Is this new purchase simply a necessity for confessing all the behind-the-scenes gossip that went down during the 2025 season, or is it one to renovate? Looks like the latter – and we’re more than ready to watch the restoration unfold.

“Lifelong dream and new journey loading,” he wrote on Instagram, sharing the news of his property purchase and inviting followers along for the renovation ride of MJ’s Church via a new social media account dedicated to documenting the makeover process.

Within days of being shared by Mat, MJ’s Church had already amassed thousands of followers, all eager to see him apply his talents to this next project now that his season in Daylesford has wrapped. “Join me on a fabulous journey from The Block to transforming a country church into a vibrant home! Expect laughs, drama, & fabulous vibes!” the account reads.

The former Anglican church, known as St Mary Magdalene’s, is a heritage property built in 1910 and was listed as “a piece of South Australian history”. It boasts period craftsmanship and architectural details crying out to be preserved – from leadlight glass windows to double timber doors – with Mat seemingly the perfect person for the job, given the eye for design he showcased on the series.

As one half of Adelaide-based best-mate duo Mat and Robby, the pair became fan favourites throughout the 21st season thanks to their good humour and memorable antics. While they were tipped to be in the running to win – bolstered by bold moves including a winning kitchen and a wine cellar – it wasn’t meant to be.

They didn’t fare as badly as the two couples who left empty-handed, but the boys did walk away with relatively modest winnings of $109,999 (split between them) when Danny Wallis bought House 5 for $3,099,999, particularly when compared to the 2024 contestants who all made lucrative sales thanks to billionaire Adrian Portelli purchasing all five properties.

As Adrian famously declared, he wasn’t returning in 2025, having joined forces with rival network Channel 7 and their soon-to-launch revamped version of My Reno Rules in 2026. The move left teams Han and Can, and Emma and Ben, still waiting for their homes to sell. New parents Emma and Ben have since sold their own home, with The Block outcome falling short of their hopes.

There’s still potential for all contestants to make the most of their moment in the spotlight – and it seems Mat is firmly continuing the renovation ride, with enormous potential in this latest purchase for a beautiful transformation and a big sale, if all goes to plan.

The post The Block favourite Mat reveals surprising new chapter after the show appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Adding to the chatter, questions swirled around longtime host Scott Cam after an anonymous caller to Triple M’s morning show claimed to have insider knowledge that the tradie-turned-TV favourite wouldn’t be returning. 

“One of my mates was a tradie on The Block this season, and the rumour going around within the production crew is that this was Scott Cam’s last season,” the caller told hosts Beau Ryan, Aaron Woods and Cat Lynch.

Is Scott Cam leaving The Block?

Scott, however, wasted no time putting the whispers to rest. “The press think that I am quitting every year – for the last 10 years,” the 61-year-old reportedly responded. “But I am coming back next year. Definitely. And the year after. And the year after that.” 

With RealEstate.com.au reporting his rumoured new contract at $2.5 million and an upcoming appearance on adventure series Shark! – where celebrities are dropped into shark-infested waters – his place as a leading talent in Australian TV is well and truly cemented.

So fans can breathe easy. Scott will be back to call “Tools down!” alongside co-host Shelley Craft and judges Darren Palmer, Shaynna Blaze and Marty Fox when the 2026 season kicks off. Next year’s contestants will don their tool belts in Mt Eliza on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, ready to take on another season of drama, design and very divisive viewing.

The post Scott Cam shares his honest thoughts on leaving The Block appeared first on Home Beautiful.

The married couple won the 2025 season of The Block, with their home securing an incredible anonymous bid of $3,410,000 and the couple leaving with a $420,000 profit and the $100,000 prize money.

According to the Herald Sun, the anonymous bidder is planning to rent the home out on Airbnb. In conversation with the publication, The Block auctioneer Mark Nunn explained that “they will use it as an Airbnb.”

“So, from the early new year, you will be able to have a weekend up there.”

“And it will be popular too, very popular on the Airbnb market.”

While we don’t know what visitors will have to pay for a stay at the luxe property, similar stays in Daylesfords can set you back more than $2000 for a weekend visit.

When you look back at their beautiful Block home, it’s no wonder the couple had such success. From their luxurious main bedroom to their impressive living and dining and super sweet children’s rooms, it feels like the Western Australian police pair have nailed almost every space.

Take a look through every amazing room from their winning home.

See all of The Block 2025 homes:

House 1: Emma and Ben

House 2: Han and Can

House 3: Britt and Taz

House 4: Sonny and Alicia

House 5: Robby and Mat

House 6: Home Beautiful

Every room from Britt and Taz’s Block house

Bathroom

Britt and Taz delivered an organic modern bathroom layered with warmth and texture. Shaynna praised the tactile mix: “I love the fluting, I love the texture on the floor… it feels elevated.” Darren was on board with the clever use of Grafico wallpaper, calling it a smart and stylish shortcut: “I’m all for wallpapers, especially if they’re a vinyl paper like this in a bathroom.”

While there were plenty of positives, the layout drew criticism. “It’s a good bathroom but it’s not great,” said Marty. “The shower screen feels miniscule… spatially incorrect.” Shaynna felt the vertical towel rails were impractical, while the cooler-toned nickel tapware didn’t quite align with the warm, rustic feel. 

Still, moments like the curved shelf and light timber tones tied it back to the exterior. “That shelf all the way around with the curve is absolutely stunning,” said Shaynna.

Kid’s bedrooms

Britt and Taz’s children’s bedrooms won the week’s room reveals. Their first room was for an older child and featured a statement curved feature wall that represented the rolling hills of Daylesford. The room won all of the judges’ hearts, with even Marty complimenting the couple’s “artistic flair.” Shaynna also said the room achieved the right modern country look that they were looking for. 

The judges were even more impressed with the couple’s second kid’s bedroom, which was designed for two younger children and featured gorgeous plaid wallpaper on two of the walls. Darren complimented the couple’s colour palette, describing it as “neutral but interesting.” 

The judges also liked the room’s more playful features, such as the mini basketball hoop and bench seat soccer goals, with Marty explaining that it’s “full of whimsy and play, and the mood that you want to set with a kid’s room that doesn’t feel juvenile.” Marty also complimented the couple by comparing their style to Steph and Gian, before stating that it was his favourite room of the day. 

Main bathroom

Britt and Taz aimed for a relaxing retreat with distinct zones. “I hope the judges notice the distinct wet and dry areas and the spa vibe we’re going for,” says Britt. Shaynna noted, “There’s a lot to take in here,” while Marty commented, “It certainly feels a lot smaller than the other two because they’ve got nibs on both sides. It’s two rooms.”

Darren appreciated the separation, saying, “This one does feel very definitively like two spaces… but I really like the massive vanity. It’s very peaceful and tranquil.” Shaynna observed, “That’s a lot of real estate for two showers,” while Marty pointed out the absence of a bath, adding, “That space is bigger than this space, and this is where you’re spending the majority of your time.”

Despite the layout, Marty was critical of the styling: “I feel like I’m sitting in an upmarket abattoir… It’s cold, it’s scary. It’s got a bad feeling in here.” Darren, however, praised its calmness: “I love it. All of this works really beautifully.” Shaynna felt the concept was strong but said, “It doesn’t feel high end. I love the concept, but it falls short.”

Main bedroom

Britt and Taz’s use of warm neutrals and plush furnishings helped them win the main bedroom week. As the judges walked in, they described feeling like they “travelled in on a cloud,” with Darren describing the space as “very elegant and sophisticated.”

The judges also complimented the layout, which positioned the bed in the middle of the room with two roomy walkways on either side. While many teams got the size of their main bedroom rugs wrong, Marty noted that Brit and Taz chose “the right rug on the right carpet.” Similarly, their timber bench seat was another good decision with Marty stating, “it’s so Daylesford and makes it feel cosy.”

Britt and Taz, incorporated luxurious Freedom Wardrobes islands into their walk-in-robes, transforming the wardrobe space into fully functional dressing rooms. With crisp white cabinetry, a light-filled dressing table area and a glamorous chandelier, the space oozes elegance. The judges loved the design of their walk-in-robe but pointed out that the drawer handles were the wrong way around.

Living and dining

Featuring a timber paneled ceiling with striking skylights, a cosy stone clad wall, rendered fireplace and built-in-benchseat, Britt and Taz’s living and dining space is what set them apart from the other teams in the competition.

“Look at that ceiling,” says Marty as he walked into the room. Shaynna agreed, stating “this is something that you’d come to Daylesford for, that connects with the landscape. It is so appropriate for this area. I feel like I’m home. It’s quite evangelical.”

While the judges loved the warm neutral palette and clever use of materials, they were more critical of the room’s layout.

“This feels like it’s in the wrong spot,” Marty said of the sofa’s position. “It is about that view, it is about the flow and right now we’ve got the barrier. Change that barrier and this is an amazing lounge room.”

“For me, this would be a 10, out of the park, if they got the furniture placement right,” agreed Shaynna.

Rumpus

For their rumpus room, Britt and Taz made the controversial choice to create a pilates room. Draped with billowy white curtains across the walls and ceiling, the space featured two full-sized reformer machines and a fully stocked drinks fridge. While the execution was undeniably beautiful, the judges weren’t convinced it was the right choice.

 “I wasn’t expecting a gym,” Shaynna said as she walked into the room. All three judges agreed that a pilates room was too niche of a choice to sacrifice a second living space for. While the judges may not have loved the decision, only the auctions will tell if the choice paid off.

Kitchen

“This is absolutely breathtaking. The big drama of this timber panel roof,” gushed judge Darren Palmer, as he stepped into Britt and Taz’s kitchen. Marty grounded the praise in practicality: “It plays into the market of Daylesford.” Shaynna summed it up: “It says country, but still elevated.”

The result? A kitchen that feels equal parts grand gesture and heart-of-the-home, perfectly attuned to its regional setting.

Guest suite

Britt and Taz spent the guest suite week painstakingly staining their timber wall panelling – a move that unfortunately didn’t pay off with the judges.

“The wall pannelling is a bit odd,” Marty said as he stepped into the room. “It’s not as polished as the rest of the other rooms.”

Shaynna agreed that the wall pannelling was too rustic for the home, while Darren argued that at least it suits the Daylesford country style.

Butler’s pantry, laundry and garage

Winners of the week Britt and Taz impressed with a clever floorplan that kept their laundry and butler’s pantry separate but perfectly functional. Expansive Freedom Kitchens joinery and a coffee machine surrounded by earthy surfaces wowed the judges. “Look at the use of that Dekton up the wall, it feels expansive and expensive,” said Darren.

Marty called it “classy, sophisticated and timeless”, while a commercial-grade washer and dryer from E&S nailed the practical brief.

Alfresco

Britt and Taz opted for an over-the-top outdoor kitchen that left no space for a lounge area, while their speakeasy-style shed raised eyebrows over compliance. The sheds should be designed for no more than about 40 minutes of use – yet a beautiful bar stocked with liquor could tempt guests to linger for longer.

Backyard and pool

Britt and Taz’s garden was full of great features but the overall effect felt too busy. The arbours particularly, didn’t seem to add anything but visual noise to the garden. While they will look beautiful once the star jasmine grows, the amount of them feels too overwhelming for a calm space.

Front facade

Britt and Taz has had an extremely successful Block season but their lack of plantings let their front yard down this week.

“It looks like an industrial shed and does not match the level of luxury that is sitting behind these walls,” Marty explained.

While Shaynna loved the timber cladding, she also wished there was more foliage to create privacy. Marty went so far as to describe the area as “kitty litter with mulch.”

Despite this, the couple redeemed themselves with a stunning garage door featuring beautiful Indigenous artworks.

All The Block room reveal images were originally published by Channel 9/9Now on nine.com.au.

In case you missed it…

Week 1: Bathrooms

Week 2: Kids’ rooms

Week 3: Main ensuite

Week 4: Main bedroom & walk-in wardrobe

Week 5: Living and dining rooms

Week 6: Rumpus rooms

Week 7: Kitchens

Week 8: Guest suite

Week 9: Laundry, Mudroom, Butler’s pantry, Powder room, Garage

Week 10: Alfresco terrace, Stratco shed

Week 11: Backyard and pools

Week 12: Front yards

House 6: When Home Beautiful joins The Block

Everything we know about The Block 2025

5 fun facts you didn’t know about The Block 2025 teams

A look at The Block 2025 Daylesford location

The 2026 ‘The Block’ location has been revealed

The post Britt and Taz’s winning Block House is becoming an Airbnb appeared first on Home Beautiful.

The site was reportedly purchased earlier this week from former professional race car driver, Rusty French. French originally acquired the land for $2.8 million back in 2007. The sale follows years of attempts to offload the property, including a recent sales campaign that proposed dividing it into 10 blocks. The plans included luxury homes featuring pools, rammed earth walls, and high-end finishes. However, it’s likely The Block team will make changes to the designs before filming begins.

According to realestate.com’s sources, OBrien Real Estate director Stavros Ambatzidis was the one to handle the sale with The Block. Ambatzidis was also rumoured to have been at the 2024 auction for Block, ultimately outbid by Adrian Portelli.

The Block is reported to have purchased six of the Mt Eliza sites, with four of the sites still listed $12.5m.

We’re looking forward to finding out more news about the next season. Meanwhile, here’s how the auction went down this year:

In case you missed it…

Week 1: Bathrooms

Week 2: Kids’ rooms

Week 3: Main ensuite

Week 4: Main bedroom & walk-in wardrobe

Week 5: Living and dining rooms

Week 6: Rumpus rooms

Week 7: Kitchens

Week 8: Guest suite

Week 9: Laundry, Mudroom, Butler’s pantry, Powder room, Garage

Week 10: Alfresco terrace, Stratco shed

Week 11: Backyard and pools

Week 12: Front yards

House 6: When Home Beautiful joins The Block

Everything we know about The Block 2025

5 fun facts you didn’t know about The Block 2025 teams

A look at The Block 2025 Daylesford location

The 2026 ‘The Block’ location has been revealed

The post The next ‘The Block’ location has us already wanting more appeared first on Home Beautiful.

See all of The Block 2025 homes:

House 1: Emma and Ben

House 2: Han and Can

House 3: Britt and Taz

House 4: Sonny and Alicia

House 5: Robby and Mat

House 6: Home Beautiful

Previous

The Block 2025: Two kitchens so good the judges couldn’t choose

Britt and Taz’s winning Block House is becoming an Airbnb

House 6: See inside Home Beautiful’s Block house

Next

Every room in Han and Can’s Block house

Main bathroom

Han and Can aimed for calm with a curvaceous, floor-to-ceiling tiled bathroom. “The design of our bathroom is a tranquil sanctuary with lots of rounded curves,” said Can. Darren agreed: “There’s something really soft about this place… it feels nice and soft and balanced.”

But the judges had concerns. Shaynna flagged that the vanity was too high and Darren noted it was especially impractical given the bathroom is next to the kids’ bedrooms: “It’s definitely going to be a challenge for any child under 13.”

Their industrial-style shower glass fittings also divided. “This could have looked so much better with a fixed piece of glass and nothing else,” said Marty. And while Darren loved the bath, he questioned the overall aesthetic: “I don’t think this is what the Daylesford market is going to respond to.”

Kids’ bedrooms

For their children’s bedrooms, Han and Can decided to design one room for a baby and one room for an older child. For their nursery, the girls went for a contemporary style with a sculptural feature wall made up of layered arches and integrated lighting. While Marty thought their glamorous nursery was “really cool,” Shaynna wasn’t so sure. 

“Love the cloud bed head, I think the arch is cute. I love the style of furniture. I adore this rug. Fun artwork but together it’s too much and it’s not functional,” Shaynna explained. “A baby is going to be standing up touching that light. A baby is not going to be drawing and it’s overwhelming.” 

Going for hardwood floors instead of carpet also didn’t work in their favour, with Darren not convinced that the floors were the best decision for a baby’s room. 

Han and Can’s second room, which was designed for an older child, featured a statement blue built-in bedhead nook – a detail that, according to the judges, didn’t pay off. This was mainly due to an error with crookedness. Despite this, Darren said the idea was still something to be commended on. 

Main ensuite

Han and Can’s main ensuite made a bold statement with its amber resin bath and matching basins. Can described the design as centred on making the bathtub the hero of the space, calling it “a sanctuary.” Marty and Darren praised the drama and theatre it brought.

Marty noted the ensuite balanced boldness with calmness, calling it “a punch in the face with this beautiful calmness throughout,” which Darren clarified is “a punch in the face with a velvet glove”. Shaynna expressed pride in the team’s delivery after an unfinished first bathroom.

Darren felt the colour scheme, including the peachy salmon paint, was “very bright” and could be “toned down a notch”. Despite this, he commended the thoughtful planning around details, positioning, and functionality.

Main bedroom

The boldest main bedroom choice came from Han and Can, who painted their built-in bed nook a bright blue. Unfortunately, this didn’t pay off, with Darren describing the colour as “abrasive.”

“It’s so intense and it’s actually throwing off everything else that we see in here,” Darren said. After the reveal, the dup painted over the blue in a more muted shade of cocoa. 

Living & dining room

Han and Can’s living and dining area impressed the judges. “I hope they love the Venetian plaster and the floor-to-ceiling wine vault,” says Can. The pearlescent fireplace drew praise from Marty as “a beautiful application”, while the subtle pops of colour prevented it from feeling beige. “The artwork brings energy, the pearlescent brings energy… Han and Can, you’ve grown up,” said Shaynna.

The Christian Cole mountain-ash dining table delivered the room’s knockout moment. Shaynna loved “those spheres underneath, just magical”. Though the lounge felt “a bit squashed,” the verdict was clear: “They’ve nailed the foundations,” Darren said, as Shaynna crowned the pair “the dark horse” of the competition.

Rumpus room

For their rumpus room, Han and Can opted for a movie theatre style space that revolves around the TV. This saw the girls go with an oversized curved couch that allows you to see the TV no matter where you’re sitting, heavy curtains for blocking out light and their signature backlit arches around the TV, making it the focal point of the room.

Their choices paid off, with all three judges being fans of the space. “It’s a room that the entire family will enjoy,” Marty Fox explained. “From a marketing perspective, this really fits every single person that will come to stay at this house.” 

Kitchen

Han and Can’s kitchen was highly praised by Marty, who felt it oozed class and a high-end feeling that would attract buyers. It features a luxe stone on the benchtop and splashback, with Freedom Kitchens joinery and dedicated area for drinks.

The sleek curves on the cooktop niche and rangehood are reminiscent of the showstopping kitchen in Kyal and Kara’s Bay Builds home.

Guest rooms

For their guest suite, Han and Can went with a red theme. The room featured one of their signature built-in fluted wall panel, an arched bed head and a small study nook.

The study nook ended up dividing the judges, with Shaynna not being a fan of the design.

“It’s a holiday environment,” Shaynna said. “Do you want to sit in a corner in a little poky area and do your office work?”

Darren, however, was a fan of the design, saying, “If you are going to put a work from home space in here – a space for someone to retreat to and have a board meeting – that’s a good place for it.”

Mudroom, powder room and garage

Han and Can’s mudroom nailed both beauty and practicality, with shoe pigeon holes, generous hanging space and plenty of storage. “That’s what you want, an upholstered seat,” said Darren, admiring the comfortable built-in bench.

Shaynna noted the home was never truly a Daylesford-style residence with the girls at the helm – it just happened to be in Daylesford, which no longer felt like a drawback. Their pretty powder room was a case in point, with glorious rose tones and glimmering gold accents.

Alfresco

For their alfresco area, Han and Can created a raised desk with a built-in barbeque and lounge area. They added a giant outdoor television for watching sports and a dining table for entertaining.

Backyard and pool

Han and Can’s garden felt more ornamental than practical, with large boulders and a huge Japanese arbour. A large amount of space was given to the pavers leading down the pool, which felt somewhat wasteful.

“It has a lot of rock, a lot of pavers. It’s hard for kids to run around, they can trip,” Marty commented on the area. “It has a harsher feel.”

The busyness extended to the pool area, where Shaynna and Marty both commented on the checkerboard tile boarding the pool. Marty said that it would be better if it was just plain and that “the fourth material is just too much.”

Front facade

For their front facade, Han and Can’s decision to install a large Japanese-style arbor over their driveway didn’t quite pay off. The striking structure makes a bold statement, but it feels a little too imposing for a residential home.

Marty explained that the arbor could be off-putting to buyers. “That is what you see the moment you come to this home. It hits you in the face,” he said.

For more details, see the real-estate listing for The Block House 2 by Han and Can.

All The Block room reveal images were originally published by Channel 9/9Now on nine.com.au.

Take a tour of all The Block holiday houses so far

Week 1: Main bathroom reveals

Week 2: Guest bedroom reveals

Week 3: Main ensuite reveals

Week 4: Kids bedroom reveals

Week 5: Main bedrooms and walk-in robe reveals

Week 6: Kitchen reveals

Week 7: Guest ensuite reveals

Week 8: Living and dining reveals

Week 9: Office and rumpus room reveals

Week 10: Laundry and guest bedroom reveals

Week 11: Backyard and pool reveals

Week 12: Front yard and facade reveals

In case you missed it:

The post Han and Can’s House 2 passed in at the Block Auctions appeared first on Home Beautiful.

See all of The Block 2025 homes:

House 1: Emma and Ben

House 2: Han and Can

House 3: Britt and Taz

House 4: Sonny and Alicia

House 5: Robby and Mat

House 6: Home Beautiful

Arriving five weeks early and just a few weeks before auction day, Bailey made his debut right as his parents’ other big project came to a close on our screens. Here, we take a closer look at the beautiful home they created.

The Block 2025 team Emma and Ben’s house

Main bathroom

Emma and Ben’s main bathroom brought calming, spa-like vibes to The Block, with a curved nib wall, built-in shower seat and a generous wet area. “I wanted it to be spa vibes,” said Emma. “Green, inviting, mood lighting.”

Marty admired the functionality, calling the double sink and spacious layout a “massive tick” for resale. While he noted the nib wall was “a little bit rough”, overall, the room landed well. “It’s a cracker of a room,” said Darren, who has “really high hopes” for the experienced duo.

Kids’ rooms

Emma and Ben took inspiration from their own teenage years for their first kid’s bedroom, which featured a statement circular niche with built-in shelving, skateboard hooks and a timber bench seat. The judges were divided on the room, with Darren and Shaynna both being very impressed by the depth of colour, timber details and built-in niche but Marty not being a fan. “These pendants are really throwing the room. It’s got this fluorescent tone and it’s just not warm and cosy,” he said. 

The second kid’s room, this time designed for a younger girl, was more to his taste. “This is a lot softer. A lot more Daylesford. Love the double beds, the colour…there’s a richness to the room.” 

Overall, Darren described the room as high-level, photographable, with beautiful proportions and gorgeous architectural details. “They really know what they’re doing and it shows” he said. 

Main ensuite

 The curved wall and rich maroon kit kat tiles stood out as the bathroom’s showpiece, complemented by the striking maroon Grafico wallpaper. Marty praised the colour: “That’s beautiful,” while Darren called it mid-century western and said, “I really love it.”

Marty highlighted the spacious shower and double vanity as ideal for buyers. Shaynna summed it up: “They are my number one right now.” The only critique was a missing downlight over the mirrors.

Main bedroom and walk-in robe

With a textured wall, full-length sheer curtains and pops of sage green and burgundy, the main bedroom was a hit. The fireplace in the opposite corner sealed the deal.

Emma and Ben incorporated Freedom Wardrobes islands into their walk-in robe, with the judges describing it as a “really luxurious size”.

Living and dining

A light, bright space with a functional sitting area and fireplace, with a dining table running parallel to the kitchen.

Kitchen

Emma and Ben’s kitchen was the quiet achiever, with lovely warm Freedom Kitchens cabinetry, herringbone floorboards and green accents.

The dedicated spaces for prepping drinks was a nice touch that made the space feel elevated and functional.

Guest suite

Any visitors to the Block home created by Emma and Ben are in for a treat, with plenty of calming green and an overall good layout.

The kitchenette is decked put with everything you could need to make a cuppa or heat up something in your own space.

Back of house

Emma and Ben’s laundry and butler’s pantry had Freedom Kitchens shelving for storage and an expansive benchtop. There was just a question about why two sinks were included so close to each other.

It was a cosy, warm wonderland in teh mudroom – if only they had upholstered the seat.

Just as they did in their previous bathroom, rich maroon made the powder room feel sumptuous.

Alfresco terrace and shed

They went with moody dark colours mixed with maroon foliage and gentle green plants in the terrace, alongside a barbecue area.

They put a golf simulator in their shed, going for the novelty play.

Backyard

With roughly 80% of the plantings being native species, Emma and Ben’s garden felt like an extension of the surrounding environment. Even the bricks around the pool were carefully chosen to match the mulch, giving the entire area a cohesive look.

The smaller fire pit worked in their favour, allowing the space to blend into the rest of the garden and reducing visual fragmentation. All of the judges loved the space, with Marty saying “this screams Daylesford.”

Front facade

The judges loved the simplicity of Emma and Ben’s front façade, noting how their garage door seamlessly blended with the rest of the home.

“Because the black alpine facade feel is so strong, I love the fact that they’ve picked a very simplistic garage door. Because everything is about the planting of the greenery against that black,” the judges explained.

All The Block room reveal images were originally published by Channel 9/9Now on nine.com.au.

For more details, see the real-estate listing for The Block House 1 by Emma and Ben.

In case you missed it…

Week 1: Bathrooms

Week 2: Kids’ rooms

Week 3: Main ensuite

Week 4: Main bedroom & walk-in wardrobe

Week 5: Living and dining rooms

Week 6: Rumpus rooms

Week 7: Kitchens

Week 8: Guest suite

Week 9: Laundry, Mudroom, Butler’s pantry, Powder room, Garage

Week 10: Alfresco terrace, Stratco shed

Week 11: Backyard and pools

Week 12: Front yards

House 6: When Home Beautiful joins The Block

Everything we know about The Block 2025

5 fun facts you didn’t know about The Block 2025 teams

A look at The Block 2025 Daylesford location

The 2026 ‘The Block’ location has been revealed

The post Emma and Ben’s disappointing Block auction result appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Other decent winnings went to Sonny and Alicia (with a house sale of $3.06 million and $120,000 profit) and Robby and Mat (with a house sale of $3,099,999 and $109,999 profit). Less lucky were Emma and Ben and Han and Can, whose homes were passed in as they failed to receive high enough bids.

Auction order is always seen as crucial. Surprisingly, the teams were quite reasonable in discussions and an order was unanimously agreed on. With Britt and Taz’s home having five registered bidders (the most of all teams) it made sense for them to go first, followed in order of those most likely to sell based on buyer interest.

Things were a little tense when the teams found out the reserves were a whopping $2.99 million (less 50k for Sonny and Alicia who won in week 12). It seemed like an insurmountable feat for all five homes to sell above the $3 million mark given the current Daylesford market.

See all of The Block 2025 homes:

House 1: Emma and Ben

House 2: Han and Can

House 3: Britt and Taz

House 4: Sonny and Alicia

House 5: Robby and Mat

House 6: Home Beautiful

It was actually a new bidder who bought the house with the highest profit and Britt and Taz had mixed emotions about it as they wanted everyone to walk away as winners. “I thought our auction set the tone for everyone else. We took it upon ourselves to do that, and we were shocked more than anything. We had worked as a team right to the end, so it’s just a bit hard for us to see what has happened today.”

Other big bidders included IT entrepreneur Danny Wallis who bought Robby and Mat’s house, while Frank Valentic, Director of Advantage Property Consulting, bought Sonny and Alicia’s house. One other serial Block bidder who didn’t make an appearance was Adrian Portelli. After scooping up all five of The Block houses in 2024 and vowing never to return, the billionaire entrepreneur kept that promise.

Despite not winning anything on the day, host Scott Cam reassured there’s still hope for the empty-handed contestants: “We filmed with them for three months and got to know all of them so well, but unfortunately Em and Ben and Han and Can weren’t able to do it today. But they still have the opportunity to be rewarded for their hard work as the houses go back on the market.”

The Block 2025 results at a glance

• 1st: Britt and Taz’s house (Sold for $3.41m / Won $420,000 + $100k prize money)
• 2nd: Sonny and Alicia’s house (Sold for $3.06m / Won $120,000)
• 3rd: Robby and Mat’s house (Sold for $3,099,999m / Won $109,999)
• Passed in: Emma and Ben (Bid on at $2.97m then vendor bid of $3.10m)
• Passed in: Han and Can (Vendor bid of $3.10m)

Who won The Block 2025?

Here’s how the hammer fell on auction day.

1st place: Britt and Taz (House 3)

The “wellness house” complete with Pilates room, sauna and spas aplenty was tastefully done with creams, timber and lots of texture. The parents-of-two were the first up in the bidding and it went swimmingly. “It’s phenomenal to walk away with a reward like this for all the hard work we have put into it. This is life-changing for us, it’s incredible. It’s our mortgage paid off,” said Britt and Taz.

Auction order: 1st

Reserve: $2.99m

Sale price: $3.410m

Profit/prize money: $420,000 + $100k prize money

2nd place: Sonny and Alicia (House 4)

This married couple from Queensland may not have had any registered bidders to begin with, but they did have the advantage of a $50,000 reduced reserve at $2.94 million. This helped them, along with a strategic starting vendor bid of $3.05 million. It went for $3.06 million, securing them $120,000 in profit. “We can’t be happier,” said Sonny. “We’re better off than when we came here,” added Alicia. “I’m proud of us.”

Auction order: 4th

Reserve: $2.94 million (reduced by $50k from week 12 win)

Sale price: $3.06m

Profit/prize money: $120,000

3rd place: Robby and Mat (House 5)

Second in the auction order, this may have helped the friends from South Australia out. Celebrity auctioneer Tom Panos was calling the shots and VIP bidder Danny Wallis snapped up this pair’s home at $3,099,999

Auction order: 2nd

Reserve: $2.99m

Sale price: $3,099,999

Profit/prize money: $109,999

Passed in: Emma and Ben (House 1)

Things slowed for new parents Em and Ben, whose house was the fourth auctioned. Bidding stalled at just $2.97 million (short of the reserve), then the auction was dramatically paused. In hopes of reinvigorating things, a vendor bid of $3.10 million was placed, but there was no further interest and the house was passed in. After just having their baby Bailey a month before, it was tough to see this couple disappointed. “It’s devastating,” said Ben. Their home will now enter a post-auction negotiation period.

Auction order: 3rd

Reserve: $2.99 million 

Sale price: Bid on at $2.97m then vendor bid of $3.10m 

Profit/prize money: Passed in

Passed in: Han and Can (House 2)

Last in the auction order was Han and Can’s house. Things began with a vendor bid of $3.1 million but there was no bidding action and sadly the house by the couple from WA was passed in.

Auction order: 5th

Reserve: $2.99 million 

Sale price: Vendor bid of $3.10m

Profit/prize money: Passed in

In case you missed it…

Week 1: Bathrooms

Week 2: Kids’ rooms

Week 3: Main ensuite

Week 4: Main bedroom & walk-in wardrobe

Week 5: Living and dining rooms

Week 6: Rumpus rooms

Week 7: Kitchens

Week 8: Guest suite

Week 9: Laundry, Mudroom, Butler’s pantry, Powder room, Garage

Week 10: Alfresco terrace, Stratco shed

Week 11: Backyard and pools

Week 12: Front yards

House 6: When Home Beautiful joins The Block

Everything we know about The Block 2025

5 fun facts you didn’t know about The Block 2025 teams

A look at The Block 2025 Daylesford location

The 2026 ‘The Block’ location has been revealed

The post Britt and Taz win The Block 2025 and $520k appeared first on Home Beautiful.

But the couple can finally leave the challenges of the competition behind, with their Block house 4 receiving a successful bid of $3,060,000 from Frank Valentic, Director of Advantage Property Consulting. This means the Queensland couple are taking home a profit of $120,000.

Now that they have completed their Block journey, it’s time to look back at every room from Sonny and Alicia’s Block house Four.

See all of The Block 2025 homes:

House 1: Emma and Ben

House 2: Han and Can

House 3: Britt and Taz

House 4: Sonny and Alicia

House 5: Robby and Mat

House 6: Home Beautiful

Every room from Sonny and Alicia’s Block House

Bathroom

Sonny and Alicia took a bold approach with their bathroom, ditching the shower screen for a seamless wet area and opting for a timber vanity over traditional stone. “This is different,” said Marty, noting the space’s distinct mood. Darren was especially taken: “The colour of the tapware – bronze, bronze, bronze – I’m besotted with this bathroom.”

The natural palette and styling choices helped ground the design in its setting. “This is feeling a little bit more Daylesford,” said Marty. “Having that timber stool just adds that warmth and natural beauty.”

Shaynna loved the direction overall, despite a few missteps: “The colour palette is amazing… I feel really strongly about their direction.” But issues like misaligned tile cuts, vertical towel rails and a basin that was too high held the room back from perfection.

Kid’s bedrooms

Alicia and Sonny took inspiration from their own three children for their kids’ bedrooms, designing a room for a teenage girl and a room for two younger boys. For the boy’s bedroom, the couple took inspiration from the surrounding countryside and went with a luxurious equestrian theme and dark blue plaid wallpaper. 

The couple’s teenage girl’s bedroom was praised for its thoughtful use of colour, with soft pink walls paired with a playful pink plaid wallpaper behind the bed. “That’s the application of colour I was hoping to see next door,” Darren said as he walked in.

While the judges loved the room, they didn’t think that it necessarily felt like a kid’s bedroom, deciding that “it’s a solid room but not on brief.” 

Main bathroom

Alicia and Sonny’s main ensuite features a poured concrete Nood Co bath and matching basins in olive green, complemented by large slab tiles from Beaumont. Darren admired the look: “Ooh la la,” he said, while Shaynna called the bath “absolute heaven,” praising the visible ripples in the concrete and smooth interior. She added, “This is the best styling I’ve seen today.”

Main bedroom

Sonny and Alicia opted for a feature wall in their main bedroom, made up a wallpaper designed by Alicia herself. This design was complimented by timber walk-in wardrobes and chocolate brown curtains that ran along the wall to wall windows.

Living and dining

Sonny and Alicia’s living and dining room reveal left the Block judges disappointed. The biggest sticking point for the judges was the placement of the fireplace. Instead of making it a striking feature at the entry, Sonny and Alicia put it on the wall beside the future kitchen – a move that made little design sense.

Another major flaw was how the pair arranged the dining and lounge areas. By pushing the dining table too close to the living zone, they effectively boxed themselves in and made the entire room feel smaller than it really was.

Rumpus

Sonny and Alicia’s big squashy sofa, built-in-bookshelves and stash of boardgames gave their room the feeling of a classic family rumpus room – and we love that about it. The couple elevated the space by colour drenching the room in a warm red, which wrapped it in that extra layer of cosiness and made it feel like a completely seperate space. We can definitely imagine bunking down in there with a good book or boardgame on a cold Daylesford evening.

Kitchen

A couple with their own strong vision, Sonny and Alicia, went bold with a moody palette, layering Freedom’s new Baltic Blue cabinetry with deep tones and luxe finishes. Realtor judge Marty Fox wasn’t convinced, but we found ourselves smitten – and so did design maven Shaynna Blaze. “It’s gorgeous,” she declared.

Guest suite

Sonny and Alicia’s plum colour-drenched guest suite brought the drama. Sonny and Alicia also chose to skip a kitchenette in their space, instead opting for just a bar fridge and coffee-making station, which felt like the perfect option for the space. Since guests aren’t exactly going to be cooking up a storm, the larger kitchenettes felt a little excessive.

Laundry

Alicia and Sonny scored points for the clever inclusions in their combined butler’s pantry and laundry, with a drying cabinet and a well-placed fridge adding real practicality.

But the judges saved their biggest praise for the powder room. “That is stunning,” said Shaynna. “That is something you’d see in a high-end house or high-end hotel.” Marty agreed, calling it “unfaultable”.

Alfresco terrace

Alicia and Sonny claimed the runner-up spot with a relaxed lounge area, a sink, pizza oven and barbecue – enough for easy entertaining without tipping into extravagance. “I’m at rancho relaxo,” said Marty, settling into their cosy outdoor seating from Freedom.

Backyard and pool

Out of all the backyards, Sonny and Alicia’s was the most understated, and that’s exactly why it works so well. There’s plenty of lawn for the kids to run around on and an abundance of space for functions. While the pool fence stands out, once the plants grow in, it will virtually disappear. Compared to the other backyards, it feels more laid back and suited to country life.

Front facade

Sonny and Alicia came out on top for the simplicity of their front yard design. While they didn’t use a huge number of plantings, the couple were praised for choosing the right ones.

“I love the rawness of the fence, I love the rawness of the bricks,” Shaynna said, while Darren describing it as a “simple and sophisticated pallate,” and a “perfect Aussie backyard at a luxe level.”

All The Block room reveal images were originally published by Channel 9/9Now on nine.com.au.

For more details, see the real-estate listing for The Block House 4 by Sonny and Alicia.

The post Find out Alicia and Sonny’s amazing Block House sale price appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Keep scrolling to see every room from Robby and Mat’s successful Block house 5.

See all of The Block 2025 homes:

House 1: Emma and Ben

House 2: Han and Can

House 3: Britt and Taz

House 4: Sonny and Alicia

House 5: Robby and Mat

House 6: Home Beautiful

Every room in Robby and Mat’s Block house

Bathroom

Robby and Mat delivered the winning main bathroom with a contemporary country vibe, featuring a curved mirrored cabinet, gunmetal tapware and a fluted shower screen.

The huge skylight running the length of the room flooded the space with natural light, creating a bright, open feel. “They’ve really created this void, lighting the right spot,” said Marty. “This is some of the best work I’ve seen.”

The warm, creamy palette caught the judges’ attention too. “It’s like a soft foamy latte,” said Darren. “This is the Goldilocks room,” where everything looks just right together. Shaynna praised the practicality, noting the vanity was at the “right height” and the rich timber tones balance the look. Darren added, “The lines are perfect… they have an eye for detail, finesse and style that fits this house and the market.”

Kid’s bedrooms

When planning their kids’ bedrooms, Robbie and Mat were initially concerned about incorporating their striped bedhead – a design that the judges hadn’t warmed to – into their space.

They got off to a promising start with their first bedroom, which was designed for two younger children. In this room, the judges appreciated the use of Hardie Groove panelling, describing it as bringing a “country and cosy,” vibe to the room. Unfortunately, Darren also noted that the difficulty of painting the grooves in the time frame slightly let them down. 

The team’s second bedroom, however, wasn’t as well received, with Shaynna describing the very beige space as “the room that nan comes into when she looks after the kids.”

Marty suggested that they could have tied the bedhead into a more nautical look rather than leaning into a bland palette. “The fact that it’s beige actually doesn’t help it at all,” Darren said. 

Main bathroom

Robby and Mat’s main ensuite impressed with its sophisticated, hotel-inspired vibe. Darren was immediately taken by the grasscloth wallpaper, quipping, “You had me at grasscloth paper. Vinyl grasscloth paper, I presume.” Marty called the space “very international” and “chic”, praising the layout and luxurious feel.

While the bathroom ticks all the functional boxes, Shaynna felt it lacked personality, saying, “I don’t feel the bravery in here and I don’t feel the soul.” She also described the styling as “a bit cliché” and suggested it needs “less clutter and less cliché.”

Despite these critiques, Marty emphasised the strong buyer appeal: “Quiet luxury is something people gravitate to… It’s so saleable.” He noted a double shower would have made the ensuite perfect but acknowledged the overall design works well.

Main bedroom

When it came to main bedroom week, the judges were divided on Mat and Robby’s space.

“I’m a major fan of a four-poster bed. I just think that feels so country,” Darren said. “I love that we’ve got timber, the matching bedsides are gorgeous. The colour palette feels very Australiana to me and that, in my opinion, is a big plus.” 

While Shaynna agreed with Darren’s comment about the four-poster bed, she ultimately felt like it was the wrong spot for it. Shaynna and Marty also critiqued the size of the rug, which they described as too small, and thought the boys should have added a fireplace to the bedroom like the other teams did.

For their walk-in-wardrobe space, Robby and Mat opted for cool walnut coloured Freedom Kinsman wardrobes. While the judges complimented the overall aesthetic, they were disspointed the space didn’t have an island like some of the other rooms did.

Living and dining

Living and dining room week saw Robby and Mat come out on top, with the judges describing the modern country space as “exactly hitting the brief.”

“The flooring is absolutely divine,” Shaynna said.”The sheers are absolutely gorgeous. The roofline is beautiful. Those beautiful pendants are absolutely stunning.” 

The judges particularly complimented the layout, with Marty stating that is was “The right allocation of space.”

“This is a big communal home. You need a conversation pit so people can sit and interact with each other. This layout is perfect,” Marty explained. “No matter where you’re sitting in this room you can appreciate the architecture and liveability of this room. They can market it as the most liveable house.”

Rumpus

Robby and Mat’s rumpus room was one of their more controversial designs, with the judges not being huge fans of the space’s light tropical theme. “This room doesn’t draw you in. It’s not warm. It’s not Daylesford” said Marty.

Shaynna agreed, explaining that “the styling is wrong. The colour scheme is wrong.” Other comments included the boys “not understanding the value of a second living space” and the room having “zero emotions.”

It wasn’t the best week for the boys but they certainly turned it around the week after.

Kitchen

Kitchen Week was another win for Robby and Mat, whose choice of light timber, pops of soft green and a generous island wowed the judges.

“I feel like I’m walking into a country estate. It’s gorgeous,” Shaynna said. Marty agreed, explaining that “it’s so country. That’s got to be the most Daylesford kitchen we’ve seen today.”

The boys decision to flip the position of the kitchen so that it runs parallel to the dining room was also approved by the judes, with Darren commenting on the “lovely physical flow of the space.”

Cleverly, they also added a secret Murphy door so that you can directly access the kitchen from the main bedroom suite.

Guest suite

For their guest suite, Robby and Mat opted for a green-themed space with desert botanical wallpaper. While the room’s aesthetic wasn’t harshly criticised, their desicion to forgo a kitchenette was debated between the judges.

While Shaynna and Marty believed the lack of kitchenette let down the space, Darren disagreed.

“If I was designing this house, I don’t know if I would put a kitchenette in either,” Darren said. It’s certainly a great value add, but day to day, this does everything that I would want it to do.”

Butler’s pantry

Robby and Mat went with a stylish light timber for their room butler’s pantry, featuring plenty of storage and a generous sink.

Laundry

The green theme extended into the couple’s laundry, where a large bench seat with under seat storage and a stylish splashback was a winner.

Powder room

The tropical wall-papered powder room isn’t for everyone but we can’t deny that it makes a statement.

Alfresco

Robby and Mat’s laid back outdoor terrace went down a treat with the judges, with their timber dining setting and built-in barbecue providing everything that a family needs.

Wine cellar

After months of anticipation, Robby and Ma finally uncorked the doors to their long-awaited wine cellar.

The Block judges were unanimous in their praise, each awarding a perfect 10. “This is insane,” said Shaynna. “Look at the joinery. This is the perfect wine cellar.” Darren agreed, saying, “They swung hard and this is a home run.”

Pool and backyard

Robby and Mat’s backyard had plenty of great features, including a beautiful 25-year-old tree, raised garden beds and a swimming pool with a clever shade cover. What the garden didn’t need, however, was an oversized fireplace with factory-like chimneys blocking the view of the pool.

Marty immediately brought up the fireplace as a safety issue, explaining “from the deck and from a family perspective, not being able to see the kids in the pool is a concern and I think people will recognise that when they come here.”

Front facade

Robby and Mat’s front facade design was described as the “quintessential Daylesford farmhouse,” with their native garden being a highlight of the design.

Landscaper Dave explained that the garden was “probably the most sustainable landscape on the block,” with plenty of native plantings from the local area and a low maintenance design.

While Darren was initially underwhelmed at the junior plantings that he though reflected a “dwinding budget,” he admitted “I can see once it’s done it’s going to be breathtakingly beautiful.”

All The Block room reveal images were originally published by Channel 9/9Now on nine.com.au.

In case you missed it…

Week 1: Bathrooms

Week 2: Kids’ rooms

Week 3: Main ensuite

Week 4: Main bedroom & walk-in wardrobe

Week 5: Living and dining rooms

Week 6: Rumpus rooms

Week 7: Kitchens

Week 8: Guest suite

Week 9: Laundry, Mudroom, Butler’s pantry, Powder room, Garage

Week 10: Alfresco terrace, Stratco shed

Week 11: Backyard and pools

Week 12: Front yards

House 6: When Home Beautiful joins The Block

Everything we know about The Block 2025

5 fun facts you didn’t know about The Block 2025 teams

A look at The Block 2025 Daylesford location

The 2026 ‘The Block’ location has been revealed

The post Robby and Mat’s Block house has sold for an incredible price appeared first on Home Beautiful.

See all of The Block 2025 homes:

House 1: Emma and Ben

House 2: Han and Can

House 3: Britt and Taz

House 4: Sonny and Alicia

House 5: Robby and Mat

House 6: Home Beautiful

Inspired by (and virtually situated in) the historic rural Victorian town of Daylesford, we have created a vision for the kind of home we would design and build in this bucolic setting. Our team was kindly invited to visit before The Block 2025 went to air, and it got our creative juices flowing!

Granted, we’re not under the same time pressures and budget constraints as The Block contestants, but, like them, we are armed with buckets of enthusiasm and a team of experts from Freedom and Kinsman to learn from as we answer the question, “What would you do?”

Each week, we are putting our own moodboards and ideas into action – visualising how the Home Beautiful Block house would look. We are creating a colour scheme and moodboard for each room and decorating with our favourite furniture and homewares. We’ve then had a little fun with AI to prompt the creation of each room and watch our ideas come to life in 3D renders.

Follow along with us as we join the teams in their endeavour each week on The Block and create, room by room, Home Beautiful House 6 in Daylesford.

In case you missed it…

Week 1: Bathrooms

Week 2: Kids’ rooms

Week 3: Main ensuite

Week 4: Main bedroom & walk-in wardrobe

Week 5: Living and dining rooms

Week 6: Rumpus rooms

Week 7: Kitchens

Week 8: Guest suite

Week 9: Laundry, Mudroom, Butler’s pantry, Powder room, Garage

Week 10: Alfresco terrace, Stratco shed

Week 11: Backyard and pools

Week 12: Front yards

House 6: When Home Beautiful joins The Block

Everything we know about The Block 2025

5 fun facts you didn’t know about The Block 2025 teams

A look at The Block 2025 Daylesford location

The 2026 ‘The Block’ location has been revealed

The look and feel of the Home Beautiful House

A country setting calls for a quiet, neutral exterior to envelope an interior colour palette of soft colours inspired by the bush – think soft greens, warm whites and earthy clay tones. Metallic detailing and tapware finishes are in aged brass and bronze, while timber features throughout in whitewashed and smoked oak tones. We’re layering texture with flooring in herringbone patterns – timber, tile and terracotta bricks for added visual warmth. Generous mullioned steel windows welcome the surrounding countryside into our imagined home through large openings, flanked by sheer curtains that offer warmth and privacy without hindering scenic views.

In the bedrooms, we’re adding lush fabrics to windows and bedding in quality linens and timeless patterns – bespoke upholstery, heavy curtains and elegant accent cushions nestled into overstuffed armchairs. The luxury continues into the harder working rooms such as bathrooms with deep tubs, plush robes and warming tones and tapware. But wait until you see our kitchen! Read on to see House 6 unfold and tell us, what do you think?

Explore each room

• Kids’ room
• Main ensuite
• Main bedroom
• Living and dining room
• Rumpus room
• Kitchen
• Guest suite
• Laundry, mudroom & butler’s pantry
• Alfresco terrace, Stratco shed

Bathroom

As we’ve learnt from many an interior designer (as well as previous The Block winners Steph and Gian), having inspirational images helps create a cohesive space. This week, we looked no further than The Block alumni Carlene and Michael Duffy for our main bathroom vision and mood board. The use of timber, warm tones and rustic metallics is well-aligned with a home set in a country town like Daylesford. We took our cues from their Gold Coast home and are rather chuffed with the final result. Do you think it would pass muster with the judges?

Inspiration & moodboard

Room Reveal

Kids’ room

For our turn at the kids’ bedroom, the HB team took inspiration from the talented interior designer, Kate Walker and the beautiful kids’ bedroom she designed for this luxurious Mt Buller apartment. The warming sage green walls and fun, recessed bunk beds feel luxurious and a little magical, with the help of a sweet plaid carpet and an inviting upholstered window seat.

Inspiration & mood board

Room reveal

Main ensuite

While we can applaud the bravery of some of the teams, we didn’t include anything as daring as a party bath in our room. We’re going with a rustic-yet-refined Modern Farmhouse aesthetic and amber resin doesn’t quite align with the grand vision. For our ensuite, we took inspiration from a gorgeous country home in Byron Bay. The owners of this bathroom are interior sylist Ali Griffiths and Michael from Beukers Building, and we especially love their bathroom’s terracotta floor tiles. We admit, we might be playing it a tad safer than some of the teams, but at least it’s not giving “upmarket abattoir”… or is it?! Let us know what you think.

Inspiration

Mood board

Room reveal

Main bedroom

 Since we’re opting for a cosy Modern Farmhouse aesthetic, we naturally took inspiration from this charming country bedroom designed by Halvorsen Interiors. From the romantic four-poster bed to the layered soft textures and French doors opening onto the countryside, the room perfectly balances rustic warmth with romantic elegance.

Inspiration

Mood board

Room reveal

Walk-in wardrobe

For our walk-in-wardrobe, we had a chat to Kinsman, who helped us come up with the following beautiful design. Our dream walk-in robe would feature one of Kinsman’s luxurious statement islands, with Kinsman Camden Coastal Oak Woodmatt Cabinetry, Camden Amaro Smooth Cabinetry, Bronze Bar and a Sensa Taj Mahal by Cosentino Benchtop as our materials of choice.

Living and dining room

Our Modern Farmhouse look calls for layered natural textures and earthy tones in our living and dining room, inspired by The Block’s country setting. We took inspiration from this dreamy Cape Cod-style home by Stritt Design, bringing in stone accents, touches of green and a laidback yet elevated aesthetic. The key to standing out on The Block is finding a strong design direction and sticking to it.

Inspiration

Our mood board gave us a fun starting point for the look we wanted. With herringbone flooring, a Freedom dining chair and coffee table, and the Hills of Green framed print, we leaned into warm timbers and natural tones. To balance it out, we added contrast with the Rachel Donath fire screen (a splurge, but hey, this is a pretend room), a Trudon candle and Kate Nixon pleated vase, bringing in a touch of black and sculptural shapes to tie it all together. While there is contrast, all the elements feel part of one family rather than a mish-mash of random styles put together.

Mood board

Room reveal

For our living room design, we carefully considered the fireplace in relation to the seating. The layout encourages conversation in groups while making it easy to enjoy the crackling flames – or a TV, cleverly disguised as artwork when it’s off. From any seat, you can also take in the view outside the windows.

Rumpus room

When imagining how we’d use an extra room, the idea of escaping technology in favour of a cosy nook for reading and enjoying the view felt suited to the Modern Farmhouse look we are going for. For this reason, we took inspiration from a beautiful library located within a country home not far from Daylesford. Scroll on to explore our mood board, shop the pieces we’d pick and see how our room design turned out.

Inspiration

Mood board

Room reveal

Kitchen

For Kitchen Week, we couldn’t resist drawing inspiration from the best of The Block and beyond. We borrowed the bold, reimagined layouts of Britt & Taz and Robby & Mat, then layered in a little magic from former Block superstars Alisa and Lysandra. It’s warm, it’s textured and it’s got plenty of creamy colours with bronze accents.

Inspiration

Mood board

Room reveal

The result? A Block Kinsman kitchen that’s both comfortable and commanding. Think exposed beams for architectural drama, natural stone benchtops that feel timeless yet tactile, and just the right amount of gold glimmer for polish. It’s a space designed to work hard but also to welcome.

Guest suite

Since we’re going for a modern country aesthetic, we drew inspiration from the place we would love to stay – the UK’s luxurious Babington House in the Somerset countryside. The country cousin of London’s exclusive Soho House is just as indulgent as you would expect, complete with sumptuous bedding and deep soaking claw-foot tubs.

Inspiration

Mood board

Room reveal

For our guest suite, we wanted the room to exude the same indulgent feel of Babington House with a slightly more pared-back design better suited to Australia’s laid-back country style. To do so, we envisioned a space anchored by elegant architectural details, including a fireplace, coffered ceiling and parquetry flooring. The warm pops of mustard come from two comfy lounge chairs and a quilt on the bed. We imagine our guests would love to end the day soaking in a freestanding mint green tub.

Laundry, mudroom, butler’s pantry

 We focused on the laundry/mudroom space and stole inspiration from a stunning home in Byron Bay.

Inspiration

We’ll forever have this Byron Bay home on our vision board and are using it for our laundry/mudroom inspo this week, with its incredible terracotta brick floors, raw timber elements, white joinery and of course that incredible hinterland backdrop.

Mood board

Room reveal

Our interpretation? A laundry-meets-mudroom that’s a little bit rustic thanks to the tiling, softened by rattan inset detailing in the Kinsman cupboard joinery and Amaro Smooth cabinets on the left, for plenty of storage.

Butler’s pantry

Because it’s a modern farmhouse, we’ve also imagined a dedicated butler’s pantry for House 6, complete with a farmhouse sink, generous benchtops for food prep and more streamlined storage. Here, we’ve taken the terracotta flooring through from the mudroom and included wall-to-wall open shelving above rattan-front Kinsman cupboards. To echo our rumpus room library and, because there’s ample space, we added a wooden ladder for easy reach and to fulfil all of our dream home fantasies.

Room reveal

Alfresco terrace, Stratco shed

This week, we’ve put our spin on an alfresco terrace with inspiration from a majestic Mornington Peninsula home. Setting the tone with light timber decking, comfortable Freedom furniture, the warmth of a wood fireplace, a dining table and a nearby fireplace and barbecue for easy entertaining, we can’t decide whether the  lush greenery or the game day-ready TV will ultimately steal the show.

Inspiration

Mood board

Room reveal

Our space combines comfortable lounges and a dining table with the warmth of a nearby fireplace, a barbecue for easy entertaining, lush greenery and a TV ready for game day.

Backyard and pool

For our backyard and pool design, we drew inspiration from the Mediteranean-inspired backyard of a Sunshine Coast home. In this backyard, a simple palette heroes the grand curves and clean lines of the elegant pool area and pool house, while the white and timber poolside furniture blends into the overall palette, creating a luxurious and cohesive look.

Inspiration

Mood board

Room reveal

For our backyard and pool, we wanted to embrace the contemporary luxury vibe of the Sunshine Coast backyard with a little Daylesford touch. To do so, we added a cosy firepit with a built in bench seat for those colder winter evenings. We also added some native plantings, soft lawn and fun fairy lights for an extra magical touch.

Front Facade

For our exterior and front garden, we took inspiration from a beautiful property in the Southern Highlands. With its crisp white façade, covered verandah, side gables and natural cedar shingles, it’s the picture of modern country charm.

Inspiration

Our mood board

Room reveal

The post House 6: See inside Home Beautiful’s Block house appeared first on Home Beautiful.

When is The Block auction 2025

You can tune into the auctions at 7pm on 26th October on Channel 9 and 9Now.

Celebrity auctioneer Tom Panos was the first person to reveal the date of The Block auctions for 2025. Panos shared a video of himself on YouTube, where he confirmed that he will be auctioning Robby and Mat’s Block house – house number five. In the same video, Panos then seemingly revealed the date of the auction – something that hadn’t been released by any of The Block’s or Channel Nine’s official sources yet.

“The 25th of October, all eyes are on house number five, the one with the pickleball court,” Panos said in the YouTube video.

Since then, Channel Nine have confirmed that the auctions will be taking place on the 25th October and airing the following day, on the 26th.

The news that Panos is returning to The Block auctions comes as a surprise after the auctioneer made a statement in November 2024, where he claimed he “probably won’t be returning to The Block.” At the time, Panos had said his appearances on the show had cost him earnings. In 2024, Panos sold Courtney and Grant’s home for $3.3 million, and previously auctioned The Block’s winning homes in 2022 and 2023.

The Block homes price guides

All five of the Block homes will be going to auction with a price guide of $3 – 3.3 million.

You can find the listings for each home below:

House One – Emma and Ben

House Two – Han and Can

House Three – Britt and Taz

House Four – Sonny and Alicia

House Five – Robby and Mat

Who will be bidding at the auctions?

Despite his claims that he was finished with the Block, Adrian Portelli was reportedly spotted visiting the Daylesford site. Scotty Cam also recently indicated that Danny Wallis may be attending this year’s auctions during a radio interview. While nothing’s confirmed yet, we’re excited to see who shows.

In case you missed it…

Week 1: Bathrooms

Week 2: Kids’ rooms

Week 3: Main ensuite

Week 4: Main bedroom & walk-in wardrobe

Week 5: Living and dining rooms

Week 6: Rumpus rooms

Week 7: Kitchens

Week 8: Guest suite

Week 9: Laundry, Mudroom, Butler’s pantry, Powder room, Garage

Week 10: Alfresco terrace, Stratco shed

Week 11: Backyard and pools

Week 12: Front yards

House 6: When Home Beautiful joins The Block

Everything we know about The Block 2025

5 fun facts you didn’t know about The Block 2025 teams

A look at The Block 2025 Daylesford location

The 2026 ‘The Block’ location has been revealed

The post Everything we know about the 2025 Block auctions appeared first on Home Beautiful.

So, who made the right choices this week? Keep reading for everything the Block teams got right and wrong about front yard week.

What the Block teams got wrong

Lack of plantings

Britt and Taz has had an extremely successful Block season but their lack of plantings let their front yard down this week.

“It looks like an industrial shed and does not match the level of luxury that is sitting behind these walls,” Marty explained.

While Shaynna loved the timber cladding, she also wished there was more foliage to create privacy. Marty went so far as to describe the area as “kitty litter with mulch.”

Despite this, the couple redeemed themselves with a stunning garage door featuring beautiful Indigenous artworks.

Sculptures and arbours

Han and Can’s decision to install a large Japanese-style arbor over their driveway didn’t quite pay off. The striking structure makes a bold statement, but it feels a little too imposing for a residential home.

Marty explained that the arbor could be off-putting to buyers. “That is what you see the moment you come to this home. It hits you in the face,” he said.

Sonny and Alicia also added a sculptural kangaroo to their front garden. While the judges loved it, it certainly isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

What they got right

Simplicity

The judges loved the simplicity of Emma and Ben’s front façade, noting how their garage door seamlessly blended with the rest of the home.

“Because the black alpine facade feel is so strong, I love the fact that they’ve picked a very simplistic garage door. Because everything is about the planting of the greenery against that black,” the judges explained.

Similarly, Sonny and Alicia came out on top for the simplicity of their design. While they didn’t use a huge number of plantings, the couple were praised for choosing the right ones.

“I love the rawness of the fence, I love the rawness of the bricks,” Shaynna said, while Darren describing it as a “simple and sophisticated pallate,” and a “perfect Aussie backyard at a luxe level.”

Sustainability

Robby and Mat’s design was described as the “quintessential Daylesford farmhouse,” with their native garden being a highlight of the design.

Landscaper Dave explained that the garden was “probably the most sustainable landscape on the block,” with plenty of native plantings from the local area and a low maintenance design.

While Darren was initially underwhelmed at the junior plantings that he though reflected a “dwinding budget,” he admitted “I can see once it’s done it’s going to be breathtakingly beautiful.”

Inside House 6: Team Home Beautiful’s front garden

This year, Home Beautiful is playing along with The Block and creating our very own (virtual) House 6. For our exterior and front garden, we took inspiration from a beautiful property in the Southern Highlands. With its crisp white façade, covered verandah, side gables and natural cedar shingles, it’s the picture of modern country charm.

Inspiration

Our mood board

Shop the products

• Sonata armchair, $1104 (usually $1,299) from Freedom
• Otto side table, $599 from Freedom
• Davenport planter, $249 from Freedom
• Olive potted tree, $449 from Freedom
• Ceppo stone porcelain ivory external tiles, $109.44 from Perini
• Hanoi rustic subway matt natural clay tiles, $101.47 from Perini
• Old red sandstock pavers, Australian Paving Centre
• Smooth solid brass floating numbers, $99 from Passio Interiors
• Grange letterbox in Pale Eucalypt, $198 from Heatlie Letterboxes
• Single adjustable spike light, $429 from Lighting Collective
• Exterior pre aged box light, $2,200 from Lighting Collective
• Steel double exterior doors, from Doors For Builder
• Jasper paint from Colorbond
• Surfmist paint from Colorbond

Room reveal

For our take on the home and yard, we embraced the crisp white palette of our inspiration picture, while adding some contrast with a navy roof and steel windows. Along with a winding brick path, we added ssteel double doors and a pair of comfy yet stylish armchairs from Freedom, perfect for settling in for that evening glass of wine.

All The Block room reveal images were originally published by Channel 9/9Now on nine.com.au.

In case you missed it…

Week 1: Bathrooms

Week 2: Kids’ rooms

Week 3: Main ensuite

Week 4: Main bedroom & walk-in wardrobe

Week 5: Living and dining rooms

Week 6: Rumpus rooms

Week 7: Kitchens

Week 8: Guest suite

Week 9: Laundry, Mudroom, Butler’s pantry, Powder room, Garage

Week 10: Alfresco terrace, Stratco shed

Week 11: Backyard and pools

Week 12: Front yards

House 6: When Home Beautiful joins The Block

Everything we know about The Block 2025

5 fun facts you didn’t know about The Block 2025 teams

A look at The Block 2025 Daylesford location

The 2026 ‘The Block’ location has been revealed

The post The biggest mistakes from the Block’s front yard week appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Channel Nine has today unveiled a brand new home renovations show with a European twist. The series, 1 Euro House, will see Palmer and Blaze renovate a dilapidated villa in Sicily, purchased through Italy’s ‘one Euro homes‘ scheme. The real-life policy hopes to reinvigorate certain Italian regions by inviting foreigners to invest in abandoned homes for only one Euro, if they promise to complete a full renovation of the property.

And who could be better for the task than two of Australia’s reigning TV renovators?

Taking to Instagram with the news, Blaze said she was “so excited to finally announce” the new show. “Keeping this one under wraps this year has been almost as big a challenge for me and [Darren] as transforming our crumbling Sicilian property (but not quite),” she wrote alongside the announcement.

Meanwhile, Palmer shared a behind-the-scenes look at the trailer and special announcement at Channel Nine’s upfronts event in Sydney.

“I’ve literally got goosebumps, I’m so excited,” Blaze shares in the clip. “We’ve been hiding this for months!”

“We’ve been working for months, and now you’re finally going to find out what it is!” Palmer adds, captioning his video: “If you love travel and renovation then you are going to LOVE our new show.” Take a look at the sneak peek:

What is Shaynna Blaze and Darren Palmer’s new series about?

Shaynna and Darren’s new series, 1 Euro House, will follow The Block judges as they undertake the tricky renovation of a crumbling Sicilian home. Far from the fresh builds of Daylesford, the pair’s Sicilian property has long been abandoned and is in need of extensive repairs. As Darren declares in the trailer, the task is “much worse than I thought”.

Set against a stunning Mediterranean backdrop and the rolling hills of Sicily, the series is sure to provide some wanderlust therapy for those craving a European summer. It will also showcase a new side to the interior designers, who will be able to flex their creativity, inspired by the provincial Italian architecture and landscape.

The title of the series 1 Euro House is drawn from the ‘one Euro homes’ policy, whereby people (including Shaynna and Darren!) are allowed to purchase an abandoned property in Italy for a single Euro—less than $2!—to restore it to a livable home.

When is 1 Euro House being released?

With the announcement dropping in October 2025, fans will have to hold on a little longer for Shaynna and Darren’s new series to drop. 1 Euro House was announced as part of Nine’s 2026 line-up, but there’s no news yet of exactly when the new renovation show will air.

The post Shaynna Blaze & Darren Palmer announce new European renovation show appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Robby and Mat’s backyard had plenty of great features, including a beautiful 25-year-old tree, raised garden beds and a swimming pool with a clever shade cover. What the garden didn’t need, however, was an oversized fireplace with factory-like chimneys blocking the view of the pool.

Marty immediately brought up the fireplace as a safety issue, explaining “from the deck and from a family perspective, not being able to see the kids in the pool is a concern and I think people will recognise that when they come here.”

Despite the security camera positioned over the pool, most parents would rather keep an eye on their children in person than through a phone screen. The fireplace is also said to be the biggest in the region, which feels unnessarily large and a little showy for a country backyard.

Britt and Taz’s garden was full of great features but the overall effect felt too busy. The arbours particularly, didn’t seem to add anything but visual noise to the garden. While they will look beautiful once the star jasmine grows, the amount of them feels too overwhelming for a calm space.

The huge creek taking up half the lawn area was also a divisive choice, with Marty explaining that “It could be the only thing that turns a buyer off.” Shaynna disagreed, explaining that her grandkids would love it and that it was “a childhood dream.”

While children might love the creek, unfenced open water feels like a dangerous feature to have in a backyard – especially so far down the back where parents might not be able to see their children.

Han and Can’s garden felt more ornamental than practical, with large boulders and a huge Japanese arbour. A large amount of space was given to the pavers leading down the pool, which felt somewhat wasteful.

“It has a lot of rock, a lot of pavers. It’s hard for kids to run around, they can trip,” Marty commented on the area. “It has a harsher feel.”

The busyness extended to the pool area, where Shaynna and Marty both commented on the checkerboard tile boarding the pool. Marty said that it would be better if it was just plain and that “the fourth material is just too much.”

The gardens that won us over were the ones that felt more paired back and relaxed. With roughly 80% of the plantings being native species, Emma and Ben’s garden felt like an extension of the surrounding environment. Even the bricks around the pool were carefully chosen to match the mulch, giving the entire area a cohesive look.

The smaller fire pit worked in their favour, allowing the space to blend into the rest of the garden and reducing visual fragmentation. All of the judges loved the space, with Marty saying “this screams Daylesford.”

Out of all the backyards, Sonny and Alicia’s was the most understated, and that’s exactly why it works so well. There’s plenty of lawn for the kids to run around on and an abundance of space for functions. While the pool fence stands out, once the plants grow in, it will virtually disappear. Compared to the other backyards, it feels more laid back and suited to country life.

The judges described the space as “simple and solid” with Darren explaining that it’s “a good proper Aussie backyard.”

All The Block room reveal images were originally published by Channel 9/9Now on nine.com.au.

Inside House 6: Team Home Beautiful’s backyard and pool

This year, Home Beautiful is playing along with The Block and creating our very own (virtual) House 6. For our backyard and pool design, we drew inspiration from the Mediteranean-inspired backyard of a Sunshine Coast home. In this backyard, a simple palette heroes the grand curves and clean lines of the elegant pool area and pool house, while the white and timber poolside furniture blends into the overall palette, creating a luxurious and cohesive look.

Inspiration

Our mood board

Shop the products

• Garden Glory pool ring, $199 from Freedom
• Boree sun lounger, $1,444 (usually $1,699) from Freedom
• Boree daybed, $2,549 (usually $2,999) from Freedom
• Sundial umbrella, $2,399 from Basil Bangs
• Tucson 100 rust fire pit, $525 from Milkcan
• Round firewood storage, $389 from Milkcan
• Trentham planter, $149 from Freedom
• Shellstone limestone brushed and tumbled pavers, $155.66 per sqm from Amber Tiles
• Verde Spanish PVC dot mounted glass pool mosaic, $42 per sqm from Tile Factory Outlet
• Laurens navy stripe bolster pillow, $129 from Business & Pleasure
• Imola bar trolley, $959 from Freedom

Room reveal

For our backyard and pool, we wanted to embrace the contemporary luxury vibe of the Sunshine Coast backyard with a little Daylesford touch. To do so, we added a cosy firepit with a built in bench seat for those colder winter evenings. We also added some native plantings, soft lawn and fun fairy lights for an extra magical touch.

In case you missed it…

Week 1: Bathrooms

Week 2: Kids’ rooms

Week 3: Main ensuite

Week 4: Main bedroom & walk-in wardrobe

Week 5: Living and dining rooms

Week 6: Rumpus rooms

Week 7: Kitchens

Week 8: Guest suite

Week 9: Laundry, Mudroom, Butler’s pantry, Powder room, Garage

Week 10: Alfresco terrace, Stratco shed

Week 11: Backyard and pools

Week 12: Front yards

House 6: When Home Beautiful joins The Block

Everything we know about The Block 2025

5 fun facts you didn’t know about The Block 2025 teams

A look at The Block 2025 Daylesford location

The 2026 ‘The Block’ location has been revealed

The post The Block’s over-the-top backyards are missing the point appeared first on Home Beautiful.

The rest of the teams found it hard to compete this week. Surprisingly, the understated alfresco terraces and sheds were the ones that impressed the judges most. Alicia and Sonny claimed the runner-up spot with a relaxed lounge area, a sink, pizza oven and barbecue – enough for easy entertaining without tipping into extravagance. 

“I’m at rancho relaxo,” said Marty, settling into their cosy outdoor seating from Freedom. Their traditional shed earned equal praise for its practicality and polish. “It’s a good old functional Australian Stratco shed and I’m here for it,” Darren added, noting the awesome, versatile flooring and clever storage that sealed their success.

Meanwhile, Britt and Taz opted for an over-the-top outdoor kitchen that left no space for a lounge area, while their speakeasy-style shed raised eyebrows over compliance. The sheds should be designed for no more than about 40 minutes of use – yet a beautiful bar stocked with liquor could tempt guests to linger for longer.

All The Block room reveal images were originally published by Channel 9/9Now on nine.com.au.

Previous

Everything we know about the 2025 Block auctions

The Block 2025: Two kitchens so good the judges couldn’t choose

House 6: See inside Home Beautiful’s Block house

Next

Inside House 6: Team Home Beautiful’s alfresco terrace

This year, Home Beautiful is playing along with The Block and revealing our very own (virtual) House 6. This week, we’ve put our spin on an alfresco terrace with inspiration from a majestic Mornington Peninsula home.

Mood board

This week’s mood board sets the tone with light timber decking from Master Woodturning, comfortable Freedom furniture, the warmth of a Luxe Fireplaces wood fireplace and characterful exterior wall lighting from Lighting Collective.

• ‘Boree’ dining table, $2499, and dining chair, $499, Freedom
• ‘Sonata’ sofa, $2299, Freedom
• ‘Davenport’ planter, $249, Freedom
• ‘Sundial’ umbrella, $2399, Basil Bangs
• ‘Fitzroy’ bolster, $49.95, Freedom
• ‘Lyon’ dinner set, $137.40 (usually $229), Freedom
• ‘Niebull’ lantern, $395 (usually $439), Freedom
• Fascia millboard, Master Woodturning
• Morso Kamino outdoor wood fireplace, $2588, Luxe Fireplaces
• Classical dark brass exterior wall light, $650, Lighting Collective

Inspiration

Our inspiration image, from a home by Kate Walker and the KWD team, features suspended porch swings in a sheltered alfresco area with a fireplace. It’s a favourite gathering place for the family who lives here.

Room reveal

Our space combines comfortable lounges and a dining table with the warmth of a nearby fireplace, a barbecue for easy entertaining, lush greenery and a TV ready for game day.

In case you missed it…

Week 1: Bathrooms

Week 2: Kids’ rooms

Week 3: Main ensuite

Week 4: Main bedroom & walk-in wardrobe

Week 5: Living and dining rooms

Week 6: Rumpus rooms

Week 7: Kitchens

Week 8: Guest suite

Week 9: Laundry, Mudroom, Butler’s pantry, Powder room, Garage

Week 10: Alfresco terrace, Stratco shed

Week 11: Backyard and pools

Week 12: Front yards

House 6: When Home Beautiful joins The Block

Everything we know about The Block 2025

5 fun facts you didn’t know about The Block 2025 teams

A look at The Block 2025 Daylesford location

The 2026 ‘The Block’ location has been revealed

The post Robby & Mat’s wine cellar has finally been revealed – was it worth it? appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Previous

House 6: See inside Home Beautiful’s Block house

The Block 2025: Two kitchens so good the judges couldn’t choose

Everything we know about the 2025 Block auctions

Next

‘Back of house’ spaces revealed:

• Laundry
• Mudroom
• Butler’s pantry
• Powder room
• Garage
  

Here were the standouts, according to the judges…

Britt and Taz’s butler’s pantry, laundry and garage

Winners of the week Britt and Taz impressed with a clever floorplan that kept their laundry and butler’s pantry separate but perfectly functional. Expansive Freedom Kitchens joinery and a coffee machine surrounded by earthy surfaces wowed the judges. “Look at the use of that Dekton up the wall, it feels expansive and expensive,” said Darren.

Marty called it “classy, sophisticated and timeless”, while a commercial-grade washer and dryer from E&S nailed the practical brief.

Their garage also stood out. “You know what this says, ‘Show me the money’,” said Shaynna, as Darren admired the chequerboard floor that “elevates the look”, and Marty noted it “feels like an extension of the house”.

Alicia and Sonny’s butler’s pantry, laundry and powder room

Alicia and Sonny scored points for the clever inclusions in their combined butler’s pantry and laundry, with a drying cabinet and a well-placed fridge adding real practicality.

But the judges saved their biggest praise for the powder room. “That is stunning,” said Shaynna. “That is something you’d see in a high-end house or high-end hotel.” Marty agreed, calling it “unfaultable”.

Han and Can’s mudroom, powder room and garage

Han and Can’s mudroom nailed both beauty and practicality, with shoe pigeon holes, generous hanging space and plenty of storage. “That’s what you want, an upholstered seat,” said Darren, admiring the comfortable built-in bench.

Shaynna noted the home was never truly a Daylesford-style residence with the girls at the helm – it just happened to be in Daylesford, which no longer felt like a drawback. Their pretty powder room was a case in point, with glorious rose tones and glimmering gold accents.

The garage was a passion project for Han, so a win would have meant a lot to the couple but they missed out by half a point. Still, the judges acknowledged their attention to detail. “I love the fact the girls put a motorbike here,” said Shaynna. Marty summed it up perfectly: “This is the fun house.”

All The Block room reveal images were originally published by Channel 9/9Now on nine.com.au.

Inside House 6: Team Home Beautiful’s room reveal

This year, Home Beautiful is playing along with The Block and revealing our very own (virtual) House 6. This week, we focused on the laundry/mudroom space and stole inspiration from a stunning home in Byron Bay.

Mood board

It wouldn’t be a laundry/mudroom without some gum boots (chic ones, of course). We’ve embraced textured tiles like some of the other contestants did with a farmhouse sink from ABI Interiors, added classic Shaker-style cabinetry and added interest through decor elements and lighting hardware.

• Shaker cabinetry in Amaro Smooth, Kinsman
• Bell knob graphite handles, Kinsman
• ‘Loire’ round basket, $89.95, Freedom
• Aura Home ‘Paros’ bath towel in Natural, from $23.96 (usually $29.95), The Iconic
• ‘Hartley’ small single farmhouse fireclay sink in Gloss White, $454.90, ABI Interiors
• ‘Elysian’ kitchen mixer in Tumbled Aged Brass, $324.90, ABI Interiors
• ‘Tropea’ natural edge square tile (100 x 100mm) in Matte White, $79.90, ABI Interiors
• Laundry wash, $27, Bondi Wash
• ‘Cloudy Bay’ metal wall light in Antique Brass, $429 (usually $569) Living Styles
• Hunter boots, $192 (usually $240), David Jones
• ‘Antibaia’ vase, $476 (usually $529), Freedom

Inspiration

We’ll forever have this Byron Bay home on our vision board and are using it for our laundry/mudroom inspo this week, with its incredible terracotta brick floors, raw timber elements, white joinery and of course that incredible hinterland backdrop.

Room reveal

Our interpretation? A laundry-meets-mudroom that’s a little bit rustic thanks to the tiling, softened by rattan inset detailing in the Kinsman cupboard joinery and Amaro Smooth cabinets on the left, for plenty of storage.

We’ve also gone with a dedicated butler’s pantry. Here, we’ve included wall-to-wall open shelving above rattan-front Kinsman cupboards, with a wooden ladder for easy reach and to fulfil all of our dream home fantasies.

In case you missed it…

Week 1: Bathrooms

Week 2: Kids’ rooms

Week 3: Main ensuite

Week 4: Main bedroom & walk-in wardrobe

Week 5: Living and dining rooms

Week 6: Rumpus rooms

Week 7: Kitchens

Week 8: Guest suite

Week 9: Laundry, Mudroom, Butler’s pantry, Powder room, Garage

Week 10: Alfresco terrace, Stratco shed

Week 11: Backyard and pools

Week 12: Front yards

House 6: When Home Beautiful joins The Block

Everything we know about The Block 2025

5 fun facts you didn’t know about The Block 2025 teams

A look at The Block 2025 Daylesford location

The 2026 ‘The Block’ location has been revealed

The post 9 of the best spaces from The Block’s final interior reveals appeared first on Home Beautiful.

The Block to babies and fixer-uppers

Courtney and Grant Freeman made a splash on The Block 2024 with their fresh “Moditerranean” style – mixing modern lines with sun-drenched Mediterranean flair on Phillip Island. The married couple from NSW quickly became fan favourites thanks to their daring choices (who could forget that bold striped bathroom?) and natural synergy as a team. 

After moving into their home just before their overseas trip, they followed that news with the announcement they have their first baby on the way. “Carrying a little extra baggage this Europe trip,” they shared in an Instagram post. So it’s all happening for the designer couple. Below, we speak exclusively to Courtney about their bold plans for the renovation.

No judges, no rules

With Courtney at the helm of her furniture and design business, The Lazy Stylist, and Grant bringing his background in landscaping to the table, it was a recipe for design success on The Block. And it’s clear they’ve left a lasting impression in the home and interiors space.

It will be exciting to see them apply their talents to a projects outside The Block and they’re about to do exactly that. After months of searching for just the right property with serious renovation potential, the duo have found the one.

But unlike their reality TV experience, this project comes without Scott Cam and Shelley Craft popping in for site visits – or judges Darren Palmer, Shaynna Blaze and Marty Fox offering their critiques. This time, they’re calling the shots, and as Courtney tells Home Beautiful, they’re not holding back.

“We’ve just secured a property south of Sydney,” she says of the house they purchased in June 2025. “It’s a bit of a beast –  three levels and a whole lot of work ahead, which is slightly overwhelming but also exciting.”

Drawn to its “views, multilevel structure and some of the original charm in the façade,” Courtney says the property captured their imagination from the outset. But don’t expect a few cosmetic updates: “It will be a full gut renovation.”

 “It’s a bit of a beast, which is overwhelming but also exciting.”

Courtney

Mediterranean mood board

The pair’s vision is ambitious and refreshingly unconventional. “We want to create something with old-world Mediterranean charm and traditional Spanish Revival influence, with a unique and bold approach,” Courtney shares. “The beauty this time is that we don’t have to worry about impressing judges or playing it safe for public appeal, so we’re planning to have a bit of fun with it!”

Courtney and Grant move into the property around the beginning of August 2025, just before jetting off to Europe for further inspiration. The renovation is set to kick off in October and will be tackled in stages, given the scale of the project.

“It’ll also tie in closely with my business – I’m planning to launch a new custom furniture collection and a design guide inspired by the style of this home,” Courtney reveals. “So a lot is happening behind the scenes, but we’re so excited.”

And yes, they’ll be living through the chaos. “We’ll be living in it throughout the reno – which should be interesting with all the dust and chaos,” she admits.

From what we know so far, it’s shaping up to be another statement-making transformation – one that’s set to push boundaries and reflect the bold creative spirit Courtney and Grant have become known for.

The house hunting journey

Less than a month after The Block 2024 wrapped on November 10, contestants Courtney and Grant announced plans for this next project. “Now we need a new challenge and we’re looking at renovating or building next year,” Grant said in an Instagram reel in December. “We’ve made a few calls and locked in a few things,” added Courtney.

The furniture designer and landscaping business manager shared snippets of their hunt for land or a house to imbue with their signature style. “House hunting day one,” they shared on December 7, 2024, with an image of a house’s arched outdoor area.

“The other option is to build from scratch, which excites me a little more,” they shared with a video of land and lush greenery. The couple is from Sydney and they haven’t indicated they’re planning on moving away from their usual stomping grounds but we do know they’re cashed-up and ready to buy.

The runners-up of the 20th season walked away with $1.35 million in winnings after their Moditerranean-style home sold for $3.3 million at the auction. Yet it seems they haven’t exactly been putting their feet up since Scott Cam called the final “tools down” and the cameras stopped rolling earlier in the year.

“It wasn’t really a break,” they shared. “Courtney launched a whole new collection on The Lazy Stylist.” The collection is bang on trend with the announcement of Pantone’s 2025 Colour of the Year as Mocha Mousse. We’ll have to stay tuned for more life updates but if their track record is anything to go by, this home will be a project to watch in 2025.

The post Block couple Courtney & Grant’s reno to beat their due date appeared first on Home Beautiful.

The most controversial design from the Block’s guest suites

Kitchenettes

Anyone who’s ever stayed over at a friend’s place knows the luxury of being able to make a cup of tea or coffee in your own room without having to tiptoe around the kitchen while your hosts are still asleep. For this reason, it was the teams that prioritised their guests’ comfort with a kitchenette that came out on top.

The judges were particularly impressed with Emma and Ben’s sage green guest suite and kitchenette design, which featured a green tile splashback, a brass sink and an abundance of space for mugs and plates. “It’s a beautifully laid out great space with a lot of amenities,” Darren said.

Britt and Taz also added a kitchenette to their space, and the judges appreciated the addition of a fridge, microwave, toaster and kettle, which Emma and Ben’s lacked.

However, not all of the judges deemed the kitchenettes necessary for the guest suite. When Shaynna and Marty critiqued Robby and Mat for not adding a kitchenette to their guest space, Darren defended their decision.

“If I was designing this house, I don’t know if I would put a kitchenette in either,” Darren said. It’s certainly a great value add, but day to day, this does everything that I would want it to do.”

Sonny and Alicia also chose to skip a kitchenette in their space, instead opting for just a bar fridge and coffee-making station, which felt like the perfect option for the space. Since guests aren’t exactly going to be cooking up a storm, the larger kitchenettes felt a little excessive.

The study nook

Han and Can’s study nook was another design decision that completely divided the judges. The couple incorporated a small workspace into their built-in wardrobes but Shaynna suggested they replace it with a bar fridge.

“It’s a holiday environment,” Shaynna said. “Do you want to sit in a corner in a little poky area and do your office work?”

Darren, however, was a fan of the design, saying, “If you are going to put a work from home space in here – a space for someone to retreat to and have a board meeting – that’s a good place for it.”

Work might not be on the holiday agenda, but when it pops up, a built-in desk does gives guests a proper place to plug in and get things done, without feeling like they are bringing their work into the middle of the house or having to balance their laptop on the bed awkwardly.

The wall panelling

Britt and Taz spent the week painstakingly staining their timber wall panelling – a move that unfortunately didn’t pay off with the judges.

“The wall pannelling is a bit odd,” Marty said as he stepped into the room. “It’s not as polished as the rest of the other rooms.”

Shaynna agreed that the wall pannelling was too rustic for the home, while Darren argued that at least it suits the Daylesford country style.

The bathrooms

This week, three out of five of the Block teams didn’t finish their bathrooms. While the judges tried to imagine what the bathrooms would look like if they were completed, they couldn’t fairly judge the spaces.

If the bathroom had been completed, we would have loved to have seen more baths. While the generous shower designs are beautiful, there’s something so much more luxurious about soaking in a hot bath at the end of the day – especially in the countryside, where you might have been out hiking or exploring. For guests, a bath is the detail that can turn a space into a sanctuary.

All The Block room reveal images were originally published by Channel 9/9Now on nine.com.au.

How Home Beautiful would design our guest room

As you may know, Home Beautiful is playing along and (virtually) designing our very own Block House 6. Since we’re going for a modern country aesthetic, we drew inspiration from the place we would love to stay – the UK’s luxurious Babington House in the Somerset countryside. The country cousin of London’s exclusive Soho House is just as indulgent as you would expect, complete with sumptuous bedding and deep soaking claw-foot tubs. Scroll on to see how our room compares.

Inspiration

Our mood board

Shop the products

• Blackheath floor mirror, $416 (usually $599) from Freedom
• Bea fabric occasional chair, $1,299 from Freedom
• Arlo bedside table, $599 from Freedom
• Audrey Poeme camel poped gas lift bed, $2,999 from Freedom
• Elements floor rug, $5,397 from Freedom
• Belize saffron quilt, $440 from Walter. G
• The Water Monopoly – Rockwell bath from The English Tapware Company
• Washed Linen wall covering, $472 per roll from The Fabric Editors
• Luxor tumeric wallpaper from Walter. G
• Revival istream 3L radio, $199 from Roberts Radio

Room reveal

For our guest suite, we wanted the room to exude the same indulgent feel of Babington House with a slightly more pared-back design better suited to Australia’s laid-back country style. To do so, we envisioned a space anchored by elegant architectural details, including a fireplace, coffered ceiling and parquetry flooring. The warm pops of mustard come from two comfy lounge chairs and a quilt on the bed. We imagine our guests would love to end the day soaking in a freestanding mint green tub.

In case you missed it…

Week 1: Bathrooms

Week 2: Kids’ rooms

Week 3: Main ensuite

Week 4: Main bedroom & walk-in wardrobe

Week 5: Living and dining rooms

Week 6: Rumpus rooms

Week 7: Kitchens

Week 8: Guest suite

Week 9: Laundry, Mudroom, Butler’s pantry, Powder room, Garage

Week 10: Alfresco terrace, Stratco shed

Week 11: Backyard and pools

Week 12: Front yards

House 6: When Home Beautiful joins The Block

Everything we know about The Block 2025

5 fun facts you didn’t know about The Block 2025 teams

A look at The Block 2025 Daylesford location

The 2026 ‘The Block’ location has been revealed

The post The most controversial designs from The Block team’s guest suites appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Not everyone agreed, of course. A couple with their own strong vision, Sonny and Alicia, went bold with a moody palette, layering Freedom’s new Baltic Blue cabinetry with deep tones and luxe finishes. Realtor judge Marty Fox wasn’t convinced, but we found ourselves smitten – and so did design maven Shaynna Blaze. “It’s gorgeous,” she declared.

But ultimately, it was Britt and Taz and Robby and Mat who stole the show.

Previous

We chart Dan and Dani from The Block’s evolution from 2012 to now

The next ‘The Block’ location has us already wanting more

Tour The Block judge Marty Fox’s jaw-dropping $13m Toorak residence

Next

Britt and Taz’s kitchen

“This is absolutely breathtaking. The big drama of this timber panel roof,” gushed judge Darren Palmer, craning his neck upwards. Marty grounded the praise in practicality: “It plays into the market of Daylesford.” Shaynna summed it up: “It says country, but still elevated.”

The result? A kitchen that feels equal parts grand gesture and heart-of-the-home, perfectly attuned to its regional setting.

Robby and Mat’s kitchen

What stood out here was the clever repositioning. Like Britt and Taz, they flipped the kitchen to run parallel with the dining table, a decision Darren said created “a lovely physical flow”. Walking through, it was hard not to agree – the alignment just felt right.

Shaynna captured the vibe with a smile: “I feel like I’m walking into a country estate. It’s gorgeous.”

5 things Robby and Mat loved about their winning Block kitchen

While on site, we stole a minute with Robby and Mat, who walked us through the details they loved most about their kitchen – the touches that made it feel both country and sophisticated.

1. Venetian plaster

Texture with polish. The boys were proud of the finish, and the judges agreed. “Aesthetically they haven’t missed a beat,” said Darren Palmer. Marty Fox added: “It has that level of sophistication I know the buyers are going to love.”

2. Pot filler tap

Equal parts practical and poetic, the pot filler struck just the right note. “It’s so country. That’s got to be the most Daylesford kitchen we’ve seen today,” said Marty.

3. Custom built-in furniture

Working with Freedom Kitchens, Robby and Mat pushed for cabinetry that felt crafted rather than cookie-cutter. “Our kitchen is designed to look like furniture,” explained Mat. “Rather than approaching it like a big island slab, we’ve extended it to be like a table. Same with our cabinetry – you can see the detailing. It doesn’t go all the way up to the ceiling.”

The judges noticed too. “It just wraps itself around you,” said Marty. Shaynna Blaze praised their choice of Nordic Oak: “I think it’s got a lot to do with the colour.”

4. Farmhouse sink

A nod to tradition, the deep farmhouse sink gave the kitchen a soulful anchor. “It’s everything I look for in a kitchen,” said Shaynna. “Does it have heart, does it make you want to be here? And it does.”

5. Oven with magnetic dials

Elevated aesthetics meet clever design, with dials that can be taken off for a streamlined look when not in use. “The appliances are so high end,” said Marty. “Neff is the pick of the chef and it’s pretty cool how you can take these off, even on the oven.”

All The Block room reveal images were originally published by Channel 9/9Now on nine.com.au.

Inside House 6: Team Home Beautiful’s kitchen

This year, Team Home Beautiful is playing along – and we’re unveiling our very own House 6. For Kitchen Week, we couldn’t resist drawing inspiration from the best of The Block and beyond.

We borrowed the bold, reimagined layouts of Britt & Taz and Robby & Mat, then layered in a little magic from former Block superstars Alisa and Lysandra.

The mood board

It’s warm, it’s textured, and it’s got plenty of creamy colours with bronze accents.

Products

• ‘Lusey’ dinner set, $161 (usually $179), Freedom
• ‘Debutant’ cutlery set, $254 (usually $299), Freedom
• Olive potted tree, $379.05 (usually $399), Freedom
• Falcon ‘Classic Deluxe’ 1100mm dual fuel freestanding cooker in White Brass, $12598.20 (usually $1399.80), Harvey Norman
• Black Mango Interiors ‘Anka’ counter stool, $499, Freedom
• Thomas O’Brien ‘Goodman’ hanging light, $1790 (medium), The Montauk Lighting Co
• Perrin & Rowe Ionian sink mixer and taps, English Tapware Co
• ‘Acquello’ white double fireclay butler sink, English Tapware Co
• ‘Madras’ floor runner, $239.20 (usually $299), Freedom
• Custom cabinetry, Kinsman
• Bronze bar handles, Kinsman
• Golden Oak 15mm herringbone flooring, $99m², Imperial Flooring Australia

Inspiration

This recent farmhouse-style project in Adelaide, South Australia, by Alisa and Lysandra Interiors, complete with its own wine cellar (yes, just like the boys are planning), gave us permission to dream big with our own kitchen ideas this week.

The render

The result? A Block Kinsman kitchen that’s both comfortable and commanding. Think exposed beams for architectural drama, natural stone benchtops that feel timeless yet tactile, and just the right amount of gold glimmer for polish. It’s a space designed to work hard but also to welcome.

In case you missed it…

Week 1: Bathrooms

Week 2: Kids’ rooms

Week 3: Main ensuite

Week 4: Main bedroom & walk-in wardrobe

Week 5: Living and dining rooms

Week 6: Rumpus rooms

Week 7: Kitchens

Week 8: Guest suite

Week 9: Laundry, Mudroom, Butler’s pantry, Powder room, Garage

Week 10: Alfresco terrace, Stratco shed

Week 11: Backyard and pools

Week 12: Front yards

House 6: When Home Beautiful joins The Block

Everything we know about The Block 2025

5 fun facts you didn’t know about The Block 2025 teams

A look at The Block 2025 Daylesford location

The 2026 ‘The Block’ location has been revealed

The post The Block 2025: Two kitchens so good the judges couldn’t choose appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Rumpus room inspiration we’re taking from the Block

Movie theatre

For their rumpus room, Han and Can opted for a movie theatre style space that is centred around the TV. This saw the girls go with an oversized curved couch that allows you to see the TV from no matter where you are sitting, heavy curtains for blocking out light and their signature backlit arches around the TV, making it the focal point of the room.

Their choices paid off, with all three judges all being fans of the space. “It’s a room that the entire family will enjoy,” Marty Fox explained. “From a marketing perspective, this really fits every single person that will come to stay at this house.” 

Rather simply being designed as a second living room, the movie theatre angle gives the room a strong purpose that sees it actually benefits from being in a more private space. Whether you’re having a romantic movie night with family or sending a pack of kids off to watch a something during a dinner party, a movie room essentially serves the same purpose that a traditional rumpus room would, making it the perfect choice for this week’s challenge.

Pilates room

Britt and Taz’s pilates room ended up being a controversial choice. Draped with billowing white curtains, a fully stocked drinks fridge and two full-sized reformer pilates machines, the room wouldn’t be out of place in a home belonging to the Kardashians – no doubt a luxurious feature but perhaps a little out of place for a country town like Daylesford. For Shaynna, a pilates room was simply too niche of a choice to make it worth sacrificing a second living space, especially if only one or two family members would be able to use the room.

That said, it’s not uncommon for families to spend the majority of their time in the one living space, leaving any second lounge largely unused. These days, many of us also prefer exercising at home, thanks to the wide variety of classes available on YouTube and other digital platforms. And with Daylesford nestled in a region famed for its hot springs, it’s easy to see how a wellness-focused room might appeal to potential buyers. For country homes without the array of city gym options, a pilates or gym room can actually be the perfect use of a rumpus space.

Parent’s retreat

With their cool pink and green colour palette, brown leather sofa and nesting coffee tables, Emma and Ben’s rumpus room was a favourite with the judges, with Shaynna commenting “You feel like you’re being hugged in this room and it’s all to do with colour.” 

Their only criticism was that the room wasn’t very kid friendly, feeling more like a secret parent’s retreat than a family living space. In our opinion, this isn’t actually a bad thing. With the popularity of open-plan living, it’s common for children to dominate the main living zone – where the TV, kitchen and all their essentials are within easy reach. Perhaps what we’re really seeing is the natural evolution of the rumpus room: a call for a more grown-up space that parents can close off, retreat to, and keep tidy.

Robby and Mat’s rumpus room also leaned more toward adult retreat than family space, but that wasn’t the only reason it failed to impress the judges. “This room doesn’t draw you in. It’s not warm. It’s not Daylesford” explained Marty. Shaynna also wasn’t impressed, stating that “all the styling is wrong. The colour scheme is wrong.”

For a parent’s retreat to suceed, the styling and colour scheme needs to be carefully considered.

Traditional rumpus

Sonny and Alicia’s big squashy sofa, built-in-bookshelves and stash of boardgames gave their room the feeling of a classic family rumpus room – and we love that about it. The couple elevated the space by colour drenching the room in a warm red, which wrapped it in that extra layer of cosiness and made it feel like a completely seperate space. We can definitely imagine bunking down in there with a good book or boardgame on a cold Daylesford evening.

The judges were also big fans of the room, with Darren claiming that he was besotted with the space. “It’s so on trend – and it’s perfect for Daylesford. It’s perfect for a private space, especially a living space.” Shaynna agreed, stating that she loved it. “I love these second rooms. They’re not vast but they want to envelop you and that’s what the colour does.”

All The Block room reveal images were originally published by Channel 9/9Now on nine.com.au.

What Home Beautiful would do with a rumpus room

This year Team Home Beautiful is playing along with our very own House 6. When imagining how we’d use an extra room, the idea of escaping technology in favour of a cosy nook for reading and enjoying the view felt suited to the Modern Farmhouse look we are going for. For this reason, we took inspiration from a beautiful library located within a country home not far from Daylesford. Scroll on to explore our mood board, shop the pieces we’d pick and see how our room design turned out.

Inspiration

Our mood board

Shop the products

• Sorrento Fabric Armchair in Ivory, $1,439 (usually $1,799), Freedom
• Sorrento Fabric Ottoman, $519 (usually $649), Freedom
• Hamlin Desk Lamp, $219, Freedom
• Madras Floor Rug, $599, Freedom
• Krid Bar Cabinet, $1,599, Freedom
• Sandy Bay Herringbone Flooring, $89.10m², Imperial Flooring Australia
• Ruffle Linen Cushion in Bronze, $89, Aura Home
• Lawson Coffee Table, $645, Provincial Home Living
• Manhattan 3 Section Library, $4,795.00 (usually $5995), Provincial Home Living
• “Antique” Wooden Ladder, $130, Provincial Home Living
• The Minimalist Wood Chess, €175, Printworks

Room reveal

For our rumpus room design, we envisioned walls lined with books and big windows to invite in natural light and scenic views. Along with a couple of cosy armchairs to curl up in, we also thought that a large table would be a good place to study, work from home or gather friends around for a board game. Our colour scheme leans into warm neutrals, which we believe align with a traditional country palette and natural surroundings.

In case you missed it…

Week 1: Bathrooms

Week 2: Kids’ rooms

Week 3: Main ensuite

Week 4: Main bedroom & walk-in wardrobe

Week 5: Living and dining rooms

Week 6: Rumpus rooms

Week 7: Kitchens

Week 8: Guest suite

Week 9: Laundry, Mudroom, Butler’s pantry, Powder room, Garage

Week 10: Alfresco terrace, Stratco shed

Week 11: Backyard and pools

Week 12: Front yards

House 6: When Home Beautiful joins The Block

Everything we know about The Block 2025

5 fun facts you didn’t know about The Block 2025 teams

A look at The Block 2025 Daylesford location

The 2026 ‘The Block’ location has been revealed

The post The Block proves that rumpus rooms aren’t what they used to be  appeared first on Home Beautiful.

From misplaced details to a muddled design direction, the couple’s choices turned what should have been a generous open-plan space into something cramped and confused.

By contrast, Britt and Taz were just a whisker away from a perfect 10. Their timber-clad ceiling and stone-wrapped fireplace won praise, with Shaynna Blaze calling it “classy” and “elegant”. The only thing holding them back was the TV and lounge placement.

The big winners, though, were Robby and Mat, whose layout, finishes and styling struck exactly the right balance. “This is exactly hitting the brief,” said judge Marty Fox.

Previous

Tour The Block judge Marty Fox’s jaw-dropping $13m Toorak residence

The next ‘The Block’ location has us already wanting more

Inside Shaynna Blaze’s 120-year-old country house restoration

Next

Where Sonny and Alicia went wrong…

Here’s why their living and dining area fell short.

Fireplace in the wrong spot

The biggest sticking point for the judges was the placement of the fireplace. Instead of making it a striking feature at the entry, Sonny and Alicia put it on the wall beside the future kitchen – a move that made little design sense.

“I love that brick. That’s such a great link from the exterior facade,” said Darren, who wished the couple had carried the material through from the front door.“It’s a missed opportunity to not have the fireplace there and wrap the brick around.”

“That would have been amazing,” agreed Shaynna. Marty was just as blunt: “It’s such an opportunity missed.”

Squashing the layout

Another major flaw was how the pair arranged the dining and lounge areas. By pushing the dining table too close to the living zone, they effectively boxed themselves in and made the entire room feel smaller than it really was.

“The dining table is on this side of the window, which means the lounge room is pushed this way. It is a really interesting allocation of space, seeing as all of that is going to be for the kitchen,” Darren pointed out, referring to the space that will be completed in a future week.

Marty didn’t mince words either. “It’s a three-metre-wide living space. A small apartment has the exact same space as this. That is tiny. It’s fascinating that they’ve got the exact same square metreage yet we feel like we’re in a smaller space. They have really stuffed this room up.”

A confused style direction

If their layout was off, their styling left the judges even more concerned. Having established a clear mid-century western vibe earlier in the competition, Sonny and Alicia suddenly threw in provincial touches and mismatched furniture that clashed with the home’s identity.

“We have a provincial chair, we have studded chairs. I reckon this is the most confused style they’ve done. They’ve got all the styling wrong. All of it,” said Shaynna. “I’m looking at that incredible fireplace with this strange hearth on the ground. I’m really concerned by their design direction.”

Darren agreed the furniture was dragging the room down: “The dining chairs, to the lounges, to the coffee table… the orientation of those inclusions is also wrong.”

The good parts didn’t make up for the bad

There were elements the judges did admire – the artwork, the brickwork and the ceiling details. “Look at those ceiling timbers,” said Marty. “That artwork is divine,” added Shaynna. “Those rich blues, the earth, it’s the nature of Daylesford.”

But despite those highlights, the overall impression was one of wasted opportunity. With poor layout decisions and a muddled style, Sonny and Alicia’s room simply didn’t live up to its potential.

All The Block room reveal images were originally published by Channel 9/9Now on nine.com.au.

How Home Beautiful would do living and dining week…

This year Team Home Beautiful is joining the fun with our very own House 6. We’re channelling a Modern Farmhouse look, layering in natural textures and earthy tones inspired by The Block’s country setting. Scroll on to explore our mood board, shop the pieces we’d pick and see how our room design stacks up. Would you give us top marks?

Inspiration

For our living and dining room, we took inspiration from this dreamy Cape Cod-style home by Stritt Design, bringing in stone accents, touches of green and a laidback yet elevated aesthetic. The key to standing out on The Block is finding a strong design direction and sticking to it.

Mood board

Our mood board gave us a fun starting point for the look we wanted. With herringbone flooring, a Freedom dining chair and coffee table, and the Hills of Green framed print, we leaned into warm timbers and natural tones. To balance it out, we added contrast with the Rachel Donath fire screen (a splurge, but hey, this is a pretend room), a Trudon candle and Kate Nixon pleated vase, bringing in a touch of black and sculptural shapes to tie it all together. While there is contrast, all the elements feel part of one family rather than a mish-mash of random styles put together.

Shop the products

• Sandy Bay herringbone flooring, $89.10m², Imperial Flooring Australia
• Sunrise Gold sandstone tiles, from $43m², Stone Centre
• Hills Of Green framed print, $599, Freedom
• Pleated ceramic vase in Natural White, $495, Kate Nixon
• Augie cushion, Country Road
• Seminyak Moses basket, $350, Provincial Home Living
• Abacus coffee table, $999 (usually $1199), Freedom
• Boree dining chair, $224 (usually $449), Freedom
• Riverton fabric modular sofa, $2239 (usually $2799), Freedom
• Abacus entertainment unit, Freedom $1949 (usually $2299), Freedom
• Orissa floor rug, $1199, Freedom
• Silvio by Weave floor rug, $2699, Freedom
• Wave fire screen, $900, Rachel Donath
• Albert petite tri-leg floor lamp, $1590, The Montauk Lighting Co
• Trudon Ernesto classic candle, $169, David Jones

Room reveal

For our living room design, we carefully considered the fireplace in relation to the seating. The layout encourages conversation in groups while making it easy to enjoy the crackling flames – or a TV, cleverly disguised as artwork when it’s off. From any seat, you can also take in the view outside the windows.

In case you missed it…

Week 1: Bathrooms

Week 2: Kids’ rooms

Week 3: Main ensuite

Week 4: Main bedroom & walk-in wardrobe

Week 5: Living and dining rooms

Week 6: Rumpus rooms

Week 7: Kitchens

Week 8: Guest suite

Week 9: Laundry, Mudroom, Butler’s pantry, Powder room, Garage

Week 10: Alfresco terrace, Stratco shed

Week 11: Backyard and pools

Week 12: Front yards

House 6: When Home Beautiful joins The Block

Everything we know about The Block 2025

5 fun facts you didn’t know about The Block 2025 teams

A look at The Block 2025 Daylesford location

The 2026 ‘The Block’ location has been revealed

The post Why Sonny and Alicia’s Block living and dining room was “all wrong” appeared first on Home Beautiful.

In case you missed it…

Week 1: Bathrooms

Week 2: Kids’ rooms

Week 3: Main ensuite

Week 4: Main bedroom & walk-in wardrobe

Week 5: Living and dining rooms

Week 6: Rumpus rooms

Week 7: Kitchens

Week 8: Guest suite

Week 9: Laundry, Mudroom, Butler’s pantry, Powder room, Garage

Week 10: Alfresco terrace, Stratco shed

Week 11: Backyard and pools

Week 12: Front yards

House 6: When Home Beautiful joins The Block

Everything we know about The Block 2025

5 fun facts you didn’t know about The Block 2025 teams

A look at The Block 2025 Daylesford location

The 2026 ‘The Block’ location has been revealed

The best main bedroom design choices 

Cosy fireplaces 

There’s something particularly luxurious about having a fireplace in the bedroom – especially in a country town like Daylesford, where it gets extra chilly. This week, we loved to see four out of the five Block teams opt for a fireplace in their main bedrooms.

No, they might not have been the authentic wood burners of our dreams but they still brought that extra sense of cosiness into the space – and electric offers the added benefit of not having any ash to clean up afterwards.

Luxurious dressing rooms 

This week, the teams were given a generous space to work with – but it was up to them to figure out how much space to dedicate to the bedroom and to the adjoining walk-in-robe. The teams who nailed the rooms were those who gave a little extra love to the wardrobe space, transforming it from a simple walk-in into a full dressing room experience.

Both Emma and Ben, and Britt and Taz, incorporated Freedom Wardrobes islands into their walk-in robes, with the judges describing Emma and Ben’s as a “really luxurious size.”

Beautifully blending in with the matching Freedom wardrobes cabinetry, these luxurious additions not only delivered valuable storage but also elevated the spaces with a sense of grandeur and indulgence.

Beds facing the windows 

When it came to layouts, those that made the choice to position their beds to face the window instead of the wall earned ticks from both us and the judges.

Britt and Taz’s layout was especially well considered. Being able to wake up, open the blinds, and immediately connect with the outdoors feels perfectly in tune with Daylesford’s countryside setting. Robby and Mat made a similar choice, though their room lost some impact due to their bed being off centre.

The worst main bedroom design choices 

Feature walls

A number of the teams chose to do feature walls in their main bedrooms. While some, like Alicia and Sonny, and Robbie and Mat opted for wallpaper, others opted for a bold shade of paint. The boldest choice came from Han and Can, who painted their built-in bed nook a bright blue. Unfortunately, this didn’t pay off, with Darren describing the colour as “abrasive.”

“It’s so intense and it’s actually throwing off everything else that we see in here,” Darren said. 

While feature walls can work in some spaces with thoughtful planning, they can also dominate a room in an overwhelming way and distract from the rest of the design. In a bedroom, the most successful designs bring a sense of calm and tranquillity to the space. 

The wrong sized rugs 

The main bedroom reveals proved that the wrong choice of rug can throw off an entire room. Almost every team, with the exception of Brit and Taz, selected a rug that was the wrong size or shade for their bedroom.

Robby and Mat’s undersized rug looked particularly awkward against the scale of their generous four-poster bed, while Brit and Taz’s larger rug anchored the space, adding warmth and cohesion to the design. “It’s the right rug on the right carpet,” Marty Fox confirmed. 

All The Block room reveal images were originally published by Channel 9/9Now on nine.com.au.

What Home Beautiful would do differently….

This year, Team Home Beautiful is playing along – and we’re unveiling our very own House 6. Since we’re opting for a cosy Modern Farmhouse aesthetic, we naturally took inspiration from this charming country bedroom designed by Halvorsen Interiors. From the romantic four-poster bed to the layered soft textures and French doors opening onto the countryside, the room perfectly balances rustic warmth with romantic elegance.

Inspiration

Our mood board

Shop the products

Main bedroom

• Emilio floor rug, $2,999, Freedom
• Turkan fabric ottoman, $678 (usually $969), Freedom
• Boori Lunar bed, $2,149, Freedom
• Retreat fabric armchair, $2,299, Freedom
• Haveli rosewood cushion, $152, Walter G
• Ankara rosewood cushion, $175, Walter G
• Friuli khaki linen cushion, $189, Kate Nixon
• Ulla tample lamp, $349, Freedom
• Sunday throw in Mocha, $399, Waverley Mills
• Marceau Taupe rug, $999, Weave
• Into The Wild framed canvas, $500, Freedom
  

Room reveal

Main bedroom

Walk-in-wardrobe

For our walk-in-wardrobe, we had a chat to Kinsman, who came up with the following design. Our dream walk in robe would feature one of Kinsman’s luxurious statement island’s, with Kinsman Camden Coastal Oak Woodmatt Cabinetry, Camden Amaro Smooth Cabinetry, Bronze Bar and a Sensa Taj Mahal by Cosentino Benchtop as our materials of choice.

The post The best and worst design choices from The Block’s main bedroom reveals  appeared first on Home Beautiful.

The question is: Were the results awkward eyesores or thoughtful choices that supported an overarching design vision? Here’s what the judges had to say – and what to consider if you’re thinking of trying something similar.

In case you missed it…

Week 1: Bathrooms

Week 2: Kids’ rooms

Week 3: Main ensuite

Week 4: Main bedroom & walk-in wardrobe

Week 5: Living and dining rooms

Week 6: Rumpus rooms

Week 7: Kitchens

Week 8: Guest suite

Week 9: Laundry, Mudroom, Butler’s pantry, Powder room, Garage

Week 10: Alfresco terrace, Stratco shed

Week 11: Backyard and pools

Week 12: Front yards

House 6: When Home Beautiful joins The Block

Everything we know about The Block 2025

5 fun facts you didn’t know about The Block 2025 teams

A look at The Block 2025 Daylesford location

The 2026 ‘The Block’ location has been revealed

The amber resin bath: Retro meets country

Han and Can’s amber resin bath and matching basins were certainly bold. The seventies-style hue tapped into retro trends making a comeback in 2025 – from sunken lounges to glass blocks and kidney-shaped pools. Yet, paired with peach VJ panelling and an otherwise elegant aesthetic, we’re not sure they all sing in harmony.

Perhaps not the most natural fit for a country setting, but undeniably a conversation starter. “Look at this bath,” said Marty Fox. “That is marketable. I’d like to see [my wife] Charlotte in that bath tub.”

Darren Palmer was transfixed: “That is drama, that is some theatre, that is some entertainment for your trip away.”

Design note

When incorporating a strong seventies piece like an amber resin tub, treat it as the room’s focal point, then build a supporting cast of materials and colours around it so it feels deliberate rather than jarring. 

• Pair with warm, natural finishes – think walnut or oak timber, brushed brass and cream-toned stone to echo the warmth of the amber.
  
• Keep surrounding colours restrained – neutral or earthy tones let the tub shine without competing.
  
• Introduce subtle retro nods – perhaps fluted glass, rounded mirrors, or softly curved joinery so the tub feels part of a considered seventies-inspired story.
  
• Balance with timeless elements – classic tiling, quality tapware and understated lighting to keep the look from feeling like a theme room.

The green concrete bath: Contemporary calm

Alicia and Sonny went with a custom-poured olive concrete Nood Co bath and matching basins. “That is absolute heaven,” said Shaynna Blaze. 

The hue offered a point of difference without alienating buyers, while the texture and tone harmonised with the home’s architecture and Daylesford setting.

Design note

Coloured baths work best when they complement the home’s style and the surrounding environment. Focus on creating a space that highlights the tub’s natural texture and colour. 

• Complement with soft, organic materials – think timber accents, woven textiles and stone surfaces that enhance the earthy olive tone.
  
• Use a muted, harmonious colour palette – gentle greens, warm neutrals, and off-whites keep the vibe calm and cohesive.
  
• Incorporate natural light and greenery – plants and plenty of daylight amplify the bath’s connection to nature.
  
• Balance texture and simplicity – pair the concrete’s rawness with smooth finishes and minimalist fixtures for a sophisticated, spa-like feel.

Which approach wins?

Whether your preference leans towards the theatrical amber resin or the understated olive concrete (or none of the above), it seems bold choices are being rewarded this season. The scores saw Han and Can take out the win, with the help of a bonus point. What do you think – was it a winning ensuite in your opinion?

The Block 2025 main ensuite reveals

Week three reveals, verdicts and scores from the judges.

House 1: Emma and Ben

Emma and Ben’s main ensuite impressed the judges with its bold yet sophisticated design. The curved wall and rich maroon kit kat tiles stood out as the bathroom’s showpiece, complemented by the striking maroon Grafico wallpaper. Marty praised the colour: “That’s beautiful,” while Darren called it mid-century western and said, “I really love it.” Shaynna described the space as “absolutely heaven” and “magical,” noting how it “embraces the boldness of Daylesford.” 

The judges admired the considered detailing and flawless construction, with Marty saying, “There are no blemishes.” Practical touches like horizontal towel rails and natural light scored high marks too. Shaynna singled out the tapware as a highlight, calling it “possibly my favourite tapware this year.” 

Marty highlighted the spacious shower and double vanity as ideal for buyers. Shaynna summed it up: “They are my number one right now.” The only critique was a missing downlight over the mirrors.

Score: 28/20

House 2: Han & Can (winners)

Han and Can’s main ensuite made a bold statement with its amber resin bath and matching basins. Can described the design as centred on making the bathtub the hero of the space, calling it “a sanctuary.” Marty and Darren praised the drama and theatre it brought.

Shaynna acknowledged the risk involved, saying, “It is something that is very dangerous to try if you don’t execute it properly,” but praised their success. Marty noted the ensuite balanced boldness with calmness, calling it “a punch in the face with this beautiful calmness throughout,” which Darren clarified is “a punch in the face with a velvet glove”. Shaynna expressed pride in the team’s delivery after an unfinished first bathroom.

Darren felt the colour scheme, including the peachy salmon paint, was “very bright” and could be “toned down a notch”. Despite this, he commended the thoughtful planning around details, positioning, and functionality.

Score: 29/30 (Extra point from winning the gnome)

House 3: Britt and Taz

Britt and Taz aimed for a relaxing retreat with distinct zones. “I hope the judges notice the distinct wet and dry areas and the spa vibe we’re going for,” says Britt. Shaynna noted, “There’s a lot to take in here,” while Marty commented, “It certainly feels a lot smaller than the other two because they’ve got nibs on both sides. It’s two rooms.”

Darren appreciated the separation, saying, “This one does feel very definitively like two spaces… but I really like the massive vanity. It’s very peaceful and tranquil.” Shaynna observed, “That’s a lot of real estate for two showers,” while Marty pointed out the absence of a bath, adding, “That space is bigger than this space, and this is where you’re spending the majority of your time.”

Despite the layout, Marty was critical of the styling: “I feel like I’m sitting in an upmarket abattoir… It’s cold, it’s scary. It’s got a bad feeling in here.” Darren, however, praised its calmness: “I love it. All of this works really beautifully.” Shaynna felt the concept was strong but said, “It doesn’t feel high end. I love the concept, but it falls short.”

Score: 21.5/30

House 4: Alicia and Sonny

Alicia and Sonny’s main ensuite features a poured concrete Nood Co bath and matching basins in olive green, complemented by large slab tiles from Beaumont. Darren admired the look: “Ooh la la,” he said, while Shaynna called the bath “absolute heaven,” praising the visible ripples in the concrete and smooth interior. She added, “This is the best styling I’ve seen today.”

Thoughtful details like horizontal timber towel rails and hooks add an elegant, classy touch. However, Shaynna noted, “It’s the layout that completely lets them down,” and Marty agreed, saying that moving the door “has squashed everything into the corners”.

Despite the cramped layout, Marty called it “a really timeless bathroom that oozes luxury.” Though different from their first bathroom, the design still works cohesively with the overall home.

Score: 26.5/30

House 5: Robby and Mat

Robby and Mat’s main ensuite impressed with its sophisticated, hotel-inspired vibe. Darren was immediately taken by the grasscloth wallpaper, quipping, “You had me at grasscloth paper. Vinyl grasscloth paper, I presume.” Marty called the space “very international” and “chic”, praising the layout and luxurious feel.

While the bathroom ticks all the functional boxes, Shaynna felt it lacked personality, saying, “I don’t feel the bravery in here and I don’t feel the soul.” She also described the styling as “a bit cliché” and suggested it needs “less clutter and less cliché.”

Despite these critiques, Marty emphasised the strong buyer appeal: “Quiet luxury is something people gravitate to… It’s so saleable.” He noted a double shower would have made the ensuite perfect but acknowledged the overall design works well.

Score: 27¼/30

All The Block room reveal images were originally published by Channel 9/9Now on nine.com.au.

House 6: Home Beautiful house

While we can applaud the bravery of some of the teams, we didn’t include anything as daring as a party bath in our room this week. We’re going with a rustic-yet-refined Modern Farmhouse aesthetic and amber resin doesn’t quite align with the grand vision. For our crack at an ensuite, we took inspiration from a gorgeous country home in Byron Bay.

Our inspiration image

The owners of this bathroom are interior sylist Ali Griffiths and Michael from Beukers Building, and we especially love their bathroom’s terracotta floor tiles. We admit, we might be playing it a tad safer than some of the teams, but at least it’s not giving “upmarket abattoir”… or is it?! Let us know what you think.

Our mood board

Shop the products

• ‘Solene’ arched wall mirror, $299, Freedom
• Cabo terracotta tiles, $63.85 (per box), Perini
• Eco Terra 300mm square tiles, $106.38 (per box), Perini
• Mariza Galani ‘Esoteric’ wall sconce in Almond Brown, $910, Emporean
• ‘Freo’ customisable vanity, from $3677, Loughlin Furniture
• ‘Saboma’ 1700mm bath, $1399 (usually $1799), Early Settler
• ‘Elysian’ minimal mixer and spout set in Tumbled Aged Brass, $299.80, ABI Interiors
• 3 in 1 soap bar, $16, Madre Terra
• ‘Vivid’ basket, $99.95, Freedom
• Refillable spray and pump bottles, $27.50/set of 2, Madre Terra
• Robe in Spice, $169, Hommey
• ‘Eden’ round basin, $375, Loughlin Furniture

Room reveal

The post The Block’s party baths: Style crime or masterstroke? appeared first on Home Beautiful.

In case you missed it…

Week 1: Bathrooms

Week 2: Kids’ rooms

Week 3: Main ensuite

Week 4: Main bedroom & walk-in wardrobe

Week 5: Living and dining rooms

Week 6: Rumpus rooms

Week 7: Kitchens

Week 8: Guest suite

Week 9: Laundry, Mudroom, Butler’s pantry, Powder room, Garage

Week 10: Alfresco terrace, Stratco shed

Week 11: Backyard and pools

Week 12: Front yards

House 6: When Home Beautiful joins The Block

Everything we know about The Block 2025

5 fun facts you didn’t know about The Block 2025 teams

A look at The Block 2025 Daylesford location

The 2026 ‘The Block’ location has been revealed

What The Block teams got wrong about kids’ bedrooms

1. Too much sad beige 

This week, it was surprising to see a lack of colour in the kids’ bedrooms. However, we’d love to see teams move past the ‘sad beige’ aesthetic and the muted shades of the last decade towards a more vibrant palette.

The judges called out Robbie and Mat’s liberal use of beige in their kid bedrooms, with Marty even stating that the colour made the room feel like an ‘upmarket nursing home.’ Varying shades of beige also featured in Can and Han’s nursery, where a rather soulless white and grey ball pit was the cherry on top of what felt like a very Instagram-approved colour palette. 

Despite these neutral shades once being favoured for their calming, minimalist aesthetic, the trend has shifted back to brighter, more colourful hues that bring more joy and playfulness to children’s spaces. 

2. Why do kids’ rooms need TVs? 

Both Emma and Ben, and Sonny and Alicia decided to put televisions in their kids’ bedrooms. While many kids would love to have a TV in their bedroom, research has shown that it’s not a good idea for children’s behaviour, health, or academic outcomes. 

From a design viewpoint, the TVs also felt unnecessary and out of place. As Shaynna put it, “There’s nothing worse than a TV stuck on the wall that makes you feel like you’re in a really bad motel.”

Given the tight budgets, TVs seem like an odd splurge – especially when the money could have been used to add more practical storage, desks and reading nooks that look sweeter and better support a child’s learning and creativity.

3. Too grown up 

Many of the rooms simply felt too grown up and missed the sense of magic that makes kids’ spaces so special. The judges called out both Sonny and Alicia, and Robbie and Mat for their overly mature designs, with Marty even quipping “I thought we were judging the kids’ room,” when judging Sonny and Alicia’s very stylish but rather mature teenage girl’s bedroom. 

With such a magical country setting like Daylesford, it felt like the teams missed the opportunity to play with the Swallows and Amazons-type magic of it all. Things like bunk beds, cosy canopies, little binoculars and treasure-hunt maps could have captured that sense of childhood adventure – but instead, many of the rooms played it too safe and sophisticated.

The teams who performed the best were the ones who managed to inject a sense of playfulness into their spaces, such as week’s winners, Brit and Taz, who had a mini basketball hoop and bed-ends that doubled as soccer goals, and Emma and Ben, who had a little cubby and magical fairy pictures on the wall.

4. Lack of functionality 

Another recurring theme in the children’s bedrooms was a lack of functionality. In Can and Han’s nursery, Shaynna pointed out that their pendant light was within reach of the baby’s cot.

They also opted for hardwood floors in their nursery – something that is perhaps better suited to older children, who would be running in with muddy football boots rather than a baby who would be crawling on the floor. 

The judges pointed out that many of the rooms also struggled to position the beds in a way that didn’t impact the functionality of the Kinsman cupboards.

5. Gender stereotyped colours

It was surprising to see so many teams fall back on the traditional blue and pink colour combinations for their kids’ bedrooms, especially when designing a house that’s going straight to market.

The all-pink or all-blue rooms risk feeling too prescriptive, as though assuming the buyer will have a child of each gender. Even for those who don’t subscribe to traditional ideas about “girl” and “boy” colours, a very pink room is harder to adapt if your child isn’t into the colour. 

Colours that don’t come with existing gender stereotypes tend to be a better choice, which is why Home Beautiful chose to go with a soft sage green in our sixth Block room. Shades like sage, butter yellow or even a lighter sky blue all bring a sense of playfulness to a room without boxing anyone in.

The Block 2025 kid’s bedrooms 

Week two reveals, verdicts and scores from the judges.

House 1: Emma and Ben

Emma and Ben took inspiration from their own teenage years for their first kid’s bedroom, which featured a statement circular niche with built-in shelving, skateboard hooks and a timber bench seat. The judges were divided on the room, with Darren and Shaynna both being very impressed by the depth of colour, timber details and built-in niche but Marty not being a fan. “These pendants are really throwing the room. It’s got this fluorescent tone and it’s just not warm and cosy,” he said. 

The second kid’s room, this time designed for a younger girl, was more to his taste. “This is a lot softer. A lot more Daylesford. Love the double beds, the colour…there’s a richness to the room.” 

Emma and Ben didn’t get away with the wallpaper problem as much as they hoped, with the judges feeling that the timber panelling (only added due to a wallpaper measuring mistake) was unnecessary and “ruining how the room functions.” 

Overall, Darren described the room as high-level, photographable, with beautiful proportions and gorgeous architectural details. “They really know what they’re doing and it shows” he said. 

Score: 25 ½ / 30

House 2: Han and Can

For their children’s bedrooms, Han and Can decided to design one room for a baby and one room for an older child. For their nursery, the girls went for a contemporary style with a sculptural feature wall made up of layered arches and integrated lighting. While Marty thought their glamorous nursery was “really cool,” Shaynna wasn’t so sure. 

“Love the cloud bed head, I think the arch is cute. I love the style of furniture. I adore this rug. Fun artwork but together it’s too much and it’s not functional,” Shaynna explained. “A baby is going to be standing up touching that light. A baby is not going to be drawing and it’s overwhelming.” 

Going for hardwood floors instead of carpet also didn’t work in their favour, with Darren not convinced that the floors were the best decision for a baby’s room. 

Han and Can’s second room, which was designed for an older child, featured a statement blue built-in bedhead nook – a detail that, according to the judges, didn’t pay off. This was mainly due to an error with crookedness. Despite this, Darren said the idea was still something to be commended on. 

Score: 24/ 30 

House 3: Britt and Taz (winners) 

Britt and Taz’s children’s bedrooms won this week’s room reveals. Their first room was for an older child and featured a statement curved feature wall that represented the rolling hills of Daylesford. The room won all of the judges’ hearts, with even Marty complimenting the couple’s “artistic flair.” Shaynna also said the room achieved the right modern country look that they were looking for. 

The judges were even more impressed with the couple’s second kid’s bedroom, which was designed for two younger children and featured gorgeous plaid wallpaper on two of the walls. Darren complimented the couple’s colour palette, describing it as “neutral but interesting.” 

The judges also liked the room’s more playful features, such as the mini basketball hoop and bench seat soccer goals, with Marty explaining that it’s “full of whimsy and play, and the mood that you want to set with a kid’s room that doesn’t feel juvenile.” Marty also complimented the couple by comparing their style to Steph and Gian, before stating that it was his favourite room of the day. 

Score: 28/ 30 

House 4: Alicia and Sonny

Alicia and Sonny took inspiration from their own three children for their kids’ bedrooms, designing a room for a teenage girl and a room for two younger boys. For the boy’s bedroom, the couple took inspiration from the surrounding countryside and went with a luxurious equestrian theme and dark blue plaid wallpaper. 

The room was a winner with Darren, who said “I am enamoured with everything I see on that wall and in front of it. That wallpaper is glorious. I love the gallery hang of these artworks.” Shaynna also loved the colour palette but wishes the colour extended to the other side of the room, where a TV hung. 

“There’s nothing worse than a TV stuck on the wall that makes you feel like you’re in a really bad motel,” she commented. 

The couple’s teenage girl’s bedroom was praised for its thoughtful use of colour, with soft pink walls paired with a playful pink plaid wallpaper behind the bed. “That’s the application of colour I was hoping to see next door,” Darren said as he walked in.

While the judges loved the room, they didn’t think that it necessarily felt like a kid’s bedroom, deciding that “it’s a solid room but not on brief.” 

Score: 24 ½/ 30 

House 5: Robbie and Mat 

When planning their kids’ bedrooms, Robbie and Mat were initially concerned about incorporating their striped bedhead – a design that the judges hadn’t warmed to – into their space.

They got off to a promising start with their first bedroom, which was designed for two younger children. In this room, the judges appreciated the use of Hardie Groove panelling, describing it as bringing a “country and cosy,” vibe to the room. Unfortunately, Darren also noted that the difficulty of painting the grooves in the time frame slightly let them down. 

The team’s second bedroom, however, wasn’t as well received, with Shaynna describing the very beige space as “the room that nan comes into when she looks after the kids.”

Marty suggested that they could have tied the bedhead into a more nautical look rather than leaning into a bland palette. “The fact that it’s beige actually doesn’t help it at all,” Darren said. 

Score: 20 ½ / 30 

All The Block room reveal images were originally published by Channel 9/9Now on nine.com.au.

House 6: Home Beautiful house

This year, Team Home Beautiful is playing along – and we’re unveiling our very own House 6.

For our turn at the kids’ bedroom week, the HB team took inspiration from the talented interior designer, Kate Walker and the beautiful kids’ bedroom she designed for this luxurious Mt Buller apartment. The warming sage green walls and fun, recessed bunk beds feel luxurious and a little magical, with the help of a sweet plaid carpet and an inviting upholstered window seat. How do you think we went?

Inspiration & mood board

Shop the products

• May Gibbs X Urban Road, Boronia Baby II framed print, $719 (usually $799), Freedom
• Hand loomed carpet in Vail Granite, KWD & Co
• Cohen armchair in Calais Ivory Contrast, $1600, Rachel Donath
• Ferm Living Dou lampshade 068 in Natural, $426.90, Design Stuff
• Alice Palmer linen frilly cushion in White, $270, Emporean
• Sanderson pinetum stripe fabric in Blue Clay for seat, $272 per metre, The Fabric Editors
• Sanderson truffle fabric in Blue Clay for blind, $272 per metre, The Fabric Editors
• Maisie scalloped bedside table in Sage Green, $130.49 (usually $144.99), Mocka
• Rattan strolley, $199, Oli Ella
• Agame dresser, $2199, Freedom
• Seek similar built-in wardrobe from Kinsman

Room reveal

The post What The Block teams got wrong about kids’ rooms  appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Dan and Dani Reilly (maiden name Wales) from The Block were first introduced back in 2012 as contestants. Who would have thought that 12 years later Dan would have been stepping into the role of head foreman on The Block 2024. He took over from Foreman Keith Schleiger, who stepped away from filming to remain close to his two daughters.

While Keith was missed, fans of Foreman Dan have been stoked to see him on our screens more. It’s not his first rodeo though, having been associated with The Block since its early days. As a young couple, Dan and Dani first appeared on the show way back in season five, and we’ve loved seeing his building credentials and confidence increase ever since.

Here, we catch you up on everything that’s gone on with OG The Block team Dan and Dani since the beginning to now.

Meeting Dan and Dani on The Block 2012

Young couple Dan Reilly and Dani Wales stole the nation’s heart when they first hit The Block as a team on season five in 2012. “It’s the toughest challenge we’ll ever do… but it is rewarding,” Dan shared about his Block experience.

The pair came second and the home they worked on sold for $1.44 million, earning them $448,000 in profit. “The day that changed our lives forever…” Dani wrote on Instagram with a photo of them on the auction day. 

Returning to The Block: All Stars in 2013

Fan favourites Dan and Dani were back the following year to compete as All Stars in season six. There were dramas galore, with the pair becoming fast friends with fellow The Block faves Josh and Jenna (who are now renovating their Rutherglen homestead) and the four of them trying to keep Amity and Phil off the top spot. It didn’t work and Amity and Phil ended up winning, but they’ve since sadly split – news of their divorce came out in 2018. In the end, Dan and Dani walked away in third position that season and a not-too-shabby $220,000 in winnings.

The Block Dan and Dani: After the show

The success continued even after The Block team Dan and Dani finished their two seasons on the show. Dan upgraded his carpentry qualifications to become a certified master builder and they launched an interior design and construction company called Manna Made.

The pair worked on some incredible homes of their own too. Their cottage in Seddon, Victoria, sold in 2016 for $1.3 million. More recently, they built on the Mornington Peninsula. That Blairgowrie home sold for near asking price, with a guide of $3-$3.3 million. “We’re really happy with the final result and are already on the hunt for our next dream project,” Dani told Homes To Love.

Meanwhile, Dani was a co-host on Healthy Homes on Network Ten along with Walt Collins. In 2023, after 10 years hosting, Dani shared on Instagram that the show was coming to an end.

Foreboy Dan joins The Block in 2014

Graduating from contestant to cast member, Dan Reilly joined The Block in the role of ‘Foreboy Dan’ in 2014. He joined foreman Keith Schleiger who began on the series in 2011. Their jobs are to ensure building regulations are adhered to.

Dan may have clashed with Keith when he was a contestant, but being on the other side made him see things in a whole new way. “It wasn’t until I started doing this job that I realised how hard his role is,” Dan shared of their past beef. “It is not a fun thing coming into a near-complete room and telling someone that it has been done wrong and they’ve got to rip it up and redo it.”

By 2016, he’d been promoted from Foreboy to ‘Foredan’ and was nominated for Best New Talent at the Logies. Dani has been his biggest cheerleader. “It’s still funny seeing him on the show. I never in a million years thought anything like that would end up happening,” she shared. “Way back when we did the show, Dan was really funny and really engaging, but not so great when it was ‘Solo Dan to camera’ stuff. But watching him develop has been really cool. I tell him every series, ‘I’m so proud of how far you have come.’”

Are Dani and Dan still together?

They might not be a duo on The Block anymore, but Dan and Dani are still together. They got married in 2018 after eight years of dating. Guests at the nuptials included foreman Keith and their mates Josh and Jenna.

Dan and Dani The Block 2024

We loved seeing Dan step up his foreman duties in Keith’s absence on The Block 2024. It looked like Dani wasn’t far from his side during filming. Early in the season she posted a snap showing the pair of them walking next to the sign for Phillip Island’s Island Cove Villas, where the season was filmed and Dan posted a wrap up of his first season flying solo on his own Instagram feed. Joining the line-up of guest appearances including The Block stars Alisa and Lysandra and The Block 2023 winners Steph and Gian, the pair also shared their thoughts on the backyard and front garden and facade reveals on The Block website, with Dan confessing he was quite proud of the results achieved by the teams – a view not always shared by Dani!

Do Dan and Dani have a baby?

The couple announced in July 2024 that they were having a baby. “So, who’s going to tell them the pram isn’t theirs?! Baby Reilly incoming late 2024,” they shared, with a photo of Dani’s pregnant bump and their pups, Hazel and Olive. 

Dan and Dani’s baby girl, Billie Vera Reilly, was born on December 8, 2024, and very sadly passed away 10 days later on December 18, 2024. All of The Block community and fans mourned with them as they made the heartbreaking announcement.

“It is with insurmountable grief that we share the news that our daughter Billie has passed on from this life and into the next at just 10 days young,” they said. “Billie was so wanted, so loved and she made us parents… and what an honour it is to be her mummy and daddy. She will always be our daughter.”

The couple also shared a link to donate to The Royal Women’s Hospital if people were interested in supporting the nurses, doctors and staff in the NICU who had cared for their daughter, Billie.

How to donate to Dan and Dani’s Billie’s Besties charity

After experiencing the devastating loss of their daughter Billie, Dan and Dani created a charity to raise money for the Women’s Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) – the place Billie was cared for in the 10 days after her birth.

“The doctors, nurses, and staff (affectionately known as ‘Billie’s Besties’) didn’t just care for Billie; they cared for us as a family,” the couple explain on their charity website.

“They held space for our love, our grief, and our need to make memories in the time we had. They helped us hold her, bathe her, dress her, read to her, and whisper all the love we had carried for so long. They made sure she only ever knew warmth, comfort, and the deepest love from everyone around her.”

Based in Victoria, The Women’s NICU provides life-saving care to around 1,500 premature and critically ill babies every year, while also conducting internationally recognised studies and clinical trials to improve survival rates and long-term outcomes for newborns. The fund will help The Women’s NICU with continuing their ongoing medical research and and provide families with incredible important items like special NICU breast pumps to help preemie-babies grow life-saving strength, special NICU recliners to give mums skin-to-skin time with life-supported babies and pepi-pods for mothers to sleep safely with their babies in the NICU.

The post We chart Dan and Dani from The Block’s evolution from 2012 to now appeared first on Home Beautiful.

The season kicks off, as usual, with bathrooms – and already the contestants’ experience levels and personal styles are shining through. The Block judges, Shaynna Blaze, Darren Palmer and Marty Fox made the rounds and shared their thoughts on what worked (and what didn’t).

In case you missed it…

Week 1: Bathrooms

Week 2: Kids’ rooms

Week 3: Main ensuite

Week 4: Main bedroom & walk-in wardrobe

Week 5: Living and dining rooms

Week 6: Rumpus rooms

Week 7: Kitchens

Week 8: Guest suite

Week 9: Laundry, Mudroom, Butler’s pantry, Powder room, Garage

Week 10: Alfresco terrace, Stratco shed

Week 11: Backyard and pools

Week 12: Front yards

House 6: When Home Beautiful joins The Block

Everything we know about The Block 2025

5 fun facts you didn’t know about The Block 2025 teams

A look at The Block 2025 Daylesford location

The 2026 ‘The Block’ location has been revealed

Introducing House 6…

This year, Team Home Beautiful is playing along – and we’re unveiling our very own House 6. That’s right. As each team reveals their room on The Block, we’ll reveal how we’d do it. From mood board to product picks and the final rendered result. Imagine us here, next to the Block houses and scroll on to see our take this week…

7 bathroom ideas we love

Details worth adding to your mood board.

1. French pattern tiles

Organic yet sophisticated, French pattern tiles as featured in Britt and Taz’s space, use a mix of square and rectangular shapes to create a classic look. Before going with this style of bathroom floor tile, think about your home’s style. “When the bathroom floor aligns with the rest of the home, it feels much more cohesive and intentional,” says Merian Migliore, interior designer and project manager at The Classic Outfitter. 

2. Nib walls over niches

This season, all teams steered away from the conventional shower niche, opting instead for a full-length nib wall. Offering generous ledge-style storage and a strong architectural line, it’s a move that positions these houses as design-led projects. 

“Investing in a good tiler is key,” explains designer Monique Hemmingson in our expert guide to shower niches, ledges and benches.

3. Fluted finishes

The ancient art of fluting continues its design renaissance. Several teams embraced the detail on their glass shower screens, while Emma and Ben also had fluted timber cabinets.

Fluted glass is ideal for bathrooms as it’s a sophisticated detail that also offers an element of privacy. We saw this in full effect on the bathroom door in this beachside home with colonial character.

4. Wet rooms

Wet rooms bring a sense of luxury to even compact bathrooms. Containing the bath and shower in a designated wet zone is both practical and polished. Emma and Ben nailed the look with a bath and shower enclosed behind a single glass wall and door. Using warm tones in a smaller wet room can create the illusion of more space, according to our guide to modern wet rooms.

5. Finger tiles

Curved walls (a recurring theme already this season) demand tiles that can bend with them. Han and Can opted for a sage green finger tile on their shower’s curved nib wall – which Darren called “lovely”.

Also known as “kit kat tiles”, they’re more than a passing trend. We featured seven homes with finger tiles, proving they’re an enduring look that can be adapted to almost any interior style.

6. Latte tones

The clean whites of years past are giving way to warmer, creamier tones in 2025. The teams clearly got the memo, with plenty of latte-inspired palettes on show. Robby and Mat led the charge with a “soft foamy latte” tile selection, which Darren praised for its earthy, modern appeal.

7. Walnut timber

Walnut is certainly having a moment, so Robby and Mat’s walnut vanity is current yet also timeless. The “Mocha Mousse” theme of 2025 ushers in warm chocolatey tones and with that comes the rise of darker timbers.

The Block 2025 main bathrooms

Week one reveals, verdicts and scores from the judges.

House 1: Emma and Ben

Emma and Ben’s main bathroom brought calming, spa-like vibes to The Block, with a curved nib wall, built-in shower seat and a generous wet area. “I wanted it to be spa vibes,” said Emma. “Green, inviting, mood lighting.”

The room’s colour and texture impressed the judges. “It feels very lush,” said Shaynna. “I love these green basins… their balance of colour and texture is spot on.” Darren praised their budget-smart choices: “The fact they’ve used paint here instead of tiles and saved money on materials and trade is really clever.”

Marty admired the functionality, calling the double sink and spacious layout a “massive tick” for resale. While he noted the nib wall was “a little bit rough”, overall, the room landed well. “It’s a cracker of a room,” said Darren, who has “really high hopes” for the experienced duo.

Score: 24/30

House 2: Han and Can

Han and Can aimed for calm with a curvaceous, floor-to-ceiling tiled bathroom. “The design of our bathroom is a tranquil sanctuary with lots of rounded curves,” said Can. Darren agreed: “There’s something really soft about this place… it feels nice and soft and balanced.”

But the judges had concerns. Shaynna flagged that the vanity was too high and Darren noted it was especially impractical given the bathroom is next to the kids’ bedrooms: “It’s definitely going to be a challenge for any child under 13.”

Their industrial-style shower glass fittings also divided. “This could have looked so much better with a fixed piece of glass and nothing else,” said Marty. And while Darren loved the bath, he questioned the overall aesthetic: “I don’t think this is what the Daylesford market is going to respond to.”

Score: 19.5/30

House 3: Britt and Taz

Britt and Taz delivered an organic modern bathroom layered with warmth and texture. Shaynna praised the tactile mix: “I love the fluting, I love the texture on the floor… it feels elevated.” Darren was on board with the clever use of Grafico wallpaper, calling it a smart and stylish shortcut: “I’m all for wallpapers, especially if they’re a vinyl paper like this in a bathroom.”

While there were plenty of positives, the layout drew criticism. “It’s a good bathroom but it’s not great,” said Marty. “The shower screen feels miniscule… spatially incorrect.” Shaynna felt the vertical towel rails were impractical, while the cooler-toned nickel tapware didn’t quite align with the warm, rustic feel. 

Still, moments like the curved shelf and light timber tones tied it back to the exterior. “That shelf all the way around with the curve is absolutely stunning,” said Shaynna.

Score: 24/30

House 4: Alicia and Sonny

Sonny and Alicia took a bold approach with their bathroom, ditching the shower screen for a seamless wet area and opting for a timber vanity over traditional stone. “This is different,” said Marty, noting the space’s distinct mood. Darren was especially taken: “The colour of the tapware – bronze, bronze, bronze – I’m besotted with this bathroom.”

The natural palette and styling choices helped ground the design in its setting. “This is feeling a little bit more Daylesford,” said Marty. “Having that timber stool just adds that warmth and natural beauty.”

Shaynna loved the direction overall, despite a few missteps: “The colour palette is amazing… I feel really strongly about their direction.” But issues like misaligned tile cuts, vertical towel rails and a basin that was too high held the room back from perfection.

Score: 25.5/30

House 5: Robby and Mat (winners)

Robby and Mat delivered the winning bathroom with a contemporary country vibe, featuring a curved mirrored cabinet, gunmetal tapware and a fluted shower screen.

The huge skylight running the length of the room flooded the space with natural light, creating a bright, open feel. “They’ve really created this void, lighting the right spot,” said Marty. “This is some of the best work I’ve seen.”

The warm, creamy palette caught the judges’ attention too. “It’s like a soft foamy latte,” said Darren. “This is the Goldilocks room,” where everything looks just right together. Shaynna praised the practicality, noting the vanity was at the “right height” and the rich timber tones balance the look. Darren added, “The lines are perfect… they have an eye for detail, finesse and style that fits this house and the market.”

Score: 26.5/30

All The Block room reveal images were originally published by Channel 9/9Now on nine.com.au.

House 6: Home Beautiful house

As we’ve learnt from many an interior designer (as well as previous The Block winners Steph and Gian), having inspiration images helps create a cohesive space. This week, we looked no further than The Block alumni Carlene and Michael Duffy for our main bathroom vision and mood board. The use of timber, warm tones and rustic metallics is well-aligned with a home set in a country town like Daylesford. We took our cues from their Gold Coast home and are rather chuffed with the final result. Do you think it would pass muster with the judges?

Inspiration & mood board

Shop the products

• ‘Eree’ area runner in Blush, $219, Freedom
• ‘Saboma’ 1700mm bath in White, $1399 (usually $1799), Early Settler
• J. Randall Powers ‘Hackney’ sconce, $540, The Montauk Lighting Co
• ‘Paros’ hand towel in Natural, $29.95, Aura Home
• Cooper & Co. ‘Jaspur’ wall mirror, $499, Freedom
• Kasumi 4-drawer 1164mm vanity in Dark Oak, $2265.90, ABI Interiors
• ‘Plantino’ engineered oak flooring in Praline Oak, Choices Flooring
• ‘Newport’ gloss bone mixed square tile, $96/96 square metres, Tile Cloud
• Milli etch gooseneck pull out sink mixer in Brushed Bronze, $1032, Reece
• Wash & lotion duo in Raspberry & Juniper, $89, Al.ive Body
• Florabelle ‘Murcia’ terracotta pot, $408.24, House of Isabella

Room reveal

The post 7 standout trends from The Block’s first bathroom reveals appeared first on Home Beautiful.

The Home Beautiful team was lucky enough to be invited to Daylesford to meet this year’s contestants before the show hits our screens. We toured the finished homes (yes, they’re done – and yes, they’re amazing), then joined the cast and crew at the local favourite, the Farmers Arms hotel, where much of the off-screen action happened during filming. 

Over a laidback lunch, Scott and Shelley helped us get to know each pair and let’s just say there were laughs, surprises and reveals galore.

Here are five fun facts we learnt about the teams that you won’t see on TV… yet.

1. Emma and Ben have auditioned seven times for the show

Seven years is the charm, apparently, for this couple who wouldn’t give up on their Block dreams. “We just thought we’d annoy The Block so much until they got us on,” shares Emma. “The first time was when we were 25 – it would have been a disaster then!”

2. Han and Can are major Block buffs

These two did their research before going on the show, but still said it was the hardest thing they’ve ever done. “I’ve watched every season and even rewatched a couple and I even took notes on the judges’ feedback in preparation,” says Can. “And we still didn’t know where to put the toilet!” adds Han.

3. Britt had to convince Taz to apply

“I’m not a builder or anything and I didn’t really want to do the show,” reveals Taz. After five years of wearing him down, he finally relented. “We put the application in but I thought, well 40,000 people put their names in, so we’ve got no chance.” Turns out they did have a chance – and were thrilled when the call came through.

4. Sonny and Alicia went in with a social plan

“I really wanted to create connections and for them to be authentic, so if that meant having people over for dinner on a Sunday then why not? I’m happy to do that,” shares Alicia. “Making those friendships and connections was really important.”

5. Robby and Mat’s secret weapon is humour

When tiffs happened – as they inevitably did during filming – these two always lightened the mood. “I think we’re put on the planet to make people laugh,” shares Mat. “We didn’t get on the show for our ability to do anything besides be smart arses and take the piss out of ourselves.”

Everything you need to know about The Block 2025 teams

The 2025 season of The Block is almost here and we finally know who all of the new contestants are. This year, the five teams are headed for Daylesford, a small country town located just an hour and a half away from Melbourne. For the first time in Block history, the homes will all be built from scratch based on a design by longtime Block architect Julian Brenchley.

According to Julian, this year’s cast has brought the show back to basics. “What the audience can expect this year is what I would call a classic Block series,” he said. “We have a really diverse cast of hard-working people who are very competitive, engaged with their design, and of course we will have some high and lows.” 

Keep reading to fnd out more about the contestants of The Block 2025.

Meet the teams of The Block 2025

Britt and Taz

Britt and Taz are a 30-year-old married couple from Western Australia. They both work as police officers in a mining town 12 hours away from Perth, where the temperature regularly hits 40 degrees, making the cold Daylesford weather quite an adjustment. Having built their own home through a project builder, the couple don’t have a lot of renovating experience. “We have done lots of things ourselves like window bench seats, paving and landscaping, but never something like the scale of The Block,” shares Britt.

However, having watched all the Block’s 20 seasons, Britt came prepared in other ways. When it comes to style, the couple describe theirs as Modern Organic Luxury.

Robby and Mat

Robby, a 37-year-old barber and business owner, and 41-year-old Mat, a hairdresser and stylist, have been best friends since Mat first cut Robby’s hair 15 years ago. Both from South Australia, the friends don’t have much renovation experience outside of the interiors of their barber shop and hair salons.

While Robby is a long-time fan of the show, Mat had to be convinced to audition. Unlike the other contestants, it will also be the first time the pair have lived together.

“We played the long game from day one. Rob and I made an executive decision on the first day that we are building for the buyer, we are not building for the judges or for anyone else but the person who’s going to purchase the home,” Mat told Domain.

Han and Can

Both from Western Australia, Han is a 29-year-old geologist and Can is a 31-year-old social media analyst. The couple bonded over The Block on their first date and are currently renovating their own home in Western Australia.

Can and Han have described their style as ‘very contemporary’ and say that they were inspired by Daylesford’s local arts community.

“We’ve done curves in every room … it was really about evoking this quite contemporary architectural approach to design and construction,” the couple told Domain.

Sonny and Alicia

Sonny and Alicia are a married couple from Queensland. Sonny, 44, works as a plumber while Alicia, 42, is a dental practice manager. The couple, who also have three children, almost didn’t apply this year after not being cast on last year’s season – but luckily they did.

Sonny and Alicia have told Domain that their home is the most colourful of this year’s homes – even though Alicia typically goes for neutrals in her own home.

Emma and Ben

Emma, a 33-year-old dance teacher, and Ben, a 32-year-old engineer and aspiring firefighter, are a married couple from Victoria. They have the most renovation experience out of all the contestants, having bought and renovated their first home when they were 24 and have worked on two more houses since.

Emma and Ben say that they are always influenced by the locations of their homes, with their Block build being a mid-century-themed home with a Daylesford country touch.

The post 5 fun facts you didn’t know about The Block 2025 teams appeared first on Home Beautiful.

The Block 2025 release date

The 2025 season of The Block will begin on July 27th 2025 at 7.00pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.

In case you missed it…

Week 1: Bathrooms

Week 2: Kids’ rooms

Week 3: Main ensuite

Week 4: Main bedroom & walk-in wardrobe

Week 5: Living and dining rooms

Week 6: Rumpus rooms

Week 7: Kitchens

Week 8: Guest suite

Week 9: Laundry, Mudroom, Butler’s pantry, Powder room, Garage

Week 10: Alfresco terrace, Stratco shed

Week 11: Backyard and pools

Week 12: Front yards

House 6: When Home Beautiful joins The Block

Everything we know about The Block 2025

5 fun facts you didn’t know about The Block 2025 teams

A look at The Block 2025 Daylesford location

The 2026 ‘The Block’ location has been revealed

Watch the new trailer for The Block 2025

The first teaser trailer for the latest season of The Block has been released and it’s got us very excited about the upcoming season. In the trailer, we see Scotty Cam and Shelley Craft command two huge road trucks on their way to the season’s new rural location in Daylesford, where they meet a shirtless Darren Palmer on horseback and finally introduce us to the new contestants.

Filming is complete

Filming for The Block 2025 is officially done and dusted. The update came via Foreman Dan, who took to Instagram to share that it was his final day on site and the show’s 21st season had wrapped. “From the early starts to the late finishes, I’m proud to have been part of another amazing season,” he wrote. “Thanks to all the contestants, crew and everyone who made this build one for the books. Can’t wait to see it all come together on screen!”

When does The Block 2025 start?

While it’ll still be some time before the new series airs, fans can expect a similar schedule to 2024, when The Block premiered on August 12. Until then, catch up on last season’s auction results and prepare for more big builds and blockbuster moments later this year.

The Block 2025: What We Know So Far

With cameras finished rolling and drama practically guaranteed, here’s the scoop on what’s ahead.

Who are The Block 2025 contestants?

The trailer gave a sneak peek at who will be on the series. Find all of the juicy details on The Block 2025 teams here.

Emma and Ben

Can and Han

Robby and Mat

Alicia and Sonny

Britt and Taz

Prior to the trailer’s release, we also got a sneak peek of the new cast members at Daylesford’s annual LGBTQIA+ Chill Out Festival parade.

The new photos, which were posted on The Blockinator Instagram account, showed the five new teams dressed up in lots of colour and celebrating with the town.

Julian Cress also dropped another cast hint in his Local interview: “The Block was the first TV show in the world to have a gay couple. And we’ve had a bunch of contestants from that community on the show over the years. This year will be no different.”

Given that Daylesford is Australia’s largest LGBTQIA+ regional town (as noted by The Local editor Donna Kelly), the casting choice makes perfect sense.

Regardless of their backgrounds, experience or representation, one thing is guaranteed – contestants are in for a gruelling ride. “Every season, every contestant says to me at some point, ‘Jules, I knew this would be hard. I just didn’t know it would be this hard,’” Julian shared.

Even the fit, trade-savvy Block 2024 contestants found the process brutally challenging, proving that no amount of preparation makes this competition a walk in the park.

Is Bunnings sponsoring The Block?

In what must be music to the ears of The Block 2025 contestants, major new sponsor Bunnings has gone all out, building a dedicated nursery right on-site at Daylesford. No more frantic last-minute dashes for greenery – everything they need is just a few steps away. But this pop-up hub isn’t just about plants; it’s also the place to get your coffee, skincare and celebrity sightings.

“We’re at the little village here. We’ve got McCafe, we’ve got The Block shop, Chemist Warehouse and… some film stars,” said news publication The Local, who captured all the behind-the-scenes action. 

Hosts Shelley Craft and Scott Cam make an appearance in the video, showcasing this year’s set-up. “This is our green room, and in television, a green room is where the cast and crew can sit and relax before they film, but this is a literal green room this year,” explained Shelley.

“It’s our nursery,” Scott Cam chimed in, cementing Bunnings’ starring role this season.

Expect to see a whole lot more of the hardware giant, as Bunnings officially takes over sponsorship duties from Mitre 10 after a 12-year run. “When we were presented with the opportunity to partner with The Block, we jumped at the chance to provide 2025 contestants with everything they need from the front gate to the back fence,” said Bunnings managing director Mike Schneider.

With tools, timber and topiary at their fingertips, this season’s contestants have no excuses – let the renovations begin!

When did The Block 2025 start filming?

Blockheads, get excited – filming for The Block 2025 kicked off on Friday, March 7, marking the 21st season of the beloved renovation showdown. The picturesque country town of Daylesford is already buzzing, with locals spotting action at the Raglan Street construction site and sharing updates online.

Official fliers sent to the community confirm filming will run from mid-March to mid-June, a timeline backed by executive producer Julian Cress. Speaking to The Local for its February 24 edition, he shared, “We are just finalising our pre-production at the moment, getting all of the properties ready, getting our contestants ready and getting our crew ready. We kick off in a few weeks’ time.”

The Block 2025 hosts

Scott Cam is expected to return to helm the series, fresh off selling his Gisborne home – his personal renovation project since 2022. Long-time co-host Shelley Craft is also anticipated to return, with no news suggesting otherwise. She’s been keeping busy, completing a stunning reno on her own Byron Bay family home which sold for $6.5 million.

The Block 2025 judges

After Neale Whitaker exited the show in 2023, real estate agent Marty Fox stepped in full-time, joining interior designers Shaynna Blaze and Darren Palmer. This expert trio dissected every design hit and miss in 2024, and they’re expected to be back for another season of fiery debates and divisive verdicts. In the meantime, find out Darren’s favourite The Block houses of all time.

The Block 2025 foreman

With original head foreman Keith Schleiger sitting out The Block 2024 to stay close to his daughters, Dan Reilly stepped up to lead the charge. Unfortunately, Keith’s return seems unlikely – he recently revealed on social media that he was hospitalised with a leg infection from a past hip replacement.

Dan has also faced personal tragedy, with him and wife Dani losing their newborn daughter Billie just 10 days after her birth in December 2024. The couple has received an outpouring of support from fans and fellow Block alumni.

The good news is, we will be seeing Dan resume his role on The Block 2025. Dani and their two dogs, Olive and Hazel, have relocated to Daylesford to be with him during filming.

The Block 2025 houses

This year’s contestants will tackle brand-new builds in a development at Daylesford’s entrance. Julian Cress revealed to The Local how the site came about: “We came across the location through a friend of ours, Natalie [Fagan] at Belle Property. She’s a great agent in the area, and she introduced me to the developers. I just love the fact that the property is so well positioned. It’s like the gateway to Daylesford.”

Julian knows the area well – he moved from Melbourne to the Macedon Ranges years ago, and his deep connection to regional Victoria has shaped The Block’s locations, including the 2022 season filmed in Gisborne.

The Block 2025 auction

With Daylesford’s charm setting the stage, all eyes will be on auction day. While the 2022 Gisborne season saw three homes passed in (despite Omar and Oz taking home a record-breaking $1.68 million profit), the 2024 series fared better. That season’s homes had more appealing reserves of $1.95 million, and super bidder Adrian Portelli ended up buying all five houses – netting sisters Maddy and Charlotte a $1.65 million windfall.

However, this year could be a whole different ball game. Adrian has vowed not to return, and reserve prices are yet to be set. Anything could happen when the hammer falls!

With the build about to begin, The Block 2025 promises high stakes, jaw-dropping transformations, and, of course, plenty of drama. Stay tuned!

• Mimi and Kristian’s house
• Courtney and Grant’s house
• Maddy and Charlotte’s house
• Kylie and Brad’s house
• Ricky and Haydn’s house

Tour every house on The Block 2024

The post Everything we know about The Block 2025 (so far) appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Darren and his husband Olivier Duvillard, a cosmetics industry expert, kept their eyes on real estate listings and when this home came up in 2015 they had to see it. “The second my husband and I walked through the front door, we thought, ‘This is our house’,” recalls Darren. Despite it being “very dark and higgledy-piggledy,” they had a good feeling about it.

In late 2024, Darren and Olivier’s stunning home was listed for sale with an auction price guide of $8,500,000. This was dropped by $1 million from the initial price guide of $9,500,000. After several months, the home was taken off the market but reappeared in 2025 in a new campaign with PPD Real Estate that we’re thrilled to say has been successful for this stylish couple – sold on 1st July in a private treaty. While the family of three ponder their next move while travelling in Europe, watch this space for updates.

News flash

Who lives here?

Interior designer Darren Palmer and his husband, Olivier Duvillard, share the home with their teenage son and two dogs, Frankie and Razzie.
What style is your home? Darren: “It’s intentionally minimalistic with a lot of sandy pink tones.”
Biggest benefit of renovating? “We’ve got a lot more space now and it’s a lot more usable.”
Your favourite design choice? “The double-sided fireplace is impressive. It’s in our winter living room, with the study on the other side.”
Did you reuse any elements? “We saved the perfectly stable granny flat on the property from going to landfill and transported it to Hyams Beach to turn it into a holiday home.”

The home was a two-storey building when they moved in – a 1930s California bungalow downstairs with a 2010 addition upstairs. The walls were a “dirty cream colour,” so that was the first thing that had to go. “I hired a spray rig, bought a ton of paint and painted everything white,” he says.

When Darren’s ambassador duties for an appliance brand required him for a photo shoot in his own house, he did a speedy renovation to get it ready. “I did the kitchen, laundry and dining room in two-and-a-half weeks. It was like a real-life [episode of] The Block,” he recalls. He hosted his 40th birthday party there shortly after, with fellow judges Neale Whitaker and Shaynna Blaze on the guest list, so the pressure was on to make the place presentable. “They came in an hour after I’d unpacked boxes!” he recalls.

The high-profile interior designer says his home might have been meeting others’ expectations, but it still didn’t feel right for him. “So in 2018, I started again!” A good 18 months was spent “ticking details over” in his mind, then on paper, before he worked with architect John Deuchrass for the final plans. In 2022, construction company Taste Living began the rebuild.

It’s been upsized from two storeys to three, with a more open-plan design. One of Darren’s favourite spaces is the new “very sexy” kitchen. “I ended up making it probably a metre wider, so we got a much bigger island bench,” he explains. Made from CDK Stone’s Monreale marble with soft pinks and sandy tones, it’s the hero of the space and complements the impressive joinery, which features grooved Kinsman ‘Avalon’ doors in Coastal Oak Woodmatt. “It’s got this lovely coastal feeling to it,” shares Darren.

The home epitomises a Bondi oasis, with four bedrooms plus a study, two lounge areas, a Plungie pool and multiple alfresco zones. Yet just as Darren has finished the transformation, the family has decided it’s time to move on. “This is actually the longest-term house I’ve had in my entire life, except for when I was a child,” says Darren of their home of nine years. “Our teenage son’s lived here most of his life. It’s definitely been a family home.”

While it’s in Darren’s nature to already have his sights set on the next renovation, he also has his hands full with the latest season of Channel Nine’s The Block television series and multiple business ventures, from art and rug ranges to home fragrances and tapware. “To be honest with you, the next project would happily be about a year away from now,” he says with a laugh.

Living area

The walls are painted in warm Dulux Whisper White. On the Monreale marble ledge from CDK Stone is Bush Medicine Leaves by Gloria Petyarre. Nearby is an oceanic work, Rhythm and Blues, by Neil Frazer. On the lounge are Few & Far ‘Noah’ cushions in Burro and Adairs ‘Rosedale’ cushions in Rust.

Dining area

Velux skylights over the staircase let in natural light. Three ‘Orb’ pendants from Lighting Collective in the dining space hang over an En Gold ‘Paradis’ dining table in Fossil Stone, with Design By Them ‘Bobby’ chairs in Ash Solid. The ensemble sits on a Darren Palmer ‘Earth Natural’ rug.

Kitchen

To design the luxurious joinery in the kitchen, Darren worked with Kinsman, selecting ‘Avalon’ doors in Coastal Oak Woodmatt and pairing them with Matt White Knurled Bar handles. These marry well with the Carpet Court ‘Hickory Elegance’ flooring in Beverly Hills. CDK Stone’s Monreale marble makes a show-stopping kitchen island, with Design By Them ‘Bobby’ stools in Ash Solid.

Beacon Lighting’s MFL By Masson ‘Gypsum’ downlights light the island, which houses a Meir ‘Round Paddle Piccola’ kitchen mixer. The benchtop and splashback are Caesarstone ‘Mineral’ in Adamina, with ‘Rome’ wall sconces from Temple & Webster.

Winter living room

This cosy ‘winter’ living room features a Few & Far ‘Bonnie’ chair in Green and MCM House ‘Tonk’ stool in Aged White. The En Gold ‘Paradis’ coffee table in Fossil Stone chimes with a Darren Palmer ‘Zen White’ rug.

Study

The desk in the home office is designed with Kinsman ‘Avalon’ profiles in Coastal Oak Woodmatt. It’s teamed with a Casa Blanco ‘Nobu’ dining chair in Natural Oak Tan Leather.

Main bedroom

For a grand effect in the bedroom, Darren positioned two Lounge Lovers ‘Serenity’ ribbed king bedheads in Cream side by side. They’re a magnificent match for the Wallpaper Direct ‘Fabric Effect’ in Beige on the wall, which has a tactile quality. Demonstrating a clever design hack, a Loughlin Furniture ‘Alura’ full-length mirror in American Oak Light has been mounted horizontally above the bed.

The bed is dressed with Carlotta + Gee’s linen duvet set in Chocolate, which is a delicious contrast to the sandy shades of the Carpet Court ‘Bali’ sheer curtains in Flax. Few & Far ‘Agnes’ table lamps in White stand on RJ Living ‘Peggy’ bedside tables in Oak. A Darren Palmer ‘Travertine Brown’ rug adds textural elegance. ‘Bird of Paradise’ by Joshua Yeldham hangs on the wall, echoing the rusty pink tones seen throughout the home.

“I’ve used sandy pink and beige tones throughout our home, with statement artworks”

Darren Palmer

Ensuite

The vanity in the couple’s ensuite is crafted from CDK Stone Monreale marble. On the wall are Earp Bros square unglazed tiles in Off White Matt, lit by Estilo Living ‘Bartel’ wall lights in White with White Base. A pair of Loughlin Furniture ‘Alura’ mirror cabinets fit neatly above the sinks with Meir x Darren Palmer Lustre Bronze tapware.

Bedroom

In the bedroom, Porter’s Paints Interno Lime Wash in Cinnamon Sugar creates a chic finish. The ‘Zach’ bed frame in Off-White (with In Bed linen), is joined by a ‘Sorrento’ bedside table, both from Lifely, with a Rachel Donath lamp.

“We retained the original ceiling and used a lime wash paint on the walls for a cocooning effect”

Darren Palmer

Alfresco area

The home’s previous poky doors that led out to the patio were replaced with Architectural Window Systems ComfortEDGE Sliding Doors. “They’re floor-to-ceiling with no sills, no frames, nothing visible. You can open them completely without any impediments,” says Darren. “They let all this gorgeous light in and you can look out into the bamboo and palm trees.” In a video on Darren’s Instagram, he shows just how seamless the door design is. They’re a great idea if you’re looking to double your living space.

A significant consideration in the home’s redesign was how to maximise the outside areas. “We have four outdoor spaces now,” explains Darren. “There’s one poolside, a terrace above that, our backyard with a lawn and then another outdoor space outside our son’s bedroom.” Adjacent to the home’s main living area is the terraced alfresco space, which encourages indoor-outdoor living.

An Early Settler ‘Ripple’ curved outdoor dining table in White creates a casual and comfortable place for sharing a meal or enjoying a morning coffee. For more relaxed lounging, the Temple & Webster ‘Venice’ outdoor lounge set and Few & Far ‘Clifton’ coffee table in Red Alicante is just right, grounded by a Darren Palmer ‘Sandridge Ripple’ rug.

Pool

“The biggest surprise is probably the pool area,” shares Darren. “We put the pool in the front yard, which is kind of a strange thing to do really, but it made a lot of sense because we’ve ended up with this pretty massive poolside entertaining area that was unusable dead space before.” Prestige Fencing aluminium tubular fencing in Surfmist runs alongside the Plungie ‘Arena’ 3.5-metre pool in Kona Coast. An Original Parasol Co ‘The Fitzroy’ umbrella offers additional shade during dips, while a TH Brown lounge and foot stool provides a spot to unwind. The Few & Far ‘Odin’ coffee table in Elm Wood functions as a handy bench seat.

Architect: Deuchrass Architects, deuchrassarchitects.com.au.
Builder: Taste Living, tasteliving.com.au.
Interior designer: Darren Palmer, darrenpalmer.com.
Stonemason: Macarthur Marble & Granite using CDK Stone, macarthurmarbleandgranite.com
Landscaping: Ladybug Landscapes, @ladybuglandscapesaustralia.

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The post Darren Palmer’s freshly renovated Bondi home has sold appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Meet Alba House: an architecturally designed, four-bedroom stunner that hasn’t even been built yet, but is already turning heads thanks to its eco-smarts, custom finishes and a location that’ll have you brunching, browsing and bathing (hello, mineral springs) like a true Daylesford local in no time.

Set on a generous 855-sqm block at 3 Chaplain Street, it’s not one of the TV homes – but it will be their neighbour, and that makes it a little bit extra fascinating. Imagine watching The Block and going, “That’s my street!” as someone unveils yet another wall of Venetian plaster.

Sustainability, but make it chic

While the Blockheads were busy battling deadlines and making last-minute tile decisions, Alba House was being dreamt up behind the scenes. Designed by regional builder Oasis, this home is one of the first in the estate to be built using 3D-printed concrete walls – a method that delivers smooth curves, great thermal performance and serious eco cred. Foreman Dan would approve.

Unlike your average new estate, Middleton Field has sustainability baked into its blueprint, with all homes powered solely by electricity and designed to be carbon neutral. Add to that the wide, tree-lined streets and a walk-to-everything location, and it’s easy to see why Daylesford’s latest neighbourhood is getting attention.

With a listing price of $859,000, this build is customisable – though straying from the plan will up the cost. But according to Belle Property Daylesford agent Ashlee McKee, that’s kind of the point. “Oasis is quite different to other builders,” she told realestate.com.au. “They work with people like a draftsperson does, helping them shape and build the design they’re looking for.”

Block adjacent, in the best way

And while this particular home won’t be competing in any room reveal challenges, it definitely shares the design DNA of its TV-famous neighbours. “The [Block] facades are all looking very interesting,” said Belle Property’s Will Walton, who sold the Raglan Street site to the Nine Network. “There’s a mix of brick and wood and architectural cladding.”

You’ll be just a stone’s throw from The Block’s latest builds and even closer to Daylesford’s beloved Sunday market, cafes and the tree-lined beauty of Raglan Street. “It’s such a great location,” Ashlee adds. “You’re walking distance into town, across from bars, and there are beautiful views of Wombat Park and the Botanical Gardens.”

So, whether you’re craving a lifestyle change or just love the idea of living where Foreman Dan probably paced the footpath (McCafe cup in hand), Alba House might just be your forever home – close enough to The Block builds to cast a side-eye, but not so close you’ll look like a superfan.

For more details, see the house listing.

The post You can now buy a house next to The Block and judge their reno work IRL appeared first on Home Beautiful.