Candice’s Recap: Episode 9
After a few weeks away filming Candice Tells All, I’m back. I was so glad to return to the panel for such a fun challenge this week. I loved the look of surprise (and nausea!) when Tanika told the remaining three designers this week’s task was to design an entire home. OK, so the homes were less than 100 square feet in size, but the smaller the home the bigger the challenge and the more creative the designers have to be. We’re talking minimal square feet in which to design and create a stylish bathroom, kitchen, sleeping and living space. Putting things into perspective, my size 11 feet take up about 10 square feet alone, so just fitting Vern, Gwen and myself inside each tiny house” for evaluation was tight and tricky to say the least (“Great cologne, Vern.”).
Throw in not one but two camera challenges and yowza — this is a doozy of a challenge. Here’s how it went down.
As usual, Meg came roaring out of the starting gate with her infectious energy. Her “vintage Palm Beach” style was in all its glory with her bold green and yellow palette. Creating a foyer with the bathroom and closet in the entry was a brilliant use of space, and the floating bench worked wonders as a functional sitting (with storage under) area that kept the space feeling open and airy. I wasn’t, however, as much of a fan of her palette as my panel peers. “Meg’s green” was everywhere — in such an eclectic and personality-driven room, it bordered on monotony and predictability.
The Judges Tour Meg's Tiny House
However, the camera challenges were spot on. I’m glad to see that from week one all the way to week nine our little firecracker Meg kept true to herself and continued to let her personality shine in each and every challenge. She is funny, dynamic and, most of all, very real, and truly deserves to be in the finals.
Meg Poses in Her Tiny House
Karl is in it to win it. Other than the high contrasting colors that made a small space seem even smaller, I couldn’t find a whole lot wrong with his tiny house. His brilliant architectural eye has been his secret weapon in challenge after challenge, and out of all the designers, it’s obvious that he gives complete thought to what the assignment is as a whole.
The Judges Review Karl's Space
From broad concept right down to the final details, Karl is a smart, talented designer who truly deserves to be in the finals. His passion for what he does is infectious and comes across in front of the camera, where he now appears to be completely at ease. He’s a triple threat in this competition — knowledgeable, passionate, likeable, and the perfect opponent for Meg.
Karl in His Finished Space
Oh, Mark. That gorgeous Chiclets smile couldn’t get you through to the finals, and I have one word that did you in: belts. You’ve made a huge name for yourself in this competition with your amazing art installations, but this time, well, let’s just say you were caught with your pants down and we all know why. I would love to give you points for being inventive (or just being you) but this time I really can’t. The argyle pattern on the walls literally made me dizzy when I walked through the space. The home really felt disjointed — other than a cohesive color palette, and your usual smart styling, I was just left wanting more. I’m sad to see you go, but kudos to you for creating some of the most interesting and dynamic elements in this competition. You have a future ahead of you that’s as bright as your smile.
Goodbye, Mark
I also have to say that on my show every day is Hug Your Carpenter Day. Hotty-hot-hot carpenters Chip, Marc (with his GQ haircut) and spicy tamale Carmen also added a lot of fun to this episode. Cheers to you all for a job well done.
I can’t believe we’re down to the finale! My, how time flies when you’re having fun.
What did you think of the tiny house challenge? What questions do you have about episode nine? Tell us what you’re wondering about in the comments below — the Design Star producer will answer your most-asked questions on Wednesday.
Also the last for me. This is the 1st time I have watched Design Star….and the last. Meg has absolutely no sense of style and she is in the finale instead of Mark, who has had the best ideas and designs. What were the judges thinking????? Meg's stuff is SOOO amateurist and I would hire Mark in a second, unless I want my house to look like a cabin which is Meg. Shame on those judges
Yes, shame on the judges. Meg's style is really pretty awful. She is not bad as a host though so maybe she can host a show for Karl?
I would WATCH Mark . . . but not hire him. He was easy to watch but his designs didn't wow me. . . . but I wouldn't watch OR hire Meg. I'd hire Karl. . . but I'd like Mark to look at =).
I so agree! The judges really blew it and the producers for letting Mark go! Meg & Carl are no fun to watch!!
Meg is a disaster! she is a mediocre want-to-be designer… please change the channel!!!
So, there can be no winner more personable and/or better looking than the judges? Candace was the only one I liked last year, and same thing this year. And the hostess? Oh my. Is it just me or does Vern Yip look like a mummy? Thank goodness the panel doesn't have to do camera challenges since Candace is the only one would still have a job. (Bromstadt is rather full of himself, but he's easy to watch on tv and does some interesting designs)
Hmmm, Vern Yip does look like King Tut's sarcophagus.
Don't be so mean. It's not nice to be hatin' on Vern. If you must be so critical aim your darts in the middle of the panel at Genevieve. She is flat out annoying on her own show…although she does have some nice design skills.
Was Vern Yip mummified? LOL!!!
David Bromstad = love that nutty smile, but he copies everything (calls it inspiration) including his fast paintings….BE ORIGINAL!
I DONT THINK VERN WAS VERY FAIR TO MARC !! DO YOU???
I agree about liking Candace. I will watch any show that she is on. I'm not crazy about Vern either but I don't think you should dish on any of them
Totally agree!! Candace is my all-time favorite judge and HGTV personality!! She has the ability to criticize in a very positive way that is not condescending to the designers, a trait Genevieve does not have. And, I think Vern is the last person to be critiquing someone's camera challenge. He has the personality of a dish rag. Tanika is so rigid. She acts like she is reading a script every time she talks.
WHEW!! Thanks for letting me get that off my chest!! Still can't stop watching though!
Karl's house looked so complete! Nothing was left undone. Go Karl!
Agreed.
Although I am in complete agreement that this was not Mark's best week, I will never watch a show hosted by either Meg or Karl. She is too much and he just isn't enough on camera. They have both done some okay things, but I have no desire to see them on an ongoing basis. Oh well, thank goodness there is a lot of other fabulous HGTVness going on! That said, the tiny house thing was brilliant. Great idea to see how people think outside the (literal) box!
I'd give Karl's show a chance but not Meg's. He's got a good eye for design and is very creative. I would tune in to see what he's up to. At least in the beginning to see if it's any good.
what's wrong with this show..WHY DO THEY ASK FOR/ALLOW FAN VOTES ANYWAY??
YEAH ??? KELLI AND MARC HAD THE MOST FAN VOTES!! DONT THEY CHECK THIS OUT!!! WHAT THE VIEWERS WANT??? THEY BETTER START OR THERE GOING TO LOOSE VIEWERS!!
I agree they are "BORING' !!!!
LEIGH – PLEASE LOOK AT KARL'S PORTFOLIO AND EVERY PROJECT THAT HE DID SOLO ON DESIGN STAR. (HIS WHITE BOX WAS STRIKING AND FUNCTIONAL.) EVERYONE TALKS ABOUT MARKS GREAT SMILE AND BEARD, BUT I'M WATCHING HGTV TO GET GOOD DESIGN INSPIRATION AND I THINK KARL FITS THE BILL!
I agree on the failure of Mark's diagonal design and belts (what a waste of leather) which just made the place look cluttered. Meg's looked the most comfy, and shame on Vern's comment that her shelves were useless. She just didn't have them displayed with necessities as Karl did. I think they tied.
While I'll miss Mark, I would definitley watch Karl's show. He seems much more in tune with sharing his designs in a way the viewer can enjoy and appreciate. To me, Meg just seems to shove everything down your throat. I've tried to view her as perk and bubbly, but to me she'd just too brash.
What a disappointment. Letting Mark go over his belts when Meg had designed a space that was not even livable. If you are to have a home you need to have a comfortable place it sit! Two hard wooden chairs and a thinly padded bench. It looked more like a cheap camping trailer than a place to live. I have learned nothing during the show from Meg, but loved all the tips and advice from Mark. He is someone I would have watched. Not so with Meg.
I agree completely!
I'm not a huge Mark fan but I agree that Meg should have gone home. Practical problems are bigger than aesthetic problems in my opinion. You could actually live in Karl and Mark's spaces, but not Meg's.
that bench didn't even look comfortable!
Mark is the only one I would ever watch. Meg has the most anoying voice in my opinion and Mark just doesn't bring anything new. Bad choice of finalists.
I was hoping to watch Mark's show…………………… so saaaaaaaaaad
AGREED! It looked like a fishing cabin, but certainly not something anyone could live in. I was surprised that she wasn't called out on the "sofa" because no one could sit on it long term……and the green was a questionable choice, or at the very least, overused in that tiny space!
Belts belong in the drawer or closet. Ugly.
My last episode also.
Agree totally, letting Mark go is BIG MISTAKE!!! He is innovative and easy on the eye
. Meg is grinding and annoying and design ideas are totally boring. Maybe they can bring Mark in to work as team with Karl after he wins….there is no way the judges can let Meg triumph. Mark and Karl both have "getting it done by myself skills" and Meg needs assistance on everything,,,,hopefully judges can see that point of totality.
Karl HAS to win. While he was looking for ways to utilize every space and select items that serve multiple purposes, Meg was looking at a rake to hang wine glasses on?!? And creating pointless shelves with pointless items on them!? She does NOT deserve to win.
This elimination shows that the judges obviously have not looked at "the whole competition" in making their decision like they claimed. Mark has done great pretty much the WHOLE time, meanwhile, Meg has had many challenges where she completely FAILED. And if she didn't completely fail, she was working with a partner. And the partner is the one who made her look good!
And when they said Meg is "easy to watch," NO WAY. My 1 month old baby literally flinched and woke up after she started basically screaming at the camera in her camera challenge… She is in no way "easy to watch" .. Sorry, i just have to vent. I watch HGTV WAYY to much, and i just REALLY want to watch KARL'S show!!!
We agree that Meg is all-around irritating–awful voice, in-your-face camera vibe, totally annoying fingernails on the chalkboard. Hope Karl wins–much more easy-going and likable.
agree her voice is awful could not listen to her for a 1/2 hour show.
I'm on team Karl too. I still love the design POV he presented on episode 1.
I laughed at what you said about watching too much HGTV because I do the same. I also agree with you on everything else you said. I didn't know why she bothers me so much but I find her to be annoying too. I think it IS her voice. Regardless, I don't think she did perfectly bad, but needs improving. I like Karl's designs much better. I loved the room he did a couple of weeks ago and I liked his little house today. I would love to have one of those and climb a ladder to sleep! It needs to be a little bigger so there can be a window up there, too.
Karl had BETTER win now that Mark is gone. The look on Karl's face when they told Mark he was leaving! It was a mixture of total shock and sadness, as was mine. But Mark's initial reaction really said it all. I really would have liked to see him and Karl compete in the finals. Mark just had another bad day. Unfortunately, that's all it takes in competitions like these to find yourself on the chopping block. When I saw that "argyle" design I really didn't see it. And if he hadn't mentioned what he intended to do, I never would have guessed what it was supposed to be. So that along with his camera challenge–when Carmen had to redirect his attention to the camera–did it for him this week. But I'm SOOO sad to see him go. Love you Mark!! I know you'll continue to do well. As for next week's challenge: GO KARL!
The challenges Meg did by herself were good (except for HGTV'd), as was the dining room she did with Tyler. I would have put some plants and even small paperback books on the floating shelves in addition to the jars, but I liked her color scheme and floating shelves. Also, the judges remarked that it looked the most roomy because of the layout. Plus she beat the guys hands down last week — hers was the only room that looked finished. I'm not sure Karl would play well in all demographic markets — he is so talented but sometimes too moody, emotional and catty. We in California are used to it. People in the midwest may not be amused.
What did Karl ever say that was CATTY? I'm sure you have him confused with Doug, Cathy, and Kellie.
Yes, please tell us what Karl has said that was catty. We are all ears since you keep saying that.
Karl is my favorite too! I am Midwest! We love Karl!
Amen to that! Karl is definitely much better.His design is excellent. Meg makes me flinch too LOL
Totally agree!! — "This elimination shows that the judges obviously have not looked at "the whole competition" in making their decision like they claimed. Mark has done great pretty much the WHOLE time, meanwhile, Meg has had many challenges where she completely FAILED. And if she didn't completely fail, she was working with a partner"
Kayla I am with you! Can't wait for Karl's Show!! Mark was a sweetie, totally! I liked how he respected his Grandfather with the design and the hat… but seriously – when you go back you see him spending hours one one thing – but the work left to the others. That's why i respected Karl so much. He was doing the tile and up on the ladder….and can't forget how he put Cathy in her place with Brett! And that ladder wedding action is not easy! The girls looked just like me with my husband – have all the great ideas but he has to do the work!
Have any of you tried living in a small space, probably not. Karl's place looked way too cluttered and no one had even lived there yet. You all seem prejudiced against women. You are not going to sleep with the designer but you need to consider if you can live in the space. But of course all of these comments are nonsense anyway.
Well, everyone, Meg did win, but WE don't have to watch her show!! She is way over confident and felt she was going to win way back through out the whole series. Tamika needs to go to. Can't put my finger on it, but she is not an appealing host. I was greatly disappointed in Design Star this year and I Have watched from the first. I may give it up next year.
I very much agree!!!! What a disappointment!!!
This challenge was AMAZING!! i loved everyones designs and i think that everyone did a great job. I was really surprised by Marks tiny house, i was not a big fan of it, but i really loved his previous designs and am really sad to see him go! But…. We still have next week!! I love Meg and think Karl is cool too (as are their designs), and no doubt they are awesome. i have NO clue what is going to happen and am really excited to watch and find out!!
Mark was the best designer throughtout. You said you took into consideration the whole season… Then why did you send Mark home. I will not watch this show anymore. Meg is so average and her voice is annoying.. No one is going to watch a show and listen to that voice. Karl is a great designer so my hope is that you at least choose him. Mark had it all, design, looks the complete package.
+1 for Karl's house; it felt all grown up while Meg's had a playhouse vibe. That said, I love Meg's live wire but down-to-earth personality and think she'd be way more watchable in the long run.
Yes! Grown-up, sophisticated, stylish, multi-functional and fabulous! When I watch a designer I truly want the end result to wow me and be all of the above. Karl has done it every time!
Agree — loved Meg's plahouse vibe and the cute table and chairs she found — real furniture that managed to fit into that little place, making it very homey. Loved her color choices, the flip down table, the layout and especially the little rake holding the wine glasses. Karl's was functional and attractive, but left me cold, and I thought Mark's just looked like a furnished outhouse. The judges got it right. I don't think I like Karl's personality enough to watch him on a weekly show. Whether Meg is phony or not, as some have implied, at least she makes the effort to fake it and not indulge in sulking and catty remarks (but she comes across as genuine to me).
Yay for Karl!
KARL IS A GOOD DESIGNER I GUESS BUT HE IS HARD TO LOOK AT AND HE ACTS DUMB AT TIMES!!! NO TV PERSONALITY!!
Times are tough. Design elements need to less FAD more CLASSIC in my opinion. Karl gets it. Meg… well you said it "playhouse vibe". I don't want to live in a playhouse. Her tinyhouse reminded me of a SATURDAY MORNING KID's program set for a CHEESY local TV station! Or the BEFORE look where someone made one blunder after another. When I saw the promo for her show called DESIGN CRIME I couldn't hold back the laughter! And I don't want to have anyone SCREAMING at me. I mute commercials, afraid I would end up muting her too. She has not inspired me AT ALL. Kitchy = Meg. Why any designer would aspire to be Kitchy is beyond me. The very definition means INFERIOR!