On the fifth episode of Rock the Block, the teams had a major challenge: The huge lower level of their identical homes, complete with a living area, kitchen, and unfinished room. The total space totaled 1,300 square feet, and Renovation Aloha stars Tristyn and Kamohai Kalama commented that it was bigger than some houses they've worked on. With each of the teams tied up at one win apiece, the competition was definitely heating up and some of the teams took big risks. Emmy-winning designer Kim Myles from Design Star joined the episode to serve as a judge for the designs.
Alison Victoria and Michel Smith Boyd
Alison and Michel drew upon the design from their winning kitchen for their lower level. They created a living space and luxe kitchen that continued the green color palette from upstairs, plus they continued their refined rustic design with white oak paneling and arched doorways. In their bonus area, they took a bit of a risk. They installed a sauna and cold plunge and also added a mini pickleball court and expansive mural. When Kim toured the space, she was impressed by the kitchen design with its emerald and pistachio color palette, but she felt underwhelmed by the sitting area. She liked the intention of the wellness room but felt like the spaces competed.
Cole and Chelsea DeBoer
The Down Home Fab stars brought their "cowboy contemporary" aesthetic to the lower level and created separate spots for kids and adults with a game room and nostalgic arcade (complete with retro arcade carpet). They included shuffleboard, a handmade basketball game, and vintage arcade games. Kim found their design "beautiful, elegant, and fun." She loved the quartz in the kitchen, but admitted that the overall design wouldn't be everyone's taste.
Jonathan and Jordan Knight
Jordan returned after missing last week's challenge to design a casual "green room" with his brother, Jon. They continued their modern farmhouse design to create a more casual place for the family to hang out with a music studio and soundproof vocal booth. They thought it was very cool but acknowledged that it was a risk. Kim praised the sumptuous and rich palette, while pointing out that one wall was blank. She said, "I am floored. I think it's amazing, I think it's unique." But, she continued, "It is very very niche."
Tristyn and Kamohai Kalama
The Renovation Aloha duo brought their moody modern style to the lower level with a sophisticated space. They reconfigured the floorplan to create a home theater, wine cellar, fireplace, and lounge. They conserved budget with peel-and-stick tile in the kitchen—a detail that didn't get past Kim. Still, she loved the cozy, comfy theater, saying it was "such a value add" with universal appeal. Ultimately, Kim chose Tristyn and Kamohai to be the winners for the second week in a row, and the news brought Tristyn to tears.
HGTV fans on Reddit called out a major oversight with all of the designs. One commenter posted, "Nobody adding a bathroom or bedroom to the lower level??" And the replies flew in from viewers who had the same thought. "That’s exactly what I thought! No one’s adding value with extra bedrooms or bathrooms," one person wrote. Another chimed in with "I would've at the very least put a bathroom down there." One person commented, "Everyone has kitchens so they have the plumbing? Plus it seems like they’re all drinking oriented in some way you’d think a place to pee is a no brainer." Another simply said, "I’m baffled."
One HGTV fan offered a possible explanation: "I’m guessing there was no rough in sewer for a bathroom? I know they had water, but doesn’t a bathroom need a sewer line?"
This will have to remain a mystery! Only two episodes remain in this season. Up next, the teams will head outside to renovate the huge backyards of their Utah homes.
Shop 'Rock the Block' Episode 5
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.
