STYLE: Modern, contemporary with a vintage twist
For sisters Katrina (33) and Amie (31) the greatest concern is being away from their babies and husbands for eight weeks. "We know it's daunting — two mums from the country tackling The Block on our own. But we reckon we'll give those city-slickers a real run, so bring it on," says Amie.
These domestic goddesses, who describe themselves as "crazy, crazy, crazy ladies", have five kids and reckon they might get more sleep while they're away than they do at home.
They certainly have a wealth of experience. Both women have built new homes and Katrina has also renovated a 1930s dwelling. These projects provided invaluable insights into the minefield that property development can be, from planning and budgeting to choosing colours, products and tradies. But they love the end result, says Katrina, "where all your hard work is on show, with the excitement of the possibilities we can create".
To say the sisters are motivated is an understatement. Apart from raising families and developing properties Katrina works in real estate and does freelance social-media work, while Amie is a casual school teacher doing part-time university studies.
When they married the sisters realised their husbands' businesses meant they could no longer live around the corner from each other. Katrina lives in Wagga Wagga and Amie is a couple of hours away in Thurgoona, outside Albury.
The Block represents a rare opportunity for the girls to spend time together participating in a challenging, creative enterprise. They have similar tastes and share a common-sense, gutsy, get on with it approach. They are confident their personalities will always pull things together. "We were both brought up with the same drive, motivation and organisation skills. Our parents did well," Katrina says.
Amie describes herself as the organiser who knows how to get things done. "I'm a leader. I'll speak up. I push until I get what I want." Katrina is a whirl of creativity. "I've got that many tricks up my sleeve, I've got ideas that are just flowing. My brain is going to explode."
They eventually want to be their own bosses, running businesses that provide the money and flexibility to come and go as they please. The sisters hope The Block will provide a massive step towards finding that ideal balance between work, family and play.
