Photography: The Block/Channel 9/9 Now
This week on The Block, each team faced a marathon challenge – revealing not one but five spaces (that’s a total of 25 reveals between the five teams). It was a huge effort, which came with a sense of relief for the contestants as the inside of the homes are now complete.
Of course, there are still a big few weeks ahead with the facade and backyard landscaping to be tackled, but the finish line is in sight. The 2025 auction is just around the corner and the months of blood, sweat and tears will hopefully all be rewarded then.
For now, the highs and lows keep coming, with some disappointments this week. Most notably for Han and Can, who had their hopes on a win. Motorbike fan Han really went the extra mile with fancy vehicles and fabulous lights in the garage, but in the end it went to Britt and Taz with their chic take on the back areas of the house.
‘Back of house’ spaces revealed:
- Laundry
- Mudroom
- Butler’s pantry
- Powder room
- Garage
Here were the standouts, according to the judges…
Britt and Taz’s butler’s pantry, laundry and garage
Winners of the week Britt and Taz impressed with a clever floorplan that kept their laundry and butler’s pantry separate but perfectly functional. Expansive Freedom Kitchens joinery and a coffee machine surrounded by earthy surfaces wowed the judges. “Look at the use of that Dekton up the wall, it feels expansive and expensive,” said Darren.
Marty called it “classy, sophisticated and timeless”, while a commercial-grade washer and dryer from E&S nailed the practical brief.
Their garage also stood out. “You know what this says, ‘Show me the money’,” said Shaynna, as Darren admired the chequerboard floor that “elevates the look”, and Marty noted it “feels like an extension of the house”.
Alicia and Sonny’s butler’s pantry, laundry and powder room
Alicia and Sonny scored points for the clever inclusions in their combined butler’s pantry and laundry, with a drying cabinet and a well-placed fridge adding real practicality.
But the judges saved their biggest praise for the powder room. “That is stunning,” said Shaynna. “That is something you’d see in a high-end house or high-end hotel.” Marty agreed, calling it “unfaultable”.
Han and Can’s mudroom, powder room and garage
Han and Can’s mudroom nailed both beauty and practicality, with shoe pigeon holes, generous hanging space and plenty of storage. “That’s what you want, an upholstered seat,” said Darren, admiring the comfortable built-in bench.
Shaynna noted the home was never truly a Daylesford-style residence with the girls at the helm – it just happened to be in Daylesford, which no longer felt like a drawback. Their pretty powder room was a case in point, with glorious rose tones and glimmering gold accents.
The garage was a passion project for Han, so a win would have meant a lot to the couple but they missed out by half a point. Still, the judges acknowledged their attention to detail. “I love the fact the girls put a motorbike here,” said Shaynna. Marty summed it up perfectly: “This is the fun house.”
All The Block room reveal images were originally published by Channel 9/9Now on nine.com.au.
Inside House 6: Team Home Beautiful’s room reveal
This year, Home Beautiful is playing along with The Block and revealing our very own (virtual) House 6. This week, we focused on the laundry/mudroom space and stole inspiration from a stunning home in Byron Bay.
Mood board
It wouldn’t be a laundry/mudroom without some gum boots (chic ones, of course). We’ve embraced textured tiles like some of the other contestants did with a farmhouse sink from ABI Interiors, added classic Shaker-style cabinetry and added interest through decor elements and lighting hardware.
- Shaker cabinetry in Amaro Smooth, Kinsman
- Bell knob graphite handles, Kinsman
- ‘Loire’ round basket, $89.95, Freedom
- Aura Home ‘Paros’ bath towel in Natural, from $23.96 (usually $29.95), The Iconic
- ‘Hartley’ small single farmhouse fireclay sink in Gloss White, $454.90, ABI Interiors
- ‘Elysian’ kitchen mixer in Tumbled Aged Brass, $324.90, ABI Interiors
- ‘Tropea’ natural edge square tile (100 x 100mm) in Matte White, $79.90, ABI Interiors
- Laundry wash, $27, Bondi Wash
- ‘Cloudy Bay’ metal wall light in Antique Brass, $429 (usually $569) Living Styles
- Hunter boots, $192 (usually $240), David Jones
- ‘Antibaia’ vase, $476 (usually $529), Freedom
Inspiration
We’ll forever have this Byron Bay home on our vision board and are using it for our laundry/mudroom inspo this week, with its incredible terracotta brick floors, raw timber elements, white joinery and of course that incredible hinterland backdrop.
Room reveal
Our interpretation? A laundry-meets-mudroom that’s a little bit rustic thanks to the tiling, softened by rattan inset detailing in the Kinsman cupboard joinery and Amaro Smooth cabinets on the left, for plenty of storage.
We’ve also gone with a dedicated butler’s pantry. Here, we’ve included wall-to-wall open shelving above rattan-front Kinsman cupboards, with a wooden ladder for easy reach and to fulfil all of our dream home fantasies.
