Tag: darren palmer

Interiors Addict TV: Carly & Leighton and Kyal & Kara chat about their impressive Reno Rumble kitchens

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date May 27, 2015
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In the latest episode of Interiors Addict TV, our reporter Lauren Ellis chats to Reno Rumble contestants, Carly & Leighton and Kyal & Kara, about their knockout kitchens. Both teams received perfect scores of 20/20 for their respective relaxed industrial and Hamptons style kitchens!

[contextly_sidebar id=”OcBu1XWPDt7s5R8SBP9NFnf7f5owsUXY”]Learn how they got the look with the help of Freedom Kitchens and see the homeowners’ heartwarming reactions to the reveal. Also hear the judges’ positive feedback and the couples’ top tips for designing a kitchen when you’re poor on space!

Read more of our Reno Rumble coverage on sister site Reno Addict.

Tags carly leighton, darren palmer, design, freedom kitchens, interiors addict tv, kitchen, kitchens, kyal kara, reality tv, reno rumble, the block

Architecture Design DIY RENO ADDICT

Reno Rumble’s third round of house reveals and elimination

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date May 25, 2015
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With the Blue Tongues struggling with budget issues and the Redbacks dealing with the infamous Reno Rumble bathroom curse, it was always going to be a tight race. And it was, with just six points dividing the teams!

In the end the Blue Tongues were the losing team, and Michelle and Steve were sent home. So what did judges Darren Palmer and Romy Alwill think?

Blue Tongues

Michelle and Steve

“This is mental!” said Darren upon entry. Their living room and entranceway saw Michelle and Steve pull out walls, change ceiling heights and fix all the cornices, which both judges agreed was done at a professional designer level! Romy loved the wall treatment, but thought the entranceway was a little busy and Darren thought the joinery around the fireplace could have been improved.

Carly and Leighton

Scoring a massive 20/20 for their kitchen and dining, the judges loved how they connected their space to the outdoors, through a window splashback. Darren loved the islandbench, the storage and the brick work. Romy thought the dining table felt warm and inviting and both judges agreed it was spot on the brief of relaxed industrial.

Ben and Jemma

Both judges loves the finishes in the bathroom and Romy especially liked how it wasn’t too fussy. She thought the strong grout lines and subway tiles worked beautifully but would have preferred brass tapware. Darren though the pendant light was superfluous, but both agreed all misses were miniscule.

Redbacks

Ayden and Jess

“Wow, wow, wow, this is heaven,” said Darren. The judged loved the combination of furniture and the white timber boards on the ceiling. Darren thought it was right on the money for the brief of Hamptons and the only miss was the aircon unit was a split system rather than being integrated.

Kyal and Kara

Receiving the second 20/20 for the night, the judges thought the kitchen and dining were amazing. Romy loved the splashback tiles and all the great detailing. Darren loved the atrium skylight over the dining room and the bench seat storage. Considering the major structural changes that had occurred, the judges thought the end result was extraordinary. “I’m loss for words,” said Romy. “This is sublime.”

Josh and Jenna

Using the same herringbone tiles from the kitchen for the floor tiles, was for both judges, a great choice. Romy thought the bathroom was very elegant and Darren loved how the roofline had been changed to give a sensation of space above you. Both judges loved the dual basins, the storage and the sconces on the wall, but thought some downlights by the mirror would have been beneficial.

What did you think of the houses? Did the Redbacks deserve their second win? And what do you think about this week’s massive twist that will see the teams change teammates?

iscd graduate Manel Daetz on why you should apply for the Interiors Addict + inSTUDIO Scholarship

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date May 19, 2015
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Reno Rumble’s most gorgeous house reveals yet!

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date May 18, 2015
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After a week of four couples against three, last night’s episode saw the playing field become equal, with the Blue Tongue’s (ex-House Rules contestants) Chris and Nick, going home.

In my opinion, both houses were beautiful and much nicer than the Redbacks (ex-Blockheads) and Blue Tongues’ first attempts last week (read all about that here). But what did judges Darren Palmer and Romy Alwill think?

Redbacks

Kyal and Kara

With their design brief being modern vintage, both judges agreed their bathroom hit the nail on the head! A modern take, with some classic vintage elements, the bathroom fused modern matt black tapware with a claw foot bath. The judges loved the storage and tiles, but thought the shower head was way too low.

Ayden and Jess

Ayden and Jess scored a whopping 19.5/20 for their lounge room. “I am blown away,” said Romy. The judges loved the modern vintage feel and their only criticism was the finishing around the TV.

Josh and Jenna

Also getting a huge score of 19.5/20, the judges loved the daring kitchen and dining room. Light, bright and airy, they were wowed by the bold move of blue cabinetry and thought it managed to look fresh, rather that kitsch. The judges also liked the leather handles, the built-in fridge and the sky lights, however they both agreed the timber floor patching could have been better.

Communal space

With Michael and Carlene now evicted, the laundry/bathroom became a communal space. The judges really liked it and thought the shower was a welcome addition to the home. Darren thought it would have worked better if it had a door and that the toilet was a little too tight for the space.

Blue Tongues

Nick and Chris

Romy loved the floor tiles and how Nick and Chris had reconfigured the space to improve the bathroom’s layout. Both judges loved the bath being under the window, the floating vanity and the simple matt tiles. But then Darren realised something strange! The tiles were positioned differently on opposing walls. “I don’t understand why,” said Darren. Romy agreed: “I don’t see any rationale for changing it.”

Carly and Leighton

With a brief to design the house with a Scandinavian feel, their living and dining was spot on. With a warm, fresh feel, the judges thought the two spaces worked really well together. Darren liked the fireplace but Romy worried the rug was not appropriate for the homeowners’ one-year-old child.

Ben and Jemma

Both judges applauded Ben and Jemma on the massive amount of building work they had done. They agreed the kitchen was really functional, but thought the handles were a little clinical. Romy loved the accompanying family room and thought the TV was in a really beautiful piece of joinery. Darren said the space — like the kitchen — was really functional but thought the styling could have been less like a magazine and more like a home.

Michelle and Steve

Romy really liked the bathroom and Darren thought it was much better than Nick and Chris’: “It’s got more life, more soul!” Both judges really liked their second space, the laundry, and thought it had great character. Darren particularly loved the entrance way from the kitchen and the splashbacks, storage and cool drawers were also hits.

Both houses really nailed their briefs and while I did prefer the Redbacks’ home, it was a tight race. Which house was your favourite? Was it time for Nick and Chris to go?

Exclusive chance for our readers to meet Block’s Darren Palmer

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date May 14, 2015
No Comments on Exclusive chance for our readers to meet Block’s Darren Palmer

We’re big fans of The Block judge and interior designer Darren Palmer here at Interiors Addict. Indeed, I still pride myself on declaring him the next big thing back in 2011. Just saying… Today, we have an exciting exclusive opportunity for our readers and their friends to meet Darren at the opening of the newly renovated Carpet Court in Sydney’s St Leonards. You’ll also get to see his latest Provincial Lane rug range before anyone else.

The event takes place on Saturday 30 May from 2-4pm at Carpet Court, 511 Pacific Highway, Crows Nest, NSW 2065.

50 readers will win a ticket for them and a friend to attend. You’ll be able to pre-order from Darren’s range with a 20% discount on any purchases on the day. And almost as exciting as meeting Darren, you’ll also be able to meet Interiors Addict acting editor Olivia Shead!

One of the rugs from Darren's new range for Carpet Court — One of the rugs from Darren’s new range for Carpet Court

TO ENTER

Simply complete the below form by 11pm Sydney time on Thursday 21 May 2015. Winners will be notified by email by Friday 22 May 2015.

[gravityform id=”6″ title=”false” description=”false”]

Tags carpet court, darren palmer, flooring, interior designer, interiors, judge, meet darren palmer, provincial lane, rugs, sydney, the block

Before & Afters Design DIY RENO ADDICT

Reno Rumble’s first full house reveals and elimination

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date May 12, 2015
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They promised it’d be a shock elimination but I still didn’t see it coming. With the Blue Tongues (otherwise known as the ex-House Rules contestants), mounting an epic comeback and piping the Redbacks (Blockheads) by one point!

Despite trailing the Redbacks by nine points after the first judging round (where the first four rooms of each house had been revealed) the Blue Tongues managed to close the gap and snag themselves top honours with the second round of room reveals. I’m still not sure how that really happened! I always thought the Blockheads had it in the bag!

So who went home? Really it should have been Kyal and Kara, who scored just 10 out of 20 for their dining room. But they were saved by their immunity, after scoring the highest score in the first round of room reveals. So, sadly, in the end it was Michael and Carlene, scoring 14 out of 20 for their bathroom, that left Reno Rumble.

Onto the judges comments…

Blue Tongues

Michelle and Steve

“That’s more like it,” said judge Darren Palmer when he walked into the lounge room. Judge Romy Alwill loved the warmth and Darren loved the light. They thought the lamps and console were spot on, though agreed the styling could have been a bit better and the rug a bit bigger.

Ben and Jemma

After falling short in their first room, they were keen to step it up in the dining room. “Wow,” said Darren upon entry. Romy loved how by raising the ceiling they had made the space light and bright. Both judges loved the speakers, the art and the aircon, but thought the styling on the table was a bit too much.

Nick and Chris

Both judges agreed that removing the structural column that was in the old kitchen was the right thing to do and really opened up the space. Romy loved the colour palette, the benchtops and the mirrored splashback. In the living room the judges loved the addition of the sky light and Darren “love love loved the fireplace.” However, both judges thought the rug was too large for the space and upon close inspection thought the furniture was more retro than contemporary coastal (which was the homeowners’ brief).

Carly and Leighton

“This is such an improvement,” said Romy. Both judges loved the bath and its shape. They thought the colour scheme fit perfectly with the rest of the house and that the floor tiles and pendant were brilliant. However, they agreed that while the vanity hit the brief it lacked bench space.

Redbacks

Josh and Jenna

Romy loved the colour scheme of the entry and lounge room. Darren loved the sliding paneling to hide the TV: “How cool is that?!” The judges agreed the room hit the brief of classic contemporary and felt expensive, like a Hollywood A-lister’s house. Romy felt the black pendant was a bit too small and high and that the curtains could have been longer.

Ayden and Jess

“Holy moley,” said Darren. Both judges agreed it felt like the biggest kitchen ever. Romy loved the herringbone splashback and the big sink. Darren loved all the bench space, but felt the extension of the kitchen into the dining room (for a breakfast bar) had been a really greedy move, at the expense of Kyal and Kara.

Kyal and Kara

The judges loved the artwork, chairs, mirror and console, but the compliments pretty much stopped there. “This is the most ridiculous sized tabletop I’ve ever seen,” said Romy. Darren agreed: “How can four people eat here?” Both judges thought the kitchen’s breakfast bar shouldn’t have been there, but rather a dining table for six to eight people. The judges thought the room was a fail. “It pisses me off,” said Darren.

Michael and Carlene

The judges loved the tiles and the generous shower. Darren didn’t particularly like the form of the shower head but liked the function (it had a music speaker!). Both judges thought the space was nicely styled, but that the pendants were a bit dated and the vanity bench space a little small. Romy thought stylistically they had hit the ball out of the park, but functionality had been put second.

So what did you think of the reveals? Which house was your favourite? Do you think Michael and Carlene deserved to go?

How to make a white kitchen pop with Darren Palmer

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date April 29, 2015
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Terrace week: The Block Triple Threat’s last room reveals

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date April 27, 2015
No Comments on Terrace week: The Block Triple Threat’s last room reveals

So the last room reveals are done and dusted and as Neale perfectly put it: “Talk about saving the best for last!” It was a dramatic week on The Block! There were money issues and massive blow-ups, and let’s not forget Tim and Anastasia storming off site (before returning not too long after!). But in the end four terraces were finished. And there was even a 30/30 score for the ever polarizing (though I will proudly admit my favourites) Dea and Daz!

So onto the judging…

Josh and Charlotte – second place

With Josh and Charlotte’s terrace being their entranceway, it was important for them to create an open and grand space. And according to the judges, they were right on the money! “Wow,” said Darren upon entry. Shaynna agreed it was the perfect entranceway, with Neale adding he always loved terrace week because it’s the “final piece of the jigsaw.” He loved how it brought the whole apartment together and matched the interior with its pared back and restrained design.

All the judges loved the unique vertical garden and the use of timber. Shaynna liked the flexibility of having all the furniture on wheels and the presence of heaters for year round use. Neale loved the combination of the tiles and lamps and thought it gave the space a slightly Moroccan feel. Shaynna ended the judging by saying: “It’s really hard to fault!”

Our pick to buy: Lemaire Glasses

Tim and Anastasia – fourth place

With the only private terrace, Tim and Anastasia were in a good position going in. However, turns out they had no money (which let’s be honest is a major issue!), so they did the whole room off sponsors’ vouchers. Combine this with the fact they walked off site and the final terrace was actually pretty impressive. Darren loved how beautiful it looked from the kitchen and Neale thought the pendants were impressive, though not too practical.

All judges agreed that while the size of the terrace was similar to that of Josh and Charlotte’s it felt distinctively smaller as there was just too much in the space. Darren liked the timber cladding and thought it was a very effective and bold statement. Shaynna said that while there was some obvious unfinished areas she was impressed with the standard of the terrace.

Our pick to buy: Yvette Pendant

Ayden and Jess – third place

“Hooray it’s a lounge room,” said Darren as he walked it. “The apartment makes sense now.” With Ayden and Jess having originally been criticised for moving their kitchen to sit by the terrace (rather than having the lounge room there), all judges were quick to compliment, with Neale saying: “It’s not a terrace but a whole extra room!”

Darren was hugely impressed by the cladding, Neale liked the hanging pots (but was unsure how to water them) and all the judges liked the use of the old MCG gate on the vertical garden. However, Neale did think the terrace could have been over styled. And while there was a lot to like, he found the side table disappointing. Shaynna agreed that the table had the wrong pieces on it and thought none of it was needed.

Our pick to buy: Navy Linked Ottoman Cover

Dea and Daz – first place (30/30!)

While Dea and Daz had the least amount of internal space, they were lucky enough to have their ground floor extended out into a backyard; seeing them be the only couple with a legitimate outdoor space. And to say the judges were impressed, well that would be the understatement of the century! “Damn this is good,” said Darren. Shaynna agreed: “Absolutely beautiful!” And Neale? “This is total luxury and I don’t think I’ve ever felt like that about a terrace.”

Neale said that not too long ago he had been worried about this apartment but believed now it all made sense: “This is the best example of how a terrace can affect the internal space. It’s like a little slice of heaven in South Yarra.” And until today, Shaynna has never said there was nothing to fault in a room: “This is absolute perfection!” She couldn’t find one thing she’d change.

Our pick to buy: Laguiole Cheese Set

With the auction this Wednesday, we are only days away from finding out the winner. And boy oh boy do I hope it’s not a repeat of last year! We will have the full recap here Thursday morning. So watch this space!

Tags backyward, darren palmer, design, Garden, interiors, Neale Whittaker, outdoor, reno, renovating, shaynna blaze, terrace, the block

Competitions Designers Styling

Introducing the Interiors Addict + inSTUDIO Scholarship

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date April 21, 2015
No Comments on Introducing the Interiors Addict + inSTUDIO Scholarship

Today is a very exciting day as I’ve been wanting to offer an Interiors Addict scholarship to a promising young designer for years. I’m delighted to announce that we have partnered with iscd’s brand new inSTUDIO campus to offer one lucky reader a full-time design course worth more than $18,000 as well as money can’t buy mentoring and work experience with interior designer of the year Greg Natale and The Block judge Darren Palmer!

inSTUDIO is a new design school in North Sydney which opened its doors last month for its first intake. Run by iscd, who have been teaching colour and design in Sydney for over three decades, this new campus caters to school leavers who wish to study interior design or for those who are wanting to study full-time or part-time and access VET FEE-HELP. Graduates can choose from exciting career opportunities such as styling, residential or commercial interior design and stage and set design just to name a few.

We are so excited to be able to be able to offer someone this opportunity in partnership with such an established and respected school. We know we have countless aspiring designers, decorators and stylists among our readership and love offering them inspiration through interviews with the best in the business and how-to advice articles. We also give them a free place to advertise their availability for internships and entry level industry positions via our jobs board. But this scholarship really does enable us to go one further!

Greg Natale and Jen Bishop — Greg Natale and I

iscd general manager Lucy Sutherland, says: “We are so thrilled and excited to be offering this wonderful scholarship opportunity in partnership with Interiors Addict. It is such a great program of study with the additional benefit of hands on mentors Greg Natale and Darren Palmer and the industry briefs. What a perfect way to kick start your dream career in the design industry? We can’t wait to welcome the winner to our inSTUDIO campus.”

DarrenPalmer_JTurk-4 — Darren Palmer. Photo by Jacqui Turk

The new course, nationally accredited MSF50213 Diploma of Interior Design and Decoration, is focused strongly on ensuring that graduates are readily equipped to enter the world of design. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a number of industry briefs and assignments with companies such as Designer Rugs, Temple and Webster and Scentre Group (owners of Westfield). Each class is taught by robustly experienced educators who are all still practicing industry professionals with a wealth of knowledge to share. This is combined with industry excursions and internships to ensure that each student is fully equipped to embark on an exciting new career once they graduate.

inSTUDIO is offering one lucky Interiors Addict reader an exclusive scholarship opportunity. The scholarship includes the Diploma of Interior Design and Decoration (full-time study from August 2015 to July 2016), the opportunity to be an inSTUDIO ambassador, one-on-one mentoring from Greg and Darren and the chance to see their work featured here on Interiors Addict.

APPLY ONLINE and read the full terms & conditions. Applications close 5 June. Winner will be announced 26 June. Classes start 3 August 2015.

Tags darren palmer, design, designer rugs, diploma of interior design and decoration, education, full time study, greg natale, instudio, interior design, interior designer, interiors, interiors addict, international school of colour and design, iscd, lucy sutherland, scholarship, study interior design, temple and webster, win

House Tours The Block

The Block master reveals, ‘winegate’ and a disqualification!

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date March 31, 2015
1 Comment on The Block master reveals, ‘winegate’ and a disqualification!

Well well well, what a night of room reveals it was! Some great rooms and all very different, which impressed the judges. As Neale said: “All four have a very distinct personality and stand out for different reasons. It’s the most memorable master bedroom week I’ve experienced on The Block.”

That wasn’t all though; the results of the wine audit were in and a very smug Dee and Daz (fair enough) were shown to be NOT guilty! Then, at the end of the show, we saw Charlotte and Josh, after receiving the series’ first 30/30 from the judges, being disqualified from the scoring because they’d broken the rules by not using their Jimmy Possum bed from the recent challenge. Those bloody beds! As I keep saying on Twitter, never have I seen more of a PR fail for a brand on the show. I feel really bad for them! Couples either did their best to disguise their beds or didn’t want to use them at all. Eep!

Onto the judging…

Charlotte and Josh (30 out of 30, first place, had they not been disqualified)

I really liked this room and its lounge area but didn’t feel it quite warranted the perfect score it got from the judges, much preferring Dee and Daz’s overall. It was all a little too white for my liking and felt like it needed another layer or too. But not wanting to take away from the young couple’s glory, it has some great points.

“Yes, yes, yes yes!” was Shaynna’s initial reaction. Neale said the exposed beams gave a raw, contemporary quality that he loved and called it terrific.

They all loved the automated blinds and lights, especially tech-savvy Darren. Neale said it felt like Josh and Charlotte at their absolute best and they had created something like a self contained apartment or suite.

Shaynna closely inspected Charlotte’s paint job on the windows and was super impressed, saying they’d really worked hard. “This is their shining star, the pinnacle, what will have buyers in a bidding war.”

The massive walk-in wardrobe almost made Shaynna hyperventilate and generally went down really well, aside from the pendant light, which Darren said was a bit too Silence of the Lambs for his liking! Charlotte, born in the 90s, had never heard of the film. Bless!

Our pick to buy: Ingrain floating entertainment unit (by the same people who supplied their bathroom vanity last week).

Tim and Anastasia (24.5 out of 30, tying second place with Ayden and Jess)

I agreed with pretty much everything the judges said about this one. It was, on the face of it, a gorgeous, luxurious, cosy room.

Shaynna said it was beautiful and she loved the colours. Neale said he’s never been convinced they had confidence in their own style but this room maybe proved him wrong. He called it a gentle room with nothing in it that anyone would dislike, with a colour palette just enough to keep it modern.

Darren, perhaps diplomatically, said it was appropriate and saleable but didn’t seem overly excited and was intrigued that they hadn’t carried on the grasscloth wallpaper theme. He was concerned it was too similar to their first bedroom.

Shaynna kept it real though, pointing out that the curtains, while beautiful, needed channelling into ceiling and that the artwork above the bed too heavy (I totally agree, especially with those black frames).

The two-way doors to the walk-in were praised by all three as being clever. But while it was a good use of space and cabinetry, Neale said it felt a bit too much like a shop and he wasn’t sure about laminate, finding it grey and depressing. “It doesn’t feel luxurious. I’m underwhelmed.”

Darren also spotted a gaping hole near the window. Oops.

Ayden and Jess (24.5 out of 30, joint second with Tim & Anastasia)

This room drew mixed comments from the judges, with Neale being a bigger fan than the others. He said they were getting bolder with each passing week. Shaynna said it was like a younger version of Tim and Anastasia’s apartment.

Darren wasn’t exactly doing cartwheels and said he didn’t love it and it felt like a great second bedroom, not a master. He went one further to say it seemed “kind of juvenile” and unsophisticated. I totally agreed that the drum bedsides with no storage weren’t right. And I also agreed with him wanting to throw the artwork above the bed out the window. It looked too cheap and generic. top marks for personality, texture and layering though, I’d say!

Darren loved the wardrobe however, saying it dragged (interesting choice of word!) the bedroom up a level! I’m starting to see what he meant in our recent interview when he said he was going to be less Mr Nice Guy this series and more “cranky Daz”!

Neale finished off on some nice positives though, saying they’d got over their initial fears and misgivings and he wouldn’t change a thing.

Dee and Darren (27 out of 30 and first place after Charlotte and Josh’s disqualification)

Pow! This really was on another level to the others and I’m not sure why they scored less than Charlotte and Josh. So, at the end of the day, in my opinion, the most deserving couple won the 10 grand. The dark , moody grasscloth, the grand but contemporary four-poster, the perfect styling. Dodgy finishes aside, it was a cracker!

Darren was pretty much dancing around and trying to hang off the bed, he was so excited! “Woah, I love it! This is my all time favourite colour of grasscloth.” He loved the scale of the bed too.

Neale simply said: “Nailed it.” He added that it walked the line between really contemporary and classic, which is what Dee and Darren do again and again, and that it was finessed to a different level. Shaynna agreed it was gorgeous and felt like it enveloped you.

First impressions of the robe were great, with Darren loving the LED lighting and Neale, the choice of pendant light. They all noted a few finishing issues though, with Neale saying it was a little rough around the edges. Shaynna said the lack of blockout blinds and privacy were letting down a near perfect room.

Our pick to buy: Hale Mercantile Co doona cover and pillowcases.

With kitchen week now upon us, I’m excited! Which was your favourite this week? Did Charlotte and Josh deserve a perfect 30? Was their disqualification too harsh?

Tags bedroom, darren palmer, disqualification, jimmy possum, judges, master bedroom, master suite, neale whitaker, room reveals, shaynna blaze, the block, wine, winner, winners

Bathrooms The Block

Last night’s Block bathroom reveals

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date February 23, 2015
5 Comments on Last night’s Block bathroom reveals

The TVCs all week left us with no doubt that Ayden and Jess – my current favourites – made an expensive mistake with their gorgeous (if overdone) hexagonal marble tiles so it was little surprise they came last in last night’s bathroom reveals. And as much as Dee got my goat last week with the whole accusing Darren Palmer of copying thing, I have to admit the double Ds’ bathroom was far and away the best. Then again, they have had the practice. But credit where credit’s due, it was a slick effort, even making me change my mind on their black mosaic tile choice which I initially thought to be on the tacky side of bling. It worked and the contrast was great.

I do love a good bathroom reveal. Today’s bathrooms are not the flat, sterile, functional spaces they used to be. There are so many options these days to add interest, warmth, texture and a real sanctuary feel. As a huge bath fan, I spend a lot of time in my bathroom, and in particular, the tub. I just hope pregnancy doesn’t render me too big to get out one day…

Back to the judging!

Josh & Charlotte – came 3rd

Shaynna Blaze loved its simplicity and Neale Whitaker was happy to see them back to the sophisticated aesthetic they showed at the start. Shaynna loved the tapware and lighting but John McGrath (standing in for Darren Palmer this week) thought the colours might date. Shaynna pointed out there wasn’t enough lighting and the task lighting was in the wrong places, like over the toilet! The lack of benchtop space also bothered her. Overall, Neale said it was a case of good taste but bad planning.

Our pick to buy: round mirror in the style of Josh & Charlotte’s.

Tim & Anastasia – came 2nd

Coming last last week definitely shook this pair’s confidence, not to mention Dee’s copying accusations, leaving Anastasia crying in the bathroom showroom earlier in the week. Their bathroom week seemed pretty disastrous, losing a builder and a toilet cistern, but they definitely pulled themselves back from the brink and I loved their finished room. John and Neale agreed they’d responded well to last week’s criticism and Darren’s advice and lifted their game. Neale said they had their mojo back and it was a 100 percent improvement from their bedroom reveal. John said it was a 200 percent improvement! Touches like ample storage and heated flooring impressed them all but Shaynna didn’t like the inconsistency of three different styles of powerpoints.

Our pick to buy: Tom Dixon candle.

Ayden & Jess — came last

[contextly_sidebar id=”zzOqMn0njD6AOYa7B3B25yCdUwORfMde”]Ah, those tiles! Neale’s first impression was “busy” and Shaynna’s “overwhelming”. She went one further to say they were amazing, beautiful tiles, but the look has been cheapened by using them wall to wall. Neale said their impact had been lost and that the vanity/sink combo was completely impractical with nowhere to shave. It didn’t get much better with Shaynna saying the blonde timber was all wrong. The lighting, Neale’s favourite element, was brilliant, he said, and John loved the timber floor in the shower. Another thing none of them liked was the creation of a separate toilet, which they said was old fashioned and unnecessary. Shaynna said if you’re going to take space away from the bedroom, you need to at least put a bath in and make it a real luxury. And she also spotted there was no way of opening the shutter on the window. Whoops. Neale said the room was frustrating because they were talented; there was lot to like but they needed to calm down and choose their hero, not make everything the hero!

To make matters worse, it seems they don’t yet realise quite how much they spent on those tiles. Eek!

Our pick to buy: Saba pendants.

Darren & Dee – came first by half a point (after Ayden & Jess took one off them, part of last week’s prize)

Dee was, as ever, super confident from the start. Darren of course, was sick and admitted to hospital with pneumonia.

The judges had very little other than positives to say about this room. “Glamour, glamour, glamour,” began Neale. Shyanna said it was instantly different from all the other rooms. Neale said it had oomph. Practical Shaynna wasn’t sure the double shower with short shower screen was practical. John loved it for its aesthetics. Shaynna said there was nowhere to put a hairdryer etc on the vanity, which made it dangerous. But nobody could knock the storage!

Our pick to buy: Scent of Home candle.

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Tags anastasia and tim, ayden and jess, bathroom, beaumont tiles, darren and dee, darren palmer, hexagonal tiles, hsyanna blaze, john mcgrath, judges, judging, neale whitaker, room reveal, the block, tiles

Bedrooms House Tours The Block

The results of the first REAL Block Triple Threat room reveals

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date February 16, 2015
14 Comments on The results of the first REAL Block Triple Threat room reveals

What excellent viewing last night was! A return to my favourite Sunday night Block room reveals and not three but SIX with three by the newbies and three by the returning all-star couples. Plenty of emotion (mainly from a tearful Bec, bless her) and some honest judging that spanned from downright harsh through to glowing. This is what reality TV’s all about!

Darren and Dee won the all stars' contest — Controversial Darren and Dee won the all stars’ contest

Judges Darren Palmer (we love his new specs!) and Neale Whitaker were joined by real estate guru John McGrath for the big task this week. The winners of the newbie round were my current faves Ayden & Jess and Bec & George and Matt & Kim went home, despite producing great rooms, while Darren & Dee got to stay and become the fourth couple.

Ayden and Jess were judged best out of the newcomers

JUDGES’ COMMENTS

First, to the newbies. The judges didn’t think any of their rooms were really good enough. The judging was pretty harsh but, in my opinion, warranted. It’s early days though!

Charlotte & Josh (second place)

Charlotte spent up big at Coco Republic but expensive furniture was not enough. Darren said there was a lot of stuff in the room and loved the wall finish, the simple linen and smart choice of flooring. The bedside is one of his favourite pieces out there at the moment but he felt it too big for the room. Neale had an issue with the art, even though it referenced the neighbourhood (too young and poppy to go with the furniture). The art jarred with the neutral look and feel. John agreed the decor didn’t quite work. Darren and John hated the built-in doors and handles (a bit dated). No more Mr Nice Guy with Darren tonight who said the window dressing was a bit asylum-y. Eek! Neale said their elimination challenge rooms were better and he was disappointed. John said it seemed they hadn’t realised the competition had started. Ouch all round!

Our pick to buy: The go-with-everything Azure bedhead from Forty Winks.

Tim & Anastasia (third place)

The automatic blind impressed Darren and John who said it was what buyers in this market were looking for. Not surprisingly, the judges spotted the hideous toy cat on the windowsill (why?!) and they were NOT impressed. Neale said he felt he’d seen everything in the room many times over and called it generic. John said it felt decorated out of a seaside gift store. Cringe! Neale was again disappointed. John found the crosses theme “annoying” and said the room was not all things to all people and rather nothing to no one. At this point, Darren declared himself definitely cranky Daz! Distinctly awkward!

Our pick to buy: Karpenter bedside table by Curious Grace.

Ayden & Jess (first place — by half a point)

Ayden and Jess’ dynamic continued to make me giggle this week. They’re definitely my favourites to watch. Darren said the room was off to a good start. Neale said it had soul to it and personality. They all liked the wing-backed bedhead and even Darren said there were too many cushions on the bed (nine!) and he didn’t love the pendants. Darren said the flooring was a little plasticky. Neale concluded it wasn’t perfect but had a sense of creativity and flair. Darren said they had shown a fighting spirit and tried to up the ante.

Our pick to buy: Shibori hand dyed throw.

THE FORMER CONTESTANTS

Then onto the all-stars… The judges were not told who did each room or even which all-stars they were judging. It seemed so mean that two of the three had to go home when they all did so so well and in a class above the newbies (and let’s face it, they’ve had a lot more experience). I picked the winners straight off though: Dee and Darren. But wow, they were all good! Painful!

Bec & George

Darren immediately said “we’ve stepped into a whole different level of the game. There is no comparison to the rooms we’ve just been in”. John said it proved a great idea was all about execution not budget. Neale said the room said experience and it was in a different league. The flooring was amazing. Neale said the artwork was stunning. Darren loved the warmth of the timber and the lights. Neale said it said modern luxury. John said it spoke to the market. All the judges like the custom gold leaf plant holder. Bec was so wowed by the positive comments that she cried, saying even if they didn’t stay they’d achieved everything they wanted to. Which was just as well as sadly, they did end up going home.

Our pick to buy: Chunky knitt cushion from The Home Journal and Creativity is Limitless cushion from Created By Boys.

Matt & Kim

This pair really seemed to take the opportunity seriously too, making brave choices. I loved their paneling and elegant choices. The judges were wowed by the different aesthetic and approach. Neale thought it felt very romantic and elegant. He said the detailing was very special. Darren liked the timber floor on a diagonal. They said it was a room that would appeal to anyone with design savvy. Darren said it felt like a jewellery box to him and that when the newbies walked through these all-star apartments they would freak out! Darren said whoever went home, it was a big shame.

Our pick to buy: Limited edition photographs by Sarah Stockman.

Dee & Darren (winners by one point!)

Darren said the apartment was beautiful and he loved the grasscloth wallpaper. Neale said it was seamless, calm and relaxing and this was the room he felt like unpacking his bag in. Darren said it was the first bedhead he’d seen that he really wanted to sleep in. John said it was neither harsh contemporary nor classical and steered a nice road down the middle. Darren loved the dropped ceiling and the shadow line (Daz’s choice, which wasn’t popular with Dee!) and said they looked expensive. Less is more definitely won!

Our pick to buy: Boyd Blue grass weave wallpaper, Dome pendant lights by Mud Australia and photographic print by Chris Warnes from Otomys.

MY THOUGHTS

I have to say I agreed with pretty much all of the judges’ comments this week. All three all-star couples did brilliantly. I was most surprised and impressed by Matt and Kim in a way, taking into account their attention to detail, effort and the huge difference to anything of theirs we have seen before. The paneling was fab and the lighting was perfect. Winners Dee and Darren had my favourite room but Bec and George’s was also great (that floor worked much better then I predicted).

[contextly_sidebar id=”LLyvoP3LOeooSBEuodjPlUTbe7JzgC62″]It seems pretty unfair that the newbies’ work had to be compared to the more experienced former contestants’ this week as they were never ever going to match up! I really didn’t vibe Tim and Anastasia’s room at all and the soft toy dog they left on the windowsill killed me (I don’t care if it was your neighbours’ kid’s! What were you thinking?!). A tacky toy on the windowsill of what is supposed to be a high-end apartment is never going to go unnoticed or go down well. I found the colour scheme a bit jarring and the styling uninspired. As the judges said, Josh and Charlotte’s room was a bit too much about the art, which I didn’t love, and I hated the opaque glass built-in doors. I still have high hopes for this pair though. And Ayden and Jess, my favourites at this point, did the best in my view. Their room looked less embarrassing compared to the all-star couples’ slick efforts. The floor was a bit wrong though.

And before I go, can I just say, once again, how disappointing and ridiculous I find the huge amounts of bitching on The Block Facebook page and elsewhere (Darren and Dee’s page too) about the result and the show supposedly being rigged. And people being massively over the top about winners being announced on social media before all states have had a chance to see the outcome? Calm down, people, it’s just a TV show! I personally couldn’t watch the show last night because I was having dinner with my in laws. So I recorded it and then deliberately stayed off Twitter and Facebook until after I’d watched it a few hours later (in order to write this post and for my own enjoyment). Had I accidentally found out before I watched, well do you know what? It’s really not that big of a deal. Sigh. I just wish people would put as much effort and passion into fighting some of life’s real injustices rather than spouting venom about a reality TV show and its contestants.

So, what did you think? I’m sure the all stars’ winner decision will be controversial being that Dee and Daz are a bit love ’em or hate ’em! And simply because all three couples made top efforts. Poor judges, that was hard! But that’s reality TV for you! Roll on this week!

Bedrooms House Tours The Block

The Block’s first elimination and all the room reveal pictures

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date January 29, 2015
2 Comments on The Block’s first elimination and all the room reveal pictures

Last night’s episode drove me a little bonkers. HURRY UP! I wanted to shout! Seemed like most of the contestants were on a go-slow and nobody seemed to care enough. And when you consider how many people must want to get on the show (I am definitely not one of them, unless they’re offering a guest judge spot!) that’s a little frustrating.

So I was the last person to expect Neale Whitaker to be saying it was a tough call when six rooms of a high standard had been delivered. That’s clever TV editing for you I guess! And I have to say, when it came to the end results, despite some dodgy finishes, I was eating-my-words surprised! I think most of the viewing public expected the ditsy cousins Brooke and Aimee to be a dead cert to be eliminated but oh, how wrong we were! They ended up in second place. So, all in all, it was a good episode!

So, in order of judging…

Tim & Anastasia. Came 5th and stayed in the competition by the skin of their teeth (half a point!):

Tim & Anastasia's room — Tim & Anastasia’s room

Darren and Neale said completing this room in 24 hours was mind-boggling, but then at this point, they had nobody else’s to compare it to. Neale said the artwork was a bold, good choice and set the tone for the whole room. Both loved the timber walls but the dodgy finishing where they met the ceiling didn’t escape Darren’s beady eye. The powerpoint and TV aerial socket in the middle of the wall were also clangers. But Neale said overall it was a pretty strong start.

OUR PICK: Tufted bedhead by Forty Winks.

Ayden and Jess. Came 3rd:

Ayden and Jess's room — Ayden and Jess’s room

Pre-judging, Ayden described the room as “us on a platter,” and said they wouldn’t change a thing. I liked his confidence! The judges said it was very fresh and inviting. Darren loved the linen (I have the same on my bed from Aura as it happens), cushion and art choices. Neale said it was young, cool and sophisticated. They both raved about the open-shelved wardrobe but Darren said the paint work and plaster work were a dog’s breakfast! And those curtains certainly needed ironing!

OUR PICK: Ali McNabney Stevens print.

Mark & JJ came last and were eliminated. I bet she’s glad she doesn’t have to be called JJ anymore:

It was clear from Darren and Neale’s comments, by the end of the judging, that these two were heading home. Neale said it was hard to know where to look first. Although the wallpaper was very brave and very well done and the mix of retro and contemporary was good, there were too many styles going on and nothing tied together well. And the deal was sealed with terms like “chaos” and “panic styling”. Bye bye, guys!

OUR PICK: Sebastian pendant by Thomas Gannan.

Brooke & Aimee. Came 2nd despite looking like they wouldn’t even finish:

Brooke and Aimee's room — Brooke and Aimee’s room

And their door didn’t shut either! But Neale really liked it, coining the term ‘industrial country’ and both judges loved the vintage style, mint green bed. they even said the wardrobe was an extraordinary achievement in the timeframe. But nobody could ignore that black curtain rod, drooping in the middle!

OUR PICK: Pony Rider cushion.

Ebony & Luke came 4th and were visibly shocked to still be in the game:

Luke & Ebony's room — Luke & Ebony’s room

The blue wall went down a treat and the judges noted the rest of the room was subtle and restrained. Darren was not happy with the chest of drawers as the only storage option, or the poorly finished skirting and bedhead. And no window dressing despite a pelmet! Darren said though, that it was a well designed room with good choices, just bad finishes. Neale found it frustrating that some bits were so right and others so wrong.

OUR PICK: Katie McKinnon artwork.

Charlotte & Josh took out the top spot and came 1st with their subtle scheme:

Josh & Charlotte's winning subtle room — Josh & Charlotte’s winning subtle room

Josh was confident too, saying before the judging that he thought they’d get through to the next stage. On entering the room, Neale and Darren both said wow and they were even more impressed when they realised the timber wall was real and not wallpaper. Neale loved the pared back glamour and called it ‘industrial glam beach house’! There’s a new one! And Darren said the wall was magnificent for so many reasons. Neale rounded the compliments off with “superb”! The only downsides were the lack of window dressing and the seam of the lampshade facing out to the room.

OUR PICK: It had to be the copper sideboard, right?!

Tags bedrooms, charlotte and josh, darren palmer, elimination, neale whitaker, room reveal, the block, triple threat, winners

Interviews The Block

Introducing Frank Valentic, one third of The Block’s new judging panel

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date January 23, 2015
3 Comments on Introducing Frank Valentic, one third of The Block’s new judging panel

For anyone who loves The Block as much as I do, you would remember Frank Valentic, the entertaining buyers’ advocate whose bidder’s paddle has popped up countless times in the last five series.

Almost a cast member himself, it may come as no surprise that this year, Frank has been asked back to The Block in an official capacity, forming one-third of the new judging panel – the buyers’ jury.

“The new judging panel is myself (from Advantage Property), Greville Pabst from WBP Property Group and Nicole Jacobs of Jacobs Buying Group. Together, each week after the room reveals, we rate the rooms on what we think the buyers would want. Based less on styling and interior design but more on practicality, functionality and all the other things buyers are looking for.”

frank, greville, nicole interiors addict — Greville, Nicole and Frank

Now don’t be alarmed, the regular judges will still be there! With Shaynna Blaze, Darren Palmer and Neale Whitaker scoring on their usual Sunday and giving the winning team a massive $10,000. However, it’s the following day that will see the buyers’ jury score the contestants, with the winning team snagging $5,000. This will give one couple potential weekly winnings of $15,000, though who knows if that’ll be likely. “I think there’ll be differences between both judging panels. I don’t think there’ll be any major incidents where we’re the total opposite, but there will be some. After all, we’re looking at the rooms from different points of view. Styling’s not our strong point, we don’t care about the colour of the cushions or what the curtains look like, we are looking at the room from the buyers’ point of view.”

Frank with host of The Block Scott Cam — Frank and host of The Block Scott Cam

No one can forget the auction disaster of The Block Glasshouse, where one couple went home with $40,000 and another two couples, a meagre $10,000 apiece. Aiming to deter that from happening again, the buyers’ jury hope to be the answer. “If they listen to our feedback it will make a difference come auction day. It’s really the buyers that make the decisions. Yes, the judges will give feedback, but ultimately, on auction day, it’s the buyers who are putting their hands in their pockets.”

frank darren dea interiors addict — Frank and contestants Darren and Dea

With The Block Triple Threat being Frank’s first real foray into television, he’s found the experience a whole lot of fun, a new challenge and a perfect chance to have some banter with his fellow judges! “This has definitely been out of my comfort zone, but I just try to have fun with it and most importantly give good feedback. Greville, Nicole and myself all get on well. Greville and I have some good banter and Nicole is probably more professional than us, you could describe it that way! We all have different opinions and never agree for the sake of agreeing.”

The Block Triple Threat starts on Tuesday! Find all The Block latest here.

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Tags Advantage Property, darren palmer, frank valentic, Greville Pabst, Jacobs Buying Group, Neale Whittaker, Nicole Jacobs, shaynna blaze, the block, the block triple threat, WBP Property Group

Designers Interviews The Block

Shaynna Blaze on her favourite contestants, copping flak and the upcoming The Block Triple Threat

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date January 15, 2015
3 Comments on Shaynna Blaze on her favourite contestants, copping flak and the upcoming The Block Triple Threat

Speaking to Shaynna Blaze it’s hard to believe she’s not superwoman. Not only is she a judge on The Block (the upcoming Triple Threat will be her sixth series), she’s the resident designer on Selling Houses Australia, has written two books (the second to be released in March), has designed a furniture line and only last month wowed us singing at Carols by Candlelight! So how does she do it all?

“It’s all about being healthy,” says Shaynna. “You’ve got to eat well, you’ve got to exercise and most importantly you’ve got to keep a healthy mind. I’ve got a beautiful family and amazing friends that keep me grounded and treat me the same way as they did 20 years ago. I think having healthy relationships around you is really important.”

shaynna the block judges interiors addict — Shaynna alongside fellow The Block judges Neale Whitaker and Darren Palmer. Credit: Tink PR

[contextly_sidebar id=”App6LptB48HXptlnyV0OwLskzFkV1B2j”]With a myriad of commitments on her plate, being part of The Block is certainly a career highlight. “It’s so different to everything else that I do in the physical space. Plus there’s always a couple from each series that really grow and change, rise to the challenge and listen to things that need to be changed. Seeing that happen is probably the most rewarding part.”

It’s for that reason Shaynna names past winners Chantelle and Steve (of Fans v Faves) and Phil and Amity (of All Stars) as her favourite past contestants. “Chantelle and Steve were great in the fact of how much they grew. They got slammed every week and we never knew how they reacted until we saw it on TV, but seeing how they just dusted themselves off and picked themselves up, that was amazing. Amity and Phil were brilliant because they just stayed true to their style from day one, they improved and changed but they really had their plan and stuck to it.”

What may be surprising to some, is unlike us viewers, Shaynna and her co-judges Neale Whitaker and Darren Palmer (who she lovingly refers to as her brothers) aren’t getting to know the contestants in the same way we are at home. Rather, they may briefly see them as they’re entering the apartments for judging, or have a few words with them when judging a challenge, but apart from that, there’s nothing more until the show’s over. “When I first started working on The Block I used to think I’d really like to meet them and get to know them,” explains Shaynna. “But now I love that anonymity because it actually makes it completely un-biased, as a lot of people don’t think it is! We don’t have favourites, or rather we end up having favourites because we like what they’re doing not because of their personality.”

shaynna the block judges interiors addict 1 — Credit: Channel 9

But with all that said, Shaynna still cops a lot of flak for her judging comments, from contestants (cough, Dee!) and viewers alike. “I always knew from day one as a judge that was going to be the case, not everyone’s going to like what you have to say, that’s just reality. But I see it as a knee jerk reaction, viewers just want their voice to be heard and contestants are tired and exhausted, they’ve put their heart and soul into it and everyone thinks their room is the best! With Dee, I was giving her nines all the time and she wasn’t quite happy with that. I think the perspective of it being a competition gets lost on the contestants when they’re so immersed and I can take a backseat on that, but I think when it’s constant you go, hang on guys, you should really look at what your saying!”

With The Block’s next series Triple Threat due to start on 27 January, Shaynna, alongside Neale and Darren, have already judged some of the rooms, so what can we expect? “One of this series’ differences is that the characters are really strong, there’s a lot of strong opinions and people sticking to their guns. This series is also very much about the area of South Yarra. All four apartments are completely different, but South Yarra has a certain market that you’re renovating towards; very high-end, polished and classic, which I think will make for some very interesting and amazing apartments!”

Find all The Block latest here.

Tags darren palmer, neale whitaker, selling houses, selling houses australia, shaynna blaze, the block, the block contestants, the block judges, the block triple threat

Designers

Jen discovers the perfect place to buy gifts for stylish men

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date January 2, 2015
2 Comments on Jen discovers the perfect place to buy gifts for stylish men

I alway struggle with gifts for the stylish men in my life and, working in the interiors industry, there are many of them, not to mention my long-suffering and well-dressed husband! So this Christmas, I was really happy to discover The IT Kit, an online gifting solution with options for everyone, but more than usual for the guys. Finally!

They gave me the opportunity to put together two gifts for my interior designer friends Darren Palmer and Greg Natale and these are now available via their site. I thought I’d share them with you.

For family man Darren, who likes to kick back and relax with his husband and son when he isn’t working (and he works super hard, always flitting about the country juggling filming commitments for The Block, design work and endorsements), I chose this fab picnic kit (which is pleasantly neutral and contains yummy edibles, a cheese board and a picnic blanket) and added the French cider option (I mean, why wouldn’t you?!). Then, for good measure, I threw in the fun book The Man Plan. Buy exactly what I bought Darren for the man in your life here.

Some of Greg’s favourite things are fashion, geometric patterns, wine and international travel. For him, I picked Wallpaper City Guides to Paris, London and New York, a fab Kate and Kate geometric cotton blanket in shades of grey and the Nuance Wine Aerator for when he enjoys a glass of red. You can gift someone exactly what I gifted Greg here.

Whether you choose one of The IT Kit’s curated gifts (the easy option!) or compile your own from all their products, everything comes beautifully gift wrapped at no extra charge. The business is the brainchild and passion of good friends Anna Gurry and Miranda Kent. Whether you’re looking for a birthday, new baby, corporate wedding or ‘just because’ gift, they have you covered.

Shop online.

Tags darren palmer, gifting, gifts, gifts for men, greg natale, interior designers, picnic, presents, the block, the it kit, wallpaper city guides, wine

Interiors Addict

We go on holiday to Capetown with The Block’s Darren Palmer

Post author By Guest Poster
Post date December 17, 2014
No Comments on We go on holiday to Capetown with The Block’s Darren Palmer

By Darren Palmer

Four years ago, I travelled to South Africa for the first time for a quick holiday and to get married. Since then, I’ve been several times and Capetown and its surrounds hold a really special place in my heart. This year, I went back for my best man Gregory Mellor’s wedding, staying in the most amazing home that he designed in the Karoo. They call it “God’s house” for good reason. Have a look at it published in Condé Nast House & Garden.

Making my way back into Capetown, I was fortunate to have a guided tour through the grand old dame, the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel.

The grounds and scale of this beautiful old establishment are something to behold. The most recent addition to its many buildings and types of rooms are the Garden Cottage Suites.

It’s a row of eight restored historic cottage that sit opposite a secluded, and adults-only, pool with pool house.

Each cottage is enclosed by low fences with private rose gardens that were in full bloom during my visit. The pool house feels like the sort you’d expect to see in a Hamptons mansion, and the rooms also have a nod to the classic Hamptons aesthetic.

The cottages have grass cloth wallpaper-lined studies, part of a classic, stylish interior scheme that brings these beautiful old cottages to life. There are lights throughout by one of my favourite lighting suppliers, Visual Comfort, in their classic, American style. There are king-sized four-poster beds, marble bathrooms and separate living and dining areas with views over the rose gardens and the pool through to Lion’s Head and Signal Hill. The interiors are superb and the cottages super sweet. Next time I stay, I’ll be beating down their door.

Take a look inside Darren’s own Sydney home.

Tags belmond mount nelson hotel, capetown, conde nast house & garden, darren palmer, garden cottage, greg mellor, gregory mellor, hamptons, holiday, interior designer, interiors, karoo, lighting, married, pool house, south africa, the block, visual comfort, wedding

Designers The Block

Photos: Our Easy Luxury event with Darren Palmer at West Elm

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date November 27, 2014
1 Comment on Photos: Our Easy Luxury event with Darren Palmer at West Elm

Photography by Alex Jackson

We had a lovely time at our latest reader event with Darren Palmer at West Elm Bondi last week. Please click on the below images to see them larger.

There was a large queue of people getting The Block judge’s book, Easy Luxury, signed by the author himself. Some kept theirs while others put them aside for Christmas presents! We then had our usual vignette styling challenge, with one reader, Jess, winning a box of goodies from West Elm.

Huge thanks to Darren and Murdoch Books, the team at West Elm, Williams-Sonoma for the catering (especially the legendary peppermint bark and chilled mulled wine!) and all the readers who attended.

To be first to know about our next event, please make sure you’re signed up to our newsletter. The next 7 Vignettes Instagram challenge starts on Monday 1 December. We’re giving away a $50 voucher every day for seven days, as well as one overall winner prize of $250, thanks to our sponsor Domayne.

Tags 7 vignettes, author, bondi junction, book, darren palmer, domayne, easy luxury, instagram, interior designer, interiors, judge, murdoch books, peppermint bark, styling, the block, west elm, williams-sonoma