The Block 2018: Domain judge Alice Stolz's inside word on week three, master ensuite week

Oh the havoc a little bathroom can bring.

En suites are funny things. It’s a room that probably only the owners of the house will frequent and it’s rarely on public display, but yet we all obsess over them. They’re a space that needs to be constructed with a very clever mind that considers what can work well for two people, that has just the right amount of oomph, but not too much that it’s wasted on a room that only the owner(s) of the house see.

Kerrie and Spence bravely carved a bit of their bathroom off to make the walk-in-robe more ample; we’ll see when they tackle the master suite if that’s a decision that works out or not. And an extra point this week to these two for really mapping out who they think their buyers might be.

What I love about Kerrie and Spence’s bathroom is the thoughtful positioning of the window that frames the roof-tops of St Kilda. It’s fresh and bright and it’s quintessential inner Melbourne. It’s sounding like they will deliver a simple and elegant en suite and I’m impressed to see them really thinking hard about quality finishes and what adds luxury to a space.

Courtney and Hans are continuing with what I hope will become a hallmark for them; contemporary elegance. I love that they have again used Terrazzo tiles and I especially love the black. It’s grown up and sophisticated and I think it works well in a bathroom with a lot of natural light that their beautiful big window overlooking Fitzroy Street is giving the room.

Jess and Norm may well have the smallest en suite this week but I love their use of the marble. Stunning. But I was left feeling lukewarm about the idea of that big white wall down the side.

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I loved the ledge that Bianca and Carla have created in their en suite. That big gorgeous shower and the indentation that serves as a beautiful design accent offers great functionality in the shower. But, girls! Work on your pitch. They couldn’t really sell me on the vision, which I hope is not a sign that there’s a lack of planning. Something about the concept about this en suite left me feeling it might not be “wow” enough for a penthouse.

Sara and Hayden are bringing out the big guns this week; on track to fit out the most expensive Block bathroom in the history of the show. There’s one part of the “wow” factor Carla and Bianca are missing.

Money aside, they are certainly not guaranteed a win on Sunday just because of that, but I am impressed by their attempt to have one absolute hero feature this week. Note I am saying one statement piece, not a smorgasbord. The challenge will be the restraint that will need to be exercise in not going completely OTT. I’m crossing my fingers they can pull this off.

And, with the budget blowout on this room, they’re really going to have to learn the reno version of how to mix the style of High Street with haute couture. In any case, their bravery is to be commended. The style they’ve gone for won’t be to everyone’s taste but there certainly is market for the bling-bling and more bling-bling trend. Let’s just hope it’s not considered too “un-Melbourne” by a potential interstate buyer.