Episode 2: The Best + Worst of the White Room Challenge
Guest Judge Vanilla Ice With Design Panel and David Bromstad
I like to think of the White Room Challenge as the sand trap of Design Star: talented designers go in and they don’t come out. It’s always the ones you least expect, too. Here’s what went down on this year’s iconic challenge.
The Good
Bex: Along with many of you, I’m a Bex fan. So I had a mini panic attack when she couldn’t “manhandle” the super-long lengths of PVC pipe she bought to create a screen for the front of her white box. After a chat with David restored her confidence, she settled on smaller panels with cut lengths of pipe. Her finished room wasn’t among the best white rooms of all time, but it had some nice moments (i.e., the copper silhouette with penny trim.)
Britany: Her nautical-chic look was sophisticated, graphic and fun. I loved the table-turned-chandelier with hanging lengths of gold chain!
Stanley: I was a bit skeptical of Stanley after last week’s collage-gate. He redeemed himself this week design-wise with an unexpected art installation – he left the box white and created vignettes with colored light. In the evaluation room, the judges dinged him for an unenthusiastic camera challenge.
Danielle: Guest judge Vanilla Ice said this box reminded him of a recording studio — it definitely had a lounge-y, relaxed vibe. The off-center graphic X in bold gold made a huge statement — Danielle may have even won the challenge if it wasn’t for that last-minute dollar store lamp addition.
Rachel: I love how she mixed patterns in this space – the large-scale scroll pattern on the walls and the chevron-painted dresser mesh perfectly. Vern loved her fashion-inspired silhouette. Genevieve loved her folksy camera presence. Guest Vanilla Ice said her room had “moves like Jagger.” She took the win for the second week in a row! The moose head approves.
Miera: I was worried for Miera when those white blocks fell of one, by one, by one, but the room came together surprisingly well. I’m a sucker for gray walls paired with bright colors, so I liked her room from a real-life decorating perspective. It wasn’t the most creative as white rooms go, but I want my own geometric rug mural, and Vern seemed to feel the same way. Vanilla Ice wasn’t into the 3-D sculpture, though: “It just looks like you cut some 2x4s, to me,” he said.
The (Sorta) Bad
Kris: His concept – the before and after view of a home devastated by a forest fire – was interesting, but the execution wasn’t 100 percent there. Genevieve said that the “American dream” side of the box needed to be more perfect – the half-finished look didn’t cut it. Personality-wise, Kris was a little nicer to his fellow man this week, though he’s driving me up the wall when he calls David “Mr. DB.” What is up with that, Mr. KS?
Mikel: I was impressed when Mikel said he practiced the for White Box Challenge. As a former Girl Scout, I’m all for being prepared. Unfortunately, all that practice didn’t translate into an especially creative space. His rope walls were cool, but without them, as Genevieve said, it was just a living room.
The Ugly
Luca: He seemed to miss the spirit of this challenge, still stuck on the judges’ criticism from last week that he “didn’t design enough.” His room was just too conventional and had some really odd details, like the weird accessories and faux wood floors. On a good note, I did love his custom light fixture.
Hilari: Am I alone in thinking Hilari’s room was the worst of the night? (Sorry, Hilari!) The judges didn’t love it, but they did like her chain-link trim on the sofa. To me, it was a mish-mash: The too-bright turquoise walls, the weird plants and, ugh, the turtles just didn’t work. At all.
Jordan: I knew Jordan was in trouble the minute he said “Japanese garden” and he knew it soon after that, too, when David challenged him to do more than “turn a table into a table.” Alas, he pretty much did turn a table into…a painted table. The bright red arch was nice, but it wasn’t enough to make the judges give the resident Aussie another chance and he was sent home. Jordan, I’ll miss your accent and funny quips! I’ll leave you with some of his words of wisdom:”Some people curl up into a ball. I paint.”
Update: Miera’s been added. Also, you can now get Meg and David’s reactions to this week’s action.
Now it’s your turn: Did the right person go home? Which white boxes were the best and worst? Tell me in the comments below.
I am from Pittsburgh. I hope Luca and Stanley don't give my city a bad name, but, unfortunately, they both have to go. The sooner the better, I don't care for either one.
I was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area, and, sadly, I have to agree with you.
Fellow Pittsburgher here too. I know Luca and he has such a strong personality! He's such an artist! I was wondering how he would do with working with others when I heard he was picked to be on the show. Even through high school, he preferred to work independently because only he could see the vision in his head. He's a great artist, however, he had an opportunity to shine this week by working on his own and fell short. I still hope he pulls it together, but by the previews I saw, I'm worried about next week's team dynamic.
Would have much preferred Pittsburgh's own Sharon Needles!
They won't. I'm from Arizona. Jan Brewer & Joe Arpaio DO NOT speak for us all!
Danielle and Rachel did a great job but her lamp was just as bad, if not worse, than all those plants Rachel had. Rachel should not have had the win. Danielle's room was the best!
What happened to the older woman? They didn't review her. Did I miss something?
I did the same thing – scrolled back up to see if I missed her! Meira, right? I liked her rug concept. Thought she did better this week. It was funny when her boxes were falling from the design. Did she not realize she would have to drill them into place?
Hey Heather and Keltikmom,
Miera's in the recap now! Thanks for pointing that out.
They are probably keeping Luca and Stanley so we will have someone to dislike. Worked with Kathy. I was sorry to see Jordan go as I liked his personality. I thought Kris's room was a mess. And I still think Danielle should have won both times; Rachel's white room was too busy – I did like fashion lady on the wall.
Glad I missed this!
I just could not believe what Rachel did…WOW, WOW, WOW!!! No other word sums it up better! How talented is this girl? Where did you find her? She outperformed every other person on the show–hands down the winner. Bex pulled out a great design in the end but Brittany's fell flat and I expected more. Danielle's design was OK, but also disappointing. I thought Hiliary had to go the entire episode and then she stayed. Jordan was sent home, but he created something both unoriginal and uninspiring but at least it was tolerable. What were the judges thinking by keeping Hiliary OMG?
I am really impressed with Danielle and Rachel this year. I think the judges made too big of a deal about Danielle's lamp. Her camera challenge was better than Rachel's so I think she should have been the winner this week. I disagree with Jordan going home. Although he was having trouble getting inspiration this week, his room was not bad. I wish he'd have been given another chance. Hillary had some good ideas but was having trouble implementing them. I think Luka should have been the one to go. He said he didn't think design needed a concept and his room showed that. Anyone can put things on a shelf.
What happened to Miera Melba's picture?? No mention , except for "what happened to the older lady?" Alot of people liked my artwork, color scheme and floor pattern. Am I that forgetable? Sorry but this kinda hurt my feelings!!
Hi Miera! I've added you. I really liked your work last night, especially the mural!
I agree! Is this competition rigged already?
They said Jordon's room was the worst but at least it was functional. Stanley's room was not functional.
Upon entering the room where do you sit to read or entertain? How do you sit on a couch hanging from the ceiling? Where do you grab a cool refreshing drink after a hard day at work and relax? These judges have made crazy decisions in the past and continue to do so. Antonio was the worst!!!!! I still wish Dan had won–his designs were so elegant. When you watch HGTV you want ideas how to make your own castle a place where you can be proud of. Today I will hang my couch from the ceiling and put lights everywhere. I think Rachel being in fashion needs to teach Meg (last year winner} how to dress for TV.
I think you're missing the point of the white box challenge. Even David said that it doesn't need to be functional, but is more a chance for the designers to do something artistic and out of the box. Think back to past years. Most were not really useable spaces, but artistic representations bringing a part of the designer into the space, which some failed to do.
I agree: Jordan's room was predictable, but you could sit down and have a drink in it. Not Stanley's. Candice Olsen was just enchanted with Antonio and I think she really pushed to keep him on. I'm with you: Dan was definitely the more creative of the two. I've tried to watch "The Antonio Treatment" but just can't stay with it. I think the ladies did a better job with this challenge than the guys.
The white box challenge isn't really about creating a comfortable, practical space, it's about making a statement. Stanley's effort certainly did that. i"m afraid most everyone elses effort was derivative in some way or another. Interesting to see the return of supergraphics.
I do have to say the ladies outdid the gents this time – none of the men's designs impressed me. Danielle has alot of class and her design was very creative and how she came up with the idea from a 70's picture with her mom. Her mom would be proud! I do think the judges went overboard with the lamp. It was not that horrible, it just did not fit in that room. Rachel is cute also. Her design was busy, but it is difficult to put together multiple designs together that fit and she did this well. Her fashion art was very cool. Bex's design was also nice and clean looking and loved the silhouete idea. Hilari what can I say – funny and realistic, but you just gotta come up with something better than that next time!!!