The Block 2025: Living and Dining Reveals

House 1: Emma and Ben

House 2: Han and Can

As the judges entered, they couldn't help but gush over House 1's incredible pitched roof.

"It just feels so expansive," Shaynna said.

However, Marty was concerned with the layout, pointing out that the couch was facing the wrong way. With everything oriented towards the TV, the connection to the outdoors was lost. “The connection to the outside and your living spaces sell the dream,” Darren explained, “but all this is selling is a chiropractor bill from having to turn your head so much.”

Styling was another sticking point. Marty felt the timber bench under the TV looked “jarring,” and he couldn’t find a real hero in the space. “It lacks the richness of their other rooms,” he said.

The Lighting

Emma and Ben leaned on pared-back architectural choices to let the ceiling do the talking. Sleek Nevada spots and recessed MFL Titan downlights ensured even coverage without competing with the pitched roofline, while travertine wall lights brought in warmth and tactility. Their decision to keep the lighting subtle mirrored their design intent, celebrating scale and shape rather than distracting from it.

Talk about a rollercoaster week for Han and Can!

This time, they paired a soft palette with pops of colour in styling. Darren was quick to appreciate that the sofa faced the backyard, making the most of the Daylesford views. “That is what you want when you're in this location, it's gifting you so much natural beauty,” he said.

Shaynna, often critical of their styling, was impressed this week. From the pearlescence to the artwork and even the rug’s curving shapes, she praised the elegance: “It’s got some energy in a very elegant way that I haven’t seen the girls do yet.”

The Lighting

Lighting played a big part in creating atmosphere here. Nevada II track spots ensured artwork and architectural curves were properly highlighted, while the Orion pendant in brass and amber glass was a dramatic counterpoint to their neutral scheme. Its warm glow anchored the dining zone beautifully, tying colour and form into one cohesive moment.

House 3: Britt and Taz

House 4: Sonny and Alicia

After their win last week (and the first 10 of the season), Britt and Taz came into this reveal with high expectations. Their neutral but bold living space didn’t disappoint.

Theatrical gestures were front and centre, with that dramatic ceiling drew immediate ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ from the judges. Shaynna thought it was “perfectly appropriate for the region,” and Darren admired their “big dramatic strokes.” For Marty, there were “hero shots all around the room,” making it instantly marketable.

The Lighting

House 3 nailed the art of texture. Raw dining chairs sat beneath the soft glow of Calido linen flare shades, layering warmth against the neutral palette. A chalk finished Create II suspension extended that handcrafted feel, while the sculptural Bree floor lamp gave an elegant lift to a corner setting. It was a lesson in how light, texture and form can work together to add softness to bold architecture.

After stinging feedback, Alicia was questioning her styling and layout decisions, but they pushed through with one clear idea: to make their house feel like a home.

Their fireplace, built from the same brick as the exterior façade, wowed Darren. “I love that brick so much,” he said. Marty was equally taken with the exposed ceiling timbers.

But layout quickly became the sticking point. Shaynna didn’t feel the rooms connected, Darren worried the lounge was under-sized, and Marty pointed out buyers would mentally rearrange everything.

The Lighting

Lighting here was all about softening. Double Calido shades over the dining table introduced tactility and warmth, complementing the robust materials of brick and timber. Recessed MFL Titan downlights kept things functional. The scheme wasn’t showy. Instead, it was working to create intimacy in a room that risked feeling fragmented.

House 5: Robby and Matt

The Takeaway?

After a mad dash to finish, Robby and Mat were rewarded with glowing feedback. The judges were blown away by the generous floorplan, with Marty exclaiming, “Woah! How is this the same dimensions as the house that we’ve just left?”

Shaynna praised their flooring, sheer curtains and roofline, while Darren thought the layout was “perfect”, allowing both conversation and connection to the outdoors. Unlike other teams, their planning nailed it.

The Lighting

Here, the lighting stole the show. The sculptural Alana 9-light pendant, installed without the shades for a dynamic, dramatic effect, which Shaynna instantly called out: “Those beautiful pendants are just absolutely stunning.” Paired with discreet custom downlights, it balanced statement and subtlety, elevating the room with both drama and practicality.

This week reminded us that in large communal spaces, lighting isn’t just about seeing clearly, it’s about shaping mood, emphasising architecture, and creating a sense of connection. From the soft tactility of linen pendants to the clean precision of recessed spots, each team used lighting to tell a story about how these living and dining rooms should feel. The fixtures themselves may fade into the background, but the atmosphere they create? Unforgettable.