Millions tune into The Block each week to hear what Scotty, Darren, Shaynna and Neale make of the contestants' latest renovation efforts, but what about The Block stars' own homes?
We caught up with the team on set in Elsternwick to find out their style tips and secrets.
NEALE WHITAKER
"Rose gold is the interior design equivalent of kale. It's everywhere and overrated." - Neale
Neale Whitaker. Photo: Courtesy Channel Nine.
What's your favourite design store?
I love Mondopiero and Criteria in Melbourne for seriously high-end, one-off pieces and West Elm for affordability. Jardan and Armadillo are favourite Australian brands and online I like Hunting For George - and The Block Shop, of course! I'm a sporadic shopper and have a strict "one in/one out" policy as I've recently downsized to an apartment.
Your preferred design look?
I like to mix it up. I like elements of colonial, industrial, Scandi and boho, but I'm a firm believer that style rules are made to be broken. My own home mixes industrial concrete with antique Chinese. Say no more.
What's the hottest emerging design trend?
I'm happy to report that individuality is the biggest trend at the moment. We're all really having fun with our interiors and experimenting with colours and styles. Art deco references have been a major trend for a while and there's a Scandi/Asian fusion on the horizon. Those styles work very well together. And we're getting into art and craft in a big way.
A trend that's had its day?
I'm not going to make any friends, but rose gold and throws. Rose gold is the interior design equivalent of kale. It's everywhere and overrated. And to me, throws make rooms feel untidy instead of cosy. But it's a personal thing and I know I'm in the minority.
A secret money-saving decorating hack?
Always look at what you can do with what you have first. Look at what can be achieved by simply moving the furniture around and maximising the space and light.
Describe your own home in three words.
Unique, timeless, welcoming.
Favourite design piece in your home?
If the place was burning down, all I'd grab is my partner David and our dogs, but there are lots of pieces I love, like our Tom Dixon S-chair and artworks by Melbourne artist Robert Doble that we've collected over time. Everything has a memory attached.
One design item you're coveting - if money was no object?
I am in love with a circular leather ottoman by Swedish designer Monica Forster and a big, black industrial ceiling fan by Big Ass Fans. I'm always in love with something.
Biggest renovation mistake you've made?
There have been a few over the years but the biggest - and costliest - mistakes have involved not doing due diligence on contractors. I've been caught out a few times. Always check credentials.
Best advice for home renovators?
Be really clear in your mind about why you're renovating. If it's for resale, then be sensible in your choices - don't overcapitalise - and think about what will add value for potential buyers. If it's for you, then think about how you want to live. If you're not a cook or an entertainer, do you really need that bells-and-whistles kitchen? If you never have guests, then how valuable is that guest bedroom?
SHAYNNA BLAZE
"Never underestimate the power of secondhand items and flat-pack that you can re-invent into something else." - Shaynna???
Shaynna Blaze. Photo: Courtesy Channel Nine.
What's your preferred design look?
I'm not a slave to any style; rather I have a classic base that I work with. I love Victorian, it's in my veins, and a strong sense of black and white. I then build the interior and palette from there. Teal and navy always have a strong presence, then I add colours and pieces that capture me.
Hottest emerging design trend?
We are seeing technology integrated into almost anything. Small hidden speakers integrated into lights and furniture are big at the moment. You will see a few of these things on this season of The Block.
Secret money-saving decorating hack?
Never underestimate the power of secondhand items and flat-pack that you can re-invent into something else. Add a little elbow grease and imagination and you can make a budget room look a million dollars. A simple thing like turning a small bookshelf on its side to create a window seat with upholstery and storage can make a huge difference to a room.
Describe your own home in three words.
Oasis, family, embraced.
Favourite design piece in your home?
My two occasional chairs that have a hidden swivel element. I bought them when we first moved into our house 15 years ago. They are ready for re-covering (only because I'm tired of the fabric) and they'll last at least another 20 years.
One design item you're coveting - if money was no object?
I would love an antique full-length mirror at least 2.4 metres high - think Versailles. I'd love to one day have a house where I can create a miniature hall of mirrors to hold events, or a full ball. You said money was no object!
Biggest renovation mistake?
My biggest mistake was putting the house on the market a year after I'd painted the lounge room teal - the world wasn't ready for teal back then.
Best advice for home renovators?
Make sure you have the best finishes you can afford in taps, handles and surfaces such as flooring and benchtops. Long-lasting quality in the structure of the house will repay you in the long run.
SCOTT CAM
"Do all the painting yourself. It's the one thing you can do." - Scott
Scott Cam. Photo: Courtesy Channel Nine.
Favourite design store?
I visit The Block Shop regularly to look at potential artwork for my home. And I would visit West Elm a few times a year.
Preferred design look?
Industrial design. I like the warehouse look and I like chunky timber beams and timber trusses.
Hottest emerging home-style trend?
Rustic bush. It's not quite there yet, but I'm sure it will become a big trend soon.
A trend that's had its day?
Mission brown. It was on its way out in 1970, so I think we're almost there.
Secret money-saving decorating hack?
Do all the painting yourself. It's the one thing you can do.
Favourite piece in your own home?
My clay ball collection in the dining room. I've collected clay from 100 backyards I've worked on over the years. I made them into golf ball sizes and put them on display. Check them out here.
One design item you're coveting?
I have my eye on an antique carpenter's bench with a dual timber vice. It's a good one, it costs about $3000, and I would put it in the lounge room as a sideboard feature.
Best advice for home renovators?
When you're renovating with your partner, make sure you have a cold beverage at the end of each day and go to bed happy because there will be blues.
DARREN PALMER
Darren Palmer. Photo: Courtesy Channel Nine.
Favourite design store?
I love Myer for homewares (including my own range). Their 30-day return policy means you can test things in your home and return should you need to.
Your preferred design look?
I love minimalist architecture and contemporary interior design. I don't follow trends at all. I'm into a classic and enduring style, something that fits the home and its location.
Hottest emerging design trend?
Individualism. Finding ways to personalise things, whether it be monogramming, tailoring or creating one-off bespoke pieces, is appealing. People are finding true luxury in custom objects.
A trend that's had its day?
Copper. There is still a place for it, but copper's saturation into accessories and homewares has made it commonplace.
Secret money-saving hack?
Airless spray guns are the best time-saving device ever created. You need to spend more time masking, and the same time prepping, but your painting time gets cut down to a quarter to a 10th of the time it takes to paint with a brush.
Describe your own home in three words.
Family, beach, comfortable.
Favourite design piece in your home?
I've just received a bunch of my products exclusive to Myer, and the Belgian linen is extremely high quality. The colours are rich and the feel extremely luxurious. I've never owned linen sheets before and I love them.
One design item you're coveting - if money was no object?
I've wanted a Neil Frazer artwork for a really long time. I hoped I could give myself one for my birthday this year but, unfortunately, I'll have to wait. His work makes my heart beat faster. I love the depth and texture.
Biggest renovation mistake?
Not setting a timeline on a renovation. I renovated my first apartment every weekend for a year. It took for ever but it got done - not necessarily a mistake but something I won't repeat again.
Best advice for home renovators?
Write a brief, set a budget, get a reference, work out what you want to achieve and then do due diligence to see if what you propose to do is going to be appreciated by buyers looking in your area, should you need to sell.
You want to run an efficient project that's targeted and constrained by a water-tight brief and a clear budget. You want to be sure you're increasing amenity and value, while spending the right amount to get the best result in terms of capital gain.
- This story originally appeared on The Weekly Review
