Two episodes of HGTV Rock the Block Season 2 have aired and WOW have they delivered! I shared some background and Season 1 Rock the Block info HERE and Season 2 is just as amazing. On this show, which airs on HGTV on Monday at 9 P.M. ET/PT, experts are given an identical suburban property, $225k and six weeks to customize the homes. The experts on Season 2 are competing in teams of two:
- Mike Holmes and Alison Victoria from Homes on Home and Windy City Rehab – Alison Victoria is the only repeat contestant from Season 1
- Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent from Save My House
- David Bromstad and Tiffany Brooks who are two previous Design Stars winners
- Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt of 100 Day Dream Home
Each week, the designers are tasked with updating specific areas and then they are judged by other HGTV personalities to determine who added the most value. I have to say that this may not be my favorite criteria as you will see as I get to season 2 where a not great design won because they added the most value but hey, no skin off my teeth as I get to see them all and have no problem being the judge of which I like the best.
The Episode 1 challenge was the kitchen and here is the winning kitchen followed by my favorite. While I like the winning kitchen and would have put it in second place, the bricks are not my favorite both from a style and cleaning perspective. My favorite kitchen got dinged for the glass shelves which I get as they are not the most practical from a keeping things organized and cleaning perspective, it would be easy to add some upper cabinets and there is a huge pantry where most item can be stored.
The Episode 2 challenge was a dozy: foyer front room, powder room, and family/great room. Each team continued to bring their unique style and again, no surprise my favorite was Nate and Jerimiah. While they did not win because the winning team added the most value by adding an additional bedroom and full bath (in what is now a 5-bedroom house – not many people need that!) their design and styling was impeccable!
The winning foyer had some crazy wallpaper and while I am a fan, I think that it would have been better in the powder room. I do love that these designers are not playing it safe. My favorite foyer (not Nate and Jerimiah) invested in metal spindles which really elevated the look though I would have gone with less ornate, plain square rods.
The winning powder room was converted to a full bath which is the reason that this team won the challenge. I am on the fence on the pink tiles, but I do see them popping up quite often right now but fear that they may be dated in a couple years and not sure many men would appreciate them. My favorite powder room had an antique Turkish vessel sink – serious, could it be any more beautiful!
The winning family room was chopped up to add a mudroom which might add function which the judge equated to value, but I am concerned that it took too much away from the airy feeling of the great room which is where you want space for the whole family plus friends for cozy movie nights at least if you live in my house. My favorite had an elevated design with the most gorgeous beams that they took down the walls – what a WOW moment. While I cannot support the TV on the easel which could easily be fixed, the rest is pure perfection.
The designers all have such different styles which really makes it interesting. Here is my generalized take from most to least favorite team.
- Nate and Jeremiah – elevated and livable contemporary, these guys can seriously do no wrong
- Mike and Victoria – strong construction and glam Chicago vibe which is where Victoria is from
- David and Tiffany – fun and color, color, color
- Brian and Mike – a bit boring and kind of builder-grade though that is what they are stating with
I tried not to give it all away so that you can still enjoy this must-see TV. Monday will be Episode 3 and I cannot wait! Feel free to binge Season 2 Episode 1 and 2 as well as Season 1 if you have not seen these already.