The Block 2024 - Week 1 - Bathroom Reveal

Week 1 – Bathroom

It quickly became clear to the contestants that Block Island was going to be a unique challenge – there was no House Decider Challenge; instead, they plunged straight into the deep end!

And what a dive it was, with Scotty tasking them with one of the toughest rooms to tackle: a bathroom. To add to the excitement, he announced an astonishing $140,000 in cash and prizes for the winner.

This sent the Blockheads into overdrive, producing a range of styles that left the judges stunned – some in a good way and others, not so much. It was clear that each contestant was bringing something very different to their homes.

But who had what it takes to win?

Kristian and Mimi (First place)

Build spend: $21,732

Marty was immediately impressed by Kristian and Mimi’s bathroom, declaring it a room with: “Wow!” The Porta Timber feature, he noted, added warmth and would definitely appeal to buyers. Shaynna concurred, praising the drama created by the “balance, tone, and texture”, along with the practicality of a wide double basin and tile choices she considered the best of the week. Darren found the room to be “tranquil and beachy”, with features that contributed to a “huge success”. He expressed hope that the couple could maintain this style throughout the rest of their house.

If you’d like to SHOP Kristian and Mimi’s bathroom you can head here. This week we’re loving the Clay Ocean Gloss Tiles and the Hakon Side Table.

Courtney and Grant (Second place)

Build spend: $29,706

From the moment they walked in, the judges were impressed by House 2’s “amazing floorplan”, “stunning tiles”, and clever use of space. “You’ve nailed it!” Darren exclaimed, highlighting the importance of Instagrammability for a holiday home, and this room certainly had it. Marty agreed, saying the room would fit just as well in Albert Park as it would in Phillip Island. Shaynna noted that it felt like both a day spa and a beach house. However, she did point out some issues, such as wall sconces that highlighted paintwork problems, missing caulking, and light and heat controls that should have been inside the room. Despite these minor flaws, the judges agreed it was a great start to their home.

If you’d like to SHOP Courtney and Grant’s bathroom head here. This week we’re loving the Mineral Natural Travertine Tile and the Wall Sconce.

Ricky and Haydn (Third place)

Build spend: $31,848

Flying solo for most of the week after Haydn had to rush home for the arrival of his baby daughter, Ricky did an incredible job with the bathroom, according to the judges. Darren praised the Hardie Groove on the walls paired with tiles below, while Shaynna was impressed by the bathtub and layout. However, the colour choices were less well-received. “A bit kindergarten!” Shaynna remarked, and Marty urged Ricky to swap the pale blue paint for white. “And the black shower screen frame?” he added, “too industrial.” The judges agreed that these issues might have been avoided if both team members had been present. Here’s to a better week ahead!

If you’d like to SHOP Ricky and Haydn’s bathroom head here. This week we’re loving the bath and paint colour.

Kylie and Brad (Fourth place)

Build spend: $31,848

Kylie’s “Black! Black! Black!” colour palette was always going to be divisive, and it certainly polarised the three judges. “I wanted drama and I got drama!” Shaynna exclaimed, praising the Dekton panelling, black fixtures, and neon artwork accents, which really grabbed her attention. Darren, however, was less enthusiastic, wishing for a bath, a softer use of the dark tones, and something less busy than the herringbone pattern tiles. Marty, on the other hand, found solace in the skylight: “Because when I’m looking up, I can’t see the room!” He warned that if Kylie and Brad continue down this path, their house could become “the biggest Block disaster in 20 seasons.” And there’s that drama Shaynna wanted again!

If you’d like to SHOP Kylie and Brad’s bathroom head here. This week we’re loving the coloured toilet paper and wooden stool.

Jesse and Paige (Fifth place)

Build spend: $26,109

Already stunned that the room hadn’t been finished, the judges made it clear that even what had been done didn’t meet their expectations. “It’s claustrophobic,” Marty complained. “The door is wrong,” Shaynna added. “Too many lights,” Darren observed, concluding, “There’s lots going on… and I’m not really loving it.” Despite their harsh criticism, some elements did win points, such as the “perfectly sized” vanity, ample storage, brushed chrome fittings, and underfloor heating, which they all agreed was vital for this area. The Beaumont fishscale tiles – what was completed – were also deemed appropriate. The judges agreed it was time to step things up a gear!

If you’d like to SHOP Jesse and Paige’s bathroom head here. This week we’re loving the vanity and green feature tiles.