The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal

This is undoubtedly one of the favourite weeks on The Block and 2021 has seen some gorgeous kitchen reveals.  One was perfect, another was almost there, two were good but not amazing and there was one that I didn't like much at all.  There were also some dreadful planning decisions.

Kirsty and Jesse deserved the win this week.  Their kitchen was beautifully planned, looked absolutely stunning and I really couldn't see any point that I could mark them down on.  A great achievement for these guys with just a half point from a perfect score.  I could quite happily walk into this kitchen and wouldn't change a thing.

The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal

I have all the kitchens to show you here, together with my comments on each one.

First place: Kirsty & Jesse  ||  Score: 29.5 / 30  ||  Spent: $49,085

The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Kirsty & Jesse
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Kirsty and Jesse
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Kirsty and Jesse
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Kirsty and Jesse
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Kirsty and Jesse
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Kirsty and Jesse
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Kirsty and Jesse
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Kirsty and Jesse
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Kirsty and Jesse
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Kirsty and Jesse
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Kirsty and Jesse

My thoughts on Kirsty and Jesse's kitchen reveal

  • Wow, I truly am swooning over this kitchen.  This is a room that is very well planned, highly functional and yet stunningly beautiful too.  This kitchen is welcoming and will be the true heart of this home.
  • The combination of navy blue and brass is classic and very well executed.  I am a little biased as they have used my absolute favourite kitchen door handles from Momo.
  • This kitchen is a contemporary take on a country style.  It is a Hamptons style but one that has so much more personality than the ones that are gracing the magazine pages and Pinterest feeds.  Some detractors may say that the subway tiles have had their day, but when something works well and is a classic design, why change it?
  • The seamless flow into the Butler's Pantry is perfect for a busy cook.  When a service area is this beautiful, with lovely gingham wallpaper, there is no need to hide it away.
  • The finishing touches are perfect.  I love the brass cabinet inserts, the beautiful sink and the understated Caesarstone benchtop.  The undersides of the cabinets have been beautifully finished with timber.
  • Finally, the bar station is perfect.  I like the way that they have subtly changed the tiles here to set it apart from the kitchen.  The arch is lovely.  There is nothing I dislike about this kitchen.

Related: Have you considered using blue for your kitchen cabinetry?  And How to choose kitchen door handles

Second Place: Ronnie & Georgia  ||  Score: 27 / 30  ||  Spent: $39,396

The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Ronnie and Georgia
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Ronnie and Georgia
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Ronnie and Georgia
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Ronnie and Georgia
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Ronnie and Georgia
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Ronnie and Georgia
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Ronnie and Georgia
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Ronnie and Georgia

My thoughts on Ronnie and Georgia's kitchen reveal

  • This is exactly the kitchen that I would imagine Ronnie and Georgia delivering.  Their gorgeous understated and sophisticated signature style is written all over this fabulous space.
  • A classic soft white kitchen with dreamy stone used on the front of the benchtop as well as the range hood, gives a stunning finish.
  • With touches of timber, feature panelling and a contemporary style door, this is a very successful kitchen that links beautifully to the other rooms in the house.
  • The oak herringbone floor looks fabulous too.
  • However, the major planning flaw is in the entry to the Butler's Pantry.  I have to admit that using cabinetry as a doorway into this more functional space looks great, however it is just not practical.  Each time you need to access this room, which would be regularly, you need to open the doors, one side directly in the way of the ovens and the other side onto another cabinet.  This will create quite an obstacle to the smooth movement around the room.  However good it looks, it just doesn't function well.

Related:  How to create a classic white kitchen

Third Place: Josh & Luke  ||  Score: 26 / 30  ||  Spent:  $33,024

The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Josh and Luke
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Josh and Luke
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Josh and Luke
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Josh and Luke
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Josh and Luke
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Josh and Luke

My thoughts on Josh and Luke's kitchen reveal

  • Josh and Luke have continued with the lux theme for their kitchen and overall I don't dislike it but I certainly don't love it.  I know it is supposed to be dark and moody with a luxurious vibe but with the grey flooring, I find it all a bit flat and depressing.
  • The Christian Cole feature timber on the island bench is gorgeous but I feel it is fighting with the flooring.
  • I do like the way that the Caesarstone has been used on the island bench to introduce more contrast while the remaining benchtops are very sleek and unobtrusive.
  • Again, I don't like the way that the Butler's pantry has been hidden behind cabinetry.   The access is right next to the ovens and the door extends out into the space of the kitchen.  This will be a functional issue when you have a family in and around this space.
  • I do love black kitchens and I think this one works, but it isn't my favourite this week.

Related: How to use black for kitchen cabinetry

Fourth Place: Tanya & Vito  ||  Score: 25.5 / 30  ||  Spent:  $27,083

The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Tanya and Vito
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Tanya and Vito
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Tanya and Vito
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Tanya and Vito
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Tanya and Vito
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Tanya and Vito
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Tanya and Vito
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Tanya and Vito
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Tanya and Vito

My thoughts on Tanya and Vito's Kitchen reveal

  • You always get the unexpected with Tanya and Vito.  Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't but I always applaud their love of colour and their willingness to push the boundaries – the basis for any good designer.
  • This is a kitchen that should have taken third place this week.  The layout is fabulous with an unimpeded access to the generous sized Butler's pantry.
  • The Terrazzo benchtop is a winner.  Yes, you will either love it or hate it, but I am sure that many will.  I also like the soft pink in the pantry.  Tanya and Vito were pressured into removing their gorgeous terracotta coloured tiles in their master ensuite so I am glad to see that their adventurous decorating spirit has not been quashed here.
  • I'm not a fan of the curved window but otherwise, this palette of predominantly white with accents of pink and black is a winner.

Last Place:   Mark & Mitch  ||  Score: 22.5 /  30  ||  Spent: $33,768

The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Mark and Mitch
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Mark and Mitch
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Mark and Mitch
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Mark and Mitch
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Mark and Mitch
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Mark and Mitch
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Mark and Mitch
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Mark and Mitch
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Mark and Mitch

My thoughts on Mark and Mitch's kitchen reveal

One of my favourite spaces in a house is a breakfast nook – I love them in all their guises.  I was therefore really pleased to see this in Mark and Mitch's kitchen reveal.  I haven't seen the layout of the house so I don't know if they made the best use of what they had, but with this gorgeous window, it was really crying out for a dining nook which the guys have planned beautifully.  I love the chairs, the window seat and the table.  A delightful space.

I'm not sure if this was at the expense of a more conveniently placed Butler's pantry, but in contemporary times for a large family home, this really should be right next to the kitchen.  Clearly the placement of the Butler's pantry cost Mark and Mitch points this week.  While we are talking about the pantry, I'm not sure that they needed yet another oven and cooktop in there too?

I really like the two tone cabinetry and the use of two different profiles too.  These work together and help to break up the large space.  The soft sage green is inspired as it picks up the detail in the feature window which has also been styled well with the Eucalyptus artwork.  It has come together beautifully.

I don't like the feature wall over the built in cabinetry as it is throwing out the white on the cupboards.  You need to be very careful when mixing whites together and this doesn't work.  I know that the large M is whimsical in the island bench, and I know this is The Block, but really, I think it would have been so much better without it.  Even without a convenient pantry, these guys didn't deserve to come last.

If you love breakfast nooks too, you may like this post My 10 favourite breakfast nooks

Related: Styling with Eucalyptus

My favourite pieces from The Block Kitchen Reveal

The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Eucalyptus artwork from The Block Shop
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Satara Stools from The Block Shop
The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal
Batch Ceramics Bowl from The Block Shop

You can compare this year's kitchens with the ones from The Block 2020 here.

The Block 2021 Kitchen Reveal

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

I would love to hear your comments in the space below.  Which kitchen was your favourite this week?

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