The Block 2022, Tom & Sarah-Jane House 1 Renovation
A design lover's dream, this grand country home is full of colour and wonder.
This year on The Block, contestants Tom and Sarah-Jane of House 1 have been making waves for their bold use of colour and pattern. With three room wins under their belt (with more room reveals to come), these two are pulling out all the stops to ensure their house garners top dollar come auction day.
Hailing from the suburbs of Melbourne, Tom, a plumber and Sarah-Jane, a social worker, have long dreamed of a family home in country Victoria. So, when the opportunity came along for this fun-loving and dynamic duo to renovate a property in the beautiful town of Gisborne, the couple jumped at the chance.
"I wanted to do something really different. I didn't want someone to walk in and say, oh. I've seen that before," explains Sarah-Jane.
Set on almost 10 acres with views out towards the Macedon Ranges, Tom and Sarah-Jane are transforming a classic Queenslander homestead, celebrating the old while adding a grand modern extension.
"The floorplan has a nice flow throughout, and is the best on The Block,” says Tom. “We love the shape of our extension, with the pitched roof. It gives you that modern farmhouse feels."
Going into The Block, Tom and Sarah-Jane knew they wanted to create a modern farmhouse feel, but beyond that, their strategy was to take it week by week. This gave them the freedom to embrace their love for colour and texture.
"I think colour, texture and pattern bring warmth to a home. I didn't want the house to feel sterile or like a display home. I wanted it to feel lived in. I wanted it to feel like someone had really thought about everything," says Sarah-Jane. "I became obsessed with tartan and plaid and wanted things to catch your eye."
Which is exactly what the home is doing week after week. Within the bedrooms and bathrooms, the couple's carefully chosen palette reflects the changing colours of the natural landscape; deep earthy tones and striking blues set against brass, copper and golden hues. Restored chandeliers are a statement within the two bathrooms. Wainscoting along the bedroom walls and the freestanding wood fireplace in the master suite add another layer of texture and warmth.
"In the original part of the house, we had some of the smallest rooms. We couldn't change that, but the use of ceiling height took your eye up, and it's so impressive. It's a very cool feature of the house that I love," says Tom.
Following their back-to-back bedroom wins, Tom and Sarah-Jane have worked their magic on the kitchen, living and dining. Their kitchen, a stunning combination of elegance, warmth and practicality, is a showstopper, with judges swooning over the blue and copper oven. At the same time, the vast living and dining area alone is bigger than the first homes on The Block.
"The living room is a standout as it's got the views of the Macedon Ranges, the big timber trusses that we built, and the centre point fireplace," says Tom. "It's the heart of the home. People will sit and watch the kids in the pool, entertain in the area, or relax by the fire and look at the nice landscape."
For Sarah-Jane, it was all about the wallpaper. "I wallpapered as much as I could, even in the hallway, where artists Michael Ward and Catherine Fitzgerald did amazing pieces of art for us that went against plaid Graifco wallpapered walls," she says.
With more room reveals to come, this beautifully curated home, just 45-minutes outside of Melbourne, is colourful, bold and full of warmth.
"The house feels amazing, and it makes us feel really proud of each other," says Sarah-Jane.
THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
Set within Victoria's Macedon Ranges and just 45-minutes out from Melbourne, Gisborne is bursting with country charm. It's where time slows down and all four seasons are celebrated, and heritage buildings and sprawling homesteads sit along tree-lined streets and picture-perfect gardens. From farmgate produce to cellar doors and open-air markets to good old-fashioned hospitality, people flock to Gisborne for a taste of country life.
SITCHU’S FAVOURITE GISBORNE HANGOUTS
For breakfast: 3 Little Pigs is a great way to kick-start any day with hearty meals and great coffee.
For lunch: Gisborne Peak Winery for wood-fired pizzas and wine.
For dinner: The Flying Pigeon is an Asian fusion restaurant with homemade dumplings.
For drinks: For lovers of gin, the award-winning Mountain Distilling Tasting Room is a must.
Go-to local boutique: Time your visit right and stop by Gisborne’s much-loved Olde Time Market.
Project Credits:
Interior Design: Tom & Sarah Jane
Photography: Diakrit Photography
Words: Margaret Quilter @inky.content
