The Block Auction took place this weekend with, I must say, some surprising results. I thought this would be a good opportunity to review the season and put forward which were my favourite rooms on The Block 2021.
Let us be clear though that this was derived from the current market and the reserves that were set on what were extremely different houses. In the past, we have been able to compare like with like, but this time was another story with houses that were vastly different to each other. I therefore think that this year, we can take the leadership placements with a grain of salt. To recap, this was the final table with the profits that each team took home.
- Mark and Mitch took out first place on The Block 2021 with a profit of $644,444 plus the $100,000 for winning, making a grand total of $744,444
- Josh and Luke were in second place, with a profit of $530,000
- Tanya and Vito came third, with a profit of $400,000
- Kirsty and Jesse came fourth, with a profit of $301,523
- Ronnie and Georgia took out last place with a profit of $296,000
My favourite teams
I thought that Kirsty and Jesse would take out the win and just scrape ahead of Ronnie and Georgia. They did, but in fourth and fifth place consecutively! With a much bigger house and land area though their reserve was $700,00 over the other contestants and the market clearly just couldn't get to the level they needed. There were so many rooms that I really loved in their home and in Ronnie and Georgia's. For me these two houses were the stand out in terms of design and style.
I loved everything about this kitchen and pantry. The colour scheme, styling, layout and design were all perfect. Loved the arched bar zone, brass handles and tapware, rich blue cabinetry, wallpaper and flooring. There was nothing that I could dislike about this space.
Kirsty and Jesse's redo room was the guest bedroom. By adjusting the blue of the wainscoting to include more grey, adding a bedhead and softening the bedding, this room was transformed. An early indication that these guys responded well to constructive criticism and from here they went from strength to strength.
I loved the use of wallpaper through Kirsty and Jesse's home. This seating area in an otherwise neutral living and dining space is a lovely surprising nook that ties in the colours of the kitchen perfectly. The nest of tables is a particular favourite of mine.
Ronnie and Georgia's master bedroom was a masterpiece. A perfect colour palette of warm neutrals, soft sage green with accents of purple and rust. I loved the feature wall, artwork, occasional chair and goegeous transitional rug. Every element here was well executed.
Ronnie and Georgia were the masters of understated elegance. This ensuite demonstrates that you really just need to find one good quality tile for the floors and walls and possibly add a subtle feature wall, to produce the perfect bathroom that will be a long term classic. With a gorgeous statement oak vanity and brass tapware, this is a stunning room. If only they had fitted heated towel rails!
Ronnie and Georgia's wine cellar and curved staircase had to be one of the season's show stopping moments. They deserved a much higher place and return just based on this. The staircase was inspired and that cellar floor – it is divine.
The winning team
There were moments when I loved the rooms that Mark and Mitch delivered, but there were as many that I didn't like. To be fair though, a lot of this has to do with the furniture and styling. When you look at their house, it is actually very well designed and clearly very saleable. When they delivered the front facade and garden with the gorgeous pink front door, I had a feeling that this house would do well. Here are my favourite rooms on The Block 2021 from the winning team.
From the white picket fence, to the reclaimed brick pathway and up to the pretty pink front door, this house had street appeal in abundance. Remember that first impressions count? It clearly worked for these guys. If you ever wanted a lesson in how to present your home for sale, this is one.
Mark and Mitch were marked down for not including their pantry in this space, however I fell in love with this breakfast nook when this was revealed. With its outlook to the pretty front garden, this really will be a lovely casual place to sit and eat. No other team provided an area like this and I think it was a winner.
The placement of the washing machine and dryer was inspired. With storage beneath, it is so good to see machines at a sensible level. The joinery and crisp white finishes with brass tapware and handles was a mirror image of the well placed pantry next door. Very nice design.
My favourite rooms from Josh and Luke and Tanya and Vito
There were times during the season that I loved the work that these two sets of contestants presented. There were others that I thought fell far short. But who am I to judge the outcome here with these guys placing second and third consecutively in the competition. Here are my favourite rooms from these teams.
Another great example of finding a good quality floor and wall tile and presenting them with frameless shower screens, elegant vanity units, basins, tapware and mirrors. A very simple but elegant master ensuite. And that's without turning around to admire the outside bath! Leading off of the most amazing walk in wardrobe and master bedroom, Josh and Luke delivered a first class master suite.
Tanya and Vito presented a first class example of a modern mid century home facade. Everything was right, from the front wall, open driveway and path, front door and colour scheme. These guys came last for their front facade and garden reveal, but I always felt they deserved a far higher placement and acknowledgement of the effort they went to in delivering a house with integrity.
I know this is controversial, but I always loved their master ensuite and thought it was a travesty that they were made to change the tiles to white ones. The colour palette worked beautifully in this room. I love the floor tile, the rich feature tile and walnut vanity, which made a change from the ubiquitous oak. I think I was in the minority but I had to include this as it is genuinely one of my favourite rooms on The Block 2021.
Which were your favourite rooms on The Block 2021? I would love to hear whether you agree with me or not. Were you surprised that Ronnie and Georgia placed last?
More information about the show and the contestants can be found at Nine Now. Many of the gorgeous pieces shown here can be sourced through The Block Shop.
Photography by David Cook Photography
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