This year, The Block left the country and returned to Melbourne, where five teams took on the task of transforming 1950s homes for the modern house hunter.
Looking at the newly renovated homes now, it’s clear the contestants put their hearts and souls into the build this year.
WATCH NOW: Kirsty and Steph face-off on The Block. Article continues after video.
This year, our teams included couples Gian and Steph, Kyle and Leslie, Kristy and Brett, Ash and Leah, and sisters Liberty and Eliza.
There were plenty of twists, turn, tears and tantrums as the contestants fought to win over the judges each week with their room reveals.
Ahead of the 2023 Block Auction this weekend, take a look back on all the room reveals this year to see how the completed homes look now.
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Week One: Guest Bathroom
Eliza and Liberty
Darren’s initial feelings about this bathroom could be summed up with one word, which was “wow.” However, the judges didn’t love the mixed metals.
The judges adored the tiles and felt that, overall, the bathroom was divine.
Kyle and Leslie
After a tough week, Kyle and Leslie took out the win in this first round.
The judges loved the unique curved ceiling, however, they didn’t love that there was no underfloor heating.
Kristy and Brett
The Moroccan themed bathroom received mixed feedback from the judges. While it felt like a day spa, they felt it wasn’t executed well and was “bland.”
Leah and Ash
The judges loved the curved walls, however, they felt the dark green appearance gave the bathroom a “nightclub” feel. Leah felt particularly stung by Shaynna’s comment that the styling was “half baked.”
Steph and Gian
While the judges loved the rest of the bathroom, they didn’t like Steph and Gian’s decision to use wooden beams on the ceiling. Darren felt the beams were a “mess” and “didn’t look rustic.”
Week Two: Guest Bedroom
Steph and Gian
Their beams may not have been a hit on bathroom week, but they certainly grew on the judges during the second week when it came to the guest bedroom.
Eliza and Liberty
The judges were impressed with the sink, kitchen and microwave in Eliza and Liberty’s room. However, they didn’t love the layout and styling. The wallpaper was labelled “juvenile” and Marty said the team would have been better delivering a room with nothing in it.
Kristy and Brett
While the judges had some concerns about the layout and styling, including no rug or microwave, they loved the feel and the design. Marty said the room felt like a New York City loft which is a tick for the Hampton East market.
Kyle and Leslie
From the lighting, artwork, wardrobes – the judges were ‘wowed’ in this room. However, the judges did question the purpose of a Pilates studio which Marty believed would have served more of a purpose if it had been a kitchenette.
Leah and Ash
The judges loved the timber flooring and the kitchenette but, sadly, that was all. Shaynna felt the studio design had no connection to the bold bathroom in week one.
Week Three: Work From Home
Eliza and Liberty
After the first week, the judges were impressed how Eliza and Liberty “stepped up.” However, they weren’t in love with the “cheap” blue wallpaper and feel the artwork wasn’t right for the room.
Kristy and Brett
Sadly, Kristy and Brett took the work from home brief too literally, with the judges saying that the office space felt too corporate and a little unwelcoming.
Kyle and Leslie
The judges were very impressed with the room and the consistent style, which could prove useful down the track.
Leah and Ash
Like Kristy and Brett’s room, the judges were disappointed. They weren’t happy, because it was presented as a bedroom, which means House 2 will be presented as a three bedroom home.
Steph and Gian
The judges are starting to see Steph and Gian’s vision as the beams return for the third room. However, Darren needed a little convincing on the beams.
Week Four: Guest Bathroom
Leah and Ash
Site builders and tradesmen kept things interesting from the start, but the end result paid off.
The judges were impressed in week four, with Leah and Ash ending up winning Week Four due to how luxurious the room felt.
Eliza and Liberty
It was the question being asked all week: would the judges be impressed by the moss wall in Eliza and Liberty’s bathroom? Unfortunately for the girls, the judges said it looked like they were growing parsley in the bathroom. Another swing and a miss!
Kristy and Brett
From re-stumping their floors, suffering through endless inspections, and renovating a full guest bathroom, Kristy and Brett sure had their hands full. Luckily, the judges loved the hard work they put in – including the Venetian plaster which created a “classy” look!
Kyle and Leslie
With Kyle and Leslie winning in the last bathroom round, fans were keen to see if Kyle and Leslie could back it up. Unfortunately, Ash and Leah won out, but the judges did say that Kyle and Leslie made the tight space work!
Steph and Gian
Following controversy over bringing Steph’s dad in, these two have finally found their footing with two back-to-back wins! They almost scored a third win, with the judges saying: “Look at that (stone vanity,) that is off the charts!”
Week Five: Living and Dining Room
Eliza and Liberty
Even though the sisters had an “overwhelming” week (especially after Kristy claimed that Eliza is spying for Scotty). The duo felt “shattered” that they didn’t deliver a room that would truly “wow” the judges.
Turns out, they actually pulled through, becoming one of the best living and dining rooms the judges looked at. From choosing Darren’s favourite dining chairs, to utilising the space and shape, to the addition of a beautiful fire place, Eliza and Liberty were commended for their beautiful room.
Steph and Gian
Steph and Gian felt like they travelled “around the world in seven days,” switching up the floor plan all together.
Even though Steph was trying to prove her architect skills by making the space feel as perfect as possible, the judges said it felt like a “very crowded Japandi aesthetic” instead.
Kristy and Brett
These two started out with a win, when Kristy gaining an additional $2000 by surfing the best wave during one of The Block challenges.
The money went a long way, with the judges falling in love with Kristy and Brett’s three-sided fireplace. However, they did feel like it was missing a lamp and possibly even a larger table.
Kyle and Leslie
These two had a secret weapon in week five: their gift from week one AKA their $16,000 custom-made Christian Cole dining table.
However, the only problem was fitting it in. Which the judges picked up on, commenting on how small and crowded the space felt.
Leah and Ash
The Block’s drama duo wanted to “push limits,” and bring the drama they did! Even though Leah and Ash were strapped for cash in week five, they ended up winning for the second time in a row due to their ‘Brisvegas’ style.
Week Six: Master Bedroom and Walk-in Robe
Eliza and Liberty
After impressing the judges last week the girls were on a high, but unfortunately in week six the sisters had builder problems.
The judges were not impressed with their unfinished painting and their lack of drawers for their master bedroom, however they loved their “sexy” painting choice.
Kristy and Brett
Kristy played dirty in week six since they hadn’t won a challenge yet, getting Steph to add beams when she didn’t need to.
Spending a whopping $42,826 it paid off, the judges noticing how warm and cosy it was with the double lights. However, just like Eliza and Liberty their drawers/ bedside table wasn’t functional.
Leah and Ash
Foreman Dan didn’t know if Leah and Ash could pull off their scalloped ceilings, but they did it!
The judges were so impressed with the art style of the ceiling, however, they weren’t impressed with, you guessed it, the functionality. With the rooms feeling like they’re missing furniture in the big space.
Kyle and Leslie
Careful to not make last week’s mistake of making the room feel smaller, their motto was “bigger is better.”
The judges loved how they made the space feel bigger with the curved design, but again the functionality of the rough bed head did not pass approval.
Steph and Gian
Since Steph and Gian had to work with the biggest master bedroom and walk-in robe in Block history, it’s well deserved that they won in week six!
Even though Steph said “it was a lot” to work with, the judges were amazed at how luxurious they made it feel, maximising the space but yet letting it have its moment with the $20,000 Kinsman wardrobe.
Week Seven: Kitchen and Laundry
Kristy and Brett
Kristy and Brett described week seven as “hell,” but they managed to complete not only the required kitchen and laundry but also the pantry, dining, and hallway areas!
The judges loved the burgundy marble island so much that Darren even hugged it! Even though they loved the warm colours of the kitchen, the judges weren’t convinced that the bouclé stools were going to stay in trend.
Ash and Leah
Leah wasn’t happy with the design she settled with back in week two, so she spent most of the time redesigning the space.
Although the judges were impressed with the “bold and courageous” design choices, it wasn’t functional with a small island bench.
Kyle and Leslie
Taking in the feedback from last week, Kyle and Leslie made the most of the space they were given by creating curves in their room.
The judges were impressed they listened to their feedback, however, they didn’t like the space of the butler’s pantry.
Steph and Gian
Steph’s architectural redesigns have backfired in the past, will changing the location of their kitchen and installing a cooktop in the island bench pay off?
Drum roll please… it paid off! With Scotty saying: “The judges all loved your kitchen today.”
Eliza and Liberty
Although the judges were impressed with Steph and Gian’s architectural designs, Eliza and Liberty won week seven for the first time EVER.
Even though they had a little bit of a hurdle with firing their building team, the judges were so impressed with the island bench.
Neale labelled it as “the first bench we’ve seen today that doesn’t have either a cooktop or a sink. It’s just an unadulterated bench.”
Week Eight: Master Ensuite
Steph and Gian
Even though the master ensuite was “mentally challenging,” Steph and Gian pulled through with a bathroom that will “photograph beautifully.”
They have the biggest cash prize in Block history to thank for their statement pieces like the marble that Darren couldn’t stop running his hands over.
However, that’s where the praise ends, with the judges calling it “some sort of quarantine facility” due to the craftsmanship being “cold and harsh.”
Leah and Ash
After running through a couple of “bittersweet hurdles,” like getting waterproof approval and Leah’s friendship with Kristy on the line, things got sweeter when their bathroom came through. The judges loved the shower size and proportion utilisation of the space.
Talking about the shower, even though they loved how huge it was in the beginning, they felt like the 10-person shower was “overkill.”
Kyle and Leslie
Turns out beautifully curved walls are hard to get up to code, which Kyle and Leslie found out in week eight.
Luckily, with their $10, 000 award they delivered secure curves that the judges adored.
Unfortunately, with the size of the bathroom, the judges felt they didn’t utilise the shower space, claiming that it felt “a little tight.”
Eliza and Liberty, Kristy and Brett
It’s no mistake that we’ve put both Eliza and Liberty, and Kristy and Brett together, as they tied for first place!
The judges couldn’t fault Kristy and Brett’s room even though it was “simplistic” it ticked every box.
Whereas Eliza and Liberty had improved in their styling which Shaynna said “feels really resolved and really well-finished.”
Week Nine: Kids’ Bedroom
Kyle and Leslie
After almost winning over and over again, it’s understandable that Leslie broke down in week nine.
As even judge Shaynna said, “Her son would have loved this…”
Unfortunately Marty disagreed that the rooms feel “totally separate from everything else.”
Eliza and Liberty
The girls certainly have improved since the start of The Block, with the judges loving how their rooms match the rest of the house!
Complimenting their Bee-Nice artwork from Novalie, a nine-year-old artist battling leukaemia, and the Lego cheetah made from Eliza’s connections with Lego Masters.
However, it was the track lighting that cost the girls points, considering it’s not as bright as usual lighting.
Kristy and Brett
After having a joint win last time, these two were determined to win by themselves this time.
Unfortunately, there was mixed feeling about the wallpaper.
With one judge describing it as a “punch in the face,” whereas the other describes it as the first wallpaper they actually liked.
Steph and Gian
Steph and Gian were back after losing the week prior, winning kids’ room week!
Getting TWO 10s in their rooms from the egg-chair to the reading nook which is tied in with the earthy Japanese style that continues throughout.
But if you thought they were the only ones to win in week nine, you would be wrong…
Leah and Ash
You see there was a secret second prize in week nine, with kids themselves choosing who won in their eyes.
Leah and Ash were awarded the gnome because of the rock-climbing wall in the room itself!
Our question is, why don’t adult rooms have rock climbing walls?
Week Ten: Final Bathroom and Redo Room Reveal
Kyle and Leslie
Redo room time arrived, giving the contestants space to show how far they’ve come.
Kyle and Leslie proved themselves, nailing the layout of their new living and dining room.
Unfortunately, the judges couldn’t get over being face-first with the toilet.
Leah and Ash
After winning last time, these two were on a roll!
Even though the judges advised against turning their home space into a fourth bedroom, they eventually agreed that it was “just perfect.”
But it was their bathroom’s muted style that didn’t match that lost them points.
Steph and Gian
In week ten they flipped their master ensuite layout, which put Steph and Gian in the judges’ good books!
But Shaynna just couldn’t get over them not using face-level storage.
(Which she did give advice on before.)
Kristy and Brett
All you need to know about Kristy and Brett’s redo is that Darren immediately shut the door and the bathroom wasn’t even finished.
Enough said.
Eliza and Liberty
If you compare Eliza and Liberty’s skills from the start to now, they grew into winning week ten of the bathrooms and redo room.
The judges couldn’t get over how “sophisticated” the bathroom felt!
Compared to how their studio looked before… this new and improved room will actually help sell the house.
Week Eleven: Backyard and Pool
Kyle and Leslie
“I’ll feel quite ill if we don’t win,” Leslie admitted about how much they spent in week eleven.
Unfortunately, even though the judges loved the fire pit and stairs up to the pool, the pair were criticised for putting a seating area next to the air conditioning unit.
Ash and Leah
Unlike Kyle and Leslie’s backyard area, the judges felt like this space would suit both adults AND kids.
“No buyer will walk in and leave this outdoor area without loving it,” preached Marty.
Even though they did love it, it didn’t push Ash and Leah into the top spot.
Kristy and Brett
Kristy and Brett didn’t love their backyard – and the judges agreed!
Dave felt “bored” over the pebbles, paving and BBQ area. However they did like the pool!
Eliza and Liberty
After their winning streak, the girls have had an unsuccessful week.
Even though they did go into the judging segment feeling confident, the judges couldn’t get over the concrete decking, grass, and BBQ area that felt like a “shed.”
Steph and Gian
Steph and Gian won week twelve by half a point, if Ash and Leah used their gnome they could’ve won instead.
But the couple were relived to have won, since they spent more than $70,000.
“I would say this is absolutely the perfect backyard,” Darren explained.
Week Twelve: Front Yard and Façade
Kyle and Leslie
Since this was the last construction week on The Block, the contestants pulled out all the stops.
Kyle and Leslie created a turntable driveway which the judges labelled an “architectural masterpiece.”
However, Dave did point out their chipped paint and ‘bland’ plants.
Kristy and Brett
Kristy and Brett also impressed the judges, producing a spacious deck.
Shaynna exclaimed, “What a celebration of space!”
Ultimately, they deducted points on paint again.
Eliza and Liberty
Comparing their first and last week, these sisters with little experience have come far.
The judges were impressed with their seating area, however, they were concerned that the entrance would be hard to find.
Steph and Gian
The judges labelled Steph and Gian’s space a “showstopper!”
“This just has all the feels. You walk in and it has this sense of air, this sense of grandeur,” Shaynna explained.
They were so close to winning, but one couple beat them out.
Ash and Leah
Congratulations to Leah and Ash, who won the final week of room reveals on The Block!
Darren couldn’t contain his excitement, “How impressive is that wall? How impressive is that architecture? How impressive is that car? The colour palette? How impressive is that?”
Winning Leah and Ash a Ford Mustang worth $80,000.
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