The Block study, garage and wine cellar reveal had a clear winner for me this week. Ronnie and Georgia absolutely stole the show and nobody came close to them. This week, these guys have completely set themselves apart in the competition.
The judges only marked Kirsty and Jesse a half point behind the winners, but although I have been a big fan of their work, I didn't feel the results should be so close this week. The other 3 contestants were in the correct position too, but I wouldn't say that I was a fan of anything much that I saw with these contestants. Poor Josh and Luke have clearly struggled to get everything finished and were last place this week with a very harsh 8 points out of 30. Although I can't say that they deserved much more.
The Block 2021 Study, Garage and Wine Cellar
I have the full rundown here, together with my comments. Some of the contestants delivered (or not in the case of Josh and Luke) a powder room too this week. It has certainly been an extremely busy time as we come towards the end of The Block. I would love to hear what you thought of the rooms too.
First place: Ronnie and Georgia || Score: 27 / 30
My thoughts on Ronnie and Georgia's Study, Garage and Wine Cellar
- Ronnie and Georgia delivered rooms this week that were streets ahead of the other contestants. The sheer amount of rooms and areas that they were able to complete is also very impressive.
- I loved everything. I don't have much to say about any of the garage spaces but these guys were the only ones to install some very functional storage along one wall. The mud room leading off of this space was everything you would expect it to be. Good seating, storage and with some style.
- The study looking out to the swimming pool was well laid out with lots of storage, a fabulous day bed and stylish desk and chair. Classic Ronnie and Georgia style.
- And a big wow for the staircase. Absolutely on trend with the gorgeous curves. A stunning sculptural piece through the centre of the house.
- The biggest wow for me was the wine cellar. I love it. The brick herringbone floor suits the room perfectly. I feel as though I am in the Hunter Valley. The tasting bench is perfect, as are the stools, wet bar and wine storage. Ronne and Georgia were the only ones to create a true wine cellar vibe. The other contestants delivered rooms that were like a nightclub or a bottle shop tasting room. This was the only successful one this week.
- These guys deserved first place. I suspect they lost points as their reading nook on the landing was left unstyled. What a shame – this should have been a 30 / 30 week.
Second Place: Kirsty and Jesse || Score: 26.5 / 30
My thoughts on Kirsty and Jesse's Study, Garage and Wine Cellar
- Kirsty and Jesse always deliver good spaces and deserved their second place this week. The rooms didn't wow me though as they have in the past.
- The garage was nicely finished with a fun and local mural, great floor and also good storage. Nothing to lose points on here.
- The study was very nice – but not a wow moment. Great storage and desk space, but I'm not a fan of the overhead shelving and felt it was out of kilter with the rest of the house. I loved the chair and the mirror was a nice touch.
- Of course the cellar was quite stunning with the bank of wine fridges, what wine lover wouldn't love this? But this is where I felt I was in my local bottle shop. The bench was laid out as a wine tasting bench, rather than a convivial zone to chat and taste wines with friends. A huge central timber island that you could sit around would be far more practical and stylish. The white cabinetry wasn't right against the dark blue walls. It looked cheap. They have scored top points with their recipe of dark navy cabinetry, brass accents and white walls. Why didn't they continue this here? Some of their gorgeous wallpapers could have worked well too. They have kept their lovely colour palette, but flipping it like this didn't work.
Third Place: Mitch and Mark || Score: 23 / 30
My thoughts on Mark and Mitch's Study, Garage and Wine Cellar
- As is so often the case with Mark and Mitch's rooms, I have no idea where to look first.
- Rather than a wine cellar, they incorporated this into a rumpus room, but it didn't work. The space was just far too busy. The colour palette didn't work as it wasn't cohesive. In fact nothing was cohesive in the room. There was a wine fridge stuck in the corner with a separate wine rack that you would expect to see in a garage. At the other end of the room, there was a kitchenette, with the strangest of refrigerators. In a kitchenette, the fridge must be integrated or an under bench solution should be provided. There was simply just too many free standing items that should have been designed properly within joinery.
- I can see what Mark and Mitch wanted to achieve to sit alongside their amazing steam room. This could be a self contained guest suite, but there wasn't a dining table. The room needed to be better planned with the wine bottles integrated better and the colour palette more restrained.
- The study zone is very nice and practical, but the occasional chair seemed to be a repository for their excess cushions and throws – I'm not quite sure where anyone would sit?
- These guys just need to pare back their look. Remember the motto that a room is complete once something is taken away.
Fourth Place: Tanya and Vito || Score: 19.5 / 30
My thoughts on Tanya and Vito's study, garage and wine cellar
- I have said in the past that Tanya and Vito's house is just not a grown up one. I am sure this wine cellar would hold some appeal, but I feel the biggest fans will be teenage children. Probably not the greatest parenting decision. There will be appeal with the games room in adults, but will this be long lived?
- The room could work well if styled differently. I would have preferred to see the wine racks on the wall line up with the top of the refrigerator.
- Their garage does have a great polished concrete floor with lots of storage and an innovative garage door. I'm looking forward to seeing the facade of this house, which if the portholes in the garage door are anything to go by, will be great.
Last Place: Josh and Luke || Score: 8 / 30
My thoughts on Josh and Luke's study, garage and wine cellar
- Josh and Luke have clearly struggled with meeting the building deadlines as there was so much left unfinished this week. Their guest ensuite and garage were a long way from delivery.
- The study/guest bedroom was finished, but apart from the mural, which I wasn't a great fan of, didn't really inspire me.
- Their wine cellar was incorporated into their media room. This brought back the judges smiles, but I'm not sure why. I felt as though I was in an illegal drinking den with dark carpets that will hide the stains but be sticky within a month or so. The room was laid out like a kitchen but no wet area. I'm sorry but I can't find a single point here of redemption.
My favourite pieces from The Block study, garage and wine cellar reveal
I loved everything about Ronnie and Georgia's rooms this week, but I particularly liked the study desk, chair and rug.
I would love to hear what you thought of The Block 2021 study, garage and wine cellar reveals. Do you agree with me?
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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