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

January 27, 2015 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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The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’— Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’—
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner ๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ˜
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks since leaving hospital and I'm doing much better than I expected to be at this early stage. A long recovery road ahead but making progress in how much I can move my arm and although I drag myself through some days non-stop yawning, others I can go for a little walk or out for lunch before collapsing on the couch! I can now tie my own hair back and put on a real bra which is very exciting ๐Ÿคฃ Having my bestie here to help us with the boys, drive me places and just be brilliant positive company is the best thing I could have asked for not to mention the many Dinner Ladies vouchers from friends! Thanks for all your kind messages, cards, flowers, gifts and offers of help โค๏ธ
I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping to raise some awareness off the back of my misfortune (and also very lucky escape).

@newsouthwaleshealth have just put out this warning about a rise in serious bacterial infections. iGAS (invasive group A streptococcus) is what caused my necrotising fasciitis and sepsis.

Apparently there's similar happening in VIC too.

It's extremely rare but very serious nonetheless so please have a read and be aware of symptoms. I've linked to the article from a button via my link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #jenbishop #necrotisingfasciitis #groupastrep #groupastreptococcus #sepsis
While new technologies continue to shape the inter While new technologies continue to shape the interior design scene, one that has been getting a fair bit of traction of late isย marble-look porcelain. A cheaper alternative to natural stone, the latest printed porcelain tile technology makes it difficult to distinguish from the real thing.

Founded by husband and wife duo Anton and Rita Bourtsev, Sydneyโ€™s @kaolintiles has a unique offering in this space with over 100 different marble-look tile designs in small and large formats.

More via link in bio now.

#porcelain #porcelaintile #porcelaintiles #largeformattiles #largeformattile #marblelooktiles #bathroomtrends2023 #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #realrenovations #goldsink #brasssink #jenbishop #kaolin #kaolintiles #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger
Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I'll post and I hope to be home and with my lippie back on by Monday. You know it's serious when I'm lipstick free, right?!

This was about a week ago in intensive care. And although my arm is still bloody sore I'm now on a normal ward and no longer attached to any drips, drains or a catheter. I've come a long way.

This has been the most physical and mental challenge of my life but I'm through the worst. I kept my arm. The doctors saved my life.

I cannot say it enough times. If you're worried about your health, don't hang around. Things can change so quickly. 

A huge thanks to my amazing husband @damianfrancis We've had the hardest year yet and our marriage has never been stronger, even if my rings did get cut off my finger in hospital ๐Ÿ˜œ

As great of a job as he is doing at home with the kids, I cannot wait to get home now. Countdown is on to a new year and a fresh start.

And I can't say enough just how overwhelmingly grateful I am to all the medical professionals involved in my care, from the @healthdirectaus nurse who sent me to Emergency to the exceptional surgeons, doctors, nurses and support staff.

Happy New Year, everyone. Remember you never know what's around the corner and this is not a dress rehearsal!

And huge thank you for all your kindness here. Has been amazing while stuck in bed.

Xxx

For those who missed it, I was unlucky enough to get necrotising fasciitis. You'll have to Google it.
The unluckiest girl or the luckiest? Day 6 in int The unluckiest girl or the luckiest?

Day 6 in intensive care after suddenly coming down with a very serious necrotising fasciitis in my elbow on Sunday. Four operations later (with more to come) I'm out of the woods, alive and have my arm. But I won't be going home until after Christmas. Also picked up a bonus bit of pneumonia to keep things interesting.

I won't lie. This has been super super hard but I feel extremely lucky nonetheless. Have come across some exceptional surgeons, anaesthetists, doctors and nurses who have been incredibly kind at my most vulnerable as well as great at their jobs. I'm really grateful. Huge thank you to my amazing husband who is holding down the fort with the help and cooking of our wonderful friends. And to friends who check in, send love, flowers, snacks and sushi, I will never forget it.

Of course I will be sad tomorrow but my boys can visit and we will have another Christmas next month.

I'll leave you with this. Never ever ignore those health niggles. @healthdirectaus is always a great starting point.

Wishing you all a merry Christmas and will enjoy everyone else's celebrations on here with only a hint of bitterness ๐Ÿ˜‰

PS. Does this win the most unflattering photo of me ever published? I think so! No lippy for a WEEK.
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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 8 years. She is married to Damian and mum to Sebastian and Charlie.

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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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