What happens after you win The Block, sell the house, have a baby, launch a business and start again? 

In this episode of The Edit, host and Home Beautiful Editor-in-Chief Elle Lovelock sits down with Steph Ottavio, architect, designer, founder of Japandi Estate and one half of beloved The Block duo Steph and Gian. 

Steph opens up about the pressure of renovating on national television, what she and Gian carried from The Block into real life, and how she renovated her own home while pregnant, with a five-month deadline and her mum living across the road. 

But this is also a more personal conversation about the strange quiet that can come after a huge, formative chapter. Steph talks honestly about experiencing “post blues” after The Block, feeling disconnected from purpose, going to therapy, and learning to strip life back to the basics: community, connection, conversation, morning rituals and the little moments that make you feel like yourself again. 

Together, Elle and Steph explore what really makes a home beautiful, from decluttered spaces, layered rugs and 12 skylights to the feeling of walking into a home that has been designed for real family life. 

Moments You'll Hear: 
Why Steph says her home has to be organised so life can be chaotic  
What The Block taught her about pressure, outsourcing and working with Gian  
How Steph renovated while pregnant and moved in before her baby arrived  
The truth about her “post Block blues” and rebuilding a sense of purpose  
Why community became the brief for her next home  
Steph’s take on Japandi style, character within minimalism and why she does not love cold modern homes  
The clever design ideas inside Steph and Gian’s home, including the Jack and Jill bathroom, 12 skylights and a pool craned in through the neighbours  
Her rules for shoes, scent, clutter and the design trend she would happily leave behind  

Thank you for listening ❤️ 

Before you leave... 

🗣️ Get in touch 

What did you think? We are a brand new podcast and would love to hear from you as we build this together. Join our friendly Home Beautiful community and DM us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/homebeautiful/ 

🎧 Listen to The Edit and follow on Apple Podcasts 

Listen and follow on Spotify 

👀 Watch and subscribe to The Edit on Home Beautiful’s YouTube 📺 for full episodes and clips https://www.youtube.com/@HomeBeautifulMag 

Credits: 

Our friend Steph Ottavio 
Host Elle Lovelock 
Edited by Pro Pods 
Producer: Charlie Potter and Thomas Crnkovic 
Consulting Producer: Jessie-Lee Klass 
Head of Vodcasting Rachel Fountain 

Learn More: The Edit is a production of Home Beautiful and Are Media:  

Inside Steph and Gian Ottavio’s stunning home transformation 

Steph and Gian Ottavio’s Home Beautiful Tour on YouTube 

Steph's Instagram

Steph and Gian's Japandi Estate Instagram

 

What happens after you win The Block, sell the house, have a baby, launch a&nbsp;business&nbsp;and start again?&nbsp;
In this episode of The Edit, host and Home Beautiful Editor-in-Chief Elle Lovelock sits down with Steph Ottavio, architect, designer, founder of&nbsp;Japandi&nbsp;Estate and one half of beloved The Block duo Steph and Gian.&nbsp;
Steph&nbsp;opens up&nbsp;about the pressure of&nbsp;renovating on&nbsp;national television, what she and Gian carried from The Block into real life, and how she renovated her own home while pregnant, with a five-month deadline and her mum living across the road.&nbsp;
But this is also a more personal conversation about the strange quiet that can come after a huge, formative chapter. Steph talks honestly about experiencing &ldquo;post blues&rdquo; after The Block, feeling disconnected from purpose, going to therapy, and learning to strip life back to the basics: community, connection, conversation, morning rituals and the little moments that make you feel like yourself again.&nbsp;
Together, Elle and Steph explore what really makes a home beautiful, from decluttered spaces, layered rugs and 12 skylights to the feeling of walking into a home that has been designed for real family life.&nbsp;
Moments You'll Hear:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Why Steph says her home&nbsp;has to&nbsp;be&nbsp;organised&nbsp;so life can be chaotic&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">What The Block taught her about pressure, outsourcing and working with Gian&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">How Steph renovated while pregnant and moved in before her baby arrived&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1">The truth about her &ldquo;post Block blues&rdquo; and rebuilding a sense of purpose&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1">Why community became the brief for her next home&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="6" data-aria-level="1">Steph&rsquo;s take on&nbsp;Japandi&nbsp;style, character within minimalism and why she does not love cold modern homes&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="7" data-aria-level="1">The clever design ideas inside Steph and Gian&rsquo;s home, including the Jack and Jill bathroom, 12 skylights and a pool craned in through the&nbsp;neighbours&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="8" data-aria-level="1">Her rules for shoes, scent,&nbsp;clutter&nbsp;and the design trend she would happily leave behind&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Thank you for listening ❤️&nbsp;
Before you leave...&nbsp;
🗣️ Get in touch&nbsp;
What did you think? We are a&nbsp;brand new&nbsp;podcast and would love to hear from you as we build this together. Join our friendly Home Beautiful community and DM us on Instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/homebeautiful/">https://www.instagram.com/homebeautiful/</a>&nbsp;
🎧 Listen to The Edit and follow on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-edit/id1852946910">Apple Podcasts</a>&nbsp;
Listen and follow on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1y7phZb4CeMhYzFssKZVcq?si=c21d4184afd84009">Spotify</a>&nbsp;
👀 Watch and subscribe to The Edit on Home Beautiful&rsquo;s YouTube 📺 for full episodes and clips&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@HomeBeautifulMag">https://www.youtube.com/@HomeBeautifulMag</a>&nbsp;
Credits:&nbsp;
Our friend Steph Ottavio&nbsp; Host Elle Lovelock&nbsp; Edited by Pro Pods&nbsp; Producer: Charlie Potter and Thomas Crnkovic&nbsp; Consulting Producer: Jessie-Lee Klass&nbsp; Head of Vodcasting Rachel Fountain&nbsp;
Learn More: <a href="https://www.homebeautiful.com.au/home-beautiful-the-edit-podcast/">The Edit is a production of Home Beautiful and Are Media</a>:&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.homebeautiful.com.au/home-tours/steph-and-gian-ottavio-home-renovation/">Inside Steph and Gian Ottavio&rsquo;s stunning home transformation</a>&nbsp;
Steph and Gian Ottavio&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/w-mfEsHqzk4">Home Beautiful Tour on YouTube&nbsp;</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/stephjoottavio">Steph's Instagram</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/stephandgian/">Steph and Gian's Japandi Estate Instagram</a>
&nbsp;

There are so many choices that people have to make when decorating, renovating and building. But there is such joy in creating the homes and lives we all want. This inspired The Edit, a fresh new podcast from your friends at Home Beautiful that helps to make these daily decisions both simple and enjoyable. 
Hosted by Editor  Elle Lovelock, The Edit opens the door to beautiful homes and the stories behind them. Featuring well-known guests and respected experts, this video podcast is for everyone shaping their sanctuary - wherever you live, whatever your budget, whether you're a seasoned homeowner, a renter or just curating a special space. The Edit makes those decisions simple and celebrates the everyday creativity, choices and personal touches that turn your house into a home.

There are so many choices that people have to make when decorating, renovating and building. But there is such joy in creating the homes and lives we all want. This inspired The Edit, a fresh new podcast from your friends at Home Beautiful that helps to make these daily decisions both simple and enjoyable.&nbsp; Hosted by Editor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ellelovelock?igsh=MTZqd2NmajF6eGpjdQ=="> Elle Lovelock</a>, The Edit opens the door to beautiful homes and the stories behind them. Featuring well-known guests and respected experts, this video podcast is for everyone shaping their sanctuary - wherever you live, whatever your budget, whether you're a seasoned homeowner, a renter or just curating a special space. The Edit makes those decisions simple and celebrates the everyday creativity, choices and personal touches that turn your house into a home.

THE EDIT

What is a home maker these days? With so many decisions to make when it comes to your home, a show about your style, your sanctuary. The Edit is a fresh podcast from Home Beautiful that opens the door to unique homes and the stories behind them to inspire and delight those decisions.  With well known guests and the ultimate experts. It’s for everyone shaping their sanctuary—whether you’re a seasoned homeowner, a renter on a budget, or anyone quietly curating your space. The Edit makes those decisions simple and celebrates the everyday creativity, choices, and personal touches that turn a house into a home.

What is a home maker these days? With so many decisions to make when it comes to your home, a show about your style, your sanctuary. The Edit is a fresh podcast from Home Beautiful that opens the door to unique homes and the stories behind them to inspire and delight those decisions. &nbsp;With well known guests and the ultimate experts. It&rsquo;s for everyone shaping their sanctuary&mdash;whether you&rsquo;re a seasoned homeowner, a renter on a budget, or anyone quietly curating your space. The Edit makes those decisions simple and celebrates the everyday creativity, choices, and personal touches that turn a house into a home.

The Block winner, architect and designer Steph Ottavio joins Elle Lovelock to talk renovating while pregnant, building a home around community, the real comedown after a huge life experience, and why a beautiful home starts with how you live in it.

Steph Ottavio On Life After The Block, Japandi Homes & Finding Herself Again

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/4d82df07-4eae-44c9-9601-b44d000f5eb7/transcript