The Block 2023: Front Facade and Hallways Reveal

And finally, after three long months, The Block is complete!

All the interior rooms are finished, the backyards done and dusted and now, the front yards and facades are, in the words of Scotty Cam, “Magnificent!”… so it’s time for one last visit from the judges, with special guest garden guru Dave Franklin joining in again.

Will they fall for a yard with a calming water feature? The home with a hi-tech parking solution? Or are the judges looking for a traditional front yard that pays homage to the area’s 1950s roots?

And more importantly, with two gnomes in play, which lucky couple will be driving home in the Ford Mustang Mach E?

Leah and Ash

First place

38 points 

From the Contour 3D fence to the battens, pond and plants, Darren was impressed before he even walked into Leah and Ash’s front yard and once he made it through the gate, the praise kept coming.

Contrasting yet complementing elements brought the old and new together, he said… and he liked what he saw.

The mix of concrete and granite steppers, well-planned plant selection and undulating tiers, plus the old home’s plans turned into garage wallpaper were a beautiful touch, they agreed, topped off by a front garden bench Marty could already imagine prospective buyers using as they fell in love with the home.

In all, he said, this was “turnkey and finished” and that’s what buyers want.

Leah and Ash take out the front yard and hallway to secure the Ford Mustang Mach-E, after saving the gnome for weeks, it all paid off for them.

Marty said House 2 was “turnkey and finished” and that’s what buyers want.

The mix of concrete and granite steppers, well-planned plant selection and undulating tiers, plus the old home’s plans turned into garage wallpaper were a beautiful touch, they agreed.

Leah and Ash created this stunning curved staircase and gallery wall that the judges agreed was the perfect ying to the eclectic lounge rooms yang, and the space was now all tied together! Shop the inside space here

Palm springs inspired gallery wall art proudly supplied from The Block Shop.

Let there be light! with a huge window and multiple velux skylights this space was light and bright and we LOVE that!

Taking home the win by half a point, Leah and Ash had their eye on this prize for along time! Needless to say they were happy with their win.

Steph and Gian

Second place

37.5 points

From the stacked stone fireplace, wide frontage, pebble and travertine path and a garden that looks well established, Gian and Steph’s front yard was, Shaynna said: “a show stopper!”

And while she admired the magnolia tree, complete with a pair of nesting owls and Dave counted the different species used in the garden (at least 20, he said, and definitely something for every season), Marty looked at the practicality, noting this was the only Block house that could boast off-street parking for six cars.

Inside, a lack of light in the foyer was a problem, Shaynna said, but for Darren the  dark and moody exterior, a contrast to the minimalist inside, just won.

It was a blend, he said, that: “really, really worked!”

Steph and Gian have won the most money this season, falling short by only half a point this was a close week.

House 4 has been a popular facade all along with Block Fans, we cannot believe the transformation that Steph and Gian have made to this facade, cladding over the brickwork with Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding to give a modern facelift, read how you too can clad over your existing brickwork here.

With a huge yard that can have six parked cars, beautiful timber deck up to the front entry this was a family home with a warm welcome.

Steph and Gian also ran with a car theme to win the judges over featuring a Mustang Blueprint wallpaper from Grafico on their ceiling.

The only critisicm the judges had was that Steph and Gian needed a glass front door to not only let the light in but so you can see out to the beautiful established plants and bring the outside in.

Moving into to entry and hallway Steph continued her signature Japandi Style featuring two commissioned Jackie Green artworks, available here at The Block Shop, alongside wall hanging from Rug Addiction available here.

Kristy and Brett

Third place

35 points 

A unique and incredible entry, Shaynna said as the judges walked into Kristy and Brett’s front yard, with Darren noting the Design 10 charred black timber married with the colour palette chosen for the James Hardie cladding all played perfectly against the original bricks.

A perfect blend of hard and soft, Dave said and a huge improvement over the backyard the couple had presented a week ago – he even defended the imperfect paint on the back of the gate by pointing out it had rained overnight.

Into the garage the judges admired the choice of floor and the way it all flowed into the home – overall, Marty said, it was a space that will appeal to many and that is vital come auction day.

Kristy and Brett's facade was a mix of old and new, the judges loved the mix of original brickwork and cladding.

A perfect blend of hard and soft, Dave said and a huge improvement over the backyard the couple had presented a week ago.

Kristy and Brett's kitchen and dining room over looks the large timber deck, bringing the outdoors in.

Inside Kristy and Brett made this area into a break off living area complete with a storage cupboard that left the judges impressed, and a projector which they had a small debate over but all in all a good space. shop the products here. A popular rug choice has been this wool rug from Rug Addiction, it is so versatile!

This cosy space featured outdoor lounge from Schots Emporium available to shop here.

Kristy and Brett's entryway was light and bright and featured beautiful timber floors that flow into the staircase, and havent the curves made a comback this season, in love with that mirror in the entryway.

Eliza and Liberty

Fourth place

34.5 points

“Best on The Block!” the judges said of Eliza and Liberty’s timber clad garage door, the ideal accompaniment to a garden that incorporated hedging, lawn, seating area and an arbour set against Bluegum Colorbond and blond brick with timber look Aluplast windows and doors to come together harmoniously.

“It really works,” they agreed.

Marty’s only concern was how buyers will find the front door, tucked down the side as it is, but once there, the entry was grand and inviting.

In the garage a Porsche theme Grafico mural brought smiles - especially from Marty, who said while house 5 might not have the most land, it ticks all the boxes buyers will be looking for.

 House 5 have definately supplied the laughs this season, these two have been hilarious to watch, not only that they have managed to produce what Marty has said is a very "marketable" house.

Eliza and Liberty also mixed the old with new, keeping existing brickwork and using a colorbond cladding for their second story. The judges all agreed Eliza and Liberty's timber garage was the best on The Block!

The judges were wowed by the Porsche mural, and we just love these Clubbies prints the girls used representing the local beaches and with $5 from every print donated to local surf clubs its a yes from us, check out Clubbies here to find your local beach.

The judges excitement went up a notch as they entered the house saying this is what they expect in a family home, a big light bright entryway to welcome new owners with a big hug! The girls nailed this space!

Eliza and Liberty chose some incredible art for this space, Darren declaring "even the art is happy" as he passed the Jackie Green art in the stairwell. Jackies piece "Great Southern Land" also featured alongside stunning indigenous art by Holly Mclennan Brown.

The judges were concerned that people wouldnt find the front door easily, but when the judges found it they were instantly wowed but this stunning timber space.

Upstairs the girls created a seperate living wing complete with office space and the perfect art choices, well done girls!

Kyle and Leslie

Fifth place

32.5 points

With a calming water feature and hi-tech Aussie Turntable driveway feature, this garden caught the judges with its perfect blend of old and new.

A perfect match to the back yard, Dave pointed out, with Darren impressed by the diagonal lines and the detailing in the Dover White Colorbond cladding and how it contrasted in the design of the garden with the round steppers and the planting.

Add in the Holcim Geostone driveway, Auto remote Access garage door and it all made, Marty summed up, for “a great first impression!”

The grey paint choice for the façade left them wondering however, but overall, they agreed it was the ideal face to a beautiful home.

Kyle and Leslie run into budget issues after putting all of their money into backyard week, but a quick gnome sale and they were back in the game, with limited money these guys pulled out all stops.

A perfect match to the back yard, Dave pointed out, with Darren impressed by the diagonal lines and the detailing in the Dover White Colorbond cladding and how it contrasted in the design of the garden with the round steppers and the planting.

With a calming water feature and hi-tech Aussie Turntable driveway feature, this garden caught the judges with its perfect blend of old and new.

Coming into Kyle and Leslies house the judges were greeted to this light and bright curved entryway. Take a look back at Kyle and Leslie's completed house here.

Kyle and Leslie featured the season's most popular artwork in their kitchen by artist Kamilya Lowana White, now they have a second piece in their entryway and we LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!! Shop Kamilya's art here at The Block Shop.

The judges were wowed by the architecture of the curved walls alongside timeless marble table and incredible art for days, shop the entire room here.

Kyle and Leslie have showed throughout this season they have a great eye for choosing art, this week was no exception with Block faves Miimi & Jiinda having their art "Jaanymili" make an appearance. Fun fact: this stunning piece was first featured on The Block when it was created for Block Royalty Andy and Deb.

Time got away from Kyle and Leslie in their upstairs living space this week sadly. They did however manage to get their amazing Block Shop art up!

So that's a wrap on The Block 2023 houses, next up auctions!!!! We wish all of the 2023 contestants the absolute best of luck next week and hopefully you all come away with a good result.

Take a look back through the history of The Block here.