El’ise and Matt’s retro-inspired living room featured the Palisades Ancient Villa Ledgestone product from the PGH Bricks Cultured Stone collection. The naturally beautiful cladding material is a blend of regular and irregular shapes which epitomises rustic charm. The room ‘feels like home’ as described by The Block judge, Neale Whitaker, and the textured stone wall added ‘country Victoria’ to the mix, according to fellow judge, Shaynna Blaze. The off-white mortar contrasts with the darker cultured stone and highlights the different shapes, while the 10mm joint finish minimises shadow for a more streamlined effect.

Neale said that their design and the fireplace put the couple back into contention because of the warmth and “liveability” showcased by the room’s aesthetic.

A ‘tranquil, peaceful space’, the courtyard created by El’ise and Matt featured a generous garden bed which was clad in the Cultured Stone Palisades Ancient Villa Ledgestone. This linked the design of the fireplace in the indoor living and dining rooms with the outdoor spaces. The judges agreed that “the stone cladding on the garden bed pays a lovely homage to the fireplace inside the living room”. A small dining setting was also paired with an in-built timber bench seat to complete the rustic effect of the area. The use of off-white mortar and a 10mm joint finish unified the appearance for an authentic stone finish. This look can be adapted from PGH Bricks' Fresh Naturals style, which is the go-to trend for those wanting to bring the calming effect of nature indoors.