Tag: darren and deanne

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Bedrooms The Block

The Block 2019: guest bedroom 2 All Stars reveals

We’re currently experiencing a cable outage at Interiors Addict HQ! In short, some live wires came crashing down across the road outside in Friday night’s storms and although we’re nearly back to normal, we couldn’t tune into The Block last night! So, today’s write-up comes courtesy of our friends at The Block Shop! And as I still haven’t watched, I’d love you to tell me what the rooms were really like and which you thought should have won!

Mitch and Mark / Alisa and Lysandra: LAST PLACE
Score: 27/30


Mitch and Mark – with the help of Block all stars Alisa and Lysandra, managed to create a simply stunning room this week, despite the fact they flipped the architect’s plans again, changing the space to become a huge master suite, complete with walk-in robe and ensuite, connected via a private corridor.

“This room is the grand statement of what we’ve done. The master bedroom is the owner’s sanctuary,” Mitch said ahead of reveal.

The judges loved what they did – especially their statement ceiling, complete with that amazing pendant light.

Tess and Luke / Josh and Elyse: JOINT THIRD PLACE
Score: 28.5

Queenslanders Tess and Luke paired with previous Block champs Josh and Elyse, whose understated and chic fingerprints were all over this stunning, pared back “Scan-deco” guest bedroom.

The hero of the room was undoubtedly that beautiful wooden feature wall, which worked beautifully with the dressed bed in blush pinks and greys, the dark grey walls, light grey fitted robes, study nook with wire-framed chair, and the beautiful suede ottoman at the foot of the bed.

Deb and Andy / Josh and Jenna: FIRST PLACE
Score: 29.5

Deb and Andy – with help from Block mega-champs Josh and Jenna – went all out this week to present a stunning guest bedroom. And they were rewarded with a win! Courtesy of that controversial bonus point.

As Deb explained, this week the couple from country New South Wales were attempting to “not just create a look, but also a feeling.” And they certainly did that – the judges fell in love with their simple yet sophisticated guest bedroom space.

El’ise and Matt / Ronnie and Georgia: SECOND PLACE
Score: 29

The addition of Perth super champs Ronnie and Georgia really spurred this year’s Western Australian contestants on this week, and they stepped up their game to reveal a simply stunning guest bedroom. This week the couple effectively created a second master, choosing to add AM and PM wardrobes and a connecting ensuite, giving their house the option of a second main bedroom space.

And it was a master stroke – almost winning them the week, if Andy and Deb hadn’t used their pesky bonus point!

The judges loved their room, which featured that bold, art-inspired Graffico feature wall, blush pink walls, a burgundy bed styled in greys and greens, marble side bench, soft, grey occasional chair and circular side tables. A black grid-formation mirror, black wardrobes and black details on the furniture tied everything together, making a dramatic, opulent and sumptuous guest bedroom that the judges liked a great deal.

Jesse and Mel / Deanne and Darren: JOINT THIRD PLACE
Score: 28.5

Jesse and Mel, along with their all star teamsters Dee and Daz, presented a beautiful guest bedroom, which, as Jesse explained, was all about “effortless luxury.” They included a recessed slate-grey velvet bedhead, which complimented the blush pink linen, the dark-coloured wardrobes, that large circular floor rug, the round side tables, and simple brass wall sconces.

The judges liked what they had done.

 

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The Block

Kathryn’s look inside the finished Block Glasshouse

Last week, we sent our resident Blockhead Kathryn Bamford to look around the finished Block apartments. She was a little bit excited…

So I went into The Block on Thursday night and when I say went to The Block I mean got a full blown tour of all the finished apartments. Dreams can come true, right? I guess this is what little kids feel like at Disneyland and can I tell you it was everything I expected and more. The Block is situated on bustling High Street, Prahran. The neighbouring houses are cute double-storey terraces and mid rise new apartment complexes, which is rather different when compared to the monstrosity of The Block. Yet for an old eighties office conversion that is huge, it’s surprisingly not too overpowering from the street front and I have to say they have done a grand job of converting it.

We were greeted with delicious canapés and champagne of course, and ushered upstairs. It was a lot bigger than I expected on the inside and there’s even a common area complete with a lift that all the homes open onto (which we haven’t been privy to on TV yet). The contestants were all lovely and I think a little relieved it was nearly all over. They were all getting along so surely not too much drama will unfold for the rest of this season? The lovely Shelley Craft talked us through the proceedings of the night and we were sworn to secrecy with no photos banned inside the apartments (if only I could share the mental pictures I took). We were divided into five groups of around 10 people and ushered around the apartments.

First up for my group was Max and Karstan’s apartment. Holy moly this place is huge. It feels massive! The kitchen looks great and even has a TV in it which is a great idea and very family friendly. There are four ovens and a huge butler’s pantry which overlooks a massive courtyard. We were even lucky enough to see inside ‘the secret room’ which is at the top of a tight spiral staircase off the courtyard. Then it was off across the common area to Darren and Dee’s. Ok, so I’m actually in love with Darren and Dee’s apartment. It’s smaller than the others but boy, do I love it! Those herringbone floors are killer and are almost throughout the whole place. The kitchen is noticeably smaller than the other apartments and has a small butler’s pantry but it is still nice nonetheless. After seeing Dee’s styling in the flesh, it’s just as good as on the screen. I’ve decided that she should be crowned the texture queen of The Block! The  master bedroom feels huge and has a balcony overlooking the courtyard which both have great city views. Their apartment is definitely the most consistent of the bunch so despite being the smallest, I wouldn’t rule them out of potentially taking it out.

Next up it was onto the boys’ apartment. Shannon and Simon have done a fabulous job and I can assure you the kitchen is not a disaster, it’s actually really nice. I love the dark benchtops and textured wood grain cupboards they went with. I love the fact that you can stand at your stove top cooking whilst looking out of the massive window onto bustling High Street. All I can say for now is that the boys’ master room robe is as good if not better than it looks on the big screen. It feels more like a luxurious parents’ retreat than a bedroom. Wait until you see their master en suite. IT IS OUT OF CONTROL! I walked in and actually had to take a moment to take it all in. It’s so different to what you would have ever seen before and it really works.

Our fourth stop was at Michael and Carlene’s apartment. The kitchen didn’t wow me but it was still really nice. Their living/dining area is large yet still feels really family friendly and homely. It opens onto a huge courtyard which is perfect for hosting large family events and overlooks High Street. I have a feeling that a family is going to want to buy their apartment. Last stop was Chris and Jenna’s house. I mean apartment. I’m hesitant to call Chris and Jenna’s an apartment as when you’re in there it feels like a house. It’s noticeably bigger than the others and has a gorgeous three-storey staircase going all the way up to the rooftop terrace. I loved Chris and Jenna’s main bathroom which received a perfect score and standing in it, you actually can’t fault it. Their kitchen is huge like the rest of their house and I love the fact the butler’s pantry is hidden behind normal kitchen doors so you can’t even tell it’s there. The copper sinks and black tapware look fantastic and all overlooking a huge courtyard. To be honest, I don’t know how they finished such a big apartment with the same budget everyone else had.

So I’m not even sure if I can share this but what the heck. The couples get to do a re-do room and I’m sure you will agree with which rooms they choose to re-do. The night ended with some Q&A with the contestants and producers and after that and I got to take home a signed copy of Darren Palmer’s new book Easy Luxury. It was a great night and a big thank you to The Good Guys Kitchens for inviting me along!

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RENO ADDICT The Block

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?)!

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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.

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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.

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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.