Unique detail in Rick and Tayla’s backyard lands them coveted $50k off their reserve
Forget the $10,000 prize this week for the final Room Reveals of the season, Scott Cam had something much bigger up his sleeve – and everyone wanted it.
With $50,000 off your reserve price on Auction Day, it’s no doubt the most important prize up for grabs so far this season. So naturally, Rick and Tayla pulled out one of the biggest surprises to bag it.
Rick and Tayla delivered one of their only finished spaces of the season - but it was the right time to do it with $50,000 off your reserve on the line. Nine
The father-daughter duo have the biggest front yard this season in House 5 and while the sheer size of their outdoor space impressed, there was one standout design choice that got them over the line.
Earlier in the week during the walk around with his co-host Shelley Craft, Scott Cam likened the entry to their home from the street like walking into a winery.
The vast space and cleverly positioned steppers gave a sense of grandeur, to really emphasise the size, while also still feeling homey.
Read more
Episode 49 recap: Team score $50k Auction Day advantage that could win them the entire Block
“It’s beautiful and simple, but it’s also very elegant and coastal, and spacious and lots of grass for families,” Tayla said before judging.
“I think we’re actually in for a shot at this $50k off reserve… please!”
While that did sell the dream, there’s one key design element in the front yard that really bought the wow-factor and helped secure the win – their water feature.
The water feature they went with is like nothing else that’s been done on The Block’s history, and it blew the judges away.
The water feature which was both simple, elegant and oh-so-cool added an unexpected hit of wow factor to the front entry. Nine
The Buxus Cloud Tree in the centre is over 30 years old, and added a sculptural touch. Nine
The concrete feature was filled with water, and featured a Buxus Cloud Tree positioned in the middle.
Earlier in the week Rick clarified that the tree was 30 years old, which only added to the uniqueness of the whole thing.
The simplicity of the architectural details and overall artistic element of the water feature really amped up the overall impressive nature of the entryway of the home.
Over the season House 5 have struggled to completely finish their rooms, but this was another story.
The simple and less is more design of the space really let them throw it all at it, and they walked away with one of their only completed spaces this year in time for Scotty’s “tools down” call.
Overall it was a simple, yet well thought out design that really impressed and scored them the most important win of the season to date. Nine
Ultimately their sprinkle of wow factor, simple design and the fact that they actually delivered a fully finished space earned them the win with a score of 27 ½.
Check out our scoreboard below to see how the teams finished up after the last room reveal judging on the 2026 season of The Block.
