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The Block 2023 is nearing its end, and the contestants had to complete their backyards and pools in the second-last week of the competition. The teams had very different budgets and designs, but as usual, they all faced some challenges and dramas along the way. The week was also marked by some conflicts between the teams, especially between Leslie and Leah over the use of landscapers. Leslie accused Leah of cheating by hiring extra help, while Leah defended herself by saying that she followed the rules. The argument escalated into a heated exchange that left both women in tears.
Final Scores:
1st - House 4: Steph and Gian with 38 points
2nd - House 2: Leah and Ash with 37.5 points
3rd - House 1: Kylie and Leslie with 33 points
4th - House 3: Kristy and Brett with 28 points
5th - House 5: Eliza and Liberty with 27 points
THE BLOCK BACKYARDS WINNER – STEPH & GIAN
Steph and Gian, had the largest backyard to complete this week and admitted it was a "huge and overwhelming" task, but they were in a great position with $138,000 in their bank thanks to a few wins along the way during the season.
They were also the winners this week, with their stunning backyard that featured a pizza zone, a fire pit, a plunge pool, a sauna, and a large deck. They spent $71,704 to execute their design and scored a perfect 10 from Shaynna Blaze, who loved everything about the yard saying "It's lush, it's spacious, it feels so phenomenal." "Look at these blinds that stop the wind and the elements... you drop those and this is a whole secondary living space outside," Marty said.
"Talking about this suburb, in the financial markets that we're in and what we're seeing in the real estate market... we are in such an interesting price bracket with The Block this year," Marty explained. "This will set a precedence. This is transformative for the suburb." Back at The Block HQ, Scott Cam said: "Marty Fox believes you are on the way to possibly breaking the price record for a house price in Hampton East."
The judges observed the entire garden from the edge of the deck and noticed how well everything worked together. "This elevation to take in the garden and just the amount of grass for kids to play – this is a family home. This is ticking all the boxes for this location and particularly for this price point," said Marty.
LEAH & ASH
Coming second this week were Leah and Ash with their elegant and sophisticated backyard that had a sunken lounge, a plunge pool, a fire pit, and a vertical garden. The judges loved their use of space, materials, and attention to detail.
"With this design, we wanted it to really reflect what we've got going on inside and also the exterior of our house," Leah explained her backyard plans. "Having that seamless indoor-outdoor living, I mean that's the Aussie dream."
They spent $46,360 to achieve the great Australian dream of an indoor/outdoor living area.
Walking in, Marty immediately exclaimed, "Look at that pool!" While Shaynna said, "The lounge room is instantly connected to the backyard." Marty was impressed by the width of the outdoor entertaining area. "This then creates that outdoor kitchen that is so connected to the living room that they're alleviating the issue of the inside feeling a little bit small," he said. "This just gives buyers a second option to cook and entertain."
Guest judge Dave Franklin said "I feel very calm, it's got that whimsical pathway to the fire. I love the green tile that matches up with the pool," He was in awe of the tree saying, "They're really lucky, it's like they've taken this tree off the side of a cliff in Japan and just put it straight into this backyard." "This is a perfect example of the landscape design meeting the architecture of the house," Dave applauded the couple. "They've designed it perfectly."
Leah and Ash's backyard also had the tick of approval from realty expert Marty Fox. "You can see buyers lining up sitting here and saying, 'This is the one that I want'." "This is one of those houses no buyer will walk in and leave this outdoor area without actually loving it," Marty concluded. "This will sell their house for them."
Get The Look
KYLE & LESLIE
Placing third this week, and spending $41,800, were Kyle and Leslie with their modern and minimalist backyard that had floating steps, an above-ground pool, a fire pit and a stone path. The judges were concerned about the safety of the steps and the pool for young children, and they also felt that the space lacked warmth and personality. "Oh wow, look at that pool," gushed Marty upon walking in. "Isn't that Gumtree just absolutely stunning." "It just takes your eyes straight out the back," added Shaynna. Guest judge Dave Franklin was amazed by the massive shower head above the pool. "That is a massive feature out there," he said. "That is absolutely huge."
"This is incredible," said Marty as he opened the gate at the pool fence. "Look at these steppers, there's 10 of them." "There's a lot of work that's gone into these steppers," pointed out Dave. "These have actually been custom-made so there's a lot of thought into getting just these steps here," he continued. "The only thing I would suggest is that maybe if they could get some bigger plants just behind it to give us a more lush, bit more inviting feel, that would be the only thing," he suggested.
There was then a lot of dialogue between the judges regarding the safety of the steps, the second area given over to seating and a market garden right in sight of the air conditioner – and suggested they modify it. Marty believes their real estate agent will have to target a more mature buyer with older children. They did however love the stone tiles that connected to the sitting areas. "That is absolutely beautiful," said Darren. "Look at all these rust tones and all these lovely greys."
Dave also loved the stone tiles, saying "They don't carry heat, so that's a big plus. They're a great for choice for bare feet so the paving is perfect for this area."
KRISTY & BRETT
Kristy and Brett came in fourth, with their rustic and cosy backyard that had a timber deck, a plunge pool, a fire pit, and a pizza oven. They lost confidence in their landscaper when they discovered he had not ordered the plants, a hose to pour the concrete and stones instead of mulch. The couple were on a tight budget and spent $40,649 on their backyard and pool area.
The judges liked their choice of plants and furniture, but they criticised their tiling work and their lack of connection between the indoor and outdoor areas. Marty recalled that this backyard was originally a front yard. "It is very rare to nail a front garden into an entertaining space," Marty said. Their pool was the largest of all the houses and Shaynna was impressed that it was positioned in full sunlight, and the fact that it was very private.
"I don't know what to say. I'm actually a little bit bored here," Dave began. "All the planting is a bit sad," he added. "There's no hedging and I hate the pebble. I just don't like it." He was also unimpressed by the execution of the pool coping, and he called the installation of the garden beds a “dog’s breakfast”.
Upon hearing the feedback, Brett admitted "We couldn't agree more with Dave, and he does high-end stuff. He's a professional and we agree with his feedback," Brett admitted.
ELIZA & LIBERTY
That leaves Eliza & Liberty in last place this week, with their simple and functional backyard that had a concrete deck, a plunge pool, a fire pit, and a sauna. The judges were disappointed by their lack of creativity and flair, and they also found their space cold and uninviting. The girls were happy with the results of their $55,893 spend, with Liberty commenting "I'm proud of the fact it's a simple design but executed beautifully," Liberty said.
Dave asked the judges their opinion of the concrete, which was used in a lot of the backyard. "I don't like it," Marty replied, while Shaynna added: "Is that finished?" Dave said it was burnished concrete and that it was the finished look. "I've said it before, but for some reason, it doesn't work here," Marty continued. "It does look unfinished because we're coming through a home that's so finished," he said. The concrete debate continued "Not much has gone into thinking about personality and marketability and what will pull on the heartstrings of the buyer," Marty went on. "I think the buyers will go, 'I love the north-facing aspect, I love the studio... but I don't love being here'." "People will look at this and go – there's no grass," Marty said. "It will turn them off. People would almost say, 'I'd rather not have a pool.'" "In my mind, they didn't even need to concrete that. They could have just done grass all the way through," Shaynna declared. They concluded that it felt “cold and harsh”.
"It's really disappointing, especially as we love our space. I've never felt more confident with our space," Eliza said post-judging. "It's confronting not getting a single positive comment," Liberty added.
Next week, with auction day looming, the weary contestants will present their front yards and facades. Let’s hope everyone can pick themselves up, dust themselves off and prepare for the final reveal.
Photography by David Cook. All products available through The Block Shop.
