We all know the history of kitchens on Design Star. Temple’s leadership in the first season led to an unfinished job (not to mention a near mutiny by her teammates, prompting the now infamous apology notes). Neeraja’s tiling debacle of last season left Vern “nauseous” and got her show canceled in record time. While kitchens have proven to be the biggest challenge our designers face every season, they also give the designers a chance to take risks and get them out of their comfort zones. When it comes to a kitchen “remod” (I couldn’t help using a “Trishism”), a little effort and creativity can go a long way.

Kudos to Jen, Matt, Mikey V. and Trish for working hard to give these folks a finished kitchen that the family truly loved. But the judges were correct to criticize everyone for playing it safe this year. A tile backsplash would have definitely given the kitchen that extra “pop.” In the end it was Tracee’s lack of leadership that really held back the team. Gotta have a plan and you gotta have a big idea. We were all sorry to see Mikey V. go, but in order to win the title of HGTV Design Star, you have to be a triple threat. DVR alert: Watch Mikey V.’s casting footage from the first episode and you’ll see the amazing remodel job he did on the kitchen in his own house.

Kitchen makeover by the final five

Here’s a little insider scoop. Because our control room was set up in the basement of the home and we didn’t want cast walking through, all of the cast interviews were shot in the neighbor’s garage. We didn’t want to disturb their normal activities since they were nice enough to help us out, so we had to put up with whatever noises were happening in the house. I remember one interview with Matt that had to be stopped because we could hear the homeowner using the bathroom upstairs.

Now, the burning question on everyone’s mind: What happened to Trish’s wedding ring that it had to be cut off her finger? She took it to a jeweler when she returned home to Detroit and it’s all fixed now.

We’re now down to the final three and I think they all represent the spirit, talent and drive that make for a great HGTV Design Star! A big congrats to Jen, Matt and Trish for making it this far in the competition.

The final three: Jennifer, Matt and Trish

A few hints for next week: You’re really going to get to know the final three better. And be ready to break out a new box of Kleenex.

Thanks for watching!

JB

Sparkle gives his thoughts on the contestants' hosting skills and the looming, cursed kitchen challenge.

Kim is secretly glad this group of designers didn't have to escape the pain of the kitchen challenge and agrees with Matt that tile is the "death knell" of this task.

When I walked into the suites at Opryland — shortly after Clive called time on the final day of the challenge — I was totally blown away. The rooms our finalists made over in Oahu last season were good, but this time around there wasn’t any torn-up carpet or drawings of hammerhead sharks. It was hard for me not to kick off my shoes and stretch out on one of those comfy sofas in Team Trish’s suite, not to mention treat myself to some of that gourmet coffee. It’s all in the details, and they nailed it. Congrats!

Trish, Mikey V. and Tracee's shabby-chic design

So what happened to the sofa Stephanie left in the hallway? I’m not sure, but my best guess is that it wound up in an executive office at the hotel. Speaking of Opryland, I can’t tell you how MASSIVE that place is. My favorite story from the shoot was the day our esteemed director took a break from the control room to go out and grab some food. Mr. B came back an hour later after getting lost in one of Opryland’s immense atriums. They may need to design an Opryland GPS. I heard he wasn’t the only crew member to get swallowed up by this amazing place, either. A big thanks to Tammy and her team for making this all possible and for all their hospitality.

How about both teams picking the same color for their suites? They definitely took a cue from our celebrity client, Sara Evans, because her entire living room was painted that color. Although we didn’t show it in the episode (because you can only show so much in an hour — there’s no weird “plotting” going on), both teams actually knew the other team picked the same color. Can you guess how? Mikey V. actually spotted the paint on Jennifer’s hands and clothes after they returned to the house the first night of the challenge. Nice detective work there, Mr. Design Cop.

That’s not the only detective work that didn’t make the cut. On the second day of the challenge, Mikey V. spied on Team Jen’s suite and was chased out by Stephanie. You can see this hilarious scene at HGTV.com. And if you haven’t checked out the massive video library from this season on the website yet, be sure you do. We try to post as many of the missing scenes on the site as possible.

Sara seeing her suites for the first time

I’ll never forget Sara’s reaction when she walked in and saw the suites decorated in her honor. Both teams nailed it. Sara was amazing to work with, and we’re so thankful to both Sara and Renee, her manager, for being a part of this season.

Next Week Things Definitely Heat Up!
Here are three hints: Carter Oosterhouse makes a surprise appearance, the fire department gets called to the location and two designers are eliminated. Don’t miss this one because at the end the final three will be revealed!

OK, one more hint: Remember the second week when I said to look back at the scene when the table was being brought in through the front door? You’ll find out why next week.

Thanks for watching!

JB

Sparkle decks himself out for the suite challenge that takes place at the lovely Opryland hotel. His Design Star tip: Always go for the more dramatic!

Full disclosure: Kim absolutely hates the look of shabby chic! What do you think? Are you a fan of shabby-chic style or do you lean more toward Kim's feelings?

The first season the talk was all about David and his genius pet store room. Last season, it was all about Todd’s crashing wave room. This season it was …?

The individual challenge is one of the most popular episodes we have on this show. It’s the one challenge where everything rides on the talent and resources of each individual designer. They have no one to help them achieve a winning design and no one else to blame to when their vision falls apart.

Speaking of falling apart, what was Matt thinking? After creating a gorgeous bed in the first challenge, we all expected him to shine again in this challenge. The “Buddhist temple” he erected was creative but even he admitted he didn’t achieve his vision. It looked more like a super-cool pillow fort for a 5-year-old. Mikey V. took a trip to Thailand with his design, but — as Vern put it — the outcome looked more like Thai takeout and less like amazing Thai-inspired design. And I completely agree with Vern’s summation.

Matt and Mikey V.'s interpretations of Thailand design

Stephanie tried to conjure up an image of Mexico at night but definitely missed the color and vibrancy that Mexico represents. Stephanie scored major points for the most creative use of furniture and very clever under-lighting Next, Tracee transported us headlong into an Italian theme park with her gondola bed, which was probably the most memorable design of this challenge. It just looked like it was going to fall apart at any second — and I know because I was there! But at least you recognized Italy as her inspiration.

Stephanie's Mexican resort and Tracee's romantic Italian space

Jen’s paint technique was a first for Design Star. The bold graphic statement definitely gave life to her space. How clever to use Italian pottery as inspiration; it was just as beautiful, if not more so, in person. And I can’t mention Jen without mentioning Trish. Even though Jen knocked over a few of her glass votives, on accident, Trish was a class act as always. Her paint choice was crisp, but where was the big idea?

Jennifer's Italian design and Trish's Mexican getaway

Michael tried to re-create a Spanish dance club in neon green, but it was odd at best. When you think of Barcelona and all the stunning Gaudi architecture, he just flat-out missed the point. This room could have been anywhere. And the placement of the four chairs was very much like the sunroom from challenge one. So long, Michael!

Michael's attempt at a Barcelona nightclub

What you don’t know is that the designers were up for almost 24 hours. This was as much a test of endurance as it was sheer creativity. Who said becoming the next HGTV Design Star was easy? Not me.

Country Superstar Sara Evans Next Week!
You’re definitely in for a big treat. Wish I could tell you more. OK, two hints: The designs are beautiful and Tracee doesn’t cry!

Clive goes country for next week's episode

Thanks for watching.

JB

Sparkle dishes on the white room challenge. Plus, find out what country he would have picked to recreate.

Kim loves the white room challenge, but agrees with the judges — no one stood out this year like David and Todd did in past seasons.

Oaklawn was seriously a little spooky! I don’t know how country legends George Jones and Tammy Wynette could spend the night in this place when they owned it in the early ’70s? And lore, or rather Tammy’s biography, suggests that one night Tammy didn’t want George going out on the town so she hid all the keys to their cars only to have George, in desperation, drive his tractor to the local bar. When Tammy discovered he was gone she got in her car, drove into town and yanked him out of there. Who knows for sure what really happened? Maybe the ghosts can tell us.

Historic Oaklawn Mansion

When I first walked into the house, the hair stood up on the back of my neck. I didn’t blame ol’ George for wanting to get out. Especially when we asked the caretaker of the home if he’s ever seen any ghosts or heard anything unusual when he’s stayed the night there (nobody actually lives in the home now — it gets rented for special occasions). He assured us this was one active haunted house. DVR alert: Be sure to re-watch the section during the judging when the stuff comes flying off the walls. We assure you this was not staged! I think the spirits wanted to let Vern, Martha and Cynthia know what they thought of the rooms since they were not going to be able to make it to the studio. And here’s some insider scoop: We once considered Oaklawn to be the designers’ home this season. Lucky for the contestants, it was determined the old plumbing couldn’t handle a cast and crew numbering close to 100.

Clive and James in front of the haunted house

Armchair Critic
Kudos to Matt, Michael, Mikey V. and Stephanie this week. Their rooms were beautiful. Black walls are a risky choice and they did an amazing job. Just stunning when you walked into the room. Be sure to check your DVRs to get a look at Michael’s black and white drapes too. Hats off to Stephanie for turning the flamingo she chose in the garage sale into numerous pieces — very clever! And Mikey V’s detail work on the walls was very well done. Their room was both bright and welcoming. Another DVR alert: Tracee got knocked for her chairs, but it was the fabric rug I question most. We all felt badly that D. Paul was eliminated, but his time management and lack of creativity with his garage sale item definitely hurt him in the end.

Lots of people, including my mom, are wondering what the “POA” stands for. Well, it stands for “plan of attack” — how they are going to get the challenge and design accomplished under a strict timeline. POA will come into play more and more as the season unfolds, so stay tuned.

And because you’re all wondering, they do get to work on their own next week. We also have a special hosting challenge you’ll only get to see right here on HGTV.COM.

Thanks for watching.

JB

Get Sparkle Josh's scoop on the second challenge, where the contestants battle ghosts, each other and the judges.

Kim gives the lowdown on the contestant's yard sale picks and their living room makeovers in the historic second challenge.

Building a home from the ground up? Umm … not so much. But it was fun seeing them sweat it out for a few hours, right?

The lake house our designers would be calling home this season is absolutely beautiful. It was a blast watching the monitors as they ran in like kids in a candy store to see where they would be living. As I said last week, the house definitely becomes a “character,” and this one is very different from the past two years. In many ways I think it was the perfect fit for this season. I loved what our amazing art director, Jake, did with the foyer; rewind your DVRs and you’ll see a print in those red walls — that’s wallpaper. He also tricked out the gazebo with a fabulous swing-bed. And did anyone notice the hot tub on the back sun porch?

Jake, the art director, and one of his designs

First Impressions
Matt was immediately in a frenzy in the downstairs bedroom “creating” a massive bunk bed. DVR alert: Where’s the ladder? And what’s up with his snoring? I have to admit I got a good laugh out of everyone sleeping in the downstairs bedroom, a Design Star first. Now, let’s talk about Jennifer and Stephanie’s table. When the truck pulled up, and they were trying to get it out of the back, the executive producer, director and I were glued to the monitors. We knew this was going to make for some amazing television. That table was MASSIVE! DVR alert: Re-watch them taking the table through the front door. This moment will prove to be pivotal later in the season. I can’t say much more now.

Behind-the-scenes, everyone is glued to the action.

Now onto Mr. “Ferosh,” Michael. He seemed to be more interested in talking about painting rather than actually painting, but his chocolate drapes were gorgeous. He even sewed a backing on them. Nice detail work. And the black pen artwork in the living room by D. Paul was really well done. Simple is always best.

Meanwhile, Tracee and Trish were debating whose style was more current after Trish brought back boxes of accessories and a bold zebra-skin rug. Looks like Trish took to heart the notion of “Go big or go home!” But as is often the case, good things come out of conflict and both Trish’s furniture choices and Tracee’s silver leaf treatment behind the shelves were excellent design decisions that definitely paid off. Here’s an “insider” note: Cynthia said her living room at home was decorated very similarly to theirs.

The zebra-accented living room

As I watched several cast members (Trish and Mikey V.) doing pull-ups from Matt’s completed bunk beds like Ahhhnold, I knew we were going to have some fierce competitors on our hands this year.

We were all sorry to see Scottie go; it’s hard each week when someone’s show gets canceled but you have to show the judges what you’re made of from the very beginning. When he chose the same color palette as Will and Sparkle last year we knew he was putting himself in jeopardy.

Ghost Story?
And finally, do you believe in ghosts? You might after next week's episode! That’s all I can say for now.

Thanks for watching!

JB

Get Sparkle Josh's scoop on the first challenge. He analyzes the "jaded" green room fight, as well as gives his opinion on Stephanie's tactical way of getting a deal.

Favorite weekly quote: "You want to be popular, and you want to say 'Daddy, am I pretty?'"

Kim Myles think it's still anyone's game, but names the three she would watch out for.

Look, now she's got two figurines, and does she play guitar?