The Block 2018: Alice Stolz's inside word on week one, master bathroom week

 Before we get into the nitty gritty of who’s doing what this week, let’s unpick the biggest clue we have in regards to the early winners and losers this season; the carve up of the The Block apartments.

Hayden and Sara have carte blanche and yet they defy common belief and go against choosing one of the penthouses. Qué? In my mind it seems like the most catastrophically ludicrous thing to do, but maybe this is their attempt at thinking strategically?

One could argue that lower apartments will mean a lower reserve, easier access during construction than trawling up to the top floor and being tucked away in the old part of the building means they won’t suffer delays that adverse weather may bring. But really? Come on!

In their defence, Hayden and Sara claim their choice was because they were drawn to the heritage aspect of the apartment and also, because there’s a big fat concrete slab going between the penthouses above them, they know the acoustics will be good (noise must be the number one bugbear in apartment living).

But still, it left me surprised and with a sense of deja vu from Ronnie and Georgia choosing the middle house last season (except Ronnie and Georgia had the lure of a safe, which these two do not).

The next choice was left to Kerrie and Spence and they played it straight and went for the safe. It makes sense: given their apartment’s location (on the lowest of the floors), they genuinely may end up with the lowest reserve come auction day.

But for Carla and Bianca and Jess and Norm – well, they’re right to think it’s Christmas. The new penthouses in The Gatwick are slated to be stunning light-filled attriums with soaring ceilings, lavish terraces – the kind of real estate you buy when you want to really “live the dream”. It’s true they’ll have their work cut out for them with the enormity of the spaces, but they knew that when they signed up. For both of these teams, I like their plucky courage and their verve.

And spare a thought for Hans and Courtney. They’re left with the biggest square metreage of all the apartments and they’ve got the least experience. Brace for impact.

Turning to this week’s challenge and it’s baptism by fire with the contestants having to tackle a bathroom in their first official room reveal.

I absolutely love the terrazzo tiles Courtney and Hans have gone with and I hope we see more of this quality over quantity when it comes to style statements. One piece or detail or hero execution/flourish that knocks your socks off. And I think it’s bang on trend to what buyers want when it comes to snappy St Kilda style.

This is what was lacking in Kerrie and Spence’s bathroom. It feels safe, it sounds a bit beige and I’m not convinced that’s what a buyer in St Kilda wants. The challenge for Kerrie and Spence will be to push the envelope from a style perspective each week, further and further as the season progresses.

Carla and Bianca’s bathroom is stunning and I particularly love the massive slab of marble on their bathroom wall and the panelling in the ceiling. Simple, elegant and stylish.

But ultimately, I was bowled over by just how thoroughly Norm and Jess thought about their eventual buyer when it came to approaching their bathroom. Their apartment was the first I’d visited and heard the word “moodboard” bandied around.

It is absolutely mandatory to think ahead as you undertake any renovation project. And you could see how that swung in Norm and Jess’s favour when they talked about the need for a calming and restorative bathroom for someone who they expect will be working hard and playing hard.

Jess and Norm need to hold that concept of who that buyer is close their hearts and their heads for the months to come. And the rest of the contestants need to conjure up who they’re aiming pitching these luxe apartments at.

The scores

Norm and Jess: 8

Bianca and Carla: 7

Hayden and Sara: 6.5

Courtney and Hans: 6

Kerrie and Spence: 6