This week is the biggest of the year for Channel 9’s hit renovation show The Block: it’s auction week!
I can’t tell you how nervous I get for the contestants as they see out those excruciating minutes of live auction for the homes they have worked around the clock on over the past months.
Ahead of the auction of The Block 2018 (aka “The Gatwick”) apartments this weekend, the contestants have revealed their Challenge Kitchen, designed by couple Hans and Courtney.
It’s a modern design that showcases the new trend in residential kitchens of a more industrial, cafe-inspired design.
The centrepiece of this look is the black aluminium and glass framing hung above the island bench and wrap around cabinetry.
Can you believe that this new shelving product was spotted at this year’s biggest kitchen tradeshow in Milan and sourced by Freedom Kitchens to reach Australia in time for The Block?!
The ‘2020 Black Alumin’ features anodised matt black framing with glass shelves, which not only gives LOADS of extra storage but also nice styling opportunities too. I love the fact that this type of shelving lets the natural light through, giving an airy, open and spacious feel.
Another new product on show in this Challenge Kitchen is Caesarstone®’s ‘Excava’ used for the island benchtop and splashbacks, which continues the industrial aesthetic with its rust and concrete look.
Meanwhile, the kitchen cabinetry is Freedom Kitchens’ popular ‘Sierra’ profile door in contrasting ‘White Matt’ and ‘Black Matt’, balancing out the dramatic warm tones from the ‘Excava’.
Through to the generous butler’s pantry – like all in this year’s The Block – and Subzero fridges are a standout integrated into the cabinetry, with ample wine storage for those who enjoy a tipple and/or to entertain!
Siemens appliances make Hans and Courtney’s space a great chef’s kitchen, with a bank of ovens, an induction cooktop and.. wait for it… a teppanyaki hot plate (HOW FUN IS THAT?!).
But I bet you’ll agree that the real star of the show is the bold pink neon sign: “It’s All Good”.
In fact, one of the judges of The Block, Neale Whitaker, believes this kitchen was way more than just “good”. He was struck with “extreme kitchen envy”:
“It’s sensational! It’s a kitchen that acknowledges this is where we now live life. I want this – badly.”
One thing’s for sure: it will be VERY good for the lucky new owners who win The Block’s Monopoly Competition, since this kitchen plus the entire apartment will be given away as the biggest prize in Australia’s TV history!
But for the rest of us: tell me – will you be biting your nails off alongside me on Sunday night as we settle in for The Block’s auction finale?! Perhaps we need to remind each other that whatever the end result this Sunday… “it’s all good”.
