Having helped sell hundreds of houses during her long career in real estate, new judge Lauren Mirabito is perfectly placed to rate the renovation efforts of the contestants on The Block NZ. But there’s only one home that truly takes top spot in her heart – and that’s her own stunning seaside pad in Auckland.
Lauren’s freshly refurbished “haven in Beach Haven”, which she shares with her new hubby Grant, could be straight out of a coffee-table book, complete with water views, a heated swimming pool, a James Bond-themed wine cellar, wow-factor feature walls, bespoke furniture and even a nine-seat movie theatre with Art Deco chairs from an old Napier cinema.
“When we bought it, it was like a 1980s doll’s house,” Lauren tells Woman’s Day as she takes us on a tour. “It was the original show home from the first subdivision and it was very matchy-matchy with the other homes around it, so we’ve put our stamp on it. We adore this house.”
It was a three-year labour of love, with Lauren, 41, doing most of the directing and Grant, 48, doing a lot of the hands-on work alongside the builders.
This story is from the August 2, 2021 edition of Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 2, 2021 edition of Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
JUDGE JAY-JAY
Radio diva Jay-Jay Feeney delivers her verdict on your biggest dilemmas
MEGAN'S NEW LIFE - 'I WAS STARVING MYSELF'
After years of negative comments about her weight, the New Plymouth woman is now a plus-size model
PODCASTS & PARENTHOOD RYAN'S TRUE CALLING
Crime investigator Ryan Wolf and wife Ashley welcome baby Dillon to their pack
CAKE QUEEN KATHERINE - BAKING IS A GOOD WAY TO MAKE FRIENDS!
A former teacher, cookbook author Katherine Sabbath is now a contestant on Dessert Masters
Celeb chef Amaury's - SWEET SUCCESS
The MasterChef: Dessert Masters host opens up about his famous fans
Paralympic medallist Anna - 'I'VE PUT MY FAMILY THROUGH HELL'
The cycling star says she couldn't have won silver in Paris without the support of her loved ones
MADDY & CHARLOTTE - 'THEY FLAT-OUT LIED!'
When a video surfaces of Sydney sisters Maddy and Charlotte Harry showing they'd renovated other houses before their appearance on The Block, their competitors feel betrayed.
SHAYNNA AT 61 'I WON'T GIVE UP!'
At 61, The Block Australia judge Shaynna Blaze is busier than ever.
PAST BLOCKHEADS SLAM THE SHOW
After just quitting The Block citing mental health issues, Jesse, 29, and Paige, 27, haven't held back when it comes to criticising producers for a lack of duty of care - and now Paige claims she has been backed up by several former contestants with similar experiences.
BUILDERS BOYCOTTING THE BLOCK!
Rogue builders have shared their horror stories from The Block - and they aren't just about bills going unpaid!
