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Design Designers Expert Tips RENO ADDICT Shopping Styling

Interior design trends 2020: Josh & Jenna’s picks

Whether you are renovating a home because it’s new, or you want to increase your comfort and enjoyment, it’s important to keep up-to-date with the most relevant interior trends and styles. According to a recent study, 1 in 6 Australians have home renovations on their wish list but are unable to currently afford home improvements.

Ex Blockheads, HPM ambassadors and home renovation experts, Josh and Jenna Densten, share their top four interior design tips for 2020, designed to make renovating your home simple and cost efficient.

Josh and Jenna
Josh and Jenna Densten in their new North Melbourne home

“We love the finished result of our home. The intricate details, small finishings and simple gadgets we have carefully selected help make our home practical yet adaptable. To make our house feel like a home, we source each item carefully to ensure it marries with our overall aesthetic for a calming yet homely feeling, that is perfect for our growing family,” says Jenna Densten.

Consider colour
Studies show that colours can affect our mood. Therefore, when renovating it’s important to select colour schemes that evoke complementary emotions to the space you are trying to create. In 2020, we can expect to see more houses utilising warm and earthy tones, like clay, to create a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere.

If you’re worried about making permanent changes with colour, start small by adding pops of colour using kitchen appliances, light switches and cover plates, and art work.

Colour is the hero in Josh and Jenna's children's room
Colour is the hero in Josh and Jenna’s gorgeous children’s room

Mix metals and materials
For novice renovators or home builders, mixing metals can seem like a big ‘no go’. However, by following some simple rules it can transform a boring all white space into an interior gold mine. Balance warm and cool metals by using one as the dominant feature and the other as an accent. This typically works well in bathrooms, kitchens and for ceiling spaces.

Seen on the right, the HPM Excel VIVO Coverplates range is available in a range of colours to suit your personal taste. The cover plates easily clip on/off making them simple to alternate colours as your preferences change.
Brass & copper: Seen on the right, the HPM Excel VIVO Coverplates range is available in a range of easy to change colours to suit your personal taste.

Shape and size
This year curved and cylindrical shapes will evolve as these free form shapes become increasingly popular. Simultaneously, modern finishes and clean lines add luxury appeal. Pendant lights, often referred to as the ‘jewellery of lights,’ are a simple home feature that can tap into these design aspects to either highlight the size of a room, or create an intimate, ambient mood.

Pendant light
This gorgeous pendant light works a treat in Josh and Jenna’s lounge room
Less is more
As open floor plans continue to be the trend for new homes, it’s important to make your space functional and practical. To save space in your home office or kitchen pantry and to keep them tidy, simple gadgets like the HPM wireless charging pad can charge your phone, laptop and wireless earbuds without the hassle of cords.
Josh and Jenna
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Expert Tips Interviews Smart Home The Block

Home energy efficiency: Blockheads Josh & Jenna’s tips

There’s no doubt that home energy efficiency is top of mind for many Aussies; rising energy prices, increasing demand for non-renewable energy and environmental concerns are all contributing factors. We caught up with home reno experts, and HPM ambassadors, Josh and Jenna Densten who shared their top five energy efficiency tips to help reduce your household expenses.

Josh & Jenna with their daughter
Josh & Jenna with their daughter

“Aside from the obvious installation of solar panels and water tanks, many everyday Aussies are lost when it comes to making smarter energy savings choices. We believe having a more mindful and energy efficient home is increasingly important, not only because it will help increase the home’s value but investing in the right products upfront will help you save money in the long-term,” says Josh Densten.

Whether you’re a new homeowner required to have a six-star energy efficiency rating or a current homeowner or renter, there are several features that can be applied around the house and garden to minimise your carbon footprint.

Switch to LED lights
On average, lighting in Australian homes consumes 8-15 per cent of the average household electricity budget, or about 6 per cent of its energy use. LED lights are a more energy efficient and eco-friendly option for lighting, and cheaper to run than halogen lights by 80 per cent. LED lights are very long-lasting compared to other lighting, with an average 30,000 hours life expectancy.

HPM downlightHPM use quality components to make their lights even more durable, meaning they are expected to last up to 20 years based on 3-4 hours usage per day. They even have a product (‘MR16 Retrofit Downlight’) that is compatible with many existing halogen transformers and can be easily retrofitted by you at home.

Smart switches
The ability to monitor and reduce our energy consumption is becoming increasingly available, with smart home switches and sockets. With HPM’s ‘Arteor with Netatmo,’ white good appliances and devices like the fridge, aircon, washing machine, dryer, lighting, pool pump, can be monitored through an app. This includes instantaneous power consumption, remote surveillance and control over various functions when the user is out and about.

While you can monitor the connected home in real-time with push notifications like “Home: Living Room light has been left on since 7.15am”, the app also allows for a more long-term analysis of the house or individual appliances.

HPM's 'Arteor with Netatmo' switch
HPM’s ‘Arteor with Netatmo’ switch in action

Cost-effective ceiling fans
In the summer, ceiling fans are a cost-effective alternative to cooling when compared to air-conditioning. In fact, ceiling fans can save you up to 30% on your cooling costs in the summer. On those sweltering summer days, ceiling fans can be used in conjunction with your aircon to help circulate the cool air faster, so there is no need to run it for as long.

During the cooler months, HPM ceiling fans have a ‘winter mode’ that will rotate the blade counter-clockwise at a lower speed. This gentle updraft will essentially help to push the warm air, which naturally rises to the ceiling, down along the walls to the floor to keep everyone in the family snug and comfortable.

Use timers
Remembering to turn off devices can be difficult when you have many other household chores to do. Timers are ideal for magically turning on and off devices like Christmas and garden lights, pool pumps, heaters, fans, heated towel rails and dryers. During those cooler months, timers are great for setting the heater to automatically switch off one hour after going to bed, and to switch on before you wake up!

Commando Generale

Save with sensors
Ideal for bathrooms, pantries, hallways, walk-in wardrobes, garages and around the sides of the house, sensors are a great energy saving light management solution.

The HPM ‘360° PIR Movement Sensor’ system automatically activates light when a doorway is opened or movement is detected, resulting in numerous hours of saved electricity when the area is not in use. By eliminating the possibility of lights being left on when not required, the system has an 80% energy saving rating overall when compared to conventional lighting. Furthermore, the sensors are easy to install, meaning you can do it yourself, saving time, money and the planet!

For more on the HPM range | Stylish lighting tips from The Block’s Josh & Jenna

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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.

 

All our Block coverage

Shop last night’s room in The Block Shop

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RENO ADDICT Shopping Styling

Beacon Lighting’s latest range combines sculptured shapes with muted tones

Beacon Lighting’s latest range shows a return to a more natural, relaxed style of living with a collection that features a muted colour palette and subtle shapes and silhouettes to soften a contemporary interior. Check out our top picks below.

Grove pendant – $269

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The Grove pendant is part of the natural craft range which celebrates simple and stylish shapes. It was designed to be a statement piece in the room.

Finn pendant – $149

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The Finn pendant is part of the urban edge range which features a variety of contrasting textures and materials with simple compositions. The concrete pendants are available in grey and white with adjustable shades.

Orion pendant — from $595

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Dynamic in design, the Orion five-light and 15-light pendants are available in black with smoke glass or brushed brass with amber glass shades.

Raleigh pendant – from $299

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Raleigh pendants and close to ceiling lights are a new addition to the traditional range. Available in brushed chrome or brushed brass with frosted shades.

Shore pendant – from $149

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A new take on the standard drum shade, the Shore pendants are available in two, three and four lights, in earthy tones of natural rattan, tan rattan and white weave. As these are handmade, they are organic in appearance, this being part of their design feature. They are part of the Josh & Jenna range.

Quinn pendant – from $149

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The Quinn pendant range embodies an art deco aesthetic, with opal glass shades and a brushed brass or brushed chrome finish. The slender, elegant curved arms are adjustable so the shades can be faced either up or down for versatility.

Shop the look here.

Categories
Designers RENO ADDICT Styling The Block

9 former Block couples now working in design

You love them on The Block and then suddenly auction day comes and goes and they’re out of your life. However, while some contestants go back to their pre-Block life, others harness their new love of design and decide to give a job as a stylist, designer, builder or TV star a red-hot go! Below are the contestants doing just that. 

Dan and Dani: Dorcas Street, South Melbourne (2012) and All Stars (2013)

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Following on from their successes on The Block, Dani Wales said goodbye to her career in finance and founded interiors blog and e-commerce site Basic Habitat. She also returned to TV as the co-host on home and lifestyle series, Healthy Homes TV Australia. Meanwhile, Dan ‘Foredan’ Reilly upscaled his carpentry qualifications and is now a qualified Master Builder. For the past two seasons of The Block, he has worked alongside Keith as an assistant foreman. Dan and Dani have also recently launched design and construction company Red Door Project and have almost completed a two–year long renovation project in Melbourne’s Inner West.

Josh and Jenna: Cameron Street, Richmond (2011) and All Stars (2013)

Josh-and-Jenna-2-1
Since being on The Block, plumber Josh Densten and wife and hairdresser Jenna, have found a true passion for renovation, in particular interior styling and decorating. Jenna has completed a Diploma of Interior Design & Decoration at RMIT and in partnership with Josh, has renovated and built a handful of properties. They have also started their own style and design business Bicker Design Co., the name stemming from their trademark of bickering whilst on the The Block! They are currently ambassadors for Beacon Lighting where they launched the Josh and Jenna Range of lights and earlier this year featured on new renovation show, Reno Rumble.

Alisa and Lysandra: Sky High (2013) and Fans Vs Faves (2014)

After a successful career in the police force, Alisa and Lysandra Fraser hung up their handcuffs for the pursuit of their dream, which kick-started with their appearance and winning success on the The Block. They now have a successful interior design business, are resident experts on our sister site Reno Addict and have collaborated with Grafico on a wallpaper range, United Artworks on an artwork range and Forty Winks on a bedroom range.

Shay and Dean: Blocktagon (2015)

shay and dean

After their recent win on The Block, Shay and Dean Paine have launched the fresh and innovative design brand The Wild Creatives. Featuring an online shop and a range of interior design consultancy options, we’re confident this is only the beginning for the duo.

Bec and George: Sky High (2013)

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Since filming wrapped up Bec and George Douros certainly haven’t put down the hammer and nails. Bec completed studying at the International Institute of Home Staging and launched both Empire of Style, an interior design and consulting business, and blog Bec Marks The Spot, where she draws on her former life working in the beauty industry as well as her current life as a mini real estate mogul with husband George, who has been busy building and developing properties. The couple have also recently been appointed the first ever ambassadors for Melbourne based construction company Nostra Homeand style ambassadors for Australia’s leading homewares brand Adairs.

Kyal and Kara: Fans vs Faves (2014)

kyal kara

Now running their own construction, renovation and styling business, Diverse Design and Construct, qualified carpenter Kyal Demmrich and his wife, physiotherapist and style-guru Kara help transform clients’ visions into a beautiful and practical reality. They are also brand ambassadors for leading tile manufacturer Beaumont Tiles and clothing brand Bisley Workwear and starred in this year’s debut season of Reno Rumble.

Matt and Kim: Sky High (2013)

matt and kim

After appearing on The Block, plasterer turned architecture student Matt Di Costa and teacher Kim Owen got straight into designing and project managing a Perth build. Since then they’ve gone on to design many other projects, landed their own TV show Matt and Kim to the Rescue (exclusively shown in Perth) and Matt also launched polished plastering business, Sky High Renders, for archirectural wall finishes and polished concrete custom furniture. They also gave The Block another crack, however got eliminated in the first round of The Block Triple Threat.

Simon and Shannon: Glasshouse (2014)

shannon and simon interiors addict 1

With the The Block win under their belt Simon and Shannon Vos have remained busy. Builder, plumber and site foreman Simon opened his business VOSA, where he offers a complete start to finish service, from interiors to building and everything in between. Meanwhile Shannon has been studying interior design and now runs Vos Creative, where he provides interior design services, consulting and even writing. However, for those hoping to see them together again never fear, there are talks for a TV show!

Michael and Carlene: Glasshouse (2014)

Carlene and Michael Duffy

After achieving the most number of room wins Michael and Carlene Duffy were destined to keep renovating. They founded Cedar & Suede, a design and construction service and candid renovation and design blog with video focus and also appeared in the inaugural season of Reno Rumble. They now have partnered with DecoRug, Homeworld Helensvale, Dri.Glo, Domain, and Open Colleges in a range of capacities.

Categories
Architecture Design RENO ADDICT

Reno Rumble’s sudden death semi-final

After five long weeks of renovating, it’s finally down to two! With Sunday’s semi-final reveal seeing the Redbacks (Kyal and Kara and Josh and Jenna) sent packing. It was a tight race, with the Blue Tongues (Ayden and Jess and Carly and Leighton) winning by just half a point!

So what did judges Darren Palmer and Romy Alwill think?

Blue Tongues

Carly and Leighton

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With a brief that was contemporary shaker, Carly and Leighton’s bathroom was full of hits. Very spacious, the judges loved the new layout, having placed the bathroom where a bedroom once was. Perfect for a family, they loved the semi-freestanding bath, the large shower, the speakers and the mirror. They did however think the floor tiles needed to be bigger, the grout was too light and the tapware just a little too bling for the brief.

Our pick to buy: Outdoor Angle Leg Stool

Ayden and Jess

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While they had used the same tiles as in the bathroom, the judges thought for the laundry they worked perfectly. Loving the putty coloured cabinetry, the oak laminate bench top, the magnitude of storage and tapware, the room had zero misses!

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Into Ayden and Jess’ second space of the kitchen and the judges loved the pitched skylights. Both architecturally beautiful and right on brief, the judges applauded how light and bright they made the space feel. Darren loved the island bench and the use of the laminate for the bench top. Romy liked the tapware and the sophisticated colour palette. No misses, once again!

Our pick to buy: Scanda Marble & Leather Vase in Black

Team Area

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The judges thought the living and dining area had great furniture and styling. However, they did think the pendant over the dining table was too close to the living space and that the banquette seating was too high. Overall they believed the space was incredibly stylish and aesthetically pleasing, but not 100% functional.

Our pick to buy: Benetta Loveseat Leather Sofa in Tan

Redbacks

Josh and Jenna

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More mansion than little suburban home, the judges thought the bathroom hit the nail on the head for the brief of understated elegance. Darren loved the large format travertine style tiles and how they were used to the ceiling. Romy thought the tapware was elegant and the basin a great choice. However, both judges did agree that the bathroom would have been better placed where the third bedroom was and that the bath was too dwarfed in the space.

Team Area

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The judges loved the living and dining area, especially its large size. The skylights got a big tick, as did the furniture and fireplace. The miss of the space was the pendants over the dining table, which Romy described as: “cheap and nasty!”

Our pick to buy: Carol Batchelor Limited Edition Print ‘Reverie 06’

Kyal and Kara

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A gorgeous kitchen, the judges thought it was homely, beautifully styled and perfect for cooking and entertaining. Darren thought nothing needed to be added to the space. Into the butler’s pantry/laundry and Romy thought it was both beautiful and functional. Both judges agreed it was a space with zero misses.

Ayden and Jess and Carly and Leighton will now go head to head for the $100,000 cash prize. Who do you want to win? My fingers are crossed for crowd favourites Ayden & Jess!

More on Reno Rumble.

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Expert Tips Interviews Kitchens The Block

Interiors Addict TV: Josh & Jenna’s Reno Rumble chef kitchen

Another week, another fantastic kitchen from ex Blockheads Josh and Jenna on Reno Rumble. Our Interiors Addict TV reporter Lauren Ellis chatted to the popular couple about what they did to create a room which certainly impressed judges Darren Palmer and Romy Alwill and the homeowners.

The space, designed with the help of Freedom Kitchens, is chock full of features which made it a real chef’s kitchen. Timber cabinetry and tiles added gorgeous texture and warmth, while the use of symmetry kept it clean and fresh looking. I personally loved the use of open shelving.

Watch the video to get Jenna’s top tips on creating a chef’s kitchen at home.

See all episodes of Interiors Addict TV.

Read our Reno Rumble coverage on sister site Reno Addict.

 

 

 

Categories
Kitchens RENO ADDICT The Block

Interiors Addict TV: Josh & Jenna chat about their kitchen

Ex Blockheads, the ever popular Josh & Jenna, made a bold statement with their blue cabinetry and leather handles on Reno Rumble this week. Lauren Ellis chats to them about their light and bright kitchen design in the latest episode of Interiors Addict TV. Were you a fan?

[contextly_sidebar id=”S12SdeLQhA0rCcjyRtiVGeaWVmM7bRJ5″]The couple talk about how they created a warm, textured, vintage look in the U-shaped kitchen and their love of Caesarstone tops. And how Freedom Kitchens helped them make quick decisions on the design and incorporate some custom elements.

Read our Reno Rumble latest on sister site Reno Addict.

Categories
Furniture The Block

The Block’s Josh and Jenna release designer lamp range

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

Josh and Jenna
Josh and Jenna

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

Stoic
Stoic Table Lamp

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

Raika
Raika Table Lamp

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

260324 Edison TL in teak
Edison Table Lamp

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

Categories
The Block

The Block All Stars starts tonight

The much hyped The Block All Stars starts tonight at 7pm and, having visited the houses a couple of months ago, I’m really looking forward to watching. Friend of Interiors Addict Darren Palmer has also been announced as a new full-time judge, replacing John McGrath and joining Shaynna Blaze from Selling Houses Australia and Belle editor in chief Neale Whitaker. A great trio, don’t you think?

The new judging lineup includes Darren Palmer, who rose to fame as a star of reality TV himself
The new judging lineup includes Darren Palmer, who rose to fame as a star of reality TV himself

The Block spinoff, which has been filming in Sydney’s Bondi, features four couples from previous series who didn’t win (but maybe should have?). They are Amity and Phil, Josh and Jenna, Mark and Duncan (the ‘two fat tradies’) and, from the most recent series, Dan and Dani. It’s a little ironic that new judge Darren rose to fame as a star of reality TV show (homeMADE) himself, even though he didn’t win.

There’s been some drama, with The SMH reporting, at the end of November, that contestant Mark Bowyer had left the show after being rushed to hospital and feeling unwell. Apparently host Scott Cam and Mark’s wife Jenny, stepped in to assist his partner Duncan Miller, but it’s not clear if he eventually returned to filming.

I visited the block in November  and was really impressed and excited by what I saw in the heritage houses, which at that point had had two rooms each renovated. I have no doubt they will all be worth a small fortune once they’re finished and I can’t wait to see how they turn out.

The Block All Stars houses in Sydney's Bondi
The Block All Stars houses in Sydney’s Bondi

This year they’ve also set up an online Block shop where you can buy products used in the show. Now there’s a simple but brilliant idea! Check it out here.

Categories
The Block

The Block All Stars read Interiors Addict!

Well, Amity does anyway! Yesterday I was very excited to be invited to have a look around the partially renovated The Block All Star terraces in Bondi. What a treat! Four couples who didn’t win their series (but perhaps should have) are back for this special version of the show, which will be aired on Nine after Christmas.

I wish I could tell you more about what I saw inside!

I met all but one of the contestants yesterday, shook a lot of dusty hands and had a look inside their homes, four weeks in. They’ve completed two bedrooms and a bathroom and are onto their lounge rooms this week. Never have I seen such contrast between the untouched rooms in the run down heritage homes and the brand new restored and renovated. And I was really impressed with what I saw. The bathrooms in particular were really great and made me bemoan the fact I don’t have a bath even more than usual…