The Block 2023: Studio Bathroom Reveal

With a new room in their new homes – and a new judge! – it’s time for The Blockheads to take on the first room of their build, the studio bathroom. And with a range of styles from spacious rooms with curves galore to smaller spaces offering unique solutions to design challenges, the choices were varied and left the judges awestruck.

But who had what it takes to impress the new kid on The Block Marty Fox? And who would take home the $10,000 prize? 

Kyle and Leslie

First place

25 / 30 points

$30, 366 spend

“This is massive!” the judges said when they saw Kyle and Leslie’s bathroom, complete with Venetian plastering, a unique hero curved ceiling, double vanities, loads of storage and natural light galore thanks to the Velux skylights and the window.

With what Shaynna called: “a timeless colour palette” accented by VJ panelling and a layout that earned praise from Marty, the room quickly won them over.

Only the gunmetal floor grate, the lack of underfloor heating and a bath mat Darren thought should go were negatives in a room Marty summed up as one that will be memorable for buyers and will look very good in a sales brochure.

Kyle and Leslie are fast becoming this year's quiet achievers , steering clear of The Block drama and winning rooms, well played!

Loads of storage and natural light galore thanks to the Velux skylights, and that show stopping Cursio Curve tiled wall and ceiling, secured the win for these two in Studio Bathroom week.

The Block 2023 is showing us this season we are all about the curve!

The artwork featured in Kyle and Leslie's Studio Bathroom, is a crowd favourite here at The Block Shop, titled Elsa by Sarah Sidari.

Shop Kyle and Leslie's Studio Bathroom here at The Block Shop.

Leah and Ash

Second place

24.5/30 points 

$19,691 spend 

“Sophisticated, sultry and gorgeous,” said Darren as he took in the drama of a room he instantly loved… but also warned might be polarizing.

With another curved ceiling, polished Venetian plaster and moody colour scheme it was a space that made Marty feel like he’s walked into a nightclub.

From the vanities to shaving cabinets, everything was luxe, they agreed, but there were issues. For a start the style would be too much to take throughout the whole house, Marty said, and the frosted window left him feeling shut in.

The tiles over the shower screen were too much, Shaynna added but overall, it was a successful room executed beautifully.

Leah and Ash took home second place, also on team curve's, a popular secret weapon this week!

With another curved ceiling, polished Venetian plaster and moody colour scheme it was a space that made Marty feel like he’s walked into a nightclub.

“Sophisticated, sultry and gorgeous,” said Darren as he took in the drama of a room he instantly loved… but also warned might be polarizing.

Shop Leah and Ash's Studio Bathroom here at The Block Shop.

Eliza and Liberty

Third place

23 / 30 points 

$26,262 spend

Struck instantly by the bold choice of floor tile, the judges felt Liberty and Eliza’s bathroom was “a happy place” with Shaynna saying the whole room felt divine.

But it didn’t take long for them to start finding flaws. The tall shower height and face-level toilet flusher confused them.

Then there were the mismatched metals in fixtures, something Shaynna never likes, and a shower screen she and Marty both agreed would be better frameless. Marty also pointed out the lighting mixed warm and cold, with Darren adding the pendant looked dated.

Execution however, was all good, they said, adding up to a great style Shaynna thinks is very saleable. 

Eliza and Liberty delivered what the judges thought was a "happy place" and very saleable room.

With a bold colourful tile choice the judges loved and a beautiful timber vanity, a few poor choices such as mismatched metals in fixtures let the girls down this week. We are in love with this brushed bronze tapwear here at The Block Shop!

The incredibly high shower head and face level toilet flusher let the girls down, but the judges praised the girls execution. Can we take a minute for the Hanging Amaranthus, for those that don't know its a preserved plant, also available here at The Block Shop. This beautiful natural Amaranthus has been preserved and will keep its beauty for years without watering or maintenance, that's a yes from us!

Shop Eliza and Liberty's Studio Bathroom here at The Block Shop.

Kristy and Brett

Fourth place

21 / 30 points 

$17,534 spend

Is it a Melbourne bathroom, Shaynna wondered as she walked into Kristy and Brett’s bathroom, or a Moroccan Day Spa… either way it’s something she likes!

But it doesn’t take long for her and the other judges to find flaws. The industrial shower screen doesn’t work with the overall look, she feels, and after seeing two other curved ceilings, Darren thinks this would have been the ideal place for another.

“It’s a missed opportunity,” Marty agrees, saying after seeing the competition, this was feeling “bland” to him. It’s a room that had some great features, but was being played too safely, he thought.

Shaynna wondered as she walked into Kristy and Brett’s bathroom, or a Moroccan Day Spa… either way it’s something she likes!

Kristy and Brett also come unstuck this week with flaws in their room, the judges thought the industrial shower screen didn't work in this room.

“It’s a missed opportunity,” Marty agrees, saying after seeing the competition, this was feeling “bland” to him. It’s a room that had some great features, but was being played too safely, he thought.

Shop Kristy and Brett's Studio Bathroom here at The Block Shop.

Steph and Gian

Fifth place

20.5 / 30 points 

$22,362 spend

From the moment they walked in, all three judges agreed this was a room that worked from a planning perspective.

Toilet to the side, walk in to face the vanity and with beautiful tiles and oak veneer the look combined for contemporary sophistication.

Looking closer however, they started to worry. The rustic beams above fought the room, and the metal angle in the corner of the tiles was “abysmal” Darren said, the walls seemed out of plumb and the wallpaper “robbed the room” of style.

It all adds up, they agreed, to a well-planned, but poorly executed room, but nothing that can’t be fixed. 

Steph and Gian's room was praised by the judges from a planning perspective and their contemporary sophistication.

Looking closer however, they started to worry. The rustic beams above fought the room, and the metal angle in the corner of the tiles was “abysmal” Darren said, the walls seemed out of plumb and the wallpaper “robbed the room” of style.

Meet the new colour fixture on The Block, Brushed Gunmetal, from Reece, shop now at The Block Shop.

Although the room was criticized for its poor execution the judges praised the style and think this will be an easy fix.

Although it's been a rough start for these two, we are excited to see where their style takes us, because it is really beautiful. 

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