The Block 2020: Interior experts weigh in on the master en suite reveal

What makes a master en suite a luxurious haven? From perfect tiling combinations, generous storage, and soothing but stylish colour theme, a considered combination of harmonious elements is a must. 

So how did the couples fare on The Block this week? We asked the experts what they think.

Luke and Jasmin (joint winners)

Design 

“Why is this room a winner?” asks designer Camilla Molders. “The vanity and shower screen butted together throws the room’s proportion out, and the double shower makes the toilet placement look like an afterthought. Um, where’s the towel rail and exhaust fans?” 

Materials

The simple colouring of the tiles work well with the architecture, and a sensible choice for a house soon to go on the market. “The warmth provided by the timber vanity brings to the space a warm and welcoming texture,” Molders says.

Lighting 

Molders questions the lighting of the shower niche and vanity. “Neither warrant it,” she says. “And where’s the functional lighting?  The wall lights with their exposed bulbs by the mirror,will provide glare and only light half of your face.”

Jimmy and Tam (joint winners)

Design

“This small space packs a punch,” says Molders. “It’s a well thought-out and balanced layout, and the colour! It screams 1950s and really shines through.”

Materials

The couple win points with Molders for the well-considered curation of materials, fixtures and fittings. “The simplest of tiles in two colours laid vertically looks gorgeous,” she says. “The weathered brass tapware brings the theme together, and it’s great to see them experimenting with the shower roses, not just placing them in the usual side wall positioning.” 

Styling 

“Tam, as always, brings all the right features in,” says Molders. “The tropical cuttings, pops of subtle and not-so-subtle pinks really highlight her talent for use of colour.”

View The Block properties for sale

House 1, Harry and Tash: 364 New Street, Brighton

House 2, Sarah and George: 362B New Street, Brighton

House 3, Daniel and Jade: 362A New Street, Brighton

House 4, Luke and Jasmin: 360B New Street, Brighton

House 5, Jimmy and Tam: 360A New Street, Brighton

Sarah and George

Layout and materials

Designer Sally Satriani loves the couple’s generous space with interesting angles. “The mix of simple well-priced materials blend together to create a luxurious feel,” she says. “I love the theme of light greys and pinks carried through, too.” 

Lighting and ambience

Natural light brightens the space beautifully, while the placement of twin wall lights between the mirrors softens the overhead downlights, adding a gorgeous glow to the space. “Light is everything,” she says. “The olive trees add a beautiful touch with their cool green tones accentuating the room’s calm finishes.”

Fixtures and fittings

“The black fixtures and fitting are perfection,” she says. “They are a bold feature and complement the black framed shower screens – it just works!”

Tash and Harry

Design

“The pink on pink feels cheap,” says designer Nickolas Gurtler. “Also, the tiny square inset shelf looks odd. A full width one would be more impactful. Why is the towel rail such a long way from the wet room?”

Materials

Gurtler commends the couple’s tile choices. “They are perfectly balanced and bring warmth with their grey and green combination. More brass would have been nice with the green.” 

Lighting

While the couple “tried” with their lighting choices, they failed to hit the mark. “Why are the white sconces even there?” asks Gurtler. “They look really cheap and corporate, and the warmth of light is cold. The wall lights are a bit plain for me and stand out for the wrong reasons. A nice try, though.”

Colours

The couple’s choice of green tiles is inspired, says Gurtler. “It’s very 1920s and looks great with the warm-based grey terrazzo-style floor tile.  The black, however, is incredibly jarring.”

Daniel and Jade 

Design

While the couple’s layout is functional, the empty space in the centre of the room is a waste, says Gurtler. “Also, the vanity size is too small for a master room,” he says. “The shaker-style profile on the door is completely wrong and looks out of place. I do like the full-length shelf, though. A great idea and looks beautiful.”

Materials

“I hate the fish scale tiles,” he says. “They’re dated already, and the shape is overwhelming. The dark charcoal marble-look tiles are quite lovely though, and it’s nice to see good use of dark colours as well.” 

Fixtures and fittings

Gurtler is tired of shutters. “They’re horrible!” he says. “I wish the teams would stop using them. The black tapware was a big mistake too and brings the bathroom down. A beautiful brass series would have been gorgeous.”