The Block 2022 Kitchen

Week 6 on The Block 2022 sees the reveal of the most anticipated room, the kitchen.  There were some great highs, but again, some lows, and again I didn't agree completely with the judges.  I have really enjoyed seeing how Omar and Oz have developed through the show, but I am very sorry to say that I couldn't find one redeeming feature in their kitchen.  It was completely out of place and simply too dark and oppressive for a country style home.

I thought that first place for Tom & Sarah Jane, followed closely by Dylan & Jenny in second place was absolutely right.  But how did Rachel and Ryan come in at last place?  Their kitchen was very elegant, well planned with some nice design touches.  This kitchen deserved either joint second or at least third place.

I have all the photos, the judges comments and my own thoughts on each kitchen below.

The Block 2022 Kitchen reveals

First Place: Tom & Sarah-Jane, Score: 30 Points

“I am awestruck!” Darren said as he walked into House 1 and took in everything from the beautiful herringbone flooring, a massive Ilve oven and statement copper fridge (complete with windowed Charcuterie and wine spaces) and more. It’s “the ultimate contemporary country kitchen”, Neale declared and for once, Shaynna didn’t disagree. With touches including an over-stove pot-filler tap, a butler’s pantry that could serve as a second kitchen and ample space for every gadget possible without feeling crowded, this was a kitchen that immediately caught all three judges and set the standard for every other team to beat… if they could.

My thoughts on Tom and Sarah Jane's kitchen

• I like everything about this kitchen.  There really isn't anything to fault here.
• The colour palette is soft and muted and I love their use of Caesarstone Arabetto as the benchtop.  It is quite bold but doesn't overwhelm as it is only on the horizontal surfaces.  The simple textured splashback of subway tiles is classic but very effective, particularly as they have continued the splashback to the ceiling.
• The island bench design is a perfect balance of timber and grey and I really like their choice of counter stools.
• Beautiful flooring, a fabulous well laid Butler's pantry, good quality appliances and sinks, beautiful tapware…..I could go on and on.  A really great kitchen from Tom and Sarah Jane.

Related: How high should a tiled kitchen splashback be?

Joint second place: Dylan & Jenny, Score: 28.5 Points

With brass mesh inserts in Sage green cabinetry, ribbed glass panelling behind the rangehood Shaynna was instantly captivated by the colours of house 4’s kitchen, while Neale gushed over the mix of contemporary and country that tugged at the heartstrings. By matching the stove, fridge and rangehood, the whole area ties together, Shaynna said, with Darren pointing out the lighting that for once this week, he utterly loved. From modern touches like an Insinkerator garbage disposal unit to a traditional butler’s pantry with more bench space than they could want, the judges found the space a perfect addition to Jenny and Dylan’s home.

My thoughts on Dylan and Jenny's Kitchen

• Another beautiful kitchen, which really is on a par with Tom and Sarah Jane's.  A little more traditional, but perfectly suited to the style of the house.
• Green, particularly sage green, is one of my favourite colours and therefore I will always swoon over a green kitchen.  Partnered with brass tones, the palette is perfect.
• The mesh inserts in the island bench and the ribbed glass in the upper cabinetry are great design touches which make a difference but not so much as to detract from the scheme.
• The choice of a simple benchtop with a classic tiled splashback ensures that the look is not overdone and complicated.  I can only dream about the size of the Butler's pantry – there can be no excuses for not enjoying to cook here.  A fabulous kitchen from Dylan and Jenny.

Related: Have you considered green for your kitchen cabinetry?

Related: How to use the colour sage green

Joint second place: Omar & Oz, Score: 28.5 Points

Featuring $250,000 worth of top-end Winning appliances – anything and everything a modern home owner could want – Omar and Oz’s kitchen was always going to be hard to beat. And nestled in a dark-accented space that screamed modern while somehow nodding to the country setting, it’s near perfect, Darren said, a kitchen that truly embraces contemporary. But was it too much? In a country home, did the huge stainless island bench sink fit? Was the concrete aggregate flooring in style? Who cares, they decided, it all worked, from the Portatimber ceiling past the state-of-the-art Gallery and V-Zug appliances to the ground and everything in between, this kitchen, Darren summed up: “Will sell the house!”.

My thoughts on Omar & Oz's kitchen

• I've decided I must be on a different planet to the judges.  I can't agree with a single one of their comments and I think this kitchen is a complete disaster.  Even in a highly contemporary setting, I don't like it, let alone in this house.  I have really admired the bedrooms and bathrooms from Omar and Oz – in fact, I love their style, but this is like they are different contestants.
• The island bench should have been in natural timber to complement the hard tones of the concrete floor.  The cabinetry needs a good clean.  I know these guys are working in a building site, but where they have attempted to wipe the joinery, this is a sneak peek into how difficult this cupboard surface can be to maintain.
• The sheers are completely inappropriate right next to the oven and there is no splashback at all in the Butler's pantry.

Related: How to use black for kitchen cabinetry

Fourth Place: Ankur & Sharon, Score: 24.5 Points

Cleverly set at the end of the new build and aimed straight at their house’s main asset – the view – this was a kitchen that immediately won the judges praise. The Black Empira Caesarstone complementing rose gold accents in the Smeg stove and a quirky pink-panelled fridge all worked to make what Neal called a classic kitchen. From the six-seat island in front to the discrete butler’s pantry behind (with its hidden challenge-winning mirror), a separate Smeg wine fridge and even cornices combined with square-set ceilings, it’s a kitchen that lacked the styling impact of others, but still did justice to the home Ankur and Sharon are building.

My thoughts on Ankur & Sharon's kitchen

• There are some really great elements in this kitchen and much to like.
• I like the Empira Black Caesarstone benchtops, the brass sink and black tap and the black and brass handles to complete the look.  The classic Shaker panelled white cabinetry is fresh and simple and the splashback is a nice contrast.  In fact, this is a great example of how you can introduce dark tones and black into a country style kitchen.  The balance is right, there is drama and strong contrast, but it isn't overwhelming and foreboding.
• The flooring is very nice and the island bench is a great size and in perfect proportion to the space.  With a generously sized Butler's pantry, this is a great cook's kitchen.
• There were a couple of things I didn't like.  The pink fridge for me spoilt the balance and the styling wasn't quite right.  I don't think this kitchen is in the league of Tom and Sarah Jane's or Dylan and Jenny's, but I do think it is a very nice room reveal.

Last Place: Rachel & Ryan, Score 24 points

The contemporary path continues, said Shaynna as she entered Rachel and Ryan’s sleek and modern kitchen, but with rustic touches. From the Oyster grey cabinets and new porcelain splashback, ample butler’s pantry and the latest appliances all focussed to an enormous island bench, this was a beautiful but pared back space.  Perhaps too pared back Shaynna added.  Beautifully executed and with attention to zoning and layout, the kitchen worked well, they agreed, but lacked the drama of other houses. The exposed beams overhead hinted at a country feel that could be coming, but while it’s a “bloody good kitchen” Neale said, there just wasn’t the emotional connection.

My thoughts on Rachel & Ryan's kitchen

• There is a lot of love about this kitchen.  To begin with it is clean and fresh and its simplicity is a breath of fresh air.
• I really like the cabinetry and the Momo handles are one of my favourites.  Teamed with brushed nickel tapware, a sleek undermounted, generously sized sink and a stunning fridge, this is a kitchen that will have wide appeal and will look good for years to come.
• I really like the accents of timber which have been cleverly included in the island and shelving either side of the window.  The stunning ceiling beams and fabulous greenery soften the look of the kitchen immensely.
• I am not a fan of the lighting, which I think is too contemporary for the house, and the pantry styling left a little to be desired.  Both the kitchen and the pantry would benefit from the inclusion of rugs too.  But these are small points which could be easily rectified.  This kitchen didn't deserve last place.  It should have been either third or a tie for second place.

What did you think of the kitchen reveals this week?  I would love to hear your comments.

You can see the kitchen reveals from The Block 2021 here.

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 kitchen 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.