Yes, well. It’s week eight on The Block and approximately no one is coping.
A majority of the block-heads are living in struggle-ville and it… shows. For two couples in particular, this week saw them hit with some absolutely brutal criticism from judges Neale, Shaynna and Darren.
When someone says your styling is an “assault on the senses,” you know something isn’t quite right.
Here are all the photos from living and dining week on The Block, and the judges’ respective feedback.
Tess and Luke
Tess and Luke were pleased with their styling and use of space, but the judges would have to disagree.
“The overall colour palette is really, really beautiful,” Darren began. Neale added that the stylistic cohesion across the whole house is to be commended. But… not much else.
You see, the glaring issue is that their kitchen bench (or island) is too big. And by adding an adjacent kitchen table, they’ve created a lot of unusable space.
“I actually feel sick for them,” Shaynna said.
“It’s very oppressive,” Neale added.
All in all, the judges weren’t fans. Tess and Luke walked away with a score of 22 – equal last.
Elise and Matt
Elise and Matt needed a win this week for their "mental space." But unfortunately, they didn't exactly pull through.
Although Neale said "it feels like home," Shaynna questioned the "country vibe".
Darren critiqued the placement of the fireplace and thought the layout seemed rather crowded. Nevertheless, the judges said Deb and Andy are "back in the game".
The pair ended bang in the middle, with a score of 24.5.
Jesse and Mel
Jesse and Mel said she knew their living and dining space was a "winning room" and they were right.
"The best layout on The Block," Darren said upon entering.
"Without a doubt this is the most successful living room of the day because it’s the only one where we’ve seen a big sofa like this," Neale added.
"Not only beautiful, but very functional too."
No surprises, Jesse and Mel ended up on top with a score of 29 and $10,000 in their pocket.
Mitch and Mark
Mitch and Mark were confident their room had "the best living/dining/kitchen use across all of The Block."
The judges, however, had a very... different perspective.
Whilst they began complimenting the pair's central fireplace and white bricks, it quickly went downhill for the room's "lack of cohesion".
"I'm not quite sure where, personally, my eye wants to land. It's kind of an assault on the senses."
Ouch.
"What were you thinking?" Shaynna asked about their choice of artworks.
"I'm going to be brutally honest, I'm really disappointed," Neale emphasised. Honestly the list of critiques is too long to repeat here, but just know the judges, frankly, hated it.
Shaynna even said she would "have a headache" if she were to stay in the room for too long. They ended with a score of 22, which was - shock - also equal last.
Deb and Andy
Deb and Andy put a smile on the judge's faces, who were pleased with their "magnificent" use of space. Darren even did a little spin to demonstrate how spacious it is.
"I can’t remember ever being in a home on The Block that has excited me more," Neale said.
"Everything is just beautiful from the panellings on the wall to the white fan and the way everything plays to the light and the sense of space."
"What strikes me too is you're seeing a level of sophistication here that I would associate with a professional interior designer," he continued.
And then came the "but".
Darren was concerned that there was only one couch, and critiqued the height of the TV.
Andy and Deb finished with a score of 28 - the second highest for the week.
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