Jimmy and Tam won for the second week in a row last night. Impressive stuff! And I have to agree their 1950s bathroom (below) was the best.
Let’s recap what everyone did and what the judges said, plus where to buy our favourite pieces.
Harry and Tash | 1920s house | 21.5/30 | Last place
The Victorian father and daughter had a great first week with the judges but not so much in week two. They had the smallest bathroom on The Block but there were lots of issues for the judges. While all the tiles were nice on their own, they did not work together! Shaynna in particular thought the floor tiles did not fit the 1920s brief. Why wouldn’t they use terrazzo?!
Neale did like the basin and the curved edges of the bathroom cabinet. However overall, he didn’t think they nailed the brief. “I’m clutching at straws to find things which are 1920s. They’re going down that generic heritage path.”
Shaynna said the shower glass wasn’t quite high enough and the vanity should have been a pedestal basin. Darren said it needed underfloor heating considering it is a luxury house in Brighton. But that it was a great layout for a small space.
“If they don’t get this brief right again I might get a little but nasty,” said Shaynna! Neale added: “Please pay attention to the brief!”
Our picks: Kado Neue vanity with Caesarstone top and arched mirror shaving cabinet.
Sarah and George | 1940s house | 27/30 | Second place
After some negative feedback in week one, a relieved Sarah and George had some great feedback from all three judges this week. Their bathroom was a perfect mix of the 1940s era mixed with contemporary. “The 1940s never looked so glamorous,” said Neale. “This luxury is off the charts,” added Shaynna. “The detailing in here is really on point,” said Darren.
The judges loved the Plush Pink tiles from Beaumont Tiles. The whole colour palette was stunning. They also thought it was a very well thought out bathroom planning wise, in particular the wall that Sarah and George installed to keep the toilet separate from the shower, and the under floor heating.
“It is part bathroom, part cathedral,” said Neale, referring to the skylights. But Darren pointed out the shower diverter was too high to reach without wearing heels!
Our pick: The stunning Issy Blossom vanity.
Daniel and Jade | 1930s house | 23/30 | Fourth place
It was a really tough week for Daniel and Jade after the death of Daniel’s grandfather in South Australia. They had to leave The Block for the funeral but returned to finish off their room, saying it would have made him proud.
Where were the thirties though, the judges asked? “If you could pick one of the worst laminates to put in this bathroom, that is definitely it,” said Shaynna. “And that laminate and that tile together is 10 years old; dated already.”
“There’s nothing in here that either relates to the period of the house or the room they delivered last week,” Neale added. “It’s a complete copout. Yes it’s beautiful but it’s meant to be meeting a brief.”
Darren said the market would love the bathroom but it was a very 2020 bathroom. He agreed the vanity needed replacing for something more statement.
Our picks: The gorgeous Issy Blossom triple mirror shaving cabinet | Brass wall light | Olie hand and body wash
Luke and Jasmin | 1910s house | 25.5/30 | Third place
“Now that is a bit more like it,” said Neale. Darren, who visited Luke and Jasmin in the week to give them some tips on what the 1910s era is, said it got the brief with a contemporary feel.
“The combination of the VJ panelling with the beautiful decorative glass and the fluted glass gives it a period feel. It feels appropriate.”
Shaynna said it was elegant, refined and delicate. “The tiles have the aged look.”
The judges loved the reeded shower screen but said the ribbed side should have been on the outside of the shower to make it easier to clean. The lack of face-level storage and towel rail was also an issue.
The basin, the wall sconces and the tapware were a hit.
Our pick: Aksel brass wall light
Jimmy and Tam | 1950s house | 28.5/30 | First place
The Brisbane couple were a bit worried when Darren compared their bathroom to a public pool, but it was all in a good, sentimental way. Jimmy and Tam nailed everything again this week. The terrazzo tiles and stool were perfect, and the colour palette matched their winning bathroom in week one. The green vanity was also a wonderful choice. They nailed the heritage brief the best out of anyone this week on The Block.
Neale said “This bathroom has to me a more generally fifties vibe. The reference to a swimming pool is unmistakable. It sends you back to a different era. I can’t remember the last time I walked into a bathroom and got such a big smile on my face.”
Shaynna could not stop smiling either. Neale noticed there was no handle on the door. But there wasn’t much else they could criticise!
Our picks: Nood Co. (by former Blockheads Matt and Kim) Box concrete coloured sink | Terrazzo tooth stump stool from Fenton & Fenton.
What did YOU think?
Next week: master bedrooms
