Episode 6 Recap: Dream (and Nightmare) Kitchens
The designers took on the dreaded kitchen challenge this week, but the stakes were a little higher: The winning kitchen won a feature in HGTV Magazine, and the bottom two designers went home. Read on to see which kitchens turned out dreamy and which, well, didn’t. Plus, tell me what you thought of this week’s episode!
Danielle had a big advantage from last week’s win: She got to choose her partner and pair up the remaining 4 designers. She also got first pick of the sink options that would inspire each kitchen. She chose Britany (they’re back to being BFFs now) and the contemporary sink. They chose a cheery-if-safe pale turquoise and yellow palette and a “collected” vibe for their space.
The judges loved the eclectic, lived-in look of the room, from the well-chosen accessories…
…to the right furniture pieces, like this weathered buffet. “You captured how people live today,” Vern said.
Britany was jazzed about the photo frame backsplash, but Anthony Carrino of Kitchen Cousins thought it wasn’t very practical — photos look better without grease stains. The art she chose also wasn’t very impactful — a blown-up photo backsplash would have made a bigger statement.
Despite a few complaints, the panel unanimously agreed that Danielle and Britany were the co-winners of this challenge. Then, there was everyone else.
Stanley and Hilari’s kitchen inspiration: a black apron-front sink. Mr. “If You Build It, The Panel Will Come” and Ms. Versace Glamour had trouble deciding on a theme at first, and then decided to go bold. Gulp. I was worried for them as soon as they paired bold blue walls with red countertops. In their defense, it definitely didn’t turn out boring. But as Kitchen Cousins star John Colaneri said at evaluation, “Step out of the box doesn’t mean jump off a cliff.”
Case in point: Stanley’s “handy” cabinet pulls. Theoretically, this works, but the cabinets still need to function…rouge thumbs and pinkies actually keep you from opening the cabinet doors. Instead, why not use a couple of these as accent artwork or even a towel hook? The panel definitely gave this element a thumbs down.
One element I loved in Hilari and Stanley’s kitchen: The blown glass pendant lights over their kitchen island.
Then, there was Team Rachel and Mikel, whose kitchen inspiration was a printed country sink. Unlike last week’s Victorian debacle, Rachel was confident that she could deliver a cool country kitchen; “I’m from the Midwest,” she said.
After floundering for a couple of weeks, Rachel knew she couldn’t play it safe. Enter the idea to wallpaper the back wall of the kitchen. She and Mikel struggled to find the right pattern and, well…they failed. The pink toile is too overwhelming with no wall cabinets…Genevieve called it “a punch in the face.” Also, functionality-wise, why a completely blank wall? I wouldn’t sacrifice that much space in my kitchen, even for an amazing wallpaper. Open wall shelves would have helped a lot here.
The panel loved Mikel’s pick of an ornate chandelier tied up with rustic twine, although they lamented that it was hard to see against the crazy, pink toile wallpaper.
Genevieve said she would “lay on a railroad track” for this tressel table, but otherwise, the panel wasn’t impressed with this room’s overall look…or its cramped space plan.
In the end, Rachel and Stanley both made fatal errors that, alongside another round of lackluster camera challenges, put them at the bottom of the pack. They were both sent home last night.
Check back tomorrow for David and Meg’s reactions to tonight’s episode.
Now it’s your turn: What did you think of last night’s designs? Did the right designers go home? Tell me in the comments below.
Danielle and Brittany's kitchen may have been voted best; however, it was a bit beige, I mean bland. I would have liked to see a few pops of color; other than a few floral arrangements and accessories. I loved Hilari's red countertops; however, the SOUP lettering didn't work because it was mismatched font and style. I liked the helping hand cabinet handles, they were unique but they didn't work in the design. The wall color worked well with the wood cabinets in Stanley and Hilari's kitchen design but I still don't know what the unique piece Stanley built was supposed to be.
Tonya, you rock. I don't like that, at times, the judges say "color" or some other design feature, and the one kitchen with the least color wins. They said, "flowers can add that pop of color," well, du-uh. I don't think that's was the judges had in mind when they wanted color. Then again, they voted their kitchen the best.
I was thinking the same thing….they went, "oops….we forgot that the client asked for color….we'll just get some flowers." How did they get away with that?
I am glad someone else thinks that kitchen was bland. The judges seemed to forget what the challenge was about. Go look at the still photos, if Stanley had only used two of the hands and not done the window thing, I think that kitchen would have won. It just jumps off the page.
Danielle had the advantage this week, she was able to hand-pick the teams… I think she chose Brittany because Brittany and Mikel work well together and she didn't want to hear Brittany whining if she lost the challenge. In addition, Danielle may have felt a little intimidated by Hilari as Hilari was her saving grace when the two were paired together. As for Rachel, I did not like the wall paper it clashed with the country kitchen sinks. I did love the chandelier and I suppose the camera challenge is what made the difference between Stanley, Rachel and Mikel. Boy was I wrong this week; I hope they aren't serving crow next week … so much for my prediction.
Danielle was smart to choose Brittany because throughout the competition Brittany has been able to make her designs pop with color or an interesting creative design feature. I loved the yellow door in the kitchen and the chandelier. Brittany seems comfortable in every situation and has a very charming personality. I can't wait for each episode to see Brittany's designs or contributions when partnered with another designer. I look forward to watching her on HGTV every week….
Danielle and Britany’s kitchen was gorgeous, and so far above anything any of the other designers have done on the show this season. They both seem to stand out each week and have set themselves apart from everyone else, however, Britany seems like the perfect choice for her own show on HGTV. She is so talented, I wish I could make a room in my house look half as nice as her rooms look each week. She just seems to have a great eye for what pieces really go great together, and not to mention, she has the PERFECT look for tv. I think people would love to watch her each week on her own show.
totally agree
I was sorry to see Stanley go. His ideas were unique. I did not care for this weeks winning kitchen. A classic chandlier with a rough, rustic side buffet??? Things just didn't seem to go together. The bright and bold kitchen may have been out there but at least it went together.
I was sad to see Rachel go, she started out so strong! But I am so happy to see Britany finally win. She has been SO consistent all season it kills me to see her come so close every time and just barely miss the win. her designs are always something I’d love to have in my own house. She seems like a fun, real person who is great at capturing exactly what needs to go in a room. I absolutely LOVE her style too…I’d let her redo my house and my wardrobe!!!
I agree, but I didn't like the way Britany pouted when she didn't win last week.
Britanny has a real eye for design. She’s able to think on her feet and solve unexpected issues, something a great designer needs to do. I absolutely LOVE that buffet in her and Danielle’s kitchen. Can you give me some information on it? I would like to find something like it.
This is ridiculous! Rachel won week 1, week 2, and almost won week 3. Where were her advantages for winning those weeks? Obviously, the panel wants Danielle to win. Unfair.
I know! SO UNFAIR
Rachel's victorian room last week was awful and her camera challenges aren't ever much better. Although I didn't think her kitchen was that bad.
You have to show consistency on this show. The panel usually does forgive errors that a strong designer makes, albeit the error is a one time occurrence. If the designer fails for three consecutive weeks, then they are clearly deserving of elimination. Rachel did start off strong, but for three weeks now, she has delivered, unfortunately, underwhelming spaces and frazzled camera challenges. It was her time to go….
I agree. it seems clear that Danielle is the judge's favorite. I would find it very difficult to watch her if she continues the trite expressions…."So much I can taste it…"
I'm sad to see Stanley go, I was hoping to see Britney and Stanley in the finals. While his hand door pulls might not have been practical for everyday kitchen use, he and Hilary did take to heart the advise to go bold and bright for the camera shoot to heart. Where the country kitchen was murdered with twall and while attractive Britney and Danielle's kitchen just seemed safe.
It would be nice to see Stanley back if not as a designer, than as one of the amazing HGTV or TLC carpenters. I could see him following in the footsteps of Ty Pennington or Carter Oosterhouse.
While I think all of the designers are talented, Britany is the real stand out to me. She has been consistent at delivering great work throughout the show. I get inspired to add color and pattern into my home when I see her completed designs. Plus, I love her personal style. Keep up the great work HGTV, great season so far.