<i>the Block Sky High</i>: the Sky’s the Limit

And the winners are … Alisa and Lysandra!

In this year’s much anticipated finale of renovation show The Block Sky High, the South Australian twins have taken out top honours, plus an extra $100,000, by securing the highest bid over the reserve price for their stylishly revamped first floor apartment. Tipped as the favourites despite an early upset, late bloomers Alisa and Lysandra wooden spooned their way to level one but began showing their true colour-swatches with a spate of room reveal wins.

It’s the first time that The Block contestants, fondly referred to as ‘Blockheads’, have had to renovate an apartment building. The coveted penthouse was awarded to the winning couple of the initial hotel room challenge, Trixie and Johnno, and the remaining floor allocations were decided accordingly.

Matt and Kim, located on level 2, were predicted to come in last due to their controversial design style. However, that same approach saw them pinned by some as being the dark horses of the show. The couple admitted to going into the competition overconfident due to their design and personal renovating experience. Matt is a plasterer who is currently studying architecture while Kim is a primary school teacher.

They weren’t the only couple with building experience on the show. In fact, all the men on The Block Sky High had some sort of building or construction experience. On level three it was George’s bricklaying trade that strengthened their chances, although beauty therapist Bec continued to make all the big decisions.

Graphic designer Madi put her eye for detail to good use on level four, where Jarrod’s carpentry skills made him a very handy man indeed. Meanwhil,e in the penthouse, stay-at-home mum Trixie and husband Johnno were more switched on thanks to Johnno’s electrical experience.

The only team that didn’t have any formal building experience were the winning couple, Alisa and Lysandra. The Adelaide police officers have been in the force for six years, but Alisa has ‘always dreamed of being an interior designer’ and Lysandra aspires to be a real estate agent. Turns out their dreams could well become a reality, with one of the judges repeatedly urging them to consider a career in the industry.

So as many of you now sit patiently in front of your TV in anticipation of the next series and a new round of Block wordplays, consider what makes you such a Blockaholic. If the room reveals and hissy fits keep you coming back then vicarious renovating is definitely your thing. But if smart design and a perfect finish get you as excited as the judges, maybe there’s more to it for you.

If you secretly yearn to get into a career in interior design like Alisa and Lysandra, then go for it. If the contestants of The Block have taught us anything, it’s that the sky really is the limit. 

Final results

Alisa and Lysandra (winners)
Sold for: $1.435 million
Profit of: $295,000 plus $100,000

Madi and Jarrod
Sold for: $1.601 million
Profit of: $291,000

Matt and Kim
Sold for: $1.455 million
Profit of: $250,000

Bec and George
Sold for: $1.507 million
Profit of: $242,000

Trixie and Johnno
Sold for: $1.605 million
Profit of: $205,000