Challenge 5: Homes of the Brave
For this challenge, the designers gave back to two deserving military families. After a grueling 22 hours, only five designers are left standing.
Spoiler Alert! If you don’t want to know what happened, please don’t click through.
Antonio, Dan and Torie transformed the living area of the Olsons, who wanted a warm, multifunctional room for the whole family. The designers used two shades of blue to create a neutral atmosphere and added contemporary furniture for a streamlined effect. Vern felt the designers met the Olsons’ needs for a comfortable, adaptable environment, while Candice loved the texture that the panels brought to the wall.
Nathan, Lonni and Jason made over the Maldonado family’s space, who were looking for a modern style, but mostly importantly wanted it to be functional. Nathan decided to build an entertainment center, which took almost the entire 22 hours they had for the challenge. Lonni chose to enhance one wall with a chevron pattern, and Vern felt it was the best part of the room.
Even though the judges felt that Jason and Nathan both had reasons to be eliminated, Nathan’s lack of time management was his ultimate undoing, and he was sent home.
What do you think? Did the judges make the right decision?
Fans of Nathan Galui should check out my blog for pictures of his upcoming furniture line! (http://www.blog.roomfu.com) You can also find recaps and interviews with each week's liminated designer. Troll through previous posts to catch up with the previous weeks' interviews, as well as my chats with Design Star judges Vern, Candice & Genevieve!
I don't like cold blue on the wall. If Tori didn't bring the green couch, the room would not be successful.
I think it could be better with some warm color…
It is interesting to see BLUE walls in Antonio's 'white room', 'Caswell' and this room.
I think he likes only blue on the wall. He is going to paint blue again.
..If Antonio went shopping he could go home…
I did like some of Nathan's ideas, but he did blow it this time. Isn't part of teamwork asking for assistance in an emergency like this? Maybe someone could have explained something to him that would have deleted the time management issue entirely. I too liked the chevron wall, however I think that home should be a peaceful retreat from my job rather than a 24/7 reminder. These guys really need a break from work, Lonnie. Great idea for another families home or an office. Jason, I nearly propelled of my seat when you said those curtains were stationary! OMG Inexcusable.
SYNERGY, synergy ….
Again, teamwork can make or break a successful job in the real world. I totally agree with Antonio's decision even though the purchase could have been executed with a little less drama. Kudos for standing for what you believe and exhibiting the reason why people pay for designers in the first place. Anybody can paint their own room the wrong color.
Dan and Torie, I love the execution of color in this room and the wooden weave. The van conversation: Dan, you tried to be the stable, firm leader. Torie, I felt like you sent off a "woe is me" vibe. Antonio could have responded in a million ways. This wasn't the first time he was treated like the hired help.
I agree that the chevrons by Lonni were eye-catching and the only standout in the room. But I also think it was too much. Nathan needed to go because of the bad time management, & the non-functional entertainment unit (which he should have purchased). But I also think Lonni spent too much time on the chevrons. I would rather have seen the pop come from something else. She listen to clients & cares about what they want, not just about what she wants to do.
Either way you slice it on Antonio, he lied about forgetting the tan paint. ..regardless of how the room turned out. I don't like liars. He can't get along with people, & although he was praised by David for sticking to his guns, he clearly is so self-centered that I don't believe he would be a wise investment for HGTV. I find him obnoxious and wouldn't watch his show. Even so…..I think Jason needs to be the next to go. His work is boring and ltotally lacking in content.
Dan……whine, whine, whine. Good heavens!
My final note….I don't see any design education in the bios. Actual schooling. Is there any or did they just forget to mention it? Not just working in construction. (construction is important, but should not be the main experience). We have to look at the whole package….including consistency. Not just one or two designs, how cute they seem, or what they have to say. Because of that, I'm holding off on my final choice.
I love that wood weave on the walls in the top photograph. I was so thrilled to actually find them! They're at Fusion Home in Ventura, California.
This is a fantastic project for our service men. I just hope these are personal homes and not onbase housing. If not their own personal homes who is going to go to the work and expense of putting these places back to original condition when the soldier is sent to his next posting? The soldier is responsible for any refurbishing to original condition fyi. I liked the Olsens room which seemed to hit the mark on what the client wanted. The other room was nice but felt unfinished and not real restful.
Haven’t seen any spectacular designs yet. I love Candice as a judge. Hope Lonnie or Dan wins it all.
Just stop watching! That'll show 'em!
LOL, Funny.