Latest news with #JulianBrenchley
Daily Telegraph
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Telegraph
The Block 2025 Episode 7 recap: Big problem with the Block house designs
It seems Han and Can have learned precisely zero lessons from their failure to complete their first Block room last week. This week Han is insisting on making last minute changes to the layout of their kitchen, mud room, laundry and pantry area. With kitchen and benchtop suppliers needing contestants' designs in this week in order to meet the deadline for cabinetry installation later in the series, it's a bad time to flip flop, but Han described the layout created for all the teams by architect Julian Brenchley as 'completely f***ed'. THE BLOCK DUD SUBURBS REVEALED: Shock data shows reno risks BLOCK LOSSES: One in five of the show's houses lose value post show CONTROVERSY: The biggest Block scandals Her main issue seems to be the fact that in order to reach the pantry and laundry from outside the house, it's necessary to walk through the mud room. 'I think that's a hygiene issue and cleaning issue for me. You're walking through the mud into your butler's pantry. It just doesn't work,' she complained to Can and the impatient supplier. 'You'll traipse mud through a food area.' Is it possible that Han thinks that a mud room is in fact a room full of mud? That can be the only explanation for her bizarre belief that possession of a mud room makes it compulsory to also walk mud through the house. 'I'm refusing to do this because I'm playing the long game and I know the floorplan in my head will make it a lot better,' she persisted. 'Freedom (kitchens) said you have to make a decision there and then and I said no, I'm not going to because I know in my head I have grander plans than that. I just hadn't worked out the nitty gritty,' she explained. Han's plan was to add a doorway directly from the outside into the laundry and pantry, next to the door into the mud room, meaning there will presumably be two outside doors beside each other. With time getting away from her she enlisted her builder dad to redo the layout, promising to get measurements in by the end of the day. Twenty-hours later, and with no appearance of the new plans, and foreman Dan was getting frustrated, particularly when he discovered Han cleaning out the dunny at her and Can's caravan instead of cracking on. 'I love cleaning,' Han said. 'That's the processing time for me, when I'm doing something that at the same time is making me feel better.' But aside from not understanding how hosing out a stinking dunny could make anyone feel better, Dan was frustrated at her flawed prioritising. 'I don't think she understands the urgency,' he said. 'The more I think about it the more I'm actually getting aggravated about it. The girls have not learned from last week when they didn't finish a room. Now instead of being in the room every second making sure everything gets done, they're up there cleaning.' Elsewhere, the race was on to secure an auctioneer, with both Ben and Emma and Mat and Robby believing they had locked in Block regular Tom Panos from Sydney. Emma and Ben's real estate agent — Aaron Hill from Ray White Sunbury — assured them Tom would only work with him, but Mat and Robby believed Tom had already agreed to auction their house, despite the fact their real estate agent was Daylesford local Kim McQueen. A meeting between the boys and Mat and Robby didn't go well. 'He was trying to measure his D … against Ms McQueen's,' was Robby's assessment. 'I hated him,' was Mat's.
News.com.au
01-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
The Block stars share game-changing renovations tips to add value to Aussie homes
If your renovation dreams begin with a Pinterest board and end with a budget blowout, you're not alone. Australia's top home experts say too many would-be renovators are skipping the fundamentals, and ending up with houses that look great in photos but fail to deliver where it counts. Whitefox founder and The Block judge Marty Fox said the homes people fall in love with are never the flashiest. Why The Block architect says beige is over 'They're the ones where nothing feels forced, just smart, beautiful spaces that feel effortless to live in,' Mr Fox said. Mr Fox and his wife Charlotte recently transformed a forgotten Toorak house into a breathtaking family sanctuary, complete with slab marble bathrooms, a backyard pickleball court, and designer finishes sourced from Europe. But Mr Fox said it's not about throwing money at a problem, it's about vision, planning and understanding how design choices shape real life. 'You can spend millions and still get it wrong,' he said. 'What makes a home sing is when it reflects your lifestyle, where every detail has purpose. 'Not just what's trending.' That same message is echoed by The Block's resident architect Julian Brenchley, who has spent more than a decade watching contestants battle budgets, briefings and breakdowns under national scrutiny. 'Design isn't decoration,' Mr Brenchley said. 'It's problem-solving.' Mr Brenchley warns that many renovators rush toward open-plan layouts without truly understanding how to zone space for function, acoustics or family life. 'Everyone wants big and open, but with no structure it just becomes an echo chamber,' he said. 'You need flow, you need quiet areas, you need smart storage.' And while bold facades and glossy finishes once dominated display homes, The Block architect believes people are moving away from trying to impress. 'Buyers don't want trophy homes, they want liveable ones,' Mr Brenchley said. 'People are moving away from trying to impress, less facade, more feeling that's the future.' That's the design philosophy embraced by The Block 2023 winners Steph and Gian Ottavio, who said the biggest shift they've noticed post-show is emotional design. 'Great design slows you down,' Ms Ottavio said. 'It makes you breathe deeper when you walk through the door.' The couple recently completed a Japandi-style design for James Hardie, a fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian principles, favouring clean lines, warm timber, earthy tones and layered textures. 'It's not just a trend,' Mr Gian said. 'We design for how a home feels, at 7am when you're rushing out the door, or when you collapse onto the couch after a long day.' And Ms Ottavio said the days of designing for resale are fading fast. 'Buyers can smell inauthenticity,' she added. 'You can walk into a house that's had 200k thrown at it and still feel nothing. 'But give me a home where the spaces are well-planned and thoughtful, and I'll take that every time.' Mr Fox, who's sold some of Melbourne's priciest real estate, agrees that emotional pull is everything. 'You want buyers to walk in and picture their kids playing in the backyard, not wondering how long the floors will last,' he said. 'At the top end, people want turnkey — but more than that, they want soul.' The Block judge said he's also big on quality over quantity. 'Don't waste money on trendy tiles you'll hate in six months,' Mr Fox said. 'Spend where it counts, good stone, beautiful lighting, tapware that feels solid in your hand.' So what's the golden rule when planning your dream reno? For Mr Fox, the answer is simple. 'A home is about memory-making,' he said. 'Get the fundamentals right, and the magic follows.' The Block stars top 5 reno tips 1. Don't follow trends Whitefox founder and The Block judge Marty Fox said fads fade fast. Use natural materials, classic finishes, and design choices that will still look good in 10 years. 2. Prioritise flow and function over fancy facades The Block architect Julian Brenchley warns against 'facade obsession.' Focus on how your home feels and functions day to day, not just how it looks on Instagram. 3. Plan every detail, especially the basics Know your marbles, timbers, lighting, and layouts. According to Mr Fox, great renovations hinge on understanding materiality and making intentional choices early. 4. Design for emotion, not just aesthetics The Block 2023 winners Steph and Gian Ottavio recommend designing for how a home makes you feel, from 7am grogginess to post-work recharge, not just its visual appeal. 5. Think lifestyle, not just location. The right home isn't just where it is, it's how you live in it.
Herald Sun
27-05-2025
- Business
- Herald Sun
Must-know home design transforming Australian suburbs and killing off beige box builds
Aussie homeowners are ditching beige box builds in favour of calming, sanctuary-style homes, with new research revealing barn-style and Japandi designs are leading the shift. A growing number of Australians are turning their backs on cookie-cutter homes, with new research revealing a dramatic shift toward calming, sanctuary-style spaces, and two design trends leading the charge. Figures from the James Hardie Modern Homes Forecast 2025 show barn-style builds and Japandi-inspired interiors are fast becoming the top picks for home builders and renovators, as families rethink what they want from their living spaces. The Block architect Julian Brenchley said Australians were increasingly focused on simplicity, serenity and space, and moving away from overly decorative exteriors. 'People want value, and they want volume. The barn form gives you that,' Mr Brenchley said. 'It's a really smart shape, builders understand it, it works well on tight blocks, and you end up with these beautiful open volumes that feel calm and expansive. 'And it doesn't cost a fortune to achieve.' RELATED: Newport home stuns with post-auction price reveal 'Thrilled': one seller, three separate first-home buyers Insider deal: $50m Besen mansion changes hands The Block architect Julian Brenchley says more Australians are choosing simple, cost-effective homes that prioritise emotional wellbeing, space and functionality. Photo: Adam Yip Barn-style homes are emerging as a top choice for families seeking open interiors, dramatic volume and stress-free construction. Architects say the barn house form offers smart design solutions with fewer structural complexities and more lifestyle appeal. Also gaining traction is Japandi — a fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian principles — which architects say is resonating with a new generation of homeowners seeking stillness, flexibility and connection. Winners of The Block 2023, Steph and Gian Ottavio said the desire for homes that feel like retreats had surged in the past year, and that Japandi represented more than just a look. 'Japandi isn't just a design trend,' Ms Ottavio said. 'It's about creating a space that slows you down. 'We're seeing more people move away from fads and focus instead on how a home makes them feel.' The Block 2023 winners Steph and Gian Ottavio are helping lead the Japandi design movement, creating sanctuary homes that feel calm, warm and deeply personal. Source: Supplied Japandi design blends Japanese minimalism with Scandinavian warmth, creating homes that promote stillness, softness and intentional living. The pair recently completed a Japandi-style home in collaboration with James Hardie, incorporating timber, earthy tones, internal courtyards and layered cladding profiles to create a sense of stillness and warmth. Mr Ottavio said Melbourne's more introspective design style made it the perfect fit for Japandi-inspired builds. 'In Sydney, it's all about the view,' Mr Ottavio said. 'But in Melbourne, it's about how the home feels inside — and that's where Japandi thrives.' Box Modern homes embrace strong geometric lines and clean facades, offering sleek urban living with flexibility and architectural edge. The Modern Farmhouse style blends rustic charm with practical living, featuring pitched roofs, expansive windows and nature-inspired palettes. Modern Heritage homes honour historical architecture with contemporary touches, balancing period charm with fresh colours and smart materials. The Ottavios said intentional design has a direct impact on how people live and feel. 'When every space in the home has purpose, it changes your whole outlook,' Ms Ottavio said. 'We're designing for how you feel at 7am, or after a long day, not just how the house looks in a brochure.' Their observations are backed by Hardie's trend data, which shows wellness, flexibility and build efficiency are now top priorities for Australians designing or renovating a home, with aesthetics becoming more considered and intentional. The forecast outlines eight key styles expected to shape the future of suburban Australia, including Box Modern, Modern Classical, Modern Coastal and Mid-Century Modern — with Barn and Japandi leading early adoption. Modern Coastal homes reinterpret classic beach design with indoor-outdoor flow, weather-smart materials and laid-back luxury. With clean lines, muted tones and a focus on breezy comfort, Modern Coastal is a go-to style for relaxed Australian living. According to Mr Brenchley, the sanctuary-style shift is already well underway. 'More clients are asking for multipurpose zones, natural materials and internal courtyards,' he said. 'They're less worried about front facades and more focused on acoustic comfort, thermal performance and zoning for everyday life. The home is becoming a retreat.' The Block architect added that the new wave of 'non-beige' homes would be better suited to modern lifestyle demands, including hybrid working, multigenerational living and increased time spent at home. 'The beige box is over,' Mr Brenchley said. 'What comes next is personal, practical and peaceful, and it's going to reshape our suburbs.' Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox. MORE: Must-know investor shift behind Melb's auction surge The rate cut move Melbourne has been warned against Warning as Melbourne's CBD car parks face financial pressure
News.com.au
27-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- News.com.au
Must-know home design transforming Australian suburbs and killing off beige box builds
A growing number of Australians are turning their backs on cookie-cutter homes, with new research revealing a dramatic shift toward calming, sanctuary-style spaces, and two design trends leading the charge. Figures from the James Hardie Modern Homes Forecast 2025 show barn-style builds and Japandi-inspired interiors are fast becoming the top picks for home builders and renovators, as families rethink what they want from their living spaces. The Block architect Julian Brenchley said Australians were increasingly focused on simplicity, serenity and space, and moving away from overly decorative exteriors. 'People want value, and they want volume. The barn form gives you that,' Mr Brenchley said. 'It's a really smart shape, builders understand it, it works well on tight blocks, and you end up with these beautiful open volumes that feel calm and expansive. 'And it doesn't cost a fortune to achieve.' Also gaining traction is Japandi — a fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian principles — which architects say is resonating with a new generation of homeowners seeking stillness, flexibility and connection. Winners of The Block 2023, Steph and Gian Ottavio said the desire for homes that feel like retreats had surged in the past year, and that Japandi represented more than just a look. 'Japandi isn't just a design trend,' Ms Ottavio said. 'It's about creating a space that slows you down. 'We're seeing more people move away from fads and focus instead on how a home makes them feel.' The pair recently completed a Japandi-style home in collaboration with James Hardie, incorporating timber, earthy tones, internal courtyards and layered cladding profiles to create a sense of stillness and warmth. Mr Ottavio said Melbourne's more introspective design style made it the perfect fit for Japandi-inspired builds. 'In Sydney, it's all about the view,' Mr Ottavio said. 'But in Melbourne, it's about how the home feels inside — and that's where Japandi thrives.' The Ottavios said intentional design has a direct impact on how people live and feel. 'When every space in the home has purpose, it changes your whole outlook,' Ms Ottavio said. 'We're designing for how you feel at 7am, or after a long day, not just how the house looks in a brochure.' Their observations are backed by Hardie's trend data, which shows wellness, flexibility and build efficiency are now top priorities for Australians designing or renovating a home, with aesthetics becoming more considered and intentional. The forecast outlines eight key styles expected to shape the future of suburban Australia, including Box Modern, Modern Classical, Modern Coastal and Mid-Century Modern — with Barn and Japandi leading early adoption. According to Mr Brenchley, the sanctuary-style shift is already well underway. 'More clients are asking for multipurpose zones, natural materials and internal courtyards,' he said. 'They're less worried about front facades and more focused on acoustic comfort, thermal performance and zoning for everyday life. The home is becoming a retreat.' The Block architect added that the new wave of 'non-beige' homes would be better suited to modern lifestyle demands, including hybrid working, multigenerational living and increased time spent at home. 'The beige box is over,' Mr Brenchley said. 'What comes next is personal, practical and peaceful, and it's going to reshape our suburbs.'
