As the clock ticked down to the “tools down” deadline for The Block’s kitchen and laundry week, the atmosphere was thick with a mix of anticipation, excitement, and stress.
House 5, under the stewardship of the spirited duo Eliza and Liberty, found themselves in a rather comfortable position with their construction timeline. But, as with all reality TV narratives, a twist was waiting. They faced the dilemma of whether to continue with their current builder, Mark, and his team. Concerns arose after a candid chat, prompting a potential change in strategy.
Enter Scott, The Block’s mentor-figure, who nudged them towards a tough decision: changing builders. The collective respect for Mark’s team was undeniable, yet, for Eliza, Liberty, and Scott, they weren’t the perfect fit.
Emotions surged, leading to a tearful, yet firm decision. A fresh crew of builders is slated to jump into action come Monday.
Saturday witnessed relentless determination, with all teams pushing boundaries to bring their design visions to life. The epicentre of all the week’s drama, Scotty’s HQ, awaited them, ready to unravel the judgement.
House No.1 shone a spotlight on Kyle and Leslie’s ambitious endeavour, with an impressive budget of $33,740. Their aesthetic drew admiration, particularly from Shaynna who felt their space radiated a “sexy” vibe. The choice of ceiling design and the curved elements were particularly fetching. Neale Whitaker, marking his return, echoed, “I can see Kyle and Leslie’s vision and I loved it.”
But, no judgment is without its constructive critique. The pair’s butler’s pantry design, which deviated from the initial concept of opening to the backyard, drew pointed feedback. However, the final consensus was a nod to their innovation.
House No.2’s Leah and Ash, operating on a more modest budget of $22,083, showcased a kitchen that made an impression on Neale, particularly their choice of materials. The benchtop was a highlight. Darren’s initial impressions were overwhelmingly positive, terming it as “besotted.” Yet, design intricacies like the undersized island bench and an oddly placed sink caught the judges’ attention. A notable misstep was the laundry’s access via the bathroom, which was deemed impractical.
For Kristy and Brett of House No.3, their spend of $29,878 seemed well justified with the judges’ admiration for their trendy burgundy benchtop. The monochromatic balance with a predominantly white kitchen was celebrated as both contemporary and timeless. A few points of contention were the dimensions of their dining furniture and island bench chairs. Their laundry, though, garnered applause for its functionality.
Steph and Gian of House No.4 embarked on their design journey with a budget of $25,304. Their Japandi-themed kitchen was deemed visually magnetic. Yet, the cooktop’s placement on the island bench raised eyebrows about its practicality during evening gatherings. Their laundry was a resounding success, but concerns lingered about the overall space’s functionality.
Drama peaked with House No.5’s Eliza and Liberty. Their design choices, particularly the audacious orange oven, received unanimous praise. Their expansive island bench drew specific commendation from Darren, who remarked, “Finally a house has got the size of the island bench right.” The sisters’ design acumen shone brightly, making it their best showcase yet.
But the real spectacle began during the judgement. With scores neck and neck between Eliza and Liberty and Kristy and Brett, the revelation of a secret gnome by the sisters stirred the pot.
Opting to use the gnome, a prize from a past break dancing challenge, accusations of favouritism flew. Backstage, emotions reached boiling point, with Eliza confronting Kristy over perceived slights and special treatment insinuations. Kristy remained steadfast, asserting that the sisters indeed enjoyed special treatment.
WEEK 7 JUDGING KITCHEN WEEK:
Darren
Kyle and Leslie: 8 ½
Leah and Ash: 8
Kristy and Brett: 9 ½
Steph and Gian: 7 ½
Eliza and Liberty: 9 ½
Shaynna
Kyle and Leslie: 8
Leah and Ash: 7 ½
Kristy and Brett: 9 ½
Steph and Gian: 7
Eliza and Liberty: 10
Neale
Kyle and Leslie: 8 ½
Leah and Ash: 8
Kristy and Brett: 9 ½
Steph and Gian: 7 ½
Eliza and Liberty: 9 ½
Totals:
Kyle and Leslie: 25
Leah and Ash: 23.5
Kristy and Brett: 28.5
Steph and Gian: 22
Eliza and Liberty: 29 + 1
With The Block’s dynamics at a tipping point, audiences can expect even more exhilarating episodes in the coming weeks.
Congratulations ladies haters gonna hate but oh well 🤷♀️