Design Star – Recap & Review – Episode 9

photo: hgtv

Design Star
Episode 9

Original Air Date: Sep 5, 2011

Patricia Morris Buckley — Sr. Staff Writer
pmb@thetwocentscorp.com

Jaws dropped when the three finalists— Mark, Meg and Karl — were told that this week they had to design a whole house from top to bottom in just two days. Then they saw the houses, which Tanika told us were called “tiny houses.” Exactly 86 square feet.

Tanika went on to explain how green and trendy these homes were – and of course, they’re all the rage. Where? In Munchkinville?

For this challenge the remaining contestants had two days and the use of an HGTV carpenter. They needed all the help they could get because in this itty, bitty space they had to have a kitchen, a bedroom, a bathroom, a dining area and a living room. Someplace perfect for Miss Muffet.

They also faced two video challenges. In the first, they had to tell the audience a design challenge, then explain their solution to their carpenter, who would carry it out. Both Karl and Meg did well. Mark didn’t start with the audience and when re-directed by his carpenter, went off on a tangent about the space planning.

For the second video challenge, the designers had to reveal the space and explain their choices to the camera. Karl, who hasn’t been the best at video challenges, rises to the occasion and really does quite well. His room has a loft and he’s made sure that every item does double duty, such as cutting boards as placemats on a table that’s the dining room and the office. His color choices are too high contrast for Candice (who has returned to the judging panel), but overall his house looks quite livable for a hamster single person.

Meg has them all beat in this arena and she comfortably guides the camera around her country kitsch room. Her warm yellow and Kelly green palette is inviting, as is her open floorplan with a foyer. Vern calls her for not having enough storage, but overall, the judges are pleased with her work.

Mark does better with the second video challenge, although he still seems a bit scattered. He once again adds a polished style to his design, but his bold attempt to do an argyle strip pattern with belts going vertically adds nothing to the space. Vern still gives him props for trying something different.

It’s a tough decision for the judges, who take the entire season of work into consideration and each contestant has won two design challenges. But in the end, Mark’s unfocused camera work does him in. So the two finalists are Karl and Meg. Once again, it comes down to a man and a woman.

Were you sad to see Mark go? Who do you think will take the grand prize? Give us your TwoCents…