The Block 2018: Alice Stolz's inside word on week seven, laundry and hallway week

Hallways are those funny parts of a house that when they’re right, people tend to not give them much praise, but when they’re wrong, you never hear the end of what a disaster they are.

In the case of an apartment, they can really set the tone for what’s ahead. It’s the very first thing that the buyers will see when they walk through your doors – it really is a case of first impressions count.

I think Courtney and Hans have the most potential here. Their generous and oversized hallway is almost like a runway compared to other teams (excuse the pun given their respective professions).

The vibe from them is similar to how they were when they approached the enormity of the master suite: overwhelmed.

But there’s an extra something this week, and I feel like they’ve well and truly got the memo and are digging deep now. They seem on track and poised to a deliver a beautiful designer hallway.

All going well, and it could be like something out of a gallery, which should have perfect appeal for that cashed-up creative buyer they have been trying to aim at.

Kerrie and Spence are heading in the right direction with their art choices: wow. I love the pomp and ceremony their selection brings to what otherwise might be a fairly rudimentary thoroughfare.

Related: View the five Gatwick apartments for sale

• Kerrie and Spence: 1/34 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
• Hans and Courtney: 2/34 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
• Sara and Hayden: 3/34 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
• Norm and Jess: 4/34 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
• Bianca and Carla: 5/34 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda

Top marks for their decent-sized laundry as well. I feel like these two have really found their way back to what got them on The Block – passion and skill for property.

I hope Sara and Hayden are on the right track this week. Their eager to please approach sounds a small warning bell for me: that they are still not convinced exactly to whom they’re pitching this apartment.

It’s the lack of continuity that in part leaves their apartment feeling a bit disjointed. On the plus side though, I’m loving their generous laundry. Tick, tick, tick.

Carla and Bianca are strong this week and their hallway is certainly going to be a real taster as to what the rest of their penthouse offers.

It feels wide and airy and their laundry is a great example of just how clever is a small space. It’s set to be packed with all the bells and whistles a laundry needs.

Jess and Norm have made the curious choice of positioning their skylights slightly off-centre and it’s left me personally feeling off-kilter. While I love the concept of natural light washing down the walls rather than acting like a contrived spotlight, it just feels off for me.

Anyway, we’ll see when it’s finished next week whether these two are ahead of the curve or if the issue is mine alone!

So top marks to Courtney and Hans this week; they’ve got the biggest job (again) and the most to gain. Ready for take off.

The scores

Courtney and Hans: 9

Kerrie and Spence: 8.5

Bianca and Carla: 8.5

Hayden and Sara: 8.5

Jess and Norm: 8