The Block 2021 kitchen reveals: Mitch and Mark storm out of judging as Kirsty and Jesse score an important win
Kitchen Week reveals come to an abrupt end on The Block when Mitch and Mark walk off after receiving negative feedback from the judges.
Overall the kitchen reviews are mixed. Shaynna Blaze, Darren Palmer and Neale Whitaker find most of the kitchens lacking when it comes to function, but impressive in terms of style and design.
The lead-up to reveals is all about painting, styling, cleaning, and of course some neighbourhood drama.
Tanya and Vito are still wondering where they went wrong with their fruit box present. They assume Mitch and Mark might have sent the gift back because it wasn’t delivered in person, so Tanya and Vito pay House 2 a visit.
Mitch is up on scaffolding painting the ceiling, while Mark is in the pantry when they arrive. Tanya and Vito explain they couldn’t personally deliver it because their bench had just arrived.
“Mark said ‘no’ because he didn’t think we wanted a fruit platter, meanwhile I was at the supermarket buying fruit,” Mitch says as Mark pops his head around the door.
In a separate interview Mitch reveals how he really feels about the visit. “I don’t buy it. You come down to talk about the kind gesture that didn’t work out, and you also bring a camera crew with you so you are filmed talking about your kind gesture.”
OK, so that’s sorted, so it’s back to painting, cleaning and styling. Soon enough it’s tools down, and we head to Block Headquarters to hear host Scott Cam read out the judges’ comments.
Ronnie and Georgia
There are smiles all round as the judges enter Ronnie and Georgia‘s kitchen, with Neale declaring the couple’s style is “impeccable”.
Then it’s down to the finer details as Shaynna, Darren and Neale turn their focus to function. Darren gives them the thumbs up for the cleaning, cooking, prep and food and kitchenware storage zones.
But the island bench is a miss for Shaynna.
“I don’t like big sinks in the island bench taking up so much real estate, because they’ve got three chairs there and you can’t sit in front of the sink,” she says.
Shaynna describes the pantry as “cute” but thinks it’s too small. They are also missing a bin in there, and the doors to the pantry open outwards rather than in.
There is one positive, with Georgia’s “Georgianised” pantry labels and jars a hit with Neale.
Mitch and Mark
The first thing the judges notice is the M carved into the side of the bench, which will leave prospective buyers in no doubt who designed House 2.
They love the island bench, which has good functionality and pairs nicely with the breakfast nook under the window.
“Mitch and Mark are masters of packaging up the dream and selling it. You walk in here and there’s that sense of sophistication and that sense of refinement,” Neale says.
If judging just on the impact of how the kitchen looks, the judges admit it would get a perfect score. But they have major issues with functionality, questioning whether it’s a cook’s kitchen.
Shaynna, Darren and Neale’s main issue is with the food storage, which appears to be in a few drawers. They take this to mean there’s space for food in the butler’s pantry, but there isn’t.
“No pantry! That’s crazy. So all your food storage here is either in the fridge or it’s in the drawers,” Neale says.
“That’s dumb,” Darren adds, while Shaynna describes it as “insane”.
Back at Block HQ, the comments spark a discussion about modern kitchens having food storage in drawers rather than pantries.
“I’m not sure if they’ve seen modern kitchens … They’re clearly not ahead of the kitchen design game,” Mark says in defence of the drawers.
“Hopefully, [the judges] said, you can take this as constructive criticism on board and look for a solution in the weeks ahead, because this could be the ideal kitchen when you put that issue to bed,” Scott tells Mitch and Mark.
Mark responds, “I don’t think so!”
And Mitch feels the same. “Their comments are pretty stupid. I have no respect for the judges so I shouldn’t let somebody hurt me, who I have no respect for.”
Tanya and Vito
First impressions are all positive for the judges, who are hit with bold design and architectural choices. They love the terrazzo benchtop, round skylights above, triangle window and the oval window in the butler’s pantry.
“This is a kitchen that says, ‘Love me or hate me, but don’t ignore me.’ Don’t you think? It’s a bold design statement,” Neale says.
The feedback takes a turn when Shaynna looks closely at the functionality of the main kitchen area. She thinks the fridge is in an awkward spot and the island bench doesn’t have enough space for prep or for people to eat at.
Shaynna, Darren and Neale are also shocked to realise there’s no bin. They are even more surprised to find an insinkerator, which Shaynna hasn’t seen since the 1980s.
Despite the issues in the main kitchen, the judges were impressed with the butler’s pantry, which is more like what they were expecting to see in House 1 and 2.
Neale was filled with joy looking at it because it was both functional and fun.
Josh and Luke
From the pendants to the striking windows and monochrome look, House 4’s kitchen gives a striking first impression. It means Josh and Luke continue their trend of a week of bad reviews followed by good the next.
“I am absolutely loving their high contrast of sharp black and white, and softening it with this beautiful timber,” Shaynna says of the Christian Cole benchtop.
In terms of functionality, the fridge is in a good spot, but Shaynna worries the pendants won’t provide enough light at night.
The dishwasher and pantry doors can’t open at the same time yet are right next to each other.
And the butler’s pantry wasn’t what the judges expect for that type of space. It’s a small room with no bin, leading Darren to describe it as a “dumping ground”, while Neale says it’s a ” beautiful cupboard”.
On the plus side, the styling from the twins this week is on point.
Kirsty and Jesse
Shaynna, Darren and Neale gasp with delight entering House 5’s kitchen, instantly blown away by how good it looks.
“I am home,” Neale says.
Darren takes it one step further: “I am dead. This is insane.”
And Shaynna says, “Wow… wow. It’s absolutely stunning.”
The navy blue cabinets with brass detail on the bench and drawer handles are a hit for Darren.
“There’s gingham wallpaper [in the butler’s pantry]! If there isn’t a better metaphor for what I’ve just said about this being the perfect blend of country, Hamptons and contemporary but every detail in here is so beautifully resolved.”
It’s a win for functionality with a big sink, huge benchtop and four-section bin. The butler’s pantry also has plenty of room for food storage and works as a functioning kitchen on its own.
However, Darren needed just one more thing to be perfect: another bin in the butler’s pantry, which isn’t there.
Time for the judges’ scores.
- Ronnie and Georgia: 27
- Mitch and Mark: 22.5
- Tanya and Vito: 25.5
- Josh and Luke: 26.5
- Kirsty and Jesse: 29.5
The win goes to Kirsty and Jesse. On top of the $10,000 they get for winning, they also get another $10,000 for scoring a 10 from Shaynna and another from Neale. On top of that, the win means they get the wall of wine fridges from Gaggenau.
Scotty congratulates the couple and announces next week teams will work on their Living and Dining rooms. But Mitch and Mark can’t bear to stay any longer and walk out before he stops talking.
“I think the judges are actually not progressive enough to understand pantries come with drawers. So actually no, I don’t have a lot of need for the judges’ opinion anymore,” Mark says.
Mitch adds, “I’m supposed to listen to them? Yeah, go f–k yourselves.”
A producer tries to get them to elaborate on the feedback but the couple refuse.
“At this point the feedback is irrelevant to us,” Mark says.
“This is absolutely a farce,” Mitch claims.
And with that said, they walk out of Block HQ without looking back.
- This article was originally published by Nine.com.au. Reproduced with permission.
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