Comments on: The Block 2022 House Decider Challenge Recap: Country Styling Wins and Sins

By: Megan

Megan — Sat, 13 Aug 2022 11:53:35 +0000

I must have had a bad experience in a dark green country bedroom, with wood features, because those rooms give me the creeps. I think they remind me of school camp dormitories in old country buildings. Or rental properties. Am I being too harsh? I would not be at all thrilled as a guest being shown to my room for the evening. I don’t see how ‘country’ equates to dark green and dark wood. I love the light, bright rooms and agree window dressings need attention – definitely sheers – maybe something a bit textural in an oat colour. I think being ‘country’ Victoria, it would be wise to move away from rustic, towards a more refined ‘farmhouse chic’.
I know this was the first room. They will improve as they go, and they sure do have a long road ahead. The conditions look torturous. I couldn’t do it, so really, who am I to judge? Haha.

By: JLH

JLH — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 18:26:43 +0000

Of all the rooms to sleep in I would pick number 5. It looks more considered and complete.

By: Jan

Jan — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 09:31:21 +0000

First week, there were some hits and miss’s but they did well for amateurs. For me a North Queenslander, looking at those rooms and the horrible weather, they reflected too much cold weather styling. I would like to see more warm bedrooms. Living areas can have those wonderful softer colours and big country wood fires.

By: Julieanne Wagner

Julieanne Wagner — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 06:49:54 +0000

I agree entirely… I did not like Tom and Sarah’s room at all. It resembled Mr and Mrs Claus bedroom. I also question how a room can win when there is NO storage. I did not understand the purpose of the ‘end of the bed table’… On a more positive note, the ceiling rose, and wainscoting were lovely.
Dylan and Jenny IMHO had a vision they just did not execute it well, resulting in the room looking a little bland. The colours were lovely, they had good storage and I really like the panelling
Ankur and Sharon tried to bring in the use of timber as a standout feature, for the most it worked well. I was not a fan of the bed head.
Joel and Elle. I did not think their room deserved quite the level of criticism that it received. Yes, it missed the heritage mark however the colour pallet was lovely and the styling quite good.
Omar and Oz. I quite liked the pallete and they had good storage. They just need to move away from the scandi look

By: Mon

Mon — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 11:11:25 +0000

Response to Shiv: If they used the original doors, they might have original hardware left on. In Qlder and other country houses the handles are high.

By: Robyn Shields

Robyn Shields — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 07:00:13 +0000

Maybe in a short 48hour room presentation, the local shopping centre could only supply a quick roller blind off the shelf solution. It must’ve been a very quick shop and grab for bedlinen and furniture, I’m sure they will get into their groove soon, as the rooms get ticked off and the judges start giving brutal comments, sorry constructive suggestions. lol. good fun for a Sunday night.

By: robyn sainsbury

robyn sainsbury — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 04:22:13 +0000

Have NEVER commented before. Live in a 120 y o house rural and wonder why curtains seem to be a no no. High ceilings and bumph lined to keep out the cold looks great in silk or chintz or whatever.

To me everything looked the same. Where was the oomph

Totalky agree with your comments.

By: Maryanne

Maryanne — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 03:46:34 +0000

Hi Chris,

I’m sooo glad you are reviewing the reveals again. I so loved reading your comments during last season of The Block.

I agree with your comments. My favourite quote of yours from this week is: “…as though the paint was lettuce and in short supply.” Hilarious.

I have yet to watch the full episode, but it’s interesting that all the rooms have done the roller blinds, I’m wondering if it’s just temporary for privacy purposes, as now they have a place to sleep? Or perhaps these rooms will have a WIR built later on?

By: SHARON ROBERTSON

SHARON ROBERTSON — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 01:53:54 +0000

So glad you are back !!!!!! Learn a lot from your comments – can’t wait until next week !!!

By: Gail Jacka

Gail Jacka — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 01:23:01 +0000

Luv reading your reviews Chris! I said the same thing to hubby when I saw the red & green winning room. Xmas room! I was underwhelmed across the board with all the rooms. I do hope they are more ‘wow’ with more time (& $) to spend on them. From the previews of judges “ooo’s & aaahhh’s” at future reveals I think there’s much better to come. Luv The Block!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 00:38:32 +0000

He’s back! Chris is back with his treasure trove of insights and laughs. I won’t be watching the show…but I will be watching this space.
Loved the exposed beams, this is a must for me in a modern country home, and agree they always work better with plain white ceilings and walls. Keep the soft green for the soft furnishings.
I would swap that rustic bedhead though, too much rustic wood can be overpowering. I’d bring in Josh and Elle’s taupe upholstered one.
The winning room depressed me. I will never be a fan of the colour rust. Rust can stay out in the yard thanks – or naturally occurring on a vintage piece, which by the way is what is sadly lacking in ALL of these spaces. When will they go treasure hunting for eclectic pieces or do they have to source from sponsor shops? How boring.
Curtains, please. Actually blinds plus curtains. It’s the country. It gets freaking cold at night!
And I don’t think the stringy light fittings and rattan/cane mirrors are appropriate at all. They need to source mirrors with a beautiful/antique/eclectic/rustic frame.
One piece of greenery please. And in the bedroom in MUST be fake. Science 101 – plants use oxygen at night. You don’t want to compete for fresh air with your green buddies while you sleep. And one fake plant please. Two or more starts to look a bit jungle Jim, take your machete to bed.

By: Shiv

Shiv — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 23:14:46 +0000

Looks like some of the doors are upside down with handle being really high up. Kids will have hard time opening them. E.g Dylan and Jennys room

By: Stella

Stella — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 22:31:02 +0000

I agree with comments re: Ankur and Sharon’s room. I agree better window furnishings, warm off white on the walls, storage. I think the contestants really need to learn to embrace some softness, a large linen light shade would of looked stunner in there too. Maybe a rug under the bed that was textured. I think country is all about a layers but low maintenance and relaxed with natural fibres, beautiful, heart felt art, books and keepsakes.

By: Danielle

Danielle — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 11:51:35 +0000

Agree with your comments about Joel and Elle’s room. The bit I’m confused about is, how do they all go from rooms like this (beginner standard like I would be) to the far better designs later in the series. The small amount of feedback from judges on previous rooms would not be enough to help guide beginners to better design future rooms – they must be pointed in the direction of style coaching, do you agree?

By: Karen C

Karen C — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 11:47:05 +0000

Thank goodness for you Chris!! I hated room 1 and couldnt believe the judges picked it as the winner!! It just needed a few baubles on the little tree in the corner! I like some elements of all the other rooms, but as you said where were the beautiful sheers? Omar and Oz could have kept the original window and dressed it with a lovely window dressing. I loved Joel and Elle’s style but they have gone now so its a moot point. Looking forward to seeing more interpretations of modern country style.

By: Courtney

Courtney — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 11:25:26 +0000

I’m so glad I don’t ever have to watch the block again because I have this blog and your Instagram.
Joel and Elles is the most stylish of all, maybe add some period details like ceiling roses etc but otherwise – fab.