I was certainly surprised with some of the rooms on The Block 2023 bathroom and re-do room. There were rooms that were re-done for absolutely no reason. Some did need to be thought through again, but some were an absolute waste of time and resources. There is no doubt that Steph and Gian should have been in first place this week. Their bathroom reveal was absolutely stunning, while their re-do ensuite, which was completely unnecessary in my view, was also equally superb. Well done to them both.
The re-working of Kyle and Leslie's space for their living and dining room was excellent. These rooms clearly were not large enough for this type of family home, so this was a great success.
I have all of the Block 2023 bathroom and re-do rooms below with before and after photos. I have also included links for you to see the entire space with all my comments from previous posts. I would love to hear what you think.
The Block 2023 bathroom and re-do room
First Place: Eliza and Liberty Score: 27.5 points
Transforming a room Marty said would have been better off empty to a studio that earned a “Bravo!” from Shaynna, Eliza and Liberty’s redo studio was a huge success. A Laminex VJ timber feature wall replaced the Grafico roadmap, the microwave was hidden away and the television relocated for a change that truly worked, the judges said. Only the furniture location needed a tweak, Darren said, but that was easily fixed. Into the final bathroom and the jumbo terrazzo immediately caught the eye, paired with dark green tiles, oak and brass for a sophisticated winning aesthetic. Neale wasn’t sold on the styling, marking down the bath bombs and kids robes, but Shaynna was quick to point out the layout, execution and finish were near perfect. “A standout today!” she summed up.
You can see all the images of the original space here
My thoughts on Eliza and Liberty's Bathroom and Re-do room
- Firstly, the re-do room is a great improvement, but I still don't think it is absolutely right. While the wallpaper is stunning, I don't think it is a great back drop for a television. There is simply too much going on which would be a distraction.
- The V groove panelling looks great behind the study nook and kitchenette, but this is where some colour could have been introduced. Perhaps a soft sage green, rather than introducing the strong colour in the wallpaper.
- There isn't a rug, which is a big mistake and the focus of the room is the television rather than the outdoor area. The room has been improved though and will look good for the sale of the home.
- I must say that I wasn't keen on the bathroom. The dark walls, while absolutely stunning, were just too top heavy against the lighter terrazzo floor. The tiles were all beautiful, I just don't think they belong together.
- The vanity unit was nice, but it is a classic Hampton's style one which is completely out of place with the terrazzo flooring. This isn't a bad room, but it also isn't a winning one.
Second Place: Leah and Ash Score: 27 points
From a weather damaged office to a perfectly executed fourth bedroom, the transformation of Leah and Ash’s redo room was “stunning”, Shaynna said. Playing the solidity of the marble fireplace off the Palm Springs aesthetic in styling choices, this was a room all agreed fit the home’s eclectic style well. Their only fault was the missed opportunity of no seating in the bay window, but in all it was a successful redo that added a lot to the home. Upstairs Darren was immediately taken by the statement bathtub, “superb” tiling choices, and the fact the toilet was perfectly placed. The basins sparked debate, but with horizontal towel rails and a functional floorplan, it was “a near perfect room” Darren summed up.
You can see all the images of the original room here
My thoughts on Leah and Ash's bathroom and re-do room
- Firstly, the re-do room I believe works well as a bedroom. I love the use of colour which Leah and Ash have toned down nicely from their earlier attempts. They clearly love colour, which I applaud, and they have used it well in this space.
- The rug is a little large and is fighting with the fireplace and the artworks don't work with the Art Deco style fireplace and mirror, but overall this is a successful room.
- Their bathroom reveal is stunning. I love the simple floor and wall tiles and the dramatic tonal variation for the feature wall. It is a beautiful backdrop to the very appealing freestanding bath.
- With lots of options for shower heads, a fabulous vanity with very pretty basins and a great layout, this is the best room that Leah and Ash have delivered in this season. They can't help themselves with the green towels, but we'll let that one slide!
Third Place: Steph and Gian Score: 26 points
Flipping the vanity from an eastern wall to the west and adding Venetian plaster transformed Steph and Gian’s master ensuite redo room, bringing a sophistication that was missing and adding the perfect finishing touch to their master wing. Shaynna was still chasing more storage, pointing out the lack of face-level cupboards and the shallow vanity drawers, but overall, the room finally had soul, they decided. Into the kids “Jack and Jill” bathroom and the praise continued. “Very sophisticated!” Shaynna said, noting the added storage, but there were problems. Narrow shower doors could be tricky for kids, she said, the lighting was “gloomy” and functionality such as high towel hooks just didn’t work. It’s beautiful, Neale said, but flawed.
You can see all the images from the original ensuite here
My thoughts on Steph and Gian's bathroom and re-do room
- This is a master ensuite that didn't need to be changed. However, Steph and Gian's house so far has been exceptional, so I would struggle to suggest another room that they should re-do.
- I will admit that the vanity unit is better on the opposite wall and the Venetian plaster works well, but this is a room that was great and now is really great.
- I did like the tonal contrast of the dark walnut vanity in the original ensuite, but the new one looks fabulous too.
- The kid's bathroom is amazing. How lucky will these children be? The shower nook is a little on the small side, but otherwise the room is perfect. It flows so well to the bedrooms and really is just divine. How was this effort not awarded first place?
Fourth Place: Kyle and Leslie Score: 23.5
With Darren clapping and Shaynna dancing, it seemed Kyle and Leslie had found a way to open up what had been a cramped living and dining area and bring it into line with the rest of their home. “It just works!” Neale said as he took in the new curved wall that brought a flow from the front of the house, Porta moulding features reflecting the sheers and finally, the perfect place for the Christian Cole dining table. In the upstairs kids bathroom the terrazzo tiles and Velux skylights wowed and the judges agreed it was a beautifully styled space perfectly suited to its needs… if only the toilet wasn’t facing the bath. It’s the one tub in the house, Shaynna said, it deserved a better view.
You can see all the images of the original living and dining room here
My thoughts on Kyle and Leslie's bathroom and re-do room
- Clearly this re-do room is the most successful this week. The living and dining room were really too cramped and this is a much better use of the space.
- There is nothing not to like here. A very tasteful living area, stunning dining table, leading through to an award winning kitchen.
- I thought their bathroom reveal was less successful though. I think the bath is too small and doesn't look great next to the toilet.
- The vanity bench top is a cool white and is fighting with the warm background of the feature wall, which is actually very nice. Always be careful about mixing your whites as this can be a glaring error.
Fifth Place: Kristy and Brett Score:18.5
Clearly time had gotten the better of Kristy and Brett, the judges saw as they walked into an incomplete redo bathroom with missing fixtures, unfinished tiling and more. “This isn’t a redo room,” Darren joked, “it’s an undo room!”. Was it just time? Or had budget hit hard as well, Shaynna wondered. Clearly something had gone wrong. Upstairs in the kids bathroom, the same problems showed once again and although things were more under control, with a replication of the master ensuite clearly intended, the work was incomplete once more. Darren admitted he loved the face-levels storage and vanity styling and Neale said with the colour palette, timber tiles and layout he could see this will be a great bathroom when it’s finished… but it simply wasn’t.
You can see all the images of the original bathroom here
My thoughts on Kristy and Brett's bathroom and re-do room
- Why on earth was a perfectly good bathroom pulled to pieces? I didn't see anything wrong with it before. It had character and I didn't think it should be replaced.
- The brass fittings that were originally installed worked perfectly with the tile and vanity colour. Now they have been changed to black, the effect is heavy and out of place. What a shame to see this waste of time and resources.
- Kristy and Brett's new bathroom is a little dull and gloomy for my liking. I love the feature tile, the vanity, the toilet placement and the lights and mirrors. However, I just feel that the wall and floor tiles are just a bit dull and take the edge off the overall look.
- The layout is great, it just isn't as appealing as some of the rooms they have previously delivered.
What did you think about The Block 2023 re-do rooms? Were they all an improvement? I would love to hear in the comments below.
You can find out more about The Block and the contestants at Channel 9. Did you know that many of the beautiful items used on the show can be purchased through The Block Shop?
All photography credits to David Cook Photography
You can see all the rooms and my thoughts on them from previous years of The Block here.
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