The Block Gisborne 2022 Freedom Kitchens and Pantries
Australia’s favourite week on The Block, Kitchen Week, came to a dramatic close as the three judges Shaynna Blaze, Darren Palmer and Neale Whitakers saw five of the biggest and best kitchens ever seen in the show’s history. Showcasing several new products within the Freedom Kitchens’ range, stunning Caesarstone® benchtops, appliances from Winning Appliances and internal storage solutions from Häfele, each room is set to be the heart of their home.
Step into these amazing Freedom Kitchens and learn about each design in closer detail, including the winning room that scored a perfect 30 out of 30!
Kitchen Reveal Winners
House 1 Kitchen: Tom and Sarah-Jane
Score: A perfect 30/30
Modern Farmhouse Kitchen Design
Tom and Sarah-Jane’s winning kitchen celebrates a contemporary twist on the popular Farmhouse style. The colour palette balances grey, timber, marble, and bronze tones with a focus on subtle detail. Shaker-style Sierra doors in Oyster Grey dominate the space, broken up by Vertical Broadline Glass cabinets and timber-look Warm Madeira cabinetry. Brushed Antique Bronze Knob handles are new to the Freedom Kitchens range and add the perfect amount of glamour to the room.
“Our kitchen style was ‘Modern Farmhouse’, taking inspiration from what a kitchen in the Cotswolds in England would look like, explains Sarah-Jane. I also knew I wanted to add shelving on either side of the island to display décor to give it a homely feel.”
The generous 3.7-metre kitchen island bench is at the heart of the layout offering plenty of seating space, wrapped with Freedom Kitchens’ new Warm Madeira joinery and topped in bold Caesarstone® Arabetto quartz. It also features a sink, Ninka Bin, and integrated dishwasher- creating the perfect cleaning zone. Open shelving on both ends allows for styling décor as well as storage of cookbooks and other kitchen essentials. LED Strip lighting highlights the warmth of the timber-look joinery.
The cooking appliances from Winning Appliances are another standout feature within the room, with the Ilve Majestic Cooker with Copper knobs and matching rangehood, as well as Fhiaba fridges taking centre stage.
Functionality has been carefully considered throughout, with numerous storage accessories incorporated, including Häfele’s Dispensa Pull Out Pantries and a LeMans Blind Corner Shelf. Storage abounds in the butler’s pantry thanks to a mix of drawers, cabinets, and shelving. It’s also the perfect place for prepping and cleaning while entertaining, featuring an Ilve oven and microwave, an additional dishwasher and a Vintec wine fridge.
“Focus on functionality and storage, suggests Sarah-Jane when asked her main advice for anyone renovating their kitchen. And don’t be afraid to use colour- it will add warmth and make your space stand out!
Kitchen Hardware, Surfaces and Appliance Details
Kitchen Cabinetry: Sierra Oyster Grey Matt, NEW Warm Madeira Chalk
Kitchen Benchtops: Caesarstone® Arabetto. 40mm mitred on island, 20mm on back benches & pantry
Handles: NEW Brushed Antique Bronze Knobs in Matt Finish 22-M-39, Touch Catch
Kitchen Splashbacks: By contestants
Accessories: Federation capping, Vertical Broadline Glass, Inner Drawers, Cutlery Trays, Ninka Bins, Häfele Dispensa Pull Out Pantries in Anthracite, Häfele LeMans Blind Corner Shelf in Anthracite
Kitchen Appliances: By Ilve and Fhiaba. Supplied by Winning Appliances
Kitchen Sink: By Abey. Supplied by Winning Appliances
Tap: By Abey, Zip HydroTap. Supplied by Winning Appliances
Lighting: Warm LED strip lighting, Warm LED Downlights
Stools: By Freedom
House 2 Kitchen: Rachel and Ryan
Place: 4th
Score: 24/30
Contemporary Lodge Kitchen Design
Rachel and Ryan created a L-shaped kitchen with a central island bench that is warm and welcoming. The family-friendly room centres around a soft and organic colour palette of warm white, cool grey marble, and brass. The pair selected thin Shaker-style Cora kitchen cabinets in Amaro Matt, teamed with new Solid Brass Knobs and Solid Brass Bar Pull kitchen handles for a contemporary look. White Ciment Porcelain splashbacks, a stunning new addition to the Caesarstone® range, complete the look.
“Our kitchen is in keeping with our Contemporary Lodge style, says Rachel. We’ve kept everything quite pared back and designed it so that it is the heart of our home, seamlessly connecting with the living and dining spaces.”
Perfect for a family who love to cook and entertain, the L-shaped layout is incredibly efficient and ideal for open plan living. Its flexible design allowed Rachel and Ryan to place the cooking, cleaning, and prep zones within easy reach of each other, ensuring the kitchen is highly functional. A butler’s pantry is also included where storage and organisation are maximised with a mixture of Häfele Tandem Pantries, cupboards, soft-close drawers, and open shelving. A Vintec Wine Storage Cabinet, Ilve Compact Built-in Combi Steam Oven and Microwave from Winnings Appliances ensures that this pantry ticks all the boxes for a home chef.
The 3.4-metre kitchen island is another highlight, allowing for plenty seating along two ends, encouraging family and friends to gather. An efficient cleaning zone has also been produced with the inclusion of a Ninka Bin, sink and dishwasher. Topped with Caesarstone® Alpine Mist with waterfall edges, the timber detailing on the island adds warmth to the overall look.
This kitchen is as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside. Internal accessories have been added to ensure that every inch of space is highly usable. Inclusions such as a Häfele Tandem Pantry and Blind Corner Shelf, as well as a gas cooker by Ilve and a Fhiaba refrigerator supplied by Winning Appliances ensures that this is a beautiful and hard-working kitchen.
“We wanted our kitchen to be a ‘chefs delight’ that makes meal prep, cooking, and cleaning as easy as possible, explains Rachel. We also wanted it to be spacious, offer plenty of storage, and to be warm and welcoming- a place you can just sit and feel comfortable and calm.”
Kitchen Hardware, Surfaces and Appliance Details
Kitchen Cabinetry: Cora Amaro Matt
Kitchen Benchtops: Caesarstone® Alpine Mist. 40mm with mitred waterfall on island
Handles: NEW 35mm Solid Brass Knob in Dull Brushed Nickel 34-M-42, NEW 160mm Solid Brass Bar Pull in Dull Brushed Nickel 45-M-54, Touch Catch
Kitchen Splashbacks: NEW Caesarstone® White Ciment Porcelain 12mm
Accessories: Ninka Bin, Häfele LeMans Blind Corner Shelf in Anthracite, Häfele Tandem Pantry, EDrive mechanisms to bifold lift-up wall cabinetry, Federation Capping
Kitchen Appliances: By Ilve. Supplied by Winning Appliances
Kitchen Sink: By Abey. Supplied by Winning Appliances
Tap: By Abey. Supplied by Winning Appliances
Lighting: Warm LED Strip Lighting
Stools: By Satara Living
By contestants: Timber shelving on wall, timber detail on island bench
House 3 Kitchen: Ankur and Sharon
Gallery Style Kitchen Design
Striking and luxurious, Ankur and Sharon have produced an eye-catching kitchen that is the heart of their home. The galley-style room features a back bank of cabinetry in Freedom Kitchens’ new Sierra IV Shaker-style cabinetry in Alabaster Matt, complemented by a 5-metre-long island bench. The warm white of the Alabaster Matt joinery lends itself to a Country aesthetic, while Black Timber Bar with Copper Leg handles and Caesarstone® Lumena Porcelain splashbacks and Empira Black benchtops keep the look fresh and modern.
The stunning 5-metre-long kitchen island takes centre stage in the design, featuring beautiful waterfall edges. Connecting with the adjacent living and dining spaces, the island can comfortably sit several people, providing the perfect casual dining setting. Featuring a wealth of additional storage, it also offers an efficient cleaning zone with the inclusion of a sink and tap, integrated bin and dishwasher.
Several storage accessories have been included to ensure that the kitchen is as practical as it is stylish. These include the placement of a Häfele Cooking Agent Pull Out next to the oven, which can hold knives, chopping boards, and various cooking ingredients. This, together with several Smeg cooking appliances and the bespoke Samsung fridge from Winning Appliances results in a kitchen that will turn heads.
Located behind the main kitchen, the butler’s pantry caters to those who love to cook and entertain. Packed with plenty of storage, additional cooking appliances and generous benches for food prep, this is a pantry worth spending time in! Several Smeg appliances have been included, with the Dolce Stil Novo Built-in Wine Cabinet and Sommelier Drawer a standout inclusion. Cleaning is also a breeze thanks to an additional sink, tap, and dishwasher.
Kitchen Hardware, Surfaces and Appliance Details
Kitchen Cabinetry: NEW Sierra IV Alabaster Matt, NEW Nordic Oak (shelving within pantry)
Kitchen Benchtops: Caesarstone® Empira Black 40mm. Waterfall edges on island
Handles: Black Timber Bar with Copper Legs 15-K-98, Touch Catch
Kitchen Splashbacks: NEW Caesarstone® Lumena Porcelain 12mm
Accessories: Federation Capping, Ninka Bins, Inner Drawers, Drawer Non-slip Liners, Häfele Cooking Agent Pull Out
Kitchen Appliances: By Smeg and Samsung fridge. Supplied by Winning Appliances.
Kitchen Sink: By Oliveri
Tap: By Oliveri (kitchen), Zip HydroZip (pantry)
Lighting: Warm LED Strip lighting
Stools: By Satara Living
House 4 Kitchen: Dylan and Jenny
Celebrating colour and charm, Dylan and Jenny have created a Country-inspired kitchen that is as welcoming as it is beautiful. The sophisticated palette centres on nature-inspired colours, textures, and finishes. The duo opted for Freedom Kitchens’ new Sierra IV joinery in Dry Sage, which feature a 40mm Shaker-style profile, as well as panelled Vera kitchen cabinets behind the open shelving, producing a layered look.
The Sierra IV Dry Sage doors connect the kitchen to the outside of the home, the green hue of the kitchen cabinets contrasting against Nordic Oak Woodgrain shelving, tiled splashbacks and Caesarstone® Riverlet benchtops. Brass tones complement the look, with the inclusion of Freedom Kitchens’ new Hampton Matte Brass Cup and Knob handles as well as Patina Brass Mesh Inserts along the kitchen island drawers.
“Our kitchen is definitely the heart of our home, and we intentionally extended the island bench to take in the panoramic views of the Macedon Ranges, says Jenny. We used colour to draw attention to the room, and we love the Dry Sage joinery as it connects to the beautiful landscape outside and evokes the Country aesthetic we wanted to achieve.”
The 3-metre island bench, where family and friends can gather, has been orientated to fit with the rest of the open plan living space. Dylan and Jenny left the countertop free from any additional appliances, allowing for easy food preparation or a space to enjoy a casual meal. It also provides a large amount of storage thanks to a series of drawers and cabinets.
“We love the Patina Brass Mesh Inserts that we’ve used on the drawers within the kitchen island, smiles Jenny. They add a luxe country feel to the design and pair beautifully with the sage cabinetry and brass handles.”
The U-shaped layout maximises storage and flow around the kitchen, with a blend of cupboards and soft-close drawers ensuring that there is room for everything a home chef would need. Within the cabinetry, internal accessories such as a corner carousel and a pull-out pantry allow for everything to be within easy reach. A home cooks dream, it also offers an impressive array of Winning Appliances including Smeg ovens, rangehood and dishwasher, plus a Samsung fridge.
“The kitchen’s functionality was key, explains Jenny. We made sure there was a clear and easy flow between the cleaning and cooking areas, as well as connecting the island bench with the fridge and pantry for food prep.”
The butler’s pantry complements the main kitchen, offering a wealth of storage and preparation space. The additions of a Smeg wine cooler, built-in coffee machine, and built-in oven, plus an additional fridge elevate this pantry to delight any home cook.
Kitchen Hardware, Surfaces and Appliance Details
Kitchen Cabinetry: NEW Sierra IV Dry Sage Matt, Vera Dry Sage Matt, NEW Nordic Oak Woodgrain Shelving, Broadline Glass
Kitchen Benchtops: NEW Caesarstone® Riverlet 40mm
Handles: NEW Hampton Wide Cup Pull in Matt Brass 96mm 12-M-34, NEW Hampton Round Knob in Matt Brass 32mm 12-M-36
Accessories: NEW Feature Patina Brass Mesh Inserts, Federation Capping, Square light pelmets, Inner Drawers, Ninka Bins, Häfele LeMans Blind Corner Shelf in Anthracite, Häfele Dispensa Pull Out Pantry
Kitchen Appliances: By Smeg and Samsung fridge. Supplied by Winning Appliances
Kitchen Sink: By Blanco. Supplied by Winning Appliances
Tap: By Blanco (pantry). Supplied by Winning Appliances
Lighting: Warm LED Strip lighting
By contestants: Splashbacks, Sink in kitchen
House 5 Kitchen: Omar and Oz
Entertainers Inspired Family Kitchen Design
A streamline design, bold masculine colour palette, and subtle textures balance beautifully in Omar and Oz’s striking kitchen. A dark, tonal scheme was achieved with a combination of Blackened Legno Chalk joinery, Black Anodised Lip Pull handles, Caesarstone® Aluminous Porcelain splashbacks and Rugged Concrete countertops.
The galley-style layout of the room allows an easy flow between all the critical touch points of the kitchen. The kitchen island bench is the focal point of the design, providing generous seating for family and guests and plenty of additional storage space. Spanning 5 metres, it’s also the perfect place to prep and clean, largely due to the incredible The Ideal Workstation 7 Culinary Kit by The Galley.
“We designed our kitchen to appeal to anyone that has a family, likes to entertain or both and the island bench is central to this, explains Oz. Ultimately, we wanted to create a space that you’ll fall in love with every time you walk in.”
As the winners of the V-ZUG & The Galley prize pack from Winning Appliances, this kitchen offers the very best in cooking innovation. Combining Swiss innovation and sophistication, V-ZUG appliances focus on sustainability as seen in the cooking, warming, extraction, dishwasher, coffee, refrigeration & wine storage appliances that feature throughout.
Internal organisational accessories such as Häfele Dispensa Pull Out Pantries, Inner Drawers and Cutlery Trays have been thoughtfully used within the main kitchen and the adjoining butler’s pantry. The pantry acts as a second kitchen, offering a plethora of storage, as well as additional cleaning and cooking appliances plus an Ilve fridge.
“Our kitchen is the centre of the home and will be the space everyone spends most of their time in, says Omar. Not to mention it features $250,000 worth of cooking appliances from Winning Appliances- it ensures that our kitchen is a home chefs dream!”
Kitchen Hardware, Surfaces and Appliance Details
Kitchen Cabinetry: NEW Blackened Legno Chalk
Kitchen Benchtops: Caesarstone® Rugged Concrete 40mm. 60mm to island waterfall
Handles: Black Anodised Lip Pull 12-K-109, Touch Catch
Kitchen Splashbacks: NEW Caesarstone® Aluminous Porcelain 12mm
Accessories: 2020 Black aluminium frame Shelves with Broadline Glass, Häfele Mio Pull Out Pantries, Häfele LeMans Blind Corner Shelf in Anthracite, Häfele Dispensa Pull Out Pantries, Ninka Bins, Inner Drawers, Drawer Non-slip Liners, Cutlery Trays
Kitchen Appliances: V-ZUG and The Galley. Supplied by Winning Appliances
Kitchen Sink: By The Galley. Supplied by Winning Appliances
Tap: By The Galley, Zip HydroTap. Supplied by Winning Appliances
Lighting: Warm LED Strip lighting
By contestants: Black timber shelving within Bar Area
Stools: By Satara Living
Inspired to create your own dream kitchen? Start your journey with Freedom Kitchens today!
Click HERE to book a free design appointment at your home or via video call, or click HERE to download our latest Designer Range catalogue.
