It’s the heart of the home, the one space where everyone will meet, greet and prepare to eat, so the kitchen has to be done just right. We all love a bit of kitchen inspo and the Block’s kitchen week always delivers the goods. Last night saw some very different spaces, which is always extra useful and satisfying!
This massive week threw all sorts of curveballs at the Blockheads though and it was not without its challenges. But without further a do, let’s look at who did what, the scores, judges’ comments, as well as some links to shop the look!
Kylie and Brad (first)
“Sultry, moody and sexy,” Shaynna said, as entered Kylie and Brad’s black-accented kitchen. “And expensive!” Marty added, loving the unique colour palette he was sceptical of at first, but now thought was “totally superb”.
With the black Miele appliance blended into ultra matt black Kinsman handleless cabinets, restrained styling and the statement golden (well brushed brass to be accurate) Vari single sink, he was a huge fan. Especially when Darren spotted the “James Bond functionality” of the FurnSpin cabinets for cocktails and glassware and even more storage below the island.
“Space is a luxury,” Darren summed up. “Attention to detail is a luxury and this kitchen is so refined.” It all added up to a stunning kitchen the new house four fan Marty said, “with a level of sophistication and luxury that’s hard to beat.”
Shop the look: Tractor scoop stools by Christian Cole | ABI Interiors brushed brass sink | ABI Interiors commercial brushed brass pullout sink mixer
Maddy and Charlotte (second)
From the herringbone flooring to the Cosentino Taj Mahal stone (especially in the huge island bench), Smeg Neptune ovens, tumbled brass mixer tap from ABI and beautiful Kinsman cabinetry, this was a kitchen that caught the judges immediately.
From a practical viewpoint, Marty was impressed by the layout, the fact the powerpoints were all where they needed to be but tucked out of sight and the whole layout was designed with a holiday home in mind.
The styling caught Shaynna, especially the Anka Oak Counter Stool by Black Mango, who said it was eye-catching but still “restrained enough to let the kitchen do the talking” and the deliberate omission of a butler’s pantry was proof that sometimes they’re just not needed.
Inherited from Jesse and Paige, but given the Maddy and Charlotte touch, this is, Darren finished: “perfectly sized for the house and perfectly finished”.
Shop the look: Anka oak counter stools by Black Mango
Courtney and Grant (third)
Long, smooth and with minimal grout lines, the vast Dekton Khalo surface grabbed all three judges as soon as they walked into house two. “It’s next level and divine!”
The Asko appliances and colour scheme worked perfectly Darren said, adding that the Budino walnut cabinetry “could not be more on trend” and little touches like the Hettich drawer inserts worked well.
But Marty wasn’t as sold. He wanted more drama, a continuation of the marble used elsewhere, more of the Dilly Bar Stools at the island and possibly a different lighting layout. But even with that, he admitted the workmanship and finish was once again top-notch and the curve in the ceiling brought it all together.
Shop the look: Dilly bar stool | Palazzo large scalloped tray
Kristian and Mimi (fourth)
Marmorino Dekton stone, Tuscan Woodmatt joinery from Kinsman and an Olive Green Portofino Smeg oven and rangehood? It all added up to Mimi and Kristian’s kitchen ticking a lot of boxes for the judges.
From the chevron flooring to the Velux skylights, there was a lot to love, they agreed, but the small omissions however, also added up. No powerpoint in the island bench, the stools not quite matching the oven colour, and for Marty an overall aesthetic that was beautiful, but just didn’t match the rest of the house left the judges with a problem. Functionality and style were spot on, but did it all fit?
Shop the look: Kaz Morton fruit bowl | Minera kitchen stool
Ricky and Haydn (last)
“A finished room from the boys,” Marty said as he walked in to Ricky and Haydn’s kitchen. “And the biggest kitchen we’ve seen so far!” But his joy didn’t last as that sheer size overwhelmed him.
Were the Neff appliances, including a combi-steam oven, too far apart? Was intimacy lost by chasing size? And while Darren loved the Nelson kitchen stools and Coastal Oak Kinsman cabinets, the way they worked with the flooring choices and lighting layout. “You couldn’t get more coastal than this!” he said.
Shaynna fell for touches like the shadow line through the grey and white Morpheus Dekton and brass strip in the benchtop but they soon agreed with Marty, it could have been better. But the problems were mostly an easy fix: “This styling is not selling the dream,” Shaynna said.
Shop the look: Nelson kitchen stool | Linen pendant light
Images via The Block Shop, where you can shop what you see each week, and nine now.
