The Great Interior Design Challenge - NOT great with Kelly Hoppen on it, it's not.

Loved the orange room and the bedroom, except the wallpaper.
I didn't think the maritime study had much maritime in it. The hessian chair would be very itchy to sit on. Not a bad attempt at recovering, but as a first time, I'd have put the cover over the existing one. The result would have looked any worse. The close ups of the paint finishes were poor.

Those boxes, small and large, that Richard was stapling to make look more interesting, were from the Range shop. £9.99 small, £18.99 large!
Not quite what I'd expect from an interior designer!

I think Kelly preferred The one with the ghastly painted chipboard, but couldn't put him through as he was so disorganised. She criticised the actor for being too theatrical and painting a blue walll, even though the client specifically asked for it.

I agree with most of the views on here about KH as a designer. Isn't the "neutral look" seriously old hat now?

Having said that, I've loved the programme so far. Not for the designs but for the locations. Cheltenham, lovely town and home to many friends. Saltaire, which I've visited for the Hockney exhibition, Holly Village which I'd never heard of but found utterly facinating and charming. Aberaeron, visited often. Worth watching just for that.
Pet hate, really hate the upcycling spot. It's a terrible idea and a complete distraction.

I dislike the upcycle too but I guess it's more about creativity than the somewhat naff end result.

Oliver's designs were good because he went with the clients wishes, but was creative as well - the TV screen. He also used the £1000 to source original furnishings, which made all the difference.

In the previous series the contestants often used their budgets to source interesting artefacts, rather than create fake items. It shows which contestants understand the historical context of design.

I agree that Oliver's designs were good overall. I didn't like Shaida's much, although I think she did well to meet the clients' rather weird brief.

I didn't like the screen much. What are the clients going to do with it when they're actually watching the telly? I think it would have been more effective if the telly had been designed into the room, iyswim.

I absolutely loved the bedroom though. The colour wzs gorgeous-calm, relaxing and characterful all at once.

What was it? Duck Egg? Or more of a French Blue?

I didn't agree with the judges tonight. I think Richard's designs were lovely especially the screen in the guest/craft room.

He had a difficult client.

Difficult one
Richard had difficult client
And overall his rooms were ok
But I'm not sure about his obsession with chip board.

I didn't like the drawings on the wall in the bedroom
and other than the drawings there didn't seem much else to look at.

I did like the living room (sorry forgot name) by lady designer.
Especially the lovely coffee table
Didn't like the 'chaise' (sp)
Looked like spare 'put you up' bed
I think the owner will remove it.
Even though they said it was ok.

Richard's client was awful, she struggled to give any praise, even when she seemed to like the design. Why did he have two similar rooms?
The living room had the added bonus of the view, psychologically it was a more upbeat room. I did like what Danielle had done. The chaise was good idea, but just the wrong chaise. A bigger budget would have given her thr ability to get a more stylish chaise.

I don't understand the judges seeming desire to override the clients wishes . I don't know why Richard put long curtains in, even though the client didn't want curtains covering the radiator. A blind would have been better. I can't understand why they loved the ghastly chipboard in every room. Daniela's chaise was horrible and impractical, and did not go with the mid century look of the rest of the room. I bet the owners chucked it out as soon as the programme was finished. Something like an Ercol studio daybed would have been lovely, though way over budget. The coffee table and shelving were the best thing about the design , and overall it was the best room.

That chipboard was totally wrong for a bedroom (or anywhere else except the shed!) but I did like what they did with the barrels.
This programme has gone off IMO.

Daniela was always going to go through and will no doubt win, she has always had the better rooms to do and and has always had praise even for ideas that other contestants have been slated for.The bedroom she worked on (i wont say designed) last night was bloody awful, she didnt finish it and the mess on the walls looked like a child had ran amok with a pen.

suzied I agree with you, except about the ercol day bed. I really wanted one, until I had it, and they are really uncomfortable. Perhaps if you didn't need it as a sofa it would be OK. I sold it. I do love all things Ercol though.

I don't think the designers on this programme are worried about whether anything is comfortable or not!

grannypiper agree with what you say. I don't know how she's still in competition and I think you're right she will go on to win

Over on the other side (mumsnet) the owner of the blue house (Daniela's rooms last night) is on the Interior Design Challenge thread. Not a lot of enthusiasm over there for this series.

Thanks, chelseababy, I've just had a look. I'll keep an eye on their thread tonight as I like their forthright comments.

My own grumble with this programme is the constant vacillation of the judges. One moment the home owners' views must be taken into account, next these same owners must be "challenged".There appears little equality in the weight placed on the happiness or otherwise of the home owners.Equally boundaries are pushed too far or not far enough- despite the wishes of the home owners.
Have to say I did feel for the designer coping with the miserable lady who insisted on the room featuring her rather unpleasant bed spread and then constantly changed her mind.

I don't like Oliver's dining room. Reminds me of Laura Ashley in the eighties. Too much pattern.

But his lounge is lovely.

I'm not sure but I think that Oliver's wallpaper is Laura Ashley (present time). Summer Palace or very similar. I like it but not quite so much. It was overwhelming and I hate curtains that are extra long and "puddle" on the floor. They'd be filthy in no time.

I think the better man won.......won't say any more than that in case anyone doesn't want to know the result!

Again. I think the result was a foregone conclusion, as the judges were constantly criticising Nicholas for being "theatrical", then having a go at him for not making cushions. Both the dining rooms were too OTT for me, though I usually love blues and greys. I know who I'm hoping wins the final.

The guest judge for the final is Sophie Robinson (former judge) . At least I've heard of her!!