True to form, it was a week of reno craziness, building (and builder) issues, painting woes and a splash (pun intended) of challenge-related drama and scandal that preceded this week’s master bedroom and walk-in robe reveals on The Block.
But, possibly motivated by the $50,000 Vintec ESPACE walk-in wine cellar from Winning Appliances and a mature tree up for grabs, our Blockheads clawed their way to the finish line – even if it meant enduring near-sleepless nights and a sprinkling of emotional breakdowns. So, from “palatial” to “just too much”, let’s take a look at what Houses 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 pulled out of the bag this week.
HOUSE 1: TOM AND SARAH-JANE
WINNERS!
Cash spent: $21,992
Score: 28 ½
“Uh, hello?!” said Shaynna, who practically had to pick her jaw up off the floor upon entering Tom and Sarah-Jane’s green and serene master suite. Neale, who stood there grinning “like an idiot” according to Scotty, took a minute to regain his ability to speak, finally saying “I love it”. It’s unsurprising, then, that he awarded the pair a perfect 10 this week!
Perhaps it was the cosiness of the couple’s wood burning fire (“How much does it hug you as soon as you walk in?” said Shaynna), but all three judges had nothing but warm, fuzzy feelings for this small but gorgeous bedroom. “There’s so much to appreciate,” said Shaynna. Neale said the couple really nailed the “new rural” aesthetic; “To me, this is exactly what that looks like.”
Small but mighty: Tom and Sarah-Jane’s master bedroom left the judges speechless. They loved the linen combination from Sheet Society.
(Photo: Nine)In a game that’s all about smart budgeting, Shaynna complimented the couple’s decision to opt for chair-rail wainscoting, allowing elements like their large ceiling rose and heritage-sensitive cornicing to take centre stage. “I think that’s one of the things that works best in this room,” said Darren, “everything in here is accentuated.”
While Tom and Sarah-Jane’s fireplace was not “overly modern”, Neale felt that it was the perfect fit. He loved the pair’s decision to mix mediums; the rattan bedhead, inlayed bedsides, corduroy cushions and check bedspread proved a winning combo. “I’m just running my eye around and thinking ‘what can I see in here that I either disapprove of or dislike,” said Neale, “and the answer is…at this stage…zero!” “Are you sure there’s not a ‘but’?!” said an anxious Sarah-Jane.
The praise continued as the judges moved into the walk-in wardrobe. “Styling a walk-in robe is not easy, it’s not sexy, but they’ve done it well,” said Darren. Shaynna’s only concern was that the decision to forgo cabinet doors would require future residents to ensure the shelves stayed looking schmick. “This is going to pull at the heartstrings of buyers,” she concluded. “People are going to go ‘This has emotionally got me, and I want this’.”
“There were no buts!” concluded Scotty.
Shaynna was impressed with the pair’s ability to channel budget where it was more needed, keeping to just a chair-rail-height wainscoting and focusing on the cornicing and ceiling rose, from which they hung a Freedom pendant.
(Photo: Nine)
Darren remarked that the couple’s wardrobe styling and use of items from Catch.com.au was perfectly on point.
(Photo: Nine)HOUSE 2: RACHEL AND RYAN
Cash spent: $21,235
Score: 27 ½
Given previous criticism, Rachel and Ryan could hardly be blamed for collectively holding their breath as judges entered their master bedroom. Luckily, relief came quickly as Darren exclaimed “Ooh la la” while he fast-walked over to (quite literally) hug the stunning stacked stone fireplace. “That is superb,” exclaimed Shaynna.
After taking them to task last week over their cold and uninspiring styling, all three judges were pleasantly surprised by the charm and personality of Rachel and Ryan’s room. “This room has got a beautiful sense of calm about it” said Neale, adding that the pair had well and truly redeemed themselves this week.
Relief finally came for Rachel and Ryan, who were praised for the warm and calming atmosphere of their master. The bedside lamps and beautifully textured rug are both from Freedom, while the four-poster bed frame is Provincial Home Living.
(Photo: Nine)Looking around, Neale commented that the room “worked despite itself”. “There are some things that don’t work. For example the rug under the bed – I would have liked to have seen a much larger rug. [But] I know that I would be so happy to come in here, crash on the bed, read a book, fall asleep, watch the fire, watch the view – it’s got a lovely vibe.”
Shaynna agreed, saying that the room felt incredibly warm. “This is the first time I’ve come into Rachel and Ryan’s rooms and felt that.” Darren concurred, adding that the natural textures made it feel “like country”. “Every element in here – two thumbs up.”
Walking through the “super beautiful” sliding barn door into the walk-in robe, Shaynna gasped; “This is gorgeous!” “This is prime real estate for a lot of buyers,” added Neale. The judges were complimentary on the amount of storage, Neale calling the room’s size “palatial” (“Neale thinks that Carrie Bradshaw would love this,” Scotty added), while agreeing that the country contemporary essence of the bedroom elevated last week’s ensuite.
Without question, Darren was the most enamoured of all; “It’s got me,” he said, “This is what I would want if I was moving to a location like this.”
Although the stacked stone fireplace was constructed in just twelve hours (compared to the usual two days), the judges found no flaws with the execution of Rachel and Ryan’s room.
(Photo: Nine)
Carrie Bradshaw eat your heart out: the couple’s “palatial” wardrobe was praised for its size and generous storage.
(Photo: Nine)HOUSE 3: ANKUR AND SHARON
Cash spent: $37,213
Score: 28
Pressed to their limits once again this week, Ankur and Sharon found themselves behind the eight ball most days. However, a very big Saturday night of painting saw the pair pull through…just.
And while they didn’t come away with a win, their hard work did pay off. Stepping through the stunning repurposed original front door, the judges were stunned. “I guess that beautiful antique door that we’ve just walked through was a hint of things to come,” said Neale. “That is beyond multi-million dollar views,” added Shaynna, gazing out at Mount Macedon. “It’s phenomenal.”
With its undeniable sense of grandeur and theatrics, the judges praised Ankur and Sharon for the bravery with which they tackle their rooms each week. However, Shaynna felt the bedhead from Provicinal Home Living did not need the additional padding behind it.
(Photo: Nine)Staying true to their eclectic and histrionic style, Ankur and Sharon presented a “master wing” full of character with a ‘Francophile’s’ touch – as well as antique furniture, a first on The Block. Shaynna agreed that there was “a lot of opulence”, noting the grandeur and scale of the space, furniture choices, ceiling height and rose, Marie Antoinette portrait, and the extravagant frame of their TV/mirror. “It’s absolutely elegance personified,” she said, “For Ankur and Sharon not to be in the design world and being able to reference those points; I think it’s incredible.”
However, unlike House 1 and 2 before them, there was a “but” for Ankur and Sharon. “There are a few things that I wouldn’t have done,” said Shaynna, adding that the Deco-style lighting was not exactly in keeping – “I would have liked to have seen a grand chandelier.” She was also worried that the couple were not managing their budget properly. “I’m not telling them to stop being theatrical…but you don’t have to overspend all the time,” she said, referencing the needless padded bedhead behind the actual bedhead.
Thankfully, the walk-in robe, with its central island and gorgeous colour palette, roped them back in. “Wow, wow, wow, wow,” exclaimed Shaynna, “how glamorous… I am home.” The three judges praised the generous space and storage, and even commented that the pair had improved their painting – if only slightly. “By the end of it, we might actually have a well painted room,” Darren joked.
“The adventure, the courage that they show, the risks that they take, I admire,” finished Darren.
The double-sided fireplace installed for last week’s master ensuite paid off for Ankur and Sharon.
(Photo: Nine)
“I am home,” said Shaynna, who was head-over-heels for House 3’s ultra-glam walk-in robe.
(Photo: Nine)HOUSE 4: DYLAN AND JENNY
Cash spent: $30,358
Score: 25 ½
Unlike the other houses, the judges entered Dylan and Jenny’s master suite via a huge walk-in (“drive-in” exclaimed Neale) robe; a “very unexpected” first impression. However, once Darren got his head around it, all three were quite taken with the space. “This room literally oozes quality,” said Darren. “This is very high-end glamour, isn’t it?” added Neale. Shaynna loved the colour palette and lavish chandelier, “that’s what I needed to see in House 3.”
But unfortunately for Dylan and Jenny, the good times did not keep rolling.
Neale, Darren and Shaynna liked the continuation of the palette and Grafico wallpaper throughout the master suite.
(Photo: Nine)Neale described the bedroom upon first sight as “luxe deco”; “it’s a different interpretation of the country aesthetic, and it nails the brief yet again”. The judges were pleased to see yet another fireplace and loved the window seat, but upon closer inspection noticed its flaws. “That’s looking a bit dodgy,” said Shaynna, who instructed Neale to lift the too-small upholstered cushion, uncovering unfinished timber.
Comparing the master to the couple’s gorgeous guest bedroom, which would have snagged them a win had it not been for Ankur and Sharon’s gnome, the judges felt the styling and execution was a bit rushed. “It feels like all the finesse has actually gone into the walk-in,” said Neale. “I mean, this is nice…but it’s not super special, and it doesn’t really live up to the expectations of either the ensuite or the walk-in robe.” Darren concurred, describing the space as “undercooked”. “It doesn’t have that oompf.”
Window seat woes: although the judges loved the idea of the window seat, upon closer inspection they were quick to discover its flaws.
(Photo: Nine)
The couple’s “drive-in” wardrobe was a win amongst all three judges. The vanity mirror at the end is from Big W.
(Photo: Nine)HOUSE 5: OMAR AND OZ
Cash spent: $20,048
Score: 22 ½
Coming off the back of a big double-bathroom win last week, Omar and Oz felt quietly confident with their completed master suite. However, it was radio silence for the first few beats as the judges took in their room.
“I find the whole thing very visually overwhelming,” said Neale finally. “My eye doesn’t really know where to land.” Although the inclusion of the Queenslander’s original fretwork was a clever choice, the study and reading nook – which the boys hoped would be a winning feature – failed to take flight. “Since when did a master bedroom have to give over so much space to a study and reading nook?” questioned Neale, who felt it made the room feel too small.
While Neale felt House 5’s master was “visually overwhelming”, the judges could appreciate the repurposed original fretwork, chunky carpet choice and ceiling layout.
(Photo: Nine)And it wasn’t just the inclusion of the nook itself that fell flat with the judges; the boy’s styling also failed to impress. “That nook should be grand, it should be incredible, and it’s cluttered” Shaynna. “Those 15 cent brackets and $1 shelves are just cheap,” added Darren. Eek!
While the judges did like the chunky carpet and ceiling treatment, perhaps winning last week’s master ensuite has proved a double edged sword for Omar and Oz, whose work this week clearly did not live up to the judges’ highly-set expectations. “I’m afraid to say…this isn’t what I was expecting,” said a disappointed Neale. “This, to me, is not the master bedroom that that bathroom deserved.”
As the judges stepped into the walk-in wardrobe, spirits were not lifted. Shaynna felt the ottoman, which took up most of the room, was a real hindrance to the space: “Imagine if you were busting to go to the toilet!” All three also agreed that there was simply not enough storage for a main bedroom.
It remains to be seen if the boy’s master will be a major downfall come auction day: will the lack of TV, big wardrobe, fireplace and king size bed turn buyers off? “If somebody doesn’t like something in one of the houses, they’ll just go next door,” Scotty reminded them.
While the reading nook had some great elements, the judges felt it was cluttered.
(Photo: Nine)
The boy’s walk-in robe, which they styled with items from Zara, felt cluttered by the large ottoman.
(Photo: Nine)NEXT UP
Stamping out any cockiness after the master reveal, Scotty announced that next week our Blockheads will be tasked with completing a guest bedroom and its adjoining ensuite with a budget of $30,000. Strap yourselves in, it’s a double whammy!
In the meantime, check out last week’s main ensuite reveals.
