Last night’s Design Star challenge was to date our biggest disappointment and least favorite episode. Kitchens are one of the most commonly used rooms in the house that feed us, allow us to exercise our culinary craft, and entertain our guests. For their fifth challenge, the remaining eight contestants had to create “the ultimate dream kitchen” using one of the four popular layouts (galley, peninsula, L-shaped, U-shaped). In addition to their task, each kitchen had to center around a theme (industrial, global, contemporary and farmhouse).Turning up the heat; this challenge had the contestants starting from scratch in an empty space. With just two days and a fellow designer as a team member, we were eager to see what designs they could whip up. Too bad we were sadly disappointed as many to all of the designs fell flatter than a pancake. Sure most spaces had glimpses of exciting moments, but nothing was at the same caliber of work from previous challenges.

Now perhaps some designers did not have the experience they claimed to have in kitchen design. Maybe the concept of designing “the ultimate dream kitchen” was too much for some to concentrate. Even with all this there is one thing that needed to ground them for this challenge…Paula Deen. Paula Deen is an American staple best known for her southern charm, and tasty meals. She not only dominates in the kitchen, but also leaped into the world of decorating with a furniture line, and upcoming home furnishings collection (see “Southern Belle Paula Deen to Launch Home Collection”). Her warmth and kind ways backed with decades of experience in the kitchen only rivals her with the best of the best. We could not think of a more perfect judge to test the functionality and intent of each kitchen design.

(Kevin + Meg – Industrial/Peninsula Kitchen)

When we think of an industrial kitchen, sleekness and a clean space come to mind. Everything gets a little colder and sterile in this functioning kitchen. Kevin and Meg chose to go a different route pairing bright colors with a kid-friendly atmosphere. The kitchen essentials for the most part (appliances, cabinetry and countertops) modeled the industrial style very well. From the stainless steel kitchen accessories to warehouse-like lighting treatment, this kitchen did a good job. Meg’s pot and pan wall was an absolute fantastic way to model cookware. It also made them extra accessible. So everything sounds great right? Wrong. We were not fans of the McDonalds red and yellow color palette. Such electric colors did more to divide the room then bring it together. The biggest disappointment came from Kevin’s home office area. The idea of using tool cabinets and shelving was pure genius. What more could say industrial than this? Too bad Kevin did not think through using a tall stool with such a low table. Who could possibly fit under there? His kid-inspired display was the most horrific element in the desk area (and entire kitchen space) showing a sloppy and nonfunctional design. We think Meg will see another day, but are not too sure about good ol’ Kevin. His efforts in this competition are starting to reveal his lack of design thought and execution.

(Kellie + Mark – Farmhouse/Galley Kitchen)

Mark is one of our favorite designers on the show (Leslie, Tyler and Meg are also favs). We love his easy going personality and relatable design style. For their challenge the pair decided to take on a farmhouse kitchen. “I’m drawn to farmhouse because I think it most closely emulates a kitchen that a family would actually be in,” notes Kelly. And my what a kitchen the pair created. This kitchen was cozy, warm and extremely livable. “I fell in love with that kitchen,” Vern tells the designers. The galley kitchen design permitted the pair to use a dining table in the middle of the space complete with lovely mismatched chairs. Kellie and Mark incorporated so many finishes and materials into the space that it was simply divine. The stainless steel elements favored its distressed counterparts in the kitchen making it one of the best designed spaces in the challenge. The overall color palette was soft and earth inspired gently receding to the background. Mark’s penny tile backsplash would have been the finishing touch for the room. Too bad he ran out of time and changed materials on the other side of the room. A no no in the eyes of the judges, this room is still a contender for the best design.

(Leslie + Tyler – Global/L-Shaped Kitchen)

The global inspired kitchen was not one of our favorites of the episode, but did show some promise in individual elements. The cork flooring was an eco-friendly option that introduced a bit of comfort in the space with its soft feel. To us, the room felt a little unfinished with practically bare walls (lack of paint treatment) and Tyler’s failed attempt at a batik wall. It was too faint of a color that looked a bit dirty. Poor Tylerwas not the shinning star this episode as his lack of functional dining seating caused judges’ scorn. “If you’re going to have this monumentally scaled slab of wood, then your chairs have to be scaled accordingly,” critiques Vern. Okay so the bench was extremely tiny for the table, but at least it was a gorgeous piece. We are such fans of Tyler that we fear his actions in the kitchen challenge will have him in the bottom two or three. With so many things gone wrong in the space, we found a glimmer of hope in a few elements. Leslie’s capiz shell chandelier was so gorgeous and added grandeur to the space. Another great piece was the glass tiled backsplash that provided a hint of mint to the kitchen. Had the backsplash continued behind the sink and to the other side of the wall, Tyler and Leslie might have had a chance at victory.

(Cathy + Karl – Contemporary/U-Shaped Kitchen)

Last but not least is the reprise of team Karl and Cathy. Working together on a previous challenge we knew that this partnership would be the most interesting. Their interpretation of a contemporary kitchen left us feeling unsatisfied. The orange color choice for paint steered the room away from its contemporary intentions. Even the shaker style cabinets made us feel as if we were in a country-inspired kitchen. Perhaps flat panel cabinets could have pulled out more modern elements. The backsplash and stainless chandelier were two of the only elements in the space that screamed contemporary. None of our critiques fared with the judges’ strong dislike of Cathy’s styling. A self-proclaimed interior stylist, Cathy’s resume did not back up her talent leaving the kitchen with way too many things. When styling a contemporary kitchen here is a hint: less is more! “I’m seeing all kinds of things in this room I don’t want, but it’s too late to fight at this point,” says Karl. Unless you have been hiding under a rock EVERYONE who partners with Cathy should know you need to speak up before she runs you over. “You have to fight for what you want in the room,” Vern told Karl. This kitchen may not win our worst design award, but comes close in second place. Could Cathy see her last days on Design Star with all of these over saturated accessories?

This week’s camera challenge awarded the winner a post on the HGTV website. With a minute to shoot, each designer had to provide the public with a useful kitchen tip. Kudos to Leslie, Amy, Mark and Kellie for their great camera challenge! We are seeing more and more growth among the designers in this area. Although Kevin has been giving these camera challenges his best, we still think he is extremely awkward to watch making him a strong contender to leave the show. That was until we saw Tyler’s camera challenge… Lacking the personality that we have all come to love, Tyler’s challenge fell short of any expectations we had. Nerves took over the designer as he fought his way through a choppy on-air appearance that never revealed anything about the kitchen he designed. If you think we are leaving out Cathy you are sadly misinformed. As a five time Emmy winner we expect her to dominate each and every camera challenge. To no one’s surprise she was awarded the winner of this week’s challenge. You can catch her winning camera challenge along with the others here.

We are so happy that Kellie and Mark’s farmhouse galley kitchen won this week’s challenge. In a sea of so so designs with okay elements this pair deserves the title of best kitchen design. Now that we have our winners, it is time to weed out who did okay, and who should go home. Meg did a fabulous job of bringing an industrial element into her peninsula kitchen. Her actions spared her from going home. Leslie had some okay moments in her L-shaped kitchen that will also award her a stay on the show. Karl’s U-shaped kitchen was so lackluster that we can’t say he did a great job. However, he did okay to let him continue in the challenge. That leaves Kevin, Tyler and Cathy. As much as we wish Cathy would just leave the competition, her camera challenge saved her from the debacle she created in her kitchen. So we guess Kevin and Tyler are in the bottom two… As this was Tyler’s first hiccup on the show, we would automatically show the door to Kevin. Since the first challenge, he has shown himself to be a designer who lacks the same innovation as others on the show. His camera challenges reveal he does not have the poise to be an on-air personality, and constant boo boos that there is room for improvement. Much to our surprise, the judges send Tyler home in one of the biggest Design Star upsets! Yes Tyler messed up in both his space and camera challenge, but look at his overall work. He is extremely talented and has often hit the mark for memorable designs. We are very disappointed with the judges’ choice and can only hope they get it right in episodes to come.

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