The Block 2019: Interior experts critique the master bathroom reveals

Arguably no other room requires the perfect balance of form, function and style more than the master bathroom.

Last week on The Block, the couples were tasked with the demands of designing and executing the bathroom of our dreams.

We asked leading industry experts how they fared.

Mark and Mitch (winners)

Layout: Designer Camilla Molders says Mark and Mitch’s layout is perfect for a small space. “By making the shower the feature of the room, and using a statement colour on the back wall, the room feels and looks larger,” she says.

Materials: Unfortunately, the boys’ choice of tiles and finishes scored no points from Molders. “I really dislike the floor and wall tiles,” she says. “The white glossy wall tiles add no character and give it a public toilet vibe, while the faux marble floor tiles look cheap and nasty.”

She does, however, applaud their choice of bold yellow tiles. “They are a fresh colour injection that give personality to the space. Unfortunately, they are paired with characterless gloss white wall tiles and ‘wannabe’ marble floor tiles. The overall look makes me want to look away.”

Fixtures and fittings: The boys’ choice of vanity, says Molders, is entirely wrong for such a small space. “It’s heavy in both design and colour choice, and its proportions are overpowering,” she says.

Deb and Andy

Layout: “By placing all functional elements along each wall, Deb and Andy have created plenty of open space in the centre of the bathroom,” says Sarah Elshaug from Maitland Interiors. “The toilet is out of view from the doorway and the freestanding bath takes full advantage of the natural light under the window.”

Materials: Elshaug says the large square tiles used provide a good sense of scale alongside the grey tones that add warmth and complement the timber elements throughout the room.

“The subway tiles provide a subtle feature at the end of the room and behind the vanity,” she says. “Laying them in a stacked bond pattern allows the grout lines to match the floor tiles perfectly. I love the elegant slimline white sinks, bath and toilet that provide a sense of cohesiveness across the main utilities of the room and bring harmony to the space.”

Tess and Luke

Layout: Designer Lisa Koehler says Tess and Luke’s freestanding bath and its considered placement create the ideal focal point for their well-executed bathroom. “The perfect balance of circulation around functional items make the space feel spacious and luxurious,” she says.

Lighting plan: “The pendant above the vanity doesn’t work,” says Koehler. “Its vertical line doesn’t complement the oval mirrors and basins. It draws the eye down, making the space feel smaller and not as grand as the rest of the bathroom. A simple downlight or wall light would have been more suitable.”

Fixtures and fittings: “The brushed nickel is sophisticated and timeless and works perfectly with the colour palette,” says Koehler. “I would suggest repositioning the towel rail to the left. It would look softer and break the symmetry of the harsh lines on the dark wall.”

Jesse and Mel

Layout: By adding 500 millimetres to their bathroom, says Suzanne Gorman from Studio Gorman, Jesse and Mel have achieved a real sense of spaciousness.

“The generosity of space created imparts a sense of luxury that is appropriate for a master en suite,” she says. “The bath is generously sized and the scale of each major element is perfectly in balance.”

Materials: By applying the same tiles throughout, Jesse and Mel’s space exudes simplicity and elegance. “The dark vanity provides a strong feature against the light, soft colour palette,” says Gorman.

Styling: Gorman says Mel’s styling choices tie in nicely with the palette and luxury of the bathroom. “The black framed artwork is beautiful with its nod to Parisian style, and works well with the Paris Style Guide book,” she says. “Simple black and white is always timeless and elegant.”

El’ise and Matt

Layout: “This is a lovely bathroom, but it lacks the grandeur expected in a master bathroom because the bath is so small,” says Lauren Li from Sisalla. “The double shower is spacious, but the bath area is too small. It doesn’t inspire you to spend time relaxing in the bath.”

Fixtures and fittings: “The bowl-shaped basins are classic and work well with the wall-mounted black tapware,” she says. “If the mirrors were recessed into the wall, the overall effect would be much cleaner.”

Materials: “I love their focus on creating gorgeous texture rather than bold flashy statements,” says Li. “The black and white colour scheme is classic yet contemporary, which will appeal to buyers. It is the simplicity of the finishes that makes this bathroom so special.”