Episode 4 Recap: Famous Last Words (Don’t Worry, I Know What I’m Doing)
I’m a sucker for a makeover with real homeowners..after all, who wouldn’t want someone else to completely transform their home in a weekend? I know I would. Two neighbors got their wish this week with makeovers of an indoor living space that connects to an outdoor one. Here’s my take on what happened and this week’s big winners and losers.
Danielle and Miera: As soon as Miera said “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing” re. the built-in shelving unit, I started to worry. Actually, everyone involved in the room looked perpetually worried…Danielle, the carpenter, probably the camera guy, and eventually Miera, who said she hoped “when the panel goes through our room, they don’t have a magnifying glass.” Unfortunately, inspector Vern didn’t need a magnifying glass to see what was wrong with the shelving unit, and Miera was sent home this week. Here’s the finished room:
And the built-in:
The best thing about the room, by far, was also chosen by Miera: an organic, contemporary chandelier over the dining table:
I felt bad for Danielle, who pretty much lost her design voice this week. I hope she won’t make that mistake again!
Kris and Rachel: Kris has that “game show host” quality about him, doesn’t he? I half-expected him to build a revolving stage stocked with a few appliances and a brand new car on the homeowners’ patio. Instead, he built some really cool tree stump tables embedded with succulents. Call me crazy, but I’m actually starting to take a shine to this dude.
Another great moment: the custom awning designed by Rachel.
A not-so-great moment: Rachel’s kids’ corner.
From the moment Rachel learned the homeowners/clients had a four-year-old daughter, you could tell her mind was on her own daughter and not the room’s design. The judges went on about how it shouldn’t be next to the trash and that it was “sort of bizarre,” but they mostly seemed genuinely worried that Rachel may have lost it a bit.
Stanley and Britany: Britany brought the bold patterns again this week with a killer herringbone-patterned wood privacy screen.
I was worried that Stanley’s crazy construction schedule would backfire in the end, but he got it all done and the judges loved his reclaimed wood decking. And presumably, his tan.
Hilari and Mikel: It looked like Hilari and Mikel were having fun this week, and I wanted to join in. (Hilari, can we go sofa shopping, pleeease?) They worked together seamlessly and you could tell by looking at their finished room – just like the homeowner requested, it was a vintage-inspired, collected space that you wanted to hanging out in. The judges praised Hilari’s sofa pick:
Vern also gushed about Mikel’s reclaimed wood mirror:
A great camera challenge + a great space made Hilari this week’s champ.
Check back tomorrow morning to see David + Meg’s reactions to this week’s episode.
Now it’s your turn: What did you think of this week’s episode? What was your favorite element of the designers’ spaces? Did the right person go home?
The judges certainly got it right this time. Miera needed to go. I don't blame Kris for the problems last week now that I have seen Miera in action again. She either refuses to listen or gets upset when someone else tries to make plans. She certainly doesn't do well with time pressure. I hope Danielle gets to work alone next time although I would say that most of those left are pretty mellow. Even Kris and Stanley are growing on me.
I agree. Kris is very like able. He has never said smack about anyone – very professional even when thrown under the bus by a partner. Keep in mind, he was paired with Bex and then Meira! Give him a good partner, Rachel and all is well. And his tables rocked!
what in the world?! Likable? Did you see him be unbelievably rude to Bex and Miera? Shame on him and NO ONE would ever watch his show… not that he'll ever get one
"Guest" or should I say Meira, please stop trying to talk ill about others in order to make yourself feel better and instead go back to being irrelevant in suburbia. In this "world" acting like an entitled child as shown in the last two shows will not get you anywhere.
P.S. Looking at the butchered language in your comment above, I now understand why your camera challenges were so horrific to watch.
It seems like the producers are more interested in product placement than a good design show. What did an air freshener product have to do with the designs.
Lol and that image immediately followed a commercial for that product.
and, yes, HGTV we have figure out by now that Volvo auto is sponsoring whatever in a big way. LOL.
and they had to mention Target too, several times. which is even more distasteful given that Sabrina is also Target's spokesperson, seemed to carsalesmany.
I was wondering about the air freshener as well.
Not because Miera is older than Danielle means she is more experienced should have listened, serve you right, right choice judges.
I was done with Miera when she told Danielle "…you have an attitude problem." Really!?!?! I truly think Miera is bi-polar.
The judges sent the right person home, she could not get along with anyone much less design.
I agree with you. Miera had a problem with every partner she was teamed with.
Kris' designs saved Miera with the Kardashian/Jenner challenge, and this week her own arrogance was her undoing. I was frustrated with her last week, but this week I was SO ready to see her gone off of my television. Unfortunately, she is emotionally fragile and refuses to take responsiblity for her own errors. I thought Danielle was very classy, however she really needs to get a backbone or she will be gone next. In the spirit of teamwork, she put her contribution to the challenge aside, and paid for it with an unfinished area–really an area that could have been great. I really like Britney–she is very creative and unique–and doesn't get NEARLY enough screen time. I guess because she doesn't have drama surrounding her every move. I'm starting to like Kris as well, although he can be a bit of a drama magnet. I like the more laid back approach, and that's why I liked Meg last season. I think Britney has the stuff to win it as long as she doesn't get paired with someone that's a train wreck. Loved her and Mikel working together, but she shined with Stanley as well. She's my pick to win.
I agree. Kris came across as the bad guy last week, but he was only being assertive and he did some great design work. I think Danielle erred when she got caught up in the Miera built in fiasco. She should have tended to her project and offer assistance whne she was through. Miera was even confrontational with the carpenter who told her right off that time would be a problem (not to mention the wrong measurements). I love Britney, Mikel and Stanley, although I feel Stanley's main contributions have been on the building end. Hilliari just does not have the chrisma needed for a TV show (on line maybe)……
Poor Miera. She seems to be my age and obviously in need of some hormones for those middle-aged female moments. I feel for her, but she needed to go.
Hi, Becky in 'Bama. How have you been? Moonbeam here. I so agree about Miera. I too am only a few years younger (very few!) and, like you, was wondering if she was having some "menopausal" moments. Not good, especially if when compounded by an already less-than-gracious personality. She has talent, a good portfolio and some high-end private clients, but she also probably does not have to work within such time constraints in her private design business and, like most of us, may not have the same stamina she once had.
I'm good Moonbeam. Wonder what happened to our favorite show "eight by design" or was it "Nine"… seems now it's none. Yep…all 'them whippersnappers' would get on my nerves as well.
I'm sure she is a great designer and likely happy to be back on her own turf.
Becky, you remembered our last conversation! I'm flattered. I read a few months ago that our untalented "dear ones" had been renewed for another season and would be back on the air this month, but thankfully they have not yet re-appeared. I agree with you on those guys — they really got on my nerves too. As for DS, yes Meira can go back to her own domain now, and we can hopefully enjoy the rest of the DS season. This seems to be an unusually gifted group and I'm really enjoying DS this year (especially now that Luca and Meira are gone). Maybe Luca's clients find his work to be "Lucalicious," but I did not! lol
Britany and Mikel could easily have been the "winner" on last night's show. Even though it's okay with me that Hilari won, Mikel shared that workload and design with her. And Britany has been showing her individual style and cooperative spirit on every episode, surely deserving the winning recognition. Rachel just seemed homesick, had a down week, and will certainly bounce back again. Good luck to all the designers with their "lounge" challenge on the next episode.
Brittany is gorgeous and talented and even if she doesn't win, I think we're going to see her on another show in the near future (like, Casey, the lady who hosts the new Design On A Dime). I would also love to see Hillari and Mikel on a show together.
They paired Britany and Mikel again for a third time! Lucky Mikel
I was glad to see Miera go. She had problems last week and this week. Design should be fun! Not so much fighting. I was holding my breath at elimination because I love Danielle and I love Rachel. I don't want to see either of them go!
I am getting sick of the editing. Someone is in love with Hilari. It seemed like the Hilari show already. She got the most camera time by far. And what is the big deal with picking out a sofa? Britany is really getting cheated and is getting very little camera time. She is so talented. I hope we get to see someone other than Hilari talk a little next week.
You watch, Peggy, Britany will be the real sleeper this season. (If she can stay with it!)
Forgot to say – Stanley is really growing on me.