At the halfway point of The Block, the contestants wanted to show the judges just what they could do, with a variety of purposes for their rumpus rooms. From a library, to a games room, wellness centre and more, this was a place to let their vision shine… but not all were loved by the judges. Some were finished perfectly. Others needed more time, but most importantly were they right for the region?
Han & Can (First place)
With the huge TV, matching sound system (and well-crafted acoustics) and what Marty thought was the best couch he’d seen on The Block so far, this was the ideal rumpus/home theatre, the judges said, perfect for a family. Shaynna pointed out the upholstery, coffered ceiling and arches were “so much work in a week” and all set off by what Darren praised as “playful colours, stripes and artworks” layered over a neutral palette for a very effective result.
The Martini Furniture custom wall panels were beautiful, and only the unfinished paint on the back of the door let down an otherwise very marketable room, the judges agreed.
Product pick: Cloud 9 sectional sofa
Emma & Ben (Second place)
From the second the judges saw Ben & Emma’s colour-drenched room, they fell in love. “This is a thing – walls, ceilings, furniture, all the same colour,” Darren explained as he took in the multipurpose space perfect as a second living area, somewhere to relax or maybe even repurpose into an extra bedroom.
For Shaynna it was “almost perfect”, with the right flooring, artwork and styling, especially the ST Sultry candle. The Cooper & Co bookshelf and wooden console table were perfect, but her only worry was the lounge facing the wrong direction. But then this was a room to hang out, she realised, not somewhere to sit and take in the view. And on that front, she said, it was all good.
Product pick: Tama stool
Sonny & Alicia (Third place)
With more colour drenching and this time in a deep burgundy, the judges loved Sonny & Alicia’s library/rumpus, the perfect second living area or retreat for anyone looking for a haven from the hustle of home. Embracing the mid-western style (with a horse in the artwork for the first time this season!) and scalloped Porta Timber features, this combined the perfect Freedom couch with a big screen TV for viewing nights of just relaxing, with an ottoman to make sure everyone can stretch out.
Replace the white light fittings, Shaynna suggested, and paint the aircon grill, and this would be near perfect.
Product picks: Knotted by Hand macramé artwork and Archer coffee table
Britt & Taz (Fourth place)
“Oh,” said Shaynna walking into Britt & Taz’s “wellness centre” “I wasn’t expecting a gym!” And no matter how well-appointed it was, that was her sticking point. Yes, the two pilates reformers were a great idea, the “hydration station” fridge an obvious choice and the sheers draped from the ceiling the perfect touch to bring it together, did it belong in a Daylesford house? Probably not, she argued.
Marty and Darren were equally torn, loving the idea but convinced it should have been in the shed or pool cabana. Will the market agree? Marty wants to wait and see.
Robby & Mat (Fifth place)
From the unfinished floor to a wallpaper that didn’t match the area, furniture pushed against the walls, a desk way too small to be practical and more, this was a room that just felt forgotten, Marty said. “The tiled shelf is nice, the Freedom sofa is lovely, but this is a very low effort,” Darren added… not what he’d come to expect from the Adelaide boys.
The Darren Palmer rug would have contributed so much more, but the room simply wasn’t finished. Even the lighting plan wasn’t working, he added, with no feature lights and no ambiance. The room worked, the judges said, but only as the perfect place for a redo. Ouch!
Product pick: Darren Palmer rug
Comments
Loving Emma & Ben project. The colours are beautiful. One problem though the sofa and chair are not facing the tv set!