From the compact and practical to the spacious and luxurious, every variation of en suite was tried this week as The Block couples went all out to win some much-needed funds. It was a challenging week for all and in the end, Scotty said the results were high-end rooms that will be absolutely crucial to the sale of their homes. There was a tie for first place with Kristy and Brett and Eliza and Liberty (my personal favourite bathroom) scoring an impressive 28 out of 30 each.
Kristy and Brett (Tied for first place)
“How good is this?” asked Marty as he took in Brett and Kristy’s clean crisp and contemporary master ensuite. And from the basin to the finger tiles, Shaynna agreed. “A complete connection to the downstairs bathroom,” she said. Darren argued for more shower rails – horizontal, not vertical, he added – and the lighting plan was slightly off, Marty added, but overall they applauded the planning and execution of the space, noting the vertical linear elements throughout the room were “very well considered” and the green, oak and grey colour palette worked superbly. It is, Marty summed up: “the cherry on top of this entire master wing”.
Shop the look: Lawson stool and Luella wall light
Eliza and Liberty (Tied for first place)
“Love the palette, love the tiles and the floor plan? Perfect!” said Marty Fox as he walked into the sisters’ master ensuite, which took advantage of the home’s raked ceiling and east-facing windows to create a light and airy accompaniment to the master bedroom. With top-level finishes courtesy of the new build team, Shaynna and Darren joined in, complimenting the layout and styling choices, including Marty pointed out, the perfectly placed towel rail. The only issue they could find was the positioning of the vanities, which all felt were a touch too high, but in an otherwise beautiful room – thankfully moss free! – they were happy to let that slide.
Shaynna loved the styling and Marty said the bathroom warmed your soul, it was that good, and the girls were hitting their stride at the right time, adding they were hot contenders to win the competition.
Shop the look: Shampoo and conditioner duo | Midnight Stories candle
Leah and Ash (Third place)
Boasting diamond-shaped tiles, natural stone, a large bench behind its archway entrance, Leah and Ash’s shower was the star of their ensuite, with Marty happily saying “you could fit 10 people in here!” The doorway, which opened onto tiles, was a worry, the judges agreed, but with the bathroom itself boasting ample drawers for storage, sconces to echo the downstairs home, and enough space to create a real air of luxury, this was a true master ensuite.
Marty would have preferred a different plan to make better use of natural light, but for Shaynna, they only change needed is to ditch the “Nudie Rudie” bathmat. “It drags down the prestige.” I have to agree the styling let this bathroom down and removing all the orange and the playful bathmat (no offence, Sage & Clare, we love your bathmats!) would up the luxe factor. I also don’t think this bathroom has photographed well compared to the what we saw on the TV.
Shop the look: Extendable mirror with LED light
Kyle and Leslie (Fourth place)
With a pair of matching showers and nib walls rather than the traditional glass, Kyle and Leslie had created art, Darren declared, as he noted the porcelain and Dekton that mimic Travertine. Add in basins and tapware that all agreed were next level luxury and it should be the perfect addition to the master it accompanies.
But the functionality didn’t quite make it. The toilet, said Marty, should face the other way and for Shaynna there simply wasn’t enough storage plus the cabinet hits the light when opened. And all agreed the showers themselves felt “tight”. It looks fantastic, they agreed, but doesn’t work as well.
Shop the look: Wall hung vanity | Decorative urn
Steph and Gian (Last place)
Boldly using the James Hardie textured wall panelling – usually an outdoor product – against soft marble and a dark timber vanity, Steph and Gian created an ensuite that continued their Japandi aesthetic and brought a luxe feel to their master suite. But not everything worked, the judges decided.
Marty was quick to point out while he loved the tiles, basins and tapware, it all felt “a bit industrial” and the vanity would work better on the opposite wall, freeing up the space for face-level storage. Shaynna was once again exasperated at the grate placement and Darren thought the panels needed a substantial tweak to elevate the space.
Marty hated it and said it felt like a quarantine facility that was harsh with the layout all wrong. Don’t hold back! (I did think that was a little over the top!) Shaynna said it was all about the moodboard and wasn’t about how someone was going to use the space.
Shop the look: Tropicana side table | antique wooden ladder
Results recap
- Tie 1st: Eliza & Liberty and Kristy & Brett: 28
- 3rd: Leah & Ash: 23.5
- 4th: Kyle & Leslie: 22.5
- 5th: Steph & Gian: 21
