Latest news with #MartyFox
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.
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The Block star Marty Fox bares all in cheeky ad listing his lavish Toorak home on the market for $13m
The Block judge Marty Fox has listed his luxury Toorak home with a $13 million price tag - and promoted it with a very cheeky social media post. The reality TV star posted a snap to social media earlier this week in which he bared his backside, using the stripped-back image to highlight the home's seclusion in one of Melbourne 's wealthiest suburbs. 'You can walk out into the yard here and you are in the middle of the best urban postcode Australia has to offer,' the post read. 'Yet, not a single person can look at you if you decide to walk the entire property from front to back in the nude. 'Selling the dream. One cheek at a time.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The amusing post has since gone viral, putting extra attention on the stunning estate, which comes with a price guide of $12 million to $13 million. It comes after Marty and his wife Charlotte listed their Toorak home on the market, just four years after purchasing it. The couple bought the lavish 1890-built property for $7.2 million in 2021, and conducted extensive renovations before moving in. The pair made sure to keep the home's historic charm while adding contemporary luxury and amenities. 'It's the largest landholding between Hawksburn and Toorak Villages,' Marty told 'We bought it on a six-month settlement and actually renovated it before moving into it.' The renovation was completed in a rapid four months while Charlotte was pregnant with their third child. The decision to sell came as a surprise to many as they previously described the property as their 'forever home'. The property also boasts an outdoor oasis complete with a pool, gym, sauna and a unique addition - a pickleball court - made possible through strategic negotiations with neighbouring property owners The renovation was done in collaboration with Castley McCrimmon Architects and Dome Building. The couple enhanced the home's period details with additions like bi-folds, period French windows and custom skylights. Stylish features also include chevron floors, ornate fireplaces and a pristine kitchen adorned with marble accents and brass hardware. The property also boasts an outdoor oasis complete with a pool, gym, sauna and a unique addition - a pickleball court - made possible through strategic negotiations with neighbouring property owners. 'Our business is growing, and we're travelling a lot,' Marty explained of their decision to sell. 'We feel that our dream is to be able to have a home in Queenstown, New Zealand, a home on the Gold Coast – which we now have – and a smaller home in Melbourne.' Expressions of interest remain open until June 24. Marty is the chief executive of WHITE FOX Real Estate, which he co-founded with his wife. He first appeared on the 2023 season of The Block as a semi-regular judge and returned for the following season.
News.com.au
23-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- News.com.au
Block judge Marty Fox lists $13m Toorak mansion after baring backside in viral post
The Block judge Marty Fox has gone the full monty in Toorak, baring his backside in a cheeky Instagram post to help sell his own $13m designer digs. The Whitefox founder and luxury property specialist used the stripped-back post to prove a point about the home's complete privacy, and launched one of the most headline-grabbing listings in Toorak's recent memory. 'You can walk out into the yard here and you are in the middle of the best urban postcode Australia has to offer,' the post read. 'Yet, not a single person can look at you if you decide to walk the entire property from front to back in the nude.' Now for sale with a $12m-$13m price guide, the renovated five-bedroom estate occupies more than 1400sq m across a merged double block between Toorak and Hawksburn villages. Fox and his wife Charlotte purchased the home in 2021 and began renovating it before settlement under a licence to occupy. The couple moved in the day before Charlotte gave birth to their third child, Bonnie. Six months later, the pair bought the neighbouring property at the rear and joined the two blocks, creating one of the suburb's most complete lifestyle estates — combining urban seclusion with resort-grade features. Originally built in the 1890s, the home was reimagined under the direction of Castley McCrimmon Architects and built by DOME, with interior finishes hand-picked to reflect the couple's timeless design philosophy. Full-slab Italian marble has been used throughout, alongside Murano glass chandeliers, Venetian plaster walls, Perrin & Rowe tapware, chevron oak floors and antique light fittings sourced by Charlotte in Europe. Landscaping by Nathan Burkett frames the home's rear garden, which includes a heated pool, gym cabana with ensuite, wellness deck with sauna and ice bath, and a pickleball court. The garden has been described in marketing as 'Front Garden of the Year material'. The home is being listed by Whitefox Stonnington director Lana Samuels, a prestige agent and social media influencer known for her reach and local buyer network. Listing material calls the property 'a landmark single-level sanctuary' and 'a once-in-a-generation opportunity' to secure a luxury home of this scale and quality in the heart of Melbourne's most exclusive postcode. Fox has described it as the couple's most personal project yet, and one that became the backdrop to milestone family and business moments — including the conversation that led to his appointment on The Block. Expressions of interest close at 3pm on Tuesday, June 24.
Sydney Morning Herald
22-05-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
How The Block's serial flipper gained a slice of his neighbour's land
You shall not covet your neighbour's house, but what if you just want a piece of their garden? Serial property flipper, The Block judge and Whitefox chief executive Marty Fox has listed his Toorak family home with a price guide of $12 million to $13 million. The Block airs on Nine (owned by Nine Entertainment Co, which also owns this masthead). The property is set on a large block that was originally two addresses. Fox and his wife and business partner, Charlotte Fox, are moving on after completing a renovation of the home and also expanding the block size. The house is in Charlotte's name. The pair bought the main residence for $7.2 million in 2022, records show, a $50,000 discount on its previous sale price. They then approached a neighbour about buying their property. 'I really wanted to get a court on the property for the kids to practise basketball and get a little bit more active without taking away any of that grassed area,' Marty said. 'I was very lucky to be able to convince the neighbour to sell their property, and then I amalgamated the blocks.' Later that year, the couple bought the home that backed onto theirs for $2.75 million, and they marked out part of that home's garden and attached it to their own original block. The following year they resold the now smaller neighbouring house for a $30,000 profit. On their home's extra land they have added a basketball/pickleball court and a wellness deck with ice bath and sauna.
The Age
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Age
How The Block's serial flipper gained a slice of his neighbour's land
You shall not covet your neighbour's house, but what if you just want a piece of their garden? Serial property flipper, The Block judge and Whitefox chief executive Marty Fox has listed his Toorak family home with a price guide of $12 million to $13 million. The Block airs on Nine (owned by Nine Entertainment Co, which also owns this masthead). The property is set on a large block that was originally two addresses. Fox and his wife and business partner, Charlotte Fox, are moving on after completing a renovation of the home and also expanding the block size. The house is in Charlotte's name. The pair bought the main residence for $7.2 million in 2022, records show, a $50,000 discount on its previous sale price. They then approached a neighbour about buying their property. 'I really wanted to get a court on the property for the kids to practise basketball and get a little bit more active without taking away any of that grassed area,' Marty said. 'I was very lucky to be able to convince the neighbour to sell their property, and then I amalgamated the blocks.' Later that year, the couple bought the home that backed onto theirs for $2.75 million, and they marked out part of that home's garden and attached it to their own original block. The following year they resold the now smaller neighbouring house for a $30,000 profit. On their home's extra land they have added a basketball/pickleball court and a wellness deck with ice bath and sauna.
