Another Week On The Block
After two weeks of guest bedrooms and family bathrooms, the contestants on The Block Season 22 had another big challenge ahead of them - the main bedroom and walk-in robe.
This week brought some of the biggest spaces we've seen so far, with the teams having to create bedrooms that felt luxurious, comfortable and worthy of their premium Mount Eliza homes.
With the "quiet luxury" brief still front of mind, the contestants had to think beyond simply creating a beautiful bedroom. The judges were looking for considered layouts, quality finishes, clever storage and spaces that would make potential buyers want to move straight in.
And after a dramatic week of construction, it was time to find out which team had managed to get it right.
A Big Week On Site
With the main bedroom and walk-in robe challenge underway, the contestants had plenty to keep them busy. The larger spaces meant more work, more trades and even more opportunities for things to go wrong.
Once again, the teams were racing against the clock while trying to make sure their designs stayed within the quiet luxury brief. With so much space to work with, there was also plenty of room for the contestants to make a statement - but filling a large room without making it feel empty or over-styled was another challenge altogether.
The contestants also continued to adjust to the unique living arrangements of Season 22. With all five couples sharing the same house, there is very little opportunity to escape the competition. Long days on site are followed by evenings together, meaning the friendships, personalities and tensions between the teams are becoming increasingly noticeable.
The Pressure Gets Tougher
As the week progressed, the pressure of the competition really started to show.
The contestants were juggling trades, deliveries, budgets and design decisions while trying to get their bedrooms completed before judging. The scale of the rooms meant there were plenty of jobs to coordinate, from flooring and plastering through to lighting, cabinetry, styling and those all-important finishing touches.
Budget was also becoming an increasingly important consideration. While the contestants want to create the most impressive rooms possible, they still have an entire house to complete. Spending too much on one room could potentially leave them short later in the competition.
For some teams, the week went relatively smoothly. Others found themselves running out of time, with unfinished areas becoming a major concern as the reveal approached.
And once again, the strict construction hours meant there was no option to simply stay up all night to finish everything. Every minute on site counted.
Curves Take Centre Stage
One thing that really stood out this week was the use of curves throughout the bedrooms.
From curved walls and archways to rounded bedheads and softer architectural details, the teams were clearly embracing the idea of creating spaces that felt luxurious but still comfortable and inviting.
I really enjoyed seeing how differently each team interpreted the same brief. While there were some common design trends, each couple was beginning to develop a recognisable style of their own.
The main bedrooms also gave the contestants an opportunity to create more of a sense of personality than we saw in some of the earlier rooms. These are spaces designed to feel personal, so it was interesting to see which teams prioritised bold design statements and which opted for a more understated approach.
Courtney & Sev's Winning Streak Comes To An End
After winning both the guest bedroom and family bathroom reveals, Courtney and Sev entered Week 3 with plenty of momentum.
As one of my early favourites, I was definitely hoping they could make it three wins in a row.
Unfortunately, things didn't quite go to plan.
Their ambitious design proved difficult to execute within the available time, and when they arrived at time for judging, parts of their room were unfinished. Their walk-in robe was also criticised for being cramped, unpainted and untidy.
The judges were particularly critical of the main bedroom. Shaynna compared their ruched bedhead to a "high-end coffin", while Marty wasn't impressed with the tiling around the fireplace.
After two consecutive wins, finishing in last place with 17/30 was certainly a dramatic change of fortune.
Personally, I felt for the girls. They clearly had a strong vision for the space, but this week was a good example of how ambitious designs can become difficult when you're working against the clock.
Lisa & Rosco Bounce Back
After a disappointing bathroom reveal, Lisa and Rosco were determined to turn things around.
And they did exactly that.
Their main bedroom and walk-in robe earned them their first win of Season 22, with an impressive 27/30.
Their design embraced the coastal setting without becoming overly themed. The curved wall behind the bed was a standout feature, with Marty saying it reminded him of the nearby beach.
The walk-in robe was also a huge success, with the judges praising its layout, storage and overall sense of quiet luxury.
Interestingly, the walk-in robe had originally been designed by Courtney and Sev when they had House 3 before swapping properties, so there was an extra layer of story behind Lisa and Rosco's win.
After their difficult bathroom week, it was great to see them come back with such a strong result.
Adam & Jolene Continue To Impress
Adam and Jolene once again found themselves near the top of the leaderboard, finishing equal second with 25/30.
Their walk-in robe was a particular highlight, featuring extensive storage, a rendered wall and a dedicated seating area.
The judges felt the main bedroom showed a clear understanding of the "coastal luxury" brief, with Darren saying they were around 90 per cent of the way there.
There were a few styling issues that held them back from the top spot, including the placement of furniture and the unfortunate view of a laundry hamper from the bed.
But once again, Adam and Jolene proved they are a team to watch.
Chantel & Wyatt Find Their Feet
After a difficult start to the competition, Chantel and Wyatt also managed to finish equal second with 25/30.
Their main bedroom was one of the stronger parts of their reveal, with Darren praising the bed and the simplicity of the overall design.
The walk-in robe, however, was a different story.
Running out of time meant there was virtually no styling in the wardrobe, and the judges felt it lacked personality and emotion. Shaynna also felt the combination of white carpet and white marble made the space feel somewhat clinical.
Still, their main bedroom showed that they are capable of creating a polished space, and the equal-second result should give them some confidence heading into the next week.
Rick & Tayla Keep Building
Rick and Tayla finished fourth with 22/30, but there were plenty of positives in their reveal.
The judges liked the architectural details of the bedroom, including the high ceilings, skylights and herringbone flooring.
Their styling was where things started to fall down, with criticism around the bedside tables, lamps and curtains.
It was another example of just how important the finishing touches are on The Block. You can have a beautiful architectural space, but if the furniture and styling aren't working together, the judges will notice.
The good news for Rick and Tayla is that the judges didn't identify any major structural problems. With a few styling changes, there was plenty of potential in the room.
The Week 3 Reveal
After seven days of construction, the final scores were:
- Lisa & Rosco - 27/30
- Adam & Jolene - 25/30
- Chantel & Wyatt - 25/30
- Rick & Tayla - 22/30
- Courtney & Sev - 17/30
It was a huge turnaround from the previous week, particularly for Lisa and Rosco, who went from finishing last in the bathroom reveal to taking out their first win.
And for Courtney and Sev, it was a reminder that The Block can change very quickly. After looking almost unbeatable during the first two weeks, they suddenly found themselves at the bottom of the leaderboard.
My Week 3 Thoughts
I think this was probably my favourite reveal so far because we really started to see the houses developing their own identities.
The main bedrooms are such an important part of these homes, and I liked seeing the contestants move away from simply trying to impress the judges and start thinking about how the spaces would actually feel to live in.
Lisa and Rosco's win was probably the biggest surprise for me, especially after their difficult bathroom week. I thought their bedroom felt calm, sophisticated and really suited the Mount Eliza setting.
Courtney and Sev’s result definitely wasn't what I was hoping for, but I actually think it's going to be interesting to see how they respond. They clearly have a strong design vision, but this week showed that getting the balance between an ambitious idea and what can realistically be completed within seven days is just as important as the design itself.
With three weeks down, I'm also starting to get a much better sense of how different each couple's style is. That's probably what I'm enjoying most about Season 22 so far - we're starting with five very similar luxury homes, but the teams are gradually making them feel like completely different properties.
The Stratco Big Shed
And, of course, I couldn't finish another Block recap without mentioning the Stratco Big Shed!
While the contestants are busy transforming their bedrooms, there's plenty happening behind the scenes across the rest of the site. With five homes being built simultaneously, keeping materials, tools and equipment organised is a huge part of keeping the project moving.
The Stratco Big Shed continues to sit right at the heart of the action, providing a practical space amongst all the activity.
It's become one of those familiar sights around the Block site, so I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for it as the competition continues.
What's Next?
With the main bedrooms and walk-in robes complete, the contestants now have another major room reveal under their belts - and the leaderboard is starting to take shape.
Lisa and Rosco have finally secured their first win, Adam and Jolene and Chantel and Wyatt are showing consistency, Rick and Tayla are continuing to develop their style, and Courtney and Sev have their first major setback to overcome.
And if there's one thing we've learnt already, it's that things can change very quickly on The Block.
I'll be back next week with another Season 22 recap to see what the contestants tackle next - and, of course, to keep an eye out for the Stratco Big Shed along the way.