Tag: shaynna blaze

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Art Designers Homewares Interviews

The Shaynna Blaze x Urban Road Art Collection is here (+ win a signed artwork of your choice!)

A couple of months ago we shared the exciting news that Urban Road and design guru Shaynna Blaze were set to collaborate on an art collection. And now the day has come, with the nature-inspired range available from today!

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Featuring over 20 framed and canvas art prints, the collection is a beautiful mix of colour, mood and texture, influenced by nature in its most extreme forms. “I took my inspiration from the love of stormy skies and sea-scapes and zoning in on details like the micro scales of a butterfly wing,” explains Shaynna. “It was all about colour for this collection.”

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While you’d know Shaynna as the resident design expert on The Block and Selling Houses Australia, it’s not just interiors that hold a special place in her heart. “My two preferences are fine arts and interior design so art has always been with me. However, I haven’t picked up the artist brush for a couple of years so the collaboration with Urban Road was a way to get creative with the canvas, without me actually picking up the brush.”

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Collaborating over many months, Urban Road let Shaynna take the reins. Involved in all aspects of the design process, she in partnership with Urban Road’s creative director Suzie Atkin, developed a range of unique yet harmonising artworks. “Urban Road were very open to what I wanted,” says Shaynna. “So I came up with the colour palettes (from what I know is working in interiors at the moment) and the subject content of the range and sent Suzie photos and concepts to work with. We then went back and forth with a couple of ideas to flesh out the collection and now we have over 20 pieces (plus more colour options)!”

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Now with her art career back in action, Shaynna is keen to keep it going. “I would love to do another collection with Urban Road if this one goes well and maybe if I get some time in the next 12 months I might pick up the brush again myself!”

Shop online.

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To celebrate the launch, Urban Road are giving away four framed 84x105cm Shaynna Blaze Collection Art Prints, signed by Shaynna herself! Not only that you can choose your favourite piece and have it framed in the colour of your choice.

To enter, simply follow these instructions:

  1. Follow @urbanroad_au and @interiorsaddict on Instagram
  2. Instagram an image of your favourite piece from the Shaynna Blaze x Urban Road Collection and tag it with #shaynnablazexurbanroad 
  3. Tag @shaynnablaze @urbanroad_au @interiorsaddict

Entries close 31 August 2015. The four winners will be announced on the 1 September via Instagram. Australian residents only.

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Designers Expert Tips Styling The Block

Shaynna Blaze on the 5 ways to incorporate the trends of Milan Design Week into your home

Tacchini display from Milan Design Week 2015

By Shaynna Blaze

Recently I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to visit Milan Design Week 2015 and I had the most incredible time! There are so many events you can attend; you’d need a team of five scouts to even come close to covering the whole week. So while I didn’t get to see it all, I did get to see some amazing displays and products, which proved why Milan is the go-to city for design inspiration.

Shaynna
Shaynna

Some of the world’s best designers from around the world showcased their works, but standouts for me were Tacchini, Louis Vuitton and Moooi. It was a very inspiring experience to be able to see all the furniture, lighting, accessories and colour on display, which got me thinking of ways we can incorporate these trends into our lives here in Australia. So below are my top five tips for incorporating Milan Design Week’s trends into your home.

1. Keep it cosy with an autumnal colour scheme

Tacchini display from Milan Design Week 2015
Tacchini display from Milan Design Week 2015

I wandered through a field of autumnal colours at the Tacchini display. Pale peaches, bold oranges, deep yellows and a spectrum of muted greens. The boldly coloured furniture was softened with the low lighting of the floral-printed drum shades.

Autumnal colours are perfect for making a room feel cosy as they draw the space inward creating an intimate scene. To prevent an autumnal palette from feeling too heavy, I would keep your accent timbers to a light oak as opposed to a dark brown or black colour, and dress with off white bed linen to give the perfect contrast. If you want to be a little more subtle, but still want that warmth, go for a stone colour on the walls like Taubmans Endure Portland Stone, and pull the deeper autumn tones through the room via a rug or artwork. This way you won’t overwhelm the room too much.

2. Go green!

Louis Vuitton display from Milan Design Week 2015
Louis Vuitton display from Milan Design Week 2015

Amongst all the warm hues there were constant pops of dark green, like at the Louis Vuitton display, which showcased their Objets Nomades collection. Set amongst the backdrop of the magnificent nineteenth century Palazzo Bocconi, the cream and gilded walls with hints of pale duck egg blue were an incredible contrast to the dark greens of the display, which were inspired by Ernest Hemmingway’s travels.

The key to making any shade of green work in your home is to mix it with elements of white and light coloured timbers so it feels fresh. Avoid using dark colours in your accessories and furniture as it can often make green feel dated and old-fashioned.

3. Dark walls and mood lighting

Moooi’s display from Milan Design Week 2015
Moooi’s display from Milan Design Week 2015

Most of the displays I saw featured backdrops of stark white, charcoal or black to accentuate each designer’s products. This also drew focus towards the feature lighting of many displays – another popular trend from Milan Design Week. Moooi’s display’s had a very dramatic, moody, yet playful feel to it with its dark walls, which showed off the unique feature lighting.

Dark colours have a tendency to enclose a room making it feel much smaller than it really is. To make a dark room feel more spacious, reflect the wall colour in your flooring or use a rug with a similar tone. This makes the room feel like one, big open space. Walls in a dark charcoal or black like Taubmans Chasm or Black Fox should also be mixed with plenty of white and light grey furniture and accessories, along with statement pendant lighting for the ultimate moody yet sophisticated look.

4. Bold and beautiful

Moooi’s display from Milan Design Week 2015
Moooi’s display from Milan Design Week 2015

Moooi was definitely one of my favourites from Milan Design Week 2015. The large-scale prints on their new carpet range served as dramatic floor canvases in bold statement colours, which along with extravagant wall hangings offset the elegant furniture and unique feature lighting. A palette of red with accents of raspberry and purple was one dramatic combination I saw and loved at Moooi. They cleverly used strategic lighting to mute the intensity of the tones.

When incorporating into your own home, the key to using bold colours like these is to layer different variances of similar hues but keep the lighting soft around the walls. Use brighter lights on the furniture areas to balance the room.

5. Layers and layers

Milan Design Week 2015 was bold, playful and quirky with nothing pared back, especially when it came to colour. The same warm tonal colours caught my eyes at nearly every display. Shades of gold, brass, yellow, peach, tangerine and deep oranges layered upon each other were a common theme. Dark greens and blues often also popped up alongside the warm hues.

The trends we continue to see today are multi-layered looks, which means they appeal to many different personalities and markets providing something for everyone. Milan was a great example of a place that offers endless inspiration and unique ways to adapt colour and interior trends – from the exhibition into your home.

— Shaynna Blaze is Taubmans’ brand ambassador and colour creative director, host of Selling Houses Australia and judge on The Block.  

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Designers Expert Tips RENO ADDICT Styling The Block

Shaynna Blaze on the 5 colour trends to use this winter

Walls in Taubmans Endure Orchid Child. Photo credit: Freedom

By Shaynna Blaze

Keeping an eye on new colour trends is a great way to spark inspiration and give your interiors a fresh, modern update. The key to using trend colours is just to have fun with them! Don’t be afraid to put a personal spin on a trend and embrace it in your home.

For first timer painters, you should try using trend colours in a smaller or more personal space like an entryway, hallway or bedroom. For more experienced painters or daring decorators, you can make a real statement in your lounge or open plan living area with a trend colour. Here are my top tips for incorporating five different colour trends into your home this winter.

Perfect pastels

Walls in Taubmans Endure Castawy Isle & Hedonist. Photo credit: Freedom
Walls in Taubmans Endure Castawy Isle & Hedonist. Photo credit: Freedom

Pastels are one of my favourite trends this year. The softness of the hues allows you to mix and match opposing colours on the one wall without creating an eyesore. They also work really well with white, blonde or light coloured timber furniture.

To re-create this look, use painter’s tape to divide your wall and paint one side in a pale blue, like Taubmans Castaway Isle, and the other in a soft pink, like Taubmans Hedonist. For those wanting to create an edgier look, paint two-thirds of your wall in one colour and the remaining third in the second colour rather than an even half and half. Complete the look with artworks predominately featuring brighter or darker shades of blues and pinks as they’ll really pop against the pastel wall.

Peachy keen

This winter we’ll begin to see a shift towards muted, warm tones mixed with whites and greys in our homes. Taking the lead from the trends of metallic colours like copper and bronze, hues of orange and salmon will also emerge into our winter palettes. Pastel orange tones like Taubmans Rosette Royale and Sweet Peach, work well with blonde timbers. Try this combination to create a modern look with an organic feel, which also adds a sense of warmth to a winter palette.

Darker days

Walls in Taubmans Endure Black Forest. Photo credit: Freedom
Walls in Taubmans Endure Black Forest. Photo credit: Freedom

I love using dark colours to create a winter palette. Charcoal greys, navy blues and deep-sea greens can make any room feel cosy with a hint of sophistication. These colours work well as a backdrop for bolder coloured accessories in reds, oranges and yellows. The trick for this look is to use a simple palette of up to only four colours so as not to overwhelm the eye with too many shades. For example, a dark blue, like Taubmans Endure Black Forest, works well with grey, red and white. Ensure there is an even balance of your chosen colours in your bed linen, carpets and other room accessories.  The combination of blue, red and white gives a gender-neutral, slightly nautical look without feeling kitschy.

I also love using less traditional winter colours like deep charcoals and indigos in my interiors. If you go with this trend, make sure you layer your tones from the dark wall colour through to a soft grey or white in your trims and accessories. Utilizing five or six hues ranging from dark blue, to grey blue to white, will create the perfect moody look this winter. My favourite combination is Taubmans Gypsy Rose, Dusty Violet, Snow Goose and Ice Princess.

Teal burst

Walls in Taubmans Endure Orchid Child. Photo credit: Freedom
Walls in Taubmans Endure Orchid Child. Photo credit: Freedom

If you’re a first time painter who doesn’t feel confident enough to paint with bright colour or a homeowner who’s fond of neutrals, you can still incorporate trend colours in your room design with statement artworks, soft furnishings and quirky room accessories.

When adding colour to a predominately neutral room it’s best to select three to four different colours making one dominant over the rest. Vibrant teals are becoming increasingly popular this year and can add a playful burst of energy to any neutral interior palette. The incorporation of bright teal in the artwork of this room creates a focal point on the wall without overwhelming it with colour. Various shades of teal also appear in the cushion and table accessories alongside subtle hints of yellow, red and blue.

Shades of grey

For an unexpected winter palette, try a nice shade of grey. Taupe greys on your walls give a warm base palette for crisp coloured bed linen and black accents, such as bedside lamps. Slightly reflective materials like silky timbers for bedside tables and copper flecks in details of cushions and bedside candles will bring the room to life.

— Shaynna Blaze is Taubmans’ brand ambassador and colour creative director, host of Selling Houses Australia and judge on The Block.  

Categories
Art Designers Homewares The Block

Shaynna Blaze adds artist to her resume with Urban Road collaboration

I’ve called her superwoman before and I’m sticking to it, with Shaynna Blaze having just announced an exciting new venture. Does this woman ever sleep?!

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Shaynna

Collaborating with Urban Road, this July will see the launch of the Shaynna Blaze Art Collection, a range of twenty framed and canvas art prints. The perfect partnership, the collection will couple Shaynna’s huge success as a designer with Urban Road’s impressive catalogue of stylish and on-trend homewares.VoeoAdvHjRAGP6IyMzLeiDRXBOVOg3l4jUnEohEF2EM“I cannot wait to work alongside Urban Road on the upcoming Shaynna Blaze Art Collection,” says Shaynna. “I am thoroughly impressed by the calibre of their previous and current collaborations and feel honoured to be able to contribute my own ideas and style to what is a progressively artistic homewares brand.”XAwJ1HWfm4eJ3w4S4zg69e5jM-IH5LTGIf_Rud797b8The collection will take inspiration from the beauty and colours of nature in its most extreme forms; from wild and unexpected to delicate and structured, and will see Shaynna occupy an instrumental role throughout the entire design and production process.

The Shaynna Blaze Art Collection will be available from late July at Urban Road and leading online retailers and independent retail outlets.

Categories
Outdoor & Exteriors RENO ADDICT The Block

Terrace week: The Block Triple Threat’s last room reveals

So the last room reveals are done and dusted and as Neale perfectly put it: “Talk about saving the best for last!” It was a dramatic week on The Block! There were money issues and massive blow-ups, and let’s not forget Tim and Anastasia storming off site (before returning not too long after!). But in the end four terraces were finished. And there was even a 30/30 score for the ever polarizing (though I will proudly admit my favourites) Dea and Daz!

So onto the judging…

Josh and Charlotte – second place

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With Josh and Charlotte’s terrace being their entranceway, it was important for them to create an open and grand space. And according to the judges, they were right on the money! “Wow,” said Darren upon entry. Shaynna agreed it was the perfect entranceway, with Neale adding he always loved terrace week because it’s the “final piece of the jigsaw.” He loved how it brought the whole apartment together and matched the interior with its pared back and restrained design.

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All the judges loved the unique vertical garden and the use of timber. Shaynna liked the flexibility of having all the furniture on wheels and the presence of heaters for year round use. Neale loved the combination of the tiles and lamps and thought it gave the space a slightly Moroccan feel. Shaynna ended the judging by saying: “It’s really hard to fault!”

Our pick to buy: Lemaire Glasses

Tim and Anastasia – fourth place

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With the only private terrace, Tim and Anastasia were in a good position going in. However, turns out they had no money (which let’s be honest is a major issue!), so they did the whole room off sponsors’ vouchers. Combine this with the fact they walked off site and the final terrace was actually pretty impressive. Darren loved how beautiful it looked from the kitchen and Neale thought the pendants were impressive, though not too practical.

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All judges agreed that while the size of the terrace was similar to that of Josh and Charlotte’s it felt distinctively smaller as there was just too much in the space. Darren liked the timber cladding and thought it was a very effective and bold statement. Shaynna said that while there was some obvious unfinished areas she was impressed with the standard of the terrace.

Our pick to buy: Yvette Pendant

Ayden and Jess – third place

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“Hooray it’s a lounge room,” said Darren as he walked it. “The apartment makes sense now.” With Ayden and Jess having originally been criticised for moving their kitchen to sit by the terrace (rather than having the lounge room there), all judges were quick to compliment, with Neale saying: “It’s not a terrace but a whole extra room!”

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Darren was hugely impressed by the cladding, Neale liked the hanging pots (but was unsure how to water them) and all the judges liked the use of the old MCG gate on the vertical garden. However, Neale did think the terrace could have been over styled. And while there was a lot to like, he found the side table disappointing. Shaynna agreed that the table had the wrong pieces on it and thought none of it was needed.

Our pick to buy: Navy Linked Ottoman Cover

Dea and Daz – first place (30/30!) 

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While Dea and Daz had the least amount of internal space, they were lucky enough to have their ground floor extended out into a backyard; seeing them be the only couple with a legitimate outdoor space. And to say the judges were impressed, well that would be the understatement of the century! “Damn this is good,” said Darren. Shaynna agreed: “Absolutely beautiful!” And Neale? “This is total luxury and I don’t think I’ve ever felt like that about a terrace.”

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Neale said that not too long ago he had been worried about this apartment but believed now it all made sense: “This is the best example of how a terrace can affect the internal space. It’s like a little slice of heaven in South Yarra.” And until today, Shaynna has never said there was nothing to fault in a room: “This is absolute perfection!” She couldn’t find one thing she’d change.

Our pick to buy: Laguiole Cheese Set

With the auction this Wednesday, we are only days away from finding out the winner. And boy oh boy do I hope it’s not a repeat of last year! We will have the full recap here Thursday morning. So watch this space!

Categories
Appliances Kitchens RENO ADDICT The Block

Olivia visits The Block’s kitchens and shares her opinion and all the product details

So I’ll let you in on a little secret. A couple of hours before The Block reveals air, we get the photos of all the rooms. The problem is, we don’t get the judges’ comments, so I spend a good 30 minutes trying to decipher who wins. I must say I’m normally pretty accurate — though I will admit I did not see Josh and Charlotte’s 30/30 score for their master bedroom coming!

But my guessing game went into overdrive last week, when I got to see The Block’s kitchens in the flesh (days prior to the reveal). Judge Shaynna Blaze led the tour, and though I attempted on countless occasions to get her opinion out of her, she kept mum (you should be proud, Channel 9)!

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Shaynna and I

So below are all my views and all the product details, should you wish to try and replicate the kitchens in your own home.

Ayden and Jess: Modern traditional

Looking at the kitchen alone and ignoring how it fitted into the surrounding space, it was my favourite. I liked pretty much all of it bar the glass-fronted cabinets. I just don’t see them as realistic. People have mismatched dinnerware; it just seems so messy!

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On-trend and functional, the profiled cabinetry in a Stone Grey brought an element of sophistication and the benchtop choice of Silestone Lyra added a natural feel to the classically styled kitchen. Designed and built to entertain, Jess and Ayden opted for Electrolux appliances throughout the kitchen, as well as Breville small appliances and Oliveri taps and sinks.

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Dea and Darren: Urban glam

While I later found out how different my opinion was to the judges, the Double Ds produced my second favourite kitchen. And if you looked at the space as a whole (so the kitchen, living and dining as one), well then it shot straight to my favourite. Yes, the ‘goalposts’ were weird, but it was the only townhouse that actually had open plan living.

These 'goal posts' got a LOT of mentions and not in a good way!

The kitchen is really the social hub of the home, executed through smart and functional design without compromising on style (though that mosaic tile splashback was a bit OTT). With Silestone benchtops in Cemento Spa and Pulsar, the appliances included an integrated Vintec Wine Fridge, a Bosch 762 litre French Door Fridge, a Bosch warming drawer, Oliveri sinks and taps and Breville small appliances.

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Tim and Anastasia: Modern monochrome

I found Tim and Anastasia’s kitchen layout quite bizarre, what with it being almost like two galley kitchens attached in an L-shape. Standing in it was very cramped, though that said we were 50 or so people there! However, what I did really like was how they connected their kitchen to the terrace with bi-fold windows; perfect for indoor-outdoor living.

The Block in Melbourne

Using contrasting colours and textures of black and white and gloss and matt, the kitchen focused on modern elements like handle-less cabinetry and used soft greys — of the Silestone benchtops in Lagoon — to help balance the monochromatic scheme. Appliances included the Delonghi oven and built-in combination microwave, with a Samsung 636 litre fridge, Breville small appliances and Oliveri taps and sinks.

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Josh and Charlotte: Minimalist

I totally agreed with the judges on this one. In person, I couldn’t get over the huge blank space behind the timber bench. It looked so unfinished and cold. Josh and Charlotte’s style is minimalism — which can be great — but I think this time it was taken too far.

The Block in Melbourne

Using crisp white cabinetry, offset by a raised cafe style timber bench and Titanium drawer fronts, the kitchen also included subtle marbling in the Silestone benchtop in Helix. To complement this, Josh and Charlotte used Fisher & Paykel appliances, with an integrated fridge and a gas and ceramic cook top, Breville small appliances and Oliveri sinks and taps.

The Block in Melbourne

Finally, a special thanks to The Good Guys for flying me to Melbourne and giving me a behind the scenes look at The Block. I loved it!

Categories
Bathrooms Design Kitchens RENO ADDICT Styling

Shaynna Blaze shares her top kitchen and bathroom renovation tips

When renovating a home we often look to the experts to gather tips and inspiration to ensure the best possible results. And with Shaynna Blaze, of The Block and Selling Houses Australia, having just renovated her new studio’s kitchen and bathroom, she is the perfect person to share her tips.

Caption Design with Colour and Style by Shaynna Blaze published by Vikin...
Photo credit: Design with Colour and Style by Shaynna Blaze, published by Viking, rrp $39.99

Small budget, huge inspiration!

Collect everything and anything that inspires you and create your own lookbook or mood board to capture it all. In the kitchen, I was inspired by the heritage of the 1880 building while still making if feel and work as a kitchen of the 21st century. Whereas the bathroom was complete fantasy, referencing Versailles.

Usage – who is using the space and how? 

It’s important to think about who is going to be in the area and how the area is going to be used on a daily basis. Keeping these things in mind helps to create your layout, the appliances and fittings you need, right down to the colour palette you will select.

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Define your must-haves.

Both the bathroom and kitchen are frequently used spaces and therefore it’s critical the fittings are both functional and practical but also visually appealing. Ensure you have accounted for those items you can’t live without and build from there. These are areas that are not just for me so I wanted whoever walks in the rooms to be transported somewhere.

Make the most of the spaces footprint.

Limited space often restricts the layout of a kitchen or bathroom. Ensure every space is well thought out and planned. With only one wall for tall items, in the kitchen my main priority was to make sure I would be able to fit as much bench, drawer and cupboard space as possible.

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Add colour, texture and patterns.

Colour, texture and patterns are stylistic building blocks of any decorating palette. These key elements help to create the style, mood and the feel of each room. The kitchen has subtle features with panel details in the island bench and glass overhead cabinets with a modern twist on the herringbone pattern in the custom subway mirror splashback tiles. The bathroom takes it to a more extreme level of a period style with detail in every form from tiles and light fittings to the furniture which was a signature of the Victorian era, even though all the details aren’t of a Victorian nature.

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Shaynna renovated her studio with the help of Granite Transformations.

Categories
Kitchens RENO ADDICT The Block

FINALLY, The Block kitchen week reveals: Shaynna lets rip!

“Strap yourselves in because it ain’t all pretty,” was how Scott Cam announced night’s judging to the contestants. Now, I’m not going to sit here being all “know it all” because I certainly wouldn’t have a clue how to put a winning kitchen together, so I’ll stick to saying I found all the kitchens a little underwhelming and it seems the judges agreed. So if last night’s room reveal episode was anything it was a little disappointing. That said, as far as drama went, it was pretty entertaining! And you can say it’s a show about design all you like but come on, we all know it’s reality TV. Those shows with no drama don’t keep coming back series after series… I’m not ashamed to say I enjoy it!

Back to the design, our staff writer Olivia Shead got to look around The Block last week (thanks to the Good Guys) and she told me the kitchens were pretty uninspiring too. Her favourite in the flesh was Ayden and Jess’s and I have to say, I liked theirs the best on screen (and not just because I love those two!). Like Neale said, it was the only one with some personality.

So, onto the judges’ comments…

Charlotte & Josh

This pair said they deliberately kept the kitchen simple so it wouldn’t polarise potential buyers. Neale’s first comment was that he’d expected the big guns to come out, all bells and whistles, and while they hadn’t, he liked the simplicity.

The Block in Melbourne

Shaynna loved the cabinetry handles, the double integrated fridge and the dish drawer. Neale said it was beautifully pared back, however low on wow factor and a little bit drab. He also said one corner of the room was like a cell!

Darren was confused by how obvious one of the beams was. Shaynna said it bugged her but not as much as the lack of task lighting about the food preparation area. Neale said nothing about it celebrated cooking or the preparation of food.

The Block in Melbourne

Shaynna said it was really sad that they kept coming back to the elimination rounds and that that had been the couple’s peak. She added unless they fixed the lighting, once someone lived in it they’d hate it.

Our pick to buy: Remilled Marri breakfast bar

Tim & Anastasia

Ironically, these two hated their kitchen, while the judges had many good things to say about it. The bench area in front of the window impressed all three of them. They also loved the matte black pantry and the choice of appliances.

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Darren pointed out it was the only kitchen that was still in the spot the architect had designated for it and consequently it worked well.

The judges said the sink was the perfect size and in the perfect spot but needed a drain board. Darren said he dug it! Shaynna loved the nook which was like a butler’s pantry without being one. Neale said the storage was good and the rangehood got a big tick.

The Block in Melbourne

Neale said their kitchen definitely had a luxury of space and any potential buyer would think wow. “But I’m still not feeling the magic. It’s still borderline kitchen showroom.” He added they’d not yet developed a confident signature style and asked where was the personality? Something that says this is home?

Darren said it desperately needed some personality in the form of tiles, artwork, or a hanging plant.

Our pick to buy: White oak round cheese paddle.

Ayden & Jess: FIRST PLACE

Finally, some wow! Neale said it felt full of personality and had style. Shaynna said it felt great and she loved the colour and stone choices. She said they hadn’t added value by moving the kitchen but what they’d done was great.

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Darren said the kitchen was terrific but it wasn’t logical to have it where it was. He’d prefer a lounge room full of light and opening up to the outside. Neale called it the serious foodie’s kitchen he’d expected Josh and Charlotte to deliver. Shaynna loved the butler’s pantry, which had been styled how you’d use it. Neale said made it feel real and believable.

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Our pick to buy: Banksia nut candle.

And the one we’d all been waiting for… Dea & Darren: LAST PLACE!

After all the drama the kitchen caused they expected very big things.

These 'goal posts' got a LOT of mentions and not in a good way!
These ‘goal posts’ got a LOT of mentions and not in a good way!

Shaynna started with positives but I think we all knew it was only a matter of time! She loved the benchtop though! Neale wasted no time saying he was a big fan of Dea and Darren but this was not their best week. Shaynna said it was not their best couple of weeks! She described the drama over changing the layout as a debacle, with the whole thing hinging on making the kitchen amazing. Which it was not.

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Neale said even the styling made it feel as if they’d thrown in the towel. Neale said the black mosaic tiles (to match the bathroom) were a bad choice, killing the room and making it feel like a disco. He said it felt cheap and wrong. Ouch! Shaynna didn’t like the empty space by the bifold doors, which could have housed a pantry.

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Then she really let rip, slamming it as a disaster and she was gobsmacked at how badly planned it was. She said she was really really angry at how they’d treated her, dismissed the architect, Keith, Dan and everybody on building site. “And I’m actually livid at their arrogance at producing this average kitchen and what they put people through.”

Deep breaths!

Neale was on the same page, saying it did not feel good and had no flair, confidence, wow or pizzazz. It was not a whizz bang kitchen by any means. A little more diplomatic, Darren said while a kitchen flowing into dining room made logical sense from design point of view, the area that was designed to be a kitchen and would have worked much more nicely. Needless to say, the comments did not go down well with Dea, who had an answer for all of them, much to her fellow contestants’ amusement!

Our pick to buy: Mud Australia Dome light.

Overall though, nobody got great praise. Shaynna said nobody has pushed the boundary in materials or design and there was no wow. Neale said they’d all under-delivered and Shaynna said it felt as though they’d been asleep at the wheel.

See all our Block coverage.

If you love renovating, check out the real reno section on our sister site RENO ADDICT!

Categories
Designers Expert Tips Styling The Block

Win Shaynna Blaze’s second book, Design with Colour and Style

You know her as one-third of The Block judging panel and the resident interior designer on Selling Houses Australia and now the much-loved Shaynna Blaze is releasing her second book, Design with Colour and Style.

Design with Colour Style Cover1

Featuring her signature warmth and straightforward approach, the book provides you with all the guidance you could ever need to help you uncover your personal interior style. Taking you step by step though the various components of designing with colour, Shaynna will help you find the best colour for the job, teach you about different colour trends and give you the understanding that you need to use colour to suit your own preferences.

When it comes to style, Shaynna outlines some popular influences that have developed over time and helps you determine your own style. She shows you how to put layers together to build your individual interior and transform your home, always keeping in mind the way you live.

Featuring stunning photography by Vanessa Hall alongside practical information, Design with Colour and Style is a must-have book that gives you the tools and the power to be the master of the look and feel of your home.

Retailing for $39.99 and available at all good book stores, we are also offering two lucky readers the chance to take one of these gorgeous books home. Enter the form below.

For more information.

WIN

We have two signed copies of Shaynna’s book to give away. To be in the running, complete the form below by midnight Sydney time on Wednesday 8 April 2015. Open to Australian residents only. Good luck!

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Categories
Furniture Homewares The Block

The Block gives independent business Momu exposure

The Block is known to boost careers — and not only for the contestants — with many independent businesses gaining increased popularity after their beautiful wares and furniture are featured.

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The Block’s Charlotte at Momu

One such brand is Momu, a Melbourne interiors store that has been popular with judge Shaynna Blaze and contestants Josh and Charlotte, which not surprisingly, has them ecstatic. “We were thrilled to be chosen by Shaynna and team Josh and Charlotte as a source of furniture and decorator pieces for their apartment on this season of The Block,” explains marketing director Marcel Gasking. “We are very grateful for their support of local Melbourne retailers and appreciate The Block giving us a fantastic opportunity to showcase our extensive range of bespoke furniture and interior products to a new audience. ”

However, it’s not just the stars of The Block who are taken by Momu, with the retail hub also tickling our fancy, thanks to their unique collection of designer goods from contemporary bespoke furniture to 100% pure wool hand-knotted rugs and kilims.

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Soho-Chair

With plenty of their products having been scoured from countries such as Belgium, France, Morocco and Japan, Momu are also very committed to supporting local manufacturing, with all of their custom-made upholstered furniture and hand-carved timber pieces made in Melbourne. They offer a point of difference with their flexibility to customise and shorter lead times.

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With an impressive bricks and mortar presence, boasting a refurbished New York-style upper level loft as a showroom, Momu have also recently launched an online store. Momu is located at 550 Swan Street, Richmond VIC, and open 9am-to-5pm weekdays and 11am-4pm weekends.

Shop online.

Categories
Expert Tips RENO ADDICT

Taubmans’ tips for an Easter weekend paint party

Giving your walls a fresh coat of paint can instantly transform your home, but let’s be honest, there’s a lot more fun ways to spend your time! That being said, if you had some pals to help you out, it’d be whole lot more enjoyable and a whole lot quicker, but how to rope them in?! Taubmans believe they have the answer, having put together a Paint Party Planning 101 how-to-guide. Featuring playful and fun tips, they believe this Easter weekend is the time to invite your friends round, harness their creative spirit, pump up the tunes and make painting fun.

Taubmans Paint Party Planning 101 Infographic
Click here for the larger graphic

Here are some of their Paint Party tips:

  • Stuck on colour? Get inspired by design guru, Shaynna Blaze on Taubmans’ website or digitally colour your room with any Taubmans hue using their Paint Your Own Room tool before you paint for real.
  • Get creative and dial-up the fun by requesting guests come in fancy dress. Their suggestion? Bunny onesies of course. Not a fan of a theme? White tees will do the trick – free reign to get messy.
  • Photobooth your house. Set up a camera tripod and capture the transformation as it unfolds, thrills, spills and all!

As Taubmans colour creative director and brand ambassador, Shaynna has long been a believer of using a colourful lick of paint to inject personality into a room. “While painting can be seen as a daunting task to some, it is actually one of the easiest, most affordable and, most importantly, fun ways to update a room in your home. Coating your room with a beautiful new hue is not only a great way to make a change to your space, it’s also the perfect excuse to get together with your friends and get the job that you’ve been putting off, done and dusted for good.”

And of course it helps if you feed them chocolate (eggs) and provide alcohol too…

For more information.

Categories
House Tours The Block

The Block master reveals, ‘winegate’ and a disqualification!

Well well well, what a night of room reveals it was! Some great rooms and all very different, which impressed the judges. As Neale said: “All four have a very distinct personality and stand out for different reasons. It’s the most memorable master bedroom week I’ve experienced on The Block.”

That wasn’t all though; the results of the wine audit were in and a very smug Dee and Daz (fair enough) were shown to be NOT guilty! Then, at the end of the show, we saw Charlotte and Josh, after receiving the series’ first 30/30 from the judges, being disqualified from the scoring because they’d broken the rules by not using their Jimmy Possum bed from the recent challenge. Those bloody beds! As I keep saying on Twitter, never have I seen more of a PR fail for a brand on the show. I feel really bad for them! Couples either did their best to disguise their beds or didn’t want to use them at all. Eep!

Onto the judging…

Charlotte and Josh (30 out of 30, first place, had they not been disqualified)

The Block in Melbourne

I really liked this room and its lounge area but didn’t feel it quite warranted the perfect score it got from the judges, much preferring Dee and Daz’s overall. It was all a little too white for my liking and felt like it needed another layer or too. But not wanting to take away from the young couple’s glory, it has some great points.

“Yes, yes, yes yes!” was Shaynna’s initial reaction. Neale said the exposed beams gave a raw, contemporary quality that he loved and called it terrific.

They all loved the automated blinds and lights, especially tech-savvy Darren. Neale said it felt like Josh and Charlotte at their absolute best and they had created something like a self contained apartment or suite.

The Block in Melbourne

Shaynna closely inspected Charlotte’s paint job on the windows and was super impressed, saying they’d really worked hard. “This is their shining star, the pinnacle, what will have buyers in a bidding war.”

The massive walk-in wardrobe almost made Shaynna hyperventilate and generally went down really well, aside from the pendant light, which Darren said was a bit too Silence of the Lambs for his liking! Charlotte, born in the 90s, had never heard of the film. Bless!

The Block in Melbourne

Our pick to buy: Ingrain floating entertainment unit (by the same people who supplied their bathroom vanity last week).

Tim and Anastasia (24.5 out of 30, tying second place with Ayden and Jess)

The Block in Melbourne

I agreed with pretty much everything the judges said about this one. It was, on the face of it, a gorgeous, luxurious, cosy room.

Shaynna said it was beautiful and she loved the colours. Neale said he’s never been convinced they had confidence in their own style but this room maybe proved him wrong. He called it a gentle room with nothing in it that anyone would dislike, with a colour palette just enough to keep it modern.

Darren, perhaps diplomatically, said it was appropriate and saleable but didn’t seem overly excited and was intrigued that they hadn’t carried on the grasscloth wallpaper theme. He was concerned it was too similar to their first bedroom.

The Block in Melbourne

Shaynna kept it real though, pointing out that the curtains, while beautiful, needed channelling into ceiling and that the artwork above the bed too heavy (I totally agree, especially with those black frames).

The two-way doors to the walk-in were praised by all three as being clever. But while it was a good use of space and cabinetry, Neale said it felt a bit too much like a shop and he wasn’t sure about laminate, finding it grey and depressing. “It doesn’t feel luxurious. I’m underwhelmed.”

The Block in Melbourne

Darren also spotted a gaping hole near the window. Oops.

Ayden and Jess (24.5 out of 30, joint second with Tim & Anastasia)

The Block in Melbourne

This room drew mixed comments from the judges, with Neale being a bigger fan than the others. He said they were getting bolder with each passing week. Shaynna said it was like a younger version of Tim and Anastasia’s apartment.

Darren wasn’t exactly doing cartwheels and said he didn’t love it and it felt like a great second bedroom, not a master. He went one further to say it seemed “kind of juvenile” and unsophisticated. I totally agreed that the drum bedsides with no storage weren’t right. And I also agreed with him wanting to throw the artwork above the bed out the window. It looked too cheap and generic. top marks for personality, texture and layering though, I’d say!

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Darren loved the wardrobe however, saying it dragged (interesting choice of word!) the bedroom up a level! I’m starting to see what he meant in our recent interview when he said he was going to be less Mr Nice Guy this series and more “cranky Daz”!

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Neale finished off on some nice positives though, saying they’d got over their initial fears and misgivings and he wouldn’t change a thing.

Dee and Darren (27 out of 30 and first place after Charlotte and Josh’s disqualification)

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Pow! This really was on another level to the others and I’m not sure why they scored less than Charlotte and Josh. So, at the end of the day, in my opinion, the most deserving couple won the 10 grand. The dark , moody grasscloth, the grand but contemporary four-poster, the perfect styling. Dodgy finishes aside, it was a cracker!

The Block in Melbourne

Darren was pretty much dancing around and trying to hang off the bed, he was so excited! “Woah, I love it! This is my all time favourite colour of grasscloth.” He loved the scale of the bed too.

Neale simply said: “Nailed it.” He added that it walked the line between really contemporary and classic, which is what Dee and Darren do again and again, and that it was finessed to a different level. Shaynna agreed it was gorgeous and felt like it enveloped you.

The Block in Melbourne

First impressions of the robe were great, with Darren loving the LED lighting and Neale, the choice of pendant light. They all noted a few finishing issues though, with Neale saying it was a little rough around the edges. Shaynna said the lack of blockout blinds and privacy were letting down a near perfect room.

Our pick to buy: Hale Mercantile Co doona cover and pillowcases.

With kitchen week now upon us, I’m excited! Which was your favourite this week? Did Charlotte and Josh deserve a perfect 30? Was their disqualification too harsh?

Categories
Designers The Block

Interiors Addict TV: Shaynna Blaze on using bold colour

Are feature walls still in? Will bold colours make a room look smaller? Should you paint every wall in a bold colour? What are the key trends for this year? Interior designer Shaynna Blaze, from Selling Houses Australia and The Block, answers all these questions and more and shares her advice in this inteview with Lauren Ellis.

Watch Lauren’s interview with Block host Scott Cam where he shares his renovating secrets.

Categories
Design DIY RENO ADDICT

Shaynna Blaze’s 7 tips on how to avoid renovation mistakes

Enthusiasm for your DIY projects and renovations is the best attitude to have before beginning any task, but this shouldn’t be at the cost of having a level head. Taking on a project too hastily can often result in costly mistakes. On Selling Houses Australia, I’ve seen the same error made time and time again so I’ve put together my top tips on how to avoid these throughout your next renovation.

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  1. Leave the specialist jobs to the pros

Taking on skills you aren’t trained for is not only risky but also dangerous. Jobs such as plumbing, electrics and construction should never be attempted by anyone other than a qualified professional. If you’re looking to do things like open up a room by knocking down a wall, it’s always important to consult a builder first. A builder will be able to identify if a wall is load-bearing or structural, i.e whether or not it can be knocked down. Not consulting a professional for these major jobs is a mistake many DIYers make, which can result in major damage to your home, turning what would have initially seemed like an easy way to cut costs into unplanned repairs.

  1. Do your research

Google and YouTube have revolutionised the DIY world by showing us what we can achieve ourselves within our homes. It’s important to remember that you won’t always find the right answer from one Google search or by watching a YouTube tutorial. Before starting a task, make sure you research thoroughly and understand what it takes to achieve the best result.

  1. Plan and budget your project

Before you begin any renovation, it’s important to plan out the project and break it up into stages. This will ensure that the project is completed both on time and on budget. Most people have champagne tastes and beer budgets so make sure you do your maths for the entire project and not just the cost per room. Too often I’ve seen walls with no plaster or missing flooring due to a lack of planning that results in DIYers running out of time and/or money to complete the job.

  1. Tackle the project room-by-room

Once you’ve got a plan and budget in place, it’s best to tackle your project room-by-room or stage-by-stage. This will break the job up into easy-to-manage tasks and won’t seem like such a daunting challenge. Also, keep in mind that having a clear design plan to begin with will ensure there is cohesion in the final look, otherwise you could end up with a disjointed disaster.

  1. Preparation is key before painting

Paint can be used to hide a multitude of sins but it can’t hide everything — including cracks and holes. Before you begin any paint job, it’s important to get the preparation right to ensure you get the best result. Filling in holes and sandpapering might seem tedious but if you get it right the first time, you’ll avoid touch-up jobs in the future.

  1. Be budget conscious without going cheap

There is a big misconception that ‘going cheap’ is the only way to be budget conscious. While you’ll always have a budget in mind, which you need to stick to, there are ways of saving money on a project without going for the cheapest of everything. This usually results in using lesser quality products, which need to be replaced or repaired more often, which ends up being a higher cost than if you’d chosen a quality product to begin with.

  1. Create a colourful finish

Once renovations are complete, it’s always nice to polish it off with a healthy dose of colour. Clinical, boring and no personality is certainly not a brief I’ve ever been given by a client and definitely aren’t moods I’d encourage. Before you pick up a brush, it’s important to take your time to choose a paint colour that will complete your look and make you happy with the result. Start off by seeking inspiration for the colour palette you want to create and select tones that will evoke the right mood for you and give your project a great finishing touch – no matter what the room.

– Shaynna Blaze is Taubmans’ brand ambassador and colour creative director, host of Selling Houses Australia and judge on The Block.  

Categories
House Tours The Block

Last night’s Block living room reveals

Last night’s was an altogether calmer episode of The Block and we got to the room reveal action quickly, which is always good! The poor remaining contestants were so worn out, they tried to get away with sitting down for judging but Scotty was having none of it! Luke and Ebony reckon they’d only had about six hours’ sleep in more than 50 hours. Ouch. Onto the judging…

Tim and Anastasia. Came 4th and stayed in by the skin of their teeth.

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Shaynna Blaze, who was absent from last week’s judging, said it was beautiful, a knockout and an incredible start. Seriously, will the judges stop being so damn nice?! Neale Whitaker was wowed at what had been achieved in 48 hours and both judges said the attention to detail was great. Neale said we’d never seen anything like this in an elimination round and it felt really lovely.

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There was criticism though: using a nest of occasional tables as the main coffee table, a wonky pelmet and no TV. The paper pendant light was a hit but Shaynna said there wasn’t enough lighting for the evening overall.

OUR PICK TO BUY: Kooper pedants.

Ayden and Jess. Came 2nd.

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Cabinet maker Ayden took a risk making his own table in limited time but it paid off. Neale said the couple had a great sense of fun, a bit of edge and cool. Both judges thought the styling was simple and fun. The couch was a good size, the lighting choices were spot on and it had a Miami feeling. In fact, they struggled to find anything wrong.

OUR PICK TO BUY: Meridian console mirror (so handy!).

Aimee and Brooke came last and were sent home.

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I really liked this ditsy pair last week, but this week found them a bit too cocky and didn’t like the snide comments they made about Ebony and Luke’s pink wall. Neale said their look was consistent with last week’s bedroom and he liked the couch and artwork. Shaynna had a good first impression but on closer inspection thought the furniture’s proportions were all wrong with the too-chunky entertainment unit and too-small lounge. I’d have to agree.

OUR PICK TO BUY: Solid oak round coffee table (similar to theirs).

Ebony and Luke. Came 3rd.

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This brother and sister are growing on me all the time. They just seem like decent people who aren’t too full of themselves, even though they do seem to have a really good idea and more of a clue than some of the others. They came fourth last time so this was an improvement! Their calamine lotion pink wall was a risky move but personally I loved the overall look and how it worked with the Katie McKinnon art (which they also used in their bedroom).  Shaynna said it was a very dividing colour but they more than pulled it off. Neale added: “The return of pink. Wow.” There were tiny criticisms like a few drips of paint on the wall and the underneath of the pelmet being unfinished.

OUR PICK TO BUY: Katie McKinnon artwork (of course!).

Charlotte and Josh. Came 1st, second reveal in a row!

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Again, another risk that paid off, these two decided to exposed their brick wall. Even though it was a weird mustard colour, they recovered from it by painting it white and still making a real impact. You know Neale really likes something when you see a big grin rather than his more usual half-smile and this is what we saw last night. “Wow. Unbelievable. Stunning,” he said. I think we knew they were going to win! Shaynna said it was a whole different look to the other rooms and  Neale agreed they’d taken a box of a room and given it soul, a “stroke of genius”. I didn’t like their artwork or the rug at an angle, which of course Shaynna couldn’t go past either!

OUR PICK TO BUY: Bone inlay coffee table.

So, what did you think? Love or hate the pink wall? Agree with the cousins going home? Who is your favourite couple at this early stage? 

Categories
Designers RENO ADDICT

Andrew Winter chats about Selling Houses Australia season 8

Charlie Albone, Andrew Winter and Shaynna Blaze were known for their banter and chemistry

I don’t know about you, but I’m counting down to the new series of my favourite show, Selling Houses Australia, starting on Wednesday (4 February). I couldn’t wait to chat to host Andrew Winter, in my opinion, one of the most amusing men on television! Perhaps it is the Brit in me that finds his sarcasm and bluntness utterly hilarious, but I can often be heard shrieking at the television when he delivers one of his crushing comments about a homeowner’s decor choices or DIY handiwork. For me, the reasons this show is in its eighth series are obvious, and Andrew’s just one of them.

Andrew Winter
Andrew Winter

Andrew would like to say it’s all down to him, but he admits it has just as much to do with his co-hosts Charlie Albone and Shaynna Blaze, suspecting a lot of female viewers are tuning in for “young Charles” over him. But that’s okay, because he thinks he has the best job in the world. Forget that Great Barrier Reef job Andrew says, he gets to say what he really thinks as well as getting away with doing barely any manual labour (although he tells me he is “flat out” driving and fetching coffee!). And let’s not forget there is a real point to the show; helping people who really need to sell their most expensive asset and are failing miserably.

Eight series is no mean feat. Andrew remembers thinking if they managed to do five and get a sixth commissioned that would be pretty amazing, and now here we are. “I’m absolutely delighted and I still enjoy it. I think we’ve been on so long now that we’ve unintentionally become a barometer of the Australian housing market. We started the last series, for example, with a house on the Gold Coast that sold for 10k over what they expected and that hadn’t been heard of for five years before then! So it’s interesting to watch these thing over the years.”

Andrew, Charlie and Shaynna’s genuine chemistry is clear and I find they’ve all become more equal stars of the show as time has gone on. “The three of us get on really quite well despite being totally different,” Andrew says. “Charles has a pretty crude and appalling sense of humour which always shocks Shaynna, but I of course, am always perfectly lovely!” On a more serious note, Andrew says there’s no pretence. All three of them are experienced and qualified in what they do and they just get on with it. “Everyone thinks they’re an interior designer these days because they’ve done some six-week course, but come back to me when you’ve worked in the industry for five or 10 years, and Shaynna’s done that and more. Charlie runs his own landscaping business and I was a real estate agent for years.

Charlie Albone, Andrew Winter and Shaynna Blaze front Selling Houses Australia
Charlie Albone, Andrew Winter and Shaynna Blaze front Selling Houses Australia

“It’s not a fluffy makeover show. Our brief has always been clear: take a property that can’t be sold and sell it! Of course, it isn’t always possible but we will do our utmost.” And someone upstairs, says Andrew, is looking down on them and continuing to hand them the amazing stories of the homeowners which really add to the show’s appeal. “Maybe that’s why I can get away with being a bit harsh, cheeky or rude, because the end game is not about winning a prize, it’s about selling a house that really needs selling for whatever reason. We can get in there and kick it up the whatsit and get it sold.”

What always drives me mad though, is when, despite the trio’s efforts and an auction bringing a realistic selling price, homeowners get greedy or, for whatever reason, decide to dig their heels in and not sell. And this often brings some of frustrated Andrew’s harshest words! We can expect plenty of the same in the upcoming series, as well as the cheapest house they’ve ever worked on, with Andrew saying at least three episodes fall into the “confrontational” category. Can’t wait! “I’m so glad I live in a gated community with security,” Andrew quips.

One of the best things about his profile on a top rating TV show these days, is that when Andrew consults privately to people trying to sell, they take his ideas on board, something that rarely happened in his 15 years as a real estate agent. “I go and sit there and they actually listen!”

I’ve already seen episode one and you’re in for a treat! and with Andrew pointing out that Foxtel is cheaper than ever, he hopes as many of you will be tuning in as possible!

Selling Houses Australia series 8 starts on Wednesday 4 February 2015 on the LifeStyle Channel at 8.30pm AEDT.

Tomorrow on the blog, Andrew shares the top three mistakes he thinks people make when selling their homes.  

Categories
Interviews The Block

Introducing Frank Valentic, one third of The Block’s new judging panel

For anyone who loves The Block as much as I do, you would remember Frank Valentic, the entertaining buyers’ advocate whose bidder’s paddle has popped up countless times in the last five series.

frank the block interiors addict

Almost a cast member himself, it may come as no surprise that this year, Frank has been asked back to The Block in an official capacity, forming one-third of the new judging panel – the buyers’ jury.

“The new judging panel is myself (from Advantage Property), Greville Pabst from WBP Property Group and Nicole Jacobs of Jacobs Buying Group. Together, each week after the room reveals, we rate the rooms on what we think the buyers would want. Based less on styling and interior design but more on practicality, functionality and all the other things buyers are looking for.”

frank, greville, nicole interiors addict
Greville, Nicole and Frank

Now don’t be alarmed, the regular judges will still be there! With Shaynna Blaze, Darren Palmer and Neale Whitaker scoring on their usual Sunday and giving the winning team a massive $10,000. However, it’s the following day that will see the buyers’ jury score the contestants, with the winning team snagging $5,000. This will give one couple potential weekly winnings of $15,000, though who knows if that’ll be likely. “I think there’ll be differences between both judging panels. I don’t think there’ll be any major incidents where we’re the total opposite, but there will be some. After all, we’re looking at the rooms from different points of view. Styling’s not our strong point, we don’t care about the colour of the cushions or what the curtains look like, we are looking at the room from the buyers’ point of view.”

Frank with host of The Block Scott Cam
Frank and host of The Block Scott Cam

No one can forget the auction disaster of The Block Glasshouse, where one couple went home with $40,000 and another two couples, a meagre $10,000 apiece. Aiming to deter that from happening again, the buyers’ jury hope to be the answer. “If they listen to our feedback it will make a difference come auction day. It’s really the buyers that make the decisions. Yes, the judges will give feedback, but ultimately, on auction day, it’s the buyers who are putting their hands in their pockets.”

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Frank and contestants Darren and Dea

With The Block Triple Threat being Frank’s first real foray into television, he’s found the experience a whole lot of fun, a new challenge and a perfect chance to have some banter with his fellow judges! “This has definitely been out of my comfort zone, but I just try to have fun with it and most importantly give good feedback. Greville, Nicole and myself all get on well. Greville and I have some good banter and Nicole is probably more professional than us, you could describe it that way! We all have different opinions and never agree for the sake of agreeing.”

The Block Triple Threat starts on Tuesday! Find all The Block latest here.

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Categories
Designers Interviews The Block

Shaynna Blaze on her favourite contestants, copping flak and the upcoming The Block Triple Threat

Speaking to Shaynna Blaze it’s hard to believe she’s not superwoman. Not only is she a judge on The Block (the upcoming Triple Threat will be her sixth series), she’s the resident designer on Selling Houses Australia, has written two books (the second to be released in March), has designed a furniture line and only last month wowed us singing at Carols by Candlelight! So how does she do it all?

Shaynna Blaze Blank Canvas

“It’s all about being healthy,” says Shaynna. “You’ve got to eat well, you’ve got to exercise and most importantly you’ve got to keep a healthy mind. I’ve got a beautiful family and amazing friends that keep me grounded and treat me the same way as they did 20 years ago. I think having healthy relationships around you is really important.”

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Shaynna alongside fellow The Block judges Neale Whitaker and Darren Palmer. Credit: Tink PR

[contextly_sidebar id=”App6LptB48HXptlnyV0OwLskzFkV1B2j”]With a myriad of commitments on her plate, being part of The Block is certainly a career highlight. “It’s so different to everything else that I do in the physical space. Plus there’s always a couple from each series that really grow and change, rise to the challenge and listen to things that need to be changed. Seeing that happen is probably the most rewarding part.”

It’s for that reason Shaynna names past winners Chantelle and Steve (of Fans v Faves) and Phil and Amity (of All Stars) as her favourite past contestants. “Chantelle and Steve were great in the fact of how much they grew. They got slammed every week and we never knew how they reacted until we saw it on TV, but seeing how they just dusted themselves off and picked themselves up, that was amazing. Amity and Phil were brilliant because they just stayed true to their style from day one, they improved and changed but they really had their plan and stuck to it.”

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

What may be surprising to some, is unlike us viewers, Shaynna and her co-judges Neale Whitaker and Darren Palmer (who she lovingly refers to as her brothers) aren’t getting to know the contestants in the same way we are at home. Rather, they may briefly see them as they’re entering the apartments for judging, or have a few words with them when judging a challenge, but apart from that, there’s nothing more until the show’s over. “When I first started working on The Block I used to think I’d really like to meet them and get to know them,” explains Shaynna. “But now I love that anonymity because it actually makes it completely un-biased, as a lot of people don’t think it is! We don’t have favourites, or rather we end up having favourites because we like what they’re doing not because of their personality.”

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Credit: Channel 9

But with all that said, Shaynna still cops a lot of flak for her judging comments, from contestants (cough, Dee!) and viewers alike. “I always knew from day one as a judge that was going to be the case, not everyone’s going to like what you have to say, that’s just reality. But I see it as a knee jerk reaction, viewers just want their voice to be heard and contestants are tired and exhausted, they’ve put their heart and soul into it and everyone thinks their room is the best! With Dee, I was giving her nines all the time and she wasn’t quite happy with that. I think the perspective of it being a competition gets lost on the contestants when they’re so immersed and I can take a backseat on that, but I think when it’s constant you go, hang on guys, you should really look at what your saying!”

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With The Block’s next series Triple Threat due to start on 27 January, Shaynna, alongside Neale and Darren, have already judged some of the rooms, so what can we expect? “One of this series’ differences is that the characters are really strong, there’s a lot of strong opinions and people sticking to their guns. This series is also very much about the area of South Yarra. All four apartments are completely different, but South Yarra has a certain market that you’re renovating towards; very high-end, polished and classic, which I think will make for some very interesting and amazing apartments!”

Find all The Block latest here.