The Block 2019 Final Reveal: Front Garden
- 5 Nov 2019
We take a look inside the contestants final piece of the Oslo puzzle, the front gardens
TOOLS DOWN! They made it to the final reveal, congratulations class of 2019.
El’ise and Matt Front Garden Revealed
Score: 29.5/30 - Winners!
Last week they took out a win for their upstairs terrace, earning themselves The Block’s highest score ever. This week El’ise and Matt were gunning for another victory, using Landscaper Extraordinaire Dave Franklin to design a federation-inspired front yard. And it paid off - they took out ANOTHER win!
“Matt and I have always wanted to do a nice black and white tile, especially when it came to a Federation build - it sets it all off. It’s true to the Old Girl herself,” El’ise explained of their decision to tile the top section of their front garden with a stunning, decorative tile.
This was offset with bluestone tiles and planters, a wrought iron table and chairs, plenty of lush, green foliage, and a gorgeous old bench seat. Circular planters on either side of the entrance and a pair of colour-popping cumquat trees completed the look - and the judges were instantly smitten. 
“Wow - glamour!” Darren said upon stepping through the gate.
They loved the attention to detail that Matt and El’ise had put into the front of their home, especially appreciating the inclusion of cobblestones in the immediate entry. “Just gorgeous,” Shaynna said.
They all loved the tile, especially Neale, who said it took the house to a whole new level.
“El’ise and Matt just have this knack of making everything feel as though it’s been here forever,” he explained. “There’s a real maturity to it, and a sense of authenticity - right down to the umbrellas by the front door - it’s that eye for detail that says, ‘This is a home.’”
They loved the iron seating arrangement, and the fact the couple had matched the seats to the colours of the potted daisies planted up near the door. They even loved the little golden sausage dog full of Minties, a little whimsical touch to match the quirky use of art throughout the home.
“It feels authentic, and really beautifully resolved,” Darren said.
Neale agreed: “It’s very beautiful, very confident and very classic,” he said.
We agree - well done guys!
Andy and Deb Front Garden Revealed
Score: 28/30 - Second place
Andy and Deb saved their pennies this week and hired a landscaper, who helped produce a stunning and expansive front garden area. The couples ‘hero’ piece in their yard was that amazing central palm tree, hedged either side, and the two large Cycads which featured on the upper landing. A palm in a large pot sat next to two stunning, architectural rocking chairs, clustered around a circular jute rug which completed the relaxed, yet stylish look.
“We have got a beautiful garden area - it just looks incredible. We are really happy with it,” Deb said. “We knew we were building a house to sell, but now all of that is done and it’s ready to go it’s amazing.”
The judges agreed. “How amazing is this central palm?” Darren said upon stepping inside. “You get to traverse up either side of it to the entrance.”
The judges thought the choice of bluestone pavers was perfect for St Kilda, and they loved the couple’s decision to light each individual stair, creating a grand entrance to the house. Neale thought they had “nailed” the presentation and Shaynna agreed, saying she loved the simple planting. “We have got a Cycad each side, we have got a Magnolia and I think they have really chosen well in this area,” she said. 
Neale loved the couple’s choice of large white pots, which, when sat in front of the dark-hued walls of the main house, provided a stylish, architectural counterpoint. This was achieved again with the couple’s choice of amazing rocking chairs which the judges couldn’t wait to try out.
Sitting back in her chair, Shaynna remarked that the front of their home felt like a “century’s old seaside resort.”
“In the 1900s, when these verandahs were built, you could actually see the ocean,” she pointed out. “So this actually was a seaside house.” They all loved how it felt like that again.
“Andy and Deb have such a consistent style, now from the very front gate all the way to the very back alley,” Darren pointed out.
We agree - we love your home, guys. Well done!
Tess and Luke Front Garden Revealed
Score: 26.5/30 - Third place
Tess and Luke finished strong this week, delivering a beautiful, moody, and stylish front garden, styled with a cream-coloured lounge and timber coffee table, large black pots, a bench seat, and dark retaining walls.
“We knew that we wanted to create privacy; something really green and quite luscious, while also keeping it quite moody, sticking to the theme of our house,” Tess explained.
And they managed to deliver just that. 
“Wow,” said Shaynna as she walked up the stairs, admiring the selection of white pots.
“It’s got some grandeur to it,” Neale agreed.
Shaynna said she loved how they had incorporated their “signature” dark hues to the garden, adding dark pots and retaining walls, offsetting the look with light pavers.
“Anyone coming to see such a grand, stately home as this, and seeing this garden, would be invited into this home,” Darren said.
All three thought that once the trees mature, the garden will have a lovely “old fashioned” feel, and they liked the lounging area at the front of the house.
“Tess and Luke should be really proud of what they have achieved,” Shaynna said.
And we agree - well done, guys.
Shop Tess and Luke's look
Jesse and Mel Front Garden Revealed
SCORE: 22.5/30 - Fourth place
Jesse and Mel went into this week’s Front Garden judging with a sense of optimism. They knew they had created a simple yet stunning entrance to their grand home, sitting in plum position on the far side of the row.
The couple used light coloured retaining walls and pavers and a gorgeous plant selection, including a stunning deciduous crape myrtle, gardenias, and lots of potted greenery to create an established, opulent look and feel. “We love our plant selection - the palm looks epic - there’s nothing to not like about it,” Jesse said. 
The judges agreed. They liked the minimalist approach the couple had gone for, appreciating the fact that it was simple, yet stylish. “That is a whole garden bed of gardenias - an ocean bed of gardenias,” Shaynna said, upon noticing the stunning, aromatic statement plants near the entrance.
“The perfume of that will be absolutely stunning.”
They loved the tiling - all done by Jesse - and the choice to use a light-coloured grout for contrast. “It’s beautifully done,” said Darren. Neale agreed: “There’s an elegant simplicity to it,” he argued.
Despite its sparing use of plant detail, the judges liked how presentable the space was, appreciating the couple’s decision to include a dark-coloured rattan outdoor setting on the verandah. They also liked the use of the potted Monstera, which led the eye into the grand entrance to the home. 
“From Day One we said their style is minimalist, and they have stuck to it right to the end,” Shaynna said. “But it’s beautiful. The styling is not high end, but it’s complete. It’s somewhere to sit...they have done well.”
We agree - well done guys!
Shop Jesse and Mel's look
Mitch and Mark Front Garden Revealed
Score: 21/30 - Fifth place
Mitch and Mark completed the final piece of the puzzle, presenting a stunning front garden area, complete with lower grassed area and mature palm, upper paved area and a garden showcasing native grass trees, complete with a central urn with succulents and a cycad. Bluestone pavers completed the look, bringing everything together in a way that complemented the building - just as Mitch and Mark intended.
“We wanted to make a garden that was beautiful; that was worthy of the work we have done behind that front wall,” Mitch explained. “I really wanted to make sure we linked the heritage, the mid-century feel and the facade of the home, to take you straight through and not be shocked when you get inside.”
The judges thought they’d done just that. 
“Can we stop and have a look at the plant choices for a minute - my God, it’s lovely,” Neale said, upon walking up those grand entrance stairs. Shaynna agreed, and she particularly liked the inclusion of the small grassed area at the front of the house, perfect for potential buyers with pets in tow.
“I think it’s gorgeous,” she said.
“This is the right presentation for this house,” Neale added. “This is a grand house, and they have done this beautifully grand little garden.”
A simple black table and chairs setting added practicality to the space, and was styled beautifully. “This is so quaint. And I know this is a busy street, but I love nothing better than just sitting and watching the world go by.”
The last word went to Darren Palmer, who said, “I really do think this is a great entertaining home.”
We agree - well done guys.
Shop Mitch and Mark's look
Congratulations to all the contestants! The Oslo is back baby.
For more news from The Block 2019
Block Open for Inspections
The Block Oslo room reveal recaps
Meet the contestants HERE
Shop the couples rooms HERE
Art from The Block