After last week’s kitchen reveals, fantastic as they were, I was ready for some soft furnishings this week, so living/dining reveals were just the thing! In my mind, the winners were Max and Karstan and Darren and Dee, but the judges didn’t agree, with Michael and Carlene taking out the top spot. It was a disappointing week for the boys, whose dwindling budget saw them produce a room the judges found didn’t match up to the rest of their apartment. And for Chris and Jenna, who came fifth, they were more than a little “over it” thanks to the many criticisms of the judges, who they said were being rude, rather than judging. Eek!
MAX AND KARSTAN
Max and Karstan’s reveal started well with a (very macho!) squeal of delight from Darren! They all loved the natural light afforded by the windows and the striking pendant above the dining table (how gorgeous?!). Neale said he absolutely loved the sophisticated palette and look of restrained glamour. Shaynna said the softness of the room capitalised on the natural light. Darren loved the recessed carpet (genius!) and said it was elegant and a break from the concrete floor. Neale went on to say the look was upmarket and he couldn’t find anything he didn’t like! The custom concrete table also went down very well with all the judges.
Get Max and Karstan’s look: Alexia dining chair, Juno Scandi 3-seater and 2-seater sofas, Palma round coffee table, Palma side table, Gus GT rocking chair, Cintemani pendant, Edge 1 light single drop pendant, Just The Two of Us by Thierry B artwork.
SIMON AND SHANNON
This one didn’t get off to a good start with “the weird corner under the stairs” not going down well with Darren. Neale was immediately underwhelmed, saying some parts were extremely high end, like the floor, but others were low budget and he didn’t like the art. Darren did however. “It jars with the rest of the apartment,” said Neale. And Darren and Shaynna criticised the too-small rug in the living area. And as for the pullout clothes line? I’m not sure anyone knows why they thought that was a good idea!
Get Simon and Shannon’s look: Masai artwork, Sean Dix Forte round glass coffee table, Sean Dix Forte glass dining table, Block 2-print set, Nice View print, replica Eames DSW chair, Florida lamp, Jacob oak floor lamp, Audrey table lamp, Shelley Panton salad bowl.
CHRIS AND JENNA
Well, it’s probably no surprise Chris and Jenna felt so hard done by this week with all the criticism over this room, but I do think they could have been a little less whingey about it. Easy for me to say though, eh?! All the judges said they didn’t like seeing the study nook as soon as they walked in. Darren was really upset about the badly finished paintwork and the mess, right down to the dusty desk which hadn’t been wiped before styling items on it. Shaynna took exception to the “random” low shelf and suggested they remove it. All that before they even got to the living/dining area proper! The timber dining table was a hit (phew!) with Darren calling it amazing and Shaynna calling it divine. Shaynna thought the pendant above it though, although nice, was too small and felt miserly. The judges liked the lamp, couch and chair but felt they didn’t work well together. Neale said the room lacked soul and Shaynna said it had no mood at all. Ouch! Neale said nothing about the room made him want to stay there. Oh, and the dining chairs wouldn’t fit under the table…
Get Chris and Jenna’s look: Opaque black shadows pendants, Geo oval coffee table, Mia armchair, Juno armchair, Harlequin custom sofa, wine rack dining table, recycled timber pew, Frame lamp with custom shade, throw rug with fringe.
DEE AND DARREN
I was a big fan of this room. I mean, it has a massive Bromley and French oak herringbone floors?! Gorgeous! Shaynna remarked on the beautiful styling and Neale said the parquetry floor was an absolute winner. The compliments stopped there from Neale though, who said he had been expecting something more and that everything was fighting with the Bromley art. His least favourite thing though was the over-styled under stairs space. I have to agree it looked a bit wrong, but overall, I loved this look. Darren said the space was beautiful and exceptionally well considered.
Get Dee and Darren’s look: Enzo 1 Light floor lamp, black lantern, Labaratory samphire candle, Easy Luxury, Simple Conservatory dining table, Great Gig limited edition print by Prudence Caroline.
MICHAEL AND CARLENE: WINNERS!
It was a case of last but not least for winners Michael and Carlene and their impressive bookcase! It started well with the computer-controlled lights and just kept getting better. The judges all cooed over the chair with the small table (which they realised could be move and added onto the end of the dining table when required for extra seating — clever!) and Neale said they had a great eye. Onto the impressive cabinetry and Neale said it was the first time he had seen a bookcase styled properly on the show. Darren was impressed by the way they’d styled op shop finds by colour coding and paying attention to size and scale. Neale said they’d created a very homely environment but he feared the exposed brick wall would be polarising. Shaynna disagreed saying it would appeal to many buyers. She wasn’t a fan of the too-blingy pendant light though and said it should go. Agreed!
Get Michael and Carlene’s winning look: Enzo coffee table, Alma chair, Castell side table, Purple Flag Hooraffe limited edition print, Alexander pendant light, Oneness by Pila Pnasumrit open edition print.
The Block is open for inspection THIS weekend! Are you going? Find out more.