block shop, timber wall tiles, trixie and johnno

The Block

Contestants transform a hotel into apartments in the Block Sky High, starting Sunday

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date May 10, 2013

Five couples, six floors and 80 rooms adds up to a rather larger than usual new series of The Block, starting this Sunday on Nine.

Couples from each state are competing as they transform a former Melbourne hotel. They each face the daunting challenge of converting a floor of the tired building into a high-end, house-sized apartment. It’s sure to be very different to the recent All Stars’ heritage homes in Bondi.

In just 10 weeks they must “demo and reno” more than 80 rooms and transform each floor of the hotel into a 220-square metre luxury apartment complete with 3 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, open plan kitchen, living and dining, plus a huge enclosed terrace. Can you imagine?!

Tags blockinator, darren palmer, neale whitaker, nine, reno, scott cam, shaynna blaze, the block, the block shop, the block sky high

Interviews The Block

The Block’s Amity on life after winning, mezzanines, motherhood and musicals

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date April 9, 2013
6 Comments on The Block’s Amity on life after winning, mezzanines, motherhood and musicals

Life hasn't calmed down much for All Stars winners Amity and Phil since leaving the Block

In the run-up to The Block, Amity Dry was on Interiors Addict every night, doing her research. Now that’s what I like to hear! I was delighted to get the opportunity to interview one half of my favourite All Stars couple this week and here’s what she had to say…

Life hasn’t calmed down much for All Stars winners Amity and Phil since leaving the Block

Amity Dry doesn’t do things by halves. She had just two days off between arriving home from The Block auction and starting rehearsals for her musical Mother, Wife and the Complicated Life, which she produces as well as stars in. “My workload is pretty massive and it’s a lot to juggle at the moment, but I’m so passionate about the show that’s it’s worth it. We’ll be taking a holiday in June, that’s for sure!”

The show, coming to Melbourne and Sydney this month, is a musical comedy about marriage, motherhood and the way women juggle relationships, work kids and friendship. “It’s very funny, but it’s also really emotional in parts, as we explore topics like post natal depression, the breakdown of a marriage and the pressure to do it all,” she says. “The ultimate message of the show is that marriage and motherhood can be wonderful and the most rewarding things you’ll ever do, but they’re also really hard work and it’s ok to say that and laugh about those tough moments.

Tags amity and phil, amity dry, reality tv, the block, the block all stars