The Block 2023
Parents from Brisbane, QLD
Leah & Ash
Meet Leah and Ash, the vivacious couple whose dynamic personalities perfectly complement each other. With a penchant for socialising and a fearless approach to sharing their opinions, they light up any room they enter. Leah and Ash are ready to leap out of their comfort zone and dive headfirst into The Block 2023, driven by Leah's excitement to see their capabilities unfold: "I'm looking forward to seeing what we are capable of."
Experienced renovators with a flair for bold design, Leah and Ash bring a rich history of transforming spaces to the competition. Currently embarking on a mammoth renovation of a Queenslander, they juggle a new business, three kids, and the chaos of renovation, making The Block feel like the natural next step. Leah, a spirited first aid trainer with a passion for innovative design, is set to turn heads with her distinctive style, aiming to infuse modern art/deco vibes into their creation. Ash, a quintessential Queenslander, brings his builder expertise to the table, ready to save costs while delivering top-notch craftsmanship.
Click on the episode below to jump to a room reveal!
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WEEK 2:
STUDIO BATHROOM
Marty jumps in, comparing the room to a nightclub bathroom right off the bat. Darren, however, is a fan and finds something to love. Shaynna strikes a balanced view, acknowledging the daring choice while predicting it might divide potential buyers. Everyone applauds Leah and Ash's self-assured approach, yet Marty poses the question, "Does the bold move really seal the deal?"
Leah shares her thoughts about the final result "It's so sexy, is hot and steamy that room" while Ash "We've done a few things, but never real risky like that".
Marty Fox |
“It’s a lot to take in, it makes me feel like I’m in a nightclub, stripped led lighting, polished curve pass ceiling, walnut timber, green marble, there’s a lot going on.” |
Darren Palmer |
“I love it, I love the details in here, that polished Venetian plaster, in that colour, the colour green, green marble, it’s hot" |
Shaynna Blaze |
“Wow, there's a lot - it's a very specific type of buyer that would like this room.” |
Featured Products
Floor Tile: Pompeii Travertine Grigio Microtec Textured
Wall Tile: Regency Green Textured Mosaic
Despite that, their room is declared "a lot."
24.5/30
The products featured were available at the time of airing. Our beautiful range changes from time to time, so please check with our friendly sales teams first.
WEEK 4:
BATHROOM / POWDER ROOM
Following weeks of receiving tough criticism, Leah and Ash are longing for some positive validation from the judges, and they finally receive it.
The judges wholeheartedly appreciate the couple's consistent use of marble and acknowledge that their overall style exudes a definite sense of luxury.
Shaynna expresses her admiration for the colorful art deco vase that Leah painstakingly selected, underscoring the importance of attention to detail in a Room Reveal.
Marty Fox |
"Well, they are consistent in their use of stone and that quality is now really evident" |
Darren Palmer |
"It's a great effect. It's tonal, it feels luxurious. I love that herringbone pattern and how they've stopped it at that sort of the dado line" |
Shaynna Blaze |
"These guys love marble! They really do. The vanity the style of the shaving cabinet, this beautiful basin. It's all elegant." |
Featured Products
Shower & High Wall Tile: Herringbone Brazilia Grey Polished Mosaic
Floor Tile: Pompeii Travertine Grigio Microtec Textured
They have done a really good job this week
28/30
WINNERS OF THE WEEK
The products featured were available at the time of airing. Our beautiful range changes from time to time, so please check with our friendly sales teams first.
Leah and Ash Guest Bathroom RevealLeah and Ash's Guest Bathroom is simply marble-ous! #TheBlock | Watch on Channel 9 and 9Now
Posted by The Block on Saturday, 2 September 2023
VINTAGE | LUX
LEAH & ASH | COMPLETE BATHROOM PACKAGE
Leah and Ash bring an elevated Vintage feel with their winning bathroom. Our Pompeii, Tile of the Year 2024 range wraps around the walls and floor. While, the stunning Brazilia Grey Herringbone mosaic takes this bathroom to the top, literally, wowing us with the scale of ceiling height natural stone. The Iris vanity is the finishing touch with graceful rounded edge shapes that echo through the rest of the bathroomware.
WEEK 7:
KITCHEN & LAUNDRY
The tiniest kitchen on The Block took its toll on Leah, who struggled with the design. Despite staying on budget at $22,084 in cash, the judges were smitten with the custom island bench's tiles and marble top but raised concerns about its size and the sink's placement. Leah and Ash initially considered abandoning the butler's pantry due to limited space, but after House 1's positive feedback, they decided otherwise – a choice that quickly backfired as Shaynna voiced regret over the pantry's impact on the kitchen's size. The judges were unimpressed with the kitchen and laundry use this week, and Shaynna criticized their overall layout decisions.
Neale Whitaker |
"This aesthetic they've chosen for themselves not only is it polarising but it is interesting" |
Darren Palmer |
"Bessoted. Everything in here is bold an courageous. But, it this enough island bench?" |
Shaynna Blaze |
"I think the dark, the metallic, that quartzite, all the materials. Even the little stools are beautiful in that burgundy...Today I have two rooms that are a bad decision in the floor layout" |
Featured Products
Floor Tile: Pompeii Grigio CB-Porc Struct Microtec Text 298 x 600
The judges are not impressed with how the couple have used both the kitchen and laundry space
23.5/30
The products featured were available at the time of airing. Our beautiful range changes from time to time, so please check with our friendly sales teams first.
WEEK 8:
MASTER ENSUITE
The couple invested $26,014 in their space, featuring a strikingly impressive, spacious shower and meticulously tiled designs. Shaynna couldn't help but express her enthusiasm, describing it as "absolutely stunning."
Marty Fox |
"I just love the light. It feels beautiful in here." |
Darren Palmer |
"I love the proportions in here. It feels really refined, there's just this little finishing issues..." |
Shaynna Blaze |
"The natural light is beautiful. I love that wall scone. It's stunning. The tiles are elegant, the vanity's elegant... but the styling is child like" |
Featured Products
Floor Tile: Carrara Bianco Diamond Mosaic
Floor Tile: Pompeii Travertine Cenere Microtec Textured
With a couple of functionality issues and a child like styling
23.5/30
The products featured were available at the time of airing. Our beautiful range changes from time to time, so please check with our friendly sales teams first.
WEEK 10:
UPSTAIRS BATHROOM
House 2's team invested $26,118 in transforming their home office into a fourth bedroom and creating their final bathroom. Shaynna promptly praises the bedroom as a resounding success, and the judges describe it as grand, dignified, and inviting. "This is absolutely perfect," Shaynna remarks, emphasizing that the room seamlessly integrates with the overall house.
Neale Whitaker |
"I'm just surprised that this is so muted" |
Darren Palmer |
"Brilliant idea. Finally. It functions beautifully" |
Shaynna Blaze |
"I really love it. I absolutely love it. I love those tiles at the back. They've really done lots of different marble and textures, and I love this floor tile with it. I think the floor tile is magic." |
Featured Products
Floor & Wall Tile: Pompeii Travertine Cenere Microtec Textured
Feature Tile: Venice Terrazzo Dark Grey Matt Mosaic
Leah and Ash's Final Bathroom and Redo Room revealed
27/30
The products featured were available at the time of airing. Our beautiful range changes from time to time, so please check with our friendly sales teams first.
WEEK 11:
BACKYARD, POOL & SPA
With a hefty expenditure of $46,360 on their backyard, the couple's investment immediately garners appreciation from the judges, who note the seamless flow from the indoor spaces. The expansive outdoor cooking and dining area receives commendation, with unanimous agreement that it effectively addresses the limitations of its smaller kitchen.
Marty Fox |
"Look at that pool. You can see buyers lining up going 'this is the one that I want'" |
Darren Palmer |
"Wow. This material palette, the forms, the colour... I think I'm besotted again." |
Shaynna Blaze |
"This isn't the feeling that I got next door." |
Dave Franklin |
"It's very calming. Like it's got those beautiful areas, it's got that whimsical sort of pathway over to the fire pit. I love the green tile that matches up with the pool" |
Featured Products
Mosaic Tile: Venice Terrazzo Dark Grey Matt Mosaic
Mosaic Tile: Space Taurus Mosaic Glass
Leah and Ash's Backyard and Pool revealed
37.5/40
The products featured were available at the time of airing. Our beautiful range changes from time to time, so please check with our friendly sales teams first.
Meet Leah & Ash
Leah and Ash, a vivacious couple bursting with charisma, are on a mission to conquer The Block 2023 with their bold design choices and skilled craftsmanship, all while juggling the whirlwind of family life.