The Block 2020 recap: Living and dining room reveal
Jimmy and Tam have been wowing the judges with their Block rooms but their latest renovation was missing a major item.
Interiors
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I’m convinced The Block judges have been reading these recaps because this week they finally dropped the sort of truth bombs you usually only see here.
Living and (four) dining rooms were unveiled by the Block teams. Sadly though, many of them made design choices that were more perplexing than Amanda Bynes’ social media accounts.
HARRY AND TASH CAME FIRST
There’s a nice cohesion between the kitchen, dining and living spaces in terms of colour and materials, so I give Harry and Tash props for that. The media cupboard in the living room is a wise idea, and the finish of it speaks nicely to the kitchen cabinetry. So like everything on the Macca’s loose change menu, there’s a lot to love.
That said, it’s not all good news. Overall the zones feel too minimal; no feature lighting, blank white walls, and no personality. The TV is the first thing you see as you walk down the hallway, which is never ideal. Also, the dining table sitting in that orientation blocks off the entry to the space. It’s the design equivalent of a nightclub’s roped-off VIP room. I’ll pay the cover charge, just let me in!
Harry and Tash still deserve the win though, because it really is the best of a bad bunch.
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DANIEL AND JADE CAME SECOND
This is another space where the zones all tie together nicely. But is it just me or does that curved wall make the living room feel like an underground lair?
The curved wall is a nice idea, but I disagree about the art; all three zones are void of it and it results in an open place space that evokes no feeling apart from boredom. You’d never make it through a dinner party without taking a No-Doz. This room might be sexy, but it has no personality. It’s the room version of a male underwear model.
There’s simply not enough softness in this space to make it feel luxurious.
SARAH AND GEORGE LANDED IN THIRD PLACE
I feel the judges were a bit tough on Sarah and George. And going by the preview for next week’s episodes (where Sarah’s new motto is “f*ck the judges”) it’s tipped them over the edge. You can never go up against the judges though Sarah. Just ask Dea Jolly. Like any one of M Night Shyamalan’s movies, it does not end well.
This week the vibe of their living and dining room is nice. It’s somewhat sophisticated, but it doesn’t exactly match the luxurious vibe of the kitchen. That style disconnect is problematic. The furniture feels more appropriate for a city bachelor pad.
It’s missing some necessary layers, the judges made valid points there. I agree that the footprint is successful, but it’s lacking interest. The brickwork around the fireplace was a nice idea, but it needed shelving either side, better art, a paint effect on the walls. It’s all a bit undercooked.
LUKE AND JASMIN SCORED FOURTH
I feel disappointed this week with season faves Luke and Jasmin. It’s the sort of sadness I experienced when Sizzler announced they were closing their doors and I realised I’d never eat cheese toast again.
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The soothing colour palette is very in keeping with their aesthetic, so they get points for consistency. Overall though the zones feel quite unfinished. The rooms need more pattern, without a doubt, and an exploration of neutral colours apart from white. I fully agree with Neale about the fireplace too; a deal-breaker to install it in the corner of the room.
The dining table and chairs present too much of the same material and colour in one zone. They feel overbearing. And the halo light; I’m sorry, I can’t, don’t hate me. Any lighting that’s been installed at a casino has no place hanging over your dining table.
JIMMY AND TAM CAME LAST
To call the living room compact is an understatement. It’s so squished together that sitting on the sofa would feel like the front row of a Hoyts cinema. I’d need to visit a chiropractor on-the-daily just to be able to Netflix and chill.
Thank god there’s some art in this zone, but it doesn’t save the sad layout and blatant disregard for a dining table. Forget seeing more space in city apartments, I’ve seen more in telephone booths and portaloos.
Shaynna was the MVP this week and rightly pointed out how ridiculous the camping site was in front of the fireplace. I’d need to drink that entire bottle of red and possibly another just so I could accept the fact I paid millions to own a home with a sandpit-sized living space.
Chris Carroll is the Melbourne-based designer behind TLC Interiors; an interior design studio and home style blog helping everyday Aussies transform their spaces without breaking the bank. www.tlcinteriors.com.au | Instagram
Originally published as The Block 2020 recap: Living and dining room reveal