Have you been watching HGTV’s “Design Star” this season? After Monday night’s episode, they’re down to the final two contestants. I haven’t been recapping it, but I have been tuning in, and I have to say this season has been an improvement over last.
This week’s challenge was my favorite so far. The final three contestants–Karl, Meg, and Mark–were each given a tiny house with only 86 square feet to furnish and decorate.
I have a thing for tiny houses, so I couldn’t wait to see what they’d do with them. Here’s how they looked inside, before they started work on them:
They had to find a way to fit a bed, bath, and kitchen inside. Each designer was assigned an HGTV carpenter and they got to work. Here’s how they turned out.
Karl’s House:
The judges (seen in the top photo) liked his house for the most part, but Candice Olson criticized his use of red, which she felt made it feel smaller.
I’m not sure what Karl is showing us in that bowl. His breakfast?
Meg’s House:
Hers was my favorite. I thought the yellow and green were fun in a small house like this. Looking at this photos of it now, though, I really don’t like that mirror she chose for the wall (would have liked it better with a painted frame), and that bench seat doesn’t look very comfy. Not fond of that off-white rug, either, which looks like it belongs in front of a bathroom sink.
The upside-down flower pots over the bench seat were kind of odd. Would have been nice to have some lighting there instead. That end of the house would get pretty dark at night.
The judges were mostly pleased with Meg’s house, although Vern Yip felt it could have done with more storage.
They never showed how the bathrooms turned out. I’m guessing they weren’t really practical because they’re too small for a person to actually, you know, sit down in them and close the door:
I’m also noticing now how bare it looks without anything on those built-in shelves, and I’d love to see the ceiling painted white. (HelloHeather points out that’s probably a ladder, not shelves, which makes much more sense. Duh, me.) They were really racing against the clock to get finished at all, though.
Mark’s House:
Mark is a creative guy. In this case, maybe too creative. He came up with this idea for an argyle pattern on the walls, using paint and…belts? The judges weren’t really digging it.
Spoiler alert! Can you guess who was sent packing after this challenge?
Bye, bye, Mark. I was surprised when they gave him the boot because out of the three, he was the one I could most easily imagine having a show.
Apparently I wasn’t alone. The HGTV website lit up with comments from angry viewers who said they’re done with “Design Star” now that Mark is gone and won’t be watching any show hosted by Karl or Meg.
There’s a poll on HGTV.com that has Kellie–who is long gone–as the viewer favorite. Mark is currently in second, and now he’s gone, too. There may be hope for them, though. Casey Noble, who was one of last season’s finalists, was tapped to host the new version of “Design on a Dime.”
Who is your favorite to win Season 6–Meg or Karl? Or was your favorite already eliminated?
You can see the rest of the photos from Episode 9 and read more about the contestants on HGTV.com. If you love tiny houses, you can see more that I’ve featured here.
{ 53 comments… read them below or add one }
I have to say I liked Mark, but what was with the Argyle weird! I did not like Kelly’s at all….that loft bed…really who could (or would) sleep in there…you can fall out and you would have to sleep in the fetal position. I would have to say I like Karl’s the best, but not loving him! ugh! I liked Kellie the best
Ooops, I was talking about Kelly’s room…I meant to say Meg’s.
Wow! So tiny! So cute!!! I like them all because each one is unique and full of personality. Oh, I wonder if I could stay in a tiny place like this for a week? Not with all my kids and husband. That would be nuts!
Have a great day!
xo
Luciane at HomeBunch.com
What blows my mind is that anyone liked Cathy!
And she got more votes than Meg, who is one of the final two!
I KNOW, RIGHT?
She was so smug and gummy. And freaky scary eyes.
How was Leslie dismissed so easily? She was great! And just one blah design. Kevin too. That was a sad episode for me.
Those tiny houses have so much potential… but, oh my goodness, that argyle thing… what was Mark thinking??
Thanks so much for posting this re-cap. I have only been able to see bits and pieces of a few episodes this season so this is helpful for me. Mark is really good eye-candy…maybe we will see him on another show. The blond guy runner-up from last season (? or before? ) has his own show now…something like a design ambush-type concept. From the little bit I have seen, I am surprized that Meg make it to the finals.
You know, I thought I recognized that guy when I saw the commercial!
I think the blonde guy (forgot his name) is SO CREEPY! Have you seen him go up to people in the store? The women always think he’s hitting on them. Man, he’s awkward. Poor guy.
I like Karl, I think he’s kind of goofy. It’s very hard to tell what kind of show they’ll have from this competitiion, just think of “Secrets from a Stylist”. I also think the judges are terrible…!
I can’t stand Meg. Her voice grates on my nerves and I keep staring at her beer belly. Mark’s little house with the belts reminded me of a S & M room. The only little house I actually liked was Carl’s.
I THINK that those non-decorated built-in shelves in Meg’s house are actually a ladder to get up to the loft bed.
That makes sense! When I looked at that photo this morning I wondered why the judges hadn’t criticized the empty shelves. Um, maybe because they were actually a ladder! Thanks for pointing that out.
Yes, but when you first look at it, it does look like shelves, and then you are left wondering why they’re empty. Why not just create a ladder instead?
I love tiny houses too, and I thought these were pretty disappointing. the red? the green and yellow? It’s like they thought more about the paint colors than the rest of the design. I hate all the accessories they chose too. (the mirrors, stuff hanging from the ceiling, random metal insects on the wall, rug)
I gotta say I’m not too thrilled with Design Star, I think the guys who build Tiny Texas Houses do a much better job
Hard to beat those Tiny Texas houses, that’s for sure! Love ‘em.
Looooving the show! I liked Meg’s color palette, but she really did need some more storage space. I felt like Vern’s criticism in that respect was spot on. Karl’s house was nice, but he seems kind of awkward on camera to me. I think Kellie and Mark had the best hosting presence, but their designs were both lacking lately. Kellie, especially, seemed to have a hard time with getting the big picture. I didn’t like the episode where she refused to give the poor kid a bunk bed…you could tell he was unhappy!
I didn’t like the green in Meg’s little house. A little too severe for me. It looked like something a non-designer would have done. Mark is a cutie pie and will have a career with HGTV, I’m sure. Like they said….The audience will eat him up. Kellie isn’t ready yet….when “kids” say bunk beds and lockers…….that’s what they mean. You can make them out of something else, but they have to be exactly that. That big high bed was dangerous…….no sides on it. What was she thinking? Karl will win, I’m sure. I look forward to the show on Mondays. Love Vern Yip. Did you watch Urban Oasis? OMG! Now, there’s a decorator.
AHHH!! I love tiny houses! This is so cool. What a fun challenge! Don’t know that i’d be able to use the bathroom in such closed quarters though and not get stage fright… lol
Karl’s house was my favorite, and I’ve been liking Karl pretty consistently this season. The colors in Meg’s house reminded me too much of John Deere equipment, maybe that’s because I live by a bunch of farmland! And for me, Mark’s wall pattern was such a large scale that I would never have thought argyle if he hadn’t told us.
Interesting that so many of you disliked Meg’s yellow and green. I thought it was fun, with a cottage playhouse vibe.
Mmmmmm, I very much applaud the concept of only having *enough* space, in our living quarters. A la cottage living, etc. But these tiny houses make me feel like I need to *break out,* just looking at the pictures. Don’t think I could live in such a very, confined space, when it’s simply a kind of a rectangle.
But more power to those who can do it!
I’m going to keep dreaming of a Just-Right-Size-For-The-2-Of-Us Cottage.
But that’s just me. 
I love these little houses!!! I’d love to have Mark’s house.. of course with Mark in it
ops!
love
Etta
It cracks me up that the sponsor is Select 55. I mean, really? Classy, HGTV.
Where to begin?!
Couldn’t stand Kellie–all that crying seemed very manipulative to me. And I really didn’t think she was good. The boy’s room was sooo lame, and her design kept in line with her ‘I know better’ than the client mentality. Was glad to see her overdue exit.
Mark is awesome-the argyle thing should have been limited to one wall. But her is really inventive and talented. I hope there is a future for him on HGTV.
Meg was my favorite early on, but now I’m tiring of her. Her designs seem one-note, very current (i.e. Pottery Barn with lattice/bamboo pattern pillows) and not all that inspired. The green was not great, and there was way too much of it. Her space did not look like a livable space to me. It looked like a deluxe potting shed. She also doesn’t seem polished enough for her own show. The more I watch her, the more I see her as the lass behind the Irish bar. But then again, look at Genevieve! She certainly has evolved during her tenure on television! Anyone remember her horsey manner from Trading Places? Wow!
Karl is good. I really think he’s really talented. His little house seemed the most livable. Totally disagreed with Candice about the red–she was really reaching. We know it’s not in her palette or design scheme (anyone else tired of her glass tiles around the fireplace? Zzzzz.) I do wonder if Karl’s personality is *enough* for his own show, however. He seems too self conscious.
I like David (always do) but could live without Tanika as the host. Vern is good, and remains true to his design esthetic. As I mentioned, Genevieve and Candice (and why hire her when she obviously couldn’t commit to the schedule?) seem aloof and austere, which is annoying.
All in all, I have had fun watching the show this season! My daughters (6 & 9) have watched it with me, and I have really enjoyed their comments and observations.
Even if that’s a ladder, in a space that small a ladder that wide should really be doing double duty and accommodating at least SOMEthing. For aesthetic as well as practical reasons. I don’t watch the show, but judging from the pics here, I like Karl’s place the most. I love the red, and his looks the most like I might actually be able to live in it.
P.S. Is that a dishwasher in Meg’s kitchen??? Seriously?? Does she really think a person living in such tiny quarters will dirty enough dishes in a day to warrent a dish washer??? What a waste of very valuable space!!!
It wasn’t a dishwasher in Meg’s kitchen, it was a stainless steel drop-down table.
I think it’s a refrigerator, but it does look like a dishwasher.
Ah. A little fridge makes sense. Thanks, Courtney!
I didn’t see the episode- thanks for the re-cap!
Karl is a great designer, but he requires a lot of money to execute a good design. And he’s not that good on the camera.
Like previous poster said, Meg is unoriginal. Her country-style idea is cute in theory, but we executed terribly. That is as close to primitive-camping as you can get with hard walls. Plus she isn’t very good at accessorizing. And, I know it may be inappropriate to judge on appearances, but she isn’t attractive, doesn’t communicate well and doesn’t dress for her body type. I don’t doubt that she’s a nice person, I am just judging from a mass-appeal perspective.
I liked Mark’s unique wall treatment, and that he worked with more natural-looking materials for an indoor-outdoor feel. His house was cute! (And, um, head in the gutter, that picture is oh-so-cute, but also a bit awkward.)
That Tiny House episode was fun to watch! I liked Karl’s best because it looked the most comfortable. Mark’s argyle decor was creative, but apparently missed the mark (pun intended) with the judges. I think Karl has improved a lot with his camera challenges.
I would have liked to have the bathrooms, too. I can’t imagine anyone being able to close the door while using the loo-loo. And I don’t think there was a sink in there, either. (Hand cupping mouth, whispering). Do the occupants have to wash their hands in the kitchen sink upon leaving the loo-loo?
I didn’t proof read before I hit Submit…..I meant to say I would have liked to have seen the bathrooms, too. I wouldn’t WANT to have a bathroom like that…shudders…unless I was on a camping trip and the only alternative was going behind a bush…Hehe.
These tiny houses are so cute. Wouldn’t they be great as a playhouse? I know when I was a kid, I always dreamed of having one like this.
Thanks for sharing these!
I haven’t been faithfully watching, but Mark’s tiny house was definitely over ambitious and poorly executed. I liked the use of red in Karl’s house. I couldn’t imagine trying to create functional and decorative space in such a small house and in a short amount of time!
I think all of HGTV has “jumped the shark” except for Sarah Richardson. Why can’t they have one show that shows real designers and their work? All that real estate, sell this house by being neutral is so boring. And the so called “creative projects” are awful. I’m sticking to blogs and design books for my design inspiration. So no matter who the next Design Star is, we will have more dumb, cheap projects and weird paintings on walls.
I have not watched this season at all. I appreciate your posts keeping me updated on it, but maybe it is a good thing I have missed this season. Do they really end-up with a show? I have not seen much of Emily or Jennifer (did she even get a show?)…and I have not seen the Antonio Treatment or Myles of Style much lately, either. I only see David Bromstad’s show, but he is talented and adorable. But it could be because every time I turn on HGTV, House Hunters or House Hunters International is on. Every. Single. Time. *yawn*
What do you think about the series? Are the judges actually picking star-worthy contestants?
Emily, Antonio, and David are the ones whose shows are still on the air (did I forget anyone?). Jennifer had to drop out after winning because she gave birth to a baby with special needs and wanted to focus on his care, I believe. I guess Kim’s show was canceled–has anyone seen it lately?
I was just thinking I liked Mike’s the best.
love this post! (and your blog.. long time fan, first time commenter) (;
my husband and i are big into small spaces, we lived the first part of this year in 175 sq. ft in a vintage airstream touring the U.S. and are still living in it while we top to bottom renovate a 100+ year old bungalow that is just 528 sq. feet. granted a little bigger than these houses you’ve shown, but still tiny!!
thanks for all of the amazing posts you do on movie & celebrity houses, love them all!!
*tiffany*
I don’t watch the show, but I actually like the argyle because it is not too dominating and the natural wood just glows.
Thanks for sharing.
This week I liked Karl’s house overall. Hated to see Mark go and wanted him to win the whole thing (I’d have tuned in just to see him). Liked the argyle idea; maybe it would have been better in a larger space. HGTV was once my favorite TV channel. Now my TV is rarely on this channel. The best show to me is Sarah Richardson.
Would love one of these tiny houses in my backyard as a little retreat, office, library, etc. Does anyone know what the price is, and where they may be purchased? Thanks!
Karen–I’ve written about some of them before, and I’m pretty sure the posts give general prices (if not, follow the links to the companies that build them). For example, here’s the one I wrote about Tiny Texas Houses: http://hookedonhouses.net/2011/08/25/texas-tiny-houses-pure-salvage-building/
Hope that helps! -Julia
Two things:
Have any of them ever been a a cab-over camper?
And am I the only one who thinks that green and that yellow should not be in the the same galaxy let alone next to each other.
Loved the tiny house challenge! The thing I like about Karl is that he really listens to the clients. When there is no client, he tries to imagine what a client would want/need. That really came through in this challenge. My family is sad that Mark is gone b/c he really seemed like a star. Our season fave had to be Kelly, though!
I TOTALLY thought Mark was going to win the whole thing from early on in the season. I’m surprised he was let go. Between Karl and Kelly I would choose Karl, he has been my second favorite designer all along. Lindsey had been my third favorite. Meg seems to use the same yellow and green color scheme in too many of the designs. She has painted the woodwork an odd color in many many designs… and then seems to fill up the rest of the room with a bunch of stuff that looks cheap to me. I like her look, voice, and personality though.
Have been trying to figure out why people like Kelly so much. I can’t remember a single thing about any of her designs all season. Nothing sticks in my mind. Boring. Nice, Cute, Sweet, yes…. but I don’t watch design shows for that alone. Emily Henderson was all those things but with memorable design to go with.
Whenever I read your blog, and then the comments , I feel like I am with “my people”. I loved this challenge the most as well. The challenge of small-space living and design is intriguing, as it helps us to think about what we really need to live well. What really is enough? While I think those who actually choose to live in these micro-spaces, are making a point in the extreme, I love the idea that we are happiest with “just enough” for comfort and beauty, and no more, and it’s up to us to figure out what that means for ourselves.
As far as this episode, I paused it at the beginning to think about how I would lay out the space. It really boiled down to a choice to create as open a space as possible, a la Meg, or to break up the space into different zones as Mark and Karl did. I think the choice to divide the space was the right one, and I loved what Karl did with color. It really looked so comfortable and sophisticated. Even though I wondered about his abilities on camera at first, I think he’s gotten much better. And his designs have been first-rate throughout. I really hope that Karl wins. He’s a likeable guy, and his is a design voice I will trust, and most definitely watch.
I thought Mark was a talented designer. I hated to see him go. I like Meg, for the most part. What I am shocked to hear is that so many people liked Cathy! She didn’t work well with anyone and she didn’t show any personality on camera. Weird.
I’ve been watching, and this season is much better than last, but I’m still uninspired. (so glad when cathy left). I could have watched Mark & liked his aesthetic but he totally failed at this challenge & simply could not maintain that on-camera presence. I want to like Meg, but her style is derivative and not at all unique & I admit, I was distracted by the fact that her outfits overemphasize all the wrong parts of herself. (shallow but she has to style herself as well as the room). Karl has some neat ideas, but he is so nervous on camera & said on camera that he hates budget challenges — well, Karl, I’m on a budget and I started watching hgtv for tips or places to shop I can afford. I don’t like Tanika’s presentation style at all, its not at all natural.
I do not like last years winner, didn’t like anyone at all last year, and really don’t like her show. Antonio Project is weird. I really liked Kim Myles, but she seems to have vanished. Truthfully, its kind of depressing to watch hgtv sometimes because so many of the programs I’ve loved have either disappeared or have changed so much as to be unrecognizable. There’s only so much House Hunters & Bang for your Buck that you can watch. I miss the shows that focused on projects the average person can do without owning a million tools or pieces of equipment, actually being shown how to do something in more than 15 seconds. I loved “freestyle,” and that one where the woman used stuff the people already own, hosted by a red-head named Karen I think.
vejo seu programa ,queria muito participar.bjs
amo ver esse programa .gostaria de participar vou para miami em marco para estudar ingles.bjs
vou para miami em marco,gostaria de participar .bjs.leda