The Block 2023: House Decider Challenge

The timewarp has twisted, The Blockheads have been transported back to the 1950s and the moment is here for Scotty’s most important challenge – The House Decider!

Each team has been given a home based on the order they arrived and waiting inside is a Disney + item to inspire them in creating the ultimate kid’s bedroom.

Will it be Grogu or Buzz Lightyear’s outer space theme that takes out first place? Or Groot’s jungle-inspired haven? Or is there a surprise in store that will just blow the competition – and the judges - away?

The prize is being able to choose which of the five homes they keep through the rest of the season, so it’s game on!

Welcome to The Block 2023, isn't it Charming? Follow along here to keep up with all of The Block-head happenings! Imagery in this blog is with thanks to @davidcookphotography.

Leah and Ash

First place 

27/30

Light, bright and filled with colour, Leah and Ash’s castle-inspired room wowed the judges from the moment they entered.

With custom bunk beds featuring scalloped edges, a huge feature peacock, well thought out lighting and vibrant colour throughout, colour it was an instant hit.

“Whoah!” Shaynna said as she entered, “Look at that!” with Darren agreeing this was the room with “the most imagination”. It was also a room that showcased close attention to detail and left him eager to see what else the couple could do.

“I have very high hopes for what they will deliver on The Block,” he said. “I literally have no notes!”

Leah and Ash take home the first win of the season, the judges credited their "attention to detail" and we couldn't agree more, nailed the brief and in just 48 hours!

The judges praised Leah and Ash for their attention to detail, with a custom bunk bed complete with scallop edging that they carried through to the desk and book shelves, it's not suprising they were awarded with the win!

The couple made a VERY brave choice to paint the entire room this fun shade of pink, and it paid off! Did you know you can order your own sample of this beautiful colour, aptly named, Delicate Rose, right here. Well done Leah and Ash, you're off to a cracking start!

Shop Leah and Ash's House Decider challenge room at The Block Shop here.

Liberty and Eliza

Second Place

18.5/30

From timber elements in the shelves and bed to the green feature wall and bedside tables that mimic tree branches, this was a room Darren immediately knew was inspired by the living tree, Groot… and he loved that!

What was missing Shaynna said, were actual plants, possibly a hanging garden. And also, she added, a wardrobe, something vital in a kids’ room.

It was a measured approach, Darren said defending the room, perfect for a little tree person: “At least they’ve understood what the character means.” Summing up, Scotty said the space was well executed and had some good thought behind it but: “needed some more layers”.

Knowbody was more shocked than these two, that they took home second place! Eliza and Liberty shocked themselves, and provided the laughs along the way, watch out Scotty these two will keep you on your toes this season!

Darren complemented the girls for nailing the brief, receiving Groot as their inspiration for the room was no easy task, sorry Groot!

The girls made clever use of the space although, Shaynna wanted to see a wardrobe, we loved the use of panelling in the study nook, take note reno lovers!

Shop Eliza and Liberty's House Decider challenge room at The Block Shop here.

Kristy and Brett

Third Place

18/30

A room fit for a princess was waiting for the judges when they stepped into Kristy and Brett’s Frozen inspired space, complete with a low and playful bed, bookshelves at adult and kid height and a lavender colour palette that played into the ice theme.

With stars on the walls, and Elsa taking pride of place, it’s a room that hits the mark, the judges said, but needed to go further.

The execution wasn’t great – unless the drips were supposed to be ice, Shaynna joked – and everything needed to be amplified.

“Sometimes less is more,” She added, “but not in a kid’s room.”

Kristy and Brett received every little girl's dream character this week as inspiration, Elsa! Shaynna said that sometimes less is more, but not in a kids room, implying the room was a little under done this week.

With stars on the walls, and Elsa taking pride of place, it’s a room that hits the mark, the judges said, but needed to go further.

The execution wasn’t great – unless the drips were supposed to be ice, Shaynna joked – and everything needed to be amplified. Ouch, welcome to The Block 2023!

Shop Kristy and Brett's House Decider challenge room at The Block Shop here.

Kyle and Leslie

Fourth Place

17.5/30

With a feature star-filled Grafico wall dominating, Kyle and Leslie had created a room that was well on the way to being an alternate universe for kids, but again, one that could have gone further.

The Hamptons inspired wardrobe walls worked well, the judges agreed, but the bed, even with it’s beadifule companion lamp, felt pushed into the corner, the bean bag almost an afterthought and the styling – a Mitre 10 can of building blocks scattered across the floor - just not enough.

Star Wars-inspired artworks and Grogu (that’s Baby Yoda to Scotty!) helped, but as Neale pointed out, it all felt like a room where time ran out.

Kyle and Leslie's inspiration was Grogu, but the judges thought it missed the mark. Darren liked the use of the Grafico wallpaper, and the judges liked the wardrobe but that is where the compliments stopped for these two this week.

The judges thought the bed was pushed into the corner and styling severly under done.

The judges said, the bean bag almost an afterthought and the styling – a Mitre 10 can of building blocks scattered across the floor - just not enough.

Shop Kyle and Leslie's House Decider challenge room at The Block Shop here.

Steph and Gian

Fifth place

14/30

Was it a kids’ room, or a hotel room, the judges asked as they took in Steph and Gian’s beautifully turned out, but not-quite-child friendly space.

Leaning into the Deco era, the room featured buffet-style storage, a king-size bed and a separate seating area perfect for grown-ups, but with a Monopoly set and some stray building blocks the only nod to a younger resident, the judges were feeling flat.

The inspiration was supposed to be Toy Story, but as Shaynna said: “This isn’t Andy’s room! There is no joy at all!” It was a room executed beautifully, they all agreed, but one that missed the brief.

A tough week for Steph and Gian, taking home last place and no love from the judges!

The inspiration was supposed to be Toy Story, but as Shaynna said: “This isn’t Andy’s room! There is no joy at all!” It was a room executed beautifully, they all agreed, but one that missed the brief.

Steph and Gian tried to repurpose some of the houses existing furniture to keep within budget but unfortunately in kids week it just wasnt the right furniture and the couple were far from the brief.

Shop Steph and Gian's House Decider challenge room at The Block Shop here.

So there we have it, The Block 2023 is under way, we have full faith the couples will improve as the weeks roll on and we are SO excited to see their own styles develop.

Want to know what your design style is? Try the quiz below as a starting point and then build on it from there!