The Block Outdoor Areas | Girls vs Boys

Last night saw the final room reveal on The Block Girls vs Boys - can you believe it's finished already?! It looks like something else might get thrown at the teams in tonight's episode, as it didn't feel like Mark was quite finished with them, but essentially their houses are finished and nearly ready for auction. Niki and Tiff finished on a high and in spectacular style with a win for their outdoor area.

Niki and Tiff: 1st place - 17 points (9 from Fiona and 9 from Paul and a -1 from D+D)

The girls gamble to spend big bucks ($20 odd grand I think) on their built-in outdoor fireplace really paid off. It looks amazing!!! I want one, complete with marble tiles, although I'd quite like a pizza oven in the mix too. The white with touches of black is totally in keeping with their indoors, and a touch of blue in the cushions links back to their laundry tiles.

The rainwater tank with vertical vege garden is really cool, and kids and animals will love the pocket of grass. The only thing I didn't like was the choice and the placement of the outdoor furniture. It is so impractical and will not stand up to the elements, and impossible to mow around. I think it would've made more sense to put the table and chairs on the tiled area. It's all very well making a space look pretty, but if it's not functional it's just a waste.

But, back to the built-in fire and bench seat... it's amazing, and Niki and Tiff absolutely deserve this win.

Dyls and Dylz: 2nd place - 16.5 points (8.5 from Fiona and 8 from Paul)

Sam and Emmett had the "-1" to play, but realised after the judge's comments that it wouldn't be enough to help them this week. Rather than not play it at all, Big Dyls offered them $1,000 for it. It was a gamble that didn't quite pay off as D+D were still half a point behind. Theirs was definitely my second favourite space, I really like the indoor/outdoor flow and the Louvretec roof that can be open or closed.

It was a shame the boys couldn't use their building skills to build in their BBQ, it would've looked a lot smarter. But I know they were flat out doing other jobs, and I do love the curved wooden walkway they built. I guess there is only so much they can achieve in the time frame.

Junior did a great job around the side of the house, I love the little river stone walkway and the boxed herb garden.

Emma and Courtney: 3rd place - 13 points (6 from Fiona and 7 from Paul)

The girls have some nice elements in their space like the slatted wall and the retractable awning, but there was nothing that really 'wowed' me.

The glass balustrade doesn't allow a lot of privacy, and I wonder if repeating the wooden slatted wall and carrying it up a bit higher might've helped with this. I like the frame behind the table, it will look lovely once the plants become more established and start covering it.

Sam and Emmett: last place - 12 points (6 from Fiona and 6 from Paul)

It was another tough week for the boys with sooo much to finish off inside and out. Unfortunately I found their outdoor space a bit busy with the checkerboard pavers in two different greys and the brown furniture.

There's not much more to say other than this last photo is my favourite of theirs. I really like the materials used on the house - the large blocks of dark weatherboard and light brick, and the vertical wood cladding.

With everything finished in the houses, what will this week bring? Stay tuned to TV3 to see all the drama. With auction day looming, who is your pick to win this year? Did any of you make it to the open homes? I'd love to hear what you thought.

Favourite Space | Yolande Kjestrup

When the name Yolande Kjestrup was mentioned by a couple of different people recently, Dael and I decided to track her down. We styled the home of artist, Rae West, for a photo shoot (see page 50 of the August issue of Your Home & Garden), and her amazing Mexican-inspired outdoor room was designed by Yolande. We then visited the home of new clients and when we commented on their lovely backyard, they too had used Yo.

Rae West's outdoor room - photo by Sarah Horn for Your Home & Garden

In our job, we often work on exterior colour schemes as well as outdoor rooms, decks etc, so we'd been looking for a garden designer that we could work side by side with. We really love Yo's work and are excited about working with her on future projects - for our clients, and also for our new office and showroom.

Yo Designs is the name of her business, and under that banner comes The Green Room (garden consultation & design), and The Dressmaker's Wardrobe (vintage inspired fashion). "I never grew out of playing with dolls," says Yo. "I have three life size dolls I love to dress". She's talking about her three grown-up daughters who live in Auckland and Wellington -  Hannah, 29, Romany, 24, and Brynne, 21.

The Green Room (website to come) is a garden design service based on sustainable principles. It's very important to Yo that she creates environmentally friendly gardens, and that she is able to educate people. "It's all about soil and water quality, and reducing plastic waste," she says. Yo can visit you for a consultation and provide you with her ideas along with the names of the plants she recommends, or you can take it further for a complete garden design. Her designs are like a work of art and all carefully hand-drawn.

I asked Yo a few questions so we could get to know her better...

What do you love most about your space - your work room?

Having the room to have several projects on the go at once. It's my multi-purpose creative space. I can set up a garden plan on the drawing board and think about it while constructing a garment at the table. What with the light, view of the garden from the window, music playing, I can stay there for hours.

What is your favourite time of day?

Early morning. I'm an early riser. I'm at my most productive first thing. I like to start work when it's still dark, check out what I've drawn the night before, see if I still like it, watch the morning come, walk the dog.

What are you reading at the moment?

I'm reading "Beautiful Me" by a local author Natasha Jennings.

What inspires you?

I believe you can't create in a vacuum. I like to get out and about to find inspiration. You can find it in the most surprising and everyday'ish' places.

Sweet or savoury?

Free range and ethically sourced.

Favourite drink?

That first early morning coffee!

Favourite item you own?

My photograph of the three girls. It was taken one Christmas by their father, Phil Tasker-Poland, who is a photographer and videographer. I love the joy and the movement.

Top of your wish list?

To turn the garden shed into a 'green' studio to showcase my designs.

Yo is weaving her magic on some living creations for our Bibby + Brady showroom, so you'll be able to pop in and see them soon. If you don't live locally I will be sure to post photos, and keep an eye out for her new website also.

Thank you to Florence Charvin for her fantastic photography skills.

I'll leave you with some more words from Yo...

"Green is not something you can buy. Green is a way of life. Treasure everything. Think permaculturally. Live sustainably in all ways. Make it, grow it, build it. Do all you can with what you have".

---

Photography: Florence Charvin

The Block Garage + Laundry | Girls vs Boys

The Block houses are nearly complete. The last week was spent on the garage and laundry, as well as fixing and finishing any last details throughout the house. It was another action packed week with loved ones visiting; a mysterious leak at Emma and Courtney's house; challenges that involved helping the community; and another altercation between Big Dyls and Peter Wolfkamp over the use of power tools after 6pm. All that on top of very little sleep and budget troubles, it's exhausting just watching! E+C took out their second win in a row, so their money worries are looking a little brighter.

Emma and Courtney: 1st place - 16.5 points (8 from Fiona and 8.5 from Paul)

High scores for spaces that are more about function than style, but the girls made some great choices. Their carpet is a practical grey that should hide many sins, and the teak cabinetry around the laundry warms the space and adds a bit more interest. A peg board tool wall and a pull-out work bench are handy and clever additions.

The laundry is practical and tidy with plenty of bench space and storage, and I like the subtle tiles which add a bit of texture. As much as we may not want to, we have to spend a fair bit of time in the laundry, especially if you have kids, so you want the space to be nice as well as functional.

Dyls and Dylz: 2nd place - 15 points (8 from Fiona and 7 from Paul)

With polished concrete floors and ply lined walls, the boys' garage is minimal but pretty cool. I like that mix of materials, and again it will be really practical and easy to keep clean.

Their clever addition is a set of pull-down stairs up to an attic space, which provides valuable additional storage.

The laundry set up is simple but practical. The black light switches are a nice touch.

Sam and Emmett: 3rd place - 14.5 points (7 from Fiona and 7.5 from Paul)

I really like Sam and Emmet's spaces, and I think it must've only been their finishes that let them down. They have a couple of extra rooms, which is great for re-sale but just more work for the boys to complete. They also used ply on some of their walls and I like the way they've finished it with the simple skirts and trims.

The Bosch tool wall won in a previous challenge is a massive plus for the future owners, and the bulk head with built-in speakers in very cool too. The boys had a "-1" to play but decided, after hearing the initial comments about their space, that they would hold on to it. This turned out to be a wise decision as it wouldn't have helped them win.

Sam and Emmett are the only ones with a seperate laundry, and it's a great space with fully tiled walls and large bench space for folding washing or laying out woollens to dry. The black and white links back to their kitchen.

Niki and Tiff: last place - 12.5 points (6 from Fiona and 6.5 from Paul)

It's not often we see Niki and Tiff at the bottom of the points ladder unless part of a strategic move. Their laundry space was their typical style with some beautiful tile choices. I love these along with the painted brick and panelled sliding door.

A wine fridge and a smaller fridge in the garage will come in handy, I'm sure, but I knew the jet black carpet in the garage was a mistake as soon as I saw them choose it. It looks smart for about 10 seconds and then "everything" will show up on it. I made the mistake of putting really dark carpet down once and never again - it was a nightmare. I know this is just a garage and not a living space, but because of that it's likely to get twice as dirty.

As usual the girls' styling and attention to detail is fantastic. I love the black sink and tap with the crisp white bench and dark blue tiles, along with the styling touches. Unfortunately, one of the reasons for their low scores were some untidy finishes, so there will be a lot for all of the teams to finish up this week in time for their open homes.

It's hard to believe the houses are nearly finished, it still amazes me at the rate these homes are turned around in. This week is outdoor week, and judging by the state of the mud around, it'll be an interesting one. I don't envy them! Catch up on all the news on TV3.