Episode 7 Recap
This is it, folks: We’re down the final four. This week, the remaining designers struck out on their own with an individual challenge: design a living space in a newly-built condo using a bright color as inspiration. They also had to test their performance chops on live TV with a design demo on CBS’s The Talk. So, let’s have our own little roundtable about what went down.
Danielle’s color inspiration: blue. “I’m not happy with all blues, but I can do teal,” she said, and so she set out to use it as an accent color. That didn’t exactly pan out…the finished space looked like she’d drawn beige as her inspiration hue. Yes, I know it’s easy to overdo blue, and she had trouble finding accessories. In the end, time management was her downfall this challenge, and she ended up with a blandly “nice” space.
And then, there was the dining table saga. Danielle wanted a glass-and-chrome model, and found the perfect one…right after Hilari put dibs on it. Would a glass dining table would have looked better here? Yes. Was that the only thing she could have done to make this area more exciting? No. A rug, some more wall art or more colorful accents would have gone a long way here.
I was a fan of these painted wooden pendant lights, but alas, Danielle didn’t manage to get them up before the end of the challenge. She left a lot of unfinished moments — and the judges definitely noticed. By the end of the design challenge, she looked pretty defeated.
She did manage to pull it together, though, for her camera challenge. She showed viewers (along with The Talk hosts Aisha Tyler and Julie Chen) how to paint photo mats for an unexpected pop of color, all while having a good time, too.
Hilari wasn’t too happy about her color choice — red — after last week’s mixed reviews on her red kitchen countertops. But she said she hoped she could choose the right hue of “redemption red” and Hilari, I think you did it. She (wisely) used red as an accent color, creating a layered room that finally evoked those “Versace moments” she always talks about.
Moments like this glam dining table. (Sorry, Danielle!)
I was also in love with this element — she mounted an Indian blanket on a wooden frame and used it as wall art. It adds so much warmth here, and helped fill what she called “the Great Wall of Marina del Ray.”
She went a little twig-happy, though…the design panel liked this vine sculpture, but wished she’d, er, branched out and skipped the manzanita branches in the rest of the room.
Genevieve praised her demo on The Talk, saying, she “knew when to chat and when to give information,” but she seemed a little all over the place to me. Still, there’s no denying that this girl has a fun personality. How could your room be dull with Hilari calling the shots?
Britany got lucky with a color she already loves: yellow! (Britany, I’m with you. Obsessed.) She pulled together a polished space with cool blue-green walls and lots of bright yellow accents.
She painted vases bright citron….
…and brought in brass lamps and yellow florals to represent a range of yellow hues. She did another wall overlay to represent her “bold and graphic” style, and while it looked great, Genevieve was all like “We’ve seen her do this five times now.” Britany, time to switch it up a bit!
Later, on The Talk, she showed how to paint colored stripes on a lampshade. Vern still dinged her a little for “not smiling enough,” but overall it was a solid challenge, and the panel declared Britany this week’s winner. She definitely smiled then!
And then there was middle Mikel, who drew green as his color inspiration. In the first five minutes, he made the decision that would be his downfall: the mint green paint. Genevieve called it “institutional” and Vern said he was “baffled” by Mikel’s choice. It’s not the worst color imaginable, but it’s on every. single. wall.
Mikel said he “loved to do space planning,” but, unfortunately, his enthusiasm didn’t translate into any kind of flow. Why didn’t either one of the two (amazing) sofas face the TV, Vern wondered?
If there’s one thing Mikel can do, it’s pick jaw-dropping midcentury furniture pieces. As a fellow low-slung, atomic-age furniture junkie, I was drooling over his credenza pick and dining chairs. I also preferred his wall treatment to the graphic element in Britany’s space.
After (wisely) scrapping his plan to talk about buying pillow covers, he painted a table and showed us how to antique it. Great tip…but not for a color challenge. The design + camera mistakes meant the judges decided to send Mikel home this week.
Check back tomorrow for Meg and David’s reactions to this week’s episode.
So what did you think? Did the right person go home? Did the right designer win? What was your favorite design element? Tell me in the comments below.
So excited to see Britney win this challenge especially since she wasn't even mentioned in the episode sneak peak. She knows exactly what works and is the only designer not to have wound up in the bottom of any challenge. I am tired that the judges keep saying she doesn't smile. She has a beautiful smile and she does have to talk!…Go Britney!
I find it strange that they are taping the show in LA, yet everyone keeps wearing jackets and scarves?
They probably taped this several months ago and it can get chilly even in LA.
yeah the seventh episode was over valentines day
I wonder if the reason we don't see more of Britany is they don't have enough good footage. Maybe she throws temper tantrums, or swears and they don't want to make her look bad. Britany reminds me of a hgh school cheerleader who thinks she is better than everyone else.
I liked Hilari's roome the best. She had the best accessories, the best furniture placement, the best wall treatments, her room looked the most finished. I also think she had the best camera challenge. I would like to see the final two be Danielle and Hilari because I don't want Britany to win. But I didn't want Meg to win either, still don't know how she beat out Mark to be in the final last year. I still don't think Meg is a very good designer.
A high school cheerleader who thinks she's better than everyone else? I find it hard to believe you would say that if she wasn't so blonde and attractive. I follow her twitter, her personal blog and her blogs for azcentral and she seems pretty down to earth to me. Especially when I read the recap of her Hollywood party episode, and it seems like she and Danielle have a pretty good relationship. It's sad to me that we ream people on this site the minute they make a comment judging Meg on being overweight or a little less "attractive" than most tv personalities, but we can jump all over Brittany and call her "stuck up" or accuse her of thinking she's better than everyone, and I guarantee people wouldn't say that if she wasn't gorgeous.
I second that. I would say someone is alittle jealous of natural beauty. Keep cheering for Brit!
Wow, that's harsh. Britany seems very genuine to me. Maybe you don't like her because she's blond and beautiful??
Britany is blond and beautiful, so what? That has nothing to do with why I don't like her, Danielle is beautiful too and I like her. Maybe I used a bad analogy, but to me she is very standoffish. I don't think Britany relates to the camera and I just don't think I would enjoy watching her show.
Maybe it was the analogy. Personally, I like her and her designs the best. I like Danielle also, but she really lets herself get easily flustered. Of course, that could just be editing.
I usually like Hilari's designs. While I absolutely LOVED that gorgeous Indian rug on the wall, I did NOT like those twigs…if there had been one as a statement piece, that would be fine. But there were too many, and it just seemed like it was the easy way to fill space rather than a creative choice–jmho.
I agree with you on Hilari's room! She should have won! I loved the Red Rug, and how she spread color around the room. Have you ever noticed that Hilari doesn't say anything negative about others! So genuine and so relatable. I noticed a one of the black tv hosts from the camera challenge gave her preferential treatment. So unfair to encourage Hilari more than the other's. But the good thing is that Hilari doesn't need it. She stands on her own. What bothers me is that the tv anchor felt that the judges decision would somehow be influenced by showing more interest in her than the others. What I got out of the camera challenge is that the black v host probably should not be given another chance to show unbiased coverage of Design Star. Hilari, you're a star in the complete sense!
Firstly, I would agree that her personality might be questionable because I do remember her
stating in the celebrity lounges that her lounge was the BEST. I thought she was fiercely competitive and has to be the best. I do not like any of her camera challenges which is also a tipoff of her negative
and phony personality. But why are they not showing that , well, maybe, Brittany is smart and keeps
her mouth shut. I would not hire her to decorate my house. I do not appreciate her decorating. I
really liked Hillari's condo. Yes, she goofed with that sculpture and I would have placed that to
separate the rooms between the bench and DR set but they did forgive her. And I thought
they were overly critical of her camera challenge. She wasn't any worse than Meg was. Danielle
has turned into a real cry baby and can't seem to stay cool under pressure. I would have not painted
the walls that stone color which was very lame. And I agree that her tip was poor. I would have found a blue rug to put under the dining room set. David did tell her to have an A to Z plan and she just
did not look cool going on and on over that DR set. I think that Candice Olson said that they want
whoever is entertaining and I think that Hillari is the most entertaining.
Read her blog…she is fun and gracious…everyone loves her! Apparently in the first episode she talked about her family and stuff but they didnt air most of it. And she talks about funny jokes and shopping trips they never show either…..hgtv please give us more of the real britany
I'm thinking the judges have already chosen a winner….Danielle. that would be so disappointing, because Brittany is definitely the best designer. I'm interested in a design show that teaches me how to decorate my own home. I don't need to be entertained and it seems like that is what the judges prefer. Hope they get it right this year.
i think daneille is veery talented. she does smile too. i like Brittan too!! look, Danilelle is GOOD. she isnt the worst deisigner!!!im serios!!!
I agree with Eileen and am annoyed it was bad enough that horrible Meg won last year. she should not have even gotten to the last quarter final.. Mikel should have stayed he does have a great style and can pick out furniture.. Yip does not like him soooo out he goes.. In my opinion either Hilari or Danielle should have been booted. Danielle has a hard time finishing or planning anything and Hilari's designs are not good and I can't stand listening to her.. Brittany is good and has a nice style..lf the judges would stop with the smiling bit I think she could relax.
Didn't get to see the episode yet . . .will watch online tomorrow. Just thoughts from the photos – I do think Britany is talented. But Britany has had yellow or blue in all of her interiors with the exception of the Kardashian episode. It's not just the wall overlays that keep getting done – it's everything. She's consistent, but it seems like a lot of the same choices over and over and over. No surprises. Consequently, I'm looking forward to seeing Hilari's process and getting a better look at her room. And I'm with you, Liz, Mikel had some amazing furniture. In general he seems very reserved with his designs though. His personality was so warm – I'll miss him on the show.
I agree, Maggie — I loved his personality and wished he'd been more open with it on the show. He seems like someone who would be a "smart friend," which is a great quality for a TV host!
I agree that I really like Mikel. I did make amazing choices and would love to see him on a
vintage show. I love that look and am always looking for ideas. I loved his kitchen tip and last night's tip because I have wanted to do that to my furniture. And I noticed that the audience cheered him. He was great in the Kardashian episode and maybe should have won. I would love to go shopping with him. I will admit that they were gracious and he was a real gentleman.
Of all the guest judges meg was the worst. Getting a little chubby are we dear. I did agree with the judges this week. Love David. One more thing, why do the contestants not wear seatbelts. It is the law in California.
meg was the worst judge because she was chubby? we all know californians are shallow but, seriously, not everyone enjoys watching women looking like a pencil. what a lame comment.
Meg was chubby when she won last year. That wasn't why I didn't think she was the best designer; I thought both Karl and Mark were better. And she made some real blunders during the show. So I don't respect her as a judge. I noticed the lack of seat belts too. Not a good example for viewers.
I prefer this season over last. But I still feel that something is missing. I believe that getting to know the designers better during the challenges would help to make the show more interesting, maybe knowing more about their design background. It does appear that Danielle is destined to be the winner from the judge's comments. She should have gone home this week based upon her unfinished space. Although I agree with the judge's that Mikel's mint green was way too much.
I agree that Danielle could be the next winner. Danielle is very nice, she never has been nasty and she is photogenic.
I don't enjoy watching Meg on her new show and agree she should not have been a judge. I did not see the entire episode but I am looking forward to it.
Bravo, Britany! Every episode she dazzles, in spite of impossible deadlines. She should have won the Hollywood challenge, too. It was easily the best party space – and it showed in the judges faces. Danielle just isn't ready for prime time. By her own admission she is an emotional wreck, and it is wearing to watch her meltdowns, week after week. If she spent more time designing than whining, she would be a more effective contestant. Part of me wonders, too, if it is partly an act – to win the sympathy of the judges and the network. Hilari just doesn't have the designing chops – at least, not yet. Mikel is on his way to stardom somewhere. When he finds his footing, he'll be terrific. He is a designer on the rise.
Danniele is a very smart designer she had created elegant styles. I like her sense of humor….go win the title Danniele