Now officially halfway through, the houses on The Block are starting to take shape. Tour through the rooms and get inspired in this complete guide to Julia and Ali’s house
The Block NZ: Take a tour through Julia and Ali’s house
We’re half way into The Block NZ and there’s been a real mixed bag of results from the teams. With eight completed rooms, the houses are taking shape and some solid interior trends are starting to appear.
Identical twins Julia and Ali started off the season with one of the lowest scores in The Block NZ history for their attempt at a little boys room. They quickly learnt from their mistakes and although they redeemed themselves on the scoreboard the girls’ sneaky tactics and brash attitude hasn’t won them any brownie points.
The sisters’ interior palette focuses on a neutral beige base with mustard and forest green accents and metallic accessories. Block judge Jason Bonham tried to discourage The Blue Team from using too much beige but they confidentially went ahead anyway. “There’s a reason lots of people paint their walls beige, Jason,” Julia rebutted, “It’s because it works.”
Scroll down to take a tour through Julia and Ali’s house and watch our videos with The Block Challenge Host Shelley Ferguson to get some lessons from their room reveals.
Lessons from The Block with Shelley Ferguson
Week One: How to use green in your home
Ali and Julia’s little boy’s room received some scathing remarks and harsh scores from the judges, but their use of green is something we’re seeing a lot of in interiors right now. Emerald jewel tones are right on trend and bring a regal, glamorous feel to a space. Shelley rounds up her favourite ways to use green:
- Paint a formal space such as a entrance way, dining room or library.
- Add an emerald green couch to your living area. Complement with gold or brass accents.
- Try a green rug and team with a worn leather couch, timber access and gold accessories.
- Use green tiles for your kitchen or bathroom splashback.
- Add some plants!
Lessons from The Block with Shelley Ferguson
Week Two: How to add some luxury to your bathroom
After a disastrous first week, Ali and Julia redeemed themselves with a glamorous bathroom that still managed to stay practical. The small and windowless bathrooms on The Block NZ don’t offer much to work with but Julia and Ali’s choice of tiles, tapware and accessories highlighted how basic choices can add a touch of luxury to any space. Shelley reveals some on trend tricks to add glamour to your bathroom:
- Mix grey marble tiles and gold tapware.
- Use creative tile shapes to add a statement. Diamond and fish scale tiles are right on trend.
- If you have the room try adding a little makeup station.
- Good lighting is key. Mix statement pendants with task lighting and down lights in the ceiling.
Lessons from The Block with Shelley Ferguson
Week Three: How to stop your hallway from feeling flat
Julia and Ali used a white textured wallpaper in their hallway, which added an unexpected element to what’s usually a boring space. Having texture and focal points can make a world of difference in a hallway. Shelley shows us how wood paneling can add texture without adding bulk and how rugs, lighting and art are perfect for creating focal points.
Julia and Ali’s brief in week one was for a 6-year-old boy’s room.
A missing door, slighly off colour combo and interesting light feature didn’t do Julia and Ali any favours.
Grey marble and gold tapware created a glamorous, deco-style bathroom.
The bathroom still managed to stay practical.
Julia and Ali’s efforts paid off and they won the week two bathroom reveal.
After their first go at a creating a kid’s bedroom fell terribly flat with the judges, Julia and Ali surprisingly decided to repeat the brief and create a little boys bedroom again.
Julia and Ali tried to add more of a personal touch to the room this time round.
With a pared-back palette, cool bed, and cute wall decals the judges were impressed.
The week four brief asked for a master bedroom that felt like a sophisticated and calming hideaway which included a wallpaper feature.
Julia and Ali decided to take a risk with their forest feature wall.
The bedside lights added a pop of colour to the room.
Julia and Ali decided to replicate the style of their winning bathroom design in the master ensuite.
Julia and Ali’s master ensuite.
The judges were pleasantly surprised with Julia and Ali’s kitchen and dining room. They thought the design was cohesive and liked that the kitchen didn’t have a cookie-cutter feel to it.
Julia and Ali were a bit unsure of their chosen colour of cabinetry but the judges approved and the sisters ended up winnin the week five room reveal.
Despite a dwindling budget and a broken toe from dinner wars, nothing could slow down Julia and Ali who were still riding on a high after winning the kitchen and dining room reveal.
The judges thought their living room was comfortable and coordinated but Jason thought it was “screaming out for some depth.”
The judges liked Julia and Ali’s use of art.
The judges said velvet was a good ontrend texture but thought the cowhide as their second texture was not so original.
The mixed metals in the shelving and console worked well with the wood and glass textures.
After running out of money the sisters stuck a reflective board on the wall to act as a TV.
The judges thought the overall look was luxurious and coordinated but was unfortunately a bit too beige.
Watch the judges comments on Julia and Ali’s kitchen and dining
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Watch the judges comments on Julia and Ali’s living room
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