Latest news with #StephOttavio


Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
The Block winners Steph and Gian Ottavio reveal gender of their first baby in adorable video
The Block 2023 winners Steph and Gian Ottavio have revealed the gender of their first baby in a heartwarming DIY-themed video. Just weeks after announcing they were expecting their first child, the popular couple took to Instagram on Monday to share the next chapter in their growing family story - confirming they're having a baby girl. In the adorable clip, the design-savvy duo are seen blindfolded, kneeling in front of a freshly painted wall with the word 'BABY' boldly scrawled in white paint above them. With a paint tin between them, the couple slowly remove their blindfolds before breaking into smiles and sharing a kiss - officially marking the moment they discovered their baby's gender. Moments later, they add two small hand prints to the wall, and laughter erupts as Gian lovingly smears paint on Steph's cheek. 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. Just weeks after announcing they were expecting their first child, the popular couple took to Instagram on Monday to share the next chapter in their growing family story - confirming they're having a baby girl The wholesome reveal ends with the couple sharing another sweet kiss, celebrating the exciting news with a splash of fun (and a few splashes of paint). The video has already racked up thousands of views, with followers and famous friends flooding the comment section with congratulatory messages. 'I can't wait to meet the mini you,' Steph captioned the post. The excitement was real on creating this gender reveal, although don't worry as recommended we washed it straight off!' Former Block contestants and influencers were quick to react to the wholesome reveal. Jules Robinson wrote: 'This is beautiful. Congrats!' Designer duo Alisa and Lysandra added: 'Oh yay, totally knew it was going to be a girl! Congrats guys.' Meanwhile, elizaandliberty chimed in with: 'Girlieeeee Girl gang super strong now (G has 3 wives and a little princess). PS. The paint on the floorboards'. It comes after Steph and Gian revealed last month they were expecting their first child together. 'The start of our little family, when two become three,' they wrote at the time, alongside a touching video featuring ultrasound scans and tender moments of Steph showing off her bump. The loved-up couple won over Aussie viewers during their time on The Block, taking out the top prize in 2023 after weeks of high-pressure renovations and strong public support. She then did an outfit change into a crop top and long maxi skirt, with her belly on full-display as the couple kissed, hugged and danced in the Instagram post. Her hubby brandished a giant grin across his face, elated about his growing family. Other clips showed the couple getting an ultrasound scan and excitedly painting their baby's room. Last year July, Stephanie and Gian revealed they were at it again and making real estate moves. The Block winners purchased an original Federation home in Summer Hill, Sydney for $2 million. The three-bedroom, one-bathroom property is described in its Adrian William advertisement as a 'freestanding renovator's delight in trendy locale' The three-bedroom, one-bathroom property is described in its Adrian William advertisement as a 'freestanding renovator's delight in trendy locale'. The property features a fireplace, traditional washroom and a concrete backyard. At the time, the childhood sweethearts said they planned on documenting their renovation process on social media. 'We've got this ultimate plan that we can actually take everyone through from the conceptual phase,' Steph revealed. 'I'm excited to take everyone on that journey of an architect's brain of sort of being like, I've been here, I've experienced this, and this is a direct influence. It will be this whole big journey and I think it's quite relatable to what people go through,' she continued. In the nail-biting finale of The Block, Steph and Gian were the runaway winners with their house selling for an incredible $5 million. They walked away with $1.65 million profit plus prize money of $100,000, bringing their total earnings to a record breaking $1.75 million. Steph and Gian's House 4 was first to auction, and it was a tense time for the pair, who called their $3.35 million reserve 'hell' and feared they would not make money. The $5 million sale gave the pair $1.65 million profit, with Steph and Gian embracing and bursting into tears as they called the money, 'life changing '.

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.'


Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The Block winners Steph and Gian Ottavio reveal exciting baby news: 'The start of our little family'
The Block winners Steph and Gian Ottavio have revealed they are expecting their first child. The Aussie reality couple, who claimed victory during the 2023 season, shared a sweet clip on Instagram on Sunday confirming the pregnancy with a baby scan. 'The start of our little family, when two become three,' they captioned the heartwarming post. 'We can't wait to meet you our beautiful baby Ottavio.' The couple have yet to reveal the gender or when they're expecting the baby's arrival. In the video, Steph wore a cream-coloured off-the-shoulder dress that beautifully showed off her baby bump. She then did an outfit change into a crop top and long maxi skirt, with her belly on full-display as the couple kissed, hugged and danced in the Instagram post. Her hubby brandished a giant grin across his face, elated about his growing family. Other clips showed the couple getting an ultrasound scan and excitedly painting their baby's room. Last year July, Stephanie and Gian revealed they were at it again and making real estate moves. The Block winners purchased an original Federation home in Summer Hill, Sydney for $2 million. The three-bedroom, one-bathroom property is described in its Adrian William advertisement as a 'freestanding renovator's delight in trendy locale'. The property features a fireplace, traditional washroom and a concrete backyard. At the time, the childhood sweethearts said they planned on documenting their renovation process on social media. The three-bedroom, one-bathroom property is described in its Adrian William advertisement as a 'freestanding renovator's delight in trendy locale' 'We've got this ultimate plan that we can actually take everyone through from the conceptual phase,' Steph told Yahoo Lifestyle. 'I'm excited to take everyone on that journey of an architect's brain of sort of being like, I've been here, I've experienced this, and this is a direct influence. It will be this whole big journey and I think it's quite relatable to what people go through,' she continued. In the nail-biting finale of The Block, Steph and Gian were the runaway winners with their house selling for an incredible $5 million. They walked away with $1.65 million profit plus prize money of $100,000, bringing their total earnings to a record breaking $1.75 million. Steph and Gian's House 4 was first to auction, and it was a tense time for the pair, who called their $3.35 million reserve 'hell' and feared they would not make money. The $5 million sale gave the pair $1.65 million profit, with Steph and Gian embracing and bursting into tears as they called the money, 'life changing '.