Tag: sticks and wombat

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Outdoor & Exteriors The Block

The Block series 13 front facade and garden reveals

I never used to take much interest in exteriors because I lived in apartments and well, that’s all out of your control. But now we own our first house (and she’s not the most beautiful red brick number, bless her) transforming her inside and out has become the goal. I hope to share plans for our house exterior with you in the not too distant future but for now, let’s concentrate on The Block’s exterior reveals. These houses had character and good bones in spades to start off with (unlike mine), but boy, did the contestants make them all even better with their overhauls!

Jason and Sarah: 2nd place with 28

The judging started well! “Isn’t it just the sweetest little dream house you’ve ever seen?” asked Darren! He thought it was a master stroke to make the effort to restore the original front doors and paint them in a contrasting black. Agreed!

Shaynna loved the combination of the bluestone, timber and beautiful original door and windows as well as the choice of plants.

Neale said it had an amazing sense of harmony. “Just beautiful. This is exactly what I was hoping it would be.”  He said they’d shown such respect for the age and heritage of the building with just enough of a contemporary twist. “It feels like it’s been here forever.”

Our pick: Black wall light

Hannah and Clint: last place with 23.5

Hannah’s longed for pink door was a winner with Shaynna: “The door! How beautiful! Oh, it’s so sweet!” She also loved the carriage light and thought it went very well with the door and the handle.

Darren liked that it was a different grey to next door and with the soft pink and dark timber, it made for a nice palette.

Neale said it was lovely but didn’t have the same level of finish as Jason and Sarah’s.

Darren said for a couple who had never renovated to deliver this whole house as their first project was quite remarkable. The judges said they should be commended for taking on a challenge and finishing a house that looks this good.

Our pick: Black wire chairs

Ronnie and Georgia: 4th place with 24.5

Well, they said they knew it would be polarising. I for one loved it. Although I’m not sure about the tiles. I love that they used tiles but they didn’t feel heritage enough to me.

Darren was a big fan: “Va va voom!”

Neale however, although accepting it was a statement and that he loved the exterior colour, was not keen on the tile. “It’s too much. It’s fighting with everything else.” Shaynna said they would soon look dirty and messy. Neale was surprised at the look they’d gone for considering their interior was largely very subtle. “I expected something more classic.”

Darren really liked the tiles and thought the pops of white relieved the darkness of the house.

Shaynna loved how the dark colour made the leadlight windows pop. Agreeing with Neale, she said while the interior was very feminine this was very masculine and didn’t necessarily suit. Neale added: “They’ve gone for wow factor and I understand it but I’m just not sure that it’s working.”

Darren said it would be polarising and if you didn’t love it, this house is not for you.

Our pick: Black occasional chairs

Sticks and Wombat: first place with 28.5

If there was one exterior that was true to its interior, it was Sticks and Wombat’s. I wasn’t sure about those timber posts at first but they grew on me.

Neale said if someone had asked me what their exterior was going to look like it, it would have been this. “They’ve used that beautiful Scandinavian brushstroke and this is perfect. This is all it needed to be.”

The blue-grey paint colour choice was one of Darren’s favourites, a “perfect heritage colour”.

Shaynna liked the maintenance-free front garden and Neale said while they’d not used a house name or a welcome mat, they didn’t need one: “It’s all like one big welcome mat!”

Our pick: Fence mount letterbox

Josh and Elyse: 3rd place with 26

Well, this one surprised me (and the judges!) this week. I must admit while I didn’t really like it, especially those concrete posts and the warm colour scheme, I admire them for trying to be authentic and different and I could see it would appeal to many.

Shaynna said it felt like nan’s home. “I absolutely adore the entry, the flowering and the hedging. But I don’t think it matches the house. They have a mix of old and new in there and out here is very old fashioned, but not in the boho way they’ve done. I’m honestly surprised because it doesn’t connect with the backyard or the entry.”

Neale agreed. “It’s definitely not the front garden I was expecting to find. I hate the pillars. So ugly. I know they’re authentic but sometimes history gives you permission to rewrite it.”

Darren on the other hand, loved the red brick and crazy pavers. “It’s really cosy, friendly and authentic.”

Our pick: Cement planters

Auction this week! Eek! Who do you think will win? Love to hear in the comments below!

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House Tours Kids Rooms The Block

The Block series 13 week 3 room reveals: kids’ bedrooms

Last night’s kids’ room reveals were more enjoyable than I expected. Much as I personally, as a mum, enjoy the fun of decorating a children’s room, they don’t always make the best TV. You can’t really showcase the luxury, glam and gadgets you can with, say, a master bedroom. But I was pleasantly surprised with all the great ideas the contestants came up with, as well as how sophisticated most of them looked. And I have to 100% agree with Ronnie and Georgia winning (second week in a row) as there was really nothing to criticise in their gorgeous space. I absolutely loved Sticks and Wombat’s though (what a shame about the wallpaper) and Jason and Sarah did a great job too. Without further a do, here are more photos, judges’ comments and our picks to buy, from first place to last.

FIRST: Ronnie and Georgia

Well, that wallpaper on the ceiling was a fantastic idea, beautifully executed and the judges loved it. Darren said everything about the room was wow and Shaynna said it was a  bedroom memories are made of. Neale said they’d gone all out to reflect childhood; 100% whimsy. Shaynna thought the styling was perfect. Darren loved the storage and said the room would suit a child from two to 11 and could be easily reorientated to a teenager room with minor tweaks. Shaynna added it was one of the very best kids’ rooms she’d ever seen. “They’ve thought of everything.” Not surprisingly with comments like these, the couple scored the first perfect 10 of the season.

Our pick to buy: Incy Interiors Eden bed, Pottery Barn Kids tea sandwich set, cotton candy print.

SECOND: Jason and Sarah

Shaynna said it was good they hadn’t pigeon-holed the room to a certain age. Darren thought it was very sophisticated and loved the wallpaper. Neale said it was very child friendly but not childish; really beautiful. And Shyanna said their wallpaperer was a magician (someone introduce him to Sticks and Wombat!). Neale loved the level of restraint without sacrificing the sense of fun. Darren said the Jack and Jill en suite (shared by two bedrooms) was a master stroke of planning.

Our pick to buy: Eurowalls gold zebra wallpaper, giant rhino, Heatherly Design Bailey Bedhead.

THIRD: Sticks and Wombat

This room was all about the fun, but great craftmanship too. Darren was truly like a big kid, and said “this is mad!” and the stuff of many kids’ dreams. Neale said it was like their own private tower. Shaynna was first to notice the wallpapering disaster, although she loved the actual design. Darren said it was a real downer when everything else was “up up up”. Neale said no-one was going to forget the house with the climbing wall though. Too right!

Our pick to buy: Winston the Wombat print, Alessia wallpaper, Kylie the Kangaroo cushion, Sticks Photography wave print.

FOURTH: Josh and Elyse

These guys didn’t have a great week, with Keith and Dan shutting down their site for a time due to their unsafe demolition. Their mezzanine idea paid off though. The judges all agreed they were going for more of a teenager room and Neale said kids would be excited that it feels like a mini apartment. Shaynna and Darren loved the wardrobe too. But that’s where the positives ended. Shaynna hated that the room had been stripped bare of any heritage elements and Neale agreed it could easily be a room in a new build. The judges found the styling a bit underwhelming too. Darren said there was no great contrast and Neale would have liked to have seen a bit of romance or escapism; something to get excited about.

Our pick to buy: Leather bedhead by Heatherly Design Bedheads, west elm rug, Luca linen rectangle cushion.

LAST: Hannah and Clint

The floorplan change and having a sliding glass door to the outside in a children’s room did them no favours in the end. It wasn’t all bad though. Darren immediately loved the playfulness and Shaynna said all the styling choices were very gorgeous. Neale liked that it was very obviously a child’s room but without being sugary sweet. “It’s kind of modern and cool.” Darren said it was well finished and loved the wardrobe (even if the door knob came off in his hand! Oops!). He and Shaynna agreed the room was small and felt a bit squashed. Shaynna said you wouldn’t want a sliding door to a courtyard with kids because it was unsafe. The judges agreed their planning had brought them undone.

Our pick to buy: The Family Love tree bedhead.

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The Block

All the details from Sunday’s Block en suite bathrooms

Sunday night saw three of the five couples present en suites as well as guest bedrooms; quite the achievement! So we thought we’d take a closer look and tell you exactly which products and tiles they chose, in case you saw something which inspired you. I liked that they were all very different. Which was your favourite?

Josh and Elyse

Oh, how I loved this one, especially the tile and tap choices. Just classic and gorgeous, but with a modern twist. I like how their patterned floor was quite subtle.

From Reece

  • MILLI Pure Shower Head 180mm in Brushed Gunmetal
  • MILLI Pure Horizontal Shower Arm 350mm in Brushed Gunmetal
  • MILLI Pure Wall Basin 200mm Outlet in Brushed Gunmetal
  • Roca Inspira Soft Vessel Basin
  • ADP Universale Mushroom Waste 32/40 in Gloss White
  • Posh Solus Back to Wall Toilet Suite
  • Posh Solus Wall Top Assembly in Chrome (was then plated to Brushed Gunmetal)
  • Sussex Scala Straight Toilet Roll Holder in Brushed Gunmetal
  • MILLI Pure Vanity Shelf in Brushed Gunmetal
  • Sussex Scala Guest Towel Ring in Brushed Gunmetal
  • Sussex Scala 900mm Double Towel Rail in Brushed Gunmetal
  • Square Grate-Suit 80mm Leak

From Beaumont Tiles:

(Walls) Devonshire White Matt 300 x 75mm.

(Floor) Cherie Black Rectangle 198 x 198mm.

 

Sticks and Wombat

This bathroom isn’t really my style, and I agreed it didn’t necessarily suit the bedroom or the rest of the house but still, it was a really spacious, light-filled, impressively finished space.

From Beaumont Tiles:

(Walls and floor) Plus Statuario GL-Porc Rectangle 600 x 600mm

(Niche) Lantern Black Satin Mosaic 76 x 80mm

From Reece:

  • Phoenix Nostalgia Gooseneck Shower Arm & Rose in Chrome
  • Caroma Forma Back to Wall Toilet Suite
  • Sonia Tecno Spare Toilet Roll Holder
  • Sonia Tecno Double 900mm Towel Bar

 

Jason and Sarah

This was probably my favourite. I’m a sucker for the gold tapware; it’s just stunning. Keeping everything else quite simple was a great move, letting the hardware do the talking! But those black basins provided some great contrast too.

From Reece:

  • Geberit Sigma 8 Wall Hung Cistern with Frame
  • Geberit Sigma 70 Buttons in Matte Black and Chrome
  • Axa Uno Wall Hung Toilet Pan
  • Sussex Scala Shower/Bath Mixer in Brushed Gold
  • Sussex Scala Rail Shower in Brushed Gold
  • MILLI Pure Shower Rose in Brushed Gold
  • MILLI Pure Vertical Shower 600mm Arm in Brushed Gold
  • MILLI Pure Robe Hooks in Brushed Gold (x2)
  • Pure Toilet Roll Holder in Brushed Gold
  • Alape Unisono 375 Counter Basin in Matte Black
  • ADP Universal Mushroom Waste 32/40 in Matte Black
  • MILLI Pure 300mm Guest Towel Rail in Brushed Gold
  • MIILI Pure Wall Basin Hostess System Right Hand 200mm Outlet in Brushed Gold

From Beaumont Tiles:

(Floor) Cretement Vintage Grey Taco

(Walls) Spatial White Satin Rectangle 198 x 600mm

 

Did you miss the guest bedroom reveals? Catch up here.

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House Tours The Block

The Block season 13, room 2 (guest bedroom) reveals

Ah, what satisfying watching that was last night! Five fabulous bedrooms (some with en suites, some without, interestingly!). The judges said the quality of all the rooms was more like what they’d expect at end of the competition. And it was close with only 1.5 points between first and last place. And can we talk about the bedheads? So many utterly stunning choices (and not surprisingly, four out of five were from Heatherly Design Bedheads, who recently made me one). So, onto the photos, judges’ comments, scores and our favourite picks and where to buy…

Jason and Sarah (joint third with 27/30)

The couple cleverly created a Jack and Jill en suite to serve not one but two guest bedrooms. I like it! And they went brave with a dark colour scheme of black and charcoal which worked so well!

Shaynna said it immediately felt beautiful. Neale called it beautiful and dramatic. And Darren said it reminded him of a boutique hotel. Darren said the wallpaper hit the right note and loved the metallic, saying it was the perfect example of how important contrast is in a room.

After last week’s cluttered styling, this week, the judges noticed a subtlety in their choices, with Neale saying they hit a nice balance of vintage and contemporary.

Shaynna criticised the painting a bit, but overall said it was a winning room, that aside.

The en suite went down well too, unfinished painting aside, and Neale said it felt luxurious.

OUR PICKS: Bedhead from Heatherly Design Bedheads, brass wardrobe handles from Lo & Co Interiors, Larkin brass table lamp from Pottery Barn.

 

Hannah and Clint (joint third with 27/30)

It was a tough week for these two. Their bathroom didn’t meet code and had to come down, so they decided to stick to just the bedroom, no wet room. Then Clint’s grandfather died.

Luckily, there was plenty of praise for their room. Darren said, unlike their last bedroom, this wasn’t bland and it had the right level of contrast in it. Shaynna said the styling on the bedside tables was superb and loved the wall sconces. Neale and Darren loved the grey wardrobes with brass handles and Shaynna loved the desk nook.

Neale hated the art however, and found the room quite visually cluttered. While the room showed a real confidence, Neale said there was a danger of them going too far the other way.

All  the judges said it was above and beyond the best work they’d done to date. The wardrobes were definitely my favourite feature.

OUR PICKS: Bedhead from Heatherly Design Bedheads, Stiletto marble and black sides tables from Freedom, velvet cushion from Eadie Lifestyle.

 

Ronnie and Georgia (first place with 28/30)

Anyone else finding Georgia annoyingly arrogant? I know it’s probably TV and editing, but gah! Case in point knocking off the night before reveal and going to the movies. Can’t knock it though; they produced the winning room and it was gorgeous!

The judges were clearly wowed, starting with the dark timber floorboards. Shaynna said the room was so glamorous, Darren called it “just a really beautiful room,” and Neale said it was timeless in its sophistication. Shaynna loved the cornice and the ceiling rose.

About the only criticism was for the black, “off the shelf” curtain rail. Darren said there was lots of interest but nothing was jarring with anything else. And Shaynna said the couple had impeccable style. Forget the attitude, I’ve got to agree there!

And how cool were the switches and USB chargers incorporated into the side of the bed base. Man, would I love something like that?!

A well deserved win, even without an en suite!

OUR PICKS: Bedhead from Heatherly Design Bedheads, Wild Roses art print from Co.Co, blush fur cushion from Co.Co, Lexi armchair from Freedom, grey floor rug from Freedom, Orion brass pendant light from Beacon Lighting.

 

Sticks and Wombat (last place with 26.5)

The boys suffered a wonky wall, a wonky floor, and their plumber hitting a pipe but still managed to pull off a bedroom (with fireplae), walk-in robe and en suite. What?! amazing.

Neale said it was absolutely stunning, Darren cooed over the “absolutely beautiful” real Blackbutt floors and Neale said there were times when only a ‘wow’ will do. He added it was sensational and felt right.

Thank GOD Shaynna mentioned the eyesore that was the bed and its styling though. Someone teach them not to put cushions on a point ASAP, please! My eyes! As the others showed, the choice of bedhead and bed styling is so important. But good on them, everything else in that room was well done. Although the rustic bedsides worried Neale too!

While I agree with Shaynna that the ultra modern en suite wasn’t in keeping with the bedroom, it was, as she said “mind blowing” that they’d done one, and such a big one!

The judges said the architectural choices the boys are making are outstanding but warned them to think about continuity and how the whole house will come together at the end.

OUR PICKS: Hardwood flooring from Carpet Court, cast iron fireplace from Schots.

 

Elyse and Josh (second place with 27.5/30)

Their room being smaller was definitely not a disadvantage with Neale saying good things come in small packages! I seriously loved the paneling and the bedhead in this room. I now need to panel a room in my home immediately!

Darren said the velvet bedhead looked (and felt!) amazing. Neale said they were demonstrating a real sense of balance.

They were in love with the en suite too (and me!), Shaynna praised the handmade subway tiles. Neale said their level of taste was really something; exquisite!

Although Shaynna thought the shower shelf was too high, she said the execution throughout both rooms was utterly perfect.

A shame this pair didn’t win if you ask me.

OUR PICKS: Bedhead by Heatherly Design Bedheads, black rattan plant stands from Fenton & Fenton, tan leather cushion from Barnaby Lane, wall sconces from Schots.

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Bathrooms House Tours The Block

The first Block series 13 room reveals

So, here we are with season 13 of The Block’s first room reveals! To be honest, I wasn’t loving any of them and thought the judges were very kind, that said, it is week 1 and they only had 48 hours, so we can’t expect masterpieces. Yet!

The stakes were high because depending on how well they did, the couples got to choose their preferred house from the five 1920s California bungalows.

So, here’s how they did! What did you think?

Sarah and Jason

Older (read mid-40s!) Perth couple Sarah and Jason, a nurse and a plumber, came in third. Their Myne by Prudence Caroline artwork was gorgeous but personally, I didn’t feel the room pulled together very well at all. But what do I know?! Shaynna criticised them for pulling out the period features people buy these kinds of houses for. But Neale was kinder, saying the room had come together really well.

But can we please talk about the state of that rug and the creased bed linen?! I hope it’s true that the room in reality was better than these photos!

Our pick: Branford dresser from Pottery Barn

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Ronnie and Georgia

This pair came first, which is just the start of the drama, as this enabled them to get their first choice house, house 3, and all the goodies that came in the mystery safe (vouchers and cash). They also got to take the same amount they spent on their challenge room from another couple’s budget. Poor Elyse and Josh did not take the news well, and Georgia wasn’t too happy with their reaction. Well, you’d hardly expect them to be delighted but the tension was 100% clear! Eek! Tears already!

Back to the room, which turned out well, if a little too grey for my liking, despite the floor-sanding disaster and eventual carpeting. Neale liked the ceiling rose with the modern pendant and the cornicing. He said it was a great balance of heritage detailing and contemporary flavour. Shaynna said the lighting could have been better planned as the pendant was offset to the bed.

I really liked the wardrobe!

Our pick: Jersey doona cover set

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Josh and Elyse

I think I liked this room the best, although agreed with Shaynna they should have left some period details behind! Darren said it was very Blocky! But Neale said more like it belonged on The Block in week 5, 6 or 7. Darren said the floor had come up a treat. Didn’t it just? I’d seen enough carpet! I admired the fact they tried to do something different, even if I didn’t love that feature wall colour.

They came 2nd.

Our pick: Bedhead by Heatherly Design Bedheads

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Sticks and Wombat

Bless them! I’m just going to love this pair, especially Wombat! What a character! I love what they did with the bedhead even though I don’t think it suits the house at all! The less said about that armchair, the better. Darren walked in and straight away said two blokes did this room! Correct! Shaynna said it felt very eighties but Neale said even though the room 70% sucked, the remaining 30% was gold and he was intrigued to know more about the people behind it!

They came 4th.

Our pick: Merino chunky knit throw by Cindee Collections

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Hannah and Clint

A mixed bag of reviews for this room, which came last. Darren said the cornice was lovely and the wall colour pretty, but everything else was lacking personality. Shaynna said it lacked soul because it was trying to be perfect. Darren said it lacked a big ticket item for a focal point but was still a very strong start. Neale said he hoped they wouldn’t be as safe next time.

Our pick: Kimmy Hogan print

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The episode finished with us seeing how they got started on the next challenge: the main bathroom, which they’ll have a week to complete. A big call! Clearly, there’s going to be a lot of drama, but we wouldn’t have it any other way, would we?!

I can’t wait to see what they do. We’ll be bringing you each and every room reveal, as always!

Fancy giving The Block a go yourself? Pop back later today for some top tips from the man who is responsible for casting the contestants!

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