The Block judge and ASTRA host Shaynna Blaze tells what it takes to win at the renovating game

SHAYNNA Blaze is hard to please on The Block but she knows what it takes to sell a house on auction day — and it’s not storage!

IF ANYONE knows what it takes to design and deliver a beautiful house that will sell on auction day it’s Shaynna Blaze.

The interior designer is a host and renovator on LifeStyle Channel’s Selling Houses Australia — now in its seventh season — and a tough love judge on Channel 9’s The Block.

So what does it take to nail a sale?

“There is a fine line between doing something that appeals to a broad market and something that is original and stands out from the crowd,” Blaze tells news.com.au.

“You need each room to offer value for money, be completely functional and have some sort of personality because no one wants to see a boring display home.”

But enough about the houses, what about the people who renovate them like the contestants on The Block?

“You have to be bloody stubborn minded,” says Blaze. “You have to think on your toes, not be afraid to make decisions, work on no sleep and have great relationships with your tradies.”

Blaze believes that the hard work needed to win the reality show can take a toll on the contestants and their relationships, telling news.com.au that she is surprised more couples have not broken up because of the demanding schedule. It was recently revealed that one half of the twins who are competing in the current season of The Block, Lysandra, has split from her husband.

Given the demanding schedule does Blaze think the judges are too harsh on the contestants in their feedback?

“There is a lot of emotional watching from the audience but as judges we don’t meet the contestant personally so we just look at what works and what doesn’t,” says Blaze.

“You have to be fair to the other couples. Sometimes I am brutal but they have to fix the problems because someone has to buy the apartment on auction day.”

And Blaze would know. She has decorated and renovated countless places on Foxtel’s Selling Houses Australia in order to get them sold.

So with two TV jobs, a successful small business, a family and now a co-hosting gig for this year’s ASTRA Awards, one might wonder whether Blaze is spreading herself a bit thin. But the pocket rocket, who is also a trained jazz singer, is quick to reassure fans that she loves the challenge.

“I think energy breeds energy. I’d hate it if every day was the same.”

Catch Shaynna Blaze and other subscription TV stars at the 12th annual ASTRA Awards on March 20. Vote for your favourite stars now.

ASTRA Awards co-hosts Matt Shirvington and Shaynna Blaze ahead of their hosting gig on March 20th.