The Block Stairway + Entranceway | Girls vs boys

When I first heard that The Block teams had their entranceways to complete, I thought it would be a fairly easy week. But once I realised that it also entailed their stairways and additional landings and hallways I knew it was a much bigger than I first anticipated. It turned out to be the hardest week so far and not one of the teams were able to complete their spaces in time.

Dyls and Dyls won the "Block Stars" challenge with their acrobatic routine which gave them the ability to completely knock out another team from judging. It was no surprise that they chose front runners Niki and Tiff, which was a good call as the girls once again got the highest score. Emma and Courtney won a game changer challenge during the week which gave them the "-1 point" and they used that against the Double D's. So finally Emma and Courtney won a room reveal - even without playing the -1 the would've just pipped D+D.

Emma and Courtney: 1st place - 10 points (5 from Fiona and 5 from Paul)

The scores were all on the low side because there was so much left unfinished, but 10 points was enough to won this week. The repetition of black accents was nice in the girls' entrance. I like the clean lines of the console and the large round mirror which is a nice contrast to all the straight lines. Even better would've been a runner and a little bit more styling on the console, but that can all be added.

I like the mix of materials used on the stairs - wood, glass and chrome. Judge, Paul Izzard, really seemed to enjoy this week's judging with all of the architectural elements, and I agree that the slight overhang on the stair treads was a nice detail here.

A previous challenge win meant E+C got to commission a piece by artist, Greer Clayton. The piece she created for the girls is beautiful, and it goes to show what an impact a large scale artwork makes. The size is perfect for the space, and I like that the girls' console and styling are both simple as it allows the art to shine.

Dyls and Dylz: 2nd place - 8.5 points (4.5 from Fiona and 5 from Paul and a -1 from E+C)

Big Dyls designed and created his dream floating staircase for their home, and it was quite spectacular. Unfortunately a slight error in measuring put each tread out by 3mm, and meant they couldn't complete the stairs in time for the reveal. An extra step will have to be added in the coming weeks. I love the really large front door, and the plugs under the stairs mean a console table with a lamp could be added, which would look great.

The panelled doors look really nice down the hallway. The lights up the stairwell were a little too simple. In a stairwell where there is no furniture, you can afford to be more adventurous with your lighting choice. As Fiona said, treat it like a piece of art or sculpture.

The wall opposite the door is crying out for a lovely big piece of art. It would be a great focal point as you enter, but this can be added at a later date.

Sam and Emmett: 3rd place - 7.5 points (3.5 from Fiona and 4 from Paul)

Sam and Emmett had a rough week with flooding and failing to pass initial pre-line inspections, and their house was perhaps the most unfinished. I'm not a "red" fan so don't love their front door, but I know it's good luck in some cultures so I'm sure some prospective buyers will like it.

The window revealing a glimpse of the wine cellar as you descend the stairs is a clever feature and will also appeal to many.

The boys need to take a lesson in scale from Emma and Courtney. The artwork at the bottom of the stairs is far too small.

I photoshopped it to show you the size I think looks better. When it comes to art, if in doubt, always go bigger...

Also, the hall table is sweet, but the mirror is too small, and the styling a bit small and insignificant. Once again, these are all details that can be rectified, if not by S+E then by the new owners.

Niki and Tiff: taken out of judging by D+D through a challenge - 11 points (5.5 from Fiona and 5.5 from Paul)

My favourite of all the spaces, and the reason why is that Tiff gets all of those little details right. She knows how to work with scale and texture. The artwork is cool, I love the moody colours.

The white staircase with space between the steps creates a light, airy feel. It also allows the art and accessories on display to take centre stage.

The girls were the only team to use a hall runner, which I think is always a good idea for adding softness, texture, and sometimes colour and pattern. The large landing created a space that was almost another room in itself. The large window and the sky lights are brilliant - natural light is always a winner. I love the bench seat, but as the judges said, the cushions on the floor aren't that practical. A small chair, or even a pouf would've been a better choice, or nothing at all.

The round artwork is divine. A lot of people have been asking on our Facebook page where the girls get all their artwork, and I think Tiff sources it from a photostock library and then has it framed. Clever girl, and the round frame is fab - it's different, which I know Tiff always strives for, and it softens and contrasts the straight lines. Dael & I use circles as much as possible in our designs. A room will always be filled with straight lines and angles, so the introduction of circles and curves will be welcomed.

What will this week bring? Tune in for the action and drama, and for more pics and information, pop over to the TV3 website.

Five Entrances We'd Like To Come Home To

I love a good entrance. Not only do they set the tone for the rest of the house, but they have the potential to make you really happy to be home. I've chosen a few entrances that make us happy and that we'd be thrilled to come home to.

A good console table is usually the first piece we look to when we design an entranceway. If it has storage, it's super handy for stowing keys, hats, dog leads, all sorts of things that you may want to grab as you leave the house. A beautiful piece of art or a large mirror above the console is the next key piece. Then decorate the surface with some favourite accessories - a vase with fresh flowers or greenery is a favourite, and a rug to welcome you in.

Sometimes a stool works just as well as a console. It provides a place to sit and put your shoes on and off, as well as a place to display some favourite things. It also helps to ground a piece of art.

This velvet stool is especially gorgeous, and works beautifully in this entrance. Think outside the square and use a similar piece instead of a coffee table. A tray is a great for providing a slightly more stable surface for things such as a vase. Large books are great for this too. A mirror is always good for checking your hair or applying some lippy as you run out the door.

Sometimes you may not be blessed with a large entrance, or perhaps you walk straight into your living room. Even the smallest of tables can help to create a sense of an entrance. If space is of a premium consider a floating table to add more of an airy feel.

Don't forget the door! When you or your guests leave the house, or you go to welcome someone in, a splash of colour on your door will make you smile. It's all those little details that will take your home up a notch and leave it feeling a bit special and super stylish!

The Block Kitchen + Dining | Girls vs Boys

I was impressed with all of The Block kitchens revealed on Sunday. It still amazes me that they can turn this room around in such a tight deadline, and the teams also had their dining room to complete. Kitchens are such an important part of the home and, like bathrooms, they require almost every trade, and huge amounts of planning and preparation. I was surprised with the judges scores though, what did you think?

Sam and Emmett: 1st place - 16.5 points (8.5 from Fiona and 8 from Paul)

Sam and Emmett took out the win this week, but their room definitely wasn't my favourite. I found their kitchen a bit too hard and shiny, and I wanted something to soften it. The strong contrast provided by the black and white is striking, but the open shelves and blank walls are crying out for something to break it up a bit. Maybe some natural wooden chopping boards, some potted herbs, some art, a touch of colour somewhere...

The microwave on the end of the bench became a feature, which I didn't like. Preferably tuck this away in a cupboard or somewhere discreet. What I do love is the little breakfast nook with the bar stools (although the stools will need to be replaced with lower ones), and the curved dining table, which does add some relief to the hard kitchen.

The shadows created on the ceiling from the David Trubridge pendant are beautiful, I would've hung it slightly lower though. When you hang a pendant over a dining table you don't have to worry about banging into it, but you obviously don't want it to obstruct your view of the person sitting opposite you - 80 to 100cm above the table top is good, but just use your eye to determine the best height in comparison to what is around and behind the table. The rug is great!

Dyls and Dylz: 2nd equal place - 15 points (8 from Fiona and 8 from Paul and a -1 from S+E)

After Fiona's scores were revealed, both boys teams were neck and neck at the front with 8 points. This prompted Sam and Emmett to play their "-1" point won in an earlier challenge. Although Dyls and Dylz wouldn't have quite won, the -1 meant that Niki and Tiff were able to draw with the boys for second place. I like the galley style layout of D+D's kitchen, and the light wood adds lovely warmth and texture.

The splash back is a photo of their feature schist wall in the bathroom. It's a clever use of continuity and if you love the schist wall, then you'll obviously love the splash back. I love the strip lighting on the kick boards.

I'm also a fan of their dining room. The large table and bench seats have a nice relaxed vibe, the rug is great, love the curtains and the grey feature wall, and I think they did a pretty good job at styling their table too - well done boys. Being picky, perhaps a slight tonal change between the table cloth and cushions, An inky blue table cloth would look lovely with the wood and the grey.

Niki and Tiff: 2nd equal place - 15 points (8 from Fiona and 7 from Paul)

I'll always be a fan of Niki and Tiff's style, and there is a lot I love in their kitchen and dining room, but I feel like they made a couple of mistakes this week. I'll start with the negative and move on to the positive. There seemed to be a mistake in measuring as I don't think the girls had intended for their bench and cabinetry to finish a bit short of the wall. It's not a huge space, so as much storage as possible is key, and it would've looked better had it carried on to the corner. Also, I hate the space between the top of the cabinets and the ceiling. It's not really big enough for proper storage or display, and I know how dirty and dusty it will get up there. Why not carry the cupboards right up to the ceiling? Even if you're not going to utilise the space, you could build a bulk head above.

Although, like Sam and Emmett, they have a black and white colour scheme, they have softened it with natural elements, and their tiles add a subtle texture. Love the butlers sink and black tap, also the discreet oven and microwave tucked behind the fridge.

I absolutely love the girls' dining table. Thank goodness for Ryan, who spent so much time restoring it. I know many of you will think it's crazy to spend thousands on what looks like a beaten up old table that still needs work to restore it (and perhaps it is), but I completely understand where Tiff is coming from. It's beautiful, interesting, full of character and personality, and imagine the stories it could tell. No one else will have one quite like it. I urge you to hold on to any older pieces of furniture that may have been in your family, if you think they could work in your home. Mix it up with some more contemporary pieces around it for a cool eclectic feel.

The chairs are also beautiful, and although the judges didn't like the girls' light, I kinda do! The curtains are great, I love the wave pleat they've used, it's unfussy and relaxed. The other styling touches such as the little bar cart, the plant, and the rustic bowls on the table all add visual interest and personality.

Emma and Courtney: Last place - 13.5 points (7.5 from Fiona and 6 from Paul)

I was most surprised by the low scores for Emma and Courtney's rooms, I felt they deserved more. Perhaps their finishes weren't as good, I'm not sure. But the added value of having a butlers pantry is huge, I wish I had one.

I love the girls' tiles and their inset shelf, but I might be biased on that, as it's very similar to my own kitchen that we renovated last year...

I have to say, I prefer our cabinetry with it's panelling to E+C's flat cabinets. I like the subtle texture introduced by the panels and they way it contrasts the angles of the cube tiles. But their kitchen looks tidy and functional, and the wood helps to break up all the white.

I think what brought their scores down was their dining room. Perhaps so much time went into working on the kitchen and butlers pantry that the dining room was a bit of an afterthought. The skylights and David Trubridge light are fab, but the table is pretty uninspiring, and the wall behind it is crying out for a large piece of art. It was a shame as I think E+C thought this might be their week to shine. On a positive note, they scored the highest from the team votes, so were able to pocket $2,000 - nice!

This week is another crazy, busy week for all with their entrances, stairs, landings, and hallways needing to be completed. It should be entertaining for us as the teams are all having to perform an act in front of a live audience for their latest challenge. We got to enjoy Emma and Courtney rocking it last night looking like divas from the eighties. Their genre was 'music', but I think they would've done quite well if it was 'comedy'. Tonight we'll see Niki and Tiff's comedy act (eek!), then we can look forward to seeing the Double D's in lycra performing acrobatics - I think Junior will nail that. Lastly Sam and Emmett will wow us with poetry. I can't wait. Catch up on lots more Block action on TV3.