Tag: the block

The Block auction results 2018: Sara & Hayden clean up

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date October 29, 2018
1 Comment on The Block auction results 2018: Sara & Hayden clean up

It was the night we’d all been waiting for: auction night! And The Block didn’t disappoint with the usual anticipation and stop-starting! And who would have thought it, Hayden and Sara, who ruffled so many feathers, ended up winning, adding the $100k prize money to their already impressive $545k profit! Not to be sniffed at! They sure had the last laugh!

So, here’s how it all panned out…

First up were KERRIE & SPENCE. Emotions were high with Kerrie in tears before things even started on the auction couch! Their reserve was $2,435,000. $2.4m was the strong starting bid from buyer’s advocate Nicole Jacobs. Then it became a bidding war between her and fellow buyer’s advocate Greville Pabst. Then Frank Valentic joined in on the action. Things slowed down and sped up and suddenly they were sitting on a profit above the reserve of $415k. Wow. Frank eventually won for his client at $2.85m. Kerrie and Spence were clearly delighted and in total shock.

Second up were HAYDEN & SARA, certainly not clear viewers’ favourites this year! But like Scotty said, they sure made The Block more interesting with all that drama. Sara chose the auctions as the ideal time to announce her pregnancy and even did a gender reveal on TV! It’s a boy! Their reserve was $2,475,000. Bidding started at $2.5m but was quick to slow. It looked like they were only going to take home $25k! But you know how these things work! When it got to $200k above reserve, Sara was happy enough, but it eventually shot up to $3m and $525k profit. And then kept going! $3,020,000 and $545k. Sara couldn’t contain her extreme excitement! Wow. Theirs was the only apartment to crack the three mill mark.

Next up JESS & NORM with a reserve of $2,650,000. And it really looked like it was going nowhere (I know, I know, I should know how it works by now, right?!). It was a slow bidding war between Greville and Frank. At the end it was going up just a few grand at a time until Greville won at $2,859,000 and $209k winnings for the couple. They were so genuinely delighted. How can you not love these two?!

Then came BIANCA & CARLA with a reserve of $2,690,000 and things were going super quickly! No messing around from their auctioneer, Damien Cooley! Ooh, it was nail-biting stuff with Damien refusing to take anything less than $3m after bidding hit $2,900,000. But he then took $2,925,000 and ended up at $2,991,000 to Greville and a profit of $301k for the girls. Going fourth didn’t do them too badly after all!

You couldn’t help but feel nervous for last up, HANS & COURTNEY. You could see they were too, with Courtney in tears. And to cut a long story short, it went to Greville (again!) for $2,770,000 and $410k profit. And the buyers were sisters Rose and Yvette who originally owned the hotel too. Nice touch to end on!

What did you think of the results? We’ll have auction commentary from Greville Pabst, who cleaned up for his clients, later today!

All our Block coverage.

Tags Hayden and Sara, nine, st kilda, the bloc auctions, the block, the block auction results 2018, the Gatwick

Design Kitchens RENO ADDICT The Block

All the details from The Block 2018 challenge kitchen

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date October 26, 2018
2 Comments on All the details from The Block 2018 challenge kitchen

Courtney-hans-kitchen-cabinets — Apartment one's statement kitchen will be enjoyed by the two sisters that bought it at auction

It won them first place and major adulation from the judges during the final reveal on The Block last week and we suspect it may have piqued your interest too. The Block judge Neale Whitaker was particularly taken with Hans and Courtney’s kitchen calling it their best work on the series. “It’s sensational! It’s a kitchen that acknowledges this is where we now live life and I am suffering extreme kitchen envy. I want this badly!” he said.

And while it’s not everyone’s cup of the proverbial, Hans and Courtney’s kitchen certainly made an impact so we thought we’d unpack its finer details.

Shelving
The café-style design was a departure from the usual kitchen styles that we’ve come to expect from The Block – it’s most notable feature was the black framed shelving used extensively throughout. A Freedom Kitchens product, the ‘2020 Black Alumin’ frame shelving was a look that was seen previously at this year’s biggest kitchen tradeshow in Milan.

Not only does the anodised matte black framing and glass shelving pack a visual punch, they provide ample open overhead storage and styling opportunities too. The clear glass means the overhead shelving doesn’t block light either, which cements the kitchen’s overall light and airy vibe.

Benchtop & splash back
The benchtop and splash backs are carved out of Caesarstone’s new ‘Excava’ finish – the man made material features an authentic industrial style patina. It’s a prominent feature of the kitchen given it features on the vast island bench top also but it’s a look that really complements the space.

Caesarstone 'Excava' — Caesarstone ‘Excava’

Cabinets
Again provided by Freedom Kitchens, the kitchen cabinetry features the brand’s popular ‘Sierra’ profile door in both ‘white matte’ and ‘black matte.’ Both colours help to neutralise the warm tones of the Ceasarstone ‘Excava.’

Butler’s pantry
The butler’s pantry was my favourite part of the kitchen – spacious and stylish it features a series of integrated Subzero fridges and plenty of wine storage too.

For more | All our Block coverage

Tags design, interior design, interiors, kitchen, melbourne, reno, renovating, renovation, the block, The Block 2018

Design The Block

The Block 2018 last reveal: Challenge rooms

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date October 22, 2018
1 Comment on The Block 2018 last reveal: Challenge rooms

Last night saw the final reveal of The Block for 2018 and this time it was the challenge rooms. The standout space for me was Courtney and Hans’ kitchen. After walking through the butler’s pantry, Neale said he had “extreme kitchen envy” and I certainly did too!

1^st: COURTNEY AND HANS
Score: 29/30

Courtney and Hans created a black and white St Kilda inspired kitchen complete with stainless steel gantries, Caesarstone benchtops, a large butler’s pantry and neon ‘3182’ St Kilda sign. Shaynna loved it, Neale called it the “kitchen of his dreams” and Darren called it “absolutely spectacular.”

“It’s a kitchen that acknowledges that the kitchen is now where we live life,” said Neale. And Shaynna said although the couple’s styling had been hit and miss throughout the season but felt this space boasted precision styling. “I actually feel that not only does it feel like someone lives here but it’s styled beautifully too,” she said.

And while the fridge, tucked away in the amazing butler’s pantry, was some distance from the main event, the judges didn’t seem to mind. In fact, after stepping into the butler’s pantry Neale said he was suffering “extreme kitchen envy.”

My picks to buy: Rialheim ceramic pig bowl and Carla O’Brien neon postcode light.

2^nd:KERRIE AND SPENCE
Score: 28.5/30

With a projector screen, sofa, coffee table, bar, bespoke poster and Yamaha Smart Piano, Kerrie and Spence’s terrace was very well received by the judges. They loved the piano, large artwork and especially the way in which the bar facilitates people-watching over the street. Overall, the judges thought the room was fabulous.

My pick to buy: ‘Playbox, the Malthouse’ by Boris Bucan silkscreen print.

3^rd: SARA AND HAYDEN
Score: 27/30

Hayden and Sara's challenge hallway — The judges loved the artwork in Hayden and Sara’s challenge hallway

Hayden and Sara had an epic four spaces to complete – the hall, powder room, laundry and study – and the judges acknowledged that it was quite an undertaking.

Shaynna loved the feature artwork in the hall and Neale did too. He called the mural “strong, engaging, cool and retro” but wasn’t a fan of the hall table styling. The judges loved the laundry (Darren called it “exceptional”) and felt it delivered on functionality and style. Shaynna thought the study was “fantastic” and Neale said it was the best thing they’d delivered all season.

Hayden & Sara challenge study — Hayden and Sara’s challenge study

Hayden and Sara's challenge laundry — Hayden and Sara’s challenge laundry

Hayden & Sara's challenge powder room — Hayden & Sara’s challenge powder room

My picks to buy: White Moose hippo head planter and west elm striped angle geometry bookend.

4^th: NORM AND JESS
Score: 26.5/30

After their dull master bedroom from last week, Norm and Jess really upped their game for their challenge dining room. A hero of the space, the judges thought the large pink neon sign was “corny but oh so good.” The Christian Cole dining table was well received too with Neale calling it “stunning” while Darren liked the pendant lights above it. Overall the judges felt the room was a strong offering.

My picks to buy: Tipi Interiors black and white bone inlay stripe stool and The Print Emporium Palm Springs Doorway 2 art print

5^th: BIANCA AND CARLA
Score: 21.5/30

Neale called Bianca and Carla’s challenge lounge room vibe “weird” and thought that it felt really thrown together. Shaynna felt the room didn’t match the quality of the rest of the apartment and Darren agreed. “It’s too young and low-cost,” said Darren while Neale said it felt “cheap and that it was letting the whole apartment down.”

In particular, Shaynna thought the two rugs placed on top of one another were odd, she wondered where the bespoke cabinetry was and she finished by saying that she thought the girls “checked out of The Block a week ago.” By the looks of it, they did!

My picks to buy: Life Interiors Dala horse and Arro Home Rigby cushion.

ALL OUR BLOCK COVERAGE

Tags darren palmer, design, interior design, interiors, neale whitaker, shaynna blaze, styling, the block, The Block 2018

Bathrooms The Block

The Block 2018 room reveals: Challenge apartment

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date October 15, 2018
No Comments on The Block 2018 room reveals: Challenge apartment

With a “quirky St Kilda” theme, it was a real mixed bag this week on The Block and there were some absolute shockers in the mix – ahem Kerrie and Spence! Ugly wall murals aside, Sara and Hayden delivered a gorgeous monochrome bathroom while Courtney and Hans took a punt on a wallpaper selection that really paid off.

1^st: COURTNEY AND HANS
Score: 28.5/30

Courtney and Hans chose a statement making wallpaper and the bold design was a gutsy choice that the judges adored. “I love it!” said Shaynna while Darren described it as a “colourful, eccentric and a really beautiful choice.” The judges also liked the Australiana-themed artwork and the way the bed was dressed.

Overall, the judges though the room was meticulously planned and were impressed with the styling. Shaynna called the room’s styling “kitsch…but as a compliment” and finished by saying “the room has a real sense of calm which is bizarre when you’ve got so much going on!”

My picks to buy: Hackney Empire stripe wallpaper and Grotti Lotti ‘Don’t fence me in’ art print

2^nd: SARA AND HAYDEN
Score: 27.5/30

Sara and Hayden’s gorgeous monochromatic bathroom was described as “magic” by Neale and all three judges agreed it was a beautiful space. There’s no doubt the hero of the space is the Zuster vanity and the judges loved it. “That subtle hint of terrazzo is so beautiful,” said Neale.

Shaynna and Neale liked the textured tile while Darren didn’t and Shaynna also acknowledged the toilet’s discreet placement behind the door and quirky styling pieces. Overall, the judges thought the bathroom showed an incredible improvement in planning, detail and style compared to the couple’s first bathroom. “They’re at their absolute best here!” said Neale.

Hayden & Sarah — That Zuster vanity is beyond beautiful

My picks to buy: Zuster Halo vanity unit and Kazari bronze crocodile

3^rd: BIANCA AND CARLA
Score: 23.5/30

Bianca and Carla nailed the “quirky St Kilda” brief – their fun and functional bathroom featured pink palm tree wallpaper paired with simple black. Neale and Shyanna loved the wallpaper calling it fun, quirky and pretty and Darren admitted to having something similar in his house. Shaynna loved the positioning of the bath under the window, the hidden toilet (again!) and the double shower. She called the walk-through glass “really sexy.”

Darren was critical of the unbalanced vanity lighting and Shaynna noted the apparent time management issues reflected in the workmanship but overall the judges really like this room. “This bathroom fits that boutique St Kilda hotel apartment vibe. It’s got style, quirk and a connection with the urban given you can see the trams passing by through the window from the bath,” said Darren.

Bianca & Carla — The double walk-through shower was well received

My picks to buy: Wallpaper Trader Palm Leaves wallpaper and Reece round mirror cabinets

4^th: KERRIE AND SPENCE
Score: 20.5/30

You could read the disappointment on the judges faces before the lights were even on in Kerrie and Spence’s room. “I feel like I’m falling down a psychedelic rabbit hole, it’s giving me vertigo and really messing with my head. It couldn’t be more abrasive!” said Darren of the room’s graffiti laneway mural. “It gives this weird sensation of being in bed in the street,” said Neale. Not exactly relaxing!

Shaynna gave Kerrie and Spence credit for pushing the envelope when normally they play it safe but Darren called it an “explosion of the envelope and if the mural doesn’t give you a headache then the bedhead certainly will!”

He called the bedhead a “disaster” and the judges all agreed that a shelf sticking out of the wall just above the pillows is one of the strangest design decisions they’d ever encountered in a bedroom. It wasn’t all bad though as they liked the wardrobe (particularly the fine black strip detailing) and Darren liked the art choices. Overall though, this room was a bit of a train (or tram!) wreck.

Kerrie & Spence — These Grotti Lotti artworks were the highlight of the room for me

My picks to buy: Grotti Lotti Amanda and Stevie art prints

5^th: NORM AND JESS
Score: 20/30

Norm and Jess’ “ultimate master bedroom” was a huge space that Darren called “dull” and Neale called a “weird mismatch.” Shaynna thought the scale was off and took points off for the tiny rug, tiny couch and tiny bedside tables – the judges were particularly unimpressed by the lack of storage.

When it came to the bed styling, Darren called it a “car crash” – particularly the cushion situation. “It’s as if they just went and got all the cushions they could find and dumped them on the bed!” he said.

Shaynna wasn’t a fan of the cement board feature wall and didn’t hold back. “I hate it!” she said. The only thing she liked was the gallery wall at the entrance to the room and the room’s artwork, despite its placement. In fact, all of the judges liked the artwork but thought it badly placed given it was hung in the walk-in robe. So odd! “Norm and Jess have lost the plot!” said Neale while Shaynna called the room “Norm and Jess at their worst.” Ouch.

The room’s lovely yet tiny sofa was admonished by the judges

My pick to buy: Iconiko Seaside Combi framed print and Iconiko Seaside Stripes framed

ALL OUR BLOCK COVERAGE

Tags affordable art, bathroom, bedroom, cushions, darren palmer, design, furniture, homewares, interior design, interiors, melbourne, neale whitaker, shaynna blaze, styling, the block

Art Interviews

Artist profile: The ethereal paintings of Michael Bond

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date October 9, 2018
No Comments on Artist profile: The ethereal paintings of Michael Bond

“My work has been described by observers as dream-like and ethereal,” says self-taught abstract artist Michael Bond who paints in rich, signature style out of his studio in Noosa. Opulent in colour and with plenty of dramatic, dark hues, Michael is adept at building abstract textures and layers and his latest collection Eden is a celebration of flowers.

'Laila night born' — ‘Laila night born’ by Michael Bond

“It’s sometimes hard to describe my own work, it’s abstract and gestural by nature, but more and more and particularly with the more recent work, there are elements that suggest something familiar like a bloom,” says Michael.

Michael’s signature painting style uses layered acrylic, oil, pastel and graphite and he works on both large and small scale pieces. “I work mostly with acrylic as the faster drying times suit the way I work – different mediums allow different effects to be achieved such as wiping back and building texture,” says Michael.

A hairdresser by trade, Michael has never received any formal art training. “I trained as a hairdresser from the time I left school and that career spanned 30 or so years, though art was always there in the background. It was only a few years back that I was able to focus fully on my artwork and call myself a ‘full time’ artist,” says Michael whose works now feature in private collections throughout Australia and overseas. His work also featured on The Block recently, in Bianca and Carla’s living room.

Michael's work featured on The Block — Michael’s work featured on The Block

“Inspiration comes to me in so many forms, I can be inspired purely by a colour or something I see on a morning walk with the dogs. I have to say living where we do at the moment has given me the most inspiration – we’re fortunate enough to live by the ocean and I’m always amazed by how the surrounding landscape is always changing,” says Michael of his Noosa home.

Photography: Emma Bourne

For more | Another Australian abstract artist

Tags abstract art, art, artist, colour, michael bond, noosa, the block

Outdoor & Exteriors The Block

The Block 2018 room reveals: terrace week

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date October 8, 2018
1 Comment on The Block 2018 room reveals: terrace week

I actually really enjoyed last night’s Block terrace reveals. They were a really mixed bag and the spaces themselves were very different too. No doubt there’ll be a lot of chatter about how they couldn’t be judged fairly because of this. Personally, Sara and Hayden’s was my favourite but the judges put them third, so what do I know?! Love to know who you rated! Here’s a recap from first to last place (and I definitely did agree on last place!)!

1st: NORM AND JESS
Score: 30/30

A room win at last! Full marks at that! Norm and Jess continually referred to themselves as the underdogs this week. But boy did they prove everyone wrong, scoring themselves their first win of the season! AND the cover of Domain!

The space came complete with architectural steel sculptural feature, concrete planters, a marble-topped BBQ, outdoor lounge, custom table, water feature – and even a faux grass area suitable for animals.

Clearly the judges were fans! “Wow, wow, wow, wow,” said Neale. Shaynna loved the dining table/hanging plant/pergola combo and said the details said luxury. Neale said everything said luxury! Shaynna said everywhere you turned there was another beautiful thing to look at. “If it feels this good on a cold wet day, can you imagine how good it’s going to feel on a good day?!” said Neale.

Shaynna’s only question was the placement of the sculpture and the seat. Neale thought they were deliberately trying to hide the seat! Darren loved the free space which he said could be the dancing zone! “When you’re out here you realise what a prime piece of Melbourne real estate this is,” said Neale. Darren was pretty much reaching for his chequebook!

I really didn’t like that bird screen and the pond was a bit of a child safety hazard, but overall, it was a great terrace, and I was happy to see them have a win. Not my fave though! And I wouldn’t have given it a perfect score myself.

My picks to buy: Raw Earth plant stand by Angus & Celeste and custom round dining table.

2nd: BIANCA AND CARLA
Score: 29/30

Bianca and Carla called on the services of Dave Franklin, Block garden designer extraordinaire, who delivered a stunning, sophisticated space, featuring a custom-made five-metre long table made from recycled timber, BBQ at the end, those 50 year-old Zycads – and a fireplace, which utilised the original chimney from the old Gatwick. But, arguably the hero was that skyline.

Darren said the view was spectacular and they all loved the fireplace and the huge table. Neale said it was classic, modern traditional and sexy all at once. The couch was badly placed though, out in the elements.

My picks to buy: Thermastrip outdoor heater and charcoal bar stools.

3rd: HAYDEN AND SARA
Score: 28.5/30

All three judges were unanimous in their praise, particularly Neale, who said he thought The Gatwick had never looked more elegant in its 80-year history. Keeping it super chic with a wraparound bar, they featured a sitting and dining area with custom outdoor kitchen, complete with concrete bench, green marble splashback, teppanyaki BBQ and twin tubular exhaust fans.

“Now that’s what I’m talking about,” said Darren. Neale said it was “hashtag enough” and Shaynna said it had wow factor. I’m so surprised they didn’t come first or second! This was my personal favourite.

“This is what I call selling the lifestyle,” said Neale. It was the most sophisticated and resolved he’d ever seen the couple and they’d saved the best for last. “This is exactly what the terrace needs to be in terms of luxury.” Darren said they’d really showed how you could live in the outdoor space in all weathers.

Neale said buyers would remember this terrace above everything else in their apartment.

My picks to buy: Velletri indoor outdoor dining table and Lepaar Harden hose.

4th: KERRIE AND SPENCE
Score: 25/30

Kerrie and Spence kept it cosy and comforting on their terrace, which featured an L-shaped white and timber lounge, light grey tiles, a dark grey table with eight stools (designed to match their piece inside), dark grey circular rug, a hanging chair and lots of greenery.

Neale said he thought it was really lovely and felt like a proper room. Shaynna said it was a casual version of the lounge room inside. Neale was surprised about the lack of barbecue (the quintessential Aussie accessory for a terrace or deck?). Darren thought it could have been easily incorporated. Shaynna loved the tiered planting and hanging sculpture they created in their challenge. Darren wondered if they’d done enough though. “You have so much expense in the kitchen. I love everything about it but the styling in it is really …” Shaynna thought the bar had been set so high inside, that outside let it down a bit. Darren liked the tile and fan choices. He said the space was full of life. “Kerrie and Spence should be really proud of the job they’ve done.”

My picks to buy: Alfresco bar table and nest of tables.

5th: HANS AND COURTNEY
Score: 23.5/30

As well as furnishing the area with plenty of green – think giant fiddle figs, Monsteras and palms – Hans and Courtney chose to dress their terrace with simple white and grey furniture with timber accents, a hanging chair and a large jute rug. They finished the space with a hero piece, a copper pot aged to showcase an oxidised light green. And let’s not forget the outdoor movie projector!

The judging didn’t go their way though, despite Darren being a fan. He thought it was fresh, light and bright and tropical. Shaynna however said it was boring as “bat”! She added she was sick of white walls. (Aren’t we all this season, Shaynna?!) She went one further to call it a white clinical box.

Neale didn’t agree with Darren either. He said it was Courtney and Hans at their worst, not understanding how to use the space, which wasn’t really an outdoor room. Darren defended them though, saying it was considered and the copper pot was a great statement piece. He thought it just needed a dining setting. Neale said it needed to be furnished differently because it was a good old fashioned sunroom, not a deck. Shaynna just got more and more annoyed, saying it was a missed opportunity.

I agree with the judges that this was the weakest room. Sara could learn a thing or two about gracious losing from Courtney though, eh?!

My picks to buy: Noosa hammock swing and Haiku black fan.

ALL OUR BLOCK COVERAGE

Tags al fresco, judges, judging, outdoor, outdoor furniture, room reveals, terrace, the block

Bedrooms The Block

The Block room reveals 2018: second guest bedroom

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date October 2, 2018
1 Comment on The Block room reveals 2018: second guest bedroom

These were probably never going to be that exciting! They’re not big rooms so we’re effectively judging bed styling, art and wardrobe choices. But I suppose by the same token, there’s no excuse for doing a bad job at this stage of the game! The scoring, equally, wasn’t particularly controversial. What did you think?

First: BIANCA AND CARLA

28.5/30

Darren said it was balanced and beautiful. Neale said the girls were so good at showing luxury through texture and tone. Shaynna loved the artwork and the wardrobes (with brass trim and timber insides). Darren said you’d be happy with that much storage in a master bedroom. Neale said guest rooms now needed to be more like hotel rooms because we all live through our laptops, so the study nook went down well. The bedside lamps seemed mean though, in comparison to their other great lighting elsewhere.

I personally liked the dark drapes and the tan leather bedhead and the simple and sophisticated colour palette. I think the judges picked the right winner.

Our pick to buy: Custom leather bedhead

Second: JESS AND NORM
27.5

Neale said the colour palette, height of ceiling and the styling felt so welcoming. Shaynna said she wanted them to replicate it in the master bedroom and she couldn’t get the smile off her face. Darren said it felt more sophisticated. Neale said it was a textbook example of taking many shades of grey and yet still keeping it warm and welcoming.

Shaynna said the Woollies flowers were daggy and Neale was cross that there were no bedside lights. But otherwise it was all good!

I loved those putty coloured Shaker style wardrobes, mirroring their kitchen cabinets, and the overall soft and relaxing look and feel.

Our picks to buy: Mirror and artwork

Joint third: HAYDEN AND SARA
26/30

Neale said they’d made the best of a small room. Darren and Shaynna loved the bed styling apart from that navy faux fur throw (yuck!). Shaynna loved the amount of storage but Neale thought the end cupboard was a little too tight.

Shaynna felt the room was trying too hard to be luxury and that they were caught between two target markets. She said the room was old fashioned and for more of an older clientele. Neale however liked it and found it glamorous and the right style for the rest of the apartment.

I wasn’t a huge fan of the dark wardrobes but found everything else perfectly pleasant if not all that memorable! The ceiling was great though!

Our pick to buy: Artwork

Joint third: KERRIE AND SPENCE
26/30

Neale said it was another small room but it felt bigger than Courtney and Hans’ because of the orientation of the bed. Darren loved the bedhead and couldn’t stop touching it! He thought the space was planned really well with a nice big wardrobe. Shaynna loved the storage too. Darren was very excited about the air con vent integrated into the joinery. Shaynna thought there were too many woodland creatures! Neale found it hard to fault and liked the soft palette but thought it wasn’t particularly exciting or memorable. Shaynna agreed. Darren said at the end of the day, a simplified room with a simple palette was difficult.

I personally was not a fan of the cute animal prints (better for a kid’s room) and thought they were hung a bit too high.

Then they saw the bonus study space down the hall and were very impressed. Neale said it could only be an advantage to them.

Our pick to buy: Artwork

Fourth: COURTNEY AND HANS
25/30

Darren said the room was very vibrant. Neale said it was one of the nicest rooms they’d delivered. But he also felt claustrophobic. Shaynna agreed and thought the bed should have been placed differently. It could also feel softer and grander if they’d done sheers across the wall like they did in the master. Darren loved the concrete look wardrobe doors with the colour palette. They all liked the whimsical art choices but ultimately Neale felt that at opens, buyers might think the bedrooms were disappointing compared to the living areas.

Our picks to buy: Velvet cushion

The rest of our Block coverage

The master bedrooms

Tags guest bedrooms, judges, judging, room reveals, st kilda, the block, the Gatwick

Art Interviews The Block

Meet teacher turned abstract artist Celeste Wrona

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date October 1, 2018
1 Comment on Meet teacher turned abstract artist Celeste Wrona

A former high school teacher, it took the birth of her first child for Sydney-based artist Celeste Wrona to really pursue her artistic aspirations. “Five years ago my first son Hugo was born, which meant stepping away from teaching to raise him. Living on very little sleep and with my new-found motherhood ‘superpowers,’ I decided it was time to start creating my own body of work and establish my career as an independent artist. Making this transition was challenging, not something every new mum might consider – in its own way symbolising my transition from the classical art tradition that formed my skills to the abstract beauty which is motherhood,” says Celeste.

Celeste Wrona's 'Bougainvillea Dreaming III' — ‘Bougainvillea Dreaming III’

It’s a gamble that has paid off though given Celeste’s art career has really taken flight over the last four years. Her work has featured in major magazines, newspapers, blogs, galleries, art shows, retail stores and on television shows The Block and House Rules. You may have spotted her artwork in Bianca and Carla’s hallway on The Block last weekend.

“I’ve always believed that hard work pays off yet even I am amazed how in only four short years my art career has gone from strength to strength,” says Celeste.

“My work has been awarded for excellence in national and international art exhibitions, sought out for numerous bespoke commercial and residential fit outs across Australia. I’ve been commissioned for large scale installations like a three-storey custom artwork I created within a glass elevator shaft, and I continually collaborate with leading home builders and designers to display my art in display homes across Sydney,” says Celeste who juggles all of this with two young sons in tow. “Some days are chaos, as any parent would know, but I suppose that’s all part of the fun!” says Celeste.

Celeste's work featured in Chris and Kim's master bedroom on The Block — Celeste’s work featured in Chris and Kim’s master bedroom on The Block

Celeste with Chris and Kim — Celeste with Kim and Chris

A formally trained artist, Celeste graduated from The University of New South Wales’ College of Fine Arts in 2004 where she majored in drawing. “Many people might not know this about my practice, but I actually majored in drawing, following quite traditional techniques. My practice has evolved quite distinctly since then but I still really love the delicate lines and expression of drawing, which subtly features in my new collection,” says Celeste who uses ink, acrylic paint and mixed media to create her works.

Celeste's elevator shaft art installation — Celeste with her elevator shaft art installation

“I would describe my work as an imagination’s playground! Curious, reflective and nostalgic. Full of colour, rich in textures and with a deep appreciation of organic form and tranquil line. Mostly abstract in nature, my works often reflect the beauty of nature,” says Celeste.

“My artworks are often an abstract reflection and representation of the world around me, almost a celebration of life as it unfolds and the environment in which we live. I’m always drawn back to the raw beauty and complexity of nature and I find all the little subtle textures, colours and forms I come across have a profound impact on work. My artmaking is sometimes planned but often intuitive, a mindful sanctuary that facilitates a deeper level of personal awareness,” says Celeste.

Celeste at work on her latest collection

Celeste’s latest collection ‘Awaken’ will launch this November. “It incorporates my signature ink paintings with mixed media collage, to create beautifully arranged organic forms and ethereal line work, quite reminiscent of mountains or seascapes. Expect to see muted palettes of dusty pinks and sage contrasted with deep, punchy hues of moody blues, mustards and burgundy.”

Part of the 'Awaken' collection — One of the pieces from the ‘Awaken’ collection

For more on Celeste

Buy Celeste’s work online via The Block Shop

How to commission an artwork

Tags art, artist, celeste wrona, colour, house rules, sydney, the block

The Block

The Block reveals 2018: hallway, laundry & powder room

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date September 24, 2018
2 Comments on The Block reveals 2018: hallway, laundry & powder room

I’ll level with you, I didn’t watch last night’s Block room reveals so I’m not privy to what went down last week. But I wanted to get you the pictures, scores and products as soon as possible, so here they are! I’ll be playing catchup by watching today!

1st: KERRIE AND SPENCE
29/30

Kerrie and Spence are on a roll! Fresh off the back of their perfect score for last week’s kitchen, they produced a sensational hallway and powder room to take out the win. As soon as the judges entered their grand entrance space, they were blown away, especially with the way the couple had managed to display their artwork.

Our picks: Camilla Cicoria Imagine print or canvas | Limited edition framed Amanda Parsons protea print

2nd: BIANCA AND CARLA
27.5/30

Bianca and Carla not only wowed with their gorgeous hallway space, but they also impressed all three judges with their laundry space, complete with timber benchtops, sky-high cabinetry, mirrors and those enormously high ceilings. They also thought the girls produced a “perfect” powder room, with statement sink, and simple, stylish styling.

Our picks: Mae framed bathers print | Recycled messmate hall table

3rd: NORM AND JESS
25/30

Right from stepping inside Norm and Jess’s grand entrance area, all three judges were in love with the space. Darren, in particular, loved the use of marble, which also flowed through into their beautiful laundry and powder room spaces.

Our picks: Round brass mirror | Strap pendant lights

4th: HANS AND COURTNEY
24/30

Hans and Courtney went all out with their artwork and accessories in their hallway this week – and they certainly impressed the judges, who all agreed they had nailed the “quirky museum” feel to produce a space with plenty of “glamorous eccentricity”.

Our picks: Orion pendants from Beacon Lighting | Peacock buffet sideboard

5th: HAYDEN AND SARA
18/30

Hayden and Sara had a tough week and were not able to properly finish their rooms. But regardless, they still managed to produce three glamorous spaces. For their hallway, the dramatic, warm lighting paired with those two statement backlit pieces of art, impressed the judges, and their laundry and powder room showed great promise.

Our picks: Parlour disc pendants | Deco collection interior doors

All our Block coverage

Tags 2018, hallway, laundry, powder room, room reveals, the block

RENO ADDICT The Block

Block buyer’s advocate: renovating for your demographic

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date September 19, 2018
No Comments on Block buyer’s advocate: renovating for your demographic

Did you watch the the buyer’s advocates tour The Block earlier this week? Here one of them, Greville Pabst, shares his top tips for renovating for your demographic.

When renovating, one of the most challenging things is to ensure you appeal to your most important audience – the future buyer.

This Block season, we’ve seen some of the couples struggle to renovate with the potential buyer in mind in a style that’s suitable for the St Kilda market. As a part of The Block’s Buyer’s Jury, I advise contestants to ensure they early on establish the demographic of the area to make sure they are considering attributes that will add value to their apartments. Many renovators make the mistake of overcapitalising and spend too much money in areas that necessarily won’t add much value to the home.

Here are some of my top tips when renovating for your target market:

Know your market

Many people rush into renovations before really knowing too much about the area they’re in. Research the demographic and surroundings, who lives here and who will most likely be attracted to the area, for example is it downsizers, families or young professionals? Would the potential buyer be an investor or owner-occupier? For example, if you’re in a family area, the renovation should be approached with children in mind and focus on areas such as the kitchen, living rooms and backyard.

Your local area

Each area has its own personality where certain attributes are expected. In a Brighton house many people expect a pool and are willing to pay for that, but further out in the suburbs were people don’t anticipate it, it might not add any value to the home. If you’re in an area with many young professionals, a proper study may add value to the property instead of a third bedroom or an extra living area, as many professionals today tends to work a lot from home.

Consider your floorplan  

One thing that impacts many peoples’ decision whether to rent or buy a property is the floorplan. Many people look for a good flow between each area with an abundance of natural light throughout. Areas such as kitchen and living room should be facing north for maximum natural light. Avoid having the kitchen tucked away in a separate room, or having a bathroom that comes off the kitchen, not the hallway.

Spend money in the right areas 

When you know your area and have the future buyer in mind, it’s time to start renovating. The research will help you avoid overcapatilising and spend money on features that may not add any value to your home for resale. Try to retain original features of the home, like cornices and original stained-glass windows. Updated heritage features in combination with modern touches are appreciated by many buyers.

I always say that kitchens and bathrooms sell houses. These areas could cost a lot to renovate but remember that many updates can be made without blowing your budget, you might be surprised what a fresh coat of white paint or new tapware can do to the room. Other cost friendly updates include polishing timber floors, updating light fittings, replacing door and drawer handles, and when it comes to the exterior, landscaping and painting the outside of your home can add value. It’s important to have the front of the home well presented as we all know that first impressions do matter.

Even if you’re not planning on selling your home straight away, it pays to plan for the future to ensure you get the most return on your investment for the day when you do decide to put your home on the market.

–Greville Pabst is a leading expert in the Australian property market with over 30 years’ industry experience. He is the CEO of WBP Group, one of Australia’s largest buyer’s advocacy, property advisory and valuation firms. PropertyDuo gives home buyers and sellers the advice they need to make informed decisions. Don’t risk a guess, chat to one of their trusted associates to the get the information you need before starting your property journey.

Tags buyer's advocate, Greville Pabst, renovating, st kilda, the block

The Block

The Block room reveals 2018: kitchen week!

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date September 17, 2018
1 Comment on The Block room reveals 2018: kitchen week!

1st KERRIE AND SPENCE 30/30

Kerrie and Spence wowed the judges with their perfect score kitchen, tricked up to the nines with with top-of-the-range Gaggenau appliances, a hidden rangehood, Sub Zero fridges, and a very impressive butler’s pantry.

I thought it was a great space but would it have scored so highly without those appliances they won? And looks wise, it didn’t get me excited. It wasn’t a 30 out of 30 kitchen for me. The judges were way more enthused though! Darren said if it was his home he’d be pretty damn happy and Shaynna said: “this is out of town!” Darren loved the monolith island bench, which Shaynna said was “just hot!”

Neale said it ticked every single appliance box and he liked the integrated seating at end of the bench. The styling was called perfect and Shaynna said it was hard to fault anything.

Neale said it was paradise for anyone who loved cooking.

I just didn’t love it at all. Equally, I couldn’t find anything too wrong with it. Just meh. To be totally fair though, I don’t think these photos do it justice and it looked much better on TV. I’m just not a fan of too much dark cabinetry and I found that, combined with all those in-your-face appliances, too heavy.

Kitchen build details

Our pick: Marble Basics brass measuring spoons

2nd SARA AND HAYDEN 28.5/30

The judges loved Sara and Hayden’s black and white kitchen, which featured a large stone feature wall, black cabinetry, black wire stools, a bench seat — and a fabulous hidden butler’s pantry (I think I liked that more than the actual kitchen; anyone else?!)

They were the only couple to flip their island bench so it faced the windows and the judges loved that. Darren said the rangehood was a design element, rather than an eyesore, which they often are. Neale said with the kitchen in place, the rest of the open plan area made more sense.

Shaynna thought the benchseat was quaint and gorgeous and called it a very elegant kitchen.

Darren thought the lighting schedule was terrific, loved the mirrored kickboards (me too!) and the four-seat dine-in island bench. Neale said it had a sense of generosity and meant business from an entertaining perspective. When cooking, you’d feel connected to your guests.

While they loved the butler’s pantry (seriously, it was better than the kitchen, wasn’t it?!) they thought the ‘hidden’ doors to it should have opened inwards. but overall the styling let them down.

Kitchen build details

Our pick: Brass pendant lights

Joint 3rd BIANCA AND CARLA 26.5/30

Bianca and Carla impressed with their kitchen, which included floor to ceiling cabinets in dark and light grey, a timber study nook, statement lights, matte-finish bench top and an enormous butler’s pantry.

Darren of course loved the Caesarstone Cloudburst Concrete which he has in his house! Neale called the room sexy and sophsiticated and Shaynna said they’d nailed their market. With all this positive feedback I’m surprised they didn’t come second.

Neale liked the dedicated study nook but Darren said it was very low, as proven when he sat down at it! The lack of bin and dishwasher in the kitchen were big no-nos too.

They were praised for being consistent yet again and Shaynna said she straight away knows who the buyer is.

Kitchen build details

Our pick: west elm Monogolian lamb stool as seen I study nook

Joint 3rd NORM AND JESS 26.5/30

Norm and Jess impressed with their kitchen, producing what the judges called “one of the most beautiful kitchens ever produced on The Block.” But still only coming joint third. This was my favourite without a doubt. So feminine, soft and pretty, and much more classic than the others. You know I love a shaker-style cabinet too!

I loved the mix of textures like the tiled splash back, timber shelves and marble-look bench. And who could forget that state-of-the-art voice activated plumbing? Although I think I’d personally find it annoying! How hard is it to turn a tap on?!

It was a wow from gadget-loving Darren. Neale said it was beautiful and luxurious. Darren liked the layout and the fact you could get into the butler’s from either side. But he thought it could have been better with more space beside the sink.

Shaynna loved the appliances but said the sink shouldn’t have been directly opposite the oven.The out-of-season imported peonies also impressed her but didn’t stop her noticing the poor cutting in! And another missing bin!

Neale loved everything aesthetically, saying it was one of the most beautiful kitchens they’d ever seen on the show. But Darren said the functionality issues pulled a great kitchen undone.

They all agreed though that a lot of people would fall in love with it and Shaynna said it felt beautiful.

Kitchen build details

Our pick: Chevron concrete tiles and leather bar stools

Last COURTNEY AND HANS 24/30

Courtney and Hans took a risk positioning their kitchen across the hall. They also decided to include a hidden butler’s pantry, effectively cutting their room in half. But despite this the couple still produced a great space, which featured stone benchtops and splashbacks and champagne-coloured metallic cabinetry, and matte black floor-to-ceiling cupboards.

The judges didn’t love the layout and only two stools at the island. But Darren said it was the finishes that struck him as he walked in and he loved the stone and the metallic cabinets. The lighting was also very well designed.

Neale didn’t believe the layout would suit everyone and Shaynna asked did they need a butler’s pantry? It begs the question if this is essential these days or a passing phase? Personally, I think I’d rather have a bigger, more entertaining-friendly kitchen. I also think the metallic cabinets, although lovely, will date. And I really disliked the heavy black handles.

Neale said everything was nice stylistically. And Shaynna said you can’t fault its functionality. But Darren said it was an odd decision to lose natural light by putting windows behind the wall in the butler’s pantry.

Overall they thought the styling was gorgeous and it would photograph well. But it was up against four other kitchens that integrated better with their apartments and the comparisons would work against them.

Kitchen build details

Our pick: Marble produce bowl

So, what did you think of kitchen week? I was a little underwhelmed I must admit. Maybe they were all just a bit too St Kilda for my more classic taste!

Flashback to last year’s Block kitchens

All our Block coverage

Last week’s living room reveals

Tags 2018, block kitchen reveals, block room reveals, kitchen week, the block

The Block

The Block 2018: Living room reveals

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date September 10, 2018
1 Comment on The Block 2018: Living room reveals

Last night’s room reveals were a fairly disappointing bunch (a bit of a theme this season it would seem!) with some moments of genius scattered throughout. I was surprised by how underwhelming most of them were to be honest but I also appreciate that filling such large spaces wouldn’t have been easy. These rooms are some of the largest ever on The Block and the judges found plenty to love so here goes!

Courtney and Hans: First place, 27.5/30

“Oh my God this room just goes on forever!” said Shaynna of Courtney and Hans’ living room that is the largest living and dining space in The Block history.

The bespoke dining table impressed the judges – particularly the walnut parquetry paired with emerald velvet covered chairs. “It could be old, stuffy and too heritage but you pair this beautiful parquetry top with green velvet chairs and the whole thing gets elevated to something cool, contemporary and kind of edgy,” said Darren who found the table was his favourite thing about the reveal.

For Shaynna it was all about the Jessie Breakwell artwork – the highlight of the space for me too. “The artwork is all personality,” said Shaynna.

Art — This Jessie Breakwell piece is one of the heroes of the space

Neale felt the room had a sense of grandeur and personality and all of the judges were taken with the fully stocked, James Bond-inspired pop-up bar. Shaynna complimented the lounge, said the coffee tables were a good size and thought the lounge area felt intimate despite the large space.

The pop-up bar — The James Bond inspired pop-up bar (on the right) was a hit

“Courtney and Hans have gone from zero to hero this week. I thought this would break them but it didn’t!” said Neale.

Our pick to buy: Christian Cole Arched Edge Tall Boy, GlobeWest Freya emerald arm chair and Jessie Breakwell framed canvas print

Bianca and Carla: Second place, 27/30

Featuring a gorgeous pendant light, parquetry floors, black sheer curtains and a huge piece of statement art, Bianca and Carla’s living room was my pick last night. Neale praised the girls for their “sense of drama” and he said that they “know how to create impact” and overall thought the space had a feeling of “easy luxury.”

Neale loved the pendant light above the dining room table in particular but thought that the whole dining area was very beautiful. “I love the artwork and the cabinetry. There’s a real sense of luxury,” said Neale and Shaynna agreed.

I love this gorgeous Ingrain Designs buffet — I love this gorgeous Ingrain Designs sideboard

Darren praised the pair for their thoughtful design. “The whole space is consistent because there are references back to different things across the whole apartment,” said Darren. The dining room chair legs echo the sideboard legs for instance.

That Michael Bond artwork is perfect in the space.

Our pick to buy: Michael Bond ‘Blue Diamond’ limited edition unframed print and our beloved Ingrain Designs’ Gatwick sideboard

Kerrie and Spence: Third place, 25/30

Sharing the joint third place spot with Jess and Norm, Kerrie and Spence pulled off a statement coffered ceiling. Shaynna liked the ceiling but questioned the couple’s choice of lighting. “The coffered ceiling gives an elegance to the room but why spend so much time creating a master craftsman ceiling if you’re just going to clutter it with feature lighting and a feature fan? The ceiling needs to sing on its own and I’m not getting the breathing space that I need to appreciate its beauty,” said Shaynna.

Kerrie and Spence's living room — Shaynna felt that the beautiful coffered ceiling was compromised by the choice of pendant lighting above the dining room table

Shaynna wasn’t a fan of the room’s styling either. “It feels a bit nineties – it’s a little bit uptight and needs to loosen up. I feel like I’m in a nineties boardroom. For this room to be perfect it needs an extra emotional layer,” added Shaynna.

The gorgeous floor lamp was a highlight of the space — This gorgeous floor lamp was a highlight of the space

Our pick to buy: CLU. Living Hoyts floor lamp

Jess and Norm: Joint third place, 25/30

This room really divided the judges with Neale and Darren dishing out the compliments while Shaynna picked holes in the space.

“The elephant in the room is the tonsil in the centre that’s not centred!” said Shaynna referring to the statement fireplace. “That is a ridiculously expensive fireplace and its placement is possibly the worst I have ever seen,” said Shaynna. Darren defended the fireplace however and said that he liked the (legally required) marble underneath it while Shaynna most certainly did not.

Indigenous coffee table — The judges were big fans of the handmade indigenous coffee table

“I’m gobsmacked that you two think this room is amazing. It’s polarising and could cost the couple at auction,” said Shaynna.

Neale thought this pendant light was very dated. "It's a visual cliche that is very out of step with the rest of the space," he said. — Neale thought this pendant light was very dated. “It’s a visual cliche that is very out of step with the rest of the space,” he said.

The room made good use of sumptuous cushions

Sara and Hayden: Fourth place, 23/30

Easily the most reviled room by the judges, Sarah and Hayden’s living space featured another contentious fireplace. “The thing that perplexes me about the fireplace is the design. It’s a compromise for a fireplace that doesn’t have the integrity of a real one with no natural element or smell,” said Darren and Neale stuck the boot in even more: “I feel that the fireplace is a metaphor for the whole room. It doesn’t feel real. I’m struggling to find elegance and excitement in there and it feels like everything is arranged around the TV.”

The fireplace on the left was much discussed by the judges — The contentious fireplace (left) had the judges talking

“I’m looking for a styling surprise, something that says ‘bespoke luxury’ and the room is all about the TV but I think it needs more than that. The styling looks like a collection of objects thrown together just to fill the space,” said Neale.

“Both our books are there,” noted Darren as the judges left the space and he spotted his book and one of Shaynna’s. “Well they obviously didn’t open them!” said Shaynna in what was possibly the most cutting (but true!) moment of the episode.

Our pick to buy: Aura Neptune rug and Joni Dennis fine art print

We’d love to know who YOU think should have won?

All our Block coverage

Tags darren palmer, design, interior, interior design, interiors, melbourne, neale whitaker, shaynna blaze, styling, the block

Bedrooms The Block

Block room reveals 2018: disappointing master bedrooms

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date September 3, 2018
9 Comments on Block room reveals 2018: disappointing master bedrooms

So, did you watch last night’s Block master bedroom reveals? Or, as I like to call it, a really good ad for Kinsman wardrobes! I spent a lot of it with a sort of grimace on my face like Wallace from Wallace and Gromit. You know the one?! There’s an emoticon for it… I do try to be kind and not harp on like some mean know it all because let’s face it I’m a) not an expert and b) it’s bloody hard being on that show. But last night’s bedrooms were so underwhelming on the whole I felt annoyed. And then Hayden and Sara, who threatened to walk last week on account of always coming last, came first. What a surprise! Coincidence? Perhaps, but still!

None of those rooms were particularly different or inspiring. And the fact that words like ‘cute’ and ‘nice’ were used to describe the winning room, said it all really! That and the fact the judges liked all the walk-ins better than the actual rooms.

The worst for me though was Courtney and Hans’ room, by a long way. It was so huge (yet empty) and full of expensive pieces but ultimately looked cheap and wasn’t in the slightest cohesive. All I could see was bloody carpet, carpet, carpet! Speaking of which, what does everyone have against rugs this season?! Where are they?! And, while I’m ranting, enough with the velvet bedheads! I love velvet bedheads. I have one in my own master, but they’re not the only bedhead out there and they certainly aren’t the only way to give a luxury look. Ok, I’ve got that off my chest now! Let’s see something a little different, could we?

There were a few redeeming features for me, namely Jess and Norm’s killer gold LED wall lamps, Bianca and Carla’s timber besides, the wardrobes in general, the herringbone floors and the girls’ Samsung Frame TV (they’re very cool, I want!) that doubles as artwork. I’ve linked to my favourites from each room below.

So, here you go if you missed it: the judges’ comments, what the couples did and how they scored…

2nd (24/30) KERRIE AND SPENCE

Kerrie and Spence used luxurious velvets and a soft, romantic colour palette in their main bedroom, which featured dark drapes, a custom-built bedhead with seafoam fabric inlay, and huge, dark ‘his-and-hers’ walk-in robes.

But it failed to get the judges excited. Neale said: “We’re in the master bedroom of a luxury apartment. I’m sorry, I want a bit of va-va-voom. It’s a white room.” Shaynna thought the problem was scale. The bed was perfect but the bedhead too short, the artwork and pendants were in the wrong spot. Diplomatic Darren said the light fittings are not as impactful as they could have been. Shaynna said they were ridculous! “It feels a bit hospital.”

Had to agree with Shaynna on those lights and the bedhead behind the bedhead reminded me of a bad hotel one (sorry Spence!)

Neale said they were playing it too safe. “It feels like they had a great idea and then they pressed pause because they got scared.” Shaynna said it was very forgettable.

But they all loved the huge walk-in robe. Shaynna said it was amazing. Darren thought it was what buyers would remember. And Shaynna said they could easily restyle the entire thing to make it a penthouse master.

Our pick to buy: Gold tray set by Ziporah Lifestyle

4th (22/30) COURTNEY AND HANS

Courtney and Hans’ main bedroom featured a pink bedhead, a large statement fan, a round mirror, two dark pink velvet chairs and a gold coffee table as a seating area, and THAT controversial artwork. Their deluxe walk-in robes featured a last minute marble stone bench.

This room is killing me. I don’t even know where to start.

The judges were blown away by the sheer size and couldn’t believe it had its own hallway! Darren said: “These spaces are massive!” Darren and Shaynna loved the bed, its styling and the colour palette. They said the lighting was well planned.

But that was where the good news ended.

Neale said he must have been in a slightly different room. “There is nothing in here that’s going to make me want to buy this apartment. It feels like an exercise in wasted space. The hallway serves no purpose. And that’s the worst piece of art I’ve ever seen.” Eek!

Yes Neale, you were right about the art! And what’s going on with that fan in the context of this room?!

He continued: “I know I’m sounding over the top but the choice of art dictates the emotion you feel when you walk into the room. There are elements that are nice but they don’t come together.” He thinks they should have made a bigger deal of the sheer size with a rug, couch, ottoman or floor-to-ceiling mirrors.

They all noticed the finishes weren’t up to standard either. But, once again, the robe was nicer than room itself! Neale said it was one of the most impressive walk-ins he’d ever seen on The Block. Shaynna agreed it was beautiful.

Our pick to buy: GlobeWest carved gold coffee table (I had this in my last home and it is amazing!)

1st (26.5/30) SARA AND HAYDEN

Sara and Hayden finally broke their three-week losing streak, presenting a Deco-inspired main bedroom. They achieved their look by painting a blue-grey charcoal feature wall, including an Art Deco-inspired upholstered bedhead with gold stud details, a pink fur throw and a contemporary artwork in shades of blue and pink.

The judges all felt something grand greeted them. Darren loved the coffered ceiling and the way it covered the curtains. Neale said it was cute. Shaynna felt a sense of relief. “The restraint they’ve shown is great.”

All the judges thought it had really worked. Darren liked the bedhead and the blue wall behind it. Shaynna said it was the right balance of Deco and contemporary but the artwork wasn’t hitting the sweet spot. “It feels everyday.” Neale said it was a little generic.

They all agreed the air con vent was very well considered and planned. And they also all noticed the unfinished painting!

It was another popular walk-in. Shaynna said there was so much storage it wasn’t funny and raved about the sensor lights. Neale and Darren said the mirror wall was very clever. Darren said it had a look of finesse with all the LED strip lighting.

Shame about that cheap looking laundry hamper

Shaynna finished though by very rightly saying that last week’s en suite definitely didn’t match the room and the walk-in.

Our pick to buy: west elm balloon glass table lamps

Joint 3rd (22.5/30) JESS AND NORM

They might have only had a small space to work with, but Jess and Norm dialed up the luxe with their extra cash from challenges, presenting a room that featured marble, parquetry, bespoke neon lights and a walk-in robe space that had all three judges singing its praises.

The bed styling and light situation is nice. Just don’t look at the TV wall!

It certainly made a good first impression. Darren said he loved everything, especially the layering of the bed, the colours and the lights.

Neale and Shyanna however, were a little less enthusiastic! Neale asked if it was a bedroom or a gold class cinema seat? “It’s all about the TV.” There was way too much going on. “If ever a room cried out for a little bit of less is more, it’s this one. Wow, what an overload. This room is giving me indigestion!”

Shaynna was overwhelmed. “I feel so claustrophobic. Scale has got the better of them. This room needed to feel very elegant and simple but they went and filled it with too many distractions. The year 2000 wants its niches back!” Oh, how I laughed!

Neale said a lot of people would call it their idea of heaven but it wasn’t the master suite the apartment needed.

They all loved the walk-in (again!), calling it excellent and beautiful.

Our pick to buy: Those gold LED wall lamps (fabulous!)

Joint 3rd (22.5/30) BIANCA AND CARLA

Bianca and Carla continued to impress with their subtle, moody monochrome master, but it didn’t get the great feedback of last week. The girls used a dark timber feature wall, dark drapes, custom wooden side tables, parquetry floor, charcoal-coloured linen on the bed, and a timber cabinet under their state-of-the-art (pardon the pun) Frame TV by Samsung.

50 shades of grey and I’m not loving them. Don’t go off track please, girls!

Neale said the girls certainly knew how to surprise them each week. Darren thought they’d delivered a different kind of luxury. “That charcoal tonal, monochromatic look is very tactile. For a neutral palette to be so visually interesting is tricky.” Neale agreed.

Shaynna loved the signature bedsides. They all loved the Samsung Frame TV, cleverly disguised as an artwork. Neale didn’t love the ball light and found it a little bit cold. He thought the bedsides were too small. He wanted to love the wall but was struggling. “I don’t think these girls are thinking how we actually live. It’s style over substance.”

Ingrain Designs save the day with these timber bedsides

Foreman Dan Reilly had raised the issue about them presenting their reveal without including the air con vents. The judges thought it was a bit arrogant to leave them out while everyone else was wrestling to make theirs work.

They all had issues with the execution of the feature wall which was badly painted and didn’t all match up.

Shaynna said it was so heavily masculine that there was very little that would instantly appeal to a female buyer. Neale said he really like the girls’ ideas but I do want them to spend more time thinking about functionality.

They loved the walk-in but agreed it felt half the size of the others.

Our pick to buy: Timber bedside tables by Ingrain Designs

So, what did you think this week? Were you as underwhelmed and irritated as me or is it my pregnancy hormones?!

Last week’s master en suites | The guest bedrooms | The main bathrooms | All our Block coverage

Tags darren palmer, Hayden and Sara, judges, judging, master bedrooms, neale whitaker, room reveals, shaynna blaze, the block, The Block 2018, wardrobes

Expert Tips RENO ADDICT The Block

Jess & Norm’s guest bedroom powerpoint fail: top tips

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date August 27, 2018
No Comments on Jess & Norm’s guest bedroom powerpoint fail: top tips

Bec Sparky, Clipsal by Schneider Electric’s brand ambassador, talks about the slip up that undid Jess and Norm’s otherwise great guest bedroom on The Block last week, and her top tips for electrical planning when renovating.

Last week’s guest bedroom reveal on The Block was revelatory by all accounts, with the winning bedroom compared to a luxurious hotel – while the losing team were told: “You have created a soulless room similar to a basic display home.” The horror!

The judges have never held back when it comes to constructive criticism, and this year is no exception. But in the midst of all the drama, you might have missed the common but little-known challenge faced by home renovators all over Australia that was unveiled in the guest bedroom reveal. The problem Functionality, or more specifically, electrical functionality.

You would have seen that while Jess and Norm’s room was rated highly for styling and its luxe factor, the lack of practical consideration let them down – particularly with their electrical planning. While it’s not the most sexy part of the renovation process, inconveniently placed power points and light switches were a big problem for the room and as the judges pointed out, this will have an impact on both the liveability and comfort of the room.

As an electrician, I’m faced with this problem most days when called in to install electrical facilities like switches, powerpoints and dials in my clients’ homes. And – to Jess and Norm’s defence – it’s tricky to get exactly right without expert input.

You don’t have to compromise on aesthetics to make your home functional, but you do need to plan accordingly. So, here are my three top tips for stylish, electrical practicality:

Connect your home to protect your renovation investment

Make sure you approach your electrical planning with thought and consideration. Each space in your home has different requirements. You don’t want to get stuck in the living room without enough plugs for your television, Foxtel box and Playstation 4. And wait – do you have an extra plug for the vacuum cleaner?!

Each room in your home has various needs for different tasks and nothing is more frustrating than being limited by the number of power points you have access to. It’s important to consider where you plan on plugging in simple everyday appliances like your toaster and kettle so they can be easily accessed and used.

Have a lighting plan

Lighting choices have a significant impact on the overall look and feel of a room. Not enough light, and the space will feel dark and depressing; too much, and it can come across as stark and sterile. It’s all about getting the right balance and using a careful combination of task, accent and ambient lighting to help accentuate your room.

You can even integrate your lighting choices with a voice activation software like Amazon Alexa to accentuate your choices, and create bespoke lighting settings for different areas. Imagine walking into your dimmed home theatre and switching your lights off when you’re ready to watch a flick, by just using your voice. This, ladies and gentleman, is the home of the future!

Create a plan that is functional and ergonomic

It’s the finer details that set the best homes apart and unfortunately many people don’t give a second thought to their electrical installation. Choose outlets and switch plate covers to coordinate with your material selections and you’ll turn your plugs from an unsightly fixture into a coordinated design element.

If you want to keep it discreet and tidy, why not invest in a pop-up outlet which is a great way to tie in functionality and keep your electrical facilities out of sight? For example, if you do most of your food preparation on your kitchen island, you could install a pop-up power point to plug in appliances and charge your devices.

For your next renovation, keep these suggestions in mind as you plan your rooms. As smart devices and connected homes become commonplace in Australia, investing in electrical functionality now will save you time and resources in the future. If only Jess and Norm took a moment to step back and plan, the outcome may have been very different!

–Bec Sparky is an electrician and brand ambassador for Clipsal by Schneider Electric.

Tags Bec sparky, Clipsal by Schneider Electric, guest bedrooms, how to plan electrical powerpoint, jess and norm, lighting plan, powerpoints, the block

The Block

Block room reveals 2018: master ensuites

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date August 27, 2018
1 Comment on Block room reveals 2018: master ensuites

Gosh, it was a good episode wasn’t it?! Plenty of things which had to be redone because they weren’t to code (including two shower screens so large and dubiously fixed they could probably kill a person!), the most expensive bathroom in Block history, THAT gleaming brass bath, a walkout by Sara in tears after her and Hayden came last for the third week in a row (after producing aforementioned $75,000 bathroom!), and a close win by Kerrie and Spence due to using their bonus point gnome. Reality TV at its finest!

THAT bath: Hayden and Sara’s expensive mistake? Incidentally, I kind of love the bath, but not the rest of the room.

I can’t not mention the Sara walkout. Will she really walk out on the show? I highly doubt it but time will tell. That’s been left on a cliffhanger for obvious reasons! But I have to say, her attitude irks me. Yes, I realise people are passionate and criticism is hard to take (and boy that was some hardcore criticism last night) but they went into the judging way too confident they’d won and looking arrogant. And then the way she swore and carried on made it really hard to feel sorry for her, although I totally did (you’d have to be pretty cold not to feel bad when you see someone that upset) but I also wanted to her to stop embarrassing herself on national television! Gah!

Just goes to show, spending all of the money doesn’t guarantee you a win. Or even a second or third…

I was impressed with the way other couples seemed to genuinely feel bad for them rather than revel in their continually coming last (it is a competition after all) and Bianca and Carla and Norm and Jess are fast emerging as my favourites in both the design stakes and in terms of seeming like genuinely good sorts!

This week, real estate veteran John McGrath stood in for Darren Palmer as a guest judge. Here’s what they had to say about the master ensuite bathrooms.

KERRIE AND SPENCE: 1st
There was a lot riding on this for Kerrie and Spence, who used their bonus point to take out a win for their sophisticated bathroom, which featured a feature marble vanity top, herringbone tiles and matte-black finishes. Their simple, understated room was a big hit with all three judges.

Shaynna Blaze used words like ‘glamour’ and ‘beautiful’. Neale Whitaker said they’d taken it to another level and improved on the last bathroom.

He loved the subtle details like the herringbone tiling. They all loved the face height cabinets, as did I! Divine! The curved edge! Shaynna said they’d nailed the styling.

Shaynna did knock the too-obvious floor wastes though and would have preferred a tile version. John McGrath said he couldn’t see anyone walking in and not being impressed from a buyer’s perspective.

Our pick to buy: Missoni towels

HANS AND COURTNEY: 3rd
Topping their deluxe main bathroom was always going to be a challenge for Courtney and Hans, but they managed to deliver a striking ensuite, which featured more terrazzo tiles, simple white walls, a free-standing bath dressed with a wooden stool and a gorgeous double vanity.

John thought the dark terrazzo might be polarising but Shaynna thought the St Kilda market would love it. Neale said the spaciousness was very luxurious. Shaynna thought the dead space was wasted and they should have had a bigger vanity. She also disliked the bulkhead for the glass and thought it looked clunky.

Neale and Shaynna agreed they should have amped up the luxury on the last bathroom and they’d relied too heavily on the scale and size of this room without doing that.

I personally much preferred this darker terrazzo and the contrast it provided. The bathroom was clean and spacious. but perhaps not quite luxurious enough.

Our pick to buy: Wooden stool

SARA AND HAYDEN: Last
Sara and Hayden might not have won over the judges but there was still a lot to love about the couple’s ensuite, which included marbled herringbone tiles on the floor, black fittings and fixtures, a black vanity and that stunning (and indeed love/hate) brass bath.

Shaynna’s first words were “oh my God!” Neale said he’d never seen a bath like that before and “wow”. Shaynna thought it was a feature and a different kind of luxury. Neale liked its placement on its own at the end of the room, allowing it to be the hero. John thought it was extremely memorable and something apartment three needed.

Shaynna loved the herringbone tiled floor. But then it all started to go downhill. Neale said the bath was a risk-taker but didn’t think it belonged in that bathroom. The rest of it didn’t feel like it worked and it wasn’t coming together for him. He found the tiles very drab. John said three dark walls was hard to come back from and it was too much black overall. Shaynna agreed and would suggest that they overlay two of the walls with white tiles.

Neale said he felt like he had to like the bathroom because of the bath. But he still didn’t! Shaynna offered to spend some time with the couple one on one to discuss their future apartment and the other couples (clearly feeling bad for them) generously agreed to let them.

Our pick to buy: THAT bath (if it floats your boat) and Triumph and Disaster toiletries

NORM AND JESS: 4th
It might be the smallest ensuite on The Block, but Norm and Jess made sure their space had impact, choosing a stunning four-metre piece of marble for a feature wall. They matched this with a marble vanity top and beautiful simple tile choice, producing what Neale thought was “a small bathroom punching above its weight.”

I really liked what they did in this small space and loved many of their choices. John said it didn’t have the sense of luxury because it was small but it made a great first impression. All the judges loved the marble. Shaynna however felt the scale was wrong and it didn’t need two basins. The lack of shower door also made it impractical.

Shaynna couldn’t understand why they would have a black trim on the shower glass when nothing else was black. And the brushed chrome next to polished chrome looked cheap.

John said overall they’d started with a good palette and had a good feel. He and Neale thought they had done nothing which would cost them buyers.

Our pick to buy: Omvivo timber vanity from Reece.

BIANCA AND CARLA: 2nd
If Kerrie and Spence hadn’t used their bonus point this week, the girls up in apartment five would have walked away with another win for their stunningly executed ensuite, which featured another, albeit smaller, marble feature wall, a custom-made vanity, double sinks and a gorgeous stone bench top.

Shaynna and Neale were immediately in love with the stone bench top and the timber joinery. They also loved the long shelf on the marble in the shower.

John said the palette was very complementary. Neale said the styling was less is more and the girls really understood luxury.

Then Shaynna noticed the strip drain and said it looked seamless but getting hair out of it would be a nightmare. John said the room was pretty close to flawless.

Our pick to buy: Custom timber vanity by our favourites, Ingrain Designs

What did you think? Are you annoyed Kerrie and Spence won due to using their bonus point? Was the girls’ bathroom your favourite? What about that brass bath? I’d love to read your comments below!

All our Block coverage

Last week’s guest bedrooms

This season’s main bathrooms

Tags bathrooms, block room reveals 2018, ensuite, Hayden and Sara, john mcgrath, judges, master ensuite, room reveal, Sara walks off the block, shower screens, the block

Art Interviews The Block

2017 Blockheads Hannah & Clint debut art print range

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date August 23, 2018
1 Comment on 2017 Blockheads Hannah & Clint debut art print range

Clint and Hannah with their favourite piece from the collection, 'Make me blush' by X

Drawing inspiration from the latest fashion and home décor trends, former Blockheads Hannah and Clint Amos have debuted their first art print range in collaboration with Melbourne based artwork retailer Artist Lane. The ‘Hannah & Clint collection’ is comprised of 30 pieces that were curated by the couple and features the work of emerging artists Fern Siebler, Maggi McDonald and Renee Tohl.

“We were fortunate enough to use some Artist Lane pieces in a few challenges and room reveals on The Block. When they reached out to see if we might be interested in collaborating, I just couldn’t say no. We were able to take full creative control over the artists and the photographic prints that we selected,” says Hannah who starred in last year’s season of the reality show.

“We sat down with Artist Lane and discussed artists and trends that we would like to see in the collection. The collection features an array of categories including art from three amazing artists, Fern Siebler, Maggi McDonald, and Renne Tohl, and beautiful on-trend photography. We knew the only way this would work is if we personally selected each piece. It was important to us that the collection tells a story. From there it was really just a process of elimination.”

Hannah Amos — Hannah with another of her favourites from the collection

“Comprised of photography and artwork, the collection has an underlying theme of soft blush tones with a handful of bold statement pieces to round it out. We love all 30 pieces! And they all serve different purposes depending on where and how you style them in your home or office. They all provoke your emotions in different ways but if we had to pick one hero piece it would be ‘Make Me Blush’ by Fern Siebler. Her signature use of watercolour with metallics add depth and movement to every piece she commits to.”

Hannah & Clint — Clint and Hannah styling a piece from the range

Photography: Joe Vittorio

Shop online | Why you should splurge on professional framing

Latest Block room reveals

Tags affordable art, art, artist, artist lane, hannah and clint, interiors, the block

Bedrooms The Block

The Block 2018: guest bedroom room reveals

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date August 20, 2018
No Comments on The Block 2018: guest bedroom room reveals

It was a mixed bag last night! I started off feeling a bit “meh” about all these guest bedrooms. Let’s face it; they’re not always the most exciting rooms or best showcases of what a couple can do. They felt a bit formulaic: fancy upholstered bedhead, feature armchair, lots of cushions. You know what I’m saying! But there were a couple I really loved which turned it around for me, and they were Bianca and Carla’s and Norm and Jess’s. Here’s what the judges had to say, what I thought, and what I’d buy…

I was so glad Bianca and Carla won, not just because I thought their room was the best, but because I (and at least half the country!) thought their bathroom should have won last week too! And I love how surprised and humble they were!

Bianca and Carla: 1st place, 26/30

Darren loved that they’d used timber panelling again. “That’s awesome.” Shaynna also said she loved the roof. Neale had one word: hallelujah! “Somebody has given us a room, finally, that feels modern, luxurious, glamorous and absolutely on brief,” he added.

Shyanna said the bedsides were her new favourites ever. Darren noticed they were both floating and underlit. How cool was that?!

Neale agreed it was “next level”.

Shaynna was first to notice the bad paint job though. Whoops!

They all said the walk-in was beautiful. Shaynna was in storage heaven and Neale said it felt luxurious and and bespoke. Darren said the materiality was “just so good“.

Our pick to buy: Bedside tables by our friends at Ingrain Designs (they can do no wrong!), Lincoln bedhead by another fave, Heatherly Design Bedheads (we have the same design in our new master which we’ll get round to finishing and revealing one of these days!), and Lamp de Marseille wall lights.

Courtney and Hans: 2nd place, 25/30

Neale loved the “absolutely beautiful and sophisticated palette.” Shaynna loved how they made the bed and thought they picked an amazing chair. The lack of styling on the side table didn’t go unnoticed though!

The judges loved the choice of laminate wardrobe colour and texture. Darren said the room diden’t feel at all claustrophobic. Neale’s only criticism was for the lights. He would have preferred lamps or sconces, not too-heavy pendants. Darren liked how they tied in with the other black in the room however.

On the downside, the paintwork on the ceiling was woeful. Neale said it was well on its way to being lovely but was undercooked. Darren suggested they should sheer curtain the whole window wall. Agreed!

Our pick to buy: Halo wingback chair by Space to Create, Vintage rose linen by west elm and brass crab by Mr Pinchy (I have this at home in all three sizes!).

Norm and Jess: 3rd place, 24.5/30

This would have been my second place.

Darren said: “Lush! Oh my God! This is hot! Somebody paid attention!”

Neale said “suddenly the luxe factor has shot up”.

Darren said there was lots of colour, lots of texture, but it wasn’t overwhelming. “Can you tell I love it?!”

Shaynna said she always loves bedheads that go past the edges of the bed and behind the bedsides (thanks Shyanna, we have one of those!). “It’s absolutely gorgeous and works really well.” She loved the sconces but thought the room would probably be a bit dark. And the powerpoint was in the wrong place. Darren was NOT impressed they’d tried to cover that mistake up!

They all thought the wardrobe was amazing, Darren loved the the panelled profile and the handles. The drapery was very well executed and while the study area joinery was well designed, the styling was a letdown.

Big picture? “The room is very good and they deserve to be in the penthouse but they must pay more attention to functionality.”

Our pick to buy: Brass wall lights from Beacon Lighting, THAT bedhead (of course) from Heatherly Design and Landry bench seat from west elm.

Kerrie and Spence: 3rd place, 23/30

The judges loved the library (so did I!), with Darren saying he was a “giant big fan” but Neale said the actual bedroom part felt a little claustrophobic. And it did!

Darren was annoyed they didn’t listen to their advice not to use a bedhead in an already cramped space. To make it worse, the bedhead overlapped the switches either side.

Shaynna loved the colour palette though and Darren said the styling was far more sophisticated than they’d shown before. Neale said it was nice. He didn’t dislike it but nothing was wowing him. They needed a little little bit more warmth, spirit and soul.

The storage however, was excellent.

Our pick to buy: Audrey bedside from west elm (I have the navy version in my master and they’re divine. Also have the dresser and cot from this range in our new baby room).

Hayden and Sara: Last place (second week in a row), 22.5/30

Shaynna said the recessed ceiling was the hero and they’d done a beautiful job with that. Darren praised the skirting, architraves, ceiling and cornicing, saying they were all beautiful. Shaynna added the execution was incredible.

It was all going so well…

Seems the furniture and styling really let the room down. Neale said it felt flat. “It feels like a room in a boutique hotel ready to be renovated. It’s boring and predictable. In paring back, they’ve thrown the baby out with the bathwater. What’s left is pretty soulless.”

It got worse. He compared the feature wall to the eighties rag-rolling paint technique. Shaynna said the shimmery velvet bedhead was fighting with it and that it felt like a display home. And not a high end one! Ouch!

I have to agree, although I’d perhaps be a little kinder. It just didn’t work! I particularly hated that feature wall and ‘matching’ bedhead combo. What were they thinking? Where was the contrast?

Shaynna said the bedsides didn’t match the size of the lights. “It’s top heavy.” Darren said they should have put the feet on the bed. Neale said it felt as if the bed had collapsed.

I had to agree that nothing in the study area made an impact. It was all just floating there, with the chair far too heavy for the desk.

Sara was NOT happy with that feedback! I foresee a lot of complaining and upset ahead.

The judges all seemed to agree that the walk in robe was probably the best bit. But Shaynna and Neale said they needed to style it at least a a bit to tell a story to potential buyers.

Our pick to buy: Brass gallery frames from west elm.

All this year’s wardrobes are by Kinsman, who also supplied the kitchens for House Rules recently.

Love to know who YOU think should have won?

Last week’s bathroom reveals

All our Block coverage

Tags Bianca and Carla, darren palmer, guest bedroom, judges, judging, neale whitaker, room reveal, shaynna blaze, the block, The Block 2018, the Gatwick

Bathrooms Expert Tips The Block

Tradies weigh in on Sunday’s Block tiling stuff up

Post author By Guest Poster
Post date August 16, 2018
No Comments on Tradies weigh in on Sunday’s Block tiling stuff up

Bostik Boys, tradies Mark Menagatti (AKA Spaghetti) on the left and Adrian Franchina

By Mark Menegatti

The Block can make a tradie’s job look easy by smashing out big jobs in just a week. As a builder with 14 years’ experience, I can vouch that a real tradie’s life means starting before dawn and coming home after dark without any TV cameras around.

On Sunday, we saw Spence from apartment 1, who is a full-time building contractor, struggle with tiling the main bathroom, which landed his wife Kerrie and himself in fourth place. On behalf of tradies everywhere, our poor bloke Spence and Kerrie deserve some slack.

Tradies and DIYers can both learn from Spence’s mistake. Working on The Block is not an easy task, especially with the short the timeframes. With the help of Bostik, I wanted to set the record straight on why tiling issues like these can happen and how to best avoid them.

Planning out your job in advance

Spence and Kerrie’s finished bathroom is modern, light and airy, while being deemed functional with judge Shaynna claiming it was done by perfectionists. Righto!

From a tradie’s point of view, I would agree with the judges. Spence did a great job with the tiling, with the exception of the grout lines not lining up between the walls and flooring.

The real error was that Spence and Kerrie simply took on too much and were overwhelmed by the scope of work.

Tradies’ solution:

Prepare the base sub floor and wall using a laser which would have given an accurate guide for tile placement.
Have a professionally waterproofed area
Determine tile layout on walls and floor prior to applying adhesive.
Chalk out tiles on floor to match wall tiles.
Place all full tiles and then cut in where required.
Finish off with grout and caulking.

Spence could have alleviated pressure by listening to builder Norm’s solution to use “rapid glue for tiling” and applying Bostik ASA Superglue tile adhesive. This would have seen the tile adhesive cure quickly, while speeding up down time for other works to be completed.

Stick to jobs you are good at

Even the most skilled tradies will call a mate or professional to do certain jobs they are not comfortable or don’t have time to do.

Given the large load and short timeframe, Spence’s time would be better spent doing tasks more familiar to him like framing and cabinetry installation, applying mirrors and shelving, and styling to complement professionally finished tiling.

Tradies’ solution:

For tiling a bathroom, when it comes to sand and cement screeds on the floor, this should always be done by a professional. If the screed mix isn’t the correct ratio, it does not bond to the subfloor and becomes drummy.

This means it will crumble and not provide a solid base to lay the tiling. Waterproofing should also always be done by a professional.

If completed incorrectly this can make the area susceptible to leaks, leading to longterm structural damage and rotting of structures.

Credit where credit is due

I give Spence credit for trying to do his own tiling for the main bathroom. On a show like The Block, his clients are the viewers. Therefore, he is trying to leave a good first impression to the client by displaying his workmanship and quality control.

With such a small amount of time, even the most skilled tradies can stuff up.

As a tradie, I would recommend anyone who is looking to renovate to stick to what you know and do it well, use the right products and focus on staying within budget. If you listen to these tips, you are more likely to achieve the results you want within the desired timeframe.

–Bostik Boy Mark Menegatti is owner of MRM construction. Bostik is a key supplier of The Block this season, to give contestants with the right products to finish their apartments.

Tags bathroom, Bostik boys, mark menagetti, room reveals, spaghetti, spence and Kerrie, the block, tiler, tiling, tradies