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The winners, emotions (and editing) from Block auction night

November 26, 2015 6 Comments

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Going into last night’sย auction I wasn’t sure how to think. The series before, Triple Threat, was a huge success. And I mean huge, with The Block giving away $3 million. However, the auction before, well that’s arguably best left alone in the history books!ย So how was The Blocktagon going to fare? Turns out, very well.

Let’s begin!

the block auction channel 9 3

The episode started with the contestants finding out their reserves. This was interrupted by Suzi apologising to the contestants (for those who stay away from any and allย tabloid drama, let’s say she’s been having a few issues of late). I thought it was really goodย of her to confront it head on and give an eloquent “I’m sorry.” Well done! So, once that was done, onto the reserves? Ah, well nearly. We had to sit through a hugely time-consuming, overt sponsorship-package of virtual glasses, which saw the contestants put them on to tryย find the keys to the briefcases thatย held their reserves. What a waste of time! Manyย minutes later, they’d found the keys. “That’s 10 minutes I won’t get back,” said Scotty. You and me both, buddy!

So with the keys retrieved, they opened their briefcases to find their reserves. I can’t say there were any surprises, with the prices going up consecutively from apartment one-to-five. Ranging from Caro and Kingi on $1.33 million (they got to deduct $10,000 as a result of their challenge apartment win) and Shay and Dean on $1.645 (who got to deduct $15,000). In my mind, it was always between these two, and now it was time for the apartments to go under the hammer.

Caro and Kingi
Caro and Kingi

First up were Caro and Kingi with apartment one. Now there’s quite a dramatic tale behind the auction order and them scoring positionย number one. Initially, in a previous episode, they had gotten number five and Luke and Ebony had received one. However, in probably the noblest move I’ve ever seen on reality TV, the second-chance siblings swapped positions after they all agreed Caro and Kingi would struggle to sell (being the lowest level apartment) if they were last. What good eggs!

So Caro and Kingi’s reserve was set atย $1.33 million and it was time to start bidding. First bid? $150,000 above reserve. And from there it just kept going! Suddenly the profit was at $320k. “Did you pay off your mortgage?” said Scotty. “Yes, just then!” said Kingi. This is why I love The Block. It started slowing down and the bids were rising by $5,000 for ages. Finally there was last call and the couple ended up with a final bid of $1.735 million and a profit of $405,000. Fabulous job.

Vonni and Suzi
Vonni and Suzi

Next up wasย apartment three with Vonni and Suzi and a reserve of $1.48 million. Now, we’ve always known their apartment was looking for a very specific buyer. My hope, was that buyerย was actually at the auction. Waiting for the bids to start Scotty had a chat with the best friendsย about how theyย went on the show for theirย kids. “When I felt like giving up, that’s who I thought of,” said Vonni.ย Oh, the emotion. And that’s not sarcasm, I actually find this stuff very movingย (don’t judge). Ok, let’s get on with it.

Opening bid went straight over reserve by $30,000. Then $120,000. Two serious bidders were in play butย by the time it got to a profit of $280,000 it seemed like it could all be over. Which, obviously is great money. But the fact they hadย to split it down the middle and it was significantly off Caro and Kingi’s winnings, I wanted them to get more. And more they did. After what felt like pulling teeth, the girls walked away with a final bid ofย $1.829 million and a profit of $349,000. I know they were an extremely polarising team, but there’s no doubt they deserved it.

Shay and Dean
Shay and Dean

Now it was Shay and Dean’s turn. Let’s admit it, they were the favourites from the get go. Having tried out for The Block countlessย times they were finally at auction day and my oh my, did I have high hopes.ย Their penthouse’s reserve was set at $1.645 million and their apartment (thanks to previous wins) came with a car and $10,000 in cash! To take out the show, they needed to sell for over $2 million!

The first bid went $5,000 over reserveย and then it started moving fast. Very fast. Even Scotty, who seems to have God-like mathematical skills, was struggling to keep up. In no time at all they were closing in onย $2 million and were $345,000 over reserve. And then the bids passed $2 million, then $2.1 and $2.2, and finally the closingย bid was $2.3ย million with aย profit of $655,000. Wow. Just wow. What crazy money.

the block auction channel 9 2
Andy and Whitney

Next it was Andy and Whitney with apartment two and a reserve of $1.4 million. We immediately hit awkward territory when they sat down with Scotty as a result of him bringing up that they were no longer together (another story that’s been going tabloid crazy!). I must admitย I deal horrendously with cringeworthyย television and when Scotty started talking about them dating other people I nearly threw my phone at the TV to make it stop. But luckily, Scotty stopped himself, and with Andy and Whitney agreeing to split the profits equally, it was time for the auction to start.

The first bid started at $60,000 over reserve. It jumped up quickly and not long after they were $200,000 over reserve. The bids were pretty slow from there on. Whitney said she wanted to pay off her parents’ mortgage which was very sweet, I just hope she gets some to keep. We got up to $360,000 over reserve and then the bids started getting into silly territory. Jumping up by just $2,500. At the end, the final bid was $1.79 million, scoring a profit of $390,000. Not a bad effort from the underdogs.

Luke and Ebony
Luke and Ebony

Lucky last was Luke and Ebony. I must say it’s taken me to the final episode, but Luke is my favourite. How excited he’s been throughout all the auctions and how much encouragement he’s been shouting, he clearly wants everyone to do well. So Luke (and Ebony) I hope the same goes forย you. Oh wait, why are ex-contestantsย Ayden and Jess here? Literally, what is the point? They’ve just randomly popped in to say good luck to the siblings. It’s time-wasting rubbish like this that drives me insane. The virtual glasses, then this. Really?! Get on with it!

With a reserve of $1.56 million, the first bid came in at $50,000 over reserve. And then. Well then nothing. It went quiet. Depressing music started playing in the background, and there were close-ups of faces. So many close-ups. I couldย tell what the producers were doing and I was not loving it. For minutes it sat at the same bid. And after Luke and Ebony had graciously swapped positions with Caro and Kingi, they had to get more money. They had to! And… ad break.ย Typical.

We’re back and obviously we have to replay the sadness.ย Goodness this would be a crap end to the season. And then. What! Suddenly it jumped to $170,000 over reserveย and then $340,000 over reserve. This makes no sense. I feel like I’ve just got played by the producers. There’s no way that happened like that in real life. No way. Heavy editing at play.

Now the bids wereย going super fast and in no time at all, Luke and Ebony had made over half a million in profit. Were they going to beat Shay and Dean? Close, but not quite, coming in with a final bid ofย $2.2ย million and a profit of $640,000. Over $300,000 each! So there you have it, being selfless pays off. A lesson for all the kids out there!

the block channel 9

With Shay and Dean coming out on top they took home anย extra $100,000, taking their grand total to $755,000. Amazing! In the end everyone did so well, and they’re always the best auctions to watch… until next year!

Photo credit: Channel 9

Read all our Block coverage.

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I haven't done one of these in YEARS so there's possibly thousands of you who don't know my back story. Here's a few things you may not know about me!

โœ”๏ธ I'm English ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ and I moved here (just for one year) back in 2008๐Ÿ˜† 

โœ”๏ธ I can't end the day without a bath, even if I get home really late or on a really hot day. It's a mental health thing and my happy place. ๐Ÿ› 

โœ”๏ธ Before becoming a blogger and running my own small business, I was a journalist from the age of 18. My favourite news gathering times were as a newspaper crime reporter (bit different to interiors!) ๐Ÿ““ 

โœ”๏ธ I once worked at New Scotland Yard in London ๐Ÿš” 

โœ”๏ธI had an interview at Oxford (didn't get in!) but chose not to go to uni at all after being offered a job on the local paper #universityoflife ๐Ÿ˜

โœ”๏ธ My mum died when I was 3, I have an excellent dad and one sister (younger) in the UK โค๏ธ ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง 

โœ”๏ธ At school, my favourite subject was French ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท and I was head girl ๐Ÿค“๐Ÿค“

โœ”๏ธ I'm addicted to โ˜•๏ธ , long hot baths and๐Ÿ’„ (been wearing it since I was about 14!)

โœ”๏ธ I'm not a phonecall person and will never ever pick up an unknown number. Ever. They can leave a message ๐Ÿ˜

โœ”๏ธ My favourite cuisine is Japanese ๐Ÿฃ ๐Ÿœ and Damian and I honeymooned in Tokyo and Venice 

โœ”๏ธ I have zero design qualifications. I just started blogging about my passion, which is trying to persuade everyone to #heartyourhome That was 11 years ago...

โœ”๏ธ My favourite tipple is a good GnT or๐Ÿท 

โœ”๏ธ Cheesy as it sounds, ๐Ÿ’โ€โ™€๏ธbeing a mum is my absolute biggest joy in life ๐Ÿง’๐Ÿ‘ฆ

โœ”๏ธ I will never give up my old school paper diary! Has to be A5 and week to view ๐Ÿ“– 

โœ”๏ธ My official surname isn't Bishop. I kept my maiden name for work after I got married but changed it for everything else. Often confuse myself!

โœ”๏ธ I didn't get my Ps until I was 37 and I'm still a terrible parker ๐Ÿ˜ฏ ๐Ÿ…ฟ๏ธ

Hope you feel like you know me a bit better ๐Ÿ˜˜

๐Ÿ“ธ @vanlowvanlow
Blue, green or lilac? ๐ŸŽจ @nood_co coloured con Blue, green or lilac? ๐ŸŽจ 

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โ€œWe are very honoured to have been a part ofย The Block, and all they have done for us. I am, however, a believer in letting the product take centre stage,โ€ he says.

Read our interview with Matt via link in bio now.

๐Ÿ™Share your favourite colour basin in the comments!

#colouredconcrete #noodco #colouredbasin #blockheads #the block #bathroomtrends2022

Pic 1 by @naibudesign_ and 2 by @twostyleinteriors
I'd love to see more colour in Aussie interiors! I'd love to see more colour in Aussie  interiors! ๐ŸŽจ 

At the end of the day though, it's a matter of personal taste. I love pops of colour but it's not for everyone. 

We couldn't resist featuring this Canadian house tour today. The amazing Kelly Green  hutch (swipe) was an upcycled $200 find ๐Ÿค—

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Project by @in.house.design
๐Ÿ“ธ @philcrozier
Create an unexpected city oasis with an emphasis o Create an unexpected city oasis with an emphasis on light and nature.

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Pic: @justinalexanderphoto
The things that excite me as a 40 year old ๐Ÿคญ N The things that excite me as a 40 year old ๐Ÿคญ

None of us enjoy laundry (OK, there are a few of you out there who do. Weird!) but we have to do it. And often. So if your laundry bin can be as good looking, functional and space saving as this, then why wouldn't you?!

I've lost track of how many baskets I've thrown out because they've gone soggy or mouldy. They look pretty, sure, but they're not fit for purpose and they're often messy and overflowing.

Here's what I love about his @brabantia_australia one:

โœ”๏ธ ventilation holes
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The Rolls Royce of laundry bins? I think so ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป

TOLD you this was going to be exciting!

Now I need to know, do you have your laundry basket in the bathroom, the laundry, every bedroom? We used to have one in each bedroom but moved to the laundry-only situation which I much prefer (one for colours and one for whites). My boys know to put their used clothes in the bin in the laundry each night and they're 7 and 3!  #raisingfuturehusbands

#gifted
"Living rooms are important spaces where our publi "Living rooms are important spaces where our public and private lives intersect."

So says stylist @nataliewalton in her gorgeous new book Style, the Art of Creating a Beautiful Home.

"They are where we gather to welcome guests and entertain. But they are also where we decompress and relax at the end of the day. Increasingly, they are open-plan spaces and need to work within a greater scheme. Bringing all the elements together cohesively requires care and consideration. And, if you want a space that lives up to its true potential, make it personal and create with conviction."

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Kids and husband messing with my vignettes again๐Ÿคจ

PS. The coaster was RIGHT THERE ๐Ÿคช
#weatherforit ๐Ÿฅถ Need a new blanket? Look no fu #weatherforit ๐Ÿฅถ

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About Olivia Shead

When she's not writing for Interiors Addict, Olivia is now a TV and radio news producer. She's a journalism graduate of UTS Sydney.

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Comments

  1. AvatarChristina says

    November 26, 2015 at 12:44 pm

    Great write up Olivia! I also hate all the time wasting and cringe worthy moments, it’s making it increasingly difficult to watch The Block. I hope they change direction and make the show more about the renovations and less about the (often fabricated) drama. I’m glad everyone did well this year, especially Luke and Ebony ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  2. AvatarCharlotte says

    November 26, 2015 at 5:45 pm

    Agree. Great review Olivia!

    Reply
  3. AvatarHalifaxBlue says

    November 26, 2015 at 9:14 pm

    The editing of Luke and ebony’s auction was disgraceful. Showing the same shot and same audio over and over to fabricate “drahmaah”. Massive insult to the audience…and they wonder why their ratings were not great!?! Next season they should do more “Masterclass” themed episodes on styling, room layout etc.

    Reply
  4. AvatarNatalie says

    November 27, 2015 at 1:35 pm

    I find the whole concept of middle class people begging and crying for more bids and money from rich people distasteful. Greed and nonsense at its highest! What is this world coming too!!

    Reply
  5. AvatarWAM Home Decor (@WAMdecor) says

    November 27, 2015 at 3:12 pm

    Great comments on the Auctions this week, we love watching, but there really was some cringe worthy comments happening throughout…awkward! Well deserved results this year!

    Reply
  6. AvatarLiz says

    November 28, 2015 at 10:41 am

    Hi Olivia, I have just read your write up of Luke and Ebony’s auction. I just wanted to clarify a couple of things that weren’t quite correct. The time lapse between the first and second bid actually went for longer than what was shown on TV. It was not staged nor prolonged by the producers. It actually happened. Also, the final bid was $2.2million, making them a profit of $640,000. I was at their auction.

    Reply

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