The Block 2019 studio reveal recap: Tess and Luke snatch a much-needed victory

Stakes are high this week on The Block for studio apartment week. Without putting too fine a point on it, if Tess and Luke don’t win they are heading back to Cairns with their tails between their legs, such is the state of their budget.

Here’s how it played out.

Mitch and Mark

The current vibe in the Bondi boys’ camp is “slightly surly” after they got a no to their request to put a plunge pool on their terrace. As Mitch so eloquently put it, “If you f— with us, I will f— with you”. So it’s game on, molls.

This week the gents again deviated from the prescribed floor plan and created an en suite and walk-in wardrobe, the final rooms in their “game-changing master wing”.

Shaynna Blaze loved the Sex and the City vibe of the walk-in robe saying, “this is theatre … this is sass personified … I think getting dressed in here would be joyous”.

The en suite was also a hit thanks to the huge bath with lots of natural light.

Neale Whitaker summed it all up by saying, “hello, luxury”. He was a fan of the tiles on the vanity wall and the chandelier saying, “the boys have created the absolute ultimate master en suite”.

Despite liking the fit-out, Darren Palmer remained concerned about the three-bedroom concept and whether this would rule out some potential buyers.

Tess and Luke

Tess and Luke, who haven’t had a win since week five, created the only self-contained studio apartment, incorporating a bedroom, en suite and kitchenette.

Darren said it was a “really good use of the space … they are competing for a multi-generational buyer … somebody that might have elderly parents or teenagers or an au pair”.

The judges were into the versatility of the studio. They were particularly impressed with the concealed television and storage cabinet that turned the bedroom into a living room space.

Neale described it as “luxury based on functionality … they have really thought it through and it’s all beautifully planned”.

Andy and Deb

This team is also feeling the pinch, so they are tightening the purse strings and made the call not to have an en suite. As Andy pointed out, there are already two bathrooms on this level. Scotty Cam called it “the smartest move anyone has made on The Block”.

The NSW couple delivered a super-sized bedroom instead that could be used as a home office if the buyer wished.

Deb’s styling delivered yet again, with Neale describing the serene space as “aesthetically perfect … it’s absolutely beautiful on every level. They have created a house that takes the buyer on that emotional journey – you walk in, you fall in love with it.”

Shaynna was speechless and actually teared up, saying “this is stunning – it’s a room that builds emotion. You know when a house is built with love and I think that’s what I’m connecting with at the moment … there’s something very healing about this interior.”

Despite everyone being in awe of the aesthetics, Darren felt house one and two had got more value out of their floor plans.

El’ise and Matt

The Perth pair also went a little off script this week, fundamentally creating another master bedroom with his-and-hers walk-in robes and an en suite.

This means they have four master bedrooms, all with en suites – something that could put them in good stead come auction day.

A key feature of their room was the original art selected by El’ise, including a lightbox that allows you to interchange artworks.

They also went with a bold floral wallpaper feature wall. Earlier in the week Keith commented that it “looks like the bottom of a rainforest, it’s a bit creepy” – but thankfully, come judgment time, Neale really liked it.

Shaynna loved the layout of the his-and-hers wardrobes but didn’t like the fact there was no natural light in the bathroom – she worried that it could feel a bit claustrophobic. Neale said the bathroom “wasn’t exciting”. On top of that Darren noticed there was no extraction or ventilation which is a massive no-no.

Jesse and Mel

Having won the past two weeks, Jesse and Mel were going for the hat-trick – something that has yet to be achieved in Block history. Jesse chimed in with some classic big-noting saying, “It feels like it’s not a competition any more”.

Jesse has again been painting and tiling everything himself. Earlier in the week Keith and Dan said it all looked a bit rushed. “You’ve got to realise when you’re out of your realm, and you’re out of your realm right now,” was Keith’s comment.

This went down like a Mitre 10 wheelbarrow in a plunge-pool and Jesse taunted Keith about his golf swing, prompting Keith to throw a bucket of water over him. Jesse’s maniacal “you can’t touch me” laughter provided 15 seconds of truly awkward television.

But back to the task at hand. This week house five delivered a bedroom, lounge area, en suite and walk-in robe with a built-in desk.

The judges said the wardrobe that incorporated a versatile desk/dressing table was “a very nice introduction to the room”.

Darren said, “This is the layout I thought would be most appropriate for El’ise and Matt,” prompting this classic “told you so” look from Mel.

Darren described it as a “self-contained hotel room” that would have broad market appeal. Despite this, they felt it didn’t have the emotional pull of Andy and Deb’s room.

Shaynna was again affronted by the contrasting metal finishes in the bathroom and Darren found it weird to have the Juliet balcony off the en suite. However, Darren noted that overall the pair had created “a high-end house with lots and lots of amenity and function built into it”.

The final scores

In the end, Tess and Luke used their gnome and their bonus point and this got them over the line for a (much needed) win and $10,000 to keep them in the game.

Mitch and Mark – 28.5

Tess and Luke – 29 (using their bonus gnome point)

Andy and Deb – 28

El’ise and Matt – 27.5

Jesse and Mel – 28.5

Next week is double verandah week. The promo also indicates Keith and Jesse have another epic argument, which looks to be well worth tuning in for.