Tag: neale whitaker

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Art Decorating 101 Design Designers Expert Tips Interiors Addict Styling

A hotel suite named after you? Neale Whitaker can now claim this!

Television personality and design aficionado Neale Whitaker, has had a hotel room named after him as part of a styling collaboration. The project came about “by accident” after several years of being allocated to the same room at Melbourne’s Laneways by Ovolo, leading to it being known unofficially as his personal suite.

“It became a bit of a standing joke,” Neale says of his connection to the room, formerly known as 303.

Even this artwork, by Flynn Cowan, features Neale’s face!

“The reason I love this room is because of its corner position, which has amazing windows looking to the most gorgeous tree and old stuccoed wall outside, leading through to views of the rooftops and towers of the CBD,” Neale said.

Working alongside Australian interior design studio Luchetti Krelle, Neale incorporated some of his favourite pieces into the 80s Memphis-inspired Neale Whitaker Suite. “I sourced a whole load of styling items and a few knick-knacks to put into the room, artwork as well, fitting with Luchetti Krelle’s design narrative.”

Sculptural lamp by Sarah Nedovic Gaunt

Guests who reserve the suite can expect to stay amongst a collection of original art, limited edition objects and soft furnishings – each hand selected by Neale – as well as a 100-song Spotify playlist of his favourite tracks. “These are all the things that are incredibly important to me,” Neale says, adding that he wanted to showcase a cross section of Australian artists when curating the room. “There are three big ticket items: a large painting by artist Nunzio Miano, a Sarah Nedovic Gaunt lamp and a portrait by Flynn Cowan.”

Nunzio Miano painting

Nunzio Miano is a Melbourne-based artist whose flamboyant and generous use of colour brings high-octane energy to the scheme. The lamp by Sarah Nedovic Gaunt was the last of the highly sought-after ‘Lady’ collection, similar to a piece which Neale has in his own home. The artwork featuring an illustration of Neale himself, created by former Ovolo staffer Flynn Cowan, leans into Warhol-like themes, using repetition and colour-blocking to bring the room to life.

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Neale Whitaker’s new homewares inspired by country Australia

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Neale Whitaker is in collaboration with Laneways hotel by Ovolo Group. For more on Laneways.

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Homewares Interiors Addict

Neale Whitaker’s new homewares inspired by country Australia

Popular media personality and interiors expert Neale Whitaker is bringing us a taste of his country home through his latest homewares collection.

Inspired by his country home and the nature that surrounds it, Neale’s spring/summer range features a range of versatile, earthy tones; the perfect collection of affordable, well-designed, contemporary basics.

“My new range continues to draw inspiration from the landscape and colours of my country home,” he said. “The collection is made from all-natural fabrics, including – for the first time – hemp.”

Sheet set – Clay

Neale has taken a considered approach to his new collection, designing pieces that will pair perfectly with his existing range. It features brand new bed linen, co-ordinating throws and cushions and towels in natural fabrics like linen, hemp and pure cottons. He has even added a new colour, Grey Gum, to the palette.

“Grey Gum is a beautiful, soft shade that shimmers somewhere between blue and silver grey. It reminds me of my favourite ghost gums, but also conjures the horizon of the ocean here on the NSW South Coast,” he said. “Mix Grey Gum with Granite or Oyster for a cool palette, or team it with Wattleseed for a palette that suggests the beauty of an Australian summer.”

Beercroft cushions

The Neale Whitaker N|W homewares range is now available in store and online at MyHouse.

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Bathrooms Interiors Addict Shopping The Block

The Block 2022 tree change: main bathroom reveals

Today, our friend and interior designer Kathryn Bamford, recaps last night’s room reveals.

Whoa what a first week on The Block! Main bathrooms as the first room to complete and a room that could win the contestants $10,000 in cash, a fully mature tree for their landscaping and (wait for it) a $250,000 Winning Appliances kitchen upgrade.

With such a whopping big prize up for grabs the pressure was on for the contestants to deliver. I’m not going to lie, I was a little nervous for the contestants especially being their first week. Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes and if you won this week you were setting yourself up to most likely to win kitchen week with that prize.

House 1: Tom and Sarah-Jane (equal second place)

With traditional cornicing and ceiling rose, a restored original light fitting and ample use of panelling, this was a bathroom, Darren said, that’s simply “very impressive!”. And cost effective too, he added, with the panelling not only beautiful, but a budget saver by limiting the space that needed tiles. We wholeheartedly agree with Neale who said “I love art in bathroom”.

There were however some issues – the open grill over the door, some mis-matched metals, a lack of storage and a shower screen that was too short, but overall it was a room, the judges agreed, that showed a high level of sophistication and one that got them excited to see more!

House 2: Rachel & Ryan (third place)


From the second the judges entered this bathroom, one thing stood out for them all – the space! “This is massive!” Shaynna said as she took in the high ceilings incorporating wide skylights, double shower, floor-to-ceiling tiles and storage galore. But was it too much? And most importantly, was it country?

The square-set features, timber vanity, basin, “artful” lighting plan and curved glass all screamed modern luxury, the judges agreed, possibly too modern for a country home. A few heritage features might have softened the effect, Shaynna said before all asked the question: Is it appropriate in a country setting? Darren seemed to be the only judge who believed so. Neale and Shaynna were after more heritage elements.

House 3: Ankur & Sharon (last place)

“It’s shiny and brassy and something about it is not feeling authentic,” Neale announced. Neither Neale or Shaynna felt good in the space. Darren disagreed. “I like it!” he said, saying the sultry and moody feeling the team had created worked for him, however he was not keen on the nib wall.

But it was a controversial space, with Shaynna worrying the historic feel of House 3 (The Grand Dame of The Block as she called it) might get lost if the team didn’t pay attention to the existing features and work to incorporate them into their build. Shaynna recommended they do some homework on the history of the house and the era. Ouch!

House 4: Jenny & Dylan (equal second place)

Down a small hallway, and through an incredible arch and into what Neale described as a “fresh, welcoming and kind of timeless bathroom”. It was light and airy, made even better, Shaynna added, by the breathtaking view outside.

Darren really liked the sense of balance, with curved mirrors playing off the archway entrance, a blind at the exact height of the picture rail and skylights breaking up the ceiling. Shaynna felt the couple really had an idea of where they were now going with the look and feel of the home.

House 5: Omar & Oz (first place)

“Wow!” said Neale when he walked into Omar and Oz’s bathroom, and the compliments kept coming. “It’s sophisticated!” Shaynna said as she took in the 90-degree herringbone wall tiles, panelling and patterned floor tiles. “It’s stunning! I love it, I absolutely love it!” Neale added. “It all works, the palette is beautiful,” Darren summed up. “This feels like a bathroom that belongs in this house and belongs on this Block.”

It wasn’t just good looks, with features like a heated floor and heating above, face-level storage, power points in all the right places and luxurious shower/bath area making this a room to set the standard for this year. The only thing the judges could fault the boys on was some stickers left on the toilet!

Shop our faves at The Block Shop

Tom and Sarah-Jane’s wall art

Omar & Oz’s stool


What did you think of the results? Do you agree with the judges?

Enter our competition with The Block Shop and Artist Lane to win a piece of art from the reveals

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Bedrooms Interiors Addict The Block

The Block 2022 tree change: first room reveals & house decider

Woohoo! The first Block reveals of the season! Let’s face it, they’re usually not spectacular as the contestants have barely found their feet yet, and they only have 48 hours, whilst getting their heads around how everything works. Could I do it? Not a hope in hell! And would I go on the show? No. Way. It would end in divorce and I’d cry every night for my kids!

(Read to the end for your weekly chance to win a piece of art from the reveals!)

Add in the first ever walkout by Elle and Joel (I knew it!) after a mere two days, and last night’s was quite the episode! Five off the grid houses in the stunning Macedon Ranges (six if you include the one Scotty’s doing) is quite the project! Let’s get into the first (bed)room reveals and what the judges had to say!

Tom and Sarah-Jane came first and chose to stay in house 1 (not the coveted house 4!). Dylan and Jenny got that one. Ankur and Sharon took house 3. Joel and Elle took 20 seconds and picked to stay with house 2 (until they quit!), leaving Omar and Oz with house 5.

Elle and Joel left without even saying goodbye, saying that The Block wasn’t “on brand” for them. Sarah-Jane, who’d made her thoughts about influencers and famous people very clear already, claimed she had seen it coming because “they looked miserable the whole time”. The others weren’t impressed either. But hey, we get a new couple (Rachel and Ryan) now! I wasn’t entirely sure I was going to enjoy watching Elle and Joel…

Next week calls for a bathroom so that will be a very interesting test!

House 1: Tom and Sarah-Jane (1st place)

The judges were impressed! Darren liked the traditional/contemporary balance. Shaynna loved the original ceiling rose. Neale thought the room spoke of contestants who knew what they were doing. And he even said he would have liked a lot of the elements in his own home! Not so much the artwork though (“the only bum note”) but Shaynna and Darren were fans.

House 2: Dylan and Jenny (second place)

Neale loved the sage green paint and the VJ panelling. Shaynna LOVED that both contestants were tradies and said the execution was excellent. Darren loved the flatpack made to look like a custom built-in.

Neale though the country vibe felt like a bit of an afterthought and that they’d thrown everything at it in the hope that something would stick. Darren said they’d tried really hard but their individual good choices weren’t working well together. And Neale said olive trees shouldn’t be inside either!

House 3: Elle and Joel (4th place)

“Where are we?” asked Shaynna. Darren said it was a bit like home (Bondi, coastal and boho) and not very Macedon Ranges. Shaynna said they hadn’t acknowledged the history of the home or the area. “They have smashed the life out of this home and that breaks my heart.”

Neale said if they stick with this look it’s going to get very stale and very samey and they needed to respect the original bones of the house.

House 4: Sharon and Ankur (third place)

Darren was not a fan of the “extremely rustic approach” Sharon famously proceeded with against Scotty’s advice! Shaynna said there was a lot of effort and skill on show and a very good eye. Neale said he wasn’t expecting to see it but it was very well executed. And they advised they shouldn’t run with this concept throughout the rest of the house!

I had feared these two would get more criticism!

House 5: Omar and Oz (last place)

Darren immediately said it was a shame the door walked you straight into the bed. Shaynna loved the original boards. Neale was happy they’d worked with the heritage. But aesthetically they’d gone Scandi which was a bit generic.

They said it was a room that belonged equally in a city or by the beach. And then they spotted the modern window and were horrified that such money had been spent on it.

The fake plant did not get past them either! Neale said it felt like property styling. “We want to see something with more personality here.” They said it wasn’t luxe enough but for 48 hours it was still quite the achievement.

What did you think of the results? Do you have a favourite couple yet?

Shop our faves at The Block Shop

Tom and Sarah-Jane’s brass wall lights and London in Bloom book

Elle and Joel’s art and boucle armchair

Win this piece of art from Scotty’s en suite

Each week, thanks to The Block Shop and Artist Lane, we’ll be giving away a piece of art from the room reveals. For your chance to win this peacock, hit the link below. Good luck!

Enter the competition

The Block Shop | 9Now

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Decorating 101 Expert Tips Interiors Addict Styling

Considered patterned curtains? Neale Whitaker shares his tips

Window treatments might be the last thing you think about when designing your space but they’re the finishing touch that every room needs. When it comes to curtains, they can make or break the look of a room. Not only do they make a space feel finished, but they have the ability to transform an interior, whether it’s creating the illusion of a higher ceiling, drawing the eye across a room, or framing views to a beautiful vista outside.

Luxaflex has added all-new curtain prints to its collection with nine designs on offer. The patterns are sourced from creative houses across the globe, and inspired by biophilic design, water impression paintings and botanical motifs.

Styles available range from traditional flora designs, such as the Vintage Garden or Fuji Canopy prints, to ones with more modern and bold patterns and colours such as the Peijing range. Multiple colours are available for each print, and the curtains come in various fabrics, such as velvet, faux silk and linen.

Neale Whitaker, interior design expert, says, “Choosing a print curtain is similar to choosing a large artwork or wallpaper. Ask yourself these questions: What statement are you looking to make? Do you want a print that complements your existing colour palette and decor, or contrasts with it? Do you want the print curtain to be the main focus of the room, or be a backdrop to other furnishings?”

If the answer is the former, then Neale suggests a more decorative print; otherwise, softer, more abstract prints should be chosen. “Full-length print curtains will always make more impact than short curtains, and a contemporary twist is to use prints in conjunction with blinds or sheers. Not only will they look beautiful, but the additional layer will protect your print from the strong Australian light.”

Neale is a firm believer in bending the rules when it comes to interior design, and sometimes even breaking them. However, prints should always be considered carefully, as you want them to be a focus of your room.

“Whether you’re installing print curtains or using prints on furniture, consideration must be applied – too many prints will cancel each other out, so it’s about finding the right balance,” says Neale.

When it comes to mixing prints, Neale warns that it requires a skilled eye. His advice is to limit your choice of prints to two to avoid clashing, and opt for contrast. For example, prints with defined tones or simple patterns will blend perfectly with the more decorative patterns. They contrast yet complement each other, especially when linked by a common colour.

Prints can be used anywhere in the home but work especially well in bedrooms. Teamed with crisp white bed linen, print fabric cushions added to the bed bring a relaxing and welcoming feel to your room. To complement the room and grab attention, consider adding the same print fabric to cover an armchair, to finish off your space.

“Australians have long embraced prints – think of our love of brands like Marimekko and Missoni, but it’s great to see a new audience appreciating more complex, decorative prints,” says Neale. “I predict we will be seeing more traditional prints used in conjunction with contemporary furnishings. The contrast will be interesting and exciting.”

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Neale Whitaker’s latest tips on the art of apartment living

Neale Whitaker

With Australian property prices still sky-high, many of us have abandoned the quarter-acre dream in favour of apartment living. And when it comes to the art of apartment living, interior designer, media personality and Interiors Addict fave Neale Whitaker has lots of fabulous, practical advice. From creating discrete zones to selecting supersized furniture and artwork (controversial, I know!), Neale has lots of great apartment styling tips – many of which he explored when creating this Melbourne apartment in conjunction with KING and Mirvac.

Neale Whitaker in the Melbourne apartment that he styled recently

Upsize furniture & artwork
With many people downsizing from larger homes into apartments, Neale says that many people wrongly assume they must scale everything down and fill the space with smaller pieces. “This creates a doll’s house effect where because everything is smaller, it creates the illusion that the space is smaller. To create a feeling of space, it’s far better to upsize and have fewer pieces overall,” says Neale.

For instance, rather than opting for a two-seater in the apartment pictured, Neale chose a 2.5-seater as well as an occasional chair, ottoman and set of two complementary coffee tables from KING. “This apartment really isn’t that big but choosing larger pieces made it feel that way,” says Neale.

Neale Whitaker
Lounge room

And this idea holds for art and mirrors too – upsizing both not only draws the eye up but makes a space feel instantly larger. “Basically, when in doubt, go bigger as it will allow a small space to feel like a large one,” says Neale.

Create distinct zones
Whether you live in a house or apartment, most of us are familiar with open plan living and understand the pressure to create specific living zones – this tension is amplified with apartment living but Neale has some practical solutions.

“In this apartment I used contrasting rugs to delineate the dining and living zones, but I also like to use room dividers where possible,” says Neale. The designer used the KING Vertio wall unit as part of the design – in this case it was wall mounted but the design can be used as a freestanding room divider. “A room divider creates distinct zones within an open plan area while giving you extra storage and display areas too,” says Neale.

The KING Vertio unit can be seen on the left. Artwork by Kerry Armstrong.

Multifunctionality
“With people spending much more time at home, all of us are seeking greater functionality from our houses and furniture items that double up are at a premium,” says Neale who explains that this is even more pressing when living in an apartment. Great multi-tasking furniture items include the aforementioned room divider as well as gas-lift storage beds. “KING has some great sofas and desks with built-in phone chargers too,” says Neale.

Neale included a multipurpose study nook in a recess in the apartment's hallway.
Neale included a multipurpose study nook in a recess in the apartment’s hallway.

Embrace the full colour palette – not just neutrals
When it comes to your colour and materials palette, don’t assume that you must revert to white and bright. In this apartment, Neale chose a medley of colours inspired by the Australian landscape – rusty red, terracotta, greens and brown.

“There’s a lot of rules about compact spaces that don’t necessarily make a lot of sense. You don’t need to limit yourself to neutrals and blonde wood to make things feel bigger,” says Neale who used dark timber and a moody contrast wall in this apartment also – neither of which made it feel smaller.

Master bedroom
The master bedroom features a moody contrast wall. Artwork by Daniel Butterworth.

The master bedroom’s contrast wall is painted in a Porter’s Paint tone that sits somewhere between dark grey and dark brown. “Again, it’s counterintuitive but that dark tone really made the room pop.”

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Design Designers Expert Tips Homewares Shopping

Interiors expert Neale Whitaker launches own homewares range

One of Australia’s favourite media personalities, Neale Whitaker has launched a luxurious contemporary homewares collection.

The Neale Whitaker N|W collection features bed linen, coordinating throws and cushions, towels and decor items in natural fabrics like linen, Turkish and woven pure cotton.

“My collection offers the opportunity to create an individual look without the big price tag,” says Neale. “It comprises designs and colours that can be layered or used individually to create your look. The collection is as perfect for city living as it is for the country or the coast!”

The contemporary bed linen includes a large range of quilts with matching pillowcases, such as the Braemar quilt. This beautiful cover is available in Pink Salt, Burrow, Wattleseed and White.

Braemar Quilt Cover in white

Coverlets are a versatile year-round item perfect for all-weather sleeping, as a lightweight blanket in summer and a layer of extra warmth in winter. The Eden Coverlet is available with matching pillowcases in three delicious colours: Pink Salt, Eucalyptus and Granite.

The Eden Coverlet with matching pillowcases in Pink Salt

Add texture and depth to your room with throws and cushions, including the generously sized linen throws and a range of contemporary cushions.

Create your own relaxing bathroom retreat with bath towels in Oyster, Granite, Desert and Wattleseed. They’re designed to co-ordinate and woven from luxurious premium Turkish cotton for a soft, absorbent, faster-drying and durable
towel. There are also beach towels in Moroccan Palm or Beach Stripe.

And last but not least, from beautifully scented candles and diffusers to chic vases, lamps, wall art, rugs, and mirrors, the Neale Whitaker N|W décor items will add the perfect finishing touch to any room.

Neale Whitaker N|W homewares range is available in-store and online at MyHouse and HOUSE.

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Interior design expert Neale Whitaker shares four things to make your house a home

When it comes to transforming a house into a home, interior design expert and TV personality Neale Whitaker, certainly knows a thing or two.

Neale, pictured in his own home, says he has four fundamental rules when it comes to interior design. To transform a house into your own personal castle, you absolutely have to consider colour, light, functionality and mood.

Colour

When it comes to decorating, colour has a profound influence on our mood. The ‘60/30/10’ rule is a useful place to start when planning a colour scheme, especially for an open-plan environment.

“The rule means using approximate percentages of colour to create balance,” says Neale. “For example, using 60% of neutral or white, adding 30% of toning shades and finally a 10% flourish of contrasting colour.”

This creates an even palette and avoids stark colour clashes. Another simple rule is that blue-based colours will work best with cool whites, while red-based colours work with warmer whites. Neale recommends experimenting with colour in smaller areas first before committing to larger spaces. 

“Neutrals don’t sit on the colour wheel, but they have hints of colours that do and these should be considered when mixing neutrals and colours,” he explains. “Find out where stronger colours sit on the colour wheel and this will determine whether you opt for cool or warm neutrals.”

A key colour trend for the coming year is warm, earthy and spicy tones. These include pale beige, biscuit and parchment shades vying with whites and greys as a backdrop to rich colours like bark, olive and ochre. They have a subtle intensity that can be incorporated in spaces to create a cosy vibe. 

Light

Correct lighting is fundamental to how spaces function and how we react to them. According to Neale, there are three types of lighting to consider in the home: general lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting.  

“General lighting is a light source such as downlights or pendants that are used to illuminate a space from a functional perspective,” says Neale. “Task lighting is used for specific tasks such as reading, desk work, crafts and can have an aesthetic value… accent lighting creates ambience.”

However, more recent lighting trends to hit the market include natural light control and skylights. Australia luckily has extraordinary natural light, and harnessing this can actually improve the livability of our homes.

“A recent popular trend is using sheer curtains in conjunction with blinds,” Neale says. “It’s a combination that feels perfect for our light and our climate, and it can also add depth and interest to a room.”

To create this clever combination of sheers and window coverings, Neale suggests using window coverings such as Luxaflex’s Pirouette Shadings or Duette Shades for the base layer of the window. For the finishing layer, he recommends using Luxaflex Curtains, which give homeowners the opportunity to expand their design options.

Controlling natural light with the sheers plus window covering combination also comes with the perks of privacy, insulation and energy efficiency.

Functionality

The quality of your life inside your home really depends not only on comfort but also how functional and useful it can be. With the pandemic shifting our relationship with our homes, most of us are spending more time at home than ever before.

“Considering your priorities and what you need to live well and comfortably is crucial to sticking to a budget and creating a functional living and working space,” says Neale.

Kitchens and bathrooms are important focal points of our homes but also the most likely to be personalised. When redecorating spaces of function such as kitchens and bathrooms, it’s important to consider current trends and question if they will impact functionality in years to come.

Mood

Creating the mood of your home is what makes it unique and individual. The three most popular interior design styles in Australia are Hamptons, Scandinavian and Contemporary. Identifying the characteristics of these looks can help you decide where you are stylistically, and how you can create mood in your own home.

“Identify a general style that appeals to you and then layer it with your personal choices,” says Neale. “Don’t be afraid to mix styles and eras.”

It’s important to remember to style your home not only to your aesthetic appeal but to your comfort. The most impactful ways of adding mood and personality to your home are art and books. However, Millenials and Gen Z tend to opt for house plants which are also a great way to add depth, texture, and personality to your home.

“Make art choices independent to what is happening elsewhere in your home and go with what you love.”

After all, your home is for your comfort, pleasure, and happy place.

Neale is national brand partner for Luxaflex

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Outdoor rooms: Neale Whitaker explains how to create a backyard oasis

Neale Whitaker on the King Living Zaza outdoor sofa

“It’s not a new phenomenon, but Australians really did pioneer the outdoor room,” says The Block judge and Love It or List It host Neale Whitaker. He puts it down to our lifestyle and fabulous weather. And with the open-plan interior trend having dominated for over a decade now, it’s natural that it would would eventually extend to the outdoors.

Neale Whitaker on the King Living Zaza outdoor sofa
Neale on the King Living Zaza outdoor sofa

“In recent years, people have become aware of how an outdoor room can enhance their lifestyle while adding value to a home,” says Neale, who sees the backyard (or even deck) as no longer just home to a BBQ and a couple of sun loungers, but a legitimate additional ‘room’ all of its own. 

“I used to live in an apartment in Sydney’s Alexandria and the deck was almost the same size as the indoor part of the home,” says Neale who, through clever design, was able to use the space for much of the year. “I designed the deck just as I had the indoors. I put a sofa out there, coffee table and art on the wall,” says Neale who found it was a wonderful way to increase the footprint of the home.

King Living Delta outdoor setting
King Living Delta outdoor setting

But ensuring a seamless result, from the inside of a home to the outdoors, hasn’t always been easy; in large part due to a lack of available outdoor products. For example, once upon a time, if you favoured a Scandi aesthetic there was no way that look could continue through to your home’s outdoor area, but now it can. 

This King Living Zaza outdoor sofa would look just as at home indoors
This gorgeous King Living Zaza outdoor sofa (upholstered in Oceania fabric) would look just as at home indoors

“Outdoor furniture was once pretty generic. It all felt the same. There was a lot of that woven plastic furniture from the Philippines which didn’t wear very well,” says Neale, who is an ambassador for King Living. He explains that not only are outdoor furniture designs better than ever, but the outdoor fabric technologies are too. “Given that amazing strides have been made on this front, you can now replicate the style you have inside, on the outside too.”

So with summer on our doorstep, what are Neale’s top tips for creating a fabulous outdoor room?

Assess the space

First up you need to really look at the space; what are its dimensions and what sort of light and shade do you have? “An outdoor room is a wonderful idea but if you have no sun protection you will need to think about how you can live in the space,” says Neale, who suggests installing a sail cloth as a great initial step.

King Living Quay dining table and chairs
King Living Quay dining table and chairs

How do you live?

Next up, you need to think about how you are going to live in the space. “I would give the same advice to someone renovating their kitchen or bathroom. You should think about what you really need and don’t overspend on unnecessary items,” says Neale who cites the outdoor BBQ as a great example of an often-underutilised item. “Depending on how close your kitchen is, you may not need to invest in an elaborate and expensive BBQ,” says Neale.

King Living King Cove lounge and side table
King Living King Cove lounge and side table

Furniture and accessories

“Stop thinking of the backyard as a backyard and think of it as a logical extension of a living space and apply the same rules to create it. Think of it as a room without walls,” says Neale who believes that getting the furniture right is fundamental. 

“Obviously everyone has to work to a budget but if you can, I think it’s worth investing in a quality big ticket item such as a comfortable and stylish sofa,” says Neale. Then pair it with a couple of stylish outdoor chairs, an outdoor rug, coffee table and even lamps if you’re adventurous. “If you’re going to use the space at night you do need to consider your light sources,” says Neale, who loves finishing off an outdoor space with an array of gorgeous pots and plants.

King Living Zaza outdoor sofa

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Bedrooms The Block

The Block 2019: Master bedroom reveals

I gotta say, I wasn’t mad about any of the rooms this week. None were bad at all, I was just underwhelmed in general. And there were a lot of items in them that I out and out hated!

Thank goodness Mitch and Mark at least shook things up by being brave with the floorplan change. I suspect the other contestants will get a bit snippy about all that once they’ve had a chance to digest what it might mean for their own homes. An entertaining living room sandwiched between two master bedrooms doesn’t seem a recipe for a good night’s sleep!

Once again, I think the photos of these spaces seriously let them down and I’d suggest you watch the reveals on catchup if you missed them to get a better idea!

For now, here’s a recap of the scores and the judging…

House 1 Mitch & Mark 27/30 first place

The talk of the night was the guys deleting the master bedroom from the third floor altogether, effectively making their four-bedroom home a three-bedder. Controversial! Instead, they created an entertaining living space with a cathedral ceiling with skylights. And boy, did that ceiling look good!

The judges were stunned. Shaynna said she was confused but she loved it. Darren was speechless. “Holy cow,” he said. Shaynna thought it was probably the most exciting twist she’d ever seen on judging The Block. While Neale said Mitch and Mark were designing the house for themselves and he was confused at how to judge it.

Shaynna said it was all elegance and class. Neale added: “It’s Palm Springs, it’s the epitome of glamour. I think we’re meant to be sitting around the pool here (personally I’m not sure there’s any other excuse for that rug!). It’s a make believe pool house.”

They then started to discuss the reality of the floorplan change and the fact this entertaining room with veranda would be next to and on the same floor as the other homes’ master bedrooms. “There are deep ramifications,” noted Neale.

Was it a strategic masterstroke to devalue the others’ homes (I think not)?

Our picks to buy: Bamboo Lattice wallpaper by Grafico | Panama modular sofa by Freedom

 

House 2 Tess & Luke 24.5/30 joint third

First impressions were largely good for this one. Darren lay on the bed to look out of the skylight and he loved its position. He said the colours were spot on. “It’s edgy and cool and art driven, there’s interest, pattern and texture. I’m proud of their evolution from last week to this week.”

Shaynna adored the artwork which had set the colour palette for the whole room, while Darren said he didn’t see anything he didn’t like.

Neale said the mirror was wrong and in general, it was just too cluttered. He loved the shaker profile of the wardrobe doors and said it was his favourite walk-in so far. Darren said he thought they’d made the perfect (his and hers) walk-in robe.

Our picks to buy: Jess Marney Design art prints | Cubarita Wise framed art print

 

House 3 Andy & Deb 24.5/30 joint third

Neale said: “What a lovely calm room. They took on board that message that they needed to be grown up and they have run with it.” Darren was so happy to see more interest and more texture. “It feels fresh, contemporary and very liveable.”

Shaynna said the paint colour was divine, but she wasn’t a big fan of the bed and bedsides, saying they were a bit Nanna!

While they loved the aesthetics of the walk-in, practically speaking, the amount of storage was a bit of a letdown.

Our picks to buy: AURA Home linen

 

House 4 El’ise & Matt 26/30 second place

They all loved the gorgeous period ceiling, “I’m in love with that,” said Darren. “I feel like Tom Cruise jumping on the couch right now. The wallpaper is painterly. To sit this beautiful tone of green against all the blues and purples is a really really elegant colour palette. It’s gorgeous.”

Neale said it felt very wlemcing and real. “I think El’ise and Matt really understand the meaning of home and the emotion of what that means.”

Shaynna thought the paintwork was very well done and thought the art was breathtaking. Neale said if there was a negative it was that it was quite small.

Into the robe, Darren said he loved champagne metallic joinery but “it’s a bitch to clean!” Shaynna said it is was definitely glamorous and beautiful. “It has got my heart.”

Although they had sacrificed some bedroom to make the robe bigger, they hadn’t added extra storage, which Neale said was disappointing.

Our picks to buy: Undertow wallpaper by Grafico | Corbelle black pendant light by Beacon Lighting | Folded by Maria Radun art print by Art Lovers Australia

 

House 5 Jesse & Mel 22/30 last place

Shaynna said it was a great decision to have the bed face the veranda and Darren said there was a lot to love; the cornicing, lighting layout and the pelmet.

But it went downhill from there.

The judges were starting to see a pattern. Shaynna said: “They’re taking a real estate cookie cutter approach.” Neale added: “This room feels like it’s ticking boxes. I’ve seen it before.”

Darren said it was perhaps cowardly to repeat the upholstered wall behind the bed idea from last week’s bedroom and it felt like deja vu.

Shaynna didn’t like the desk or the big mirror opposite the bed, although she did love the “sexy” TV hidden within it.

Neale thought it felt ordinary. “I’m sorry, I’m completely underhwlemed. They really impressed me that first week but I’m not feeling that this week. Jesse and Mel are becoming the team who are constantly disappointing.” Ouch!

And Jesse’s rough, unfinished floor was of course criticised in the walk-in.

Our picks: Vertical leaner TV mirror | Buddy vases by Marble Basics

The more I look at these rooms, the more I personally dislike a lot about them but I’m not sure I’m ready to be that person that criticises when I wouldn’t have a hope in hell of pulling off what the couples do in such short timeframes. What do you think? Do you want to hear my opinion even if it’s not positive? I’m not a big fan of being a big meanie so I often think if it’s not something nice, don’t say anything at all!

Love to hear which room YOU loved?

See all our Block coverage.

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Bathrooms The Block

The Block 2019: week 2 ensuite bathroom reveals

As someone who has just made all the final selections for my own (main) bathroom reno, starting soon, I watched these Block reveals extra closely and let’s just say I felt pretty good about my decisions after the judging!

I don’t want to be mean but boy, that real estate agent (and trained tiler) Jesse was cockier than ever this week, wasn’t he? And then he and Mel came… last! Just saying…

Overall though, I thought it was a really impressive week and I liked three out of five bathrooms a lot (a combo of Mitch and Mark’s and Andy Deb’s might even be my perfect bathroom!). I also agreed with the judges on most of their comments and scores. So, let’s recap!

Missed last week’s guest bedrooms? Play catch up.

House 1: Mitch and Mark, 27.5 out of 30, SECOND PLACE.

Mitch described it as: “The week from hell, the best week of my life and the week of achieving the unachievable.” And didn’t they do well?! I really loved their understated glamour bathroom; a vision in white and gold! And, just like last week, it scored them second place.

Shaynna said it was very impressive and she loved the styling. All the tiles were absolutely stunning

Darren said it was a really stunning palette and he liked the remote control toilet. Shaynna however said it was unnecessary in a guest en suite and they needed to measure where they spend their money.

Neale said he felt like he’d stepped into a 1940s film set with Hollywood glamour. “It totally demonstrates the power of the old cliche, less is more.”

The paintwork left a little to be desired. In fact, maybe two coats! But that was Darren’s only negative about the room.

Our picks to buy: The fanciest toilet flush ever | Grohe Euphoria massage rail shower | Kado Lux wall hung vanity

House 2: Tess and Luke, 20 out of 30, FOURTH PLACE.

It was this couple’s second week of not finishing and they were clearly disappointed. But the judges had some pretty good feedback regardless. And I thought they did a nice job, even if, like Neale, I feel it’s nothing I haven’t seen many times before.

Darren said he loved it though. “I think it’s really appropriate to the colour scheme next door. I really like the feature tile against something otherwise so fresh and white and clean.”

While Neale loved the height of the ceiling and the timber paneling, his first thought was that it was nothing new. Shaynna agreed and said the styling was undercooked. “They’d be better off spending less on the finishes in these rooms that aren’t important and more on the accessories to amp it up.” She wondered if the overall size of the room and things like the double vanity were a waste of money.

Darren added: “To do this size and spend this much money you’re running the risk of burning through your budget before you’re even halfway.”

There was no grout on the floor and the tiles were unfinished. Darren said they were literally hours away from being done. “Manage your project and get it finished!”

Neale said nonetheless it was a strong base to build on.

Our picks to buy: Woodrow Hourglass stump stool | LED dimmable wall bracket in black and teak by Beacon Lighting

House 3: Andy and Deb, 28 out of 30, FIRST PLACE.

Having tied equal last last week, Andy and Deb were over the moon to take out first place with their en suite, which the judges loved. Neale even said he wanted to pick it up and put it in his own home. High praise indeed!

Darren loved the feeling of the tiles and the simplicity of it.

Neale said it was a happy, feel good bathroom and showed a different reading of luxury. “It’s beautiful.”

Shaynna felt it showed they were making better choices than the others on where to spend and where to save. “They can do budget on a beautiful level which excites me.”

From the last judging to this one, they now have three judges completely confident in them both as a team in the competition.

Our picks to buy: Ivy Muse plant hanger | Neo slimline wall hung vanity by Reece

House 4: El’ise and Matt, 22 out of 30, THIRD PLACE.

While I loved the quirky vanity and sage green tiles, I hated the light and the floor tiles so this one didn’t quite cut it for me.

Darren also loved the “really cool vanity” and the green tiles.

Neale, while not a big fan of pendants in bathrooms, thought they’d done well with their choice. Shaynna was not convinced it was practical enough to do your makeup by. She also hated the floor tile, saying it looked like lino. I have to agree!

The longer the judges spent in there, the worse the comments got. “There are some things that are so lovely but they’re being cancelled out by things that bug me,” Shaynna added.

Neale felt they’d slightly lost the plot.

Darren didn’t agree. “This is successful in that they’ve space planned it really well, I love the black tapware and the vanity. 95% of the room I love.”

Our picks to buy: Alape Scopio washstand | ISSY Z1 oval mirror with shaving cabinet

House 5: Jesse and Mel, 14 out of 30, LAST PLACE.

Ever confident, before the judging, Jesse said: “Yes we didn’t finish but we have delivered an amazing room given the time restraints and we’re very proud of that.”

Sadly, the judges didn’t agree. Shaynna said it was really disappointing. Neale couldn’t believe it. He said even if it had been finished, he would feel as if he was standing in a bit of a grey tomb. Ouch! “There is no relief from grey. And how long have we been seeing marble for?”

Darren said it was an amazing vanity and a beautiful basin, but suggested they painted the rest of the walls white to lighten it up.

Neale continued: “I can’t find anything in here to get excited about. I felt so excited when I walked into their bedroom. I felt like I was seeing something new. I feel like this is truly old. It feels old hat. Where is that spark? Is it the same couple who delivered that amazing bedroom?!”

Shaynna agreed she didn’t see the glamour that she’d seen in the other bathrooms. “It’s a yawn.”

Our picks to buy: Roca Inspira round basin | ISSY Halo vanity unit

So, which was YOUR fave?

Next week: lounge rooms!

Last week’s guest bedrooms | All our Block coverage.

Categories
Bedrooms The Block

The Block 2019: week 1 guest bedroom reveals

I’m so excited for another season of The Block and to bring you our regular room reveal posts again! As usual, week one was a bit of a mess, with a lot of unfinished rooms, but those poor couples certainly got thrown in at the deep end! Read on to see what they managed in just a few days, what the judges thought, and our picks to buy from the products they used.

House 1: Mark and Mitch (24 out of 30 and second place)

The guys were proud of their first room with a Mid Century luxe edge, and said they could see Frank Sinatra in there! They were right to be happy as the judges were too and it was a great first room for them to start the competition with.

Shaynna was delighted to see some colour and loved the details. Neale said it was impressive and Darren couldn’t get over the scale of it.

Neale added to produce a room like this in week one, they must know what they’re doing! “The room really hits you between the eyes on so many levels.”

Darren said they obviously knew what was on trend. Shaynna said the pendant light was just beautiful, sexy and really hot! She added the colour of carpet was really bold.

Neale said it had an incredible sense of luxury and the only issue was that there were just too many heroes. Shaynna said while she loved that it was eclectic and fun, they would have to reel it in or risk running out of money very quickly.

The judges all loved the wardrobes with gold handles.

Our picks to buy: Glass chandelier by Beacon Lighting | Kristoffer Paulsen St Kilda prints 

***

House 2: Tess and Luke (17.5 out of 30 and joint fourth place)

Not surprisingly, the couple were disappointed not to have finished (by any stretch) and Tess was the first to say she hated their room! It was also no surprise when they came joint last.

Some of the judges were pretty forgiving if you ask me, with Darren  saying he could see where they were going with it, the carpet was spot on, the walnut on trend and he liked the colour palette and the layout.

Shaynna on the other hand felt underwhelmed and like she’d seen this styling before, for the past three years! “We want to see personality. Take some risks!” She also said they’d used lots of incorrect styles for the heritage of the building.

Luke’s workmanship got top marks however!

Neale thinks if it was finished it would be elegant and successful. “I’m seeing a respect for the heritage of the building.”

Our picks to buy: Black circular round mirror | Bodie walnut side table by Modern Furniture

***

House 3: Andy and Deb (17.5 out of 30, joint fourth place)

Darren said ignoring the unpainted walls, it was very fresh, he loved the palette and was in love with the bed.

Neale agreed but wasn’t as taken the with styling, saying it felt a little predictable.

Shaynna, looking for more oomph as ever, said the look they’re going for will work if they amp it up a bit!

Our picks to buy: Sophia four poster bed by House of Orange | Terrazzo side table by HK Living

***

House 4: El’ise and Matt (21 out of 30 and third place)

The judges all agreed it was a stunning pendant light, and they were so right! Darren said there was a lot of luxury in there, despite it not being overly accessorised.

Shaynna was very impressed with all the details they added like the picture rails. Neale enjoyed the unusual little touches. “They’ve got personality, it works.”

Darren felt it gave a nod to heritage but in a very contemporary way which was successful. And they all loved the wardrobe.

Our picks to buy: Large beaded mirror by Schots | Chandelier by Beacon Lighting 

***

House 5: Jesse and Mel (25.5 out of 30 and first place)

It really was a case of saving the best until last with this pair! “It’s finished!” exclaimed Shaynna!

Neale said it was beautiful and he had never seen a room delivered to this level in week one. “I just love it!”

Darren said it felt like a brand new build but with all the appropriate heritage details. “They’ve hit the nail on the head.”

Neale said there was little to fault but he hated the exposed lightbulbs of the bedside lamps which were searing his eyeballs!

You really couldn’t disagree with the judges’ choice of winner this week. Real estate agent Jesse and obviously stylish Mel are looking like the ones to watch!

Our picks to buy: Fabric wall panels by Nouveau Bisgrove | Navy linen duvet set by Eadie Lifestyle | All About You limited edition canvas by Liam Murphy 

***

Who was YOUR favourite?

All our Block coverage

Love renovating? Come along to my Real Renovation Tour with Naomi Findlay next month in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane! More info.

Categories
Design Expert Tips Kitchens RENO ADDICT

Neale Whitaker’s new kitchen and top 10 design tips

Neale Whitaker kitchen
Neale Whitaker in his new kitchen

As the former editor of both Belle and Vogue Living magazines, a seasoned judge on The Block and co-host of Love It or List It, it’s safe to assume that Neale Whitaker knows a thing or two about kitchen design. So, when we heard he was renovating the kitchen in his own home, a late 1930’s country property on the NSW south coast, we couldn’t wait to take a look and glean some design know-how too. Today, we’re sharing Neale’s top 10 kitchen design tips.

Neale Whitaker kitchen
Neale Whitaker in his newly renovated kitchen

1. Establish your budget
“Let’s get the boring-but-important one out of the way first. Kitchens are expensive and can easily run away with the budget, so it’s absolutely vital to decide upfront what you can afford to spend and keep a contingency of around 25 percent in reserve if possible,” says Neale.

2. What kind of kitchen user are you?
“Be honest and realistic about what you require of your kitchen. Is this a family kitchen? Do you love to entertain? Or are you a microwave-and-home-delivery type of cook? There are so many sleek and desirable kitchen gadgets available these days, but there’s no point installing a teppanyaki grill unless you really plan to use it.”

Neale Whitaker kitchen

3. Location
“Your budget will determine the scope of your kitchen design – are you relocating or working within the existing kitchen space? You should also consider the best use of space and light. Do you have enough of each. A kitchen that opens to the outdoors is often the ideal in Australia, but if that’s not possible consider the orientation of workspaces and appliances in relation to available light, access to other areas of the home and, where appropriate, the view.”

4. Ignore the latest trends
“Kitchens should have a lifespan of at least ten years. Trend-driven kitchens are likely to date more quickly. Choose benchtops, cabinetry, splash backs and appliances that will stand the test of time. Trend details can always be added through artwork, lighting, bar stools and cookware. Some people prefer their kitchen to work with their overall decor while others like the kitchen to add a modern contrast.”

5. Upcycling potential
“If you’re updating an existing kitchen, think about what can be recycled. Do you actually need to replace everything? And can you work with the existing layout? Sometimes a change of benchtop and some new cabinetry is all that’s required. Think too about whether you prefer to cook with gas or induction. My own kitchen features both to suit everyday cooking and entertaining.”

The kitchen island bench is the hub of Neale's home
The kitchen island bench is the hub of Neale’s home

6. The island bench
“If the kitchen is the heart of the home, then the island bench is the heart of the kitchen. Its size, position and design is vital. In my home, the island bench is used for food preparation, cooking, dining, dishwashing, storage, chatting, watching TV, listening to music – it’s where life happens. Choose a bench top that is as practical and hardwearing as it is great-looking and good to the touch. Our choice of Silestone Calacatta Gold in Suede was perfect for our lifestyle and aesthetic.”

Silestone bench top
A detail shot of Neale’s Silestone Calacatta Gold bench top in Suede

7. The kitchen triangle
“It sounds old-fashioned but the ‘kitchen triangle’ is still important to good, functional kitchen design- the relationship and distance between fridge, sink and cooktop. Common sense dictates that they should be within easy reach of each other. It’s as true now as it was decades ago when the term was first coined.”

8. Butler’s pantry
“It’s a sign of the times that a butler’s pantry is a point on its own. Do you need one? Do you have room for one? There’s no doubt that an extra kitchen space offers great additional storage and a home for secondary kitchen appliances like microwaves, toasters, kettles and wine fridges. I have also seen butler’s pantries combined very effectively and efficiently with laundries.”

Neale Whitaker butler's pantry
Neale’s new kitchen features a butler’s pantry behind

9. Colour
“Colour is an increasingly important consideration. Once upon a time the choice was white, white or white. Contemporary kitchens feature cabinetry, splash backs and benchtops that range from black, through midnight blue to primary colours and pastels. In my opinion a neutral colour scheme gives a kitchen longevity. Neutral needn’t mean boring though. My own kitchen features pale grey cabinetry, white splashbacks, brass tapware and suede-finish bench tops with a fine, marble-like vein. It feels glamorous and layered but timeless.”

10. The finer details
“The kitchen devil really is in the detail. Think about adequate storage, both task and mood lighting, position and quantity of power points and the height of benchtops and bar stools. Do you prefer handles or soft-close drawers and cupboards? Integrated appliances? Open-fronted or closed cabinetry? These are the details that will dictate the convenience and functionality of your kitchen, so it’s worth investing time and thought at the outset.”

For more | Neale’s laundry reno tips

Categories
Design The Block

The Block 2018 last reveal: Challenge rooms

Courtney & Hans challenge kitchen

Last night saw the final reveal of The Block for 2018 and this time it was the challenge rooms. The standout space for me was Courtney and Hans’ kitchen. After walking through the butler’s pantry, Neale said he had “extreme kitchen envy” and I certainly did too!

1st: COURTNEY AND HANS
Score: 29/30

Courtney & Hans challenge kitchen

Courtney and Hans created a black and white St Kilda inspired kitchen complete with stainless steel gantries, Caesarstone benchtops, a large butler’s pantry and neon ‘3182’ St Kilda sign. Shaynna loved it, Neale called it the “kitchen of his dreams” and Darren called it “absolutely spectacular.”

“It’s a kitchen that acknowledges that the kitchen is now where we live life,” said Neale. And Shaynna said although the couple’s styling had been hit and miss throughout the season but felt this space boasted precision styling. “I actually feel that not only does it feel like someone lives here but it’s styled beautifully too,” she said.

And while the fridge, tucked away in the amazing butler’s pantry, was some distance from the main event, the judges didn’t seem to mind. In fact, after stepping into the butler’s pantry Neale said he was suffering “extreme kitchen envy.”

Courtney & Hans challenge kitchen
The fabulous butler’s pantry

Courtney & Hans challenge kitchen

Courtney & Hans challenge kitchen

My picks to buy: Rialheim ceramic pig bowl and Carla O’Brien neon postcode light.

2nd:KERRIE AND SPENCE
Score: 28.5/30Kerrie & Spence challenge terrace

With a projector screen, sofa, coffee table, bar, bespoke poster and Yamaha Smart Piano, Kerrie and Spence’s terrace was very well received by the judges. They loved the piano, large artwork and especially the way in which the bar facilitates people-watching over the street. Overall, the judges thought the room was fabulous.

Kerrie & Spence challenge terrace

Kerrie & Spence challenge terrace

My pick to buy: ‘Playbox, the Malthouse’ by Boris Bucan silkscreen print.

3rd: SARA AND HAYDEN
Score: 27/30

Hayden and Sara's challenge hallway
The judges loved the artwork in Hayden and Sara’s challenge hallway

Hayden and Sara had an epic four spaces to complete – the hall, powder room, laundry and study – and the judges acknowledged that it was quite an undertaking.

Shaynna loved the feature artwork in the hall and Neale did too. He called the mural “strong, engaging, cool and retro” but wasn’t a fan of the hall table styling. The judges loved the laundry (Darren called it “exceptional”) and felt it delivered on functionality and style. Shaynna thought the study was “fantastic” and Neale said it was the best thing they’d delivered all season.

Hayden & Sara challenge study
Hayden and Sara’s challenge study

Hayden and Sara's challenge laundry
Hayden and Sara’s challenge laundry

Hayden & Sara's challenge powder room
Hayden & Sara’s challenge powder room

My picks to buy: White Moose hippo head planter and west elm striped angle geometry bookend.

4th: NORM AND JESS
Score: 26.5/30
Norm & Jess challenge dining room

After their dull master bedroom from last week, Norm and Jess really upped their game for their challenge dining room. A hero of the space, the judges thought the large pink neon sign was “corny but oh so good.” The Christian Cole dining table was well received too with Neale calling it “stunning” while Darren liked the pendant lights above it. Overall the judges felt the room was a strong offering.

Norm and Jess' challenge dining room
Norm & Jess' challenge dining room

Norm & Jess' challenge dining room
My picks to buy: Tipi Interiors black and white bone inlay stripe stool and The Print Emporium Palm Springs Doorway 2 art print

5th: BIANCA AND CARLA
Score: 21.5/30

Bianca and Carla's challenge living room
Neale called Bianca and Carla’s challenge lounge room vibe “weird” and thought that it felt really thrown together. Shaynna felt the room didn’t match the quality of the rest of the apartment and Darren agreed. “It’s too young and low-cost,” said Darren while Neale said it felt “cheap and that it was letting the whole apartment down.”

In particular, Shaynna thought the two rugs placed on top of one another were odd, she wondered where the bespoke cabinetry was and she finished by saying that she thought the girls “checked out of The Block a week ago.” By the looks of it, they did!

Bianca and Carla's challenge living room

Bianca and Carla's challenge living room
My picks to buy: Life Interiors Dala horse and Arro Home Rigby cushion.

ALL OUR BLOCK COVERAGE

 

Categories
Bathrooms The Block

The Block 2018 room reveals: Challenge apartment

Courtney & Hans

With a “quirky St Kilda” theme, it was a real mixed bag this week on The Block and there were some absolute shockers in the mix – ahem Kerrie and Spence! Ugly wall murals aside, Sara and Hayden delivered a gorgeous monochrome bathroom while Courtney and Hans took a punt on a wallpaper selection that really paid off.

1st: COURTNEY AND HANS
Score: 28.5/30

Courtney & Hans

Courtney and Hans chose a statement making wallpaper and the bold design was a gutsy choice that the judges adored. “I love it!” said Shaynna while Darren described it as a “colourful, eccentric and a really beautiful choice.” The judges also liked the Australiana-themed artwork and the way the bed was dressed.

Overall, the judges though the room was meticulously planned and were impressed with the styling. Shaynna called the room’s styling “kitsch…but as a compliment” and finished by saying “the room has a real sense of calm which is bizarre when you’ve got so much going on!”

Courtney & Hans

Courtney & Hans

My picks to buy: Hackney Empire stripe wallpaper and Grotti Lotti ‘Don’t fence me in’ art print

2nd: SARA AND HAYDEN
Score: 27.5/30

Hayden & Sarah

Sara and Hayden’s gorgeous monochromatic bathroom was described as “magic” by Neale and all three judges agreed it was a beautiful space. There’s no doubt the hero of the space is the Zuster vanity and the judges loved it. “That subtle hint of terrazzo is so beautiful,” said Neale.

Shaynna and Neale liked the textured tile while Darren didn’t and Shaynna also acknowledged the toilet’s discreet placement behind the door and quirky styling pieces. Overall, the judges thought the bathroom showed an incredible improvement in planning, detail and style compared to the couple’s first bathroom. “They’re at their absolute best here!” said Neale.

Hayden & Sarah
That Zuster vanity is beyond beautiful

Hayden & Sara

My picks to buy: Zuster Halo vanity unit and Kazari bronze crocodile

3rd: BIANCA AND CARLA
Score: 23.5/30

Bianca & CarlaBianca and Carla nailed the “quirky St Kilda” brief – their fun and functional bathroom featured pink palm tree wallpaper paired with simple black. Neale and Shyanna loved the wallpaper calling it fun, quirky and pretty and Darren admitted to having something similar in his house. Shaynna loved the positioning of the bath under the window, the hidden toilet (again!) and the double shower. She called the walk-through glass “really sexy.”

Darren was critical of the unbalanced vanity lighting and Shaynna noted the apparent time management issues reflected in the workmanship but overall the judges really like this room. “This bathroom fits that boutique St Kilda hotel apartment vibe. It’s got style, quirk and a connection with the urban given you can see the trams passing by through the window from the bath,” said Darren.

Bianca & Carla

Bianca & Carla
The double walk-through shower was well received

My picks to buy: Wallpaper Trader Palm Leaves wallpaper and Reece round mirror cabinets

4th: KERRIE AND SPENCE
Score: 20.5/30

Kerrie & SpenceYou could read the disappointment on the judges faces before the lights were even on in Kerrie and Spence’s room. “I feel like I’m falling down a psychedelic rabbit hole, it’s giving me vertigo and really messing with my head. It couldn’t be more abrasive!” said Darren of the room’s graffiti laneway mural. “It gives this weird sensation of being in bed in the street,” said Neale. Not exactly relaxing!

Kerrie & Spence

Shaynna gave Kerrie and Spence credit for pushing the envelope when normally they play it safe but Darren called it an “explosion of the envelope and if the mural doesn’t give you a headache then the bedhead certainly will!”

He called the bedhead a “disaster” and the judges all agreed that a shelf sticking out of the wall just above the pillows is one of the strangest design decisions they’d ever encountered in a bedroom. It wasn’t all bad though as they liked the wardrobe (particularly the fine black strip detailing) and Darren liked the art choices. Overall though, this room was a bit of a train (or tram!) wreck.

Kerrie & Spence
These Grotti Lotti artworks were the highlight of the room for me

My picks to buy: Grotti Lotti Amanda and Stevie art prints

5th: NORM AND JESS
Score: 20/30

Norm & JessNorm and Jess’ “ultimate master bedroom” was a huge space that Darren called “dull” and Neale called a “weird mismatch.” Shaynna thought the scale was off and took points off for the tiny rug, tiny couch and tiny bedside tables – the judges were particularly unimpressed by the lack of storage.

When it came to the bed styling, Darren called it a “car crash” – particularly the cushion situation. “It’s as if they just went and got all the cushions they could find and dumped them on the bed!” he said.

Shaynna wasn’t a fan of the cement board feature wall and didn’t hold back. “I hate it!” she said. The only thing she liked was the gallery wall at the entrance to the room and the room’s artwork, despite its placement. In fact, all of the judges liked the artwork but thought it badly placed given it was hung in the walk-in robe. So odd! “Norm and Jess have lost the plot!” said Neale while Shaynna called the room “Norm and Jess at their worst.” Ouch.

The room’s lovely yet tiny sofa was admonished by the judges

Norm & JessMy pick to buy: Iconiko Seaside Combi framed print and Iconiko Seaside Stripes framed

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The Block 2018: Living room reveals

Last night’s room reveals were a fairly disappointing bunch (a bit of a theme this season it would seem!) with some moments of genius scattered throughout. I was surprised by how underwhelming most of them were to be honest but I also appreciate that filling such large spaces wouldn’t have been easy. These rooms are some of the largest ever on The Block and the judges found plenty to love so here goes!

Courtney and Hans: First place, 27.5/30

“Oh my God this room just goes on forever!” said Shaynna of Courtney and Hans’ living room that is the largest living and dining space in The Block history.

The bespoke dining table impressed the judges – particularly the walnut parquetry paired with emerald velvet covered chairs. “It could be old, stuffy and too heritage but you pair this beautiful parquetry top with green velvet chairs and the whole thing gets elevated to something cool, contemporary and kind of edgy,” said Darren who found the table was his favourite thing about the reveal.

Table
The bespoke dining table got the judges’ tick of approval

For Shaynna it was all about the Jessie Breakwell artwork – the highlight of the space for me too. “The artwork is all personality,” said Shaynna.

Art
This Jessie Breakwell piece is one of the heroes of the space

Neale felt the room had a sense of grandeur and personality and all of the judges were taken with the fully stocked, James Bond-inspired pop-up bar. Shaynna complimented the lounge, said the coffee tables were a good size and thought the lounge area felt intimate despite the large space.

The pop-up bar
The James Bond inspired pop-up bar (on the right) was a hit

“Courtney and Hans have gone from zero to hero this week. I thought this would break them but it didn’t!” said Neale.

Our pick to buy: Christian Cole Arched Edge Tall Boy, GlobeWest Freya emerald arm chair and Jessie Breakwell framed canvas print

 

Bianca and Carla: Second place, 27/30

Featuring a gorgeous pendant light, parquetry floors, black sheer curtains and a huge piece of statement art, Bianca and Carla’s living room was my pick last night. Neale praised the girls for their “sense of drama” and he said that they “know how to create impact” and overall thought the space had a feeling of “easy luxury.”


Neale loved the pendant light above the dining room table in particular but thought that the whole dining area was very beautiful. “I love the artwork and the cabinetry. There’s a real sense of luxury,” said Neale and Shaynna agreed.

I love this gorgeous Ingrain Designs buffet
I love this gorgeous Ingrain Designs sideboard

Darren praised the pair for their thoughtful design. “The whole space is consistent because there are references back to different things across the whole apartment,” said Darren. The dining room chair legs echo the sideboard legs for instance.

Michael Bond artwork
That Michael Bond artwork is perfect in the space.

Our pick to buy: Michael Bond ‘Blue Diamond’ limited edition unframed print and our beloved Ingrain Designs’ Gatwick sideboard

 

Kerrie and Spence: Third place, 25/30

Sharing the joint third place spot with Jess and Norm, Kerrie and Spence pulled off a statement coffered ceiling. Shaynna liked the ceiling but questioned the couple’s choice of lighting. “The coffered ceiling gives an elegance to the room but why spend so much time creating a master craftsman ceiling if you’re just going to clutter it with feature lighting and a feature fan? The ceiling needs to sing on its own and I’m not getting the breathing space that I need to appreciate its beauty,” said Shaynna.

Kerrie and Spence's living room
Shaynna felt that the beautiful coffered ceiling was compromised by the choice of pendant lighting above the dining room table

Shaynna wasn’t a fan of the room’s styling either. “It feels a bit nineties – it’s a little bit uptight and needs to loosen up. I feel like I’m in a nineties boardroom. For this room to be perfect it needs an extra emotional layer,” added Shaynna.

Kerrie & Spence lounge room

The gorgeous floor lamp was a highlight of the space
This gorgeous floor lamp was a highlight of the space

Our pick to buy: CLU. Living Hoyts floor lamp

 

Jess and Norm: Joint third place, 25/30

This room really divided the judges with Neale and Darren dishing out the compliments while Shaynna picked holes in the space.

Jess and Norm living room

“The elephant in the room is the tonsil in the centre that’s not centred!” said Shaynna referring to the statement fireplace. “That is a ridiculously expensive fireplace and its placement is possibly the worst I have ever seen,” said Shaynna. Darren defended the fireplace however and said that he liked the (legally required) marble underneath it while Shaynna most certainly did not.

Indigenous coffee table
The judges were big fans of the handmade indigenous coffee table

“I’m gobsmacked that you two think this room is amazing. It’s polarising and could cost the couple at auction,” said Shaynna.

Neale thought this pendant light was very dated. "It's a visual cliche that is very out of step with the rest of the space," he said.
Neale thought this pendant light was very dated. “It’s a visual cliche that is very out of step with the rest of the space,” he said.

The room made good use of sumptuous cushions
The room made good use of sumptuous cushions

 

Sara and Hayden: Fourth place, 23/30

Easily the most reviled room by the judges, Sarah and Hayden’s living space featured another contentious fireplace. “The thing that perplexes me about the fireplace is the design. It’s a compromise for a fireplace that doesn’t have the integrity of a real one with no natural element or smell,” said Darren and Neale stuck the boot in even more: “I feel that the fireplace is a metaphor for the whole room. It doesn’t feel real. I’m struggling to find elegance and excitement in there and it feels like everything is arranged around the TV.”

The fireplace on the left was much discussed by the judges
The contentious fireplace (left) had the judges talking

“I’m looking for a styling surprise, something that says ‘bespoke luxury’ and the room is all about the TV but I think it needs more than that. The styling looks like a collection of objects thrown together just to fill the space,” said Neale.

Dining room
Dining room

“Both our books are there,” noted Darren as the judges left the space and he spotted his book and one of Shaynna’s. “Well they obviously didn’t open them!” said Shaynna in what was possibly the most cutting (but true!) moment of the episode.

Our pick to buy: Aura Neptune rug and Joni Dennis fine art print

We’d love to know who YOU think should have won?

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Bedrooms The Block

Block room reveals 2018: disappointing master bedrooms

So, did you watch last night’s Block master bedroom reveals? Or, as I like to call it, a really good ad for Kinsman wardrobes! I spent a lot of it with a sort of grimace on my face like Wallace from Wallace and Gromit. You know the one?! There’s an emoticon for it… I do try to be kind and not harp on like some mean know it all because let’s face it I’m a) not an expert and b) it’s bloody hard being on that show. But last night’s bedrooms were so underwhelming on the whole I felt annoyed. And then Hayden and Sara, who threatened to walk last week on account of always coming last, came first. What a surprise! Coincidence? Perhaps, but still!

None of those rooms were particularly different or inspiring. And the fact that words like ‘cute’ and ‘nice’ were used to describe the winning room, said it all really! That and the fact the judges liked all the walk-ins better than the actual rooms.

The worst for me though was Courtney and Hans’ room, by a long way. It was so huge (yet empty) and full of expensive pieces but ultimately looked cheap and wasn’t in the slightest cohesive. All I could see was bloody carpet, carpet, carpet! Speaking of which, what does everyone have against rugs this season?! Where are they?! And, while I’m ranting, enough with the velvet bedheads! I love velvet bedheads. I have one in my own master, but they’re not the only bedhead out there and they certainly aren’t the only way to give a luxury look. Ok, I’ve got that off my chest now! Let’s see something a little different, could we?

There were a few redeeming features for me, namely Jess and Norm’s killer gold LED wall lamps, Bianca and Carla’s timber besides, the wardrobes in general, the herringbone floors and the girls’ Samsung Frame TV (they’re very cool, I want!) that doubles as artwork. I’ve linked to my favourites from each room below.

So, here you go if you missed it: the judges’ comments, what the couples did and how they scored…

2nd (24/30) KERRIE AND SPENCE

Just a bit blah

Kerrie and Spence used luxurious velvets and a soft, romantic colour palette in their main bedroom, which featured dark drapes, a custom-built bedhead with seafoam fabric inlay, and huge, dark ‘his-and-hers’ walk-in robes.

But it failed to get the judges excited. Neale said: “We’re in the master bedroom of a luxury apartment. I’m sorry, I want a bit of va-va-voom. It’s a white room.” Shaynna thought the problem was scale. The bed was perfect but the bedhead too short, the artwork and pendants were in the wrong spot. Diplomatic Darren said the light fittings are not as impactful as they could have been. Shaynna said they were ridculous! “It feels a bit hospital.”

Had to agree with Shaynna on those lights and the bedhead behind the bedhead reminded me of a bad hotel one (sorry Spence!)

Neale said they were playing it too safe. “It feels like they had a great idea and then they pressed pause because they got scared.” Shaynna said it was very forgettable.

But they all loved the huge walk-in robe. Shaynna said it was amazing. Darren thought it was what buyers would remember. And Shaynna said they could easily restyle the entire thing to make it a penthouse master.

Our pick to buy: Gold tray set by Ziporah Lifestyle 

4th (22/30) COURTNEY AND HANS

Courtney and Hans’ main bedroom featured a pink bedhead, a large statement fan, a round mirror, two dark pink velvet chairs and a gold coffee table as a seating area, and THAT controversial artwork. Their deluxe walk-in robes featured a last minute marble stone bench.

This room is killing me. I don’t even know where to start.

The judges were blown away by the sheer size and couldn’t believe it had its own hallway! Darren said: “These spaces are massive!” Darren and Shaynna loved the bed, its styling and the colour palette. They said the lighting was well planned.

But that was where the good news ended.

Neale said he must have been in a slightly different room. “There is nothing in here that’s going to make me want to buy this apartment. It feels like an exercise in wasted space. The hallway serves no purpose. And that’s the worst piece of art I’ve ever seen.” Eek!

Yes Neale, you were right about the art! And what’s going on with that fan in the context of this room?!

He continued: “I know I’m sounding over the top but the choice of art dictates the emotion you feel when you walk into the room. There are elements that are nice but they don’t come together.” He thinks they should have made a bigger deal of the sheer size with a rug, couch, ottoman or floor-to-ceiling mirrors.

They all noticed the finishes weren’t up to standard either. But, once again, the robe was nicer than room itself! Neale said it was one of the most impressive walk-ins he’d ever seen on The Block. Shaynna agreed it was beautiful.

Our pick to buy: GlobeWest carved gold coffee table (I had this in my last home and it is amazing!)

1st (26.5/30) SARA AND HAYDEN

Sara and Hayden finally broke their three-week losing streak, presenting a Deco-inspired main bedroom. They achieved their look by painting a blue-grey charcoal feature wall, including an Art Deco-inspired upholstered bedhead with gold stud details, a pink fur throw and a contemporary artwork in shades of blue and pink.

Nice perhaps, but not setting the world on fire

The judges all felt something grand greeted them. Darren loved the coffered ceiling and the way it covered the curtains. Neale said it was cute. Shaynna felt a sense of relief. “The restraint they’ve shown is great.”

All the judges thought it had really worked. Darren liked the bedhead and the blue wall behind it. Shaynna said it was the right balance of Deco and contemporary but the artwork wasn’t hitting the sweet spot. “It feels everyday.” Neale said it was a little generic.

This is pleasant

They all agreed the air con vent was very well considered and planned. And they also all noticed the unfinished painting!

It was another popular walk-in. Shaynna said there was so much storage it wasn’t funny and raved about the sensor lights. Neale and Darren said the mirror wall was very clever. Darren said it had a look of finesse with all the LED strip lighting.

Shame about that cheap looking laundry hamper

Shaynna finished though by very rightly saying that last week’s en suite definitely didn’t match the room and the walk-in.

Our pick to buy: west elm balloon glass table lamps 

Joint 3rd (22.5/30) JESS AND NORM

They might have only had a small space to work with, but Jess and Norm dialed up the luxe with their extra cash from challenges, presenting a room that featured marble, parquetry, bespoke neon lights and a walk-in robe space that had all three judges singing its praises.

The bed styling and light situation is nice. Just don’t look at the TV wall!

It certainly made a good first impression. Darren said he loved everything, especially the layering of the bed, the colours and the lights.

Neale and Shyanna however, were a little less enthusiastic! Neale asked if it was a bedroom or a gold class cinema seat? “It’s all about the TV.” There was way too much going on. “If ever a room cried out for a little bit of less is more, it’s this one. Wow, what an overload. This room is giving me indigestion!”

Loving this

Shaynna was overwhelmed. “I feel so claustrophobic. Scale has got the better of them. This room needed to feel very elegant and simple but they went and filled it with too many distractions. The year 2000 wants its niches back!” Oh, how I laughed!

Those niches were the worst!

Neale said a lot of people would call it their idea of heaven but it wasn’t the master suite the apartment needed.

They all loved the walk-in (again!), calling it excellent and beautiful.

Loving this situation

Our pick to buy: Those gold LED wall lamps (fabulous!)

Joint 3rd (22.5/30) BIANCA AND CARLA

Bianca and Carla continued to impress with their subtle, moody monochrome master, but it didn’t get the great feedback of last week. The girls used a dark timber feature wall, dark drapes, custom wooden side tables, parquetry floor, charcoal-coloured linen on the bed, and a timber cabinet under their state-of-the-art (pardon the pun) Frame TV by Samsung.

50 shades of grey and I’m not loving them. Don’t go off track please, girls!

That lamp. Oh dear oh dear.

Neale said the girls certainly knew how to surprise them each week. Darren thought they’d delivered a different kind of luxury. “That charcoal tonal, monochromatic look is very tactile. For a neutral palette to be so visually interesting is tricky.” Neale agreed.

Shaynna loved the signature bedsides. They all loved the Samsung Frame TV, cleverly disguised as an artwork. Neale didn’t love the ball light and found it a little bit cold. He thought the bedsides were too small. He wanted to love the wall but was struggling. “I don’t think these girls are thinking how we actually live. It’s style over substance.”

Ingrain Designs save the day with these timber bedsides

Foreman Dan Reilly had raised the issue about them presenting their reveal without including the air con vents. The judges thought it was a bit arrogant to leave them out while everyone else was wrestling to make theirs work.

They all had issues with the execution of the feature wall which was badly painted and didn’t all match up.

Shaynna said it was so heavily masculine that there was very little that would instantly appeal to a female buyer. Neale said he really like the girls’ ideas but I do want them to spend more time thinking about functionality.

They loved the walk-in but agreed it felt half the size of the others.

Our pick to buy: Timber bedside tables by Ingrain Designs 

So, what did you think this week? Were you as underwhelmed and irritated as me or is it my pregnancy hormones?!

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Bedrooms The Block

The Block 2018: guest bedroom room reveals

It was a mixed bag last night! I started off feeling a bit “meh” about all these guest bedrooms. Let’s face it; they’re not always the most exciting rooms or best showcases of what a couple can do. They felt a bit formulaic: fancy upholstered bedhead, feature armchair, lots of cushions. You know what I’m saying! But there were a couple I really loved which turned it around for me, and they were Bianca and Carla’s and Norm and Jess’s. Here’s what the judges had to say, what I thought, and what I’d buy…

I was so glad Bianca and Carla won, not just because I thought their room was the best, but because I (and at least half the country!) thought their bathroom should have won last week too! And I love how surprised and humble they were!

Bianca and Carla: 1st place, 26/30

Darren loved that they’d used timber panelling again. “That’s awesome.” Shaynna also said she loved the roof. Neale had one word: hallelujah! “Somebody has given us a room, finally, that feels modern, luxurious, glamorous and absolutely on brief,” he added.

Shyanna said the bedsides were her new favourites ever. Darren noticed they were both floating and underlit. How cool was that?!

Neale agreed it was “next level”.

Shaynna was first to notice the bad paint job though. Whoops!

They all said the walk-in was beautiful. Shaynna was in storage heaven and Neale said it felt luxurious and and bespoke. Darren said the materiality was “just so good“.

Our pick to buy: Bedside tables by our friends at Ingrain Designs (they can do no wrong!), Lincoln bedhead by another fave, Heatherly Design Bedheads (we have the same design in our new master which we’ll get round to finishing and revealing one of these days!), and Lamp de Marseille wall lights.

Courtney and Hans: 2nd place, 25/30

Neale loved the “absolutely beautiful and sophisticated palette.” Shaynna loved how they made the bed and thought they picked an amazing chair. The lack of styling on the side table didn’t go unnoticed though!

The judges loved the choice of laminate wardrobe colour and texture. Darren said the room diden’t feel at all claustrophobic. Neale’s only criticism was for the lights. He would have preferred lamps or sconces, not too-heavy pendants. Darren liked how they tied in with the other black in the room however.

On the downside, the paintwork on the ceiling was woeful. Neale said it was well on its way to being lovely but was undercooked. Darren suggested they should sheer curtain the whole window wall. Agreed!

Our pick to buy: Halo wingback chair by Space to Create, Vintage rose linen by west elm and brass crab by Mr Pinchy (I have this at home in all three sizes!). 

Norm and Jess: 3rd place, 24.5/30

This would have been my second place.

Darren said: “Lush! Oh my God! This is hot! Somebody paid attention!”

Neale said “suddenly the luxe factor has shot up”.

Darren said there was lots of colour, lots of texture, but it wasn’t overwhelming. “Can you tell I love it?!”

Shaynna said she always loves bedheads that go past the edges of the bed and behind the bedsides (thanks Shyanna, we have one of those!). “It’s absolutely gorgeous and works really well.” She loved the sconces but  thought the room would probably be a bit dark. And the powerpoint was in the wrong place. Darren was NOT impressed they’d tried to cover that mistake up!

They all thought the wardrobe was amazing, Darren loved the the panelled profile and the handles. The drapery was very well executed and while the study area joinery was well designed, the styling was a letdown.

Big picture? “The room is very good and they deserve to be in the penthouse but they must pay more attention to functionality.”

Our pick to buy: Brass wall lights from Beacon Lighting, THAT bedhead (of course) from Heatherly Design and Landry bench seat from west elm.

Kerrie and Spence: 3rd place, 23/30

The judges loved the library (so did I!), with Darren saying he was a “giant big fan” but Neale said the actual bedroom part felt a little claustrophobic. And it did!

Darren was annoyed they didn’t listen to their advice not to use a bedhead in an already cramped space. To make it worse, the bedhead overlapped the switches either side.

Shaynna loved the colour palette though and Darren said the styling was far more sophisticated than they’d shown before. Neale said it was nice. He didn’t dislike it but nothing was wowing him. They needed a little little bit more warmth, spirit and soul.

The storage however, was excellent.

Our pick to buy: Audrey bedside from west elm (I have the navy version in my master and they’re divine. Also have the dresser and cot from this range in our new baby room).

Hayden and Sara: Last place (second week in a row), 22.5/30

Shaynna said the recessed ceiling was the hero and they’d done a beautiful job with that. Darren praised the skirting, architraves, ceiling and cornicing, saying they were all beautiful. Shaynna added the execution was incredible.

It was all going so well…

Seems the furniture and styling really let the room down. Neale said it felt flat. “It feels like a room in a boutique hotel ready to be renovated. It’s boring and predictable. In paring back, they’ve thrown the baby out with the bathwater. What’s left is pretty soulless.”

It got worse. He compared the feature wall to the eighties rag-rolling paint technique. Shaynna said the shimmery velvet bedhead was fighting with it and that it felt like a display home. And not a high end one! Ouch!

I have to agree, although I’d perhaps be a little kinder. It just didn’t work! I particularly hated that feature wall and ‘matching’ bedhead combo. What were they thinking? Where was the contrast?

Shaynna said the bedsides didn’t match the size of the lights. “It’s top heavy.” Darren said they should have put the feet on the bed. Neale said it felt as if the bed had collapsed.

I had to agree that nothing in the study area made an impact. It was all just floating there, with the chair far too heavy for the desk.

Sara was NOT happy with that feedback! I foresee a lot of complaining and upset ahead.

The judges all seemed to agree that the walk in robe was probably the best bit. But Shaynna and Neale said they needed to style it at least a a bit to tell a story to potential buyers.

Our pick to buy: Brass gallery frames from west elm.

All this year’s wardrobes are by Kinsman, who also supplied the kitchens for House Rules recently.

Love to know who YOU think should have won?

Last week’s bathroom reveals

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