On the final indoor week of The Block 2022, we saw the contestants complete a fourth bedroom and they had the opportunity to re-do a room. This was their chance to go back through the house and ensure that it is the best that it can be. This week I have shown the bedrooms and the re-do rooms with before and after photos so that you can easily compare and judge for yourself.
Some, although not all, of the re-do rooms were extremely successful and a great improvement on what was there before. There were mixed results with the final bedroom reveal and I didn't entirely agree with the judges, but then this is no change for me!
I have all the judges comments, photos and my reviews of the rooms below:
The Block 2022 Bedroom and Re-do room
First place (Equal) Tom and Sarah-Jane 28 POINTS
With a Rattan bedhead and complementing Grafico wallpaper to reflect the style of House one’s original guest bedroom, a king-size bed and perfectly-placed cabinetry this final guest room immediately caught the judges hearts, with Darren declaring once again that Sarah-Jane should be styling rooms for a living.
My thoughts on Tom and Sarah-Jane's bedroom
- The love affair with plaid wallpaper has continued through the house, but I must say that this week is the one that I think has been the most successful. Perhaps it's because it is in a lovely warm colour, but I feel it works in this space. There has been no attempt to add artwork on top of it, which I think is a big plus.
- The rattan bedhead is very appealing and I like the way the bed has been dressed. It is bold, but pretty at the same time.
- The soft grey of the built in wardrobes is a lovely foil to the pink colour palette and I really like the open shelving here.
- The only downside to this room is that the wardrobes have not been either taken to the ceiling or finished with a bulk head. This is a pet design hate of mine, which I know I have mentioned before, but I do think it detracts from the room and is impractical.
- Overall though, a lovely quirky guest bedroom reveal from Tom and Sarah-Jane.
Related: The rattan trend – how to incorporate it into your home
Into the redo room, the lounge area and suddenly things seemed much cosier, Shaynna said. New rug, chairs turned toward the fire, an extra couch and an updated entertainment unit (which thankfully tidies up the cables) all works with the huge space and finally shows, Neale says, even with the house’s massive size, it can still seem cosy.
Tom and Sarah-Jane's Living room – BEFORE
Tom and Sarah-Jane's Living room – AFTER
My thoughts on Tom and Sarah-Jane's Re-do room
- There are some great improvements to this space. One of the most successful is the inclusion of the rug underneath the two occasional chairs. If you are going to have a large open plan area, then you absolutely must invest in large rugs to zone the space.
- The entertainment unit is very nice and a great improvement on the shelf that was previously installed.
- I'm not keen on the addition of the second sofa as I don't think it works well with the one that is there. I also think that the occasional chairs in front of the fireplace could have been replaced for ones that at least look more comfortable.
- The big downside for me of this space was the rustic dining table and benches which were completely removed in style from the elegant kitchen. The re-do of this space should have included this area too.
Related: How to select the right rug
First place (Equal) Rachel and Ryan 28 POINTS
With a metallic-green tinge to the cabinetry, Grafico striped wallpaper, cornices, skirts and lamps all combine for contemporary country chic that’s a world away from their first guest room, the judges agreed.
My thoughts on Rachel & Ryan's bedroom
- I absolutely love this room. I think that Rachel and Ryan have really nailed it here.
- The colour scheme of terracotta, stone, rich browns and natural green is really stunning. This is a room to relax in.
- The bedroom is pared back but with warmth and interest. The wardrobes reach to the ceiling, which makes them look finished. The artwork is quirky and perfect for a guest bedroom. With a gorgeously comfy looking chair, this room is almost perfect. I think I would have added a couple of offset shelves to such a large wall, but this is the only fault I can find.
- Although I liked Tom & Sarah Jane's bedroom reveal, Rachel and Ryan should have taken out first place by themselves this week. A very successful room reveal.
Related: Natural Colour Palette
Related: Trend Report – Terracotta
Into the redo room and the judges agreed that this is a vast improvement on their first guest bedroom. With a new warmer colour on the feature wall, a new rug, a new bed and a new feel that married well into the home’s overall theme and the countryside in which it sits. “They’ve really hit their stride!” Shaynna said, pointing out the colours of the land outside were now reflected inside as well, adding up to a cohesive feel throughout.
Rachel and Ryan's Re-do room – BEFORE
Rachel and Ryan's Re-do room – AFTER
My thoughts on Rachel and Ryan's Re-do room
- It is great to see how Rachel and Ryan's treatment of colour has become much more sophisticated and more nuanced as the show has progressed. They really have the natural palette of terracotta and green nailed.
- The feature colour behind the bed, works much better with the wardrobe colour. Where before the change in tone was jarring, it now flows beautifully.
- The inclusion of a canopy bed works well with the different heights of the wardrobe and feature colour and helps to balance out the effect.
- The addition of the rug, which works really well with the colour scheme, the cosy table lamps and the fabulous, comfy armchair, ensure that this is a guest bedroom that will be in demand.
- What a great improvement this is for Rachel and Ryan.
Related: How to choose canopy beds
Third place: Dylan and Jenny 27.5 POINTS
Fluted wall panels and waffle bed throws combine for “texture on texture” Shaynna said, working well with the cabinetry (especially the handles), artwork, bedside table and lamp to showcase the palette and feel of the new room. Simple, Neale, said, but consistent with the rest of the house.
My thoughts on Dylan and Jenny's bedroom
- Overall, I think that this is a very successful bedroom reveal for Dylan and Jenny.
- I really like the wall panelling, the built in wardrobes to the ceiling and the writing/make-up nook is perfect. The padded comfort of the bedhead softens the space and the colour scheme is elegant and warm.
- This is a very nice bedroom reveal, but not one that I would say is stunning.
Into the re-do living and dining room and that sense of cohesion continued with a completely changed space that now sits well with the home. New sconces, the chandelier replaced by a fan, a fresh coat of paint over the Venetian plaster and styling changes have given the space a contemporary feel without sacrificing the country nods. “Next level,” Neale summed up, and now right for their home.
Dylan and Jenny's Re-do living and dining room – BEFORE
Dylan and Jenny's Re-do living and dining room – AFTER
My thoughts on Dylan and Jenny's Re-do living and dining room
- With furniture that is far more appropriate, there is now lots to love about this updated living and dining room.
- The previous French Provincial style didn't work well with the elegant kitchen. Occasional pieces of this style could be incorporated with this look, but it was all too outdated. The new streamlined look, is more modern and in keeping with the look and feel of the space.
- The dining table is in a much better position, although I feel it could still be a little larger. The chairs are still crammed in. The stools that are now tucked away under the island bench are less fussy and suit the space better.
- The removal of the outdated wall finish and the sideboard are a vast improvement. Overall, the look has been beautifully streamlined, the colour palette works really well and the entire feel of the room is completely refreshed.
Fourth place: Omar and Oz 25 POINTS
With the spare aesthetic of a Japanese ski lodge, Neale felt right at home in Omar and Oz’s final guest room, with Darren pointing out the discrete pelmet lighting and LED strips all combine to bring modern touches without sacrificing the country feel.
My thoughts on Omar and Oz's bedroom
- I really don't like lavender tones in a bedroom. The colour can be extremely draining and I find it to be cooler and less approachable than blue. As it contains some red, this is surprising, but blue can be pretty, whereas vast areas of purple/lavender are just glum. It takes me a lot to look past this wall.
- The wardrobes are very successful in this room with lots of storage, open shelving and a writing nook. The cupboards go almost to the ceiling with a small bulkhead. The entire wall of this room looks very appealing.
- I feel that the sideboard makes the room cramped and really was unnecessary with the amount of storage provided. I really like the upholstered bedhead. If only it wasn't against that wall!
As for the re-do room, their master bedroom, all judges agreed the change was spectacular, with the new king-size bed a natural fit now the cluttered reading nook had gone and pendant and bedside lamps combining for a warmer, cosier feel. There were issues with the fretwork blocking access to some of the storage, but over all a huge improvement on what had been there before.
Omar and Oz's Master Bedroom Re-do room – BEFORE
Omar and Oz's Master Bedroom Re-do room – AFTER
My thoughts on Omar and Oz's Master bedroom Re-do
- There is no doubt that the king size bed with smaller and more appealing bedside tables and lamps rather than wall lights work better than before.
- However, the room now just has two walk-in wardrobes which I feel doesn't work. I actually liked the reading nook and felt that it added personality to the space. It wasn't executed terribly well before with a cheap desk and flimsy looking shelving, but I did like the principle. In the re-do of this room, I think it would have been preferable to keep this as a sitting/reading nook, but just with far elevated finishes.
- They have taken the chair from the reading nook and replaced the wing back chair, which I think is a mistake.
- The central ottoman on legs works better in the walk in wardrobe.
- There is no doubt that this reveal is an improvement, but I also think that they should have stuck with their original idea and just executed it better.
Last Place: Ankur and Sharon 23.5 POINTS
A “nice” room suitable for a ten-year-old, Darren said as he took in Sharon and Ankur’s pink-themed guest room… but then why add cocktail glasses, Neale asked? He did, however, love the wardrobes, the cornice and ceiling rose, the pelmet and curtain, all working well to give the room great bones, it was just the styling that left him confused.
My thoughts on Ankur and Sharon's bedroom
- After beginning to pare back their spaces, Ankur and Sharon have returned to form by overloading the space again. I feel that the two large armchairs are a little overwhelming. Just one in the corner of the room, rather than a side table that really serves little purpose, would have been preferable.
- Overall though I do like the space. The wardrobes are simple and nicely finished with a bulkhead. The bed is pretty and nicely dressed and I love the wallpaper. I actually also don't mind the artworks above the bed as they are strong and definite and therefore don't fight with the wallpaper.
- I'm not keen on the curtains as the cool white, fights with the soft tone on the walls. The sheers on the black rod don't fit the space well and are poorly hung. There has been an overuse of sheers this season on The Block. Particularly for such a cool area, other window dressings such as Plantation shutters, heavier drapes or Roman blinds, should have been considered.
Into the redo room – the Living and Dining area – and all confusion left, with the added mirror, moved table, dark sheers and refinished paintwork leaving the judges happy that the space had definitely been saved. There were still some touches that could be tweaked, they said, but overall, it’s a massive improvement.
Ankur and Sharon's Living and Dining room Re-do – BEFORE
Ankur and Sharon's Living and Dining room Re-do – AFTER
My thoughts on Ankur and Sharon's Living and Dining room Re-do
- How much better does this room look now? This is a fabulous transformation and Ankur and Sharon should be highly commended for this.
- I always loved the generous dining table and chairs – both the size and the style of it all, but it needed a rug. Now, with it's new location and the dark rug beneath it, the effect is far more appealing. It balances the room beautifully.
- Although I liked the wall mural, the sugary pink has made way for a more sophisticated colour palette of greys, stone and terracotta and the effect is greatly enhanced. The mirror opens the space up beautifully and brings a moment of real grandeur to the room.
- The streamlining of the sofas, the ditching of the collection of occasional chairs, a new rug and coffee table and the fireplace complete. This is a room that is now quite stunning and I feel would have deserved first place in the living and dining room reveal week. Well done to Sharon and Ankur.
What did you think of the Block 2022 bedroom and re-do room reveals this week? I would love to hear in the comments section below.
Photography: David Cook Photography
More background information can be found at The Block Channel 9
Many of the gorgeous items seen on The Block 2022 bedroom and re-do room reveal can be found at The Block Shop.
One of the hardest things is starting a renovation and defining your style. It needs to be something that you love but also is appropriate for the style of house you are building or renovating. Ensure you do this before you start and not as you progress through the project as the end result will not be as cohesive as it could be if there is a change in direction. Read my post on How to define your decorating style for more inspiration.
Did you know that I have a Free Resource Library? Whether you are building a new dream home or just undertaking a weekend redecorating project, there will be something there to help and inspire you. Included in my library is a guide on how to put together a mood board. You can download the free checklists and e-books here.
