The Block 2023
NSW Couple
Steph & Gian
Meet the dynamic duo from sunny Sydney, NSW, ready to shake things up on The Block 2023. Starting out as childhood sweethearts, they've come a long way since meeting on the school bus back in year 7, now turning heads as the youngest contestants on the show. Their journey is a modern love story – they tied the knot in style last year, surrounded by family and friends who can't get enough of their charisma.
Steph's the creative force with a knack for architecture, specialising in a cool fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian styles she calls Japandi. And then there's Gian, the go-getter from the tech startup scene, known for his "get it done" attitude – just ask Steph. Together, they've got a chemistry that's hard to miss, which Steph sums up with a grin: "We're a really good team because communication is the key." With their youthful energy, unique talents, and the kind of self-assuredness that comes from being your own harshest critics – as Gian puts it, "I don't think anyone could say something that would hurt our feelings because it's not something we haven't thought about ourselves" – Steph and Gian are set to make their mark, not just on The Block, but in all our hearts.
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WEEK 2:
STUDIO BATHROOM
The judges gave a nod to the vanity but slammed the exposed beams, deeming them "unfinished" – a tough critique. The judges weren't kind about their execution either, with Marty pointing out a lack of detail and functionality in several spots.
Steph & Gian take pride in the harmonious textures, the interplay between tiles, vanity, mirror, and wallpaper. They hope the judges recognize their well-executed key features and understand that any shortcomings were due to timing rather than a lack of detail.
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Marty Fox |
“All that effort into aspects that give them no financial return” |
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Darren Palmer |
“Planning wise this is a major success. Having the cavity slider, the racked ceiling, and the skylight, you can see here one of the best layouts of the day" |
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Shaynna Blaze |
“When you are trying to do so many different things that look amazing, where is the priority?” |
Being one of the best layouts of the week, did not help the duo make up for the poor execution
20.5/30
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
The judges' verdict on Steph and Gian's massive stone vanity, the same one Foreman Keith had strongly criticized, brings a mix of good and bad news.
The good news is that the judges are extremely impressed. Shaynna enthusiastically exclaims, "Wow! Look at that, that is off the charts!"
Moreover, the judges express their admiration for almost everything else in the room, including a wall sculpture that Shaynna finds reminiscent of a race day head fascinator.
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Marty Fox |
"They've invested in actually have an anchor to the room that they've hidden around the corner, but I do love their consistency" |
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Darren Palmer |
"That light is stunning. This stone is beautiful. I love the french pattern on the floor. It's a sort of an interesting mix of traditional farmhousey and contemporary" |
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Shaynna Blaze |
"That is off the charts. Stunning. Texture, texture, texture" |
Featured Products
Floor Tile: Pierre Blanco Limestone Textured French Pattern
Definitely on the right track with their styling
25/30
Steph and Gian Guest Bathroom RevealSteph and Gian's Guest Bathroom is off the charts #TheBlock | Watch on Channel 9 and 9Now
Posted by The Block on Saturday, 2 September 2023
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 7:
KITCHEN & LAUNDRY
Steph and Gian's Japandi kitchen, which cost them $25,304 in cash, eagerly awaits judgment as they showcase its integration with their transformed living and dining areas. The judges applaud their decision, dubbing it a "bigger, better" space, and also express admiration for the laundry. Aesthetically, the duo receives abundant praise, but functionality-wise, they face significant critique, particularly regarding the cooktop and extraction fan's placement. The judges question the necessity of the butler's pantry, feeling it covers the kitchen's functional needs. Neale labels the kitchen "beautifully dysfunctional".
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Neale Whitaker |
" Aesthetically, it's absolutely exquisite. It's that clever mix of Scandinavian meets Japanese. Beautifully discfunctional" |
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Darren Palmer |
"The butler's pantry is doing all the functional work that the main kitchen should be doing." - "This is a brilliantly functional laundry." |
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Shaynna Blaze |
" I have to say this marble top is divine." - "The idea of a butler's pantry is to hide the mess. This is going to be full of mess" |
Featured Products
Floor Tile: Pierre Bianco GL-Porc Struct Text Rect French Pat
Regardless, Steph vows to focus on the positives.
22/30
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
It becomes evident right away that Marty holds a strong dislike for House 4's ensuite. He candidly remarks, "I feel like I'm in some sort of quarantine facility," despite the couple's substantial investment of $31,753.
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Marty Fox |
"It's cold, it's harsh, I hate it" |
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Darren Palmer |
"I love this wall panelling."-"The application of this is very commercial" |
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Shaynna Blaze |
"There is a definite consistent aesthetic."-"Sometimes when you try to get very clever architecturally it lacks soul" |
Featured Products
Floor Tile: Pierre Blanco Limestone Structured Textured
The couple stated being so focused on the challenge that they left the master ensuite aside
21/30
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
Steph and Gian, having ample funds at their disposal, eagerly invested a substantial $55,930 in their ultimate bathroom and the redo room, which, like Kristy and Brett's, was also a bathroom. Initially criticized as resembling a 'quarantine facility,' they were relieved to receive much more positive feedback this time. Shaynna expresses that the space exudes luxury, akin to a high-end day spa. However, she points out her disappointment regarding the insufficient storage. Darren is enamored with the styling, and Neale simply admits that he loves it.
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Neale Whitaker |
"Wow. It's the most luxurious kid's bathroom I've ever seen." |
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Darren Palmer |
"This is glorious, isn't it?" |
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Shaynna Blaze |
"This beautiful marble again, the texture in the tiles, the texture in the Venetian plaster..." |
Featured Products
Floor & Wall Tile: Pierre Blanco Limestone Structured Textured
Steph and Gian's Final Bathroom and Redo Room revealed
26/30
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
Steph and Gian faced a challenging week, but they gave it their all when it came to transforming their spacious backyard, including a significant cash investment of $71,704. Their dedication paid off, and they take pride in what they've accomplished, turning it into a dream yard.
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Marty Fox |
"It's unbelievable. Look at the tree they got, the planting, the pool." |
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Darren Palmer |
"This is absolutelly the perfect backyard" |
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Shaynna Blaze |
"I want to swear... because this is so effing good! It's lush, it's spacious. It feels phenomenal" |
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Dave Franklin |
"It doesn't feel forced.This is all well thought out" |
Featured Products
Paver: Travertine Warm Ash Tumbled Bullnose 30mm Paver
Floor Tile: Travertine Warm Ash Tumbled French Pattern
Steph and Gian's Backyard and Pool revealed
38/40
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.
WANDERLUST | LUX
STEPH & GIAN | COMPLETE BATHROOM PACKAGE
Texture, texture, texture, the simplistic elements of this bathroom all add up to elevated luxury. Steph and Gian’s twist on the Japandi style, is as beautifully minimalistic as it is warm and inviting. Setting an emphasis on the natural, the limestone emulated Pierre tiles in Blanco gives a worn elegance behind the curved timber cladded vanities, with the teal Venus concrete basins. Gun metal accessories give a soft contrast to blend them into a cohesive palette. Minimalist Japanese. Fresh and calming Scandi.
Meet Steph & Gian
The spirited couple from Sydney, fuse architectural flair with startup savvy on The Block 2023, radiating youthful charm and a dynamic "get it done" attitude that promises both design brilliance and a heartwarming journey.
