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Bathrooms The Block

The Block room reveals: season 14 main bathrooms

How good was it to be watching the first proper room reveal last night? Loved it! Loads of renovating to watch, just enough drama and rookie errors, and some pretty impressive rooms (although there were things about most of them I’d personally change). But for so early on in the competition? Well done, I say!

BIANCA AND CARLA: Second place

My favourite! That timber ceiling! Loved it! That feature wall! OK, it fell down a little on storage but they should have won, right?! They only lost by half a point mind you.

The judges loved the feature wall. “This is heaven,” said Darren. “Holy cow, that’s two big slabs of natural stone. That’s a massive decision.” He said he was seeing big risks that had paid off in spades.

The frosted window offended Neale. “Peel that decal off ASAP because it’s really spoiling this beautiful bathroom!” Agreed!

Shaynna said they were going for a corporate St Kilda market and they were onto a winner. The timber vanity was beautiful. And Darren spotted the speakers inside it.

They all agreed there wasn’t enough storage and no face level storage (why hasn’t everyone learned this from previous seasons?!).

Darren said he couldn’t wait to see the rest of the apartment if it continued in this direction.

My pick to buy: The Northcliffe vanity by my friends at Ingrain Design who did the vanities for my old apartment bathroom. I’m still mourning them… And their Jersey timber stool.

COURTNEY AND HANS: First place

OK, OK, it was a nice faux terrazzo floor and there wasn’t much to fault but did it really deserve first place?! Even my husband was saying “come on, where’s the contrast?!” The judges however, obviously thought differently!

Darren said “Well, that’s more like it!” All three loved the terrazzo-style floor tiles. Darren liked that it was faux terrazzo which made it much more practical. Neale said the floor choice was exactly the thing to elevate the room. “They’re doing a contemporary take on the original heritage of the building.”

Shaynna said it was incredibly functional and the bath and vanity were inexpensive but didn’t feel cheap. Darren liked the double vanity. He said the perimiter-lit dropped ceiling was a real success. And I have to agree, that was fab.

Shaynna liked the touch of personality from the quirky pot (jury’s out there for me!) and the hanging plant which stopped it being a big, white, clinical box.

Neale said whatever happened to them last week they hadn’t let get to them and they had delivered to a high level this week.

My pick to buy: Terrazzo soap by Fazeek and Rokha stool. We’re still waiting on the tile details…

HAYDEN AND SARA: Last place

That green wall! I hated it! Eeesh. But I loved a lot about it. I’d have to remove that green wall though. And I wasn’t alone in that view!

Neale walked in and said: “I’m not liking anything I’m seeing in here. I feel like this bathroom is not big enough. This thing (the green wall) behind me feels like two other people. It feels so over the top. It’s just an ugly choice.”

Shaynna said it was very weird styling. Neale said it was not high end and he found it quite dated. Shaynna said there were too many heroes (brass, tiles, green wall).

Darren said  he was feeling concerned looking at the very heritage feel of the lights and cornicing. Did they choose this apartment because the top floor was too modern for their plans?

Neale said you’ve got to know what your style is and who your buyer is. “I was expecting great things today and I’m disappointed.”

My pick to buy: Scala tumbled brass tapware

KERRIE AND SPENCE: Fourth place

Spence took on the lion’s share of the building work this week, almost having a nervous breakdown in the process! They pulled off a great room (tiling aside) but maybe get a little help next week, eh?!

I loved the open and airy layout and feel of the apartment but the tiles and fittings weren’t my favourite. It was all a bit too… basic? Well executed, very functional and practical; inoffensive but just a bit meh. The judges were on the same page.

Shaynna thought the quality of the room was amazing with “absolute knockout execution”. It didn’t feel hurried and was clearly done by perfectionists. Oh, the irony!

Neale said it was light, bright, spacious and functional, but very polite. He said he’d like to see them take a little bit of risk every now and again.

Shaynna and Darren loved the ample storage. Shaynna was also first to notice the floor and wall tile lines being out, saying it would drive her insane. Neale said he wished she hadn’t pointed it out because now he couldn’t stop seeing it!

(Tradies weigh in on the tiling stuff up)

Darren said it wasn’t memorable enough and he would like to see them up the luxe factor.

My pick to buy: Erroll curve rectangle mirror 

NORM AND JESS: Third place

Darren loved it, asking how could you not choose this apartment?! “Norm and Jess came second last last week but they’ve got the best apartment here!”

Neale said the bathroom had the luxury of extreme height. Darren said the Japanese maple was his favourite tree ever and Neale thought it looked stunning.

Shaynna loved the backlit marble in the niches and the simple styling; just the right amount. Neale said the level of sophistication was just next level.

Take that, any of you doubting the Queenslanders!

Darren realised the bath was plastic (which they hadn’t! Seriously, how?!) but said: “It looks a million dollars.” Shaynna said you’d never know. “It was a very clever and smart solution.”

Oh, you’ve got to laugh!

She said they’d got the visual impact 100% but there were some functionality issues. The towel rail was too close to the vanity and there wasn’t enough storage.

Overall, the judges said they’d thought about their buyer and that buyer would definitely want their bathroom.

My pick to buy: Concrete mirror by Nood Co.

Get the look with this grey terrazzo stone (this one’s the real deal!) bath.

What did you think? Did the right couple win? Are you enjoying this season so far?

Read all our Block coverage.

Can you really use timber in a bathroom?

The best-looking pump hand soaps for your bathroom

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Kids Rooms The Block

The Block’s first, apartment-deciding room reveals

It’s been an action-packed first couple of nights on the new season of The Block with the 48-hour challenge kids’ rooms revealed last night (more on that later and our top picks to buy). Not surprisingly, they weren’t perfect, and it’s what we’ve come to expect from week one. Let’s face it, it’s a hell of a lot for anyone to get their head around and to call the state they found the Gatwick Hotel a fleapit would perhaps be too kind! I actually don’t know how they can cope sleeping there without getting pest control and industrial cleaners in. Bleugh!

But the new teams cracked on, and we’ve got to know them quite well already. The stronger characters are already emerging and I’m starting to place bets on who’ll be first to have a big fallout. I personally get so tired of people saying the show should be more about renovating and less about drama. It’s reality TV, people, get over it! And if you don’t like it, watch something else! Ratings and Logie wins prove they’re doing something right so why mess with a winning formula?! There’s also plenty of renovating to be seen.

While these weren’t the most exciting or impressive rooms, there was a lot riding on them, with first place getting to choose their apartment first, and so on. Surprisingly, the slick rooftop penthouse additions were not the first two to be picked and only time will tell if the contestants made the right call there.

We now also know that next week’s reveal is going to be the main bathroom. No messing around there! I can’t wait to see how they go!

So onto the kids’ rooms and the judging…

BIANCA AND CARLA

The former pro netballing friends from Melbourne came third and picked apartment five, one of the penthouses.

Shaynna said their room was “wonderland” and Neale called it clever. The judges liked how it was a playroom as well as a sleeping room.

Darren loved the stone-effect paint but called out the blanket box dangerously close to the opening window. Shaynna also criticised the one very blank wall.

Our picks: Nofred mouse table and chairs and Silver lining cloud rug.

***

COURTNEY AND HANS

The flight attendant and the pilot from Perth came last, landing apartment two, the biggest, which they weren’t unhappy with.

Darren said it was a really beautiful show of effort; cute and whimsical. That cloud wallpaper ended up making the impact they’d hoped but it went a bit downhill from the ceiling!

When the judges looked around they found too many gaps and examples of poor workmanship.

And another dangerous benchseat under the window (are you seeing a theme here?!) also lost them points.

Our picks: Vintage hot air balloon, felt ball rug and Head in the Clouds wallpaper

***

JESS AND NORM

The Queenslanders came fourth yet still bagged one of those penthouses, apartment four.

Neale said they’d really put a lot of thought and energy into it and Shaynna loved the idea of it. Darren thought the vignette of artworks and the shelving were cute.

But Shaynna added it was the first room she’d walked into and felt their panic with many unfinished elements.

And once Darren pointed out the bed built in under the window was not only dangerous but illegal, it all went a bit wrong!

Our picks:  Rainbow hugs artwork and lion print

***

KERRIE AND SPENCE, the eldest couple, a nurse and owner builder from the Barossa Valley in SA, came second and took the gamble on apartment one which contained the mysterious safe. It paid off as it was full of $150k worth of vouchers!

The judges called their room simple, elegant, and appropriate for a teenage girl but it didn’t really nail the kids’ room brief. Yes it was a nice room, but it wasn’t a kids’ room!

They were impressed by the coffered ceiling (I loved it too). Neale said the colour palette harked back to the era of the building but was contemporary too. And Shaynna said they’d done nanna chenille in a really current way. It was clear they were a team to be reckoned with.

BUT (there’s always a but!) Shaynna said she’d be so bored lying in bed with nothing to look at but an empty wall and Neale rightly questioned if it worked as a kids’ room? Shaynna said not at all.

But they agreed the couple had created an amazing perception of luxury in just 48 hours. Let’s not forget what they started with!

Our picks: Framed horse photograph, pendant light and blush vase.

***

HAYDEN AND SARA came first, the newlyweds with a baby from Sydney. She’s (another) flight attendant and he’s a master builder (helpful!). With the pick of the apartments, they ignored the penthouses and went for apartment 3. 

Using multiple tradies paid off for this pair. Shaynna said the room said kids straight away. She loved the bedside niche to put books in and thought the tent was fun.

Neale said it had a really lovely feel about it and Darren loved that you could pop your head in to check on your child without them seeing you or waking up because of the bed placement. It had a big open play space which was exactly what a kid’s room should be about.

Shaynna was impressed they’d matched the wardrobe to the entry door which showed great attention to detail and could really only fault the execution of the skirting which was a bit rough.

Our picks: Genevieve bedhead from Heatherly Design Bedheads and Numero 74 padded star garland

More Block coverage

Judge Darren Palmer spills the beans on this season

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RENO ADDICT The Block

The Block 2018: judge Darren Palmer spills the beans

Leading Australian interior designer and The Block judge Darren Palmer will be back on our screens on Sunday as the new season of the show kicks off on Nine. Season 14 will see five teams transform one derelict boarding house into luxury apartments – and Darren thinks it will be the best one yet!

Our three favourite judges, Neale, Shaynna and Darren are back for The Block 2018.

The Block 2018 has been filming at the old Gatwick Hotel – a 1950s building in St Kilda, Melbourne which has had a bit of a shady past. The derelict 66-room boarding house has been dubbed a ‘flea pit’ and has even been avoided by some homeless people. In the past, the Gatwick has gotten the name ‘The Ghetto’, ‘Hotel Hell’ and ‘Hotel of Horrors’.

“This is the single biggest building project The Block has ever carried out,” says Darren. “To put it in context, the very first Block’s building footprint would fit inside one of this season’s apartments.”

Image: Eddie Jim

The Block’s producers were approached by The Gatwick’s owners to buy the dilapidated building way back in 2016. Given its prime beach-front location and the love The Block crew have for a challenge, it was a no-brainer for the team, who jumped at the chance. Channel Nine bought the decrepit property in 2017 for $10 million.

“It was a grand dame of Art Deco architecture,” explains Darren. “It used to have a ballroom and was quite a luxurious hotel when it was built. As time wore it down, its clientele changed, and it became a halfway house of sorts for people struggling or trying to get back on their feet.”

An artist’s impression submitted with plans to redevelop the site. Image: Brenchley Architects

This year will mark Darren’s ninth season as a permanent judge on The Block and he confesses that one of the things he loves most about the show is how it reinvigorates and gives new life to forgotten buildings. His least favourite part of judging? The misconceptions and rumours about the judging process…

“I recently had someone tell me on social media that they were frustrated because the producers rigged an outcome in last season. That’s just not true,” he explains. “We go into detail on every decision and share lots of information, but the show has constraints on what they’re able to show due to the time they have to tell the story.

“I can guarantee you that the producers never give us information on what happened in the week. They never tell us what to say, think or feel.”

While the self-proclaimed “Mr Nice Guy” judge aims to be as compassionate as possible while judging the contestants’ work, he admits that there’s no way to sugar coat a bad room.

“The best thing for my judging is when I’m doing or have just done my own home renos as it makes me that bit more understanding,” says Darren. “Thankfully for these contestants, I’d done a little work around my house late last year so that memory was fresh!”

The new Blockheads include pro netballer besties Bianca and Carla and reno rookies Courtney and Hans. Then there are the couples with some building experience: Queenslanders Norm and Jess, Kerri and Spence from the Barossa (who had their build on Grand Designs Australia) and outspoken Sara and her partner Hayden, a former Bisley catalogue model.

Image: Nine Network

More than 45,000 couples applied to be on The Block this season (that’s over 90,000 people) all for the chance to walk away with $100,000 prize money and any profit made when their apartments go under the hammer at a live public auction later this year.

“The Block is a once in a lifetime opportunity for people to use their skills to change their circumstances for life. That’s why we see so many people with little kids entering,” says Darren. “The toll it would take being away from your small kids is huge, so they are obviously gambling on there being a big financial payoff at the end, but as we’ve all seen, that’s not a guarantee.”

Indeed, given that the market is now cooling off, who knows how sale day will finish up this season or what bombshells the producers will drop on the contestants.

“There are two apartments that literally don’t exist when the show starts. We have proper penthouses this season and we’ve never had that before, and of course, there are always surprises, challenges and curve balls being thrown left, right and centre.”

The Block premieres on Nine this Sunday, 5 August, at 7pm

You can look forward to our usual room reveal posts on Mondays!

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Bathrooms Homewares The Block

Nood Co’s “feminised” concrete is more than just a fad

Former Perth Blockhead Matt di Costa’s concrete brand Nood Co, has just released a new range of furniture, basins and tiles, proving that the nation’s love of the material is going nowhere fast! Nood’s subtly coloured, curved concrete items, particularly sinks, have proven extremely popular since launching 18 months ago.

Nood Co basins in The Norsu Home with Perini Tiles, Sussex Taps and Ingrain Designs vanity

Matt, who is the lead designer with a team of nine creatives, says he’s excited to provide Australia with its first range of concrete furniture with real world use. And it’s all designed and manufactured right here too. Revolutionising what we knew of the ‘boring’ building product, he’s added colour, curve, design, lightness, transportability, and real world use with a warranted sealing process.

New Nood Co Pill and Cube basins

“All of the concrete is designed and manufactured in Australia, something we are really proud of. That helps us retain the quality, and shorten lead times for our clients,” he says.

“The idea of Nood was to feminise concrete. We spent three years developing a concrete manufacture process that allowed for thinner, more contemporary design, and to give Australian and international designers a new way to present concrete, in all environments. A new consciousness in concrete is here.”

There are now more than 70 concrete infused products in the range, from dining tables, coffee and side tables, stools, basins, wall and floor tiles, to mirrors, sofas, sideboards, homewares and more.

Matt and wife Kim appeared on The Block: Sky High in 2013, selling their apartment for $1.455 million, pocketing a tidy profit of $250,000.

In timing with the new range, Nood have launched their first East Coast pop up shop (79-81 Fitzroy Street St Kilda, VIC).

Shop online or download the latest catalogue for more information.

To celebrate the St Kilda Showroom launch, Nood Co are offering a 20% off basin sale on Saturday 25 August between 10.30am and 5pm.

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RENO ADDICT The Block

Renos that add value: by Blockheads Alisa & Lysandra

When renovating, it’s important to choose updates that will not only stand the test of time, but will also increase the value of your home if you sell or re-finance.

Interior designers and renovators Alisa and Lysandra Fraser say if money’s tight, fortunately, you can make a number of relatively easy budget-friendly renovations which have maximum appeal to future buyers, or score you a good valuation if you want to re-finance.

The identical twins, who won The Block: Sky High in 2013 and defended their title on The Block: Fans vs Faves in 2014, now run their own business Alisa and Lysandra Interiors. The pair are currently redeveloping a $2.2million Victorian terrace site in the highly sought-after area of Albert Park in Melbourne and are filming the project for their new online TV URL channel.

“It’s been a lot of work, but we’ve been thrilled with the results so far,” says Alisa. “We can’t wait to share the results with everyone as we’ve really enjoyed putting our stamp on every aspect of a huge project. We’re honouring the classic style of the existing home whilst adding on a contemporary extension with high quality, hand-picked materials and finishes.”

Here, Alisa shares her top tips for money-making renos:

The Kitchen – improve storage and functionality

Streamline: When you renovate a kitchen, the goal is often to create more space and increase functionality. Look at your design and assess whether or not your kitchen allows for remodelling with the current cabinetry. In most cases we recommend you start from scratch so invest in new cabinetry, improved layout, and new finishes which won’t age.

Think social: Embrace designs and layouts with ample storage, which will help minimise clutter, and cleaning.

Choose integrated storage and workstations: This creates flow and cohesion and ensures appliances don’t dominate the aesthetic. Built-in sink colanders and chopping boards, are considered a must. Not only are they functional, but they add visual appeal and textural variation.

The bathroom – add the right vanity and decrease clutter

Consider the space: The most important question here is “how will you use it?” Other than accounting for hygiene needs, it’s important to establish the vision behind this space before you pick tiles, tap-ware and other structural elements.

Choose the right vanity: It’s important to remember deep drawers aren’t always the most functional. Rather than three deep drawers, opt for a vanity with five shallow drawers which will keep your personal items visible and within quick reach.

Add aesthetic storage: Rather than using plain mirrors for the vanity, we love the addition of shallow storage mirror cabinets, which can be custom designed or ready to buy. This is the best way to keep vanity countertops seamless and clutter-free from cosmetics.

Painting the interior – think white or neutral

Know your whites: Choosing to paint you walls crisp white is always the safest option with the widest appeal. But with over 180 shades of white paint available, choosing the right shade can be confusing. Cool whites have a blue or black base added and are ideal for neutralising bright modern rooms. Warm whites have a yellow undertone that can make a room feel cosier, and work well with classic interiors.
Neutrals are not boring: Neutral walls also have general appeal. You can go three shades darker or more, which will add to your homes’ visual appeal. Neutrals never stop trending and offer you maximum flexibility with redecorating or freshening up your interiors later down the track.

Feature walls: The days of random feature walls are long gone however if you’re still keen for a splash of bolder colour, highlight a wall that features intricate architecture, a fireplace, or a hideaway nook.

Landscaping the front and backyard – curb appeal and decks are winners

Invest in a deck: Outdoor entertaining decks are now wildly popular, but rather than tiling or patching up old paving, choose a wooden deck for instant warmth and the illusion of space.

Embrace green foliage: Plants with large green foliage have massive architectural appeal and can balance out your space nicely, especially when it comes to dressing up empty corners. When choosing plants for your garden, don’t be afraid to embrace repetition. A row of screening bamboo, or a wall of birds of paradise can add that streamlined look which can be calming and look amazing.

Add some curb appeal: First impressions count, so make sure your front yard works in harmony with the entry to your home. Coordinate pathways, plants, and colours so they all work together with great balance, making your facade a true show-stopper!

Flooring – hardwearing and natural choices

Keep it simple: Natural floors add incredible warmth in a home. Keep your flooring simple and single-minded. Our home designs embrace timber floorboards throughout, which we then dress with beautiful artisan rugs creating interesting visual layers that add to the overall decor.

Make it durable: Hardwood and concrete floors truly stand the test of time and in most cases they age wonderfully as opposed to carpet which can get damaged easily and may fade or change colour due to wear.

Painting the exterior of your home

Check the structural integrity before you paint: Never paint an exterior that’s clearly deteriorating; you may achieve a pleasant result but that will only be temporary as the exterior will most certainly continue to deteriorate!

Restore the exterior of a period home: You can add colour touches to the exterior of a period home, but you should never paint over intricate stone work. If the exterior masonry is looking dull, or dirty, clean it carefully but don’t paint over it.

Monochromatic and contrasting combinations are winners: Embrace hues that have a visual punch. Intensely dark grey or anthracite hues, marry well with bright white trims and the contrast is delightful to the eye. But unless there’s a significant element of your architecture that needs to be the show-stopper, avoid matchy-matchy hues, which can come across as too safe and uninspiring!

For more information

A look back at the twins’ winning Block kitchen.

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Bathrooms RENO ADDICT The Block

Bathroom styles 2018: which is for me, how do I get it?

Photo credit:

When it comes to bathroom renovations, many shy away from their dream and instead opt for safer, more subdued options due to being overwhelmed by choice.

But is playing it safe really the right renovating attitude? According to renovating duo and winners of The Block 2014, Simon and Shannon Vos, a conservative approach rarely pays off and can lead to “renovation remorse”.

“Bathrooms provide an opportunity to inject a fun dash of architecture into the home that is hard to achieve on the same level elsewhere,” says Simon. 

The first (and undoubtedly the hardest) step is to figure out your style. To help you navigate the Pinterest minefield of trends and tiles, Simon and Shannon shared with us their top four bathroom trends for winter 2018!

1. Traditional

“Dark to light colour palettes always work well within this style,” says Shannon.

The Beaumont Tiles ambassadors suggest picking a deep-toned timber look tile for the floor, paired with a clean, light-toned Carrara marble mosaic walls to draw the eye upwards while adding a touch of theatre to the overall project. Incorporating hints of brushed metallics through tapware and other fixtures is a fantastic way to add complexity to the space. For those who are daring, add a chandelier or oversized pendant light for a serious bathroom statement!

2. Coastal

“Opt for a light grain timber-look tile then couple with a monsoon shower for some wow factor that looks and sounds like rain,” says Simon. He suggests clean tapware in either silver or matt black, and don’t forget to include indoor plants and seascape artworks to bring the outdoors in. “To complete your coastal bathroom, add textural layers with raw cotton bathmats, fluffy cotton towels and natural fibre baskets,” adds Simon.

3. Modern

Clean monochromatic lines with hints of colour, is the best way to nail the modern-look bathroom. A large format tile with either a lot of movement or bold vein features is always a strong starting point. To create playful balance, Simon suggests installing a 3D tiled feature wall to draw the eyes upwards and out.

4. Scandinavian

“Keep styling modest by selecting a central feature in your area such as a freestanding bath tub, then add colour and layers to frame its focal point,” says Shannon. “Geometric tiles in either white, black or marble look-a-like are always a spot-on choice for Scandi bathrooms. Though for those who are daring, contrast the geometric tile with a fun coloured grout like blue, or forest green. Or opt for a strong metallic mosaic.”

Discover your perfect style by heading over to Beaumont Tiles and taking the “What’s my style” questionnaire

Photo credits: Reece

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Design House Tours Interviews Real Renos RENO ADDICT The Block

Real reno: Blockheads Kyal & Kara’s beachside sanctuary

The front of the home
The front of the home

Located on the NSW central coast, it’s hard to believe that this four-bedroom, three-bathroom coastal dream of a home was once a simple fibro cottage.  “Our goal was to create a light-filled sanctuary that felt comfortable and inviting. It’s a real sanctuary but with plenty of space for entertaining,” says expert renovator and former Blockhead Kara Demmrich who tackled this project with her husband Kyal after purchasing the original home for $710,000 in early 2017.

Kyal & Kara kitchen dining room
Kitchen and dining

Originally intending to carry out a single-level extension, the house was completely gutted and little of the original house remains. Aside from the four bedrooms, three bathrooms and large open plan living spaces, the home also has an outdoor kitchen and plunge pool – all of which resulted in the home being purchased at auction for $1.59 million upon completion. That’s quite some increase in value!

Lounge
Lounge

Drawing on a mix of inspiration, the original Canary Date palm tree at the front of the house and the Desert Modernism movement that came out of Mid-Century Palm Springs homes, were two key references.

The front of the home
The front of the home

“Although the palm tree inspired our design theme, we wanted to create a classic coastal look for the facade using some of our favourite materials – white weatherboards, timber and limestone. We’re so happy with how it’s all come together and we believe we’ve created the perfect facade,” says Kyal of the front of the home that features blackbutt timber decking, hand-laid limestone walls and white weatherboard cladding.

Master bedroom
Master bedroom

“The original home was a small weatherboard cottage with lots of tack-ons, such as a carport, shed, back verandah and outdoor laundry. Initially, you had to walk down the driveway and the front door was located on the side of the house – this is one of the first things we knew we had to update. First impressions count, and having an open, welcoming path to the front door is important to us,” says Kyal.

Ensuite
Ensuite
Ensuite shower
Ensuite shower

Mostly though, the high ceilings and large expanses of glass are what really catch the eye upon entering the house. “The first thing that strikes you about the renovation is the scale of the ceilings. At 3.6 metres high, they make a real statement,” says Kyal.

Guest bedroom
Guest bedroom

To ensure the project not only looked great, but felt comfortable too, Kyal and Kara selected Gyprock Superchek plasterboard for its impact and sound resistant benefits. “Gyprock Superchek makes this house like a little Fort Knox. It’s great for families because it delivers better sound absorption and less noise transfer. This results in a noticeably quieter interior environment and creates a level of serenity,” says Kara.

Barn door
A barn door conceals the entertainment room

Kyal and Kara also chose to install some of the internal doors as sliding ones using barn door fittings – a time-saving choice as much as an aesthetic one. “The installation process was easy and saved us time and effort, and Corinthian Moda doors are factory primed on all sides and edges, and as a result they deliver a superior finish with any paint sheen. They are a great design feature that emphasises the shaker profile of the doors and create a statement in themselves,” says Kara.

Child's room
Child’s bedroom

The outdoor space is perhaps one of the most enviable aspects of the home – I love the Moroccan-inspired tiles lining the plunge pool combined with lush greenery and breeze block wall. Alfresco lovers, Kyal and Kara completed the space with a fully integrated kitchen and barbecue, covered deck area (with large skylights) and poolside outdoor shower.

Plunge pool
Plunge pool

“We’re big believers in every detail being carefully considered – it’s the details that count and create a unique and beautiful renovation,” says Kara.

For more | Five steps to a stylish seaside abode

 

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Bathrooms Bedrooms Designers Kids Rooms Real Renos RENO ADDICT

Julia & Sasha final reveal: Bathroom, living & bedrooms

Julia & Sasha bathroom

It’s been fabulous following the journey of Julia and Sasha’s latest Melbourne renovation and this is the last instalment from the lovely Julia before the stunning Little Willow goes under the hammer this weekend.

There are some words I never thought I’d utter like, ‘Taylor Hanson actually gets better with age,’ or ‘Please pick me up from the party before 9pm because late nights are for suckers’. Alas, here we are and I’m ready to shout it from the rooftops – Little Willow is finished and finally on the market! It’s been a gruelling 12 months but the end result is to die for and I can’t wait to show you through. Hop on this tour with Realestate.com.au and I’ll meet you on the other side.

Bathrooms

Julia & Sasha bathroom

Look, I’ll be honest. I haven’t always been a pro when selecting tiles but as the saying goes, you learn from making mistakes. Call me Kanye but our bathrooms are utterly divine and I bloody nailed it. Our general rule is to pick a certain material and use it throughout the entire home – in this case, marble. Rather than using the same tile however, we mixed up the shapes, installing a selection of rhomboid, diamond, and fish scale. The bathrooms feel unique yet cohesive and set the chicest tone, marrying well with the kitchen and laundry.

Julia & Sasha bathroom

Another tip we employed is to use no more than three different tiles per space. Any more and you risk turning your bathroom into a confused, gaudy mess. We opted for mid-grey on the floor and white matt on the walls. Given they weren’t the focus, we used subtle grout in complementary shades so as not to elicit contrast. They allow the champagne gold tapware to shine and let’s be real, that was always the M.O. A shout out to the lovely folk at Beaumont Tiles for taking me back so willingly (or at least pretending to).

Living zones

Julia & Sasha living room

Little Willow has two distinct living areas, one being the formal sitting room from the original house. The proportions in there are incredible and allowed us to reinstate the deep gutter cornice and ceiling rose. Of course the star of the show is that bay window, complete with bench seat and the most divine plantation shutters from DIY Blinds. The guys gave me a lesson in how to angle blades and it turns out I’d been doing it wrong my whole life. For maximum light, the blade should be slanting down into the room not up towards the ceiling.

Another hot tip when designing living rooms is to wire for infrared technology. We’ve done it in our last few renos and absolutely swear by it. Essentially it means all your cabling, pay TV boxes, and DVD players can be stored out of sight yet will still respond to remote controls. It eliminates the need for unsightly cords which is a big tick in my Virgo book.

Julia & Sasha living room

Speaking of which, we wanted floating cabinetry to sit alongside the fireplace in the open-plan living zone. We were running with the Shaker theme so called our mates at Cabinetmakers Choice. They saved our skin big time on The Block and donned their shining capes once again. The joinery is beautiful and balances the space incredibly well, offering more than enough storage whilst appearing subtle and refined. You can’t tell but there’s a Foxtel box in there and it works without opening the door.

Bedrooms

Julia & Sasha master bedroom

There are four bedrooms at Little Willow and they’re all massive. The master sits at the front of the house and boasts the addition of the breakfast balcony. It allows more natural light into the zone and creates a feeling of indulgence. DIY Blinds provided the stunning sheer curtains but it’s the black rail I’ve fallen hardest for. Another lesson: never install a curtain rod directly above your window if there’s extra height to play with. Doing so will only shrink your space rather than making it soar.

Julia & Sasha bedroom two

The second bedroom is for little people, complete with the sweetest wallpaper and a whole lot of storage. Venture upstairs and you’ll find the third and fourth bedrooms finished with plush carpet and built-in desks. Thought we’d already used all the Shaker joinery in the world? Think again! Cabinetmakers Choice raised their hands a final time and created some truly exquisite robes. They boast the perfect blend of drawers and hanging space and are of the highest quality.

Front door and externals
We’ve been obsessed with colourful front doors for as long as we can remember. They exude a certain charm and give off that Notting Hill vibe we all love. I was set on lilac from the get-go but Sash wasn’t too keen given the general resentment towards all things purple. I’ve never understood it and am on a mission to alter the common misconception that purple is the devil. I’m pretty sure that accolade goes to yellow but that’s a fight for another day. Anyway, we eventually settled on the most gorgeous shade with a tiny hint of neon. It looks so SO good and the brass hardware takes it next level. See what I mean, jelly bean?

Julia & Sasha front door

Little Willow’s exterior was cute to begin with but now she’s a knockout. We wanted to blend the Edwardian details with a hint of the Hamptons so it made sense to use a fresher palette instead of something more traditional. We opted for a crisp white as it blends the two eras and works well with our cool-toned décor. Is it too… plain? No way. It’s striking in its simplicity, exuding an elegance and ease all its own. The two-toned roof provides more contrast than a Margaret Atwood novel and the landscaping continues to do its thing. Also, there’s light purple wisteria around the breakfast balcony so that’ll be all sorts of special come spring. #InstaWorthy

Julia & Sasha facade

Well, gang, I think that’s a wrap from me. We were hoping to flip another property in Melbourne this year but life has a funny way of turning things on their head. A few months ago Sash was offered a job in Seattle and after much debate, decided to take it. It’s been an absolute whirlwind and we’re still trying to catch our breath. Once Little Willow has sold, we’ll reassess things. There’s ample scope to build our business in the US so that’s certainly on the cards. Our philosophy is simple – create something beautiful wherever you go. There’s no reason that can’t extend to the Pacific Northwest so watch this space.

Until then, thank you for showing Little Willow so much love. It’s been a pleasure sharing it with you. Now cross your fingers for auction day!

Final inspection and auction details.

Julia xx

Photography: Marcel Aucar and Urban Angles

Check out the home’s other reveals: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6

Categories
Styling

Stunning results from Julia Green’s latest masterclass

Renowned Melbourne stylist Julia Green recently opened her own home to a group of eager students and the impressive results speak for themselves! Budding stylists, including recent The Block contestant Hannah Amos, left inspired and motivated after what some called a life-changing experience!

If Julia had a dollar for every time she has been asked for advice on establishing a career in the interior styling world, she could very likely pack up her props and trade them in for a life of luxury. So the founder of Greenhouse Interiors decided to share her knowledge with those looking to establish themselves in this popular and highly competitive field. Throwing open the doors to her Barwon Heads home for a second weekend-long workshop, six aspiring stylists were given the opportunity to learn what it takes to turn a passion for interior styling into a career. And they came up with these amazing photographs for their portfolios.

 

The workshop covered all aspects of the industry, from understanding personal style to working with photographers and other suppliers, as well as how to win business. Guest speaker Samantha Firestone also shared her knowledge of the importance of digital strategy, social media and marketing. A morning yoga session and an evening glass or two of bubbles offered a perfect contrast to the otherwise fast-paced schedule. Sounds good to us!

The workshop culminated in a professional photo shoot where participants brought to life their interior concepts using a new range of artworks by Greenhouse Interiors artists Brent Rosenberg, Morgan Jamieson, Prudence Caroline and Kimmy Hogan.

“As an aspiring stylist with dreams but unsure how to reach them, this retreat was life-changing,” Julia said. “We had such a group of amazing women, all with different end goals but on the same path, brainstorming and making plans.”

Participant Alexandra Carter said: “It was a truly life altering weekend and one that I will never forget. I have assisted on a few shoots before, but actually having a say in the direction of the shoot (along with the team) was so incredibly satisfying when all the shots came to life!” Ex-Blockhead Hannah added: “We were taught not only to surround ourselves with positive and creative like-minded people but not to be afraid to pursue our passion that sets our heart on fire. This was a money-can’t-buy experience and I have left feeling more determined than ever to chase my goals and start hatching plans.”

Sally Humphries said: “I feel like I’ve learnt a lot, but not just about making a room look beautiful. The weekend was a hell of a lot more in depth than that on a personal and business level. Only a very special person can bring that sort of honesty out of people and so quickly.”

“Bright futures, and a solid game plan now await this group of creatives armed with the passion and know how,” said Julia.

Find out more about Julia’s future interior styling workshops.

Stylists: Hannah Amos, Chelsea Ellis, Alexandra Carter, Sally Humphries, Jen Harrison and Aisha Chaudhry.

Photography: Stephanie Rooney

Categories
Designers Kitchens

Darren Palmer’s house: new kitchen tour!

We took you inside Darren Palmer’s Bondi home last year and while it looked fabulous, it was a self-confessed work in progress. Something of a kitchen expert (the one in Darren’s Edgecliff renovation was a real beauty), his latest effort is a super stylish Scandinavian inspired space. And while the home’s original kitchen wasn’t old (it was installed in 2010) it was along basic lines and Darren wanted something more high-tech.

Darren in his new kitchen
Darren in his new kitchen

In keeping with the high-tech vibe, the kitchen features a hero wall of sleek metallic cabinetry – Darren chose the anthracite-toned Titan from Freedom Kitchens. “Metallics have been popular in interiors for a couple of years now, but the Titan cabinet doors are an evolution and expansion of the use of metallic surfaces in interiors which also lend a subtle, sophisticated sheen to the kitchen,” says Darren.

The indoor plants are a highlight of the space
The indoor plants are a highlight of the space

Darren was drawn to the grey metallic finish as it complemented his smart new French door fridge. “The metallic range from Freedom Kitchens was the perfect way to achieve the integrated look I was after,” says Darren who further enhanced the sleek finish by using push button doors rather than handles on the upper cupboards. “I chose touch-catch doors to keep it sleek, but then tied back to the metallic with anthracite handles on the timber-look lower cabinets.”

Darren Palmer's Bondi kitchen

A standout feature, the kitchen’s myriad indoor plants really pop against the upper cupboards that feature Freedom Kitchen’s Iceland White finish. The plain white cupboards really help create Darren’s desired modern Scandinavian feel.

For more | Check out Jen’s kitchen reno budget tips

Categories
Kitchens RENO ADDICT Smart Home The Block

Julia & Sasha share kitchen, mudroom and laundry

Photography by Marcel Aucar

Last time we caught up, our kitchen and laundry had just been installed but the finishing touches were a mere pipedream. Fast forward to 2018 and we’re done and dusted. If we’d ever questioned the notion of love at first sight, we don’t anymore. These spaces have far exceeded our expectations and we’re walking around with all the heart eye emojis. If you’re not yet familiar with our design and installation process, you can read about it here. Go on… I’ll wait.

Kitchen

Now we’re on the same page, it’s time for the fun stuff. We’ve always loved the process of fixing stone bench tops as it pulls the entire look together and adds an element of luxe. We opted for Caesarstone in Calacatta Nuvo for its marble-like appearance and ability to blend classic meets contemporary. It’s also extremely low maintenance and more cost-effective than natural stone. At this point in the renovation, any saving is a good saving and we’re thrilled to bits with the end result. We opted for a frontal waterfall on the island as it defines the sink from the prep area and looks bangin’ to boot.

There’s still more than enough room for three stools and ample space to hang about. Our island measures 3000mm x 1200mm, the maximum when using only one slab of stone. We’re not big fans of longer benches as they require multiple slabs, resulting in an extra join on the surface.

We stuck with the same stone for the splashback in the kitchen but changed it up in the butler’s pantry. The zone opened up ten-fold by using a smoked mirror and we love how it defines the spaces. There’s still a seamlessness as the cabinetry and bench tops are consistent but the use of mirror adds depth and interest. It’s also really easy to keep clean which should always be the MO in any prep area (or so I tell a very messy Sasha).

Among our favourite things are the soaring Sierra cabinets in Matt White from Freedom Kitchens. The Sierra range is a beautiful Shaker-style profile which looks modern yet classic at the same time. We love a generously proportioned space and one of the best ways to achieve this is by taking joinery sky high. The upper cabinets are readily available and measure 1250mm. There’s more storage than you can poke a stick at and they make the room feel infinite. It’s a great trick to implement if you have limited floor space but want to increase the grandeur of your kitchen. You can thank us later, alligators.

Drawers were always big on our list of must-haves and we crammed in as many as we could. They’re so much easier than cupboards when storing everyday items like crockery, containers, and pots and pans. I once did my back while searching for a mixing bowl which was very inconvenient as I had a party to attend and wound up sitting at the dessert table with my friend’s grandma all night. There’s no chance of that happening at Little Willow as we have drawers for days! Freedom Kitchens are clever folk and added some nifty storage solutions like cutlery dividers, a walnut knife holder, and our amazing spice rack. We could buy all the spices from the supermarket and still have room left over. Clever, indeed.

Of course, cupboards are still handy for those things used less often and they’re in abundance in the butler’s pantry. I’m crazy for the corner carousel shelves they installed in the corner cupboard, previously known as the place ‘where things go to die’. It makes such perfect sense and is also really fun to play with. The added depth of our island made way for extra storage in the seating area. Big props to our designer Jack for working so hard to maximise functionality by utilising every inch of available space.

Another big hit are the white sinks. When we settled on the gold tap, we knew we had to skip the standard stainless steel as it can be hard to mix metals. White was a natural alternative and the effect it has is seamless. The sinks are made of composite granite so they’re durable and virtually scratch-resistant. We’re more than happy to share the love so if you need one in your life, head to Reece and ask for the Franke Impact Granite Undermount in White.

On The Block, we were lucky enough to work with Gaggenau and we loved them hard. We didn’t think it possible to develop an affinity with any other appliance brand until NEFF came along. Golly gumdrops, they’re amazing! Our oven stack is so impressive – the doors actually tuck themselves away when you open them. If you haven’t seen them in action, hit up our Insta for a Boomerang demonstration. Our stack includes an in-built Coffee Machine, Compact Oven with Microwave, Slide&Hide Combi-Steam Oven, and Slide&Hide Vario-Steam Oven. That’s a lot of ovens for one house so the new owners best enjoy cooking. The piece de resistance is of course the FlexInduction Cooktop with Integrated Downdraft. Rather than going up into a regular rangehood, steam is sucked down into the vent. How’s that for forward thinking?!

The kitchen is complete with two NEFF dishwashers and our double fridge/freezer from Bosch. Where are they, you ask? Hidden behind four integrated panels right near the island bench. It’s such a great way to dress large appliances and something we’ll be doing in every property moving forward.

We utilised the working triangle when designing this kitchen and it really does make a difference. The general rule of thumb is there should only be a few steps between your sink, cooktop, and fridge. Ours are positioned just so and the space sings because of it.

Of course, we’re all about lightness and brightness so we decided to splash out on three VELUX skylights. They let in a phenomenal amount of natural light and we can’t recommend them enough. Even if you’re not doing a full renovation, it’s worth considering adding a few throughout your home as they truly offer bang for buck. They’re such a focal point and amplify everything in the space, including our White Smoked boards from Royal Oak Floors. Together, they bounce the light around and are a match made in Heaven.

Laundry and Mud Room

If there’s beauty in simplicity then this is it. We carried through the Sierra profile to maintain consistency and added functional shelving to break up the look. Our penny round tiles from Beaumont work so well with the Intense White bench top from Caesarstone. The gooseneck tap from Sussex pops against all the white and marble and collectively elicits the most serene vibe. There’s a high chance I’ll be rolling around in dirt just so I can use this space. (OK, maybe not rolling around but I won’t crack it if I spill coffee on my white dress, that’s for sure).

It’s hard for me to admit but Sasha’s mud room came up trumps. Originally I wanted a whole bank of cupboards but she insisted on creating an Insta-worthy space so I relented and let her at it. It’s such a usable zone with outdoor access so there’s no reason for muddy footprints to be dragged through the house. After endless harping, I managed to get my way with tropical wallpaper and I love how it pops against all the white.

I’m calling it – of the four kitchens and laundries we’ve created, these are my absolute favourites. They’re so striking and functional. Some people think all-white spaces are boring but I truly believe there is nothing better. They have an elegance all their own and give off a feeling of light. As Bill Murray said, ‘There has to be a lightness; you have to be as light as you can be and not get weighed down and stuck in your emotion, stuck in your body, stuck in your head. You just want to always be trying to elevate somehow.’ Sure he was talking about something deeper than kitchens and laundries but his advice rings true. We have all the lightness there is and I hope you love our spaces as much as we do.

Our sincere gratitude to all our suppliers for working tirelessly with us. Their knowledge and commitment has made all the difference and we’re forever indebted for the time, energy, and care they’ve shown. There’s something extra special about companies that not only supply product but eagerly anticipate the end result. That kind of enthusiasm is hard to come by but they have it in spades.

Until next time,

Julia xx

More kitchens and bathrooms | Jen’s kitchen reno

Categories
Expert Tips The Block

Blockhead Hannah Amos shares her Dîner en Blanc styling tips

The world’s most chic picnic, Le Dîner en Blanc, is returning to Melbourne on 24 February at a secret yet wondrous location. All dressed-up people arrive and set up beautiful tables for their picnic, then all pack up and leave like nothing never happened. Hannah and her partner, Clint, will be joining this famous night that originated from Paris.

Ex Blockhead Hannah Amos

During Hannah’s time on The Block, she proved her innate ability to beautifully style an empty canvas. And now, Hannah shares with us her tips on how to create effortless French vibes at the strictly all-white attire and décor event.

You say ‘white’, I say ‘linen’.
Linen is the fabric that will beautifully transcend any table. Light, humble yet graceful, this fine piece of textile is definitely the go-to for the effortless feel. Adding matching white linen napkins will keep consistency with the theme.

Source: The Lane. Click through for more

Add some charm to your plate
If you like to wander in antique stores or markets around Melbourne then go find yourself old ceramics or enamelware to use on your table. My favourite places to find unique tableware treasures are Camberwell Market, Lost and Found Market and Chapel Street Bazaar. Original pieces of vintage tableware will give ‘un je ne sais quoi’ to your table.

Source: Petit Jardin Secret. Click through for more.

Cheers with elegance
Opulent elite French parties from the 18th Century always preferred the champagne saucer over the conventional flute glass. So, go with champagne saucers and cheers with your friends or your lover like French aristocrats! Another addition to your table, these glasses from west elm are the perfect way to cheers with elegance.

Source: Rock My Wedding. Click through for more.

Champagne tin bucket
Well, you need to keep all that Champagne chilled so why not have a play on Etsy and find your perfect vintage French Champagne bucket? A silver touch is acceptable to have on your table.

Source: Snippet and Ink. Click through for details. Photo by Collin Hughes

Last but not least
A picnic would not be complete without a good old picnic basket. It is like having cheese without a good wine, it doesn’t make sense really. Yes, the concept of Le Dîner en Blanc is taken that far and if your basket isn’t white, no panic. You can still spray paint it!

Source: Twigg Studio. Click through for details.

Hannah’s all-white shopping list 

White Linen table cloth from Hunting for George
White Linen napkins from Bed Bath n’ Table
Enamelware from Myer
Champagne saucers from Kitchen Warehouse
Glasses from west elm
Champagne tin bucket from Etsy
Ready to go picnic hamper from French Knot

Register for Dîner En Blanc Melbourne

Categories
Expert Tips Outdoor & Exteriors The Block

Block’s Greville Pabst on selling your home in the New Year

Credit: Harrison Landscaping

By Greville Pabst

As many Australians enjoy the festive season and summer sun, the real estate market goes into hibernation. That is until the New Year, when the market starts to pick up again. If you are looking to put your home on the market in early 2018, there are  a few things you can do to make sure your home stands out from the crowd and increase your chances of achieving a successful sale. Here are seven tips on how to prepare your home for a summer sale:

Garden is number one – When looking at a home during summer, many buyers will pay extra attention to the garden and outdoor areas, as this is where they will imagine themselves spending time during the summer. Make sure the garden is well maintained, green and lush, with no dead flowers or uncut grass. If possible, try and incorporate some shady areas in the backyard.

Credit: renoguide.comau

Inspection times – Running around and looking at houses when the sun is shining and the temperature is high, is not an ideal scenario for potential buyers. Try to schedule your inspection times earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the heat during the middle of the day.

Inside retreat – The inside of your home should be a cool escape from the outdoor sun. Keep the air conditioning or ceiling fans on during inspection times, or open windows and doors to get a nice breeze flowing through the house.

Credit: Three Birds Renovation

Change up the colours – Remove heavy curtains, rugs and cushions in darker colours, and replace them with a brighter and lighter palette that is more suited to summer. These small things can give the home a completely new look that is more suited to summer and warmer temperatures.

Create an oasis – If you have a pool, this is the time to show it off by making sure it is well maintained and looks its absolute best. During summer, this is a great selling tool and you want it to appear as the perfect summer oasis.

Credit: Harrison Landscaping

Replace the old – Small things that are worth investing in include updating the mailbox, front door, fence and adding a fresh coat of paint to the exterior. This can work wonders for the front of the home, which is the buyer’s first impression. It’s important that the home has great street appeal and looks inviting.

Credit: Heartly Design

Outdoor dining – In Australia, we are lucky to be able to use outdoor areas the majority of the year, and during summer we really want to take advantage of our climate. Stage your alfresco or patio area with furniture to make it appear large and inviting. You want potential buyers to imagine themselves eating and entertaining in the space.

–Greville is executive chairman of WBP Group and one of the buyer’s advocates on The Block. He is a regular commentator on Sky News and the daily papers such as Herald Sun, the AFR and The Australian, helping everyday Australians make better property decisions.

Categories
Bathrooms RENO ADDICT Styling

The 4 biggest bathrooms questions answered

Whether big or small, bathroom projects can come with a lot of questions. So Reece – together with some of our favourites from The Block – have tackled the four biggest bathroom questions and giving us all the answers.

1. What’s the best way to plan a project?

Everyone is different, and the way we work is too. What is easy for you may be hard for someone else, and that’s okay. Bathroom renovations are the same, so play to your strengths. Whether you’re an experienced renovator looking for a smooth process, or someone new to the game in need of a helping hand, a personalised plan will help you get the most out of your project. Check out Reece’s Bathroom Creator Quiz to help determine your strengths and the My Project Planner to start planning like a pro.

2. How can I get the latest look for the best value?

5 star luxury doesn’t have to mean a 5 star budget. By splurging on the important areas and saving in others, you can achieve any look, in any home, on any budget. Don’t compromise on the quality of products you touch and feel daily, like tapware. But save on areas like tiling and accessories for an achievable, affordable result. Block contestants Julia and Sasha recommend saving on tiling by not tiling every wall; while judge Shaynna Blaze says not to spend too much on floor tiles and instead save the impact for the walls.

3. How can I add luxury to my bathroom?

Your bathroom is a personal sanctuary; a place for escape, relaxation and rejuvenation. Create a destination of delight with strong surfaces and elegant, organic shapes. A space where you love to start and finish your day. For true luxury, treat yourself to the absolute best in materials, technology and function. Shaynna suggests embracing extravagance with black tapware and textured tiles: “Bevelled edges reflect light beautifully.” And to get the luxury look for less Blockheads Alisa & Lysandra recommend choosing a hero product and building around it.

4. How do I choose the right colour for my bathroom?

Colour is an extension of your personality. Colours have meaning and can change the way you feel, so choose the colours that speak to you. Some bathroom trends will have colours that work better than others; Scandinavian themed bathrooms are generally washed with a muted or pastel scheme, while contemporary bathrooms gives you the license to lean toward something bolder.

For more information | Bathroom inspo

Categories
Designers Kitchens RENO ADDICT The Block

Julia and Sasha’s new reno, update 5: kitchen and laundry week

It’s instalment five of our exclusive series with former Blockheads Julia and Sasha and so much has happened! Read on for Julia’s warts and all account, some exciting developments (and, let’s be a honest, a few fails!).

Kitchen Week was by far our favourite on The Block and it was no different this time around. I mean, what’s not to love? We got to create the space of our dreams with the help of our dear friends at Freedom Kitchens. Because they’re so fab, they also mucked in with our laundry and trust me when I say she’s a beauty. You want to stick around for this one, folks.

Julia and Sasha’s Block kitchen

The kitchen is indeed the heart of the home and we started thinking about what she might look like early on. One of the best ways to maintain consistency in a property is to utilise the same cabinetry throughout, so what we installed here will be mirrored in other rooms.

After considering our options and starting way too many Pinterest boards, we settled on our trusty fave – the Shaker profile. Yes, yes, I know. We’ve used it before so why not do something different? Short answer – because it works. I’ve never met a Shaker I didn’t like and that goes for most buyers. Elsternwick is a conservative suburb so it didn’t make sense to risk the eventual sale price with anything too out there. The Shaker provides the perfect blend of classic meets contemporary and appeals to the widest market. We opted for touch joinery over handles to add a modern twist (and also because the drawers are just really fun to open).

Julia and Sasha’s other Block Kitchen. Credit: Freedom Kitchens

Once this decision was locked and loaded, it was time to think about layout. Our kitchen is the star of the open-plan space and boasts a north-eastern orientation. It needed to cater for a growing family so a butler’s pantry was a must. I fell down a rabbit hole when researching island benches before settling on a design with multiple waterfalls. Our bank account was none too impressed, but the heart wants what the heart wants! We’ve long loved Caesarstone’s Calacatta Nuvo and made plans for it to take centre stage. See, I told you it was the stuff dreams are made of!

Ahead of our appointment with Freedom Kitchens, I mocked up what I considered to be a fabulous sketch of what we were after. Alas, graphic design is not my forte and our designer took one look at it, laughed, and pulled out the red pen. Thanks for nothing, Jack! Seriously though, he was nothing short of fabulous and got our brief in seconds. Within a few short hours, he delivered a stunning space high in functionality. We never thought we’d be able to squeeze in a four-stack of appliances but he proved us wrong and I’m so glad he did.

We wanted to play on two things – height and light. We specified ultra-tall cabinets and a white finish to elongate the proportions. For a seamless transition, we kept the butler’s pantry open and integrated the double fridge/freezer from Bosch. Because our house Little Willow sits in a Jewish locale, it was important to incorporate elements of Kosher living. This meant providing multiple sinks, preparation areas, and two unique ovens.

The kitchen becoming reality. Flooring in White Smoked by Royal Oak Floors

Of course, we couldn’t do this without the amazing folk at NEFF. They’ve supplied us with the most incredible range of appliances and we feel like spoilt squids. Did someone say FlexInduction cooktop with integrated downdraft? Oh yeah, it’s going in our kitchen. How about a combi steam, coffee machine and two dishwashers? We’ve got them all as well. NEFF have seriously upped the luxury stakes and taken things to a whole new level. We couldn’t love them more.

The kitchen featuring NEFF appliances

With the kitchen sorted, it was time to turn our attention to the laundry. There was a time when this space was merely for utilities but my how things have changed. Though often compact in size, there’s so much you can do with joinery, stone, tiles and tapware. The laundry we created on The Block was a crowd favourite thanks to its white cabinetry, brass hardware and marble splashback. Truth be told, it didn’t cost the Earth, but looked more high-end than Kim Kardashian’s grill!

Julia and Sasha’s Block laundry. Credit: Urban Angles

Taking a leaf from our own book, we specified Shaker joinery throughout, plus a few open shelves. The benchtop is from Caesarstone’s latest range in the shade Intense White. Of course, a splashback isn’t a splashback unless it’s covered in marble so we locked in penny round mosaics from the excellent Beaumont Tiles. Reece always come to the party with a hint of bling and I can’t wait to show you the incredible champagne gooseneck they’re supplying, courtesy of Sussex Taps.

The laundry in progress

Now, I know that all sounds divine and almost too much to handle but we haven’t even arrived at the best bit. I have two words for you – mud room. Yep, the other side of the laundry is a dedicated mud room and 100 percent Sasha’s baby. It’s the only part of the house she had free rein on and I must admit, she nailed it. The laundry can be accessed from outside so she’s included a bench seat for removing shoes, enough cubbies to stow them in, plus storage options for school bags and stinky soccer gear. It’s all looking a bit bare right now but will soon be dressed with millions of cushions and pretty wallpaper. I’m pushing for a tropical vibe but she keeps telling me to mind my own business. Watch this space!

Admitting defeat in the mud room

Once our design was set in stone, it was time for installation. This is always my favourite part as it finally becomes real; everything you’ve carefully curated comes to life before your eyes. It only took the boys two days to build both spaces and they absolutely nailed it. Sasha picked up the drill on a few occasions because she’s a walking stereotype and can now add kitchen installer to her long list of clichéd skills!

Sash getting her hands dirty

We’re currently awaiting stone installation, then our fab plumber will be back to connect the sinks and tapware. In all honesty, we couldn’t be happier with our two heroes. They speak volumes about the quality of Little Willow and will be an absolute delight once complete. I swore I wouldn’t get too attached to this house but it’s getting increasingly difficult because it’s just too beautiful!

Stand by for a blow-by-blow of the finished product before we start spamming our Insta with summer parties and stain removal tips (any excuse to take pics of the laundry).

Until then,

Julia xx

Missed a bit? Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4

Categories
Dining Expert Tips Homewares Styling The Block

Shaynna Blaze’s guide to styling your table this Christmas

I love a dinner party, but if I’m honest, plans for a stylish spread quickly go out the window; especially when friends are on their way and you haven’t even started cooking. But not this festive season! This summer I’m going to create a feast for the stomach and the eyes… with Shaynna Blaze‘s help that is. Check out her top tips for styling a festive platter and the perfect tabletop.

Shaynna

How to style a festive platter

The more food, the better: A simple block of cheese and some dip and crackers just doesn’t cut it these days. Select a few different types of cheeses and layer with nuts, olives and fresh berries, and use dried fruits to fill all the gaps and cover any empty board space – a sumptuous smorgasBOARD!

Build from a perfect base: Choose a beautiful timber board or marble tray to serve, and pair with cheese knives and serving tools that follow the same aesthetic so it doesn’t overwhelm the food.

Shaynna Blaze for Harris Scarfe Eden 2pc Marble Board, $79.95

Use colour: Juicy strawberries,  green grapes and pomegranates not only taste good but visually make your platter an enticing feast

Balance: Start with the biggest items i.e. cheese, dips, bowls of olives etc. and build around this. Play around with different angles and different heights for your meat, cheese and crackers. It gives an extra dimension to the spread!

Shaynna Blaze for Harris Scarfe table setting

Variety is key: A platter should have a variety of textures, colours and tastes. Be mindful of this when selecting your food and don’t be afraid to pile it high with cheese, fruit, meats and pickled vegetables as a mouth-watering assortment of perfection.

Don’t forget the wine: Stemless wine glasses are an alternative to having lots of height on your table, use them on their own or mixed with stemmed glasses to give variation to your table.

How to style the perfect tabletop

1. Invest in a few core pieces like cutlery, wine glasses and hurricane lamps or vases to dress up your celebrations in the lead-up to Christmas.

Shaynna Blaze for Harris Scarfe table setting

2. Adding elegant cutlery to your dining table has the same impact as adding beautiful earrings to a little black dress.

3. When setting the table for dinner parties, keep your centrepiece low so sight lines aren’t obstructed and the conversation can flow.

4. To achieve a formal feel with your dining table setting, stick to a single colour palette for your dinnerware and placemats.

5. Create a casual look that’s perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner by styling simple timber accessories with grey chinaware.

Shop Shaynna Blaze for Harris Scarfe online | Get your Block fix

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Architecture RENO ADDICT Shopping

One of The Block’s best kept secrets: architect Julian Brenchley

When watching The Block it’s easy to forget that behind the beautiful designs of the contestants is one man: Sydney architect Julian Brenchley. The show’s architect from day one, Julian sources the houses, designs the exteriors and deals with all the necessary planning permits along the way. In other words all the stressful stuff!

This season, Julian found inspiration in the architecture of Melbourne’s Elsternwick (where the show was set). Very much a traditional brick-and-tile suburb, Julian stayed true to the neighbourhood’s aesthetic, while adding elements of modernity. The result is a showcase of the hottest trends in bricks.

Jason and Sarah’s backyard

In the homes, texture has became the hero, with dark coloured bricks complemented by metal cladding and slimline roof tiles. The look is then carried over to the pavilions (as Julian calls the two-storey additions), which feature a complementary palette of dark coloured face bricks, adding a diversity of textures and finishes.

Josh and Elyse’s backyard

Three of the five Block homes have the same bricks on the exterior walls, the PGH Balmerino Blend, a dry-pressed brick, which creates harmony within the development. The other two homes keep to the same dark tones but differ in texture, adding to the palette’s complexity. Hannah and Clint’s house showcases a blend of Mystique and sandstock brick Greenway, while Sticks and Wombat’s house has a deep dark Pewter brick range, which is a semi-glazed metallic brick.

Jason and Sarah’s backyard

While in a design sense bricks look great, commercially they are also a good choice, thanks to their low maintenance and classic appeal. “That’s been the benefit of face bricks since time immemorial,” says Julian. “You put up a face brick and as long as you are happy with the colour you won’t have to touch it until you demolish it 80, 100, 200 years later. Low maintenance is a big thing nowadays.”

For more information.

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Designers Expert Tips RENO ADDICT The Block

Julia and Sasha’s new reno, update 4: making the big decisions

The top storey

It’s instalment four of our exclusive series with former Blockheads Julia and Sasha and so much has happened! Read on for Julia’s warts and all account, some exciting developments (and, let’s be a honest, a few fails!).

We all have those friends we text from time to time saying: “We must catch up!” But of course, we never do. I feel like that’s been us of late so sincere apologies, we’ve been swamped. The good news is there’s a lot to catch up on and I’m on my third coffee and ready to overshare. Let’s go.

Building a two-storey house is no cakewalk. It’s not as easy as whacking on a second level and wham bam, thank you mam. Oh no. There’s scaffold to build and trusses to move, roofs to attach and money to lose. (Dr Seuss, who invited you?!).

After shelling out a small fortune for staging equipment, it was time to settle on our biggest decision to date – the exterior colour scheme. I’d been extremely decisive up to this point but everyone has a catalyst for change and this was mine. I cannot tell you how many hours I spent driving around the neighbourhood gawking at houses. An elderly gentleman actually asked if I was checking him out and I awkwardly said: “Yes, indeed I was,” because I didn’t know what else to say. Truth be told, he had a lovely abode and I ended up pinching the colour scheme for Little Willow.

Exterior inspiration. Credit: The Block, New Zealand

Whilst most heritage homes boast galvanised iron roofs, we had our hearts set on something more intense. There were the traditional offerings of course, but they were all a bit blue or brown and we couldn’t embrace them. Enter Basalt, a perfect mid-grey reminiscent of lead. Our first instinct was to lock in matching gutters but our roof plumber called us ‘boring’ so we buckled and went with contrasting Monument. Opting for the two-tone effect was a risky move but my nickname as a child was ‘Drama Llama’ and as they say, if the name fits…

Basalt and Monument Roof

Choosing the right white can be an absolute mine-field. The first question you need to ask is: “Am I a warm or cool kinda person?” We’re obviously very cool and prefer whites with brilliant undertones. They elicit a sense of calm and are widely appealing, thus perfect for Little Willow. We tested a million paint samples before deciding on Crisp White by Taubmans. It’s the perfect stark-but-not-too-clinical shade and sets a lovely tone for the property. Pro tip: Only swatch on materials you are not actually using. I went to town on a sheet of plasterboard that ended up being redundant because the samples would forever shine through.

Sash helping weatherboard

Little Willow was built from the top down to allow for full scaffold and a safer worksite for our crew. Once the upper roof was secure, it was time to attach the weatherboards. I know people go mad for brick homes but they’ve never been my thing and seeing Little Willow clad in the good stuff made my heart soar. The painters did a stellar job and for the first time in a long while, she beamed again. It was like she’d spent an afternoon at Sephora sampling Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation. She was literally flawless.

The top storey

Of course, things aren’t always as they seem and it’s what’s on the inside that counts. With the top level watertight, it was time to draft the electrical plan. Can you sense the excitement in my voice? No, no you can’t because there literally isn’t any. Lighting is so not my jam and I’d been avoiding it like the plague. As it transpires, it’s the stuff Sash’s dreams are made of so I handballed it quick sticks and got back to Younger. She spent hours marking out a legend with six different highlighters and proudly presented it to our electrician. Sash often says her biggest achievement was winning the Under 11 70m hurdles at Camberwell Little Athletics, but this almost pipped it. She opted for a mix of pendants, wall sconces, downlights, and lanterns but left me to supervise come rough in. That was an interesting day but I’ll spare you the details. Let’s just say I’m now an expert at laying under-floor heating because we all learn from our mistakes, don’t we?!

After what felt like eons, we were finally ready for plaster. Anyone who’s ever built or renovated a home will tell you this is by far the best bit. For the first time we could see the interior take shape and make sense of the space. In a nod to the home’s heritage, we reinstated the original gutter cornices. It really is next level and adds to the luxe vibe throughout. Sash left me to my own devices when selecting the ceiling roses for the formal rooms and immediately regretted her decision. She thinks they’re too elaborate but in my world there is no such thing so, next!

Cornice and ceiling rose

Whilst we were busy bickering, our trades made the great escape and started tiling the upstairs bathroom. Selecting tiles has never been my strong suit but I’m going to toot my own horn and say I absolutely nailed this choice. The marble rhomboid from Beaumont Tiles is the perfect focal point, balanced by soft grey on the floor and white matte on the walls. Our rule of thumb is to use contrasting grout on feature tiles and matching on all others, so we opted for white on the rhomboid as it really makes them pop. Given we’re all about consistency, we’ll be incorporating marble into all wet areas, albeit in different shapes. It’s worked a treat for us in the past so stay tuned for all the inspo.

Tiled bathroom

Now the majority of the building work is complete, it’s time for the fun stuff! In the next instalment we’ll reveal our kitchen and laundry design, courtesy of our dear friends at Freedom Kitchens. They’ve helped us create three stunning spaces in the past and we can’t wait to show you what we’ve come up with this time. They’re real show-stoppers so get ready to pin all the things.

Until then,

Julia xx

Missed a bit? Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3