the block : laundry and stairs.

It's always disappointing when a couple doesn't finish. The small amounts that I have seen, looks amazing (who thought stairs could be so interesting) so I can't wait to see the finished results!


michael and carlene : STUNNING! Those lights, those black steel poles, those floating wooden stairs are beautiful! What a great combination. However, I don't really like the colour chosen for the walls. I feel like they need a simpler colour to compliment the detail in the stairs.

Their laundry is simple and beautiful. The wood in it is beautiful and goes well with the marble tiles. I agree that it's sexy. The bronzed mirror, gold pendant, brass details and black tapware is lovely and the details are breathtaking! Well done. SO impressed!!

chris and jenna : Their staircase is beautiful too. I love the rendered wall and the simplicity of the stairs. I personally prefer the floating stairs (in Michael and Carlene's) but the simplicity of these is lovely and I think it will date well. I like the way they have featured the exposed beams throughout their apartment and the way they have tied it in this week with their balustrade.

Their laundry feels boxy and a bit busy; they should have mimicked their bathroom which was simple and elegant. I feel disappointed for them.

karstan and max : My first impression was that I don't like it but looking longer, I am unsure. It's not really giving me anything. It feels quite bland and bags-not cleaning that glass!! The storage under the stairs is a good idea.

Their laundry is simple and practical, but nothing exciting.

simon and shannon : The floating stairs really make an impact. It didn't wow me like Micheal and Carlene's but does make an impact. The simple, black and white artworks are beautiful and I love how they've played with lines throughout, even through to the pendant lights.

Their laundry is beautiful. I always love greenery and the mini grey tiles are one of my faves! I also love the black tapware and the simple white wall tiles are effective. I really like their styling in the baskets and wooden stool – those details (although I could just buy them) create the emotional attachment for me!

darren and deanne : It's so sad to see a beautiful room unfinished. It's classy and elegant but still has a very lot to do! (The photos make them look good ;))

I really appreciate their style and their laundry made me smile. Disappointingly it's still not finished but I like what they've done. I like the simple colours and their styling.

Looking forward to seeing the kitchens next week as a lot of the planning has already been pre-done so I hope they can make a big impression!

the block : master bedroms.

Hooray! Can't wait to see everyone's finished rooms. From the little things we've seen, they look really beautiful!

Here we go:

michael and carlene : I love the look but I really don't like the bedding – other than the beautiful linen bedspread – well maybe just the throw and a couple of those cushions. I really like the recessed bedhead and the black. Once again I love their artworks with the black and white and touch of gold. Change a few cushions and I think it's beautiful!

chris and jenna : Can't wait to see this copper wall! Once again, change the bedding (so much gold and copper) but it's simple and beautiful. I like the black walls and the black and white artwork. I agree with the judges that the rest of the room doesn't compliment the wall. I feel very sad for them.

karstan and max : They've improved so much this week!! I love the simple colour scheme and those two massive artworks are beautiful. The charcoal and white with the orange is great. And who can go past those windows and the bronzed mirror!? They did well but it's not how I'd do it.

simon and shannon : Love the mexsii bedhead, copper pendants, and the timber wall under the window. I love that style. And how lucky are they with so much room to allow for that coffee area!? Beautiful! The simple white and grey walls work well. Don't love the artwork – I don't think it's sophisticated enough. But overall it's great!

darren and deanne : Very cool to have a fireplace in their room! I love the artwork! It's cool how they've tied the panelling in every room - it's not my style but has worked well. A pretty good room but nothing groundbreaking.

I do think the winners are deserving but I feel that the judging is based on too many other factors than just the rooms they present (and often too much on styling). Good to see the wins being spread out amongst the teams though.

the block : study and guest bedrooms.

I can't believe everyone finished their rooms this week, and all of the rooms are great!

michael and carlene: I was so looking forward to seeing their homemade desk and seat, unfortunately it didn't turn out as well as I expected! I would have much preferred it in a more natural wood colour. The study was very functional but didn't do anything much for me. Once again I really like the styling in their bedroom. The exposed brick is great, but I'm glad it's quite minimal – it just brings some depth to the room. It all works really well! Very impressed with the guest room!

chris and jenna: This is going to go either way. Can't wait to see their void in future weeks but not sure how their judging is going to go this week. The attic and storage is a really great idea but a bit hard to judge against everyone else's study. I love their guest bedroom. Minimal and beautiful!! I like the touches of wood and greenery. I disagree and am surprised by the judge's comments, however there were a LOT of plants! I really love the timber and am sad that the judges don't like it. The attic was good for storage but very hard to judge.

karstan and max: I was looking forward to seeing how their floors look and I think they're great! Their space is huge... and the white in the study makes it look even bigger. Other than the floors though, it's not all that exciting. Their bedroom is once again quite boring. Thankfully they have that huge and beautiful artwork to bring some life, but unfortunately it's a plain, boring, black and white room!

simon and shannon: I was really looking forward to seeing how their rooms panned out after their stressful week, and interested to see how their style develops. Their style is super contemporary, and I really like it! The ceiling looking up to that skylight is amazing! I like the study because it kind of is a separate room unlike the others which are very open. I love their guest bedroom as well. It looks big and bright! Always love a bit of Kip and Co and Blacklist Studio. Their attention to detail is pretty amazing!

darren and deanne: I felt very nervous about their fabric canopy bedhead! Their floor was also a risk but turned out beautifully. Their study is sophisticated and practical. I really like it. Their style is not my style, but it's working really well throughout. The bedroom didn't do heaps for me but it does look luxurious! I wonder what perspective a younger judge would bring.

I am really enjoying this season. Lots of potential and great ideas! I'm glad people are trying some new things. I'm excited to keep watching!

It might help to understand my thoughts if you know that I write these Block posts as I'm watching the room reveals (lucky i can touch type). My comments aren't based on the judge's scores (sometimes I might add in an extra comment at the end) but I like to write down and acknowledge what I'm thinking, without being swayed by their opinions. Just thought you should know.

the block : main bathrooms.

I am particularly interested in bathrooms as we are dreaming about redoing our bathroom. So many good ideas but need to work out what will look good in our small space and in a style that will last and in our budget.

Here are my thoughts from the main bathroom reveals:

carlene and michael: I have loved their stepped up bath and shower since I first saw their idea, and they pulled it off so well! That white gloss herringbone tiling is beautiful!!! I love that they put greenery in the bathroom too – their styling is winner. Impressed!

chris and jenna: The size of their bathroom (well, whole apartment) is what I was excited to see... it is impressive! That grey tile and black hexagonal tile are beautiful, not to mention the light! That massive mirror was such a good idea! The room is quite simple but beautiful. A huge difference from last week!

max and karstan: Black and white are proving very popular but I don't think their B&W is as impressive as Carlene and Michael's. The size is impressive but I found it a bit bland. I like their styling and their choice of bath and vanity. A nice bathroom (I'd be happy, but nothing all that special in my opinion).

shannon and simon: They have a lot to live up to after their win last week and their style, so I was excited to see what they would produce. My first impression was that it is great and different from all of the others, I think because of the white wall tiles and the wooden vanity. Looks a lot like what we might like in our new bathroom. Once again, I love the greenery in their styling!

darren and deanne: Their bathroom looks so high class, so different to my style but very beautiful. I feel like it's very English. I can imagine it being very popular but not what I love. The panelling, once again, works surprisingly well. I don't know if I'd be able to handle the floor tiles though – potentially as a feature wall!?

Very surprised by the scores this week! Not surprised by the winner but I definitely wouldn't have scored them in the same order as the judges... they should get me as a judge ;) Will be interesting to see how they score each other.

he cares for you.

This week a friend of mine has started some treatment in hospital. This is a pretty scary thing. I saw her on the weekend, she is a really strong and positive person, but she was scared. Trusting Jesus, but scared.

I got home and I was praying for her. This is what I felt the Lord say (and I messaged something similar to her) but I thought I would share with you. Maybe it's what you need to hear.

"Cast all your anxiety on him [Jesus] because he cares for you." 

1 Peter 5:7

I feel like sometimes casting anxiety to Jesus is difficult because we forget the fact that he cares for us. It feels like a chore, another thing that we need to do but don't have the energy for. We think we need to 'do' rather than 'be'. He cares for you like you care for your children (or you were cared for as a child), but even greater. You are his child! Rest in that. Resting in Jesus' arms, in his presence (even amongst the fear and the busy-ness) is how we give him our anxiety, and it changes us. Do you know that he cares for you?

Maybe you need this stuck on your wall or as the background on your phone...
Download it and check out this etsy page, Daughter Zion Designs, for other hand drawn verses.

the block : guest bedrooms.

The Block is back. Sorry to everyone who wants to talk to me about anything else for the next few months but I'll probably be consumed by The Block. Seeing it just makes me want to be on it so much!

Room reveals are the best. I love seeing the way the rooms come together and I feel like you get to know the contestants heaps more through it.

My thoughts from this week:

So in love with Michael and Carlene's room! Their colour choices are exceptional. Those cabinets, the copper pendants, and that artwork! Loving her style.

The boys room is so fun and contemporary (and I really love mustard)! I love their details and the way they think outside the box i.e. 5ft cactus, two types of flooring, wooden panelling.

Max and Karstan seriously have a stunning advantage with those windows and that view and that amount of natural light. They were well restored and made the room for me. Unfortunately I wasn't as keen on the rest of it (except those billy button flowers)... even though I feel like I'm on their team having been at school with Karstan.

I was expecting Chris and Jenna's room to be exceptional. It was in the ways I expected - the graphic ceiling and massive space but they were let down with their styling. I was so impressed with their extra details including the desk and ensuite door and photographic artworks of the original building. I think they're going to do well!

I so loved the artwork chosen in Dee and Darren's room as well as those pom pom pillows. The panelling worked surprisingly well!

Can't wait for this season. It looks like it's going to be an absolute cracker! The teams are all really lovely and they all look very talented too!