Courtney and Grant (First place)
It was backyard week on The Block and there was a lot going on!
With a full outdoor kitchen complete with beautiful cabinetry and a stone benchtop, Shaynna was a fast fan of Courtney and Grant’s backyard – and with lemon trees, olives and bay leaves in the new plantings, so too was renowned landscaper judge Dave Franklin.
“This looks like it’s been planned from day one!” he said. Past the outdoor furniture and loungers and on to the pool area with outdoor shower, huge deck and firebox, plus a pizza oven and smoker BBQ nearby accessed by a paved area, Dave happily described it as “10 out of 10 for execution” and the judges agreed, this was a backyard that was going to be hard to beat.
Shop the look: Woodburner | Sonata sofa | Sun lounger
Maddy and Charlotte (Second place)
Divided into separate pool, play and relaxation zones, Maddy and Charlotte’s back yard made full use of the long space to once again offer options for multiple visitors who might want some space. “It’s very hard to integrate,” Dave said as he counted five distinct zones, “but they have done a great job.”.
Heating panels and cooling fans over the outdoor dining table took account of both summer and winter, Darren pointed out, with the James Hardie panels a stylish addition. A stone benchtop would have been nice, Shaynna said, but budget and time had obviously run short.
Marty was impressed by the circular lounger, pizza oven and paving – all surrounded by the perfect plant choices, plus a half-court basketball space to to finish things off. A slam dunk, he thought.
Shop the look: Circular lounger | Reclaimed teak dining table | Wicker outdoor armchair
Kristian and Mimi (Third place)
With a large pool beautifully tiled, piers wrapped in rope to give that island feel, curved decking with vertical risers, crazy paving, outdoor furniture, a boat-themed dining/bar area with generous table and chairs, this was an area that quickly caught the judges attention. “It says resort living!” Dave summed up.
Around the corner the surprises continued with a firepit and basketball court – big enough for a three-point line. It was a lot, Shaynna and Marty agreed, and well thought out. But where was the Wolf barbecue the couple had won, Dave asked? An Aussie backyard with no barbie? “It’s un-Australian!” he said.
Shop the look: Plungie pool | Residential basketball court | Outdoor sofa
Ricky and Haydn (Fourth place)
Big enough to kick a footy or play cricket, with ample grass to play, a custom swing set and even a sculpture from a local artist, Ricky and Haydn’s backyard was enough to put a huge grin on Dave’s face as he declared: “Now this is a backyard!”
With the biggest Plungie pool of the week surrounded by a generous deck (backed by a huge Grafico tile mural), with an armchair and counter chairs, beautiful established cycads in the gardens and a little bar area perfect for holidaymakers looking to relax, this might not have been as sophisticated as some others, the judges said, but it was still a lot of fun. And perfect for the Fun Factory! If only the finishing touches had been added in time.
Shop the look: Teak armchair | Teak counter chair
Kylie and Brad (Fifth place)
Clearly budget had been a problem, Dave said as he walked into Kylie and Brad’s backyard to see the pool – one of the largest on The Block – with minimal decking surround and very little landscaping completed. Shaynna pointed out empty pots, unfinished steps, brickwork missing render, missing pavers and more.
The private access door to the tennis court was a big plus, the judges agreed and the sheer size of the yard and pool was still a drawcard with the black cube table and matching black chairs a nod to the couple’s dark and moody motif. But incomplete as things were, this was a space that had yet to live up to its potential.
Shop the look: Black cube table | Stainless steel chairs
Images via The Block Shop, where you can shop what you see each week, and nine now.
