Back To The Block
Week 2 of The Block Season 22 has wrapped up, and if Week 1 was about finding their feet, the contestants certainly had a lot more to contend with this week.
With the teams now settled into their allocated houses, the focus turned to the family bathrooms and powder rooms. Seven days might sound like plenty of time to complete a bathroom, but with strict working hours, trades to coordinate, materials arriving late and plenty of decisions to make along the way, the contestants quickly discovered just how difficult it is to stay on schedule.
There were also some big moments away from the tools, including a challenge, a body corporate meeting and some tension between the contestants living together.
And, of course, it all led up to the first major bathroom reveal of Season 22.
A New Week, A New Challenge
The contestants started the week knowing exactly what was at stake. They had seven days to transform their family bathrooms and powder rooms, with the winning team receiving an incredible $250,000 kitchen upgrade.
That's a pretty big incentive!
The bathrooms also presented a completely different set of challenges compared with the guest bedrooms. Waterproofing, plumbing, tiling and cabinetry all had to happen in the right order, meaning a delay in one area could have a domino effect across the entire room.
The new construction hours continued to make things even more difficult. With the contestants unable to work late into the night, every minute on site counted.
The Pressure Starts to Build
As the week progressed, it became clear that not everyone was going to have a smooth run.
Several teams found themselves dealing with delays and problems that threatened to put their rooms behind schedule. The pressure was particularly noticeable as the all-important waterproofing deadline approached.
With the teams needing to have their bathrooms ready for tiling, "Waterproof Wednesday" became one of the biggest milestones of the week.
For some teams, things went according to plan. For others, the pressure started to mount as they tried to juggle trades, deliveries and design decisions while racing against the clock.
It's one of the things I'm finding most interesting about Season 22. The restricted working hours mean the contestants can't simply stay up all night to fix a problem, so planning ahead really does matter.
Drama In The Share House
The shared accommodation also continued to play a big role this week.
Having all five couples living together means there's plenty of opportunity for friendships to develop, but it also means there's no easy escape when tensions arise.
What happens on site doesn't necessarily stay on site, and the contestants are having to navigate the unusual situation of competing against each other during the day before returning to the same house at night.
There were plenty of discussions between the teams throughout the week, and the body corporate meeting gave everyone an opportunity to air some of their concerns.
A Difficult Week For Chantel & Wyatt
One of the biggest emotional moments came when Chantel and Wyatt found themselves questioning whether they could continue with the competition.
The couple were clearly frustrated by the situation they found themselves in and became emotional as the pressure began to take its toll.
For me, this was a good reminder that The Block isn't just about choosing tiles and paint colours. These contestants are working under enormous time pressure, spending long days on site and then returning to a shared house with four other competing couples.
After discussions with Scotty and the production team, Chantel and Wyatt ultimately decided to stay and continue with their renovation.
I'm definitely interested to see whether they can put the difficult start behind them and focus on their house moving forward.
A Little Break From Building
The contestants also got a chance to step away from the construction site for a challenge during the week.
The challenge involved pitching tents, with a significant prize up for grabs. It was a nice change of pace from the constant building pressure and gave the contestants a chance to compete at something completely different.
Of course, because this is The Block, even a fun challenge couldn't completely escape the competitive atmosphere!
The Girls Face Another Tough Week
As I've mentioned in my previous recap, Sev and Courtney remain my early favourites, so naturally I was keeping a close eye on House 4.
The girls had a challenging week, with delays and problems putting pressure on their schedule. Courtney's experience in the construction industry has certainly been interesting to watch, particularly as she tries to balance her knowledge of building with Sev's design ideas.
Their bathroom was definitely a riskier design compared with some of the other teams, with plenty of texture, curves and statement finishes.
They also weren't afraid to spend money to achieve the look they wanted - something that would become a talking point when the judges arrived.
Finally, It's Reveal Time
After a frantic week, the contestants finally had to stop work and let the judges into their bathrooms.
And there were some very different results.
Courtney & Sev - 25.5/30
Once again, Courtney and Sev came out on top, making them the first team to win two room reveals in Season 22.
Their bathroom featured a curved wall, marble and a strong mix of textures and finishes. The judges particularly liked the level of detail and the way the girls had created something that felt different from the other bathrooms.
The powder room was also a highlight, with its rendered finish creating a dramatic feature.
The win earned them the enormous $250,000 kitchen upgrade, which could be a huge advantage as the competition continues.
However, the judges weren't the only ones looking at the numbers. The girls spent $53,272.33 on their bathroom, which is a significant amount of their overall budget.
It'll be interesting to see how that decision affects their spending later in the competition.
Adam & Jolene - 24.5/30
Adam and Jolene came incredibly close to taking the win, finishing just one point behind the girls.
Their bathroom featured beautiful stonework, a statement vanity and an LED mirror, with the judges impressed by the quality of the finishes.
The biggest issue was the layout of the powder room, particularly the decision not to include a door.
Despite the criticism, it was a strong result for the South Australian couple and showed that they're definitely capable of competing near the top.
Chantel & Wyatt - 21.5/30
After the emotional week they had experienced, Chantel and Wyatt managed to finish third with 21.5 points.
The judges liked some aspects of their bathroom, but there were concerns about the layout and whether the space felt luxurious enough for the brief.
Their gold tapware and other design choices also sparked some discussion.
Considering the difficult week they had, third place is a result they can hopefully build on.
Rick & Tayla - 18.5/30
Rick and Tayla finished fourth with 18.5 points.
Their bathroom was still incomplete at judging, with the family bathroom around 70 per cent finished and the powder room not completed.
Understandably, the unfinished spaces made it difficult for the judges to properly assess their vision.
There were still some positives, including the lighting and the tiles around the vanity, and the judges could see potential in what the couple were trying to achieve.
Lisa & Rosco - 15.5/30
It was a difficult reveal for Lisa and Rosco, who finished fifth with 15.5 points.
Tiling problems meant sections of their bathroom had to be ripped up, leaving the room unfinished when the judges arrived.
Despite that, there were some encouraging comments. Marty, in particular, liked their layout and could see potential in the design.
Their score may not reflect what the completed room could eventually look like, so I'm interested to see whether they can bounce back next week.
The Week 2 Scoreboard
The final results were:
- Courtney & Sev - 25.5/30
- Adam & Jolene - 24.5/30
- Chantel & Wyatt - 21.5/30
- Rick & Tayla - 18.5/30
- Lisa & Rosco - 15.5/30
With Courtney and Sev taking their second win in a row, they have certainly started Season 22 strongly.
My Week 2 Thoughts
I think Week 2 was when The Block really started to feel like a competition.
The first week was about meeting the contestants and seeing their personalities, but this week we started to see what happens when those personalities are put under genuine pressure.
For me, Courtney and Sev's win was well deserved. I liked their bathroom because they weren't afraid to do something a little different, and it felt like a space that reflected their personality rather than simply following a formula.
The $53,000-plus price tag does make me nervous for them, though! There is still a lot of house left to renovate, so I'm very interested to see how they manage their budget from here.
I also felt for Lisa and Rosco. Having to rip up completed work so close to judging would be incredibly frustrating, particularly when you've already spent days working towards the reveal.
And after seeing how much pressure Chantel and Wyatt were under during the week, I'm glad they decided to stay. Hopefully, they can put that difficult experience behind them and enjoy the competition a little more as the weeks progress.
Of course, these are only my thoughts after Week 2. There's still a long way to go, and as we've already seen, things can change very quickly on The Block!
And Of Course, The Stratco Big Shed
While all the attention has been on the bathrooms, I've still been keeping an eye out for a familiar feature around the build site, the Stratco Big Shed.
With five houses being built simultaneously, there is an enormous amount happening behind the scenes. Materials, tools and equipment all need somewhere to go, and the Big Shed continues to provide a practical storage space amongst the busy Block site.
It's been great seeing the Stratco Big Shed become part of the backdrop to Season 22, and I'm sure we'll continue spotting it as the builds get bigger and the teams take on even more ambitious spaces.
What's Next?
With the bathrooms finally revealed, the contestants don't get much time to celebrate or recover.
The houses are starting to take shape, the budgets are already being tested and the teams are becoming increasingly aware of what they're up against.
Courtney and Sev have now secured two wins, Adam and Jolene are proving they're strong competition, and the remaining teams will be keen to turn things around.
As for me, I'm already looking forward to seeing what they tackle next.
I'll be back with another Block recap next week, so make sure you check back to follow all the action from Season 22!
What Do You Think?
I'd love to hear your thoughts on The Block. Who's your early favourite? What are your highlights? Share your own thoughts in the comments.