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Josh and Jenna: Former Block contestants list North Melbourne Canning Cottage

Christina Karras

Christina Karras

Herald Sun

Inside Josh and Jenna Densten’s family home at 47 Canning St, North Melbourne.


Former Block contestants Josh and Jenna Densten have listed their stylish North Melbourne would-be forever home in favour of a tree change to “escape the city”.

The property power couple starred on the 2011 series of the reality TV show, and have since renovated several homes together. They also founded the Design School, teaching accredited and non-accredited interior decoration courses and workshops.

After falling in love with the original 1874 worker’s cottage at 47 Canning St, they purchased it in 2013 and enlisted the help of Foomann Architects to create a two-for-one offering.

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Josh and Jenna Densten with Story and Fred outside the award-winning Canning Cottage.


The view from the central courtyard.


The block comprises the charming cottage at the front, which has been transformed into a self-contained one-bedroom studio, and a separate modern three-bedroom house at the rear.

An artificial grass courtyard connects the two properties and allows for natural light to flood both spaces.

Josh said they built the unique pad as their dream home, with “no stone left unturned”.

“When Jenna first talked to me about (buying) the property, I was not interested in taking on another project,” he said.

“But when she pulled me down the beautiful wide street, I was instantly like ‘we are buying this house, I don’t care how much it costs’. And I hope the buyers get that same feeling now.”

The all-white facade.


Blush pinks and warm timber tones run throughout the home.


“We really didn’t plan to sell, but after everything that’s happened it will be nice to get a bit closer to family in the country,” he said.

It is scheduled for auction on October 9, with price hopes of $2.2m-$2.4m.

Josh said they had plans to find a lifestyle property with space for their young daughters, Fred and Story, to keep their own chickens.

“It has been great living here though,” he added.

“It’s two for the price of one.”

The tranquil space is filled with personal touches.


Peachy keen.


He described the layout of the cottage as a “reverse granny flat” that Jenna often used as a home office or to host family and friends.

A blush pink theme was paired with natural timbers, white walls and perfectly matching modern furniture throughout.

“The styling has actually taken longer than the house – everything in the home has got a story and we’ve been collecting pieces over the last 10 years,” Josh said.

The dual residence features three bathrooms.


Canning Cottage was also crowned Best Residential Design at the Australia Interior Design Awards in 2018.

Jellis Craig Kensington’s Lucas Mills said the home’s natural light had been a main drawcard for an array of potential buyers.

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