SITCHU MAGAZINE For The Block contestants Hannah and Candice, the location of this season’s show provided all the palette inspiration they needed. “The natural beauty of Daylesford was our guiding inspiration for the colour palette of the home. From the rolling hills and mineral springs to the autumn foliage and rich red earth, the landscape’s warmth and grounding energy shaped our palette,” they explain. Bringing nature indoors with an earthy foundation was key to their vision of a space that balanced “spalike calm with bold, statement-making design.” Naturally, lighting and texture were key to the vision, chosen to enhance the home’s sensory appeal. Lighting was designed to highlight architectural details and create ambience, with recessed lighting in the arches and soft, sheer curtains filtering daylight. “Velvet, Venetian plaster, marble, and statement tiles were crucial,” the couple note. “Each surface was chosen to add depth, tactility, and contrast, so the home feels layered and rich from every angle.” A favourite feature that encapsulates their vision of an indulgent yet artistic haven is the custom resin Amber bathtub. “It’s sculptural, warm, and a real conversation starter,” says Hannah. “It captures everything we wanted the home to be — unique, indulgent, and unforgettable.” Another design highlight is the eight-seater dining table by timber craftsman Christian Cole, made from rich Marri timber with striking live edges. “It appears to float atop two sculptural spherical bases,” Candice shares. “The living space was designed for flow and openness, allowing the table to feel both natural and commanding — a statement piece that anchors the heart of the home.” As the central hub of the home, the dining and kitchen areas are clear favourites for the pair. Designed with “gathering, connection, and memory-making” in mind, they feature a floor-to-ceiling Vine and Vault wine cabinet, a marble-clad Concepta bar, and a floating fireplace finished in Pietra Spaccata Venetian plaster — elements that come together to create “a showstopping yet welcoming centrepiece that will bring people together for years to come.” With such an incredible vision and immaculate execution, you’d be forgiven for thinking this is the duo’s full-time profession. While not the case, both drew on their day jobs to help bring the project to life. “Hannah’s geology background gave us a unique edge,” says Candice. “She’s used to analysing structures, working with precision, and problemsolving under pressure — skills that translated really well on site when dealing with materials, measurements, and the unexpected challenges that come up in a build.” Candice’s background in marketing also proved invaluable. “I was always thinking about the bigger picture — how the house would appeal to future buyers, how our design decisions could tell a story, and how we could create something with real personality and impact,” she explains. “Together, those skills balanced the practical with the creative. We weren’t just building a house; we were creating a home with both integrity and flair.” Of course, the nature of The Block’s unique pressures also shaped their process and design choices. “On The Block, you don’t have the luxury of second-guessing,” they share. “The time pressure forced us to be decisive and trust our instincts, focusing on high-impact elements like statement lighting, feature tiles, and bold textures that could transform a space quickly without sacrificing quality.” Despite the occasional moments of stress, the couple credit the experience with strengthening both their relationship and their creative confidence. “We learned how to really trust each other’s strengths, communicate under pressure, and back each other through anything life could throw at us,” says Hannah. The result? “We created a home that truly reflects us — bold, artistic, and deeply considered, yet also warm and liveable. Seeing it come together under such pressure is something we’ll always be proud of.” Interior Designer: @hanandcan @theblock Photographer: Diakrit Words: Olivia Storrie “We created a home that truly reflects us — it’s bold, artistic, and deeply considered, yet also warm and liveable. Seeing it come together under such pressure is something we’ll always be proud of.” — Hannah and Candice EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST NATALIE FAGAN: 0459 982 135 natalie.fagan@belleproperty.com ASHLEE MCKEE: 0448 169 383 ashlee.mckee@belleproperty.com VIEW THE FULL LISTING HERE
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