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The Block NZ – Garage and laundry week

04 Aug 2016

It's almost time for open homes on TV3's The Block NZ: Girls Vs Boys! But there's been no time for the teams to slack off. The competitors completed their interiors last week, finishing off by building the garage and laundry areas.

The four teams were asked to think outside the box when it came to design, and to create something that would grab the attention of the buyers.

Judges asked that the laundry space be practical and functional, being one of the busiest rooms of the house. They also didn't want the garage to be a plain and boring space for storing junk. With this in mind, everyone got to work. Here are the results.

Emma and Courtney 

Winning this week's room reveal, Emma and Courtney's garage felt like a little apartment rather than a garage, said the judges.

The glamorous looking laundry gave the space a stylish and contemporary feel, while the clean lines and handle-less cabinetry were real winners. They were also given props for the practical workbench and pegboard, adding simple texture to the garage. 

Judges were impressed that the girls were thinking about the environment, and it was great to see them getting Home Star points. 

The design felt safe, but the judges couldn't find much to fault with the overall design.

Ceiling Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Alabaster
Walls Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Alabaster
Woodwork Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss in Resene Alabaster

Sam and Emmett

Sam and Emmett had a more playful approach to their garage and laundry setup.

The multi-function space could also work as a kid's rumpus room, with a blackboard painted with Resene Blackboard Paint, Bluetooth speakers, fold out workbench and the laundry separate to the garage. They also liked that the laundry cabinetry uses the same design as the cabinetry in the kitchen.

In the end, it was the finishing that let them down, but judges agreed that both the garage and laundry fit outs were light, stylish and practical. 

Ceiling Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Alabaster
Walls Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Alabaster
Woodwork Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss in Resene Alabaster

Dyls & Dylz

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With negative detailing, sealed concrete floors and tucked away laundry, the judges first impression of Dyls and Dylz' space was "cool".

It's a compact space with everything you need, and the attic stairs were a real bonus. Nice recessed LED lighting also gives their garage and laundry a quality feel.

The judges called it simple but effective.

Ceiling Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Alabaster
Walls Resene Zylone Sheen VOC Free in Resene Alabaster
Woodwork Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss in Resene Alabaster
Flooring Resene Concrete Clear Satin

Niki & Tiff

Look up "stylish" in The Block NZ: Girls Vs Boys' dictionary and you'll find Niki and Tiff. 

The girls' garage and laundry has lovely, unexpected touches, with gorgeous floor tiles, wooden sliding door and blue tile splashback. Judges thought it was clever having a solid surface under a wet area in the laundry space.

But on closer inspection, the judges felt let down.

A lack of sanding on the bulkhead and some of the filling and paintwork left a lot to be desired. And the black carpet didn't feel practical in a part of the house that often tracks in dirt.

One of the judges would have also like a workbench in there, rather than the featured wine fridge, vertical freezer and beer fridge that gave the room more of a party feel.

Overall, they said it was a very stylish space but was let down majorly by the finishing.

Ceiling Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Double Alabaster
Walls Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Double Alabaster
Woodwork Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss in Resene Double Alabaster

Watch The Block NZ: Girls Vs Boys on Sunday at 7pm, and Monday through to Wednesday at 7.30pm, on TV3. www.tv3.co.nz/Shows/TheBlockNZ.aspx.

Published: 04 Aug 2016