It started with Jimmy and Tam in tears having been given the double-edged sword of getting to pick the Block 2020 auction order (putting themselves second) which set everyone else off! And it ended with their happy tears when they won, and they won big!
Photo: Nine
Let’s recap how it went. Scotty explained auctions were allowed on site but must be outside and only 10 people allowed, with a Zoom for any overflow.
First up were Luke and Jasmin, the carpenter and teacher from Perth with a reserve of $3.35m. It was a great start! They very quickly surpassed the reserve with bids in person and via Zoom, declaring they’d paid off their mortgage when they hit $440k profit. But it kept going. They sold for $3,856,000, meaning $506k to take home.
Second up were Brisbane plumber and barmaid Jimmy and Tam. But would choosing the order end up working out for them? They’ve said all along they were on The Block to get a better future for their daughter Frankie. I’ve loved how they stuck to the heritage brief all along with their 50s house, more than any of the others. They had a reserve of $3,290,000. A lot of jaws hit the floor with Danny Wallis’s opening bid of $4,200,000. I think Jimmy and Tam were almost having heart attacks as it kept going and their profit edged towards a million. It sold for $4,256,000 with a profit of a whopping $966k! It was the highest result ever in Block history and made Luke and Jasmin’s result look distinctly average! The successful female buyer said she fell in love with the house watching the show and loved what Jimmy and Tam did with it.
How do you follow that?! Sarah and George, the teacher and sparky from NSW, were up third. It took this couple a while to find their stride but they got there! Danny Wallis, no stranger to the show, started the bidding high again at $4million, and Sarah burst into tears. It sold for $4,000,002. $650k profit for the couple; enough to start their family mortgage-free. Woohoo! Danny bought Mitch and Mark’s house last year and another Block property back in 2012.
Fourth up, SA farmers Daniel and Jade, whose daughter has a rare disorder. They came on the show keen to make some money and take the financial stress off their family, meaning they could spend more quality time together. Their reserve was $3,340,000. It went for $3,800.000, with $460k profit. A little bit of an anticlimax, I have to say! But they were happy nonetheless and the money will no doubt make a big difference to their lives.
Unlucky last perhaps were father and daughter Harry and Tash, the proud Greek Cypriots from Melbourne. Their reserve was $3,350,000. Bidding was very quickly at $4m (from Danny of course, buying his third!) and a $650k profit. And that’s where it ended. And there was no disappointment but plenty of happy tears!
So Jimmy and Tam, the Queensland battlers, did it, taking the additional $100k for winning and adding it to their profit to make $1,000,066!
Did you watch? Were you surprised?!
The Block 2020: living/dining reveals
Finally, we got to see how the main open plan living/dining/kitchen spaces come together as a whole! There were mixed reviews from the judges last night but Harry and Tash…
It’s the last reveals of the season! And I must admit I haven’t watched them yet so today’s writeup comes courtesy of our friends at The Block Shop. You’d better believe I’ll be tuning in for the auctions though! This week saw Sarah and George pick up the perfect 30 out of 30. Read on to see how all the couples fared!
Harry and Tash | Last | 22.5 /30
The huge oak tree is the real hero in the backyard of Harry and Tash in House No.1. It was a pared back effort this week as they had to change some original plans because of budget issues.
The pool tiles were a perfect choice but the space but it was obvious to the judges that Harry and Tash ran out of money because of their lack of styling.
Harry and Tash installed a wall between the front and back gardens, which the judges thought was the wrong decision but they are sticking with it. Tash believes privacy from the front of New Street is more important. So after some ups and some downs, the build is done for the Melbourne father and daughter.
Sarah and George | First | 30/30
Where do we start with this amazing effort by Sarah and George? The lovely Japanese Maple tree in the courtyard immediately caught the eyes of the judges, as did the black timber fence.
In the backyard the outdoor table was a perfect addition as was the pizza oven. The pool area could easily be a magazine shoot or Instagram post, with a beautiful tile choice. Sarah and George ended up winning the Ford Puma, which is perfect as they were on the hunt for a new car once The Block was over. Talk about a strong finish to the build.
Daniel and Jade | Fourth | 24/30
How about that stunning magpie themed artwork in the courtyard? The judges loved it.
They did feel that the space could have been more comfortable and better laid out. Walking into the backyard they loved the sculpture and the effect of the Velux skylights.
The outdoor shower was a great idea, but it lacked a bit of functionality because of where it was positioned right above the dirt in the garden. While the pool was lovely, the judges felt Daniel and Jade could have done more with sprucing it up a bit.
Luke and Jasmin | Second | 29.5/30
This loss by half a point really hurt the Perth married couple as they threw literally everything into the last week on The Block.
The daybed in the courtyard was very well received, perfect to lay on with a book and glass of wine. The judges thought the execution across the board this week for of a gold standard. The pizza party pit, amazing.
Jasmin’s styling choices in the pool area were spot on. So while they didn’t win yet again, there was a lot to be proud of this week for Luke and Jasmin. They started slow on The Block, but finished very well.
Jimmy and Tam | Third | 27.5/30
The coral painted breeze block wowed the judges in the courtyard, setting the scene for another positive week for Jimmy and Tam.
Their choices of plants, cactus and bamboo, was a hit. Shaynna loved the simplicity of the backyard. The pool had a couple of daybeds that would be perfect to lay on, on a hot Melbourne summer day.
They judges did feel the space next to the pool was not right, but Jimmy and Tam maintain it is all about storage.
So another strong week for Jimmy and Tam in what has been a very strong few months on The Block with their 1950s unique house.
There was a lot of rushing this week as the couples took on the massive task of what come called a “mini house”. While some of the garage/studios were very…
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There was a lot of rushing this week as the couples took on the massive task of what come called a “mini house”. While some of the garage/studios were very unfinished, others were impressive multi-functional spaces, adding no doubt huge value to this year’s Block homes. Here’s a recap of the judges’ comments and scores and our picks to buy.
Harry and Tash | 20/30LAST
The judges weren’t impressed with all the unfinished elements but once they got up the stairs, it did get a bit better. That said, Darren wasn’t sure a studio kitchen needed such a large island. He said the space would be better as a workspace. Shaynna wasn’t impressed with the bar fridge. Neale and Shaynna said there were a lot of blind spots in the lighting.
Then into the bathroom there were a lot of unfinished elements including the lack of shower screen! The judges although it was a badly planned space. “It’s a bit of a disaster frankly,” said Neale.
From one extreme to the other! Sarah and George were right to feel confident this week.
The judges loved the finish and the extra storage of the garage then up the stairs, the laundry. The bonuses just kept coming! A work space with proper desk, a wardrobe.
“Beautifully done,” said Neale. “They’ve ticked all the boxes in terms of how an owner can interact with the space,” said Darren. “I see a lot of flexibility here and it ticks so many boxes for me,” said Shaynna. Neale said a multifunctional space was more and more essential. “It’s real estate gold,” he added.
All this before they even saw the bathroom! “This is a crescendo,” said Shaynna. “I love it!” Darren said the tiling was exceptional.
The powder room made a great first impression. The judges said it was clever and perfect for the garage, the yard or the pool. But then it went downhill with the unfinished stairwell. But then got better again with the studio!
“A great looking room with a very nice kitchenette.” No cooktop though? Shaynna said the TV was too big and the room wasn’t as resolved as Harry and Tash’s. She said an office/bedroom would be more useful than a full bedroom. Darren noted there was no power near the desk and Neale said the office functionality was very underplayed. “It’s got about as much personality as the average serviced apartment,” Neale said. There was no emotional connection.
Shaynna wondered why they didn’t choose a cavity slider for the bathroom. They loved the vanity and tile choices and the skylight. “It feels tiny,” said Shaynna. Overall it’s a nice little bathroom completing a nice studio space. “Definitely a B+'” said the judges.
The round skylights and the artwork went a long way to distracting from the unfinished stairwell. The studio though, impressed the judges! “Lovely as this is, it is presented as just another bedroom,” said Neale. The lack of workspace was a real problem. Shaynna said they simply needed to style it a bit differently to suggest the ability to work from there.
They loved the bathroom with its fluted glass, timber and great tiles. “Stunning and so spacious,” Shaynna said.
Darren said it was the most consistent house from front to back. The lack of bathroom door was a problem though. Neale said it was clear they never saw it as anything more than a studio apartment. Most people wouldn’t be comfortable going to the toilet with no door, if anyone else was in there!
The only studio with a home gym, this really impressed the judges. “A lot of people will be working out from home now,” said Shaynna. Neale said an equal amount of buyers won’t be interested in it though.
When they got upstairs, Darren loved how the galley kitchen blended in with the functional workspace. And it had a dishwasher! No bed though, just a sofa bed. Which caused mixed feelings amongst the judges.
Darren loved the flexibility. Neale said jimmy and Tam always think outside the square.
The bathroom was neutral, calm and serene. They loved the vanity and tiles. Shaynna said it felt luxurious and beautiful.
Finally, we got to see how the main open plan living/dining/kitchen spaces come together as a whole! There were mixed reviews from the judges last night but Harry and Tash…
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Located in a fabulous, central part of Byron Bay, this holiday home was given the makeover treatment recently courtesy of The Block judge Darren Palmer. A long-time holidaymaker in the area, Darren leant his formidable styling talents to the gorgeous home that is now available to book on Airbnb.
Bedroom
“This was literally a styling project on a rented holiday home that we thought we would like to have so we can take special trips away that aren’t overseas,” says Darren who was drawn to the home’s central Byron Bay location. Just 10 minutes’ walk to most things and only 10 minutes’ drive to everything else, the home is on a generous 1000 square metre block and is a fabulous spot from which to explore the area.
The house looks onto lush landscaped gardens and a pool
With eyes on Byron Bay since 2004, Darren always thought it was a fabulous property market but concedes that even he didn’t realise just how popular it would become. “It’s got great energy, dining at all levels and prices, and there is a holiday or beach experience for anyone whether you stay in a campervan or a multi-million-dollar ocean view home,” says Darren.
Lounge room
And when it came to furnishing and styling the home, Darren relied on a simple palette, earthy, woven fabrics and a variety of thrifty finds. “The inclusions were cobbled together from warehouse sales, Gumtree and stuff we had in our Hyams Beach holiday rental,” says Darren who recommends this budget-friendly approach when styling a holiday home.
BedroomBathroom
Darren also suggests approaching a holiday rental styling project with a clear vision and fairly strict budget. A big fan of upcycling and repurposing, Darren regularly scours Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree to scratch that itch. “You just need to style to the mood you want to create. It doesn’t have to be perfect to be right and it doesn’t have to be the best to be good,” says Darren.
The outdoor deck
As for his favourite part of the home, he can’t go past the lush outdoor area and its heated pool. “The plants are so established, it’s crazy. The frangipani tree must be at least 100 years old and there’s heaps of grass for kids and dogs. The outdoor area is definitely the heart of this home.”
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Everyone approached their spaces slightly differently on The Block this week but all but one had a home office alongside their bedroom. And nobody can argue how important they’ve become! Finally, Sarah and George got their first win (hooray!) and it was last place for former favourites Jimmy and Tam.
Let’s recap!
Harry and Tash | 28/30 | Second place
The judges loved the home office and how it reflected nature outside and thought it showed great restraint. The paintwork was heavily criticised, but that was all.
Into the bedroom itself and Shaynna said it was stunning. Darren said the corner must have been really hard to work with but that they’d managed to make it a great feature. “It’s a really good, private, useful adult space.”
Neale said demonstrating multi-use was really important from a real estate perspective. Shaynna said: “This house can grow into whatever the family wants to throw at it.”
Darren and Neale loved the sheer curtains too. “We feel the joy and brightness and life that’s in this house. Harry and Tash have hit their stride.” Shaynna said paintwork aside, the room was flawless and they were peaking at the right time!
Sarah and George finally got a win for their upstairs rooms that included a work from home space, a powder room and a kids room.
Shaynna loved how spacious and bright the hallway was. She thought their last study was claustrophobic but liked this one much better. Neale loved how it had been styled. Darren said the attention to detail in the finishes was great.
Into the powder room. Darren said the matching floor and wall tiles were impactful in a small room. Neale loved the little black sink but thinks they could have had more fun with the room, and created more contrast.
Into the kid’s room and that’s where they got really excited! Darren wanted to be a little kid again! “When you’re going to do a kid’s room, go all the way,” Shaynna said.
Neale thought it was very clever because although it was beautifully styled as a kid’s room, it could easily become something else. “Everything they’ve chosen is so right. It creates a wonderful sense of whimsy and emotion. There’s something very childlike about the mural but it could also work for an older child or an adult.”
The South Australian farmers had a different space upstairs to everyone else; as well as a third bedroom, they had a secret attic that can be used for storage.
Shaynna loved how large the study/rumpus room was. Darren loved the multipurpose room. Neale said it was a very thoughtful design.
But Shaynna felt the styling wasn’t quite right and the couch was a little too stiff. Neale said it didn’t have the emotional pull of the previous two rooms but buyers would see it as a real value add.
The judges all loved that there were five bedrooms in the main part of this house. “There’s no doubt this adds massive value,” Neale said. Shaynna loved the wardrobes. Neale said it was a useful room for a guest or you could use it as an entire floor for the kids.
Then they found the secret attic! The judges said they’d got the most out of every spare inch of their home.
Darren said the big hallway was a real bonus. They loved the barn door and hardware but hated how it was mounted and thought it needed a brass handle too. Once inside though, there was a lot to like! Shaynna said the styling was superb. Neale said there was a feeling of luxury and elegance. Darren liked how the room was an office/TV room and much more conducive to watching TV than in the last house with its big comfy modular.
They said it felt modern and coastal and right on the money. Shaynna thought it was a shame they hadn’t used plantation shutters. And then Darren noted the bottom drawer didn’t open properly. But overall they were impressed.
The hallway paintwork needed a lot of attention. But once into the bedroom, they were happy again. Neale loved the green VJ wall and the rattan bedhead. Darren loved the lights on the VJ. Shaynna thought the bed could have been styled better and wondered why they didn’t choose brass handles for the wardrobes.
“The standard this year is so high that we are nothing the imperfections,” Neale said. Darren felt the rooms had great emotional appeal.
The judges loved the “epic” pocket door. They loved the little TV space although the TV was way too high for the sofa. Neale thought not having an office even suggested was a mistake.
Darren did love the joinery, the sofa and the colour palette. Neale said it wasn’t really tugging at his heart strings. And Shaynna said smart spending was starting to look a bit stingy!
The bedroom though was a success. Shaynna said it had a sense of luxury. Darren said it was gorgeous and he loved the materials palette.
Neale hated the dried floral arrangement and said it was “funereal in its ugliness”. He admitted though that the colour palette was gorgeous. “They’ve made brown look beautiful, they’ve made brown sing.”
Lastly Neale said if they weren’t planning a study in their studio apartment they had made a big mistake and that they had to have one.
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Jono Fleming
Another week and another room reveal has come and gone on The Block and look, maybe I’m a little biased because I have a very loud (but curated) colourful living room, but everything seemed a little bit safe and generic on Sunday night. It seems that all the teams have thrown away any semblance of referencing specific eras which is a real shame because there are some really beautiful inspiration ideas they can take from these decades.
Today though, I’m focusing on our lowest scoring team of the evening and that is the Jimmy and Tam and the 1950s house. They made a bold call not to include a dining table in their space and it didn’t pay off. It was an odd choice because there was in fact plenty of space in their room so let’s unpack the 1950s living room a bit and see what other options they could have gone with.
Shaynna said these chairs were set up like camping chairs!The lack of dining table was a big no-no for the judges
The 1950s saw a boom of the model home and people started to have more space in their homes and living areas. The furniture was less stuffy and ornate than the eras before, it was all about bolder colour, timber frames and interesting shapes. Curved sofas became a way to create flow around a room, with organic shaped coffee tables adding to the free form furniture design. Influence from Scandinavia was here and teak framed armchairs with felt or woolen fabrics dominated every home. It’s an often referenced era in design, the real start of the ‘mid century modern’ look.
Jono’s first mood board and alternative layout for Jimmy and Tam’s space
To take this into a modern age is really simple. The 1950s room reveal had some great reference points in their build. The brick fireplace was inspired and really hit the nail on the head for the era, the armchairs from Freedom were very appropriate but then the rest fell a bit flat. The 50s introduced bolder colour to the home, sofas were no longer only floral prints, they were big, bright, deep tones. Yellows, reds and teals were all of the norm. Darren Palmer suggested the Valley sofa from Jardan which happens to come in the most divine teal however, Jardan is all custom made (all made in Australia!) and comes with long lead times so that probably wouldn’t suit for the quick timelines on The Block. However, curved sofas are starting to pop up through many different brands. It helps create flow in a room and makes it less boxy.
To solve the dilemma of not enough space for a dining table, the team could go with the option to build in their seating in a banquette on one side. It not only saves space but you can include storage underneath the seat, and it looks extremely bespoke to have a custom piece of joinery like this. Neale Whitaker made a big point about lamps in the homes and I couldn’t agree more. Lamps in the 50s in particular were extremely important. They went from being solely functional to extremely decorative. There are so many interpretations on the market of retro and updated lighting, we’re truly spoilt for choice!
Getting the right layout in a room can be hard. The key is to approach it in different ways, the obvious plan may not work. By switching it up, playing around, and looking to the past for different design ideas, it can all help to create a unique and functional design for your home, packed with personality.
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Finally, we got to see how the main open plan living/dining/kitchen spaces come together as a whole! There were mixed reviews from the judges last night but Harry and Tash took out the win and I have to say, I think the judges chose well. Here’s the recap…
Harry and Tash | Winners | 28.5 /30
The judges couldn’t believe how big the space looked. Shaynna said the furniture positioning made it seem grand. Neale said he felt like he was walking in and seeing the work of a professional interior designer. “There’s a level of sophistication and cohesion in this room that blows me away.” Shaynna said the void was impressive.
Darren said the furniture choices and the spaces left empty made the best use of the dappled light. “I love this, I love it so much,” he said. Neale said: “It really creates a strong sense of itself.” The lighting bothered him though. There was nothing apart from downlights and this wouldn’t allow for any ambience in the evening.
They noticed the dodgy paintwork around the fireplace but otherwise it was perfect. “They should be proud,” Shaynna said.
Darren loved the wide fireplace with its statement brick and solid concrete. He wasn’t sure it felt beachy though. Shaynna liked it however. Neale said he loved the brick which gave it a sense of heritage and age. He felt the monochrome colour palette was starting to become overkill though, and a little cold and unwelcoming.
Neale was harping on about the lack of lamps again. And Shaynna said there wasn’t enough interest at eye level. She said she just wasn’t feeling it.
Darren said the dining table was too small for a house with a huge entertainer’s kitchen. He agreed it needed more emotional drawcards too.
Neale said they’d done a lot well but it needed more. “It’s a case of injecting a bit more warmth so that it feels like just that: a living space.”
Darren was in sultry, moody heaven! Shaynna said the curved wall took confidence and was stunning, especially with the lighting. Neale said they’d done it again after their impressive kitchen.
Darren thought the dining table was gorgeous and Shaynna went one further and said it was sexy! But still no lamps for poor Neale!
Shaynna said the rug needed to be the next size up and to have a bit of pile to it. Neale thought the styling was a little ordinary. And Darren noted there was zero art but it was one of very few spaces where it wouldn’t have benefited from it, so that was okay. Darren said this was the sort of space which would help sell a house.
Neale and Darren agreed it did feel like a beach house and it matched the kitchen. Darren said they’d used the palette, the materials and the curved profile really well. He said the perfect luxury beach home would look like just like this. Neale said it was a really appropriate continuation from the kitchen.
Shaynna thought the room worked well with the rest of the house and loved the timber on timber and the pendant light.
None of them could get over the fireplace shoved in the corner though. “It’s quite obvious it’s in the wrong spot,” said Shaynna. Darren said it was nonsensical and Neale said it would be very expensive to rectify. Neale said it was a dealbreaker and that a lot of people would walk in, see it in the wrong place and think it would be expensive to shift.
It wasn’t off to a good start with the judges all saying the living space felt too small. And the missing dining table of course! Neale said it felt incredibly compromised. Darren and Neale said in a family home with 4 or 5 bedrooms it was a real misjudgement not to include one. Shaynna asked “what were they thinking?!” Neale said it wasn’t adequate for a house of that size.
Shaynna said the armchairs looked like they were set up for camping and it really needed to be rectified. A modular would work better. Darren said the space between the kitchen and the sofa was wasted. Neale said it was very, very odd. “It doesn’t feel like I’m in a living room.” Darren said they hadn’t allocated the right amount of space for the lounge.
Darren suggested they bought an expensive curved modular from Jardan to fix it! Neale said it was a “complete fail”. Ouch!
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The Block 2020 is now halfway through and hurtling toward the most unusual sales campaign and auction in its history.
As Melbourne begins to slowly emerge from Stage 4 lockdown, and the houses from The Block 2020 have begun their campaign for sale, advertised with price guides of $3.2m to $3.4m – these are big numbers. Reserve setting will be key as to whether contestants will earn any money from their hard work and efforts during such a strange season of The Block.
With five vastly different houses, the win could be anyone’s.
The auction order selection this year will have a different sense of drama about it. Giving one couple the power to choose the auction order is almost like giving them a blank cheque book (remember those?!) to decide how much each couple will win! For some this would be an enviable position, and for others it would be a hard burden to carry.
So far, it’s looking like Jimmy and Tam will be making that decision, but so much can change, it really is too early to tell. With the perfect scores for Luke and Jasmin (yes, even with a bathroom not connected to plumbing – we’re not sure either), they could easily be deciding the order. We will be extremely interested to see how couples position themselves to influence the decision makers as things get closer to D-Day.
As we write the favourites, according to the bookies, to take out the win are Jimmy and Tam followed by George and Sarah. The Block auctions throw up some unusual results, and history has shown this. Tess and Luke were unexpected winners of 2019, winning only two rooms from the judges with the lowest average score and the lowest cumulative score. In 2018 Hayden and Sara took out the win, with only one room win from the judges. It is so hard to tell!
When it comes to winning The Block, there is no formula, all we know is that in the auction room the judges’ opinions and scores are not indicative of what is the preferred property amongst buyers.
Turning our attention to the 2020 properties, these our views on the pros and cons of each house, heading into auction;
House 1 – Harry and Tash
While House 1 was the last to be ‘chosen’, being left for Harry and Tash to ‘select’, we think the location is the most preferred of all five houses. The floorplan and orientation of the house gives it a private sunny courtyard that none of the other houses can boast. While some of the styling and layout is concerning, they have the largest master suite on The Block, which is also an asset for buyers in this price range. All said, we think House 1 is in a good place to take out the win, which would be in keeping with Block history.
House 2 – George and Sarah
It’s been hard to get the overall picture of their house. Their first guest room, with the built-in study, now seems so sensible given how many of us are working from home! They have not really played with the overall floorplan and the aesthetic is neutral, which would have broad appeal, but so far there is nothing significant that makes this house stand above the rest.
House 3 – Daniel and Jade
Week 5 of The Block saw Daniel and Jade take a gamble by adding an extra bedroom to their floorplan. With a house already boasting four bedrooms, adding a fifth seems redundant, especially if they are small. However, if the fifth bedroom is easily transformed to a home office, they might just be onto something. For a buyer in this range, they might need two home offices, making this change to the floorplan attractive!
House 4 – Luke and Jasmin
Jasmin and Luke started slow, and in the last few weeks we have seen their competitive sides come through fast and strong…creating some drama along the way. They have created beautiful rooms that are not polarising and would sit well with many buyers who would be able to imagine themselves in this house. There seems to be a sense of calm in their design, and the house is back from the busy street corner.
House 5 – Jimmy and Tam
Throughout the season, Jimmy and Tam have been fan favourites and received great scores from the judges. History would therefore suggest this house will not win. Looking at their design aesthetic it is quite polarising, and we think they have reduced the appeal of their house to quite a specific buyer. This may reduce the number of buyers, and competition for their house. The corner block position is also not appealing, and this may reduce buyer demand.
Our pick for the win? Flip a coin! The Block is full of surprises!
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This year’s winning Block kitchen
The Block kitchens are famously kitted out, from the winning Gaggenau prize pack to butler’s pantries as big as small apartments, it’s always a bit of spectacle and flash. This year there’s been all the emphasis on creating a period home for a modern buyer but I have to admit, I wasn’t seeing many features or even slight nods to specific eras.
But, like each week, I’m not here to judge, I’m here to provide some insight into what I would have done were I to approach these rooms. I went down a huge rabbit hole of vintage kitchens this week so join me as I explore what are some of the key features of the era and how you can update them to a modern day home.
Jono’s 1940s kitchen inspo, via Pinterest
This week, I’m going to focus on two eras, the 1910s and the 1940s. I’m mainly doing this as so many hallmarks from these particular eras carried through going ahead and you can see the influences right through the 20s and 50s.
Starting with 1910, previously in history in larger luxury homes, the kitchen was not a space on show. It was tucked away at the back of the house, or even the basement where the staff would attend to meals. Working class families would have smaller spaces for their kitchens but as running water became available to houses, the modern kitchen space as we know it started to take shape. There were the main players we see nowadays–cooktops, a sink and an icebox that would eventually become a fridge–but benchtops, islands, built-in cupboards were all still to come.
Furniture was freestanding, things were stored in cabinets, it was still part of the era to have handmade furniture and the kitchen was no different. Sinks were often mounted to the wall with two legs at the front, again, echoing that look of a piece of furniture. And whilst a bench top or island as we know it wasn’t in the picture, there would often be a freestanding table that was a work surface but not for dining.
Surface wise it was pretty simple. Floors were tiled in simple, period patterns or just left in a plain square tile. Lots of timber, porcelain and steel were used throughout. To update this into a modern home, it is easy enough to keep the tiles simple, a plain white square, as I’ve done (below) at my farm house, paired with a timber bench and dark cabinets. We don’t use kitchens the same way they were back then but visual cues in materiality can help act as a nod to the era. A large, porcelain butler’s sink would work beautifully and detail on drawer and cupboard fronts would lend to the handmade timber furniture look.
As our habits at home changed, so did our spaces and the kitchen started to slowly become a more communal space for the family. The eat-in kitchen would start to appear in the 20s, with built-in seating and banquettes popping up in corners of the room. The evolution of kitchen design came with overhead cupboards, bench top surface for preparation and eating, fridges, and other mod cons that are still prevalent today. Curved bench tops were all the rage! A note for the two teams battling it out for the curved island!
The materials and colours that were in these kitchens were also becoming more personal, more experimental. Since the introduction of linoleum floors in the early 20th Century, they were being pushed to the limits with patterns, shapes and colours. There are some really great examples on how these shapes and colours could be updated for a modern home. With progress in our own kitchen tech, coloured laminates and engineered stone have given greater ease to add personality into the kitchen.
The contestants may not have delivered era appropriate, or even inspired, kitchens in the way I would have loved to have seen, but they definitely produced kitchens that will sell their homes come auction day. And whilst it’s easy to play it safe, in a $3 million home, I don’t think any buyer would be turned off by an incredible, well thought out designer kitchen!
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Daniel and Jade bagged their first win in kitchen week after using their extra gnome point. It was a very competitive kitchen week on The Block, with high scores and high praise all round. Harry and Tash and Jimmy and Tam came joint close second by just half a point. Nail-biting stuff!
Let’s recap the rooms from what is always one of the most exciting weeks on the show…
Harry and Tash | 29/30 | Joint 2nd
The judges immediately loved the 4m+ island bench, which Shaynna called a catwalk!
Neale said it was the perfect kitchen for 2020 with all the touchpoints of luxury. They loved the floor, the stone, the timber doors, the sliding covers on the sink, the (very expensive) coffee machine and the ducted vacuum (me too!).
They criticised the lack of powerpoints in the island bench, the mismatching taps and the lack of bin in the main kitchen space but they were minor problems. They also loved the butler’s pantry which did everything it needed to.
“Everything in here looks, presents and is pretty much perfect,” said Darren.
There were a lot of curves on The Block this week, including in Sarah and George’s house! Their stone curved kitchen bench was a work of art according to the judges. Darren hugged it, he loved that much. “That is a monolith, that is amazing,” said Neale. Darren said it was next level stone masonry.
The one criticism in the kitchen was that the cupboards were too high. So much so, Shaynna could hardly reach them at all. But the glass in them referenced the 1940s period of the house, which was a nice touch.
They wished they’d put a single sink in the island top and a double in the butler’s.
“It’s a kitchen where anyone is going to walk in and be absolutely blindsided by this bench,” said Neale, so much so they’d forgive some of its minor issues.
In their butler’s pantry the judges were very impressed with the louvre glass cupboard (I’d hate to clean them, anyone else?!).
But even with a high score of 28/30, it was such a competitive week, it only put them third place!
Daniel and Jade | Week 6 | 28.5 + 1/30 | 1st place
Getting master craftsman Christian Cole on board for their curved timber bench this week paid off. Big time!
Shaynna said it was beyond a work of art. Neale said it was a beautiful nod to the Deco era too. “This is like an heirloom, this will stand a lifetime,” Shaynna said. Darren said it was great how you could comfortably sit five people to eat together too.
Darren didn’t like the pendant lights and felt there weren’t enough powerpoints. The judges loved the cabinetry and handles though. Darren said all the details were fantastic.
They liked that they split up the ovens between the main kitchen and the butler’s pantry. “It’s a very well thought family kitchen but it’s also perfect for a passionate cook and entertainer,” Neale said.
Daniel and Jade used the extra point gnome they won at the pottery challenge to take out their first win on The Block. They needed the money so the $10,000 from Ford couldn’t have come at a better time!
Shaynna said the curved wall really tied in with what they’d done in last week’s bathroom. “We’re really experiencing some exceptional kitchens today,” said Neale. “I feel like these are kitchens that are ahead of the curve.” Pardon the (unintentional) pun!
Darren said the brass tapware gave a real sense of warmth and tied in well with the palette. Shaynna and Darren loved the pendant too. They also loved the timber laminate on the bottom of the cabinets.
Shaynna wasn’t sure about the oven placement and thought they could have been stacked. Darren took issue with the lack of powerpoints.
They loved all the pullout features in the pantry but didn’t like the basket storage.
“For me, this is a dream kitchen,” said Darren. “I just love everything about it.”
I think this one had to be my personal favourite this week, although if it could somehow be combined with Sarah and George’s curved stone island bench, that would be great!
Their $120,000 of Gaggenau kitchen appliances certainly made an impression! And the judges kept saying the colours shouldn’t work but they did! Mint green, brass and dark charcoal!
Darren said it was “kooky” and Neale said it was very 1950s but also very appropriate to today. “This one to me is truly bespoke,” he added.
Shaynna couldn’t turn a blind eye to the too-tall stools but that aside, she said “it’s stunning from every angle.”
The thousands of dollars worth of wine in the wine fridge impressed them too.
Neale said as a magazine editor he would have liked to have published all of the kitchens because they were all trendsetting in their own way.
Come back tomorrow for stylist Jono Fleming’s thoughts in his regular column!
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I’m breaking all my rules this week and not even referencing eras (there’s nothing scarier than a vintage kids room!). It was all about the extra bedrooms, and some more bathrooms, on The Block, and many contestants chose to style these spaces as kids rooms.
Styling and photography Jono Fleming
So today, we’re delving into the world of kids rooms. What makes a good one, what are the key things you need and how to you convince your child they don’t want that Peppa Pig poster for their wall (hint: you’re probably buying them the poster).
Whilst I don’t have kids of my own just yet, I approach designing a room for kids the exact same way I would any client. Questions I ask are what are they interested in, will this stand the test of time and most importantly, is it functional? When I used to design kids bedrooms at Inside Out magazine, we always approached the room from the angle of problem solving. What is this child’s interest and how do we translate this into a designer room?
Styling Jono Fleming, photography Sam McAdam Cooper, as seen in Inside Out
There were two main things I always tried to tackle: how to make branded merchandise chic and storage, storage, storage!
We can all dream of having a perfectly styled children’s room, in dusty pastel colours, with frayed edge cushions neatly placed on a chair next to the bed, but in reality, kids really love stuff. Lots and lots of stuff. And stuff with characters on it. It’s not their fault, it’s specifically branded to attract them and there’s no escaping it.
There are some ways to get around this though. Pick out key colours and shapes from these characters. Brands like Pottery Barn Kids often do beautiful interpretations of iconic characters. Things like wall decals are perfect to stick on and off the wall, as interests change, you can swap them out. Most importantly, realise that even if you do everything you can to make the perfect designer kids room, that’s mainly going to be your taste, and as a budding interior designer who painted his bedroom a variety of colours over the years, you have to let kids grow into the space and personalise it themselves eventually.
Styling by Jono Fleming, photography Kristina Soljo, as seen in Inside Out
The other huge consideration in a kids room is storage. You can never have too much! Think about how your child plays with their belongings though. Some kids (raising my hand slowly…) might shove all their toys and clothes into their wardrobe for a quick fix to clean their room. Others might be a bit more organised, collectors even, and want to display their wares neatly on shelves. Again, it can be a personal thing on how they use their space so find storage that can adapt to this.
Something many parents are considering as well is not too gender specific rooms; pink for girls, blue for boys. This week I’ve put together a dinosaur themed room that any child could grow into, still with lots of colour and pattern but with enough space to add their own taste. The idea is to have a room that fits in a traditional home but could be fun for a child of any age.
Like I said, let them have the space to make it their own, with your help of course. It’s an inevitability and you may as well embrace it!
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Harry and Tash | 23.5/30 LAST PLACE
It was initially all positive feedback from the judges for the Melbourne father and daughter. The judges thought the bedroom referenced the Art Deco period of the 1920s-inspired house. The Kinsman wardrobe was a hit, and the judges loved the artwork from Art Lovers.
The bathroom was also very well done, in particular the beautiful terrazzo tiles. However Darren was first to pick up a big mistake; the bathroom wall was out of plumb around 40mm and was crooked. A huge setback for Harry and Tash, they may have to pull the bathroom out and start again.
Sarah and George | 29/30 JOINT SECOND
The Western Sydney married couple have come back from the break in the build with a healthy new attitude. One of the first things the judges noticed was the stunning Grafico wallpaper mural in the bedroom, and the sheer size of the room.
There was so much storage with the Kinsman wardrobes, and we all know the judges love lots of storage. With huge ceilings, there wasn’t much wrong with the bedroom. In the bathroom they loved the tiles. One of the only criticisms was the position of the tap in the shower, but overall, a fantastic week for Sarah and George.
Daniel and Jade | 25.5/30 THIRD
The South Australians did something unique to the other couples this week on The Block; they had two bedrooms and a bathroom. It’s a move that will surely add to the value of their family friendly 1930s-inspired home. The judges loved that the bedrooms were designed for a boy and a girl. Shaynna loved Jade’s styling, something the hairdresser takes very seriously on The Block.
However as far as the bathroom goes, it wasn’t brilliant feedback. Jade loved her mint green basins From Nood Co, and Shaynna thought they was a great addition. But Darren in particular wasn’t a fan of much at all in the room. So while the bedrooms were nearly perfect, the bathroom was a let down for Daniel and Jade this week.
Luke and Jasmin | 30/30 FIRST
WOW. That’s probably the best word to describe the bedroom and bathroom that Luke and Jasmin delivered this week. Whimsical and gorgeous were two words thrown about while judging the bedroom, which was made for a child.
Stunning wallpaper, a hanging chair, and the bunk beds were a highlight. They also loved the small touches including the elephant and lion mounted on the wall. The bathroom was executed perfectly, including beautiful terrazzo and subway tiles. 30/30 for Luke and Jasmin, you can’t get much better than that.
Jimmy and Tam | 29/30 JOINT SECOND
The nature of the space in Jimmy and Tam’s upstairs bedroom would have been difficult to work with, but they nailed it. The bench work-from-home space overlooking the back yard was just perfect, according to the judges.
Once again the incredible Grafico wallpaper stood out. As for the bathroom, the bold choice of peach paint had a mixed reaction, with Shaynna calling it the Donald Trump of bathrooms. Everything else though was amazing. The big question is, will Jimmy and Tam’s build appeal to the Brighton buyer, as it is so specific? They are certainly taking the 1950s brief very seriously.
Interior designer and stylist Jono Fleming shares his views on the latest Block room reveals, how bath tubs have changed over the decades and if they’re worth investing in. Over to you, Jono…
After last week’s master bedrooms, we moved onto the all-important Block master ensuites on Sunday night. This bathroom is always a big deal and has given us some of the series’ most memorable moments. From classically beautiful bathrooms from Darren and Deanne on the Glasshouse series to Josh and Elyse’s giant (winning) zen soup bowl tub. And who could forget Hayden and Sara’s $75k bathroom that had that feature black and brass $8,000 bathtub?!
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So my point of discussion this week isn’t tiles or tapware (although for the record, black, chrome, brass, gold, it doesn’t matter, go with what you like and suits the house best); I’m focusing on the bath tub, the infinite styles available and how much money should you really be dropping on one?
I preface this with a well known fact: I’m not a bath person. My attention span is too short and I get really bored easily, but that being said, when I designed the main bathroom at my farm, I knew there had to be a beautiful clawfoot tub for guests who liked a soak, and it’s been a big hit!
Jono’s farm bathroom. IMAGE: Inside Out, styling by Jono Fleming, photography by Anson Smart
From a purely aesthetic perspective, pairing the traditional clawfoot with the sleeker, modern black and white palette in the bathroom there really helped make it the standout of the room, adding depth and personality to the simple colour scheme.
For me, I don’t need a bathtub in the master ensuite, personally not being a bath fan myself. I like to put the tub in the guest bathroom which can sometimes be bigger and often is the ‘kids’ bathroom.
Either way, to sell a house, I think it is important to include one, but what style do you choose and how much is price a factor?
Shaynna loved Harry and Tash’s bath
If we’re looking through history, in the 1910s, the clawfoot bath was the norm. A holdover from the Victorian era, these heavy, cast iron baths were found in homes big and small. Some were painted in beautiful patterns but often just left white with ornate feet. Porcelain clawfoot tubs were made but by the 1920s, we started to see more inbuilt baths start to pop up. More boxy, built into corners of rooms and with soft curves around the edges.
By the time the 1930s rolled around, the bath was no longer freestanding, alcove baths were all the rage and were not only built into the wall but often adorned with an archway around the tub. The 40s and 50s ditched the architectural elements such as the arches but kept true to the alcove and inbuilt tub, still in the matching colour sets with the sink and toilet.
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Where does this leave our contestants? There were plenty of organic, pebble-shaped baths, smooth, round composite options, maybe even some made of stone. But I would have loved to see a clawfoot in the mix. Even a freestanding bath with a lip at the floor would be a stunning statement.
Luke and Jasmin’s winning bath
For those who chose a more modern route, there are some amazing coloured concrete baths popping up on the market that are a nod back to that wild matching pastel suite. A streamlined freestanding would be a great way to interpret the period brief to modern day.
Hayden and Sara copped a lot of flack for their OTT choice on their series but to be fair, these are sold as multimillion dollar properties, so in the grand scheme of things, an $8,000 tub isn’t too much of a stretch.
There’s plenty of options out there, and the way I look at it, if the bath is taking up a lot of real estate in the bathroom, let’s make it something special to talk about.
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Well, I have to say, I was IMPRESSED by The Block contestants this week. Seriously impressed! There were high scores across the board and deservedly so! My personal favourite had to be Luke and Jasmin’s with its curved wall and reeded glass, joint first place with Jimmy and Tam (after the latter used their golden gnome bonus point to tie). But they were all pretty fab, weren’t they? And I love how different they were.
Joint second:Harry and Tash | 28.5/30
The tile choices were praised by the judges. They said the room was so much better and the opposite of their last bathroom, which was slammed.
Neale said it felt like a contemporary bathroom with definite references of the era. He said he wanted the basins for his own house! And Shaynna absolutely loved the bath, which couldn’t be more appropriate for the era!
None of them liked the wall sconce right above the tiles. And of course Darren noticed the shower glass being too short again!
They said the styling was superb; pared back and simple.
It was a tough week for the couple after Sarah’s grandmother passed away. But with the help of their trades, they rallied together to deliver a beautiful and spacious bathroom.
Neale said: “Just when you think it couldn’t get any better, wow!”
Darren said it was just as bloody good as nextdoor. “These tiles are so beautiful. It’s really impactful and also really calming.”
Shaynna said there were technically too many types of tiles but somehow it all blended beautifully. “When you’re confident, know the rules and break them.” She was worried the splash out from the shower could be too much though.
The judges struggled to find anything to fault. Neale said, after learning about their family tragedy on top of the pandemic, that it was incredible they had delivered what they had.
“I’d be proud if I owned this home; I’d be proud if I created this bathroom,” said Darren. “This is exceptional.”
Fish scale tiles on not one but three walls! It was a brave move.
Darren loved the entrance through the wardrobe into the en suite. Neale said the fish scale tiles were beautiful. “I never thought I’d see as much of it and love it!” Darren said they made perfect sense.
Shaynna loved the layout and the drainage. And she loved the subtle curves, such as the bath, contrasting the hard lines.
Darren thought the vanity could have been a lot bigger.
But the tiling was exceptional, and the paintwork was excellent, there was no sense of hurry and it was another fantastic bathroom.
That curved wall! Oh my! This was my favourite, even though it was hard to pick this week.
Shaynna and Darren both said “What?!” as they walked in. In a good way! Neale followed it up with “Wow!”
“It’s so elegant, I’m just blown away how beautiful it is,” said Darren.
“I would not have expected a black bath but I love it,” said Shaynna. Darren said it was the one contrast point that was needed.
Neale said it was exceptional. “They have give us a very, very modern bathroom but remained faithful to those period cues.” He rightly pointed out that one of the vanities was much too close to the shower screen though. And the toilet roll holder was not well placed either.
Minor faults in an otherwise perfect bathroom.
Darren said the execution and craftsmanship was amazing. “They’ve taken a big risk but it has paid off.”
Joint first: Jimmy and Tam | 28 +1 with gnome = 29/30
Darren noticed it didn’t have a bath tub because it was smaller. But Shaynna said she preferred a bigger walk-in robe. They’d need to ensure they had a bath in their next bathroom though.
Shaynna said the colour palette was divine. Darren said it was a clever move to match the vanity to the bed and bedside tables. “They’re interesting tiles but they’re not expensive. It’s clever.”
Neale said the sconces were a little disappointing. And Shaynna said the lighting wasn’t functional at all. But that aside, the bathroom was great.
“Jimmy and Tam know exactly how to build a space that makes your heart sing; makes you happy,” Shaynna said.
Neale said the woman in the Slim Aarons print would be very happy in this bathroom.
Overall, the judges said they felt privileged to have been at The Block that day. “I can’t remember seeing five such consistent bathrooms this early on in the compeitition,” Neale said. They agreed it was remarkable, especially considering the world was going into lockdown around them and they were away from their families.
Next week: a bedroom and a bathroom!
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There’s a lot to unpack with the eras but this week I’m going to be focusing on the 1920s and 30s. These two eras are often confused and for good reason: trends carry across decades (we saw pedestal basins for almost 50 years last week!). So I’m here to clarify a few key differences and focus on some particular styles within this era.
Let’s start with the elephant in the room. I’m going to be very clear here: I don’t hate velvet bedheads. I think in the right context, in the right room, they can be amazing. But velvet bedheads don’t automatically transport you to the roaring 20s and make the room instantly luxe.
That’s a good jumping off point for a bit of context. People associate the 1920s with the Art Deco style. Think Baz Lurhman’s Great Gatsby, black posters with ornate gold trim adorning movie theatres, shimmery tinsel! It was all very glam. But when it comes to a 20s home, there are many different styles to go off.
What winners Harry and Tash did in their 1920s-inspired bedroom
The 1920s was the end of a period called the Arts and Crafts movement where there was a focus on the handmade, carved timber and ornate art. Beds in the 20s, especially the first half of the decade, reflected this and were often carved timber, with beautiful detailing. But since this is the master bedroom week, let’s step away from the homier style of the Arts and Craft movement and go all in on the grand deco references.
If you look at the bed in the master bedroom in The Great Gatsby movie, it’s actually a sleek, lacquered timber base with chrome detailing. It looks more like a sports car than a bed, it’s got sexy curves and it’s incredibly simple in design by comparison.
The glamour and detail from this period came from overly patterned rugs, wallpapers and elegant timber side tables. Fabric wise, it was all about silks and jacquards with patterns, Yes, velvet was around but it wasn’t quite as prolific as we see in modern interpretations.
Which brings us to the 1930s, specifically the ‘Hollywood Glam’ style room that Shaynna Blaze wanted to see. The 30s of course had their versions of the bungalow home with the more working class houses still having beautiful crafted timber bed bases, but we’re wanting glam! Material wise, there’s still lots of lacquered timber everywhere in the home, especially the bedroom. Beautiful deco arches are translated into bedheads (in timber), sideboards with inlayed timber into geometric patterns and when it comes to fabrics, there’s silk, and lots of it.
Jono’s take on a 1930s-inspired bedroomWhat Daniel and Jade did in their 1930s-inspired bedroom
One of my favourite things about the Hollywood Regency period is the shapes that come with it. Curtains, chairs, lighting; there was scalloped detail everywhere. In a weird turn of events, shell shapes have become extremely trendy again nowadays and these shell-like shapes were all over the Hollywood 1930s bedroom.
When it came to the walls, they were adorned in padded features, Chinoiserie wallpaper, mirrors; if it was shiny and lavish, chuck it in the room! Really fun details like tassels were hanging off everything: tying up a curtain, the base of a chair, the end of the bedhead, everywhere! This was definitely the appropriate time to use a velvet bedhead! Velvet was very in vogue at the time and is completely appropriate to the era.
There’s so much to unpack with each of these eras, and when you’re designing your home, whether or not it’s a heritage building, it is completely up to you what you put in it. If you love velvet, no one is stopping you! I know I made it seem like there are rules but there really aren’t. However, since this series is all about respecting the era the homes are designed in, attention to detail can help create a layered and interesting room. And that’s the key, isn’t it? If we’re designing, styling or creating, we want the final product to be a treat to look at and live in.
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Jimmy and Tam won for the second week in a row last night. Impressive stuff! And I have to agree their 1950s bathroom (below) was the best.
Let’s recap what everyone did and what the judges said, plus where to buy our favourite pieces.
Harry and Tash | 1920s house | 21.5/30 | Last place
The Victorian father and daughter had a great first week with the judges but not so much in week two. They had the smallest bathroom on The Block but there were lots of issues for the judges. While all the tiles were nice on their own, they did not work together! Shaynna in particular thought the floor tiles did not fit the 1920s brief. Why wouldn’t they use terrazzo?!
The Block 2020 first room reveals
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Neale did like the basin and the curved edges of the bathroom cabinet. However overall, he didn’t think they nailed the brief. “I’m clutching at straws to find things which are 1920s. They’re going down that generic heritage path.”
Shaynna said the shower glass wasn’t quite high enough and the vanity should have been a pedestal basin. Darren said it needed underfloor heating considering it is a luxury house in Brighton. But that it was a great layout for a small space.
“If they don’t get this brief right again I might get a little but nasty,” said Shaynna! Neale added: “Please pay attention to the brief!”
Sarah and George | 1940s house |27/30 | Second place
After some negative feedback in week one, a relieved Sarah and George had some great feedback from all three judges this week. Their bathroom was a perfect mix of the 1940s era mixed with contemporary. “The 1940s never looked so glamorous,” said Neale. “This luxury is off the charts,” added Shaynna. “The detailing in here is really on point,” said Darren.
The judges loved the Plush Pink tiles from Beaumont Tiles. The whole colour palette was stunning. They also thought it was a very well thought out bathroom planning wise, in particular the wall that Sarah and George installed to keep the toilet separate from the shower, and the under floor heating.
“It is part bathroom, part cathedral,” said Neale, referring to the skylights. But Darren pointed out the shower diverter was too high to reach without wearing heels!
Daniel and Jade | 1930s house | 23/30 | Fourth place
It was a really tough week for Daniel and Jade after the death of Daniel’s grandfather in South Australia. They had to leave The Block for the funeral but returned to finish off their room, saying it would have made him proud.
Where were the thirties though, the judges asked? “If you could pick one of the worst laminates to put in this bathroom, that is definitely it,” said Shaynna. “And that laminate and that tile together is 10 years old; dated already.”
“There’s nothing in here that either relates to the period of the house or the room they delivered last week,” Neale added. “It’s a complete copout. Yes it’s beautiful but it’s meant to be meeting a brief.”
Darren said the market would love the bathroom but it was a very 2020 bathroom. He agreed the vanity needed replacing for something more statement.
Luke and Jasmin | 1910s house | 25.5/30 | Third place
“Now that is a bit more like it,” said Neale. Darren, who visited Luke and Jasmin in the week to give them some tips on what the 1910s era is, said it got the brief with a contemporary feel.
“The combination of the VJ panelling with the beautiful decorative glass and the fluted glass gives it a period feel. It feels appropriate.”
Shaynna said it was elegant, refined and delicate. “The tiles have the aged look.”
The judges loved the reeded shower screen but said the ribbed side should have been on the outside of the shower to make it easier to clean. The lack of face-level storage and towel rail was also an issue.
The basin, the wall sconces and the tapware were a hit.
Jimmy and Tam | 1950s house | 28.5/30 | First place
The Brisbane couple were a bit worried when Darren compared their bathroom to a public pool, but it was all in a good, sentimental way. Jimmy and Tam nailed everything again this week. The terrazzo tiles and stool were perfect, and the colour palette matched their winning bathroom in week one. The green vanity was also a wonderful choice. They nailed the heritage brief the best out of anyone this week on The Block.
Neale said “This bathroom has to me a more generally fifties vibe. The reference to a swimming pool is unmistakable. It sends you back to a different era. I can’t remember the last time I walked into a bathroom and got such a big smile on my face.”
Shaynna could not stop smiling either. Neale noticed there was no handle on the door. But there wasn’t much else they could criticise!
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Not only is The Block all about houses this season, they’re also period houses! And we’re onto the first room reveals already! That’s what we’re all here for, right?! It was pretty good feedback from the judges last night for this early on in the competition. Although it remains to be seen how crucial sticking to the homes’ eras will be and I think this could get interesting!
Jimmy and Tam’s winning room in the 1950s house
Jimmy and Tam, with their high ceilings, skylights and palm tree wallpaper won, and Luke and Jasmin, who were slammed for not taking the heritage cues of their house at all and doing their own (contemporary) thing, came last.
Read on for more of what the couples did, what the judges thought and where you can buy our favourite picks.
THIRD: HARRY & TASH (1920s house) 24/30
The feedback was so good for the show’s first father-daughter team, it left Tash in happy tears of relief!
The judges loved (of course) the skylights and the sense of space. Shaynna loved the Venetian blinds saying they worked with the period, and the colour scheme.
Neale couldn’t believe it was the team who came last in last week’s challenge. He said it was a contemporary home with a nod to the twenties. “It feels like a very confident room. Those little touches give you a sense of period but feel very in keeping with today. To come through with something as accomplished as this is amazing.”
Darren said: “This colour palette his spot on trend, very 2020.” And all the hardware in the wardrobes said luxury. He said the painting was mostly very good and he loved the grey and white.
Shaynna didn’t like the carpet, saying it was more office than luxury, but that was about as far as the negatives went.
These two were brave in deciding to split their massive guest bedroom into a bedroom plus study which they hoped would give them an edge. But they were left deflated by the judges’ feedback.
Shaynna loved the colour palette but was disappointed at how they hadn’t worked with the beautiful period features, rather recreating their own idea. The execution though was “pretty good”. She wished they’d done a walk-in robe rather than use the space for a study. Neale found the study dull and bland.
Darren loved the ceiling rose, the door handles and the cabinetry, but hated walking straight into a corner. Moving the door would have made a big difference. He said the painting finish was very good and the finishes in the study were excellent. “As a luxury addition, I’m confident this adds value to the house.”
Neale acknowledged the 40s was a challenging period to represent. He said they’d done just enough. He didn’t like the lights but loved the wardrobes.
Darren was immediately wowed by the ceiling rose, the skirting and pendant light. Neale said it had a beautiful vintage feel but felt modern too. Shaynna was not happy with the shutters though as they weren’t Deco style at all.
The judges loved the use of green. Neale said the greys and greens in the bed linen were perfect. Darren noted there were no bedside tables, but loved the “delicious” wardrobe handles!
Execution wise, the paintwork was perfect. “How is this week one?” said Darren, with Neale adding that they’d set the bar very high.
This couple weren’t quiet about the fact they weren’t keeping to the period and that they preferred contemporary. Whoops! Because the judges immediately picked up on this and weren’t impressed!
They said it was a contemporary room with some generic heritage touches which was a shame. Shaynna said it was the least relevant room to its era they had seen. “This is the first house that shutters are truly relevant. What it doesn’t work with is Venetian plastering!”
Darren however said it was a fair interpretation. Shaynna argued it was a crying shame! And Neale said it was a very accomplished, glamorous, contemporary room.
Shaynna wouldn’t let up though, eventually talking Neale and Darren around to her way of thinking!
“The shutters, the wardrobe and the doors: tick, amazing, gorgeous!” Shaynna said. “The rest of it? Goodbye!”
Period-appropriate or not, we love that artwork, The Exception by Prudence De Marchi. Buy it from $290.
FIRST: JIMMY AND TAM (1950s house) 25.5/30
Of course the high ceilings and four skylights made a great first impression. “I’ve walked into this room with an evident, powerful, emotional attachment, Darren said.
Shaynna even did a little dance! “This one has got me by the heart strings. It feels so beautiful.” Darren said it was light, bright, cool and edgy.
They loved the secret door to the (future) en suite and said the execution was excellent.
“This is not what I thought this house was going to be but now I’m in here I absolutely bloody love it,” Neale said. But he also said he didn’t see much that was fifties.
And there ensued a debate about how fifties it was, or not! Wth Shaynna, unusually, sitting on the fence!
NEXT WEEK: The couples are facing their first bathrooms!
What did you think? Which was your favourite? Do you think the couples are sticking to the periods of their homes?
The Block starts on Sunday (finally!) with 5 houses from 5 decades.
After some Covid filming setbacks, The Block returns this Sunday for the 16th time. This season will take us on a new journey, from the beginning of the 20th century…
After some Covid filming setbacks, The Block returns this Sunday for the 16th time. This season will take us on a new journey, from the beginning of the 20th century up to the dawning of the rock ’n roll era. Five period homes from the 1910s, 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s, all in a dire state, have been uprooted and transported to a 2761-square metre block of land in the heart of sunny and affluent Brighton in Melbourne. There they wait to be brought back to life by five eager new couples.
I’m excited!
This year’s Block is within walking distance of the beach and minutes from the world- famous Brighton Beach Boxes. “We always change our show up and make it fresh and I think this is a great way of doing that, by having houses themed according to different decades,” says host Scott Cam.
“I love that we are getting back to renovating family homes as well. People can watch The Block and see what the contestants are doing and get inspired to do it themselves.”
After overcoming all sorts of complex challenges in previous seasons, this year The Block encountered something that could never be planned for: a global pandemic. This will be the season that goes down in history as it captures the first ever shutdown of The Block, and the way the program was able to resume production in a world grappling with the upheaval of COVID-19.
“It was an incredibly tough decision, but I firmly believe it was the right thing to do,” says executive producer, Julian Cress. “At the time it was kind of heartbreaking, but we were able to get our contestants back to their kids and loved ones, which was the most important thing.”
Architect Julian Brenchleyhas designed the renovations, which maintain the five period houses and add new two-storey extensions at the rear. Each house now has at least four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a huge kitchen, dining and living area, plus a double garage with a studio and a pool!
“This time around we looked at preserving some of the period aspects of each house,” Julian says. “It’s been really interesting to explore five different renovations of five houses, because in the past they were all roughly the same design.”
Joining Scott again this season will be co-host Shelley Craft, site foremen Keith and Dan, and judges Neale Whitaker, Shaynna Blaze and Darren Palmer.
The location – Brighton at a glance
Brighton is 12 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD.
Famous residents include Eric Bana, Shane Warne, Chris and Rebecca Judd and Brendan Fevola.
The median price for a four-bedroom house is $2.9 million.
The median price for a five-bedroom house is $3.68 million.
The last reported sale of a rare Brighton Beach Box was a remarkable $340,000 in 2019.
In affluent Brighton, 74% of residents own their own home while 26% rent.
The suburb is known for incredible churches and beautiful schools.
Bay Street is the centre of Brighton, with many cafés and the famous Palace Brighton cinema.
This year’s contestants
Harry and Tash (VIC)
The Block’s first ever father and daughter duo.
Harry (57, an IT manager) has renovation experience but he wouldn’t call himself an expert. He has renovated a bungalow as well as the family home. As for Tash, she loves a project and a good spreadsheet, but those things alone don’t build a house.
Family man Harry was born in Cyprus and moved to Australia when he was four. He lives with his wife Andrea (Tash’s mum) in the suburb next to Brighton. Harry hopes to have a home turf advantage as he knows the area and what the locals like.
Tash (32, works in social media and production management) is Harry’s eldest child. She lives with her partner Brad in the inner Melbourne suburb of Richmond works at a PR agency. Although she hasn’t had any experience on the tools, she won’t be letting that get in her way. “I am used to working with tight deadlines and ensuring the job gets done,” she says.
They are a very close pair. With strong Greek roots, they plan to show us how to laugh, argue and get the job done their way. One thing’s for sure, nothing will be boring. “We are here to have fun as well,” Harry says.
Sarah and George, NSW
These self-proclaimed “mad dogs” from western Sydney are unlike anyone we’ve seen on The Block before. Together for eight years and married for three, they have a relationship built on old-school values and new-school quirk. By just being themselves, these “westies” are ready to light up the competition.
George, 33, is an electrician, and they have renovated two homes together. Sarah, 27, a teacher, hopes the experience on The Block could lead her to a different career direction. “Don’t get me wrong, I love my job, but I am not the same person when I’m teaching. It’s just not the dream,” she says.
Sarah says the reason she is always positive, laughing and smiling is because of her one- of-a-kind husband, George. He has worked as an electrician in Sydney for 13 years. Sarah describes George as a very funny character, a bit of a nerd, and unlike anyone she has ever met. He plans to make his fellow Sydney westies proud by keeping his bling and his hair fade looking “fully sick” throughout his time on The Block.
They’ve had their struggles. An investment property they owned was trashed by tenants when they were newly married, leaving them devastated and forced to completely rebuild the inside of the house. But they feel it has perfectly prepared them for the hard work The Block is notorious for.
Daniel and Jade, SA
These hard-working farmers from 250 kilometres north of Adelaide have made four attempts to get on The Block. Now that they’ve finally made it, they are ready to grab The Block by the horns in the hope of changing the future for their family of three young kids.
Daniel completed his carpentry trade in his late teens and put the skills to good use on the family farm. Jade is a highly visual person, so when it comes to design she plans on making the executive decisions.
Being a farmer is everything to Daniel, 35, a true-blue Aussie man on the land who feels more at home on a tractor or working with animals than choosing cushions. He doesn’t understand why past contestants have ever complained about things, and he is ready to enter the build with a whole lot of confidence.
Jade, 34, works part-time as a hairdresser when she isn’t looking after the kids. Being on the farm is something that has taken her some getting used to, but with Daniel and the children by her side she has made herself feel right at home.
“Our life is going to work and supporting the kids. Being away from them is going to be a big test,” Jade says. The main reason the pair applied for The Block is daughter Isla. She is one of only eight children in the world identified with a rare chromosome disorder that affects her speech and physical ability. They say anything they can win and put towards helping her is worth going to be worth the hard work.
This couple, who own two farms in rural SA, have endured great hardship over the years. Their farms have been affected by drought since 2016, and just when they thought things couldn’t get any harder, last Christmas one farm was destroyed by a bushfire. They’re now close to million dollars in debt.
So Daniel and Jade hope The Block will turn their lives around, get them back on their feet, and maybe free up some of their time back in South Australia.
Luke and Jasmin, WA
This dynamic Perth duo, married with two young kids, are ready to school the other contestants on how to build the best house on The Block. Luke, 35 is a chippy and Jasmin, 36, is a teacher. They think they might have the perfect mix of skills to be the first West Australian couple to win The Block.
Luke owns a carpentry business that he started nine years ago but his CV also includes his other successful career – male modelling! “I used to do a lot of fashion stuff when I was younger,” says Luke, who was signed to the premium agency Chadwick Models. “But now it’s mainly commercial.” If he isn’t on the tools or looking after the kids, this Perth local can be caught catching waves.
Jasmin is a part-time kindergarten teacher who loves being able to educate and entertain children. Luke describes Jasmine as a hard-working, beautiful person and mother, saying he and the family would be lost without her.
This couple met 17 years ago in a local pub on a student night and have never looked back. They are currently renovating their own home as they raise their two kids, Lola, 4, and one-year-old Sonny. “It’s pretty much been baby, renovations, baby, toddler, and renovations,” Jasmine says.
Jimmy and Tam, QLD
These married battlers from Brisbane are ready to give The Block everything they’ve got. They’re ready to bowl over the competition to create a better life for their young daughter.
Jimmy, 33, is no stranger to a worksite and has been around plenty of renovations with his plumbing work. Whereas Tam doesn’t know what a spanner is. But one thing this couple have in spades is grit and determination.
Jimmy is a very experienced plumber. After working his way up in the trade, he now manages large plumbing jobs, but he hasn’t forgotten how to roll his sleeves up and get his hands dirty. He was previously a gym coach and that is where Tam came into his story.
The bar manager at her local bowlo, Tam, 31, says the club has been a major part of her life for as long as she can remember. She grew up there as her mum was a star player, and it was her first place of employment. She even got married to Jimmy at the bowlo!
A self-proclaimed op-shopaholic, Tam with her bright red hair is quite the fashionista and she’s not afraid to show it. She has always had her own unique sense of style and she will be bringing that to the suburb of Brighton as well as the renovation project.
They rent in Brisbane with their four-year-old daughter, Frankie. “We are doing this for Frankie. We want to try and win to set our family up,” Jimmy says. If they do win big on The Block this ambitious young couple plan to use the money to enter the property market, buy a place and turn their lives around.
The Block Archives – The Interiors Addict
Our readers love The Block and so do we! Read all the latest from the Channel 9 renovating reality show. Come back each week to read about the latest room reveals and how you can shop the looks!
