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  • Writer's pictureJessica Taylor Yates

The Block Recaps: Living and Dining Rooms

We demand you bring back the Conversation Pit!

Okay, this may not have featured. But I wanted it to. Source: Interior Design Ideas


Ooh, I've been looking forward to this. I feel the lounge really cements the team's style, and this is one of the first reveals where they really need to tie it all in with the kitchen and dining. I’m your resident work-from-home (WFH) judge, here to talk about what we at home really think of the reveals from the comfort of our own lounge rooms with our couches from Facebook Marketplace and dinner on our laps from Aldi. let's go!

Wait. The judges are doing weird things again and just:

All of us. Source: GiPHY


Harry and Tash (1920s)


My dreams of the Art Deco Palace I've been dreaming of have slowly diminished with each passing week that The Block airs. I find myself wishing this era would have gone to Jimmy and Tam, they'd have so much fun. But alas, it was not to be.


What we were hoping for:

At this rate, I'd just settle for a Deco light... Source: Houzz, Haus and Pinterest


What we got:

Source: 9now


Sigh. Not even the light? I mean, look, is it lavishly styled for a house inspection? Yes. But is it a warm, inviting space for a family of five or more to cosy up on the couch? No. On the good side - the black table and chairs do flow on well from the kitchen, and the judges are correct in saying it elongates the space. I also like how their couch actually faces the tv, so many times when styling it's sideways to look bigger. But they really needed a bigger couch (all the houses did) and this could have been stylised so easily with some deco lights, prints and curtains. Nice, but a wasted opportunity.


WFH Judge: 7/10

The Block Judges: /30

George and Sarah (1940s)


George and Sarah can be really hit and miss, but at least they're not boring.


What we were hoping for:

We demand you bring back the Conversation Pit! Source: Interior Design Ideas, Decor Ad


What we got:

Source: 9now


Okay. I'll go from bad to good here. Not sure I love the brick, I'm with Darren there. Bit country. And it looked a bit bare, I probably would have liked some plants around it, as on its own it’s a bit...cold, which is in stark contrast to rest of the house. Additionally, I personally am not into the trend of 'not hanging up' pictures - to me it looks lazy, like you haven’t moved in properly yet. Also, did anyone else find the weird cushion seats next to the fireplace a little...strange?

For good points - I thought this home had a much better layout where you can cook at the bench while watching tv, a nice big family area and table to the side - but bring back that conversation pit!


WFH Judge: 7/10

The Block Judges: /30

Dan and Jade (1930s)


After their win last week, they were pretty high on life, giving them the extra chutzpah they needed to deliver a bomb lounge and dining area to match their curvy kitchen.


What we were hoping for:

I like golllddd! Source: Inspiration Design Books, Doris Leslie


What we got:

Source: 9now


This looks must cosier in pictures than on screen, don't you think? I felt this was more worthy of a win, perhaps alongside Luke and Jasmine. I'm not sure about this lone wall trend that is continuing on here. Some inbuilt shelves, plants, lamps, anything would have been nice. So bare! That said, the design curved wall is obviously a lovely feature, the black blinds a welcome luxury change, as is the roof lighting. Sidenote - they always serve up food and no-one eats it. Look at that amazing cheese platter - hand it over! 


WFH Judge: 7.5/10

The Block Judges: /30

Luke and Jasmine (1910s)


I felt these two were robbed last week, and so was hoping they would get a return to victory now that they really have settled on an overall curvy and classy theme in their turn of the century maison.


What we were hoping for:

Might need some thrones to go with those chandeliers... Source: Lounge Architectural Digest, Pinterest, Real Homes


What we got:

Source: 9now


Ooh, how did this not win? Yeah yeah, the heater is in a weird spot, but otherwise:

Beachy, tick.

Homely, tick.

Luxury, tick.

Brighton, tick.

Cohesion, tick.


This was lovely. Beachy, warm, and I absolutely love the table and chairs and how the colour scheme from the kitchen has continued on into the lounge. I will say that the Type A in me

hates the painting slightly to the side of the tv. No! Just put another plant there! The couch again is also midget sized - eight people at the table but five on the couch? And as another nitpick, Shayna is correct in saying they need more storage. I think you could fix the fireplace issue by changing the seating arrangement or you know - use ducted heating like everyone else. 


WFH Judge: 8/10

The Block Judges: /30

Jimmy and Tam (1950s)


My favs! A 50s lounge and dining sounded a little hard to get right with the mix of old and new, but I had faith that they would continue their evolution of colour and quirky style. Did they disappoint?


What we were hoping for:

Well, the pink would certainly match the bathroom... Source: Home Design Lovers, Pinterest


What we got:

Source: 9now


Oh, Jimmy and Tam, why do you hurt me so? This was such a disappointment. As we all now know, they decided to forgo a dining table because they quoted a lack of space/prefer couch and the bench for eating. This made zero sense - it was literally so easy to put a dining table there. Not adequate for a house of this size and value, says Neale, and he’s right. This isn’t your first apartment underneath a nightclub. Also, who makes a $200k kitchen without an area to eat? It was just ridiculous. it's not Jim and Tam's house where we eat in front of the tv (no shame, I do that) it's a Brahhhtin mansion that needs a table. In the end, it was a total dud and awkward use of space. I just have zero understanding of it. Shayna was also correct in stating that the couch looks really closed in. There is a lot of wasted space, and it was really disappointing - and not even 50s or funky! Aside from some great art and storage, this was...upsetting.


WFH Judge: 5/10

The Block Judges: /30

____


Overall, I don't even know who deserved to win. There wasn't a lot of wow and I struggled to write this because I was not moved, I was meh-ed. Here's to next week being more interesting.


Missed a recap? Catch up on all The Block action here. We're back every Sunday with WFH Judge thoughts on reveals with Large Almond Latte.


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