One of the most used spaces in any home, the living and dining rooms are where families spend the majority of their time and they need to be well-planned, well-executed and tie the whole home together. While one room disappointed, it was thumbs up for the other four, and the winning room certainly didn’t play it safe.
What did I think? I didn’t love Leah and Ash’s winning room to be honest. It was great that they didn’t play it safe, and it certainly looked very Fenton & Fenton. I liked some elements but I just couldn’t get as excited as the judges did?! And as for last place? Yes it was definitely too cramped, but otherwise had a lot of great things about it. And Eliza and Liberty’s second place room with the weird fireplace seating area behind the couch? Not vibing that either I’m afraid! What did you think?
Leah and Ash (First place): 29/30
If ever there was a space that stamped Leah and Ashโs intention of making a statement, it was their living and dining room. โI am so glad I came back today!โ said Neale as he celebrated his return to The Block with a visit to House Twoโs brightly coloured, pop art inspired space. โItโs definitely polarising,โ he said, โbut theyโve pulled it off!โ. And it wasnโt just with styling, Darren said. By changing the original plans, adding a chandelier alongside downlights then removing nib walls, theyโd created more space and given the home a better flow from downstairs to up.ย
Get the look: Velvet couch | Red bar cart
Eliza and Liberty (Second place): 27/30
The one thing that screams luxury in a home, the judges agreed, is space. And Eliza and Libertyโs huge living dining area certainly delivered that. โThis floorplan is the gift of all gifts,โ Darren declared, โand you havenโt messed it up!โ Looking out over what will be their backyard and with a central freestanding fireplace, the space is punctuated by a huge couch, Rosenberg art and a Camerich sculpture plus a porta timber feature wall with a generous inset television. It’s a sophisticated space, they all agreed, thatโs going to work very well against the kitchen to come.
Get the look: Magic wool rug | Easytime sofa
Kristy and Brett (Equal third place): 25.5/30
From the three-sided Stoke fireplace with polished plaster hearth to the adjacent textured wall, this was, Darren declared, a room to die for. Just one of two living spaces planned for downstairs, it was, Neale added, just perfect for servicing what will be a pool area outside the Aluplast windows. The lighting plan left Shaynna flat, suggesting the downlights could have either been pushed the roomโs edges or made more central. But even with that, there was a warmth and depth to the colour palette that made it a room: โwith a lot to love!โ
Get the look: Multi-sided fireplace
Steph and Gian (Equal third place): 25.5/30
With an elevated dining room overlooking the sprawling living room, Steph and Gian had hoped to showcase their Japandi aesthetic, but instead, all Neale could do was question the reason behind its placement. โDoes it improve the flow of the house?โ Neale asked, โmaybe not”. And then there was the styling, he added, with so many ceramics in one place: โIt feels like a retail space!โ. They were won back by the execution and the adjacent living room with its wraparound glazing looking out onto the back yard, with Neale happily settling into the wingback chair to take it all in.
Get the look: Jackie Green artwork
Kyle and Leslie (Fifth place): 20/30
Light, bright and welcoming, the judges felt an immediate warmth from Kyle and Leslieโs living and dining space, but it was, Neale quickly pointed out, too constricted. Tiny, in fact. With its hero Christian Cole dining table dominating almost the entire dining space and the living area taken up by a small lounge aimed at the television leaving no room for anything else, this was not a room the house deserved. Keep the colour palette and the curves, they urged, but โitโs a beautifully styled and built disasterโ Neale summed up and something that needed a rethink. Shaynna said this room was the Titanic for them if they didn’t get it right. Eek!
Get the look: Christian Cole dining table