To be honest, I haven’t been covering The Block 2016 this year because I have been under excited by the weekly reveals. Maybe, channel 9 should consider some basic training for the contestants especially when a heritage property is in the mix. I think it would have saved the first 3 reveals from being so um…horrible. Not to mention the sanity of the contestants!
The kitchens were revealed last night and I thought it would be a good idea to collate some of the reveals that now can be seen as fitting the whole story of an apartment. So this won’t cover, The Block 2016 in whole, but the best parts only; because who can be stuffed with the rest!
Will and Karlie’s Kitchen
Will and Karlie’s kitchen and butler’s pantry tied in very well with the lounge and dining room which are located opposite. They chose Super Black Matt cabinetry, contrasting with Rural Oak, and bench-tops in Caesarstone Cosmopolitan White and Natural Halifax Oak, all from Freedom Kitchens. In keeping with the style of the rest of the apartment, Will and Karlie chose highlights of gold for their sink (Oliveri Spectra) and goose-neck tapware (Tansel). The splashback is a stunning 6mm toughened grey silver tone which is the perfect choice to compliment the moody scheme and all the appliances are NEFF except the integrated bottom-mount fridge – that’s a Bosch. Might I add, the fridge is a mere 287 litres which is smaller than mine and after I cook with all those 6 ovens, I’ll have nowhere to store leftovers.
Speaking of which, as a resident of inner city Melbourne, do you need 6 ovens with all those restaurants to visit? Nonetheless, it’s clean, sleek and boasts a tonne of storage and class. this kitchen was my second favourite.
Get the full supplier list here.
Will and Karlie’s Dining and Living Room
Directly opposite the kitchen is the open plan dining the living room. This was my favourite but that’s no way saying I wouldn’t improve a few little things.
I love the custom industrial artwork of the ‘clock-on’ meter for the old Velvet Soap workers by Little Big Deal. It’s a brilliant image.
The dining table is a cheapy from Mitre 10 and the rattan chairs are from House Of Orange. I think the rug could be upgraded.
I love the palette of sandy beige, white, black and tan with just a hint of blue. It’s earthy and neutral colour base is easy to switch up during the passing seasons.
Not a fan of the TV “box” even though I am aware they were trying to save the television from heat exposure from the heater below.
Get the supplier list here
Will and Karlie’s laundry, Hallway and Powder Room
I think it’s worth to mention that I am not sure I would hang about in the foyer, with a desk and such. Maybe, this is where you can send your friends to
check their email, you know “on a big screen”? Although, the Slope leather desk chair from West Elm is rather nice. The rest is rather uninspiring.
I’d rather have space to hang coats and store shoes, especially for guests, so they feel welcomed when they visit. Otherwise, it collects on the most off of places…the sofa end,
the chair next to them, the kitchen bench etc.
Will and Karlie’s laundry shows what you can do with a small space. It doesn’t always have to be plain Jane and with only a little bit of extra cash.
Get the full supplier list here.
Will and Karlie’s Powder Room
Julia and Sasha’s Kitchen
Now this kitchen had everything! I mean, amazing Gaggenau appliances including a massive integrated upright fridge and freezer plus a wine fridge! This is complemented by Shaker style cabinetry in Somersby Matt White and Matt Black with Marina Isles brass tulip knobs and bar handles, all from Freedom Kitchens. The Caesarstone Statuario Maximus bench top is also used as the backsplash in the kitchen, keeping it really simple yet elegant.
Design-wise, it does remind me heavily of Deanne and Darren Jolly’s kitchen from The Block Glasshouse 2014…hmm. Maybe that’s the real reason they didn’t win because the similarities are astonishing! So did they cheat? Did they copy Dea and Darren’s style? You tell me.
Ge the suppliers list here.
Who could forget the pop-up Gaggenau rangehood?!
Julia and Sasha’s Main Bathroom
Now this might feel a little funny or it could just work for you. I’m undecided like a jagged little pill. I’m talking about the mix of matt black with the gold
tapware/hardware. It would have looked great all black or all gold, but they opted for half and half…
However, the layout is a winner and those fish scale marble mosaics are to die for! Again, with the shaker style cabinetry, bar handles, counter-top basins and wall set taps, set this bathroom apart
from the others this year. It’s perfectly functional and well-lit but as a “Main bathroom” this kinda looks like an en suite. Who in the family is going to use the double shower apart from the parents? Maybe the guests? And no bath here?
Get the suppliers list here
That’s pretty much a rap for The Block 2016 so far. There has been about 15 reveals so far but these have been the most interesting. Have you been following along?
I’d love to know what you think about The Block this year. Feel free to comment or jump on Facebook for Twitter. Thanks.