Cool Colours and Subtle Features Stand Out in The Blocktagon Kitchen Reveals
The Block contestants revealed their most challenging rooms yet, impressing the judges with the use of cool colour palettes and subtle design features to create a real impact in their kitchens. With all five couples opting for neutral, clean designs for their kitchen reveals, the subtle touches were what made each space stand out from the next, with hidden artwork, faint brickwork and hints of copper making a big impact on the judges.
The World Loves Melbourne was invited along to check out the kitchens for a preview; and we were highly impressed with the style and workmanship of all.
Kitchen design experts from The Good Guys Kitchens worked closely with all of the couples to create five completely different looks in the same space. “We worked with the couples to ensure the look and feel of the kitchen was a reflection of their overall vision for their apartment. This required close consultation and creative planning to make the most of the building’s unusual spaces,” said Julie Hanover, Kitchen Designer at The Good Guys Kitchens. “The results really do speak for themselves with the amount of fantastic storage solutions, soft close inclusions and top of the line appliances from The Good Guys. These really are some of the best kitchens we’ve ever seen on The Block,” Julie finished.
Kingi and Caro won over the judges in this season’s kitchen reveal, creating a cool space with a unique urban style. The couple wowed the judges with their bold graffiti splashback design on the inner surface of their island, bringing blue back into the kitchen.
As seen in The Good Guys Kitchens on The Block, quartz surface specialists, Cosentino worked with the couples to create modern, functional kitchens which flow seamlessly with the rest of the apartment and suit The Block's up-market South Yarra location.
This season's teams chose from the diverse range of colours and textures in Cosentino’s Silestone product range. From the beautiful white tone of Silestone Blanco Zeus to the shady grey nature of Silestone Cemento Spa, each space captures the latest kitchen trends while also reflecting the team's personal style.
Gary Isherwood, Area Manager for Cosentino Australia, said: "The Block contestants had their work cut out for them with this season's set being an iconic octagonal shaped building in Melbourne's South Yarra location. With such a challenge, it's great to see that each team were able to bring both functionality and style into each renovation. The contestants have nailed it for future home owners as they'll be able to rely on their kitchens to stay beautiful for years to come."
Neale Whitaker, Cosentino ambassador and judge on The Block said, " 'Kitchen week is always my favourite week on The Block. The couples have been planning their kitchens (and budgeting for them) since week one, so it's usually the week when you see their masterplans really start to take shape. For me the kitchen is the heart of each apartment and I believe it is for buyers too. Real estate guru John McGrath claims that 'kitchens and bathrooms sell houses' and he's right. The kitchens in this series certainly didn't disappoint. The couples' surface choices from the Silestone range gave each kitchen a uniquely luxurious and contemporary profile."
The Block kitchens:
Kingi and Caro created an urban chic look for their kitchen with the use of bold yet earthy tones. The couple transformed the remaining alcove into butler’s nook that is positioned out of sight from guests. The couple chose the crisp tones of Silestone Blanco Zeus with a Suede finish to add depth and texture to their stylish kitchen. Kingi and Caro were raving to us about the quality of their Fisher & Paykel appliances. We noted the capacity for entertaining; including the functionality of having 2 dishwashers.
Kingi and Caro took out the coveted title of Kitchen Week winner’s on Sunday’s episode of The Block, with their Good Guys Kitchen scoring an amazing 29/30. Esteemed judge, Neale Whitaker, scored the couple a perfect ten, describing their urban style kitchen as “the hero of the apartment”. Kingi and Caro took home $10,000 in prize money by creating a space that is high on style and design, and extremely functional too. They cleverly squared their room to achieve a traditional shaped kitchen which then allowed them to transform the remaining alcove into a butler’s nook.
The colour scheme is bold yet timeless which is befitting in their overall apartment look. Their kitchen features contrasting cabinetry colours of ‘Super Matt Black’ and ‘Essendon Super Matt Serene’, prompting Neale Whitaker to comment, “It was not that long ago when the judges all thought a black kitchen was a big risk, but today this feels totally appropriate.” The benchtops in Silestone ‘Blanco Zeus’, coupled with Kingi’s rendered island, add depth and texture while the Graffiti style artwork, on the island bar back, brings the couple’s signature creative element into the space. The innovative built-in tablet in the splashback was a big hit with the judges and is bound to appeal to the tech savvy buyer come auction day. Appliances by Fisher & Paykel integrated seamlessly into the kitchen, with judge, Shaynna Blaze, describing the Fisher & Payker CoolDrawer under the bench as brilliant, “it can be a freezer or fridge and is the perfect thing for entertaining.”
Whitney and Andy designed a stunning Scandinavian inspired kitchen with an industrial twist. The Scandi palette of Silestone in White Storm is beautifully complemented with Ballina Natural Oak timber-grain. The Silestone White Storm bench top has a suede finish and a unique angled edge, providing a contrast to the Silestone Lyra island bench top. Stunning appliances are from Smeg.
All kitchens were impressive in the opinion of The World Loves Melbourne. Scoring 25.5/30, was Andy and Whitney, with their stunning Scandinavian inspired kitchen. The palette of white, grey and timber grain is fresh, with the antique brown handles, painted brick splashback and Smeg freestanding cooker providing a subtle industrial edge. Featuring for the first time on The Block is the inverted sharknose profile benchtop by Silestone, in ‘White Storm’, which contrasts with the marble-inspired island benchtop in ‘Lyra’. It has been angled to complement the triangular shaped space.
Voni and Suzi created a sleek and moody kitchen, a true entertainer’s delight. With matt black dominating the monochrome colour palette, Silestone benchtops in various colours, textures and thickness lighten the mood and add a real sense of luxury. Particularly noteworthy is the Carbono with its sparkle effect and integrated sink, befitting this show-stopping kitchen. The team’s use of Helix in Suede finish for their island adds a finishing touch of luxury. Superb appliances are from Bosch. The teppanyaki grill is a delight.
Suzi and Vonni’s kitchen, which scored 25/30, is nothing short of an entertainer’s dream. Both sleek and moody, it comes complete with all the bells and whistles including a large island with a Bosch built-in induction cooktop and expansive prep space. ‘Super Matt Black’ dominates throughout with the ‘Helix’ and ‘Carbono’ Silestone benchtops providing contrast and adding a real sense of luxury.
Light and bright, Ebony and Luke’s kitchen is a contemporary classic; beautifully blending the old with the new. The Silestone benchtop in Ariel is cleverly angled to complement the shape of the room which completes this calm and tranquil space. Removing a wall allowed them to open their kitchen space, achieving a great sense of flow to the dining and living areas. We love the appliances from Electrolux including the four ovens.
Luke and Ebony scored an impressive 27/30 for their contemporary classic kitchen. They beautifully blended the old with the new by pairing classic white Shaker profile doors with contrasting shadow line detail. The new style black timber and copper handles add a sense of cohesion and sophistication. The Silestone island benchtop, in ‘Ariel’, has been cleverly angled to complement the irregular shape of the room and by removing a wall, Luke and Ebony really opened up their room, making it even more spacious and inviting. Quality Electrolux appliances, including self-cleaning ovens, will appeal to the future home cooks of this apartment.
Shay and Dean, who bravely switched their kitchen and living rooms around, have a contemporary kitchen with the entertainer in mind. The modern kitchen colour palette is an on-trend blend of black, white and timber grain featuring contrasting benchtops in Blanco Orion on the island and Cemento Spa with a suede finish. We felt the Samsung fridge and DeLonghi appliances combined beautifully in the flow and dynamic of the kitchen.
When it came to the judges, coming in a very close second by half a point with a score of 28.5/30 was Dean and Shay. They created a contemporary entertainer’s kitchen in their penthouse with an on-trend colour palette of black, white and timber grain with brass and copper accents. The island benchtop in Silestone ‘Blanco Orion’ was angled to blend with the shape of the room, further complimented by contrasting ‘Cemento Spa’ to surrounding benchtops. By moving their kitchen to the other side of the building, and stealing some space from their study, they have been able to create a butler’s pantry that is sure to ‘wow’ buyers. Built-in DeLonghi appliances are sleek, with the coffee machine keeping benchtops clear of clutter. The mirrored splashback and vertical garden work cleverly to bring the outdoors in, and the eat-in bench space really makes the most of those city views.
Cosentino’s innovative range of stone, quartz and recycled surfaces offers a range of stylish colour tones and modern finishes. Highly resistant to stains, knocks and scratches, Cosentino’s surfaces are the perfect choice for living spaces like the kitchen, to ensure each room will look perfect come auction day and beyond.
Silestone® by Cosentino products selected by this season's contestants consist of more than 90% natural quartz, with the weight and feel of natural stone. Available in more than 60 colours, Silestone® by Cosentino is the stylish and durable surface choice for any renovation. Exclusive bacteriostatic technology provides extra hygiene protection, making it one of the most hygienic surfaces on the market.