Written by Steph Sandhoff
Photo Attribution: Nine
Howdy! Bear with me, we are going country after all… and welcome back to the OAK + RIDGE Block Blog for 2022. Here was me hoping that this year we could move on from Melbourne all together but apparently it wasn’t to be. Maybe city properties were out of reach even for the Block producers and they were forced out regional with the best of us. Hence, we are all headed for a tree change, 54km west of Melbourne, to Gisborne in the Macedon Ranges.
We didn’t even have to wait for the start of the show for the drama to begin this year; covid cases, extreme weather, lack of food, labour and material shortages. Personally, I’m more worried about the fact that I’ve already seen Shaynna on a horse and Darren without a shirt.
Now the most interesting part of the show for me is the actual houses; all that untapped potential that the couples haven’t yet been able to ruin with their lack of a design eye and simple bad taste. As usual, they have a 48-hour design challenge in order to decide who gets which house. They have $5,000 to create a bedroom and I have to admit the standard is definitely up from most years. So what are we waiting for, let's go.
Bedroom Reveal: Tom and Sarah-Jane
Photo Attribution: Nine
The first bedroom to be judged belonged to Melbourne couple, Tom and Sarah-Jane (which was thankfully not located in their living room). Straight away it gave me country b'n'b, Airbnb, hotel vibes, which is not a bad thing. Those types of spaces are designed to be bold and luxurious and that’s definitely what this room was giving. The judges agreed, saying it felt like a ‘boutique hotel’. They especially loved the use of the wainscoting and traditional ceiling rose; existing features that every couples will need to preserve if they intend to do well this season.
Photo Attribution: Nine
The colour palette, although it may not be to your personal taste is modern and bold, which the judges all seemed to appreciate. They used colours which are found locally, however increased the saturation in order to achieve a more modern palette. This was complimented by the styling; natural (but not rustic) timbers included in the bench and mirror, the latter also providing the room with the illusion of additional space. The wall sconces beside the bed are a traditional style too, but the brass material again reinforces that combination of modern/country. Personally, I don’t love the bedside tables or the bedside styling and I would have gone with a different pendant light. However the pendant light did need to contribute a soft texture to the space, so this couple can obviously visualise balance in a room and therefore look promising.
Photo Attribution: Nine
As the winners of the challenge, these guys surprisingly decided to stay where they are in House 1; a traditional Queensland weatherboard with sweeping views.
Room Reveal: Dylan and Jenny
Photo Attribution: Nine
The second room to be judged was 'tradie couple' Dylan and Jenny. Now although these two came in second, I’d be keeping an eye on them. Already having their execution dubbed as excellent by the judges, these two have also recently started their own building company called ‘Smooth Sailing Designs’. Go have a sticky beak…
Photo Attribution: Nine
Now as first impressions go, I was a little underwhelmed. My first thoughts were that the room felt a little empty. Not that it needed more things in it, but that the balance was off. I think Neale had it right when he called it a ‘kitchen sink room’. Although a little confusing, the idea that none of the individual elements were wrong, but the combination didn't work was right. There was no overriding concept, no holistic vision that held the room together. I mean we probably should have predicted this when Jenny described her style as “country kinda vibes, a lot of texture, I love texture so, Mediterranean, farm style, texture, nude colours and stuff like that, luxe, like luxury, archways…”
Photo Attribution: Nine
It was like they had the right ideas on paper but once they put them into effect they didn’t translate. For example, if something won’t grow where you place it, ie. an olive tree indoors, don’t use it. Or if you find a carpet colour you really love and use it all time, you have to look at it in the light of the actual room it will be used in, because what may have been a gorgeous nude tone at your house, actually looks like a faded chocolate colour in this house. I do also think it is strange to have a mirror and plant hung where they will ultimately be behind the door anytime it is open.
Photo Attribution: Nine
Although I love the VJ paneling shelf behind the bed and the clever use of the matching flat pack wardrobe; I do have to argue that the bed could do with the definition of a bedhead and larger bedside tables. I would also lower the pendant lights for both practical and aesthetic purposes. Although this couple came in second, it didn’t matter one bit, as they secured their first choice of highly sought after House 4; with wrap around porch and stunning shingles, mouldings and bay windows.
Room Reveal: Joel and Elle
Photo Attribution: Nine
Next up to be judged is our famous or is that infamous couple, ex footballer and global influencer Joel and Elle. Now Elle is said to have a Diploma in Interior Design and having one of these myself I have to say these aren’t necessarily proof of any talent or experience. Not to say I don’t have talent or experience but honestly you just don’t need them to obtain a diploma. Now I’ve followed Elle on Instagram for multiple years and my initial impression of her design style before watching her on The Block was… “Multiple, empty, perfume bottles on a shelf”. Sounds harsh, I know, but I said ‘initial impression’, so she had time to change my mind. A whole 2 DAYS… The question is, did she?
Photo Attribution: Nine
My answer? She swapped multiple, empty, perfume bottles on a shelf for multiple, empty, ceramic bottles on a shelf. Just kidding, sort of. My first impression was ‘Yeah, nice’ but on closer inspection my thoughts were Byron Bay retail store. Gorgeous? Yes. A multi-million dollar country home suiting the Macedon ranges? No. The thing is, there is a very fine line between country and coastal; especially if you’re into neutrals.
Photo Attribution: Nine
This is why it was really important for the couple to respect and preserve the original bones of the room and if they had stayed, the rest of the house. They seemed excited about the stunning traditional window so I have to admit I was shocked when they immediately decided to replace the existing skirts with something more modern. Apart from making extra work for themselves, getting rid of exactly what potential buyers will pay big dollars for, you are also creating a lack of consistency throughout, not just the entire house but within the actual rooms. Surely this isn’t the “coolness” Elle was talking about injecting.
Photo Attribution: Nine
Having remained tight lipped this entire time and refusing to acknowledge they were ever even on the show; it looks like we may never know the real reason the famous couple up and left without warning. Whether it was due to scratchy toilet paper, influencer hexing Sarah-Jane or just pure embarrassment at coming fourth, these guys ended up picking House Two, which has now been given to new couple Rachel and Ryan. The house being described as a traditional cottage and true renovator’s delight.
Ankur and Sharon
Photo Attribution: Nine
Our next couple up is self -proclaimed ‘stressing bullets’ Sharon and Ankur. Although neither has any experience in the building or design industry, Sharon does have experience living rural, having grown up on a farm in South Australia. Now whether this will help or hinder is yet to be seen, because whether you like it or not, I’m not sure how many multi-million dollar buyers will be looking for that rustic farmhouse vibe.
Photo Attribution: Nine
On entering the room the judges immediately admitted the room felt country; they just weren’t sure what country. My question is, does it feel country or does it feel rustic? If the timber beams (atrociously executed by the way, I’ve just stopped looking because each little architrave on the end of each beam is giving me a separate little mini panic attack) are giving Europe, and the side tables are giving Asia, the bedhead is giving Australia and the art… well. The art is giving nothing. This year. I solemnly swear to give no leniency when it comes to art. Do not buy an unsigned 'piece of art' from a furniture store or a canvas print from Kmart and I swear if I see one more cockatoo on a wall… there are no excuses. I don't care if you are a cockatoo connoisseur.
Photo Attribution: Nine
Anyway, back to what I was saying. If we have Europe, Asia and Australia plus some confused styling pieces and the room doesn’t actually look horrific... we then call that style eclectic. I personally would refer to this room as ‘rustic eclectic’. All in all, a bit of a mess but a surprisingly nice looking mess. These guys need a bit of help but I think they have it in them, especially with more time and money. They have no problem with scale, colour or layout, just keeping it within one style.
Photo Attribution: Nine
These guys ended up picking House 3, which is actually one of my favourites; an 1890’s beauty, it is the largest house and sits on top of a hill with old world charm and an abundance of heritage features. It boasts archways, bay windows and plaster mouldings. Hopefully this will help guide the couple’s style; if they do some research and work with the heritage not against it, this could be the easiest house to sell on The Block.
Omar and Oz
Photo Attribution: Nine
Last but not least, in my opinion any way, are best friends Omar and Oz. These two will be the first Muslim couple on The Block and I’d like to say it was the least the show could do. Writing this blog took me way longer than I’d expected because I kept mixing up the four Barbie and Ken couples. Surely when replacing Joel and Elle, the producers didn’t have to be so literal.
Photo Attribution: Nine
Moving on, sorry: this is meant to be a design blog. These guys got a pretty rough judging and I can see why but I need to point out something important. These boys can make a bed! They used 7 pillows, 3 sizes, 3 colours, 4 textures and they folded the duvet over in order to showcase the sheet in a contrasting colour AND used a throw that didn’t look like it needed a wash (if you know what I mean). Impressed!! Normally they’d need the styling session with a judge a few weeks in before this occurs.
Photo Attribution: Nine
Like the judges, I loved the preservation and painting of the original weatherboards. A fresh look that gives both a modern and country feel to the room. It is a traditional feature that when painted white will look great continued throughout the entire home. It is simple and stunning because it provides the feeling of being open and airy, yet cozy and warm.
Photo Attribution: Nine
The selections of door placement and window specification let them down but I can’t see them making this mistake again. The judges thought their room felt generic and 'scandi' in terms of it’s styling… like it could belong anywhere, the beach, the city, etc. This is due to their furniture and art choices because they were too white, too shiny and very easy to ignore. They needed to include items with personality. What I mean by this is warmth, texture, interest, colour. For example, the mirror they chose was a better choice, they needed to continue down this road with some more “oomph”. They came in last and had no choice but to remain in House 5, which is a Federation period, Queenslander on stumps, with a wraparound verandah and existing stain glass windows.
If you guys are new to the OAK + RIDGE Block Blog then welcome and if you are back from last year then thanks for sticking with me! Hopefully we are in for some design lessons this year as well as some laughs. If you’d like each week’s blog sent straight to your inbox don’t forgot to subscribe. I’d also love to hear your comments and feedback down below.
See you next week for Week 1 Bathrooms!