Last night saw Scotty’s own living/dining space revealed after Sunday night saw the contestants have mixed success at filling the huge open plan spaces. So, do we think Scotty did better than The Block contestants?
There was certainly instant warmth and an unmistakable cosy country vibe! I absolutely loved the herringbone floor choice and the use of rugs to zone areas and large furniture to work with the scale of the space.
From the huge open fireplace – complete with fittings for cooking! – in a brick feature wall to the 10-seater custom dining table from Christian Cole facing a timber dresser, Scott’s living dining area was filled with luxe comforts to redefine country chic.
While it was perhaps a little too eclectic for my own personal tastes, I definitely think Scotty and the team did a great job! What did you think?
Block host Scotty Cam revealed the latest rooms in his own Tree Change house last night and they were probably a lot less masculine than we expected!
Once again he’s gone all out for a heritage feel but with the best modern comforts. The plan was to present two bathrooms and a bedroom for the resident Block boss, but after loaning his tiling team to Omar and Oz when their tiler came down with covid, he only managed one of each – but what rooms they were!
The pink theme was continued into the bathroom and we spotted plenty of items we love in both rooms, so of course we thought we’d link you up if you’re interested in buying too!
We loved the combination of brass, blush pink and rattan across these two rooms.
From the original artwork of Anna Blatman’s Hanging Rock to horizontal panelling and a soft colour palette that reflects the heritage past of his home, Scotty’s guest bedroom ticked all the boxes of a traditional country home, but with contemporary touches.
It was revealed last night and we have links to all the best items you may have your eye on to buy!
The working fireplace – a signature of his rooms so far – and a classic chaise lounge, are offset by Robert Gordon ceramic sconces, a cheeky garden gnome ornament and a custom “Tools Down!” embroidery to create a room that would be at home anywhere in the area, but can only belong to Scotty Cam!
Another local artist, Jessie Rigby lives in the Macedon Ranges where The Block is being filmed, and her piece Domum Montem Aurum is also beautiful. Shop it here.
The Block Tree Change 2022: week 2 guest bedroom reveals
I feel like this week’s Block rooms looked much better on the TV (and hopefully in real life!) than they…
Win the art from Ankur and Sharon’s winning guest bedroom
The Block starts again this Sunday and I can’t wait! Adding to my usual excitement about a new series is the fact that WA siblings Ebony and Luke, my early favourites from the last series, are back for a second chance. I couldn’t wait to chat to Ebony Haythornthwaite about keeping this huge secret for the last few months and what we can expect from the Block-togon!
Luke and Ebony on last series
The pair found out they were getting a second chance on the show when they attended the auctions for Triple Threat. “We had become really great mates with the contestants we met during the eliminations, in particular Jess and Ayden. They invited us over to be a part of the celebrations and whilst we were there we are asked to take part in a short interview. We were under the impression it was regarding the auction results and Luke and I didn’t think much of it. We opened the door and were met with Scotty and Darren Palmer! They then proceeded to tell us to go home and pack our bags as we were on The Block!”
To say they were shocked would be an understatement. “We were both hesitant as we both doubt ourselves and our own abilities, but poor Luke had also booked a trip to Europe. It was all paid for and he would be leaving right in the middle of filming. There was definitely a moment of hesitation, but we both realised that this was an opportunity of a lifetime and we felt so grateful that we could not pass up the opportunity,” Ebony said.
Apart from some close friends and family, nobody else was allowed to know, with Ebony telling her other friends and colleagues that she had been offered an internship in Melbourne for three to four months! “They were so excited and I felt so terrible I couldn’t share the truth! But now that it’s out they are so thrilled and completely understand why I had to bend the truth a little.”
Despite the easy assumptions, Ebony says her and her brother aren’t really at much of advantage at all, having not even made it onto the Block ‘proper’ last series. “We’ve done a week of the show whereas the others haven’t and we knew a few crew members and had a taste of the camera and the pressure you’re under. But we also have never been on The Block – we were in an apartment complex for one week. The actual Block site and the running of the site are very different. But I understand the question of having an advantage; I would be thinking the same thing if I was a contestant and they brought someone else back. But as you’ll see, first or second time around makes no difference – you can still make huge mistakes either way!”
Humble Ebony also can’t help feeling a little guilty to get another shot at the experience when so many apply every year and miss out. “I’ve read comment after comment in the past of viewers being annoyed that others have had two opportunities to have a go. I do completely understand if people feel that way. Luke and I honestly believed that we had had our chance last time and we were not good enough to be involved. We had put it down to a great experience and had moved on. That’s why it was such a genuine surprise to be asked back and there was no way we could have said no to the opportunity. It’s something that people will either have a problem with or they won’t. Ultimately it was an unexpected delight to be asked back and we’re extremely grateful.”
Luke and Ebony
If Ebony has any regrets it’s not backing herself enough. “Viewers will be very surprised with our apartment and choices we make – it comes down to my lack of confidence in my own ability. Luke was great and constantly boosted me up, but in hindsight I did make a lot of mistakes; not trusting my gut and doing my natural style from the beginning is the biggest mistake I made.”
That said, now the apartment is finished, they love it: “It took some time getting there, there are changes that we made along the way. But ultimately, we love our apartment and hopefully the buyers will too!”
Something viewers often grumble about is too much bitching and drama and not enough design but Ebony says we can expect a great sense of teamwork amongst the contestants this time. “Yes, we are all very different and there is still frustration, conflict and disagreement, but generally I believe we all got on extremely well and helped each other a lot. There are hours upon hours of footage which has to get cut down to a 45-minute episode. I hope that viewers see the many, many laughs we all had together. Each contestant is brilliantly hilarious and completely insane in their own way – it’s fabulous!”
But working on a building site for 12 weeks, alongside eight strangers and a crew you’re getting to know with very little sleep, there is always going to be drama. “This show is about capturing the moments as they unfold, and that means capturing the drama. If the show censored the drama and focused solely on the design, viewers wouldn’t be seeing the experience for what it really is; plus that’s not reality. I think this series will show a good balance of design and drama. Let’s not forget a lot of the drama comes from the design sometimes!”
Working on The Block was the hardest, most gruelling and challenging thing Ebony’s ever done but she also calls but it the most rewarding, hilarious and craziest thing she’s done. “I hope they show all the tears, the tantrums and the laughs, because then viewers can see what an emotional rollercoaster The Block really is. It’s not all laughs and fun, but it’s not all doom and gloom either – like I said, total rollercoaster!”
Having grown up in a close family, Ebony and Luke have been taught to trust one another and be open about things. “To be honest, I was shocked that Luke and I got along so well last time but I figured it was just because we had only spent a week together! After hearing that we were back on, I was worried about how we’d go. But in all seriousness, I am so proud of how we worked as a team. We had each other’s back from day one. We had arguments and disagreements, but it never lasted long and we never screamed at each other.”
The series has now finished filming, but open for inspection day and of course, the the auctions, are still looming. Ebony’s keeping her future options open but is definitely set on a design career and more study. “I thought I had a lot to learn before, now I know I have a lot to learn! But it’s exciting. Last time the show was right as I finished my brief study, this time it feels like the prequel to furthering my study and starting my career. I have a few different options at the moment, but I just need to seek advice as to what’s the best option for me, whether it is studying in Melbourne, studying overseas, taking some time to travel or perhaps another opportunity will arise. All I know at the moment is I don’t really want to see stairs, paintbrushes or ready-made dinners for quite some time!”
The Block starts with bathroom week on Sunday night at 7pm on Nine.
How I feel about The Block auction is how I imagine sport fanatics feel about grand final night. Emotional, excited and exhilarated! And I can happily say last night’s did not disappoint!
Having had to choose the auction order from a hat, Tim and Anastasia picked out a big, scary ‘1’, meaning they were first up. First seemed to be the position no one wanted, so I must admit I let out a sigh of relief that it was them over my favourites Dea and Daz.
With their reserve standing at $1,420,000, the auctioneer started and in what felt like seconds, it became a bidding war between buyers’ advocate judges Frank Valentic and Nicole Jacobs. Tim and Anastasia’s profit shot past $500,000, then the bids shot past $2 million and suddenly they were making a brand new Block record. Holy moley! A minute later it was over, the property sold for $2,175,000, $755,000 over reserve. Which saw their winnings stand at $100,000 higher than we’d ever seen on The Block! And to think they were going to walk away from it all! My goodness. No words.
Next up were Ayden and Jess, Jen’s favourites. Down to earth Jess said she would love $250,000 for a house and would be happy with $50,000 for a deposit. Turns out she didn’t have much to worry about! With the reserve at $1,335,000, once again the bidding started off quickly. It didn’t take long to get up to $1.7 million, with a profit of $365,000. “You’ve just got yourself a house and a pool!” said Scotty. It kept rising and ended up bang on $2 million, with a total winnings of $665,000. They didn’t beat Tim and Anastasia, but not a bad effort at all!
[contextly_sidebar id=”Yjxg4U9DI2iOoEUqIS0DcHi76RsDzLN4″]Ad break after ad break and then the couple I had been waiting for: Dea and Daz. My fingers were crossed there wouldn’t be a repeat of last year, where they took home a measly $10,000 for their efforts. The reserve was at $1,455,000 and they had to reach $2,210,000 to beat Tim and Anastasia. Could they do it? Yes, yes, yes! In the quickest bidding we’d seen, the bids flew over the $2 million mark in a flash. I was a bit too busy jumping up and down to keep up with writing down the figures (apologies for that!) but they shot past Tim and Anastasia, taking home $835,000 and selling their property for $2,290,000. This is just crazy money! As Dea said: “I’m speechless for the first time ever.”
Finally it was Josh and Charlotte’s turn. To win, they had to sell theirs for $2,225,000. The reserve was at $1,390,000 and the first bid? $1,800,000! As usual, bids were coming thick and fast. In the end, they sold their property for $2,200,000; just $25,000 shy of Dea and Daz. But alas, it wasn’t meant to be and they took home a profit of $810,000. Hardly a fail though!
What a success for all! Though I must admit the cynic in me thinks Channel 9 made the reserves unrealistically low because of last year’s disaster! Buyers’ advocate Nicole even said a few weeks back that she thought Ayden and Jess’ was worth in the $2 millions, yet their reserve was $1.3 million! But hey, it made for better TV and the contestants got to take home an amazing amount of money for their hard work, so no complaints.
This series, The Block gave away a record-breaking $3 million and my favourites, Dea and Daz won, going home with $935,000 (including the extra $100,000 they got for winning). So all in all I’d say it was worth the ten weeks of hard work!
Today, we’re excited to be launching our new, regular video series, Interiors Addict TV. Our first interview is with well-loved Block host Scott Cam.
Scott shares all his top tips for real life renovating outside the unrealistic time constraints, budgets and drama of The Block.
Also introducing the newest member of our team, Lauren Ellis, a television journalist and director of My Picket Fence. When she’s not reporting for Nine’s The Today Show, you’ll find Lauren interviewing Australia’s leading design experts, scouring interior stores for inspiration and renovating her own home, one room at a time. She’s also a student at the International School of Colour and Design.
TV journalist Lauren Ellis is the newest member of the Interiors Addict team
It was a night of glamour for the Block Sky High contestants and judges last night, but the biggest winner of the night was the show’s host, Scott Cam, who went home with the best presenter gong and the coveted Gold Logie.
The twins wearing designer Liza Emanuele
Alisa and Lysandra with Shelley Craft and fellow Sky High contestant and newlywed, Kim
The twins with Danni Minogue
Those following the frocks (that’d be me) would have noticed Shaynna Blaze and twins Alisa and Lysandra’s dresses, not to mention judges Neale Whitaker and Darren Palmer looking very sharp. My favourite Blockhead outfit was definitely Shelley Craft’s. I thought she looked lovely.
Block judge Shaynna with her Selling Houses Australia co-hosts Andrew Winter and Charlie Albone
