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The Block 2019: Living & Dining Room Reveal

We take a look inside the contestants' living and dining rooms

Jesse and Mel Living and Dining Wk 8 The Block

Jesse and Mel Living & Dining Reveal
Score: 29/30 - Winners!

Jesse and Mel are back! This week we took out a win for their near-perfect living/dining room. Like Deb and Andy, Jesse and Mel decided to orientate their dining table adjacent to their kitchen bench, a decision that won them favour with the judges, who loved the open, contemporary feel. They particularly loved that the couple held back 500mm from their kitchen to allow extra room in their living area, making theirs the most functional and usable living space of anywhere on this year’s Block.

Jesse and Mel Living and Dining Wk 8 The Block

They particularly loved the fireplace, which the couple made to be the architectural focal point of the room by incorporating custom black marble benchtops and cabinetry. Unlike so many of the other couples, theirs was a fire that could be enjoyed while sitting in the oversized couch, or the two stunning blue occasional chairs, while still watching the television. 
The judges were instantly smitten.
“It’s the only living space we’ve been in today which, tellingly, we’re sitting down in,” Darren said, collapsing into the large overstuffed couch, which Shaynna was also a fan of.

Jesse and Mel Living and Dining Wk 8 The Block

Behind the seating area, Jesse and Mel chose to position a large optical artwork featuring lined details - a breathtaking addition which the judges thought worked well in the room. It doubled in it’s functionality, also acting as an acoustic wall panel - all agreed that it was sure to attract a high level of interest from buyers.
Brass details on the coffee table and chairs completed their “Toorak by the Bay” look, playing off against the colours of the art they chose. All up, Darren thought it was a “very successful room.”
“I think it is absolutely going to meet the expectations of the buyers in this market,” he said. We agree - well-done guys!

Deb and Andy Living Dining

Andy and Deb Living & Dining Reveal
Score: 28/30 - Second place

Andy and Deb produced another exceptional space this week, the gorgeous pared-back living area seeing them take out second place. The judges fell in love with the room, which continued with the couple’s trademark ‘coastal luxe’ vibe. 
They particularly liked how everything flowed from the kitchen, as well as the placement of their large timber table and contemporary chairs, configured to run adjacent to their island bench. 

Deb and Andy Living Dining Wk 8 The Block

“If I was any of the homes that didn’t orient the kitchen this way, I would be kicking myself,” Darren said, noting how well everything worked and the sense of space the living area provided. 
Neale thought they delivered a magnificent room, saying he couldn’t remember a time when a house on The Block had excited him more. “Everything just gels so beautifully,” he said. “From the VJ panelling on the walls, their big white fan, and the way everything plays to the light and the sense of space.”

Deb and Andy Living Dining Wk 8 The Block

He also loved their light, bright colour palette, rattan coffee table, rattan occasional chair, white in-built cabinetry and the white sofa and jute wall hanging. But the thing that piqued his interest the most - and had all three judges rejoicing - was the placement of their stunning piece of commissioned Indigenous art.
“I love that it’s an Aboriginal piece,” Darren said. “It’s appropriate to Andy as well. It’s a lovely story, how much of their own personality has gone into this house.”

Deb and Andy Living Dining Wk 8 The Block

Deb styled their immaculate space with a number of beautiful artworks and artifacts, as well as hanging a gorgeous piece of tapestry on the wall. It all contributed to create a wonderful sense of homeliness. Her choice to use more organic items, including that lovely cane pendant light, also added to the sense of calm.
“You’re seeing a level of sophistication here that I would associate with professional interior designers,” Neale added.
And you can’t get higher praise than that. Well done, guys! We absolutely ADORE it.

Matt and Elise Living Dining Room Wk 8 The Block

El'ise and Matt Living & Dining Reveal
Score: 24.5/30 - Third place

El’ise and Matt had a rough time in the judging last week, with Shaynna, Neal and Darren questioning a lot of their decisions with regards to their kitchen. This week they were back on track, revealing a stunning, contemporary and homely living/dining space, complete with burnt orange chairs, petrified wood nest of tables, a brick feature fireplace and a selection of stunning artworks.

Matt and Elise Living Dining Room Wk 8 The Block

“There’s back!” Neale said, upon stepping into their luxe oasis, which also sported a dark charcoal sofa, grey rug and olive hued cushions to match their green kitchen stools
“Their kitchen works successfully in the space they have created,” Neale said, reversing his judgement from the week before. “I think the reason I like it is that it feels like home.”

Matt and Elise Living Dining Room Wk 8 The Block

Shaynna agreed, saying she loved the custom aspects of the room, including the floating bench, with built-in storage. She also loved their divine timber table, saying, “There is something quite organic about it, but mixed with the stone, it feels a little bit country.”
Neale loved the couple’s colour palette, and said that it all worked well together. We agree - well done, guys!

Mitch and Mark Living Dining Room

Mitch and Mark Living & Dining Reveal

Score: 22/30 - Equal fourth place

Mitch and Mark continued their mid-century ‘Palm Springs Luxe’ theme in their living/dining area, producing a gorgeous on-trend, bright and luxurious room. The first thing the judges noticed when they stepped inside was the fact the couple had chosen to replace their ‘Cottage Garden’ light-box windows from last week with beautiful, framed surf photography
Their decision to pare back this large feature wall went down well.

Mitch and Mark Living Dining Reveal

“That was a good call,” said Shaynna, who thought Mitch and Mark had styled their room, which included a stunning white-brick feature fireplace, blue velvet dining chairs, a white terrazzo table and brown leather couch from Freedom, immaculately.
“You look at how this is displayed - they have got every glass possible, and beautiful cutlery. The way you’ve got the navy placemat, (it works well),” Shaynna said of their feature dining table.
Darren agreed, saying he liked the proportions of their room: “I think the scale of the fireplace provides a central, architectural element,” he said.

Mitch and Mark Living Dining Reveal

Hues of white and cream, along with the use of marble side tables and a grey occasional chair, worked well against the darkness of the parquetry floor. Their decor was softened by the use of fluffy cushions.
“I really love the white bricks,” Darren added. “I think they are really beautiful.”
Shaynna agreed: “To me, that says ‘Palm Springs,’” she said.
Shaynna wasn’t a fan of their artwork, which featured white and blue-toned flowers, and she thought their decision to use a chrome coffee table and a brass-edged mirrored TV and bronze feature light clashed. 
But we disagree - we think they delivered a functional, beautiful space. Well done guys - we love it.

Tess and Luke Living Room

Tess and Luke Living & Dining Reveal
Score: 22/30 - Equal Fourth place

Tess and Luke had various setbacks this week, but overcame every conceivable obstacle to produce a stunning, contemporary living/dining space. The hero in their room was that beautiful custom-made timber table, which they built to butt up against their huge island bench, making it the focal point of the room. 

Tess and Luke Living Dining Room

Elsewhere, they used a mellow palette of whites and creams, including an oversized cream couch, earth-toned circular coffee table, light-coloured rug and grey occasional chairs to work as a contrast to their black brick feature wall and fireplace. 
That wall, in turn, played beautifully with the light from their oversized void, which Shaynna said would prove a huge selling-point for their home. 

Tess and Luke Living Dining Room

“Right away I can tell the difference in light from next door,” Shaynna said, referencing Mitch and Mark’s living area.
Darren loved the couple’s colour palette, which worked so well with their statement artwork from Kitchen week. “I think the colour palette is really, really beautiful - and I love this timber,” he said, referencing their table.
Functionally, the judges thought it didn’t work as well as other couple’s homes, but stylistically it was right on-point. Well done, guys. 

For more news from The Block 2019

Top 15 tips for planning a new a kitchen renovation or new kitchen

The Block Shop Pop Up is open on Fitzroy Street, St Kilda!

What's your design style quiz?

Take a peek inside Andy and Deb's real-life home

Meet the contestants HERE

Shop the couples rooms HERE

View all 2019 room reveals HERE

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