Images: RealEstate.com.au / The Block/Channel 9
Courtney and Grant Freeman made a splash on The Block 2024 with their fresh “Moditerranean” style – mixing modern lines with sun-drenched Mediterranean flair on Phillip Island. The married couple from NSW quickly became fan favourites thanks to their daring choices (who could forget that bold striped bathroom?) and natural synergy as a team.
With Courtney at the helm of her furniture and design business, The Lazy Stylist, and Grant bringing his background in landscaping to the table, it was a recipe for design success. And it’s clear they’ve left a lasting impression in the home and interiors space.
No judges, no rules
Now, after months of searching for just the right property with serious renovation potential, the duo have found the one. But unlike their reality TV experience, this project comes without Scott Cam and Shelley Craft popping in for site visits – or judges Darren Palmer, Shaynna Blaze and Marty Fox offering their critiques. This time, they’re calling the shots, and as Courtney tells Home Beautiful, they’re not holding back.
“We’ve just secured a property south of Sydney,” she says of the house they purchased in June 2025. “It’s a bit of a beast – three levels and a whole lot of work ahead, which is slightly overwhelming but also exciting.”
Drawn to its “views, multilevel structure and some of the original charm in the façade,” Courtney says the property captured their imagination from the outset. But don’t expect a few cosmetic updates: “It will be a full gut renovation.”
“It’s a bit of a beast, which is overwhelming but also exciting.”
Courtney
Mediterranean mood board
The pair’s vision is ambitious and refreshingly unconventional. “We want to create something with old-world Mediterranean charm and traditional Spanish Revival influence, with a unique and bold approach,” Courtney shares. “The beauty this time is that we don’t have to worry about impressing judges or playing it safe for public appeal, so we’re planning to have a bit of fun with it!”
Courtney and Grant move into the property around the beginning of August 2025, just before jetting off to Europe for further inspiration. The renovation is set to kick off in October and will be tackled in stages, given the scale of the project.
“It’ll also tie in closely with my business – I’m planning to launch a new custom furniture collection and a design guide inspired by the style of this home,” Courtney reveals. “So a lot is happening behind the scenes, but we’re so excited.”
And yes, they’ll be living through the chaos. “We’ll be living in it throughout the reno – which should be interesting with all the dust and chaos,” she admits.
From what we know so far, it’s shaping up to be another statement-making transformation – one that’s set to push boundaries and reflect the bold creative spirit Courtney and Grant have become known for.
The house hunting journey
Less than a month after The Block 2024 wrapped on November 10, contestants Courtney and Grant announced plans for this next project. “Now we need a new challenge and we’re looking at renovating or building next year,” Grant said in an Instagram reel in December. “We’ve made a few calls and locked in a few things,” added Courtney.
The furniture designer and landscaping business manager shared snippets of their hunt for land or a house to imbue with their signature style. “House hunting day one,” they shared on December 7, 2024, with an image of a house’s arched outdoor area.
“The other option is to build from scratch, which excites me a little more,” they shared with a video of land and lush greenery. The couple is from Sydney and they haven’t indicated they’re planning on moving away from their usual stomping grounds but we do know they’re cashed-up and ready to buy.
The runners-up of the 20th season walked away with $1.35 million in winnings after their Moditerranean-style home sold for $3.3 million at the auction. Yet it seems they haven’t exactly been putting their feet up since Scott Cam called the final “tools down” and the cameras stopped rolling earlier in the year.
“It wasn’t really a break,” they shared. “Courtney launched a whole new collection on The Lazy Stylist.” The collection is bang on trend with the announcement of Pantone’s 2025 Colour of the Year as Mocha Mousse. We’ll have to stay tuned for more life updates but if their track record is anything to go by, this home will be a project to watch in 2025.
