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Simon Vos’ first solo venture without Shannon since The Block

Simon Vos’ recently completed design project for coffee roasters Pablo & Rusty’s was an experience filled with many firsts. Not only was it his first project as a primary builder, it was his first time working under his new business VOSA, and his first time (post their win on The Block Glasshouse) working without brother Shannon (well… almost!).

Simon. Photo credit: Jordan Wade
Simon. Photo credit: Jordan Wade

“I did get Shannon to help me with the painting,” explains Simon. “I honestly think he’s the best painter around. I also tore all my ligaments in my leg on the very last day, so he came in and got the job done!”

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Creating an industry unique training bar for baristas and wholesale clients, Simon, with the help of owner Saxon Wright, designed and built almost everything at the roastery in Sydney’s North Ryde. “We designed everything down to the colours and the timber finish,” says Simon. “I built a lot of the walls, plastered myself, did the plumbing and the insulation. I’m fairly confident when it comes to different trades. Apart from electrical, I’ll give everything a go.”

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[contextly_sidebar id=”Dh9RDGJCtMRsqEVrAMnBU0vW7PVFaiOp”]With Shannon having taken the design lead while the brothers were on The Block, this project marked Simon’s first time as head designer, and he was eager to impress his client, himself, and almost most importantly, his brother! “I was a bit nervous coming into it because Shannon normally had the last say when it came to colours and finishes. But this time around I wanted to prove to Shannon that I could do it! Also, as this was my first job, I knew if I stuffed up badly I wouldn’t be getting anymore work. But luckily Saxon gave me the reins (he was probably a bit nervous as well!) and it all ended well.”

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With VOSA offering the “whole hog,” Simon is happy to be the resident designer on projects or work alongside a designer of the client’s choice. He is also keen to work more with his brother outside of VOSA, though he’s a bit coy when it comes to specifics. “I can’t really say anything about our upcoming projects! We’re doing something with Listerine that’s going to take up most of our time and also most likely doing our own TV show. I’d love to put these projects with Shannon first before my own personal adventures, we just work really well together and we have a lot of fun.”

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Simon (left) and Shannon

However, before any of those projects get underway, it’s time for a long overdue surf trip with Block builder, Moz (The Block fanatics will remember the boys promised to take their trusty righthand man on a much deserved trip after their win!). “We’re all so excited to finally be doing the trip. We all had a spare two weeks so we booked Moz a business class ticket and we’re off Monday (today). We’ve been waiting for it for ages, as has Moz. He deserves it, we definitely couldn’t have done it without him!”

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Shannon Vos on life since winning The Block with Simon

To say 2014 was a whirlwind year for brothers Shannon and Simon Vos would be a massive understatement. Not only did they win The Block Glasshouse, and pocket over $400,000 as a result, they got themselves a manager, started their own design and construction business and even did some modeling on the side!

shannon and simon interiors addict
Shannon (right) and Simon

“We’ve been absolutely flatstick since The Block,” explains Shannon. “I think I had three days off after the show and then got straight back into working as a painter. Then there was also the juggling of our Mitre 10 and Beaumont Tiles commitments and our appearances for Channel 9, whilst also being inundated with job requests for renovations.” First world problems, eh?

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One of their most exciting renovation projects is a training facility for boutique coffee company Pablo & Rusty’s. A multipurpose space near Sydney’s Castle Hill, the centre will double as a barista school and a retail space. Alongside this, the duo are also in the initial stages of conducting a full-scale renovation on a well-established pub in Coffs Harbour which, with three or four bars and a huge verandah, could be a 12-month project. “These are some really quirky, exciting and fun jobs,” says Shannon. “Simon and I worked really well together on The Block and we definitely want to keep that ball rolling as we form our own business.”

With Shannon having studied interior design for the last two years and Simon soon to have his builder’s license, the duo are keen to play to their strengths. “I’ll be more focused on design, and Simon on construction,” explains Shannon. “Of course we will throw ideas off each other and help each other where needed. But the dynamic we had on The Block worked, so we want to continue that.”

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With 2015 having only just begun, this year doesn’t look like it’ll be any quieter than the last, with talks of a TV show in the pipeline. “We’ve just shot a sizzle, which is like a 10-minute teaser, and are now at the stage of selling it to the networks. It would follow Simon and I working together and all the quirky stuff we get up to. We’ve been approached by a few companies to represent them, we’re flying all over Australia and we’ve done a few modeling shoots (which isn’t really work!), so the camera crew would follow us around doing all of that.”

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And on the topic of TV, what do the boys think of the upcoming series, The Block Triple Threat? “It’s massive, there’s a lot going on, and I think it’ll be quite interesting having the old Blockheads versus the news ones,” says Shannon. “It’s a big leg up having done it before but I’ll tell you what, I’m very glad we’ve done ours and we’re finished! I wouldn’t want to do it again straight away.”

But would they ever do The Block again? “Definitely, but just not straight away. After the Glasshouse I needed some time off, I needed to go for a surf, I needed to lie on the beach! Simon and I both literally lost 10 kilos so it’s nice to eat a normal breakfast again, relax and just do nothing for a bit.”

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