The Block on Channel 9 – It’s that time of the week, folks.
Yep, the day has come for our teams to flaunt their studio bedroom spaces to the judges, and it’s fair to say their critique will be the most cutting to date.
“This week’s feedback is a bit of a roller-coaster,” warns Scott Cam and mate, we’ve just been through the World Cup so trust us when we say we are strapped in and ready.
Firstly, let’s flash back to hours before tools down.
It’s been raining all night. There’s water flowing through the downlights of some of the houses – House 2 in particular– and we can’t imagine the judges will appreciate this sort of water feature.
Leslie is leaving the stress of the site behind and searching for Zen – specifically in the form of plants – for her calm studio space. Unlike the last week, Steph and Gian are also feeling more relaxed. Their studio is taking shape and Steph admits, “I just felt like a human.”
Gian also has big plans to sell the spa the pair inherited, and dreams of raking in a big cash injection. But before that happens, Dan and Keith decide to play a little prank. They load the spa up with bubble bath… giggling in glee. Honestly, we’ve never seen Keith happier.
Their mirth attracts the attention of House 3’s Kristy and House 2’s Leah. The two leap into the spa for an impromptu dip, joined by Ash. Resigned to the chaos, Gian also slips into the bubbles.
But Steph’s distracted by drama inside. Their blinds have arrived and they’re too small for the window. Her previously happy vibe immediately dissipates. Last week’s brutal feedback from the judges is ringing in her ears as she scrambles to fix the problem.
Eliza and Liberty are also up against it. They’re in painting hell and have had very little sleep. Liberty is stunned people would choose to be painters for a living. “It is the most boring, crap thing to do. Boring, mundane, awful, repetitive…” she vents. “There’s literally nothing good about it.
“You’re a serial killer if you paint for a living,” she adds. “That’s all there is to it.”
Crikey.
Steph and Gian are also squabbling about painting. Steph is a bit of a perfectionist, and concerned Gian’s attention to detail isn’t quite there.
But she has bigger problems, as she still doesn’t have curtains. Instead, Steph’s propped some olive branches against the glass, creating a green look and feel (and hiding the construction site outside). It’s not perfect, but it’s time for tools down and this week’s judging, so off to HQ we go!
It’s a huge week to win, with $50,000 up for grabs. There’s $10,000 for the winning room, plus a $20,000 Hermes handbag and a $20,000 Kinsman wardrobe upgrade for use down the line.
Kyle and Leslie
House 1 are up first, having spent $26,363 cash on their vibey studio.
The judges are initially blown away by the size of the space. “This is insane!” breathes judge Shaynna Blaze. “This is bigger than my first apartment by 50%,” agrees Darren Palmer.
The judges love the use of natural stone, the cabinetry’s concrete finish, soft furnishings, mismatched but complementary lighting, and the pair’s now signature arches. “Those curves,” Shaynna adds. “It is so sexy.”
The pair have built a bedroom and Pilates zone for their studio space and while they agree the space is “beautiful”, that decision leaves the judges confused. Darren remarks that the studio could have been a fully operational, self–contained house but instead, it’s lacking any kitchen facilities.
“There are some amenities that are missing here,” agrees Marty Fox, noting it would force the occupant to have to go back into the main house. “Buyers will penalise that,” he notes sagely.
The trio also observe that the eventual pool area outside will likely use the studio bathroom and ponder whether carpeted spaces were a smart choice. Marty suggests the Pilates studio should have been a floor boarded living space, to better service the pool area. He believes the pair haven’t thought hard enough about the market.
“They’ve gotta get the functionality right,” observes Shaynna, as they all agree the room is just not delivering enough. “Looks great… but it doesn’t really do much,” she says.
“I’ve been accused of the same thing,” quips Darren.
Leah and Ash
Onto House 2, who have spent $20,219 and are hoping they’ve definitely delivered in terms of functionality. They’re very proud of their pull–down bed, confident it will wow the judges.
It doesn’t.
The judges are immediately confused about the furniture choices, oblivious to the hidden bed. “This is giving me… real estate showroom kind of vibes,” muses Darren. When they eventually figure out there’s a bed, they’re even more baffled. They question why the pair didn’t just put in a sofa bed and make the area a complete lounge and entertaining space.
“This isn’t hitting the mark from a buyer’s perspective,” Marty adds. Shaynna also can’t see the cohesion between the room and the moody, sexy bathroom of week one. “I don’t feel the soul connection,” she says.
But although their studio is significantly smaller than House 1, the judges agree it still feels spacious. They’re also delighted with the kitchenette area and the quality of the execution, plus the pair’s colour choices. But Darren sums up the overall sentiment when he says, “It doesn’t feel like it’s selling a dream to me, and these should be somebody’s dream homes.”
“It’s week two,” Scotty notes, as he reads the feedback to a disappointed Leah and Ash. “We want you to lift.”
“I actually don’t know how to continue in this competition,” says Leah sadly, choking back tears. “They’re hitting me hard.”
Kristy and Brett
House 3 deliver a studio space that the judges compare to a New York loft. They spent $17,647 cash and the judges agree they love the quality finish and skylights that flood the room with a natural glow. But Darren quickly points out it’s basically a bedroom with some amenities. “It’s not [even] a fully self–contained space,” he adds, pondering why the pair haven’t added a microwave or even a rug. Marty agrees, adding there is also no TV.
Shaynna is once again confused about the lack of continuity between the vibe of the studio bathroom and the bedroom area. She also notes the layout is confused and it’s not an inviting guest space. The three agree if the room is going to do more, it needs more.
Kristy isn’t happy, noting that last week she was told her room was styled too much and this week it’s not styled enough.
Steph and Gian
Steph and Gian however, have got the balance just right. Their styling choices are given thumbs up all around. The pair paid $22,921 cash on their cosy space and for the judges, it was money well spent.
They adore the fireplace and are quick to commend the pair for taking on the feedback last week about exposed beams. This week, they have enclosed them and painted them white. “And now the beams work,” says Marty.
Darren was still unsure of the beams as a design feature, but Shaynna disagrees. “I love it,” she says. As he moves around the space, Darren is eventually won over. “I get it,” he says.
Marty says the space works beautifully as a guest bedroom. “Somebody staying in this house would love to be in here.” It’s a small space but the pair have also managed to include a coffee and tea zone, and a bar fridge in their wardrobe area, and the judges admire their use of the tight space. “It’s not a self–contained area, but I think it’s a perfect, beautiful wing,” Shaynna says in summary.
She’s thrilled at the level of architect, contestant, and warmth that Steph has applied to the zone – along with understanding the market. “That’s pretty hard to tick all those boxes and I love it,” she says.
Eliza and Liberty
House 5 don’t receive the same level of glowing praise. Their studio is slammed for its styling. Despite spending $19,357 on their space it is deemed “juvenile”. Marty is especially unimpressed by their wallpaper choice of a map of Melbourne and Shaynna agrees.
Darren appreciates the fact it’s a pool–appropriate space that is clearly set up for entertaining, but could also be used as a home office. He appreciates the many aspects the room includes but the judges don’t feel they’ve managed to seamlessly pull all the elements together.
They also feel the kitchenette isn’t smoothly integrated into the studio. “This part here is like a really cheap motel,” Shaynna says. “It’s not sophisticated like that bathroom [was last week].”
“Everything for me does not feel luxurious enough,” Marty says. “I think the styling is so bad that had it been empty, I would have been happier.” Hearing his feedback, Darren concedes he is right.
The girls are flabbergasted to hear his blunt remarks, and Liberty – the stylist of the pair – looks shattered. Shaynna adds that “my scores will get more brutal” if they don’t learn and grow from the harsh comments.
“If this style is taken into the main house here, these guys have a serious problem,” Marty finishes.
With several teams left reeling by the occasionally ruthless feedback, only one team is beaming and that’s Steph and Gian. After a terrible start to The Block, the pair are deemed the winners and they couldn’t be more relieved. They’ve also nabbed the extra prizes, claiming $50,000 worth of goodies.
It’s a redemption moment for the couple, who only days earlier were wrapped up in a cheating scandal after Steph’s dad helped out on-site – causing a body corporate to be called.
The final scores are:
House 1 – Kyle and Leslie: 23
House 2 – Leah and Ash: 21
House 3 – Kristy and Brett: 21
House 4 – Steph and Gian: 24.5
House 5 – Eliza and Liberty: 21.5
“I didn’t think we were going to win anything!” Steph says, as the pair express their delight at their epic comeback.
“That’s what never giving up [feels like],” says Scott.
The Block airs Sunday 7.00pm and continues Monday to Wednesday at 7.30pm on Nine and 9Now. Catch up on all the latest episodes on 9Now.
This recap has been used with permission from Channel 9
Special thanks to Lulu Wilkinson at Nine.
Link to 9Now HERE
Link to Lulu’s full recap including with extra video content and info HERE
About The Block
Get ready, Australia. The Block, the number one renovation reality program, returns for an incredible 19th season on Sunday, August 6, at 7.00pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
Set in the family-friendly Melbourne suburb of Hampton East, the new series features five houses designed and built in the 1950s and located on the aptly named Charming Street. These grand old dames are now aged in their 70s and way overdue for a contemporary update.
For the first time in Block history, host Scott Cam will be providing contestants with the full renovation schedule ahead of time this season. So get your cameras out, Blockheads, it’s photo time.
Adding to the year of Block firsts and amping up the stakes at play during the 48-hour House Decider Challenge, contestants will be seeing all finished designs of the houses on Day 1. Who will prevail and get the house of their choice?
Not only will they get the schedule and designs up front, but in another first, they’ll receive their entire budgets as well.
However, the Blockheads will soon find out that it’s not all smooth sailing when renovating an original 1950s home – structural issues, extreme weather events, and a mountain of demolition will test our five keen couples every step of the way.
Plus, The Block’s state-versus-state rivalry will be amplified by the sheer closeness of the houses this year. Who knew being able to peak into your neighbours builds would cause such tension?
The couples in contention are: sisters Eliza and Liberty Paschke (personal assistant, 37, and integration producer, 34, VIC); parents Kyle and Leslie Cottone (firefighter, 36, and teaching aide, 34, WA); parents Leah and Ash Milton (first aid officer, 31, and builder, 36, QLD); married couple Kristy and Brett Beames (project manager, 34, and safety officer, 34, SA); and newlyweds Steph and Gian Ottavio (architect, 27, and start up worker, 27, NSW).
Real estate expert Marty Fox isn’t the only new addition to the lineup this season. The formidable foremen Keith Schleiger and Dan Reilly will be joined on site with the fan favourite from last year, Tom Calleja.
The nation fell in love with Tom and his wife Sarah-Jane because of their work ethic and relatable marital bickering, and he jumped at the chance to work with Scotty and come back as this year’s official Block plumber.
The designs of the amazing homes in this series again come from The Block’s resident architect, Julian Brenchley.
At stake is $100,000 for the overall winner of The Block, on top of any profit the five couples can all make on the critical auction day. Plus bragging rights for the winners’ state.
Since premiering on Channel 9 in 2003, Australia’s richest reality program has awarded a total of $32,592,807.65 in prizemoney.
The Block – Monday 21 August, 2023 at 7.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now
Media Release – Nine
TV Central Nine content HERE
