Heatherly On The Block

We thought it was high time to share the answers to the questions asked by so many of our clients about our experience over the years with The Block.

Below are our most frequently asked questions.  Hope it gives you a little insight into the fun had behind the scenes!

How many years have you participated in The Block? 

Goodness seems a long time ago since we had our first phone call, it must be 6 years ago now when sisters Amie and Katrina, our first ever Block contestants, contacted us for a Fenwick in charcoal linen.

In that same series following this Fenwick in the girls guest bedroom, Jenna and Josh contacted us.  I remember this call clearly as Jenna rang to say she was on her way to our workshop (we didn’t have a showroom then) as she needed a bedhead for the master in a few days.  We were not prepared for the camera crew that followed!

Anyway, all well and good in the world of reality television.  We had a king sized bedhead we were custom making for a client in Brisbane due to go out the following week.  Well, Jenna spotted this and fell in love.  It since went on to become our best selling Richmond design (as that Block series was filmed in Richmond).

What an incredible season we’re enjoying, what has been your highlight?

This season, two highlights for me personally…

When Hannah visited our showroom looking for a leather bedhead but fell in love with our Waldorf wing backed buttoned bedhead on the floor and just had to have it!  It was featured in her guest bedroom.

Also, we had already done a bedhead for Sarah and Jason’s daughter for their home prior to The Block so were thrilled when she rang us to say she was a block contestant and needing bedheads.

I personally loved her guest bedroom with our Fenwick bedhead on the incredible banksia wallpaper from Porters.  I was humbled to hear Sarah pass the comment when viewing Josh and Elyse’s guest bedroom, “another gorgeous Heatherly Designed bedhead.”

Which contestant contacted you first?

Josh actually, to arrange a time to visit the showroom.  He and Elyse met with our Melbourne Showroom Manager. I have to say we were pretty impressed with how clear a vision these two had for each bedroom.  It certainly makes our role a whole lot easier when we are talking crazy lead times for room reveals.

What is your usual production lead time?

Generally, 6-8 weeks but I am lucky we have a team of upholsterers who literally will work through the night (like the contestants) to complete a bedhead for the show.

What was is it like managing tight turnarounds for custom designs?

Logistics in managing production and delivery are very feasible given how hands on I am with our team.   It is the fabric selection that can make or break us.

When Elyse texted us an image on Monday before room reveal on the Sunday of her concept for her master bedroom, ironically, I was at a fabric wholesalers and had the perfect fabric in front of me.  Our dilemma was it was in a London warehouse!  We managed to secure fabric by priority airfreighting it to arrive Thursday.  Our team made up Friday and we delivered Saturday am with a day prior to room reveal.  Crazy but true.

Have you ever not made a deadline?!

Always made deadline thank goodness.

Do the contestants actually pay for the bedheads?

They do, truly they do.

Is it tricky keeping it all under wraps?

It did get a little tricky this season as 4 of the 5 contestants ordered for the first guest bedroom.

I was very mindful that designs were not being repeated but I obviously couldn’t share any details.  Luckily all bedrooms were quite different so we were fine.

Were there many tears and tantrums?

No tantrums, but I really felt for Sarah when she phoned upset during master bedroom week.  You may recall her children were going overseas for 3 weeks and they were struggling to complete their bedroom.  We quickly pulled together a Rupert bedhead and one of our lovely suppliers donated the stunning throw for her master bedroom.

Which is your favourite bedhead?!

I have to say Josh and Elyse’s master bedroom’s pink deep buttoned bedhead.  It was a show stopper.  So many shy away from deep buttoning thinking it is too traditional but we have seen a resurgence in this luxe look this year and rightly so!  If there is any room you can add a little glam, it has to be a master bedroom, doesn’t it?!

Who do you think will win The Block this year?

It a close call between Josh and Elyse and Ronnie and Georgia, the two teams that have shared the number of winning rooms. Really looking forward to auction night!