Rock the Block is back on HGTV, and the series is a hit with viewers. The first episode was the network’s highest-rated season premiere since 2023. And, needless to say, fans are invested in the designs. This week, the teams of veterans and rookies took on some of the most important spaces in the homes: the entry, den, powder bath, and mudroom. Together, these areas create the first impression for realtors and potential homeowners. Jasmine Roth and Mina Starsiak-Hawk, both season one competitors, stepped in to judge.
Jonathan and Jordan Knight
The brothers continued their modern farmhouse design, creating a duel office space in the den and adding a dog-washing station in the mudroom. The NKOTB stars hoped that extra features like a central vacuum, wainscotting, custom built-ins, unexpected finishes would put them over the top. Mina and Jasmine liked the space but questioned the lack of artwork in the entryway, and the swan faucet in the powder room was divisive (to say the least!).
Alison Victoria and Michel Smith Boyd
Last week's winners continued their refined rustic design with a streamlined space, statement-making powder room, hidden door to office. The judges praised the overall creativity, but Jasmine was a bit hung up on the lack of "rustic" elements, and small details like the lack of door to the laundry/mudroom were criticized.
Tristyn and Kamohai Kalama
The Renovation Aloha stars continued their moody modern theme. They transformed the den into an office with a Murphy bed, and added square footage by moving the powder room to the previous pantry location. Mina and Jasmine weren't sure that altering the layout was worth the effort and expense.
Chelsea and Cole DeBoer
The Down-Home Fab stars overhauled the mudroom with a washer/dryer and a drop zone for bags and groceries, plus the upgraded the den into a bedroom. New Utah resident Jasmine praised their "cowboy contemporary" hat wall and elk-themed wallpaper. But, the kicker for the judges was the addition of a shower to the powder bath.
After some deliberation, Chelsea and Cole were determined to be the winners. Cole said they poured their "heart and soul into the house," and the couple will have $3,000 added to their renovation budget. Even Alison was impressed by the shower addition and said she wished she'd thought of doing that in her home.
HGTV shared a clip of the renovations on Instagram, and Michel commented, "These were such great transformations! @chelseahouska and @coledeboer killed it though! Those cowboy hats were a chef’s kiss!"
Fans on Mina and Jasmine's Instagram posts seemed to agree, with messages like, "the rookies deserved to win! Loved the elk wallpaper 👍and that bathroom👍" and "You guys picked the right one in my opinion tonight too!"
Chelsea's fans showered her Instagram video with praise too. One wrote, "I love that you did a whole bath there , the color was a tad darker than I like but still beautiful ! This is one time I say the judges got it right !!!!!" and another said, "A Well-Deserved Win!" Tristyn and Kamohai Kalama chimed in with, "you absolutely deserved the win!! Let’s go rookies!!" and Michel commented again with, "Soooooooo good! You deserved that win! 🏆"
Next week, the teams will tackle the important main suites of their homes. Ray and Eilyn Jimenez (Divided By Design) will join the show to judge the designers' work.
Shop the Rooms from Episode 2
Katie Bowlby is Digital Director at Country Living, where she covers pop culture news including country music, Yellowstone, and all things HGTV, plus gift guides and product reviews. She has been with Country Living for more than 11 years. Before that, she worked for Southern Living. The Indiana University grad also stitches up the cross-stitch pattern for every issue of the magazine.
