Wednesday 3 December 2014

The Great Interior Design Challenge Series 2...

Thank you lovely readers, I'm now fighting fit and Fat Freddy's jaw is fully mended. I'm always touched by your kind comments.

The Great Interior Design Challenge...

Oh how I love this show! Last night I found myself shouting at the telly like a common football supporter when Martin was announced as the winner. I loved his rooms throughout the series but that kitchen in last nights show was DIVINE.



Many congratulations to Martin.

I like to play along with the series, first of all, judging the contestants on their own homes, then the rooms they create. I question whether I would be happy with that in my home. Most of the time, I agreed with the judges. Occasionally I felt they got it sooo wrong.

In particular the episode with Kate who put a British colonial themed scheme in a medieval house. Why would you even do that? It held the worst piece of painted furniture I've ever seen. The huge pine wardrobe looked utterly patchy and shoddy. I'd have wept if someone did that to my furniture. And bizarrely, the homeowners reaction to the room wasn't shown. I wonder why?

I much preferred Leilas room which didn't win. The grey and yellow one. And that's saying something as I have a strong aversion to yellow. Ooh, I was miffed that night.

I liked Charlotte and her masculine Victorian living room and I adored Kelly, particularly the Oast house episode which she totally nailed. I really loved Jack and his unflappable easy going attitude. The bedroom he created in the 1930's flat was right up my street and despite the most demanding brief (yin yang meets art deco meets art nouveau meets Celtic if you're wondering) he pulled it out of the bag with a stunning room and a massive headboard made from old doors complete with pulley lights. To die for. Despite having 'distressed' it by throwing bricks at it until it broke.

When it was down to the final two I was on 'team Martin' all the way. The recap of his work was just stunning. Um, apart from those louvre doors.

 Fiona is clearly experienced and very talented. I did like her panelled wallpaper last night, just not the dado with a picture rail. One or the other, especially if your ceilings aren't high.

 I'm praying there will be a third series. I know all three of the presenters have been criticised, but I find it so much more interesting when the presenters aren't presenters, but are actually experts in their field. I have a soft spot for Dan and his manly jaw and Sophie glammed up this series with some different hairstyles and as always, gorgeous dresses. This series I learned that purple walls are fantastic and I'm fighting an urge to paint my living room dark grey. But why do the contestants and judges have to wear the same clothes for three or four days? Just to give the editor an easy time?

The format really works well and it's great to see the diverse style of homes our country has, from honey coloured stone cottages in the Cotswolds to groovy 1960's houses.

As for Martin, someone give that kid his own TV show. Perhaps Jack could be on it? I'd be watching!

You can catch up on BBC iplayer and play along.

16 comments:

  1. I've LOVED this show and am at a bit of a loss tonight! I'm not sure I was as keen on the presenters as yourself - Dan reminded me a bit of one of those nodding dogs (seriously - have a look at how much his head goes from side to side!) I've also wondered about the clothes - especially when they are doing all that hard graft. The colours in the kitchen were gorgeous - as was the parquet table - I think Martin has got a good career ahead of him. Anyhoo they were asking for contestants for the third series last night - go on get yourself signed up! Jane x

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  2. You can't come on here dissing Dan! I have a crush on him! I want a parquet table or parquet worktops! That would be amazing.
    I'm far too slow to be on this show. I started my kitchen makeover in May and I'm still only halfway through. The time frame would kill me! xx

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  3. I only got into it halfway through but the Laurie Abbot houses were my favourite, 1960s modernism with huge windows and statement staircases, LOVE! Martin was my favourite, too. I loved the louvred doors (but hated those mirrors!) The panelling in that tenement & the Austin Powers lounge were wonderful!. The presenters were great, loved Dan's style - what a dude! xxx

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    1. I can just see you lounging in that lounge. It was totally fab. So pleased for Martin. xxx

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  4. I've never heard of this show but it sounds like I'd love it - how has this passed me by?

    Lizzie's Daily Blog

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    1. You've got it all to look forward to Lizzie! Get stuck in...xx

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  5. La ...la....la...fingers in ears .....spoiler alert !!!! We have had series one in Oz on pay TV and I love it. Waiting,waiting for series 2 xxxxxxx

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  6. I've missed this - how have I MSSED this?? I'll have to catch up on iplayer! Give into the urge to use grey - I'm a convert. I keep meaning to do a post on Miss Macs room which I painted grey. It's much darker than I expected it to be (I was going for a soft misty grey) but it actually looks great with lots of mirrored bits and bobs and turquoise highlights. I like it so much that when I ever get around to finishing my bathroom (still blinding white) I'm going to go for a soft grey in there too.

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    1. Oh Sarah, hurry up with that post! I neeed to see it! xx

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  7. I've never seen the show, but I always enjoy your humorous take on things, Emma. Maybe you'll have a show of your own someday!

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  8. I watched as many as I could when I wasn't working and really enjoyed it as always. I do like a bit of upcycling and for me this was lacking, too many brand new things for my liking but then the prog is about design not thriftiness! Martin's kitchen was fab but didn't like his blues in the sitting room.... far too cold. I don't mind the two presenters/experts but find their comments at the start of the show very predictable. Will look forward to next year though.

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  9. Didn't watch it, I'm afraid. But I certainly wish someone would come and do a makeover on my house... Anything would be better than how it is now! xxx

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  10. What a wonderful review of the show and so many lovely comments! Thank you to everyone that tuned in and to those who were backing me all the way! It was one of the best experiences of my life and is something that I hope will now take me in many new directions. The kitchen was my favourite room of the final and there has been a great deal of interest in it since, especially that parquet table. If anybody wants to contact us direct check out www.martinmarkdesign.com for all the latest news on what we're up to now that the show's finished.

    Thanks again Emma for a great post.

    Best wishes,

    Martin

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  11. Bless you Martin! Wishing you all the best for wherever your success on the show takes you. xxx

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  12. Loved watching the show (Series 2) here in New Zealand - aired later on of course. I'm so looking forward to Series 3. I loved all the entrants' work. My favourite won, ie Martin as he transformed space and his style grew more sophisticated as the series progressed. The other contestants changed and improved a space but Martin definitely has the X Factor with his transformations.

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