The Block 2022 Backyards Reveal: The Last Block Recap of The Year is Here!

You guys, The Block 2022 backyards reveal is the last of my Honest Block Recaps for the year! I could almost cry, but remembering that I now get my Sunday nights back has prevented any liquid escaping the ducts.

The big shock this week (sit down for it) is that I’m pretty sure I agree with the judges scoring. For the first time the entire season it’s happened, and on the last reveal of the year.

I want to thank you for reading the recaps in 2022. The goal was always to give you my honest take, from the perspective of an interior designer working on homes in the real world every day. To educate a little, sure, but always in a light-hearted manner.

Ultimately it was also to echo the things I know you guys were yelling at the TV each week at home. I think I covered most of your thoughts. Enjoy the last recap for the season below, and let me know what you thought of The Block 2022 backyards reveal at the end of the post.

Tom and Sarah Jane Came First

I have to start with the obvious: the mesh of new and old on pretty much all of the facades this series is a huge ‘computer says no’.

We go from quaint and charming with the weatherboard to this harsh contemporary cladding. Despite what we’re being fed here (that the contrast is a stroke of genius), I’m not munching on it. Mouth closed. Crash diet. Wire it shut. I just can’t get past how jarring it looks.

The water feature trickling away: cute. The kids play area: cuter. But the old farm machinery; I cannot. Not only is it a little Texas Chainsaw Massacre for me, but the children are in some major danger with this lying around. Have the Macedon Ranges ambo’s on standby.

The Zoning of the Backyard is Very Successful

The zoning in Tom and Sarah Jane’s backyard is divine. I love that there’s a journey carved out for you to move through the different areas. There’s continually something for you to stop and appreciate.

The pool, we love and adore. The basketball court, we’re smitten with. The only court I step foot in is the court of public opinion, clearly, but sports lovers will be head over heels for it.

A pizza oven, an entertaining deck, a meat smoker; there is a lot to love in this backyard. Except for that creepy, creepy (did I mention creepy?) robot lawn mower. I swear to god that thing is going to be the killer in the next instalment of the Saw franchise.

I have to say it: they deserved first place this week. This yard contains everything. The only big letdown was the weird room around the back, which is too small to do much with apart from hide in when the lawnmower switches into hunt-and-kill mode.

Omar and Oz Came Second

Again, the contrast in the facades here is not pleasant. Not the teams’ fault, I understand, but it must be put on record. There’s no connection between the two and nobody will convince me otherwise.

That aside (because I must let the issue go), the landscaping and retaining walls are very nice. The trees and planting are very nice. Omar and Oz’s backyard certainly has a sense of charm to it that is missing from some of the other spaces.

And there’s a plethora things to do, from tennis to croquet, sitting around the fire pit to sweating inside a barrel on your back lawn. Sorry, I’m talking about the outdoor sauna.

It, like TikTok dances and the return of the scrunchie, is not a trend I can get on-board with. Imagine being in the other houses and spotting your neighbours emerging half-naked from their sauna. You think it’s Love Island, but trust me, it’s more Embarrassing Bodies.

Let’s Talk About the Other Elements

Omar and Oz’s pool delivers in many respects. The ability to sit in the pool, elevated above the lawn, and look out to the view is very impressive. I just wish the sides were transparent glass. It would have given it a little extra something.

The extra something we didn’t need, as the judges rightly pointed out, is the weird printed image they stuck in front of the water tanks. Kitsch is an understatement.

And I also have to point out something we didn’t see during the judging, but that is laid out for you above: the astroturf. I don’t mind some fake grass but not on a country estate like this one. It brings down the overall look and feel immensely.

Still an astounding backyard though and still worthy of second place.

Dylan and Jenny Tied for Third

The landscaping in Dylan and Jenny’s backyard is pretty phenomenal. The brickwork on those steps alone is divine. The soft curvature around the garden beds that balance out the harder lines in the roofing and deck are genius. And the pool is super inviting.

Here’s my major beef though: the pool is miles away from the house. There’s no way young kids could play in the pool without an adult talking a Lord Of the Rings length journey down there to supervise them. Bags not being that parent.

There’s a lack of practicality there. And not to mention, all the grass around the pool will turn that water into a mess in less time than it takes for the words “it shouldn’t work, but it does” to be uttered during most reveals this season.

There is a Lot to Love, But Some Issues

I’m sure the judges mentioned the dangerously huge drop from deck to garden, like in Rachel and Ryan’s backyard. It probably just didn’t make the final edit. Having done reality TV, you film for an entire day and about five minutes makes it into the final cut.

Now, onto the bee hives. I know we need bees to survive. I heard it on a doco once that I certainly didn’t watch. But I don’t want them in my backyard.

Who wants to send the kids out to play cricket beside a bee hive? Between the hives, killer lawnmower and rust-covered farm machinery, these backyards are becoming death traps. I see a Block and Survivor crossover happening any minute now.

I adore the mini home above. It is indeed a game changer. But I agree with Neale; I’d have made it an office. It’s epic, but it’s where you’d want to work. Make the shed from last week a big guest suite, or home cinema. Put a kitchenette in here and a desk and I’m sold.

Rachel and Ryan Tied for Third

It must be said, Rachel and Ryan’s facade is the best when it comes to merging the new and the old. They painted the older facade in a darker tone, then ensured the new section included both dark and light moments. It’s the clear winner when it comes to cohesion.

I also fully appreciate that the exterior has a connection to the interior too. You know this is a modern home when you rock up to it, and when you step inside you get more of it. They have the most cohesive home on The Block 2o22, hands down.

Now, the vineyard, while impressive, is essentially hard work, right? If you buy this home you either have to keep it going or demolish it. It feels like you’re selling someone a big responsibility. I love me some grape juice but I don’t want to grow the grape.

There Are Many Great Moments

I agree with the judges about the drop from deck to yard being dangerous for kids. Just as dangerous as the old farm machinery in Tom and Sarah Jane’s yard, but I digress. It is an issue, and I agree that a balustrade needs to go in (which will look great anyway).

Outside of that everything is mostly stunning. Love the decking, the seating area, the fire pit, the flying fox, the arbour. The only thing I don’t find successful (and it’s not just in this yard) is the pool size. In a yard this jumbo it looks more like a bath.

I also found the little chair at the end of the flying fox a bit odd. The song All By Myself is playing in my head; tissues, a glass of wine, and sobbing alone. It feels a bit sad. Maybe it’s where you sit and mourn the people the robot lawnmower took from you.

Ankur and Sharon Came Last

I mean, what can I say that the judges didn’t already say? When you’re left standing at a pretty basic glasshouse, struggling to find some positive feedback to balance out all the bad, we’re in a pretty sad state of affairs.

The pool zone was in a weird spot, just outside the main bedroom, and with no access from the house to it. But even if they put steps leading down there, it’s still unsuccessful. It gives no aspiration, no relaxation. The only ‘ation’ it’s giving me is aggravation.

It needed some killer outdoor furniture like this in it as well.

Why is there a small section of concrete on just one side of the pool and not decking all the way around? Why are there no pool loungers? Why is there no barbecue?

The result this week is very reflective of a team that’s ran out of steam. A bit unfortunate, to say the least.

A (Mostly) Great Week to Wrap Up The Block 2022

I still won’t be able to visit the Macedon Ranges without keeping one eye open for killer robot lawn mowers. But outside of those and the terrible mesh of new and old facades, all of the yards present quite wonderfully this week.

What did you make of The Block 2022 Backyards Reveal? Drop a comment below and share your thoughts on which team did the best in your eyes.

Images for this post were supplied by The Block Shop. Check out Nine Now for more of The Block 2022 backyards reveal.