Candice’s Recap: Episode 8
The final four with TV host Nate Berkus.
We’re down to the final four and after a double elimination last week, the designers really needed to give it everything they had. And this week had it all — the extremely tough challenge of designing a “Look for Less” apartment, plus a Camera Challenge that just so happened to be in front of a live television audience. Talk about pressure! The adorable Nate Berkus was on hand to offer his expert design knowledge, as well as his beautiful television studio.
The designers had a $2,500 budget to give a simply furnished apartment a high-end makeover. In addition to that, they would present a “Look for Less” tip to the live studio audience on none other than The Nate Berkus Show. Here’s how it went down.
Right off the bat, Karl went for his safe neutral palette, and I worried that his room would be boring. Have no fear — his space turned out beautifully. The one thing my lovely Karl always is: consistent. I can always count on his designs to be cohesive, and his vertical bookcases were brilliant. I love that he took a simple shelf and really gave it some thought. As Nate said, “What a novel idea!” Took me a while but I got it — ha! And look who finally showed up for a Camera Challenge. I feel like my baby bird might finally be ready to leave the nest.
Karl shows off his creative design conception: books as shelves!
Oh, Mark, my bearded beloved — what happened? As usual, your taste levels were impeccable, and your vintage picks were perfect in the space, but c’mon — empty walls? Any good designer knows that a room is not 100 percent complete until the walls are finished.
Unfinished walls in Mark's room didn't impress the judges.
So in my book (which will go on Karl’s fantabulous bookshelf), your room was only about 60 percent done. I hate to do it, but Mark, you get the “under-styled” award of the day. I think I need to get you a watch for your birthday to help with your time management issues. (You know I’m going to say it: eight-hour rope ladder, anyone?) And I’m not even going to talk about your desk lamp Camera Challenge; there’s a box of “Dear Mark, I covered my lamp in tin foil and it’s not looking so good.” letters parked on your doorstep.
Mark demostrates how to cover a lamp with "tin foil."
On to the girls. Meg, my sweet Meg — WOW! This challenge certainly had a clear winner. Her “moditional” room was sheer perfection: It was styled well and had a great personal touch throughout. Meg literally crossed every “t” and dotted every “i.” She really used her imagination to pinpoint exactly whom she was designing for. The striped wall molding was unique and extremely well executed.
Meg in her winning space.
Repurposing the coffee table was a perfect tip for her Camera Challenge, not to mention how comfortable she was in front of a live audience. The fact that this was the first room Meg designed completely by herself was icing on the cake. Gone was the frantic, rushed, down-to-the-wire Meg. It looks like someone found her Zen.
Meg on the Nate Berkus Show.
Oh, Kellie. What happened this week? This should have been your challenge. It seems our pint-sized pixie only made a pint-sized effort on her designs. The tablecloths — I mean curtains — were, well … Yes, beauty IS in the eye of the beholder, but what I was beholding was light years away from anything beautiful.
Kellie's tablecloth curtains were a failure.
The rug-upholstered stools were quite cute and I loved the splash of color, but unfortunately stools do not a room make. The evaluation panel was right on; from beginning to end of this task, we just didn’t see the adorable personality that we’ve grown to love so much over the past eight weeks. I was sad to see Kellie go. She was a wonderful competitor and truly a great designer along the journey.
Goodbye, Kellie!
Only three are left. And now it’s time for them to design a WHOLE HOUSE. This should be good!
What did you think of episode eight? What questions do you have about the “Look for Less” makeover? Tell us in the comments below — the Design Star producer will answer your most-asked questions on Wednesday.
I'm glad Kellie got out!
YES, KELLIE……..BYE, BYE
Kellie should have been gone weeks ago!
http://modernwhimsyinteriors.com
Maybe all of you HATERS should check out Kellie's blog and see the real test each and every one of the desiginers went through during their challenges!
KELLIE IS NO WHERE NEAR THE PERSON CATHY IS! SHE IS A BLESSED WONDERFUL WOMAN, DESIGNER, AND MOTHER. SHAME ON ALL OF YOU HORRIBLE PEOPLE WHO THINK THAT YOU CAN SIT ON YOUR SOFA A JUDGE A PERSON BY 40 MINUTES OF "EDITING" AND KNOW WHAT IN THE HELL YOUR TALKING ABOUT. GROW UP PEOPLE. GET A LIFE AND I PRAISE EVERY DESIGNER ON THIS SHOW FOR THEIR EFFORTS AND GOING FOR THE DREAMS. WHEN IS THE LAST TIME ANY OF YOU CAN SAY THAT? MY GOODNESS, I WILL REMEMBER TO TEACH MY CHILDREN NOT TO JUDGE PEOPLE THE WAY YOU ALL DO!
I like Kellie quite a bit, and her design portfolio on the HGTV website was probably my favorite. That being said, between her design and her camera challenge, I think the judges made the right choice.
Removing Kellie was the right choice!
I don't quite agree. If someone should have been out it was Mark. He had absolutely nothing when it came to decorating a room. What exactly do you thing he spent the $2500.00 on? it sure wasn't that ugly shelf. he had on one wall. Oh it must have been all the tin foil he used… His Camera Challenge sure didn't get any marks. He really didn't even explain what he used on the lamp other than stripping off the tin foil he put on the lamp. Oh that's right he ran out of time again……..Sorry I wouldn't want to watch his show. If you look back on the Wedding reception how much time he spent just on the skateboard divider since he didn't do much else….need I say more!
Kellie was one of the best there. I loved her!
You blew it this week. Kellies room looked good.
LELLIE LOST
I want to put all these judges in a competition and let us viewers critique their work…Not everything they do is always that wonderful, and they're just lucky that they have the luxury of being able to bring an item in, and return it if it doesn't work in the space.
I agree with you you, look at all the extra people these judges have when they are doing their designing. These individual being judged are pretty much on their own and get very little time to do the shopping, hanging everything picking out the right shade of paint etc.
Kellie, sad to see you go. I loved your room. I hated Meg's. I hope Mark wins. Wouldn't watch Meg or Karl.
I'm sorry everyone, but Kellie's room did not make the grade. The curtains were terrible and the design was anything but cohesive and let's not forget her camera challenge. In the big picture, and taking into account the last two challenges, it was time. Mark may be still in, but if he doesn't get his time management under control (which has been an issue all along), he is the next to go.
Bye-Bye Kellie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So glad Mark's still in the competition. Meg's nice, don't think I'd watch her show though.
GO KARL……………………….:)
he is too winny !!!
Winny? Like a horse? Karl is probably too talented for this nonsence, so he's just annoyed with the stupidity of it all. Vern obviously has wood for Mark, so why should anyone bother working for the win?
I won't watch Meg's show either. She has no style and is very boring. I'm done watching this show, maybe even this channel. I'm tired of watching the same thing on every show.
Love it that Meg is really doing so well. I have had a feeling all along that she will be the next design star winner. As for Kellie, she is such a sweet petite woman that loves her children. She just couldn't hold on with her designs completely. She dropped the ball this week somewhat. Mark could much better with his camera challenges. We have seen him do better. Karl has a lot of talent and the bookcases were great but I didn't like the blank space between them.
MEG IS WONDERFUL….DON'T ALWAYS LIKE WHAT SHE DOES BUT SHE IS GENUINE AND A GOOD DESIGNER ALL IN ALL…..THE HALLWAY LAST WEEK WAS ON THE RIGHT TRACK BUT WASN NOT FINISHED……:)
I like Meg. She seems real. I was glad she did well tonight.
Meg is a train wreck….did not like the room and she should have been booted out last week for the complete garbage she produced in that foyer and landing. But for sake of middle American taste, her goofy and full on "Rachel Ray" in your face personality will most likely take her far. I remember her first blurb during her camera challenge that David liked…design crime. No doubt she wins this thing and they will name her show "Design Crime" which would be appropriate…..because it would be an absolute CRIME if she won!!!!
Thankyou! That foyer and landing were train wrecks. I think somehow they are spending too much time shopping and not enough time actually working on the rooms. Otherwise it just doesn't add up.
But I only found out a few days ago that Meg actually did the painting herself on HGTV'd challenge.
I mean the framed one.
Plus, it looked awkward on that wall. It was more of distracting then anything else. I agree with David. He said, "ewe" And Ewe is right!
Yeah. And it reminds me of her white room challenge. Her color choices and the way she presents it is JUST CREEPY. And when she's not doing the creepy, she's picking out orange. Maybe because it matches her hair. I wouldn't want that on my foyer. It doesn't matter if someone hand painted anything if it's not pleasing to my eye. Do you see how the grayish blue shape floatin toward the top is shaped like a slime or a ghost. Why does she always produce things like that? It's creepy. I applaud her for her effort but that's where it ends for me.
And it's not even original. The design crime idea. Nate Berkus uses it already on his show. He's used it for over a year now. And I HATE her made up word, WHAT THE HECK IS MODITIONAL!?!?!
How UN-original, Uninspiring. If she gets a show I'm just gonna have a fit and click off HGTV for good. She makes me mad. I can't watch her.
I like Meg too. I don't have any design experience, but I have watched a lot of HGTV….and DIY, TLC, and Nate Berkus. Several people have said that they wouldn't watch Meg's show. That's fine, I love Candice Olson, but I don't watch David Bromstad's show and yet he still has a show. HGTV has a little something for everyone. They can watch David and I will watch Meg.
I think Meg is a nice person, but I would not watch her if she gets her own show. She just isn't camera ready in my opinion. She seems more trailer park to me than elegant. I like the way Candice Olson designs. Her use of fabric won me over. She is the best designer on HGTV now. That is the kind of designer I like to watch and Meg isn't like that. I think right now one of the guys will win.
I am glad Karl is still in.
Me too….now if he would just get some self confidence! He's a great designer.
You and me both!
Mark clearly lost based on this week's room and challenge. Kellie wasn't good but Mark lost. They kept him in based on the fact that he's been one of the strongest.
POOR MARK………….NO WOOD TONIGHT…..NOT GOOD AT ALL…BUT HAS NOT REALLY BEEN ALL THAT GREAT EVER…..A ROPE LADDER MIGHT HELP HIM CLIMG BACK UP…..
they let her go instead of him because she had the nerve to say anything to Genieveine……..it was clear Karl should have gone.
Karl? He had a great camera challenge, and I loved his bookcase idea! Why should HE have gone? Kellie was long past due.
I think ccc meant Mark.
I too was sure Mark was going home this week but to my surprise Kellie was eliminated instead. But you could clearly see the look of disbelief and relief all rolled up into one expression when he realized he was staying. From the onset I was taken with Mark for his design style–looks, demeanor, etc–but lately I've been taking notice of Karl. He also designs great spaces, takes calculated risks, but mostly his camera challenges have been improving each week–he's warming up to the camera and live audiences it seems–whereas Mark's appear to be plateauing. I could see myself watching either Karl or Mark's show. It will be interesting to see them compete against each other in the final two as I'm quite confident they'll be the last ones standing.
agreed……
I'd say that I agree with you but I don't think kelly has been very strong all along. This week I thought her room looked good and that the guest host was very vocal for not being a designer. I would disagree with some of what he was saying. I think Kelly blew it last week when she didn't put bunk beds in the room or Lockers. Sweet girl but not a full blown designer. I like Meg. I like Mark too but his camera presence is very poor (too bad)… wish Karl were more confident in himself. He seems really good but so unsure of himself.
Are you saying that Nate is not a designer???????
I caught that too!!! What is she talking about? The Nate Berkus Show…HELLO
MARK HAS NO SOCKS……NATE HAS NO SOCKS……………….WELL. DID IT HELP?????
That's rediculous!
It's ridiculous, too!
THAT WAS CLEVER….NOT REDICULOUS…..HAHA
What?
haha, and pleaseee, Nate's pants…could they be tighter???
Kelly blew it and mark was close next week should ba a nail biter
Kellie's room was more complete than Mark's, but her attitude when Genevieve asked her if she thought her curtains were beautiful, is what did her in. She's such a snot.
KELLIE…………….AND MARK IS NEXT, I'M BETTING….UNLESS THERE IS SOME SALVAGED WOOD COMING ASHORE, MAYBE
Mark does like his wood. That dining room table though…was pretty great. Hey maybe he can have a design show that is called "Making spaces beautiful with wood".
no she wasn't, she just stated a fact….,,which i true….but nobody can say anything to Miss Genievene
It was a fact that didn't need stating since Genevieve simply asked her if she liked her drapes. Yes or no was all that was required
LOL! I haven't heard anyone called a boogar since elementary school
Fuunnny!
Surely you are not saying Kellie is a snot?! She was one of the most down to earth designers on the show!