The Block Kitchen Reveal

The Block Kitchen reveal is here with some stunning kitchens. Kitchen week on The Block is always one of the most interesting as this is the biggest investment in the house and one that the contestants can't afford to get wrong. Butler's pantries and integrated refrigerators are standard and gorgeous over-sized island benches are now the norm.

Daniel and Jade won this week by playing their bonus card (gnome) but I have listed the contestants in order below with their raw marks. Jimmy and Tam were my favourites this week. I really admire the way they have stuck to the brief and each week ensured that their room reveal has the feel of the 1950s. As they have progressed this is being interpreted in a more contemporary way and I feel they deserved top place this week.

Browse through the images below with the judges' and my comments to see which you like the best and whether or not you agree with me.

The Block 2020 Kitchen Reveal

Harry and Tash | Week 6 | Kitchen Reveal 29/30

Judges' comments

The judges immediately loved the 4m long island bench of Harry and Tash’s, this is truly a kitchen for 2020. Darren was a huge fan of the black fingerless pull handles and the sleek elements of the bench top from Ceasarstone. Harry put a lot of thought into his coffee machine purchase this week on The Block and it paid off, the judges thought it added a lot of value to the kitchen. The Butler’s Pantry was spacious, a true entertainer’s kitchen. Harry and Tash have really come into their own the past few weeks on The Block, let’s hope it continues.

My comments

Harry and Tash have certainly delivered a very sleek and stylish kitchen with some interesting design elements. I too like the black fingerless pulls to add definition to the drawers and I really like the extension of the splashback to line up with the extractor hood, while providing space for some shelving to complete the line of timber.

The continuation of black accents in the styling and in the Butler's pantry works well to offset the white and natural timber too. In terms of the original brief of designing to the glitzy Art Deco of the 1920s though, I can't see any relationship in this kitchen to that period. The 1920s was a period of exciting international travel on ocean liners and many of the houses designed at that time were curved to replicate a luxurious liner. If the island bench had at least had a stunning curved shape, this would have been a nod to that era and made the kitchen a lovely contemporary one, that also met the brief.

Jimmy and Tam | Week 6 | Kitchen Reveal 29/30

Judges' comments

Finally Jimmy and Tam got to see the incredible prize they won in week one come to life – the $120,000 Gaggenau kitchen appliances. The judges just loved every appliance that included two dishwashers, two ovens, a wine fridge, a coffee machine and a fridge and a freezer. Tam purchased $5000 worth of wine for the wine fridge, adding even more value to their 1950s inspired house. The terrazzo theme was continued on with some lights from Bent Design. The charcoal and mint green colour palette was bold and a real risk, but the judges loved it. The only thing they didn’t like was the size of the stools on the kitchen island bench, but Tam always knew she was going to cop some criticism for that. Another very strong week from our Brisbane couple.

My comments

I absolutely love the charcoal, soft grey and mint scheme of this kitchen. Not only does it meet the brief of designing a home in the 1950s retro theme, but it is also just an amazingly stunning, adventurous and contemporary, on-trend colour scheme. Green is fast becoming the new navy blue and in this mint green version it suits the house perfectly.

I also really like the European inspired slimline benchtops too. They bring an elegance to the space that isn't achieved with the chunkier benchtop styles. The continuation of the Terrazzo in the pendants works well too. My only thought, which is a very practical one, is that the ovens are a long walk away from the stove top. Visually it looks great but there will be a lot of steps involved with making dinner – possibly not a bad thing to burn calories though!

Daniel and Jade | Week 6 | Kitchen Reveal 28 ½ + 1 / 30

Judges' comments

Christian Cole created an absolutely amazing Island bench for Daniel and Jade this week, with the couple using it as their Suncorp Gamechanger. It really is a piece of furniture art, and the judges couldn’t speak highly enough of it. The custom made bench had everyone talking on The Block this week and for good reason. The judges thought the Island bench was also a lovely nod to the 1930s era of House No.3 The kitchen is the heart and soul of the house, and Daniel and Jade’s kitchen had a lot of soul. Daniel and Jade used their gnome they won at the pottery challenge to take out their first win on The Block. They needed the money so the $10,000 from Ford couldn’t have come at a better time.

My comments

The island is indeed a masterpiece. It is a beautiful design and the perfect nod to the 1930s Art Deco period both in shape and the rich colour and Daniel and Jade are to be complemented for this design and the way that they have made an effort to meet the original brief. I think that the sink would have worked better on the other bench, but this is a small thing.

The thoughtful placement of the pendants works well too. A very nice and elegant kitchen with a lovely warm colour palette.

Sarah and George | Week 6 Kitchen Reveal 28 / 30

The judges' comments

There are a lot of curves on The Block this week, including in Sarah and George’s House No.2. Their Dolomite stone curved kitchen bench was a work of art according to the judges. Brilliant workmanship. Darren hugged it he loved it that much. One criticism in the kitchen, the cupboards were too high. So much so, Shaynna could hardly reach them at all. In their Butler’s Pantry the judges were very impressed with the Louvre glass cupboard, a stunning, unique feature. A score with 28/30 is so high, but in a competitive week, it put Sarah and George on the bottom of the leader board. They were devastated to come so close, yet so far.

My comments

I'm not a big fan of the overall look of this kitchen as I feel the black glass doors are at odds with the shaker style kitchen cabinetry, neither of which were remotely popular during the 1940s. The island bench is beautifully made and the grey and white tones are stunning but the rather pedestrian sink and tap, let the look down a little.

The layout of the kitchen works well with the bank of ovens near the stove top and the pantry is a generous size but this kitchen didn't grab me like the others have done this week.

Luke and Jasmin | Week 6 | Kitchen Reveal 28/30

The judges' comments

Another curved wall in House No.4, this time in the form of a stunning Porta timber wall that Luke as a chippie is very proud of. Luke and Jasmin also had a curved island bench, but they insist they did not take any inspiration off Daniel and Jade’s Christian Cole bench. Oak, white and brass was their colour palette for kitchen week, and Darren Palmer in particular was a fan of this. There could have been more power points however. In their Butler’s Pantry was great, however the use of baskets as storage was debatable for the judges. After a tough couple of weeks and copying allegations, the score of 28/30 for Luke and Jasmin was very well deserved.

My comments

The clean white of the kitchen and the organic curves, which have been evident throughout Luke and Jasmin's designs, have worked again in terms of meeting the original brief. The Art Nouveau period of the 1910s was all about organic shapes and beautiful craftmanship and white was popular in kitchens as it was seen to be hygienic. I think this colour palette and design also works beautifully in terms of a contemporary on-trend kitchen too and I really love it. The added warmth of brass in the palette looks fabulous and is a nice break from the ubiquitous black!

The Butler's pantry is well designed and I believe styled very well. Handmade baskets suit the period well and are a simple item for a new owner to change.