A shed is a shed, right? Wrong! It can be an art space, golfer’s haven, a gym and more. That’s what the Blockheads proved when they turned their Stratco Sheds into a range of usable, functional and fun spaces. But which was the best?
How about for the alfrescos, all designed to make the most of the patio spaces each home was gifted thanks to the original design, but all absolutely unique?
And with only one house boasting a wine cellar after weeks of secrets and schemes, was it really all just a race to second place for houses 1-to-4?
Robby & Mat (First place)
From the highs of the massive Trendz fireplace to the lows of the “underwhelming” furniture on the deck and the middle ground of a usable but uninspiring outdoor kitchen, the judges didn’t have any great emotion about Robby & Mat’s alfresco area.
The shed piqued their interest however, with Darren (of course!) loving the idea of a full at-home gym, sharing space with a well-appointed tool area.
But it was downstairs that the judges were waiting to see… And it was love at first sight. “This is insane!” Shaynna said as she and the judges walked into the shipping container-sized sunken space. With the right colour, lighting, cabinets (including a Gaggenau fridge), this was a winner right down to the wallpaper designed by Robby. And a clear winner.
Get the look: Twin Peak outdoor fireplace
Sonny & Alicia (Second place)
The most “connected” alfresco presented, Sonny & Alicia’s outdoor kitchen and dining area incorporated the bricks of the building’s façade, the style of the adjacent dining room and a style all its own to put a smile on all the judges’ faces. And the overhead heating? “Welcome to Rancho Relaxo!” Marty said.
The orientation of the EcoDeck helped with the impression of space, Darren said, with the “shediest shed on The Block” a pleasant surprise. With a workbench that doubled as a pool/pingpong table and games storage, this was a multipurpose space perfect for the area, Shaynna said. You could even, Marty said, make this a place to store a classic car…
Get the look: Darren Palmer outdoor rug
Britt & Taz (Third place)
With a teppanyaki plate, barbecue, outdoor fridge and a huge outdoor dining area (even if some of it looked a little rushed, like the rangehood) Britt & Taz’s alfresco ate into the deck space, the judges said, but thanks to clever furniture choice including the super-comfortable B2C Furniture Casa Hardwood Counter Stools, that was fine by them.
In the shed, the judges found a workable but simple tool space on one side and a well-finished and fitted wine-tasting area on the other. Stylish and sexy, Marty said: “This is pretty bloody cool! It would have been a great place to sip and sample the area’s offerings, Shaynna said, but was it compliant? She’d wait and see.
Get the look: Wood-fired oven
Emma & Ben (Fourth place)
Under a Stratco variable awning on the expansive merbau deck, Shaynna immediately found a place in one of the huge wicker chairs that bookended the patio table in a space that was, Darren agreed, “an entertainer’s delight!” It’s got everything you could need, he said, with excellent BBQ from E&S and Gozney Pizza oven making for “a really well fitted out outdoor kitchen”.
Inside the shed they found space split between the traditional tools (with a high-tech Ryobi touch, of course) and a golf simulator. Was it a bit masculine, Shaynna wondered… not at all said Marty, if anything it’s just opened a whole new market!
Get the look: Oak counter stool
Han & Can (Fifth place)
Placing a Japanese garden under the shelter of the Stratco Patio roof might have created a deck oasis, but at the cost of space, Marty said. And while the outdoor kitchen was functional and well appointed, with a perfect colour scheme carried through to the furniture, it was unfinished, with missing tiles, random styling and a bar fridge pushed off to one side.
The potting/painting shed was “bougie” Shaynna said, with the brick panelling and Velux skylights, but was it the best use of resources, Marty asked especially given it was another unfinished room. It was, Shaynna replied, with Can’s custom wallpaper a delight, but looking at the bench seat and stools she had the same question she had at house three… was it compliant when it comes to being assessed as a habitable space?
Get the look: Tamala rope aluminium chair
Comments
Such different ideas of a shed! The DIYer in me is loving that tool one… but the wine room is pretty genius too, ha!