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Introducing Frank Valentic, one third of The Block’s new judging panel

January 23, 2015 3 Comments

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For anyone who loves The Block as much as I do, you would remember Frank Valentic, the entertaining buyers’ advocate whose bidderโ€™s paddle has popped up countless times in the last five series.

frank the block interiors addict

Almost a cast member himself, it may come as no surprise that this year, Frank has been asked back to The Block in an official capacity, forming one-third of the new judging panel โ€“ the buyers’ jury.

โ€œThe new judging panel is myself (from Advantage Property), Greville Pabst from WBP Property Group and Nicole Jacobs of Jacobs Buying Group. Together, each week after the room reveals, we rate the rooms on what we think the buyers would want. Based less on styling and interior design but more on practicality, functionality and all the other things buyers are looking for.โ€

frank, greville, nicole interiors addict
Greville, Nicole and Frank

Now donโ€™t be alarmed, the regular judges will still be there! With Shaynna Blaze, Darren Palmer and Neale Whitaker scoring on their usual Sunday and giving the winning team a massive $10,000. However, itโ€™s the following dayย that will see the buyersโ€™ jury score the contestants, with theย winning team snagging $5,000. This will give one couple potential weekly winnings of $15,000, though who knows ifย thatโ€™ll beย likely.ย โ€œI think thereโ€™ll be differences between both judging panels. I donโ€™t think thereโ€™ll be any major incidentsย where weโ€™re the total opposite, but there will be some. After all, we’re looking at the rooms from different points of view. Styling’sย not our strong point, we donโ€™t care about the colour of the cushions or what the curtains look like, we are looking at the room from the buyersโ€™ point of view.โ€

Frank with host of The Block Scott Cam
Frank andย host of The Block Scott Cam

No one can forget the auction disaster of The Block Glasshouse, where one couple went home with $40,000 and another two couples, a meagre $10,000 apiece. Aiming to deter that from happening again, the buyersโ€™ jury hope to be the answer. โ€œIf they listen to our feedback it will make a difference come auction day. Itโ€™s really the buyers that make the decisions. Yes, the judges will give feedback, but ultimately, on auction day, itโ€™s the buyers who are putting their hands in their pockets.”

frank darren dea interiors addict
Frank and contestants Darren and Dea

With The Block Triple Threat being Frankโ€™s first real foray into television, heโ€™s found the experience a whole lot of fun, a new challenge and a perfect chance to have some banter with his fellow judges! โ€œThis has definitely been out of my comfort zone, but I just try to have fun with it and most importantly give good feedback. Greville, Nicole and myself all get on well. Greville and I have some good banter and Nicole is probably more professional than us, you could describe it that way! We all have different opinions and never agree for the sake of agreeing.โ€

The Block Triple Threat starts on Tuesday!ย Find allย The Blockย latestย here.

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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 Olivia Shead

When she's not writing for Interiors Addict, Olivia is now a TV and radio news producer. She's a journalism graduate of UTS Sydney.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarHH says

    January 25, 2015 at 9:51 am

    Great! Yes, when it comes to buying I think functionality comes ahead of the whether the colour of the art work contrasts with the trim on the cushions. True the feel of the room is important but style does not win over substance. Only boo for the show is the return of Dee (I’ll need to have the mute ready for her self righteous rants…nails on a chalk board).

    Reply
  2. AvatarGenene says

    January 26, 2015 at 11:57 am

    Great idea! As a block fan from the very first season, I’ve been wanting them to bring back John McGrath to the weekly judging panel. As much as design is important, I think it’s a bit too focused on throw pillows, live plants and bed linen!

    Reply
  3. AvatarWAM Home Decor (@WAMdecor) says

    January 27, 2015 at 11:15 am

    The WAM team cant wait for the block to start…and while we love seeing all those soft furnishings, cushions and throw rugs and hearing the judges advice on what to put where…some logical advice on what buyers would want beyond that will be great to see.

    Reply

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