After two intense months, it was finally time for The Block contestants to finish the interior of their homes – but it wasn’t going to be a simple task. With both a final bedroom and the laundry space to tackle, they were jumping between serene retreats and practical work areas… and it quickly proved a tough double.
But while some struggled, others rose to the challenge. So, who won $10,000 and who left the judges feeling like they were looking at a lost opportunity?
Courtney and Grant (First)
Through the barn doors and into a space filled with Kinsman joinery, the judges loved what was, in effect, a separate apartment within house 2. From the Calm Creation artworks by Freedom to the raked HomePro sheers, linen Grafico wallpaper, king size bed (with Maison Deux chequerboard blanket) and adjacent lounge that could sleep two more, it was a second master wing, the judges said, and a great value add.
Into the laundry and the compliments kept coming, with the generous Asko washer and dryer (plus cabinet), perfect for a full house.
Ricky and Haydn (Second)
Bunks and a sofa bed? That means Ricky and Haydn’s home can now sleep 12 – a huge plus said the judges. With Grafico wallpaper, Kinsman wardrobes and HomePro sheers, the boys had created a new living space, perfect as a teen wing – especially given the games room next door!
But as impressed as they already were, it was the laundry that blew the judges away. “Storage for days, ample bench space, great appliances,” the judges said, “and with this many kids staying over, this is the laundry you need!” Add in a powder room with a Nood Co pedestal basin and Darren was calling this the work of “Ricky and Haydn V2.0” and loving every part of it.
Kylie and Brad (Third)
With bold striped Grafico wallpaper, the “perfect” wall sconces and Kinsman cabinetry in Kylie and Brad’s trademark dark tones, the judges loved the new house 4 private bedroom, especially the Corinne Melanie artworks, Rug Addiction rug and Black Mango dressing bench… but not the layout and planning.
“A bedroom needs to feel cosy and give you a hug,” Marty said, “and this week’s bedroom isn’t doing that.” The bed is too close to the door, he said and ignored the potential view. And without sheers, Shaynna added, the echo was noticeable.
Into the laundry however and all were impressed. “Sedate and discreet, summed up Darren as he took in the Kinsman cabinetry hiding high-end Miele appliances, Dekton splashback and robot cleaner on standby. “It’s a very functional space – without the function being on display.”
Kristian and Mimi (Fourth)
With a banana colour palette, rattan furniture and ample Kinsman storage, Mimi and Kristian had delivered a beautiful bedroom, the judges said… but was a bedroom needed at all? “It’s gorgeous,” Shaynna said, admiring the two stunning B.Twomey artworks, Kinsman cabinetry and Block Shop Cotton Star armchair, “but is it right?” A sitting room was on the plans, Marty pointed out, and it’s what the home needed.
The laundry however, wowed them. “I didn’t even know I wanted green laundry appliances before today,” Darren said as he took in the e&s LG Washtower washer and dryer combo, “but now I do!” With loads of storage – vital for a space next to the pool – perfect joinery and Dekton tiles, this was the laundry of the day Marty added, even with the missing caulking.
Maddy and Charlotte (Last)
The layout was perfect and the plan was inspired, the judges thought when they arrived at house 1, but it had all apparently been too much for sisters Maddy and Charlotte whose bedroom was unfinished.
The idea of an extra four beds caught Darren’s attention adding: “the craftmanship of the bed is outstanding”, but even the beautiful Kinsman cabinetry and Michelle Keighley artwork wasn’t enough for Marty and Shaynna. It wasn’t luxe enough, they thought and let the house down.
Into the laundry and all approved of the mudroom access, the French pattern tiles, but where were the appliances? An LG Styler cabinet was still boxed up, along with a washer and dryer, but It’s hard to judge their effectiveness, the judges said, when they’re not in place. A rare miss for the girls, they decided.
Images via The Block Shop, where you can shop what you see each week, and nine now.
