1 Euro House premieres on Channel 9 and 9Now – Shaynna Blaze and Darren Palmer are moving from The Block judging panel to the centre of their own high-stakes renovation in Sicily.
The Australian design duo bought a crumbling house sight unseen in the historic village of Castronovo for just one euro. Their ambitious eight-episode transformation premieres at 8.40pm on Tuesday, 6 October on Channel 9 and 9Now.
The series reverses the roles viewers know from The Block. This time, Blaze and Palmer must defend their own design choices, manage a difficult build and solve problems inside a centuries-old property. The result is part renovation series, part travelogue and part portrait of a Sicilian community.
Inside the 1 Euro House challenge
The abandoned house sits among Castronovo’s narrow laneways. It is rich in history but in serious disrepair. Blaze and Palmer begin without a builder’s report and with no certainty about what lies behind the cracked walls.
They swap Australian building sites for old stone rooms, restricted access and the unpredictable realities of renovating overseas. Along the way, they face language barriers, cultural differences, budget pressure and structural surprises.
Local construction manager Scott Thomson guides the project. He has lived and worked in Sicily since 2007, after arriving to renovate a single property. He has since overseen restorations, helped international buyers and worked on television productions about historic Sicilian homes.
The design aims to combine Sicilian character with a contemporary Australian approach. Local artisans, handmade finishes, regional food and the slower rhythm of village life all influence the completed home.
What is Italy’s €1 house scheme?
Italy does not have one national €1-house program. Instead, participating municipalities run their own schemes to fight population decline, restore historic town centres and attract new investment.
The one-euro price is symbolic. Buyers generally remain responsible for legal and notary fees, planning approvals and the entire renovation bill.
Castronovo di Sicilia has introduced its own accessible version of the idea. According to the program’s media kit, the town does not require the security deposits or bank guarantees used in some other municipalities. Owners can also sell completed properties on the open market.
However, conditions can change as a local program develops. Prospective buyers need to confirm the active requirements directly with the relevant commune.
Where is Castronovo?
Castronovo di Sicilia is a hill town in central-western Sicily, between Palermo and Agrigento. The district carries layers of ancient, Roman, Byzantine, Arab and Norman history.
During the Middle Ages, Castronovo became an important fortified settlement. Frederick II of Aragon used the town as a base in 1302 during negotiations linked to the Peace of Caltabellotta. That agreement helped end the War of the Sicilian Vespers.
Today, mountains, farmland and dramatic countryside surround the small community. Its historic buildings and stock of homes needing restoration make it a natural setting for a regeneration scheme.
1 Euro House episode guide
Episode 1 – The Arrival and First Room
Blaze and Palmer arrive in Sicily and finally see the house they bought sight unseen. Its condition is worse than they expected.
They begin with a neglected bedroom and plan a luxurious Sicilian-inspired retreat. With Thomson’s guidance, the pair tackle demolition, plastering and painting. They also restore original details by hand.
Trips to local markets and Palermo help them source fabrics and develop their vision. However, mounting pressure and constant surprises threaten the first room reveal.
Episode 2 – New Friends and a New Kitchen
After completing the bedroom, the pair move to one of the home’s biggest challenges: the kitchen. Crumbling walls, structural discoveries and a poor layout force them to reconsider the original plan.
An architect’s assessment and further demolition reveal serious problems, but they also expose new possibilities. Blaze and Palmer travel across Sicily for handmade tiles, marble and authentic finishes.
The region’s food culture also shapes the room. A visit to a traditional cheese factory with their new friend Francesca provides another link to local life. Back on site, flooring delays and a late tap problem put the schedule at risk.
Episode 3 – Rising from the Rubble: The Walled Garden
The renovation changes course when the team learns that half of the house must be demolished. Blaze and Palmer respond by turning the ruined section into a Sicilian walled garden.
Mediterranean outdoor living becomes the new inspiration. Visits to olive oil farms and village celebrations bring local ideas into the design.
The episode follows a major setback becoming a fresh opportunity. Even so, construction difficulties and the emotional strain of the decision continue to test the pair.
Episode 4 – Darren, What Have You Done?
The focus moves to the lounge room and bathroom. Working with Thomson and a local architect, Blaze and Palmer strip the walls back and uncover hidden arches, original stonework and further problems.
They search for handmade ceramics and vintage furniture while trying to preserve the building’s history. A visit to the seaside town of Cefalù offers another view of Sicilian life.
Back at the house, setbacks and design disagreements raise the pressure before the final reveal.
Episode 5 – Bedroom with a View
The team creates an elegant second bedroom, a powder room and a landing. With time running short, each design decision becomes more important.
A statement chandelier from Palermo becomes one of the room’s key pieces. Meanwhile, the small powder room creates a very different practical challenge.
Blaze and Palmer also visit natural hot springs and a local patisserie. They bake a cake for the builders before returning to the growing installation list.
Episode 6 – Beauty in the Details
The bathroom and landing become two of the project’s most personal and detailed spaces. Italian craftsmanship guides the work as Palmer tries traditional ceramic making.
The pair select statement mirrors, handcrafted finishes and individual design pieces. On site, Blaze tackles a difficult archway while the need to perfect every detail increases the pressure.
Visits from friends and stronger ties with the people of Castronovo show how far the project has moved beyond a simple property renovation.
Episode 7 – A Room Fit for a Sicilian Summer
Blaze and Palmer create a light-filled summer room for long lunches, quiet afternoons and wide views. Local wine traditions and reclaimed materials inspire its rustic but luxurious style.
The build again demands hands-on work. The pair pour concrete floors, restore reclaimed tiles and repurpose vintage furniture.
Custom pieces and more construction delays push them towards their limits as they try to capture the warmth of a Sicilian summer.
Episode 8 – The Finish
The season finale centres on the terrace and façade. The team wants an outdoor entertaining space that also gives the old exterior a distinctive new identity.
Local artist Nunzio works with Blaze on a mural inspired by Castronovo’s history and spirit. Palmer faces further construction problems as the deadline approaches.
Handmade tiles, custom terrace features, pizza-making traditions and a sunset celebration bring together the design and the community story. Finally, Blaze and Palmer reveal a completed home that blends Australian style with the character of Sicily.
Shaynna Blaze and Darren Palmer take the pressure
Blaze has worked across interior design, television, publishing and production for more than 30 years. She joined The Block in 2012 and will mark her eighteenth series as a judge in 2026.
Her work also includes the books Design Your Home and Design with Colour and Style. Away from design, she supports organisations addressing domestic violence and founded Voice of Change Australia.
Blaze said 1 Euro House was unlike anything she and Palmer had attempted.
“1 Euro House is unlike anything Darren and I have ever done. It’s exciting and completely unpredictable. We put our design skills and our sanity on the line in a foreign country, and watching this historic property transform amid the culture, chaos and beauty of Italy will be something very special for viewers to follow.”
Palmer has spent 17 years on television and 14 years as a judge on The Block. His other Nine credits include Reno Rumble.
He has written Easy Luxury and Homespace. His design work also spans major residential and commercial developments, product ranges and an accredited online interior-design course.
Palmer said their professional experience could not prepare them for every part of the Italian build.
“We went into this thinking our years of design experience would prepare us for anything, but nothing truly prepares you for renovating in the ancient laneways of Italy. It is physically and mentally demanding, and for the first time, viewers will get to see what happens when we are the ones in the pressure cooker.”
When is 1 Euro House on?
1 Euro House premieres at 8.40pm on Tuesday, 6 October on Channel 9 and 9Now.
Listen to TV Central’s conversations with Shaynna Blaze about Country Home Rescue and The Fort.
For more TV Central Channel 9 news, head here. View Channel 9 programs on the official 9Now website.