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Darren Palmer on The Block starting tonight: less good cop and more cranky Daz?

By Jen Bishop โ€ข 2 Comments

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With The Block Triple Threat starting tonight, we spoke to friend of Interiors Addict and judge Darren Palmer about the reality behind the scenes and his exciting business growth and personal reno plans for 2015.

Jen and Darren. Photo by Jacqui Turk
Jen and Darren. Photo by Jacqui Turk

We’re on the edge of our seats waiting for the The Block to start again tonight, and what better time to catch up with our old friend Darren for a chat about all the important issues (like facial hair, alleged fixes and bringing back former contestants)? I asked him to throw some light on just how last-minute some of the filming is, and why the judges really don’t know much about the contestants until we do. โ€œThe auction really is almost live. They need to film it and then edit it but by the time they are finished cutting it together it is on air. It’s a very quick turn around. The “on the couch” segments with Shaynna and Neale are filmed before and during when The Block is on air but with the renovation part of the show, the main Block, there’s a lot of footage that needs to be edited and cut together so they need the time to get the job right so it films prior to being on air.โ€

Darren Palmer

Despite calls of โ€œfix!โ€ Darren (and Shaynna) maintain it just isn’t the case. โ€œThere are no fixes,โ€ Darren confirms. โ€œWe don’t actually get to know the contestants until we see them on the TV and we see their personalities and the drama that unfolds, as well as some of the less than kind things some of them have had to say about us! (That must hurt!) Of course, we have returning contestants this year so we have had some exposure to them but the rooms are what we judge, not the people otherwise it’d just be a popularity contest. The audience have favourites but the judges don’t. It’s a matter of whether it’s a good room or not and who did the best job out of all of the contestants. Keeps the job as simple as it can be.โ€

There was never any question of the judging trio changing according to Darren. โ€œWe’re a team and we work super well together. We respect each other and our opinions on things and we all have different experiences and expertise. We have a differing point of view on aesthetic things and the judging process which is why it works. I personally love it when we don’t agree. A good bit of argy-bargy is good viewing and I like giving Shaynna and Neale an opportunity to change my mind. I don’t usually have very fixed ideas on things and am happy to try on another point of view to see how it fits before I settle on an opinion.โ€

The Block judges: Neale, Shaynna and Darren
The Block judges: Neale, Shaynna and Darren

And while being the show’s resident Mr Nice Guy is all well and good, we love a bit of a strong opinion here at Interiors Addict! โ€œYou’ll see a bit more of cranky Daz, I think. There’s a few instances where my empathy drops a touch perhaps but all in all, I try to give feedback and help rather than criticism. There are a few truly disappointing moments which make me take off my good cop hat, but I try to put myself in their shoes and look at it with an objective, helpful view rather than a critical, discouraging one.โ€

Darren’s very happy to see Bec and George, Matt and Kim and Dee and Darren return this series. โ€œI wish they all could go through but alas, that’s not to be.โ€ Rumour has it that it will only be an episode or two before three previous contestant couples become one.

This series’ development in Melbourne’s ritzy South Yarra is smaller in scale to Glasshouse so Darren says it feels a bit more like the Blocks of old. โ€œThe real estate though is among the most expensive that The Block has seen, so whilst the spaces are slightly more modest in scale, the finish level and sophistication has to be at a level that will appeal to a luxury market. It’s a tough brief and there are the same constraints as always; seven days a week, finite budgets and huge expectations. I’m happier to be on this side of the judging table that’s for sure!โ€

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Like us, seeing the final room reveals is his favourite part. โ€œThat’s what I love about my job and the industry in general and The Block is just the same. I really love walking through the spaces and seeing how the couples have interpreted the brief and the market. Sometimes, especially earlier in the competition, the couples haven’t really thought about the brief at all or completed any due diligence on the market. That shows pretty swiftly so when I’ve had a chance to give feedback to the contestants it’s almost always “define your brief and research the market”!โ€

What’s hard is when all the couples do a brilliant job and the difference between first and second can be a simple omission or error resulting in half a point. โ€œIt’s equally hard if all the couples but one do a fairly average job. I never want to be the one that discourages them as I know, first hand, how hard the competition is. But when it comes to my integrity as a professional assessing these spaces, I have to call it as I see it. If something has faults, errors, issues with finish or planning or whatever the case may be, I can’t say it’s great. If the contestants find issues that I didn’t then it calls into question my judgement. So I’m assessing the spaces very closely and being very considered and mathematical, which can look harsh. And, as we all know, I like to think of myself as the nice judge!โ€

Down to important issues: will Darren be keeping his more rugged facial hair look for this series?

โ€œAfter you said that I should keep the beard Jen, I’d be mad to get rid of it, wouldn’t I? No, there are a few weeks where I’m a bit light on with the facial hair — one week after a James Bond costume party where I’m freshly shaved — the first time in probably four years! My son actually said that I looked handsome but like another man! Another man that’s five years younger in my opinion, but Jen, if you think the beard adds to the appeal I’ll be keeping it. You’re the voice of my fan base after all!โ€

Glad to hear it!

Sales of Darren’s book, Easy Luxury, are going well, with it going into reprint before Christmas. He’s in discussion for the next one, but we won’t see it until next year due to his hectic schedule in 2015. โ€œWe’re shooting and I’ve pitched the idea and it’s been taken up, so it’s just a matter of tying up the deal, delivering the copy and shooting everything required around all of the other things I have cooking at the moment.โ€

For the same reasons, Darren’s scaled back his renovation plans for his own home, so he can continue living there while the project is completed. He eventually has his eye on a probable move back to the beach. โ€œIt’s also keeping more of the original structure intact and we can live through it and it will realise more profit with less expenditure which is the goal. I’ll probably follow this project very closely with images and videos and things so I can tell the story more clearly as it unfolds. Watch this space. I’m also doing up my beach house for the purpose of renting it to a designer market. Both of these projects I’m really looking forward to but it’s a bit like a cobbler’s shoe or the plumber’s tap!โ€

From a business perspective, things are looking distinctly impressive too, employing a righthand woman to help him keep his hectic schedule in check, moving into an office in Woollahra and writing a new monthly column for Australian House & Garden.

โ€œThe office is the sort of place that I saw my business occupying in my head for years — soaring ceilings, oak floors (from my range of flooring for Carpet Court, no less!), six huge arched windows and space all to ourselves. It’s really exciting. Perhaps when I get it looking perfect I’ll let you all see it.โ€

You’d better, Darren!

So, in short, Darren’s keeping the facial hair and he’s still going to be the good cop really. We wouldn’t have it any other way!

Tune into The Block Triple Threat at 7.30pm tonight on Nine.

Read all our Block latest.

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January 27, 2015

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Appliance colour trends: They've certainly change Appliance colour trends:

They've certainly changed over the years. Remember when ALL fridges were white?! I remember the original BROWN wall oven in our 60s kitchen here pre-reno! I think the dishwasher was brown and beige (and it tripped the electrics every time we used it!) ๐Ÿ˜œ

What do you think of this new dark stainless steel option (pictured) from Westinghouse as seen in @dnaofdesign_'s latest reno? Yay or nay? 

What colour do you like your appliances?

See the rest of this home and kitchen and laundry design tips from the ex Blockheads on the blog now via link in bio.

#kitchenappliances #walloven #wallovens #combioven #combioven #microwaves #builtinappliances #builtinoven #builtinovens #homeappliance #westinghouse #kitchentrends #ovens #laundryappliances #darkstainlesssteel #stainlesssteelappliances
SALE ALERT! Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my fav SALE ALERT!

Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my favourite home stores @shack.furniture.homewares are having their annual warehouse sale this week, from Thursday until Saturday.

HUGE savings on furniture, homewares and decor with 30 to 80% off. Wowsers!

I'm a big fan of SHACK and can never leave one of their stores without a few styling goodies for my place! It's just too tempting!

While you're at the sale, mention Interiors Addict for an extra 10% off!

Unit 16a, 1801 Botany Rd, Banksmeadow NSW 2019

Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd June 2023, 9am to 4pm. Not online.

#sydneyshopping #sydneysale #sydneysales #sydneyfurniture #shackfurniture #shackfurniturehomewares #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #comeshoppingwithme
A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in th A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in this bathroom is one of the cleverest designs we've seen in a while!

This mega ledge, made of Corian, even incorporates a sink, seamlessly.

Combined with venetian plaster on the walls, it's no wonder this Illawarra bathroom by @birdblackdesign feels like a day spa!

Come check it out via link bio.

Lead designer Stuart Gibson says: "One smooth curve, right around the room, from either side of the door opening. As it moves around, it creates a ledge for the bath: for bath oils, lotions, a book and a champagne glass. The ledge continues around and becomes the vanity, widening out to create a custom seamless basin."

#bathroomhappiness #bathroomdetails #bathroomshelves #bathroomshelf #venetianplastering #coriandesign #coriansolidsurface #spalikebathroom #spabathroom #sustainablebathroom
Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last night?

We have all the before and afters for you on the blog now, via link in bio (and swipe for a taster).

#sellinghouses #sellinghousesaustralia #foxtel #lifestylechannel #beforeandafterkitchen #beforeandafterlivingroom #beforeandafterrenovation #realitytv #housetours #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
๐Ÿ˜ Not sure what's better: the custom mirror abo ๐Ÿ˜ Not sure what's better: the custom mirror above the fireplace in this Art Deco one-bedder or the wallpaper in the kitchen (swipe)?!

It's been a while since we featured an apartment makeover on IA. Would you like to see more apartment interiors? Head to the blog now to see more of this one. Via link in bio.

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Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sh Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sheets and soap and powder!). We have a great roundup of the best options on the blog today. 

A whole host of brands are offering eco-friendly, low tox alternatives to the more chemical-laden ones. Not only that, they often smell amazing, look good on your shelf and come in recycled or recyclable (or even better, both) packaging. 

Good for your skin, your clothes and the planet: whatโ€™s not to like?

Do you use any of these?

COMPARE THEM ALL VIA LINK IN BIO NOW.

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Play room goals!๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป This is just one room fr Play room goals!๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป

This is just one room from today's real house tour which I really love because in employing interior designer @issyandhcreative the owners weren't looking for a complete rip out and re-do but rather to work with what they had in their new suburban home (including a dated kitchen) and give it a largely cosmetic glow up with styling and new furniture (some of which was upcycled). 

The brief was to create a family friendly home. "They weren't looking for perfection but rather a warm and relaxing retreat for their busy young family." This playroom though? Pretty close to perfect! And the mum did the colour coded books herself. Love that๐Ÿ˜

Head over to the blog now via link in bio to see the rest of this home.

#playroomideas #playroomgoals #playroomdecor #familyhomes #kidfriendlyhome #kidfriendlyinteriors #familyhomedecor #sustainabledecor #affordablerenovations #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #beanbagchair #beanbags #colourcodedbooks #colourcoded #toyroom #kidsroomdesign 

Pix by @tealily
All the heart eyes for this little setup ๐Ÿ˜ Hea All the heart eyes for this little setup ๐Ÿ˜

Head to the blog to shop this and two other gorgeous styled images from @greenhouseinteriors 

The stunning @mrsniceart artwork has already sold but the good news is, you can still get prints of it!

Styling by Aisha Chaudhry for Greenhouse Interiors, assisted by Nikki McGar, Kylie Harris, Rachael Blake and Max Green. Photography by Stephanie Rooney. 

#poolart #sideboardstyling #buffetstyling #consolestyling #vignettes #greenhouseinteriors #barcartstyling #shopthelook #bluehomedecor #poolumbrella #beachumbrella
Bookworms need a cosy book nook! ๐Ÿ“– ๐Ÿ› Seb an Bookworms need a cosy book nook! ๐Ÿ“– ๐Ÿ›

Seb and Charlie had one of those kid size couches in their playroom but frankly, they'd outgrown it! I picked this Aussie made compact 2-seater Ruby sofa from @fantasticfurniture 

I'd usually go for grey to keep it neutral but as it's in a kid's room I went for this heather blue fabric to make it a little more fun while still classic. There's more than 50 fabric choices for Fantastic's Aussie made range so good luck choosing ๐Ÿ˜‚ 

I left the legs off to keep it below the windowsill. I'm super happy with the quality. It looks a lot more expensive than its $699 pricetag ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป

Books, natural light and a cosy couch = happy boys! And let's not pretend they won't be watching the odd movie on there too ๐Ÿฟ because #keepingitreal

#FantasticFurniture #FantasticFamily #booknook #booknookstagram #booknook #bookwormsofinstagram #littlereader #littlebookworm #cosycorner #cosycorner #playroomideas #toyroom #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #aussiemade #aussiemadefurniture #twoseater #kidssofa #kidscouch #bluesofa #loveofreading
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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 10 years. She is mum to two young boys and lives in Sydney.

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Comments

  1. AvatarMaree gardner says

    January 28, 2015 at 4:27 pm

    The photo of Darren has a cushion on his left side can you tell me it came from and how much please. Also I have found it hard to buy a copy of his book so I have had to get a copy from the library and for me that is not good as I would love a copy for myself.

    Reply
    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      February 1, 2015 at 12:40 pm

      Hi Maree. If you contact Darren via his website, I’m sure he can help on both counts: http://www.darrenpalmer.com/contact.php

      Reply

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