The Block 2024 | Room Reveal | Rumpus and Office

The rumpus room – upstairs for all but one of the homes – are a vital part of the house designs, Scotty said, a second living space that’s vital for families and friends on holiday. For two Block underdogs it was a chance to shine and for two front runners it was a rare stumble… So, who delivered the best version and won $10,000? And who left the judges feeling like they were looking at a lost opportunity?

Maddy and Charlotte (Equal first place)

Walking upstairs the judges were quick to embrace the fact Maddy and Charlotte had done something no other Blockheads had thought of – adding a second private staircase entrance to their mezzanine space to effectively create a whole new private living (and marketable) area for guests. “Simply genius,” Marty said. “It's a game changer!” Darren agreed. And it connects to a well-planned and executed simple but stylish space, Shaynna pointed out, one that would appeal to a wide market. "The simple styling really works,” Shaynna said. “The artwork choices (including Holly McLennan-Brown’s stunning Reconnection) are excellent and really well paired with the rest of the colour palette of the room.” Add in two Rug Addiction rugs, the custom joinery plus a stunning sofa and chair and it was a space, they agreed, that could well be a turning point in the competition.

Ricky and Haydn (Equal first place)

From the huge Phillip Island racetrack Grafico mural offset by a beautiful Anna Blatman artwork to the pool table, video games, huge television and comfy Hampton Tub chair, a couch that doubles as an extra bed and board games ready to go, the boys had clearly set out to create a space where younger holiday makers could get away by themselves… and the judges were loving it. “It's playful and fun and very Phillip Island,” Marty said, pointing out with that extra bed the house now sleeps 10 and could well return a higher yield for an investor. The shadow lines, skirting and James Hardie panelling from the rest of the home were here too, but for Marty it was all about the amenities Ricky and Haydn had included. “This is the fun Factory!” he said and it could well be a home parents just had to buy for their kids.

Courtney and Grumpy (Second place)

Walking into House two’s mezzanine office, the judges were once again impressed by the high level of finish and styling choices, but weren’t sure including a business centre – or was it a counselling centre, Marty wondered - was what a holiday home needed. The lounge area next door won them back however, with Shaynna impressed by the art choices including works by Michael Wolf, Anthony Pieters and Sharon Rhineheart and furniture including a a Blok 4-seater sofa with left-hand chaise longue. A great retreat they agreed and one pulled of well, but possibly an area that could have been better used to add extra accommodation?

Kylie and Brad (Third place)

Confused by the Lune leather sofa sofa against a glass wall, a desk facing a blank wall, the layout and the styling that just didn’t gel for him, Marty wondered what had happened to the Kylie and Brad who presented such a beautiful living and dining room just a week before. Darren and Shaynna agreed, appreciating the side table, occasional chair, and dining chairs, plus the Beryla display cabinet, but they joined Marty in confusion over why it had all been used to create a space that would comfortably seat two… it was all a bit of a wasted opportunity, the judges said and hopefully only a hiccup in the house 4 journey.

Kristian and Mimi (Fourth place)

Two spaces should have been delivered, but for Mimi and Kristian, one was all they could manage and for the judges, even that wasn’t up to the standard they’d come to expect. As a room to service the pool, it just didn’t work, as a separate chill-out area it fell short and as a rumpus room, the amenities just weren’t there. The Rubix coffee table was stunning, as was the artwork, and the two rugs but was it enough? The missing bedroom planned for the house 5 space could have made all the difference, the judges agreed, but judging what they could see, they decided nowhere near enough effort had been put in.

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