Back To The Block
What a first week it has been on The Block Season 22!
After the premiere introduced us to the five teams and their Mount Eliza homes, the contestants finally got stuck into the renovations. And while I was expecting plenty of building, designing and styling, I don't think I was quite prepared for just how much drama could unfold before the first room reveal!
From strict construction hours and insulation troubles to floorplan spying, budget blowouts and some very strong opinions, the teams are certainly keeping things interesting!
And, of course, there's been plenty happening around the build site too. If you've been watching closely, you would have spotted the Stratco Big Shed continuing to sit proudly amongst the action, helping provide a practical space for materials, tools and equipment as the teams race against the clock.
The Race To Choose A House
One of the biggest incentives hanging over the contestants during Week 1 was the chance to choose their preferred house.
This year the teams were not just assigned a property, the guest bedroom results determined the order in which the teams could select their homes. That made the first week about much more than just creating a beautiful bedroom; there was a serious strategy involved.
Sev and Courtney were particularly determined to secure House 4. After taking a sneaky look at Lisa and Rosco's floorplans, the pair decided they had their eyes firmly set on the property. The house 4 layout offers the potential for an additional level and rooftop terrace which could provide a significant advantage.
They weren't the only ones interested in house 4. Adam and Jolene also jhad their sights set on the same house, so someone was going to have to deal with disappointment.
Who Got Which House?
After the first room reveal, the teams finally found out which homes they would be renovating for the rest of the competition. With Sev and Courtney winning the first guest bedroom reveal, they had first pick and were able to secure the house they'd had their eyes on from the beginning.
Here are the final house allocations for Season 22:
- Sev & Courtney - House 4
- Adam & Jolene - House 3
- Lisa & Rosco - House 1
- Chantel & Wyatt - House 2
- Rick & Tayla - House 5
It was interesting to see how differently the teams approached their choices, with some couples focused on the layout and potential of each property, while others were thinking about the views, outdoor spaces and what they could ultimately create for buyers.
Now that everyone has their house locked in, the real competition can begin. Each property has its own layout and challenges, so it will be fascinating to watch the five homes develop side by side as the drama unfolds throughout Season 22.
The Girls Make Their Move
If you've read my first recap, you'll know that Sev and Courtney were already my early favourites. After Week 1, I'm definitely still keeping a close eye on them!
The Brisbane friends came into the competition with plenty of confidence and weren't afraid to make some big decisions. Courtney's background as a commercial building site manager also became a bit of a secret weapon, although she was determined not to let the other contestants know about her experience.
Their approach to the guest bedroom was certainly bold. They embraced a more dramatic design, including a handmade ruched bedhead and plans to use micro-cement across the room. It wasn't necessarily the safest approach, but it certainly made their room stand out.
And their gamble paid off.
At the first room reveal, Sev and Courtney took out the win with a score of 26, earning them first choice of the official houses. The judges particularly praised the room for being different and engaging the senses, although the rendered wardrobe doors did raise some concerns.
I have to admit, seeing the girls take out the first win was pretty exciting after having picked them as my favourites from Episode 1!
The Pressure Of The Clock
One of the biggest challenges throughout Week 1 was the strict construction schedule.
With the teams unable to work through the night, every minute on site mattered. A 6pm weekday tools-down time and an even earlier Saturday finish meant there was very little room for mistakes.
Rick and Tayla felt this pressure particularly hard after their plasterwork failed inspection due to a tiny 5mm error. The setback left Rick frustrated and even prompted him to push for a body corporate meeting to discuss whether the teams could be given additional working hours.
The strict schedule also caused problems for Sev and Courtney, who arrived back at their car just two minutes after the site had closed. Foreman Dan had already locked the gates, leaving them needing to find another way back to the shared house.
It's safe to say the new rules are going to make time management one of the biggest challenges of Season 22.
A Little Help From The Neighbours
There was also an interesting reminder that, despite being competitors, the contestants still sometimes need to rely on each other.
Lisa and Rosco found themselves running short on insulation and needed a few extra batts to keep their build moving. Rick stepped in and offered some of his spare insulation, expecting the replacement delivery to arrive shortly afterwards.
Unfortunately for Rick, the replacement didn't arrive quite as quickly as promised.
After waiting around for hours, Rick was left frustrated as the delay began eating into his own valuable working time. His generous gesture certainly came with a cost, and by the end of it, he was questioning whether he'd be quite so willing to help his neighbours again!
The Quiet Luxury Challenge
Another recurring theme throughout Week 1 was just how difficult the quiet luxury brief is proving to be.
The contestants are having to carefully consider everything from colour palettes and finishes to furniture, fixtures and styling. It sounds simple enough, but as the teams discovered, there's a fine line between understated luxury and something that feels too plain, or, on the other hand, too over-designed.
Chantel and Wyatt found themselves particularly caught between the brief and their original vision after questions were raised about their choice of gold hardware. The discussion sent Chantel back to the shops looking for alternative pieces, while Wyatt was left trying to keep the build moving.
Meanwhile, Sev and Courtney were taking the opposite approach, with their guest bedroom packed with design details and textures.
It's already becoming clear that interpreting the brief will be one of the most interesting parts of watching the homes evolve.
Budgets Begin To Blow Out
If there was one lesson from Week 1, it's that the contestants need to keep a very close eye on their budgets.
With approximately $10,000 suggested for the guest bedroom, some teams managed to stay well below that figure, while others decided to spend big in the hope of creating a winning room.
Sev and Courtney were firmly in the second camp, spending around $18,000 on their room as they went all-in on their strategy to secure House 4.
Scotty Cam wasn't impressed, warning that spending almost $20,000 when the recommended budget was around $10,000 could leave them struggling to make it through the competition.
It certainly makes for an interesting strategy. Is it better to play it safe and preserve the budget, or spend big when you think you've found an opportunity to get ahead?
First Room Reveal: The Results Are In
After all the drama, delays and last-minute finishes, it was finally time for the judges to see what the contestants had created.
The results were certainly mixed.
Sev and Courtney came out on top with an impressive 26 points, followed by Adam and Jolene on 22.
Chantel and Wyatt scored 20, while Lisa and Rosco received 19.5.
Rick and Tayla finished the week on 17 points, after a particularly difficult week of plastering delays and setbacks.
The judges had plenty to say about all five rooms, with some teams receiving praise for their design choices while others were told they had missed the mark.
For me, it was fascinating to see how different the rooms looked despite all five teams working from the same overall brief. It really shows how much personality can come through in design.
My Week 1 Thoughts
After seeing the first rooms, I'm even more interested to see how the homes develop.
I think the biggest surprise for me was just how much pressure the contestants were under before they even reached the first reveal. The strict working hours make the competition feel very different, and seeing how quickly small delays can snowball really puts the challenge into perspective.
And yes, Sev and Courtney are still my favourites! I loved seeing them back themselves and take a risk with their guest bedroom. Their room certainly wasn't the safest design of the week, but it had personality and made an impression, which I think is exactly what makes The Block so fun to watch.
That said, I'm definitely keeping an open mind. We've only seen one room from each team, and there are plenty more weeks to go!
And of Course, The Stratco Big Shed
One thing I've particularly enjoyed watching with my Stratco hat on, is seeing our Big Shed play a critical role on the Block site.
With five houses being built simultaneously, there is an enormous amount of material, equipment and activity happening behind the scenes. Having a large, practical storage space on a site like this makes a lot of sense, and it's been great to see the Stratco Big Shed right in the middle of the action.
It's definitely worth keeping an eye out for it as you watch the episodes, you might be surprised just how often you spot it in the background!
What's Next?
With the first room reveal now behind them, the contestants can finally turn their attention to the next stage of their builds.
The pressure is only going to increase as the homes begin to take shape, budgets get tighter and the teams become more familiar with their competition. After everything that happened in Week 1, I'm very curious to see whether the early favourites can maintain their momentum and how the other teams respond.
One thing is already clear: Season 22 is going to be one to watch.
I'll be back with another weekly recap, so make sure you check back to see what happens next on The Block, and let me know who you're backing in the comments!