Images: The Block and Holiday Home Makeover / Channel 9
If The Block isn’t quite enough to satisfy your home-reno cravings, Channel 9 has something special lined up. Fan favourites from the 2022 season, Rachel and Ryan Carr, have returned to our screens – this time with their very own series, Holiday Home Makeover, which airs on Saturdays at 7.30pm.
The new show follows the powerhouse duo as they transform an ordinary property into a stunning coastal retreat. Since joining The Block as latecomers and quickly earning ‘royalty’ status for their bold design vision, the much-loved couple is now sharing the personal journey of creating their ultimate family escape.
“It’s almost time!” the couple recently teased on Instagram. “We’ve poured our hearts into this project and now it’s almost time to share it with you all.” It’s perfectly timed to fill the Block-shaped gap in your life until The Block 2025 lands later in the year.
What can we expect from this highly anticipated series? A stunning, contemporary Italian-inspired home on the South Coast of NSW, brought to life with Rachel and Ryan’s signature blend of elevated aesthetics and family-friendly design. The renovation, completed in late 2023, promises statement stone, earthy textures and warm Mediterranean touches, including trending checkerboard tiles, terracotta accents and dreamy outdoor entertaining zones.
“I thought I’d start sharing the design inspiration for our Contemporary Italian Holiday Home on the South Coast of NSW,” they shared. “We completed this reno in Dec of 2023 and we’re sharing it with you all so soon… but for now, here are the pics that got our hearts beating when we started designing.”
The sneak peeks suggest an expert curation of natural materials and thoughtful spatial flow, anchored by an effortless indoor-outdoor connection. From the expansive alfresco dining space to the sunken firepit with built-in seating and a lounging-friendly pool, this is a home designed for relaxed coastal living and joyful gathering.
As seasoned renovators – Rachel with a flair for styling and Ryan bringing experience from their bathroom renovation business – the pair were always destined for more than just one season of reality TV when they entered The Block in 2022. Despite being called in as last-minute replacements after Joel Patfull and Elle Ferguson’s unexpected exit, they quickly won over fans and judges alike, delivering room reveals that consistently raised the bar. While auction day didn’t play out in their favour, they went on to sell post-show, walking away with a tidy $169,000 profit.
Since their Gisborne Block days (not far from where The Block 2025 is currently filming), the couple has gone from strength to strength. They’ve launched their own renovation and design firm, The R&R Design Co, sold their stylish Oyster Bay home, and are now knee-deep in a charming cottage revival with Neate Projects.
With three young children – Everleigh, Mila and Tommy – life is fast, furious and fabulous. And with Holiday Home Makeover just around the corner, 2025 is shaping up to be their biggest year yet. “Mortgaged to the eyeballs,” they joke, but there’s no denying Rachel and Ryan are building something seriously special – and a loyal following is loving every minute.
Watch Holiday Home Makeover on Saturdays at 7.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
The Block team Rachel and Ryan’s holiday home
Join us as we follow the journey of the renovating duo’s coastal home transformation.
Before: The starting point
Rachel and Ryan have fallen in love with their home’s location, but its interiors feel a little dark and dated. They’re transforming the space by converting the garage to add more bedrooms and bathrooms, giving the home a fresh new layout that better suits their needs.
