Designing Our Dream Home: Tips from The Block 2019 Winners Tess and Luke
Tess and Luke from The Block have come a long way since their triumphant win on the show in 2019. The Cairns couple recently built their dream family home to begin raising their two young kids.
They share their top design and styling tips with us, including planning a new build, why they chose ABI Interiors for their tapware, and how their experience on The Block assisted them in building their dream home.
What was the initial inspiration behind your dream home build?
Tess and Luke:
We were fans of the minimalist style, with a focus on integrated indoor/outdoor living. We also really wanted separate wings for ourselves and our kids and for the dining, kitchen, and lounge to be in one big open space.
What were the non-negotiables?
High ceilings, large feature windows, floor-to-ceiling tiles in the bathrooms, generous-sized bedrooms, a large garage, and no transition step between the internal timber floors—the patio slab makes a huge difference when your focus is indoor/outdoor living.
Being in Far North Queensland, did the weather impact your architectural decisions for the building position or design?
Yes! Being in Far North Queensland, it's hot, but our winters are amazing. We designed our house to be focused on indoor/outdoor living. We situated our house on the block to maximise the breeze flowing through the patio and into our living/dining/kitchen while making the most of our land and having space for a pool, sheds, etc.
Was Cairns always your forever home location?
After our time on The Block, we played with the idea of relocating; however, being true Cairns locals, we love the Cairns lifestyle. We were lucky enough to secure an acre that held sentimental value to our family and built our forever home on it.
How did your experience on The Block assist with the building of it?
We know what can be achieved, and it gave us the confidence that the direction our house was going in [was] the right one for our family. The Block also taught us to back ourselves and that when something isn’t right, or you aren’t being heard/listened to, you shouldn’t stop pushing. Especially in a male-dominated industry, females aren’t always taken seriously.
How long did the build take, from sourcing your land, design, and council approval to completion?
Unfortunately, a builder’s home is never finished! We officially purchased the block the same week we had Cleo: April 2021. Design, approvals, etc., took a year and a half, and the build commenced in October 2022. We moved into the home in December 2023. The build should hopefully be finished in the next twelve months.
What are your top tips for owners taking on a build for the first time?
Have everything in writing between yourselves and the builders/trades. Go over your build contract with a fine-tooth comb. Pay special attention to allowances for your build and “PC items.” Get more than one quote and ensure that the builders are quoting the exact same build.
Why did you choose to work with ABI Interiors, and why was brushed nickel the finish for your space?
The quality and the aesthetics of the ABI products align with [the] vision and standard we wanted to uphold when creating our family home. We toyed with a few different options, but brushed nickel is timeless. It can be used with cool and warm tones in tiles and suits any aesthetic home: coastal, moody, modern, etc. We feel brushed nickel tapware will always be in vogue.
Can you tell us about the choice of white tapware in your laundry?
We chose white tapware for the laundry because it’s a completely different space, and we wanted it to have a separate style from the bathrooms and kitchen. We also loved the white farmhouse sink, and the white tapware goes perfectly with it.
Finally, can you tell us what home means to you and how you create that feeling?
Creating a home is something we pride ourselves on. We believe it’s what got us the win on The Block because it’s the last home that was purchased by owner-occupiers who still live in the property to this day.
To us, ‘home’ is a fine line between looking high-end and feeling cosy. You want people to feel welcomed into your home and at ease while being aesthetically pleasing. It also doesn’t look like everyone else’s — it has your own spin and touch on things!
Learn more about Tess and Luke from The Block.
