The popular renovation reality series, The Block, has returned for its 21st season, featuring contestants in the scenic town of Daylesford, Victoria. This year, five teams, known as Blockheads, are challenged with constructing new homes in a development called Middleton Field. Each team has identical floor plans and the chance to win a weekly budget prize of $10,000.
Host Scott Cam is back for his 19th season, accompanied by judges Shaynna Blaze, Darren Palmer, and Marty Fox. The first room reveal focused on bathrooms, setting the stage for an exciting competition.
Week One: Bathroom Reveals
In the initial challenge, contestants were tasked with creating a bathroom. One team was unable to complete their design, while another triumphed by just one point. The scores for the week were closely contested:
– House 1: Emma and Ben – 24/30
– House 2: Han and Can – 19.5/30
– House 3: Britt and Taz – 24/30
– House 4: Sonny and Alicia – 25.5/30
– House 5: Robby and Mat – 26.5/30
Emma and Ben showcased a bathroom inspired by the local landscape. Judge Shaynna praised their textural choices, noting the influence of Daylesford’s “undulating hills and dirt and mud.” She remarked, “This couple has lots of experience, and clearly they know how to deliver.”
Despite their strong design, the judges pointed out issues with the tiling on a curved wall.
Next, Han and Can presented a calming bathroom, but faced criticism for an excessively high vanity, which Darren Palmer highlighted as impractical for children. He noted, “This is definitely going to be a challenge for any child under 13.” The industrial-style fittings also did not resonate with Marty Fox, while Shaynna encouraged the team not to be discouraged by their incomplete project.
Britt and Taz’s design also faced scrutiny, particularly for the vanity height and the use of wallpaper. Although the judges appreciated their creativity, Marty Fox questioned the connection to Daylesford, stating, “From a marketing perspective, where’s the Daylesford in it?”
Top Scorers and Winning Design
Sonny and Alicia impressed the judges with their bathroom, earning a score of 25.5. Darren expressed his admiration for their design direction, while Shaynna pointed out the need for a lower vanity. Ultimately, they took home the weekly budget prize of $10,000.
The standout design for the week came from Robby and Mat, who scored 26.5. Darren Palmer dubbed their bathroom “the Goldilocks’ room,” highlighting the flawless execution of their tile layout and overall style. “This is showing that they have an eye for detail and finesse,” he noted, expressing confidence in their ability to resonate with the market.
As the competition progresses, the dynamics among teams and their evolving designs will undoubtedly keep viewers engaged. The Block 2025 is set to be a thrilling season filled with creativity and innovative home designs, reflecting the unique charm of Daylesford. Images of the reveals were originally published on nine.com.au.
