The place we spend most of our time and the space that often sets the tone for the rest of the house, the living and dining area is somewhere the Blockheads can showcase their vision.
But it’s not always easy to get right, they know, with the practicality of getting the space right often at odds with creating the feel they want. So, who managed to get that balance just right?
Robby & Mat (First place)
With the right couch, flooring, ceiling, tiling on the fireplace and pendants, Shaynna was immediately in love with Robby & Mat’s living and dining space, which somehow felt bigger despite being the same size as their neighbours. “This is exactly hitting the brief,” Marty said. “This is Daylesford,” Darren added, pointing out the VJ panelling, tiles and flooring, “where people come to stay”.
All agreed the colour palette could have been warmer, perhaps borrowing some of the rich green from the dining chairs, but overall, the styling was spot on, Shaynna added, professional almost. Only some missing caulking stopped a perfect 10, she added.
Product pick: Sorrento modular sofa
Brit & Taz (Second place)
Elegant, country appropriate, but “a lot” Darren said when he walked into Britt & Taz’s living and dining area, but what did he mean? “The colour palette is stunning – the materiality is amazing, he said, pointing out the CSR stone fireplace surround, underfloor heated Beaumont tiles offset by the Moonah and Palmas Rug Addiction rugs and timber ceiling, “Just move the TV and the couch.”
Another Christian Cole dining table, this time paired with Black Mango Anka Oak dining chairs, dominated the eating area, but would it allow enough space for easy access to the coming kitchen? Time would tell. With oozing “modern organic luxury,” Shaynna only wanted the couch moved to take in the view. A great result for the West Australian cops!
Product pick: Travertine look coffee table
Han & Can (Third place)
“A room with a view,” Darren said as he relaxed on Han & Can’s living room couch and took in the graceful curves, pearlescent fireplace veneer with Dekton underneath, beautiful Raking Linen rug (from the Darren Palmer collection), artworks from Lizzie Alsop and Michael Wolfe and statement Christian Cole dining table. “The timber spheres in the base are stunning,” Shaynna said.
A custom – and lockable – wine cabinet was a great idea for anyone looking to rent the home for holiday makers, with the deleted window no loss as it faced the street. Aside from a few layout issues easily fixed by moving the table, this was a big win, the judges agreed.
Product picks: Michael Wolfe canvas print artwork & Bonnie chair
Emma & Ben (Fourth place)
Grand Velux skylights, a beautiful fireplace, Cooper & Co hourglass concrete end table and rich earth tones from the Bungalow Rug, Jackie Green artwork and Sienna nesting tables with brass accents were great, the judges said walking into Ben & Emma’s living and dining space, but were they in the right spot? As comfortable as it was, the Freedom couch didn’t take in the view, the fire was “in no man’s land” Marty added, and the bench might be a bit too rustic to go with the sophistication the rooms needed.
The colour palette of the furniture, Darren added, tied in with other areas of the home, but did that make them predictable? And the dining chairs, Shaynna added, looked a bit “high school” with the visible screws at the back. “Where’s the luxury?” Marty asked.
Product pick: Coco armchair
Sonny & Alicia (Fifth place)
Bringing the external bricks to the living room, with exposed beams in the ceiling and more than enough room left for the kitchen to come, this was a conservative use of space, the judges said of Sonny & Alicia’s living and dining room. Too conservative, in fact. At just three metres long, this was almost apartment sized, Marty said. And the fireplace was beautiful, but in the wrong place, Darren added, highlighting the fact the lounge area was small.
And while he loved the Rug Addiction Droplets handmade rug and Darren Palmer Collection Heirloom Plum rugs and artwork, especially the large Vanessa Ashcroft piece “Bush Serenade”, the furniture was perfect, he said, but not for this space. Move things down, go larger and save the space, the judges said.
Product pick: Vanessa Ashcroft limited edition canvas print
