I think that this week I was looking at a different season of The Block to the judges. I thought that Steph and Gian were the clear winners of this week's Living and Dining room reveal. Really, I can't see how there would be any debate about this. I don't think that I agreed with anything that the judges said this week. There were some great moments and good ideas from all the teams, but the final three produced the most successful Living and dining room this week.
Now, I love colour. I really love it. In fact, it is the reason I started this blog. But, it has to be used properly. You can't just be bold and throw everything together. The winners and the runners-up didn't go well with colour at all this week.
Anyway, all the rooms are below with the judges' comments and my own. I would love to hear what you think about the living and dining room reveal?
The Block 2023 Living and Dining Room
First Place: Leah and Ash 29 points
If ever there was a space that stamped Leah and Ash’s intention of making a statement, it was their living and dining room. “I am so glad I came back today!” said Neale as he celebrated his return to The Block with a visit to House Two’s brightly coloured, pop art inspired space starring a multicoloured armchair and Camerich neon pink cocktail. “It’s definitely polarising,” he said, “but they’ve pulled it off!”. And it wasn’t just with styling, Darren said. By changing the original plans, adding a chandelier alongside downlights then removing nib walls they’d created more space and given the home a better flow from downstairs to up.
My thoughts on Leah and Ash's Living and Dining room
- I found this space completely overwhelming. I love colour but you need to understand the rules. People say the rules can be broken, but then you end up with a room without cohesion. You can use three strong colours together, but they should be equidistant on the colour wheel. So, for example, red can be used with yellow and blue. In any scheme, the colour red is the first point that your eye is drawn towards, so it is really important that the other colours work with it. Alternatively, you could use the secondary colours of green, purple and orange together in a scheme. One of these should be the dominant colour. You can have a split complementary scheme so that you use red with a blue/green and a yellow/green. Or a straight forward complementary scheme with red and green (which are opposite on the colour wheel) and this should be in a 70/30 split at the most.
- There were so many lovely pieces in this room. I love the salmon pink of the rug and the rich purple tones of the dining chairs. These would work beautifully with a palette of green tones.
- I didn't like the tiles on the treads and risers of the stairs. In terms of colour they worked – there's the salmon pink and green together. Soft furnishings can be easily changed, but this is a feature of the room that the new buyers will need to love as it can't easily be changed.
- I loved the oval dining table and the fabulous chandelier above it brought some glamour and elegance to the room. There is some great space here, but it needs to be toned down so that the colour that is there really sings.
Second Place: Eliza and Liberty 27 points
The one thing that screams luxury in a home, the judges agreed, is space. And Eliza and Liberty’s huge living dining area certainly delivered that. “This floorplan is the gift of all gifts,” Darren declared, “and you haven’t messed it up!” Looking out over what will be their backyard and with a central free-standing fireplace, the space is punctuated by a huge couch, Rosenberg art and a Camerich sculpture plus a porta timber feature wall with a generous inset television. It's a sophisticated space, they all agreed, that’s going to work very well against the kitchen to come.
My thoughts on Eliza and Liberty's Living and Dining Room
- The great elements of this space are the mix of textures in the rugs, furniture and wall lining.
- It's really good to see a buffet in the dining area. This really is essential, particularly in a family style home. It's great storage and also is a good opportunity for the placement of table lamps, ornaments etc. The dining table looks fabulous, but you can only seat 6 people around it comfortably which for a house of this size is too small. Always consider where the legs are when you purchase a table. This one looks stunning but four people sitting at the table will be very uncomfortable!
- The inset TV looks great, but this can often be an issue when you opt to change your TV.
- Again, Eliza and Liberty have used orange tones with a warm purple/blue tone. Orange should be partnered with a cooler blue. This warm blue should be used with a yellow or yellow/orange.
Equal Third Place: Kristy and Brett 25.5 points
From the three-sided Stoke fireplace with polished plaster hearth to the adjacent textured wall, this was, Darren declared, a room to die for. Just one of two living spaces planned for down stairs, it was, Neale added, just perfect for servicing what will be a pool area outside the Aluplast windows. The lighting plan left Shaynna flat, suggesting the downlights could have either been pushed the room’s edges or made more central. But even with that, there was a warmth and depth to the colour palette that made it a room: “with a lot to love!”
My thoughts on Kristy and Brett's Living and Dining Room
- This is a gorgeous space. These guys know understated styling perfectly. It isn't boring, just beautifully curated.
- The colour palette of soft terracotta, cream, white and rich warm brown tones is perfect. A beautiful related colour scheme. Kristy and Brett have also used a mix of textures to bring additional interest to the scheme with polished stone, rough ceramicware, luxurious velvet and fabulous textured seating and rug.
- I really like the A symmetrical mount for the TV which brings an unexpected air to the room. Some additional ambient lighting from floor and table lamps will really complete this space.
- Oh, and I absolutely love the herringbone flooring!
Equal Third Place: Steph and Gian 25.5 points
With an elevated dining room overlooking the sprawling living room, Steph and Gian had hoped to showcase their Japandi aesthetic, but instead, all Neale could do was question the reason behind its placement. “Does it improve the flow of the house,” Neale asked, “maybe not. And then there was the styling, he added, with so many ceramics in one place: “It feels like a retail space!”. They were won back by the execution and the adjacent living room with its wrap-around Aluplast glazing looking out onto the back yard, with Neale happily settling into the wingback chair to take it all in.
My thoughts on Steph and Gian's Living and Dining Room
- I don't think there is anything wrong that I can say about this space. I really love it.
- The dining ‘room' is separate, but still part of the overall space. I love that it is a designated area that is elevated. The lower ceiling here makes the dining table more intimate – a fabulous space for family and friends to gather in.
- The dining area is interesting with a gorgeous colour palette that is warm and welcoming without being over-stimulating. I really like their collection of ceramicware and the lighting and artworks perfectly complete the room. All offer lots of different textures which enhance the space.
- The low dividing wall is inspired. Giving an opportunity for a double sided fireplace and room for the TV in the adjacent living room, this works perfectly.
- The living room is stylish and really comfortable. The brown corner sofa is just right for this room and suits the colour palette perfectly. With accents of black and a gorgeous oak floor, this living and dining room really should have taken out first place this week.
Related: How to decorate with brown
Fifth Place: Kyle and Leslie 20 points
Light, bright and welcoming, the judges felt an immediate warmth from Kyle and Leslie’s living and dining space, but it was, Neale quickly pointed out, too constricted. Tiny, in fact. With its hero Christian Cole dining table dominating almost the entire dining space and the living area taken up by a small lounge aimed at the television leaving no room for anything else, this was not a room the house deserved. Keep the colour palette and the curves, they urged, but “it’s a beautifully styled and built disaster” Neale summed up and something that needed a rethink.
My thoughts on Kyle and Leslie's Living and Dining room
- What a beautiful and serene living and dining space. Possibly a touch of soft colour would lift it a little, but these guys are great with neutrals and these rooms do not fail.
- Of course, I can see why Kyle and Leslie lost points this week. The living area really is too small and cramped and has been overwhelmed by the large TV.
- But isn't the dining table gorgeous? I love the lighting, the dining centrepiece, the artwork and cosy sofa. This was certainly not a space that should have come last this week.
Related: My Guide to the Perfect Dining Room
Related: 7 tips to style a living room
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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