The Block 2024 – Week 3 – Main Ensuite

If there’s one lesson the Blockheads have taken to heart this season, it’s that bathrooms are no easy task. The first week brought a variety of outcomes, with one team failing to finish at all. You’d think by their second go at a wet area—the master ensuite—they’d have it sorted, right?

Unfortunately, not quite. As Scotty and the judges discovered, while some couples hit their stride and delivered luxurious ensuites, others struggled to make the most of this crucial space… and for one team, it proved to be too overwhelming.

So, who came out on top, and who fell short?

Courtney and Grant (First Place)

With exclamations like “I love this!” from Darren, “This is beautiful!” from Shaynna, and “It’s insane!” from Marty, it’s safe to say the judges were thoroughly impressed by Courtney and Grant’s main ensuite. The Mineral Natural Travertine Tumbled Tile in a chequerboard pattern, the olive Nood Co Mill Basin Surface Mount basins, the inspired plasterwork, and the “perfect” execution all caught their eye. Shaynna praised the pair for creating a room that was “brave and brilliant” and admired the Angela Hawkey artwork. Darren was particularly taken with the mix of textures, the curves around the mirror, and how it created a shelf. However, he noted that the narrow shower entrance prevented him from awarding a perfect score. Marty felt that both the aesthetics and functionality were outstanding, making him wonder how any other room could top it.

If you’d like to SHOP Courtney and Grant’s room head here. This week we’re loving the towels and basins.

Jessie and Page (Second Place)

“Sophisticated and fresh!” Shaynna immediately praised Jessie and Page’s choice of Tetra Structured Gumleaf Satin Matt tiles for their bathroom this week, and appreciated that they managed to finish on time. Darren highlighted the successful layout and planning, noting that while the warm colour palette was similar to their first bathroom, it worked much better this time due to the improved design. He also admired the consistent use of curves, from the Equinox LED 200mm brushed chrome sconce lights to the shower screens, remarking that this showcased “what good design is all about.” For Marty, the practicality of the Laufen “New Classic” above-counter double basins and double showerheads stood out, although he would have preferred a cavity slider. He concluded that the layout and Taj Mahal stone features made this a room that would photograph beautifully.

If you’d like to SHOP Jesse and Paige’s room head here. This week we’re loving the wall lights and basins.

Kylie and Brad (Third Place)

From the striking Shou Sugi Ban burned timber cladding contrasting with the Blackbutt vanity to the stunning Flue 1lt pendant lights, Kylie and Brad’s room had “all the sass and pizazz that Shaynna has been looking for, yet it’s still highly marketable!” according to Marty. While Shaynna and Darren agreed that the veined marble came off as “a bit angry” and the art deco theme didn’t quite suit a beachside home, they acknowledged that the reduced use of black compared to the couple’s first room, the beautiful artwork by Guilia Di Sipio, and the addition of a much-needed bathtub were all strong points. Marty concluded that if house four continued on this trajectory, they’d likely do well come auction time.

If you’d like to SHOP Kylie and Brad’s room head here. This week we’re loving the artwork and pendant lights.

Kristian and Mimi (Fourth Place)

“How big is too big?” wondered the judges as they explored the expansive master ensuite created by Kristian and Mimi. Darren expressed his admiration for the Kado Era Wall Hung Vanity with Double Basin and the Clay Ocean Gloss tiles from Beaumont, saying, “I love the vanity, the tiles, the basin, the mirror, and the lights,” even appreciating the towel rails and colour choice. However, the layout left too much open space in some areas and cramped others, which didn’t work well. “Everything is pushed into corners!” Darren remarked, while Shaynna pointed out the glaring absence of a bathtub. To make matters worse, the judges discovered a “list of excuses” that revealed further issues, including unfinished paint, missing downlights, silicone, and grout. The judges agreed it was a big miss overall and hoped the couple would learn from these mistakes.

If you’d like to SHOP Kristian and Mimi’s room you can head here. This week we’re loving the basins and vanity.

Ricky and Haydn (Fifth Place)

Unpainted, lacking waterproofing, and without tiles, Ricky and Haydn’s ensuite left the judges feeling one thing: underwhelmed. “What the???” Shaynna exclaimed as she took in the room, clearly noticing something had gone very wrong. “Does it really take a week to paint a door?” she questioned. Darren speculated that it looked as if someone had walked off the job, adding, “If that’s the case, I feel sick for them.” The only positive note came from Marty, who, despite the incomplete state, could see the potential in the layout and appreciated the Velux skylight overhead. Nevertheless, he noted it was still one of the most unfinished rooms in Block history, earning some of the lowest scores ever seen.

Images owned by the Nine Network Australia, provided by The Block Shop. Photography credits David Cook Photography.