• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Interiors Addict

Heart Your Home

@interiorsaddict on Instagram   @interiorsaddict on Facebook   @interiorsaddict on Pinterest  
Subscribe
  • Job Board
  • About
  • Before & Afters
  • RENO ADDICT
  • Kitchens
  • Bathrooms
  • Kids Rooms
  • Bedrooms
  • Living Room
  • Shopping
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipes
  • Parenting
  • Travel
Interiors Addict
  • Job Board
  • About
    • Our Story

      Australia’s largest interior design, styling and renovation blog for the everyday Aussie. By former journalist and magazine editor Jen Bishop, the original interiors addict!
      READ MORE

      We’re big on Instagram!
      @interiorsaddict

      • About
      • Contact Interiors Addict
      • Work with Interiors Addict
      • Advertise / Find a job in Interiors
      • Press
      • Get Your Free Ebook

        This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • By Room
    • Browse by Room

      Where you can search for all our posts about a specific room. Only interested in kitchens and bathrooms? We got you!

      • Kitchens
      • Bathrooms
      • Kids Rooms
      • Bedrooms
      • Living Room
      • Home Office
      • Dining
      • Laundry
      • Outdoor & Exteriors
      • Renting
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • Before & Afters
    • Before & Afters

      Who doesn’t LOVE a good before & after? If you want to be inspired by the whole reno process, and not just the shiny photos at the end, this is the place for you!

      View Articles

      • Before & Afters
      • Jen’s reno
      • Real Renos
      • RENO ADDICT
    • AFTER lounge80’s beach shack now an eclectic, retro-inspired holiday home
    • Tv-Removal-2_a-1Before and after: how to make the most of compact living
  • Reno Addict
    • RENO ADDICT

      Looking for reno inspo? Find it all here, from other people’s projects to the latest trends, tools and products, whether you’re DIY-ing or employing trades.

      View articles

      • Reno Products
      • The Block
      • DIY
      • Reno Trends
      • Before & Afters
      • Real Renos
    • AFTER lounge80’s beach shack now an eclectic, retro-inspired holiday home
    • AFTER kitchenKitchen reno proves space planning just as important as finishes
  • Shopping
    • Shopping

      Want to know where to buy the latest furniture, homewares, rugs, art and more? We’re always sharing our latest finds and telling you where you can buy them.

      View Articles

      • Furniture
      • Homewares
      • Art
      • Smart Home
      • Appliances
      • Reno Products
    • Greg Natale accessoriesGreg Natale debuts new lifestyle collection at Maison&Objet Paris
    • Joan BlondNew Aussie original art collection inspired by our endless summer
  • Inspiration
    • Inspiration

      While Jen’s a legitimate interiors addict, she’s no design professional, so she calls on an army of the country’s best to share their expertise with you. Be inspired by their stories too!

      View Articles

      • Decorating 101
      • Interviews
      • Expert Tips
      • Before & Afters
      • House Tours
      • Designers
      • Styling
      • Renovating
      • Real Renos
      • Covet my coffee table
    • Screen Shot 2023-01-23 at 4.05.25 pmTerrazzo and character are in and grey is out, says designer
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle

      We’re mostly about the home but Jen also likes to share other things she thinks you’ll love, like food and travel.

      • Recipes
      • Travel
      • Parenting
    • 0Q7A5539Foodie Friday: Confit salmon with preserved lemon & pomegranate
    • Burrawang HouseNew Hamptons style luxury retreat in the NSW Southern Highlands
  • Jobs
    • Advertise on our job board
    • Job Board FAQs for advertisers

The Block 2021 garage (and more) reveals and some harsh words!

October 25, 2021 2 Comments

FacebookPinEmailTweet

Garages with full-wall murals and fancy doors, storage, home offices and wine storage! There was so much revealed last night on The Block, it’s no wonder even the most diligent contestants couldn’t finish it all perfectly! There were some amazing reveals and some very harsh words from the judges for those who just didn’t get it together (I’m looking at you, Josh and Luke!)! “There’s two words for this and one of them is cluster,” may just go down in history as my favourite judge’s comment ever (thanks Darren!).

Onto the judging….

Ronnie & Georgia

Score: 27/30: first

Another week of praise for Ronnie and Georgia, who came first, and deservedly so.

Accessed by the Colourbond tilt door and past the Grafico mural of the Le Mans where Ford beat Ferrari, to a well-stocked and stacked storage area, Ronnie and Georgia’s garage combined style and functionality.

From there, the judges went through the stylish and perfectly placed mudroom with storage for shoes, coats and schoolbags, to a powder room (to be judged next week) and a study/guest room/home office overlooking the pool. “Trust Ronnie and Georgia to bring supreme elegance to a mudroom,” said Neale.

Inside however it was the sculptural curved staircase that caused the biggest wow, leading down to a beautifully fitted out wine room complete with seating around a butcher’s block table and another powder room. “Simply perfect!” Shaynna said. “Damn! Look at that!” said Darren. “That’s such a tight space and it’s so architecturally beautiful,” said Shaynna. “It feels exactly like the perfect staircase for this house. I love it!” Darren added.

The judges said the bedroom-slash-office was absolutely wonderful and what a beautiful place to sit and work. Darren said a fourth bedroom was huge for the real estate brochure as it was essentially a bonus room.

Down the spiral staircase, Darren was pleased to see the acoustic issues in the cinema room had been fixed. Shaynna loved the herringbone brick floor. “I’m in Provence!” Darren was wowed by the appliances and Shaynna loved the extra power room.

The judges said it wasn’t perfect but time was against them and they were sure any issues would be rectified later. Neale said: “They set the bar very high every week. The other contestants must hate them!”

Mark & Mitch

Score: 23/30: third

With its custom pink mural and yellow car, Mitch and Mark’s garage was colourful but, as Neale said, take those two things away and there’s not much left.

But it leads to one of The Block’s biggest surprises, a hidden study/office fitted into “stolen space” above, the perfect work-from-home space with ample space for two, plus storage, a big selling point in post-Covid times.

Darren said it set their house apart from Ronnie and Georgia’s. Neale said it had proper storage and was a proper work from home space. Although there were finishing issues, Darren said he understood why.

Into the basement the judges were surprised again, this time to see the space next to the existing day spa steam-room had been transformed into a combined TV room and wine cellar with its own kitchenette.

Neale said he felt like he was in a very cramped bedsit. Shaynna said the wine storage felt like it was shoved into corner. Darren said the best thing was the kitchen joinery. Shaynna felt the layout was odd. Neale said it was a panic room where they’d try to cram everything into the last space. “Mitch and Mark are going to be bitterley disappointed with our comments but we have to be honest,” Neale added.

Tanya & Vito

Score: 19.5/30: fourth

From the teal green horizontal garage door with portholes matching the heritage façade to the polished concrete floor and huge storage area, this is a room where functionality is clearly king. Coming at the cost of a fourth bedroom, the judges did wonder if the storage might be a mistake. Darren said they had damaged the value of their real estate.

Downstairs they found the games room outside the home cinema, complete with a wine fridge, classic arcade amusements and a statue welcoming visitors in. “It’s fun, it’s quirky and it’s in keeping with the house,” Darren said.

He really like the wine bar joinery and the integrated wine storage. “It shines a light on how much better this solution is to what Mitch and Mark showed us.”

Shaynna noticed the stairs and the rooms were very loud and echoey and a rug would help soften it. Neale said it could easily be remodelled by the buyer into a sophisticated adult space. He wasn’t sure if it added to the value as a games room and the way it was presented was very polarising.

Josh & Luke

Score: 8/30: last

The polished floor, mural featuring race tracks of the world and a door-within-a-door all combined to welcome the judges into Josh and Luke’s garage, a single car space with a storage space, complete with a plumbing stack from the master bedroom that was moved!

Inside, there was less to see, with the build still underway and the only visible change a plaster render the judges were all horrified by! The rooms were a complete tip and the judges were not impressed one bit.

“This is saying to me we don’t give a flying **** for what you guys have to say,” said an angry Neale. “This is inexcusable, it’s a pigsty,” added Darren.

The study/bedroom didn’t thrill them either, and they said it felt cramped, and the basement despite its great wine storage and kitchenette, was unfinished again and full of problems.

“What is this space, what is it for?” Darren asked. “A doctor’s waiting room?” asked Shaynna. The terribly planned en suite was an absolute disaster. “There’s two words for this and one of them is cluster,” said Darren. “That bathroom needs to go. It’s a waste of real estate. It’s a planning disaster.”

Shaynna asked why you’d have carpet in a wine area. And why there wasn’t a fridge? “Nothing functions, it’s kind of useless,” said Neale. Darren said it felt like defeat. “I sort of feel like we’re in this festering pit of negativity in here,” ended Shaynna.

Kirsty & Jesse

Score: 26.5/30: second

Thank goodness things were looking up at Kirsty and Jesse’s, starting with that gorgeous Hamptons style garage door! The large uncluttered garage with a storage area and fridge impressed the judges.

They found a lot to like in Kirsty and Jesse’s final spaces, especially when they moved upstairs to the study. A functional home office with well-planned lighting and great cabinetry. Darren said it suited the house.

It was the basement, however that won them over, from the bank of Gaggenau wine fridges to the recessed guitar display niches and kitchenette with seating outside the home cinema. “It’s a knockout!” Darren summed up. “A balance between opulence and value.” He said they’d spent only where they needed to.

Neale said there was no sign of them throwing in the towel. Shyanna said they had four bedrooms and an actual study. “It ticks a really important box from a real estate point of view.” Neale said he loved the basement vibe and it felt like a recoding studio.

SHOP THE LOOK: Grafico murals | 4dDoors garage doors

See all the rooms and more at The Block Shop

FacebookPinEmailTweet

Primary Sidebar

Popular This Week

  • Australian kitchen dimensions: standard sizes for every last detail
  • Palette Cam 15 apps to help you build your dream home
  • AFTER kitchen Kitchen reno proves space planning just as important as finishes
  • IKEA hacks Australia: DIY built-in HEMNES cabinetry how-to
  • The best places to buy Australian bed linen online

Follow us on Instagram

Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial family category and they're a special gift. So ends three weeks with @danisteve81 who left her husband and son in the UK (I'm forever grateful they lent her to me!) to come and cheer me up and help me in the most practical ways after I spent Christmas and New Year in hospital. There were tears and I miss her so much already but how amazing to have had all that time together as adults. Such a rare treat and would never have happened without having been through something so challenging. Silver linings and all that. So many other friends have also been incredibly thoughtful and kind. There aren't many times I'd say this without cringing but I am 100% blessed!

I still cannot believe we have been friends since we were 12! 12! Are you still close with your childhood besties?
The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
Me and my boys 💗 Me and my boys 💗
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner 💓😁
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack 🥰 @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack 🥰 @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks since leaving hospital and I'm doing much better than I expected to be at this early stage. A long recovery road ahead but making progress in how much I can move my arm and although I drag myself through some days non-stop yawning, others I can go for a little walk or out for lunch before collapsing on the couch! I can now tie my own hair back and put on a real bra which is very exciting 🤣 Having my bestie here to help us with the boys, drive me places and just be brilliant positive company is the best thing I could have asked for not to mention the many Dinner Ladies vouchers from friends! Thanks for all your kind messages, cards, flowers, gifts and offers of help ❤️
I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping to raise some awareness off the back of my misfortune (and also very lucky escape).

@newsouthwaleshealth have just put out this warning about a rise in serious bacterial infections. iGAS (invasive group A streptococcus) is what caused my necrotising fasciitis and sepsis.

Apparently there's similar happening in VIC too.

It's extremely rare but very serious nonetheless so please have a read and be aware of symptoms. I've linked to the article from a button via my link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #jenbishop #necrotisingfasciitis #groupastrep #groupastreptococcus #sepsis
While new technologies continue to shape the inter While new technologies continue to shape the interior design scene, one that has been getting a fair bit of traction of late is marble-look porcelain. A cheaper alternative to natural stone, the latest printed porcelain tile technology makes it difficult to distinguish from the real thing.

Founded by husband and wife duo Anton and Rita Bourtsev, Sydney’s @kaolintiles has a unique offering in this space with over 100 different marble-look tile designs in small and large formats.

More via link in bio now.

#porcelain #porcelaintile #porcelaintiles #largeformattiles #largeformattile #marblelooktiles #bathroomtrends2023 #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #realrenovations #goldsink #brasssink #jenbishop #kaolin #kaolintiles #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger
Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I'll post and I hope to be home and with my lippie back on by Monday. You know it's serious when I'm lipstick free, right?!

This was about a week ago in intensive care. And although my arm is still bloody sore I'm now on a normal ward and no longer attached to any drips, drains or a catheter. I've come a long way.

This has been the most physical and mental challenge of my life but I'm through the worst. I kept my arm. The doctors saved my life.

I cannot say it enough times. If you're worried about your health, don't hang around. Things can change so quickly. 

A huge thanks to my amazing husband @damianfrancis We've had the hardest year yet and our marriage has never been stronger, even if my rings did get cut off my finger in hospital 😜

As great of a job as he is doing at home with the kids, I cannot wait to get home now. Countdown is on to a new year and a fresh start.

And I can't say enough just how overwhelmingly grateful I am to all the medical professionals involved in my care, from the @healthdirectaus nurse who sent me to Emergency to the exceptional surgeons, doctors, nurses and support staff.

Happy New Year, everyone. Remember you never know what's around the corner and this is not a dress rehearsal!

And huge thank you for all your kindness here. Has been amazing while stuck in bed.

Xxx

For those who missed it, I was unlucky enough to get necrotising fasciitis. You'll have to Google it.
Follow on Instagram
Visit Jen's profile on Pinterest.

Get Your Free Ebook

Ebook cover

Never miss the latest renovating and interiors products, news and inspo again! Sign up for our newsletter and we'll send you the best bits from the blog, direct to your inbox. Plus you'll get our latest eBook: What Made The Biggest Impact in Jen's Own Reno.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Avatar

About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 8 years. She is married to Damian and mum to Sebastian and Charlie.

More from Home Office

The Block 2022 sheds: home offices and second living areas

A designer living room inspired by Fantales lollies

2022 planners: The best looking diaries for next year

Study

Decorating with clashing prints and colour: home given fresh look

Paint: the cheaper, easier way to refresh your home office

Design inspirations: Turia Pitt’s unique, Zoom ready home office

Reddie

Stylish home office ideas: The latest furniture & homewares finds

Steve Cordony shares his home office must haves

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarLucille McLaren says

    October 27, 2021 at 11:15 am

    I think it doesn’t matter what Josh and Luke do it will never be ok.
    When you constantly criticise it’s not conducive to creativity.

    Reply
    • AvatarTiina Williams says

      July 12, 2022 at 12:39 am

      Well, Josh and Luke didn’t deserve praise. They trash the rooms and are filthy. Like Neal said, they don’t give a flying [email protected] They didn’t follow rules, cheated many times were sore loosers and talked crap about others when there was no merit for it. They just come over as unreliable filthy guys. Should never have been allowed to stay on The Block along with Tanya and Vito. What a crap season and a big Buuu to the producers. The other 3 teams were great and deserve praise.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Footer

Interiors Addict

Interiors Addict

  • About
  • Contact
  • Work with Jen
  • Press
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy

Browse

  • RENO ADDICT
  • Jen’s Reno
  • House Tours
  • Real Renos
  • Interviews
  • Styling
  • Designers
  • Bedrooms
  • Covet My Coffee Table
  • Expert Tips
  • The Block
  • Art
  • Furniture
  • Recipes

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RENO ADDICT

Copyright © 2011–2023 Addicted Media Pty Ltd
Website care by ClickWP · Log in

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!