The Block 2023 Guest Bathroom

It's that time of the year again when we get to review the rooms on The Block.  This week sees the reveal of The Block 2023 Guest Bathroom, a difficult one to begin with and one that proved quite a challenge for the contestants.  In terms of the winning team, I agreed with this result – this is a beautiful, classic and timeless design.  Well done to Kyle and Leslie.  Some of the other bathrooms though were quite polarising and although I could find elements to love about them all, they certainly are not all classic.

Remember though that it's a very different proposition to design a bathroom for your own home that you plan to live in for a long time, and one that you are preparing for sale.  So, if you are judging on sale criteria, this is a completely different ballgame.

I have included my thoughts on all the Block 2023 guest bathroom reveals below together with photos of each room.  I would love to hear what you think.

The Block 2023 Guest Bathroom reveal with the judges' and my take on each room

First Place: Kyle and Leslie 25 Points

“This is massive!” the judges said when they saw Kyle and Leslie’s bathroom, complete with Venetian plastering, a unique hero curved ceiling, double vanities, loads of storage and natural light galore thanks to the Velux skylights and the window. With what Shaynna called: “a timeless colour palette” accented by VJ panelling and a layout that earned praise from Marty, the room quickly won them over. Only the gunmetal floor grate, the lack of underfloor heating and a bath mat Darren thought should go were negatives in a room Marty summed up as one that will be memorable for buyers and will look very good in a sales brochure.

My thoughts on Kyle and Leslie's bathroom reveal

• The colour palette is perfect with a combination of fresh white, warm greys and soft greige tones.  The inclusion of the soft olive green vanity completes the palette perfectly.
• I love the design element of a simple curved ceiling which brings an organic feel and softness to the scheme.  Remember that a bathroom is predominantly hard edges, so this design element is most welcome.
• The shower shelf and simple floor grate enhance this wet area and its generous size and range of shower heads is a good idea.
• The addition of the large plant really completes the look, but may have to go if anyone larger needs to access the toilet!
• Overall, a very nice and timeless bathroom which will not polarise many people when it comes to sale time.

Second Place: Leah and Ash 24.5 Points

“Sophisticated, sultry and gorgeous,” said Darren as he took in the drama of a room he instantly loved… but also warned might be polarizing. With another curved ceiling, polished Venetian plaster and moody colour scheme it was a space that made Marty feel like he’s walked into a nightclub. From the vanities to shaving cabinets, everything was luxe, they agreed, but there were issues. For a start the style would be too much to take throughout the whole house, Marty said, and the frosted window left him feeling shut in. The tiles over the shower screen were too much, Shaynna added but overall, it was a successful room executed beautifully.

My thoughts on Leah and Ash's guest bathroom reveal

• I can see the appeal of a dark bathroom, but I think this looks a little seedy.  A bit like a nightclub bathroom in the cold light of day.  Perhaps it's the Venetian plaster taken up and over the ceiling or the dark grey grout in the wall tiles, but the room has little to love for me.
• The floor tiles are an effort to bring in some warmth, but I feel they just clash with the dark walls too much.
• I do absolutely love the vanity unit.  I am partial to dark walnut tones and partnered with black marble, this is extremely successful.  However, it is lost in the gloom of a bathroom that will not have wide appeal for buyers.

Third Place Eliza and Liberty 23 Points

Struck instantly by the bold choice of floor tile, the judges felt Liberty and Eliza’s bathroom was “a happy place” with Shaynna saying the whole room felt divine. But it didn’t take long for them to start finding flaws. The tall shower height and face-level toilet flusher confused them. Then there were the mismatched metals in fixtures, something Shaynna never likes, and a shower screen she and Marty both agreed would be better frameless. Marty also pointed out the lighting mixed warm and cold, with Darren adding the pendant looked dated. Execution however, was all good, they said, adding up to a great style Shaynna thinks is very saleable.

My thoughts on Eliza and Liberty's guest bathroom

• This is a bathroom that is fresh and quirky and has lots to like about it.
• I like the bold choice of tile on the floor, however I would not include it in the shower niche.  It is a gorgeous feature on the floor, but a tad too far on the wall where it becomes the main focal point.  I only like subtle changes for shower niches and often prefer them executed in the same wall tile.
• I really like the matt white subway tiles on the walls.  I know this has been around for a while, but it's another example of a classic that really doesn't date and has wide appeal.
• I do agree with the judges on the mix of metals which is wrong here.  The shower screen is gorgeous, but as it is in a different finish to the tapware, the effect has been lost.
• The vanity is simple and stylish and overall I really like the bathroom.  It will be interesting now to see the quirky touches introduced into other rooms.

Fourth Place: Kristy and Brett 21 Points

Is it a Melbourne bathroom, Shaynna wondered as she walked into Kristy and Brett’s bathroom, or a a Moroccan Day Spa… either way it’s something she likes! But it doesn’t take long for her and the other judges to find flaws. The industrial shower screen doesn’t work with the overall look, she feels, and after seeing two other curved ceilings, Darren thinks this would have been the ideal place for another. “It’s a missed opportunity,” Marty agrees, saying after seeing the competition, this was feeling “bland” to him. It’s a room that had some great features, but was being played too safely, he thought.

• Not everything is perfect about this bathroom, but I absolutely love the welcoming and enveloping feel that the room induces.  How lovely, particularly in a cooler city like Melbourne, to be surrounded by beautiful warm tones.  This is a bold choice when cooler colours are often more on trend for bathrooms, but the colour makes perfect sense and I am so glad that Kristy and Brett chose it.
• I really like the integrated seat in the shower.  This is a great idea as often a guest bathroom is used by older people.  It adds a touch of luxury too – just like the Moroccan day spa that Shaynna alluded to.
• With a gorgeous curved vanity and mirror, this is a guest bathroom that I feel deserved more than the judges offered.

Last Place: Steph and Gian 20.5 Points

From the moment they walked in, all three judges agreed this was a room that worked from a planning perspective. Toilet to the side, walk in to face the vanity and with beautiful tiles and oak veneer the look combined for contemporary sophistication. Looking closer however, they started to worry. The rustic beams above fought the room, and the metal angle in the corner of the tiles was “abysmal” Darren said, the walls seems out of plumb and the wallpaper “robbed the room” of style. It all adds up, they agreed, to a well-planned, but poorly executed room, but nothing that can’t be fixed.

My thoughts on Steph and Gian's guest bathroom

• There are points that don't appeal about this bathroom, but on the whole I think the outcome is very good.  I can't comment on the execution as I can't see it that closely, but at first glance there is much to like here.
• The layout is very good with a nicely designed and attractive vanity which is a generous size.
• I like the simple colour palette of oak and warm greys, however I do agree that the wallpaper choice lets down the bathroom.  It seems to be too cool to work with the tiles and is making the room a little lifeless.  This is easy to address though.
• The ceiling beams though are completely out of place.  I originally thought that the room was unfinished.  These have to go as they are not working with this space at all.

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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