HGTV Design Star: School Bus Makeovers

There are only four designers remaining: Anne, Brooks, Jeribai, and Tiffany.  The contestants are waiting in the room after last week's decision when David Bromstad reveals their camera challenge:  The four of them will represent HGTV on "The Talk" performing a segment with a couple of hosts teaching the hosts and viewers an unconventional design tip. 

Final Four

The next day the contestants discover that they will design a stripped down school bus of their own, in any way that they'd like.  Jeribai " why are we running?" as the contestants run to their school buses.  They need to create something unconventional, inspiring, and they shouldn't play it safe.  The most unconvential space that Tiffany has ever done is a store window.

Tiffany wants to have a Mad Hatter tea party from Alice in Wonderland.  She's going to make the space emerald green.

Anne used to design luxury motor coaches, so she feels like she's got this.  She is going to create a living space and a bedroom space.

Brooks is excited to not hold back.  He's talking about a space ship, a lounge, Brooks' brain.

Jeribai wants to create a boxer's lounge, with a training area in the back and a resting area in the front.  They take off the wheel wells, which makes it more spacious.

Tiffany leaves to find furniture for the dining room.  She finds a hodgepodge of chairs which you can tell that her idea is starting to come to fruition.

Jeribai went to Lumber Liquadtors for a bamboo floor so the bus feels taller and wider.

Anne is looking for furniture but spent the whole day looking but couldnt' find anything.  It was a huge time waster.

Tiffany's carpenter is frustrated because his paint sprayer wasn't working so he had to hand paint the bus.

Baltimore Qualifying!

So to start, Quinn is in Nashville for work, which means you get me this week!  Here I am in PJs, prepping to eat pizza and drink beer – an ANW Tradition in our house. 

This week the gang is in Baltimore for qualifying.  As with Venice the top 30 or anyone that completes the course gets a go at Finals.  They've mixed up the course and here are my initial thoughts:

1.       Quintuple Steps – Standard

2.       Downhill Jump – How is anyone going to complete this?

3.       Prism Tilt – I want one

4.       Swing Jump – Standard

5.       Circle Cross – Not happening!

6.       Warped Wall – All I see is me running smack into a wall. 

To kick it off dad of 2, Douglas Miller gives it a go.  I’m obvi rooting for him since we are in the same line of work – he’s an HR Director, I’m an HR Generalist.   But alas he falls at the quintuple steps.

The first go at the downhill jump is Elijah (maybe – yikes this is why Quinn does this) and my thoughts are EEK!  As expected it’s going to be a toughie!

A girl is up!  Jaime Vanacore gets ready to go.   She is 1 of 4 female rescue swimmers in the Coast Guard.  There have only been 6 total.  I’m already obsessed with her.  All beer drinking and pizza eating cease until her turn is over.  She kills obstacles 1-4 and I’m honestly getting ready to interrupt Quinn at his dinner, because this is the moment I've been waiting for.  She falls on the Circle Cross after losing momentum, BUT I so liked her and need her to come back next year. 

Garbageman, Michael Fedo, is first through the Circle Cross.  We will definitely be seeing this guy in the future.   He’s built an intense course at his house and the only thing missing is a Warped Wall, by no coincidence the obstacle he fell on. 

Finally, someone completes the course, gymnast Jeffrey Tan, is in!

Now Jenn gives us an update from last night on G4.  How did we miss this?  I blame the DVR, but anyways 12 athletes made it through, notably, Tim Shieff, who claimed the fastest time after shedding 15 pounds.  Veteran Chris Wilczewski slipped up at the Circle Cross, but his younger bro Brian made it through.  I definitely have my eye on Brian this season!

Luis Moco is up!  So happy to see this guy back.  Two weeks before Finals last year, he suffered 

a fall, but still showed at finals.  It broke my heart to watch him tear his ACL early in the course and continue to suffer all the way to the warped wall.  This past year has been surgery, rehab and training.  I’m crossing my fingers for this vet, but the tricky Circle Cross gets the best of him. Sad Face.

Elet Hall is back for redemption with a round that I seriously blinked and missed; it’s way faster than the pack at 53.79 seconds.   He has not forgotten his fall on the unstable bridge in stage 2 of finals last year.   I will say on a personal note I have a hard time rooting for someone that seems confused as to why someone would have a job.  Where do I begin?

Now back to a guy I do LIKE, Michael Fedo!  I do not have to wait to see this guy next year, because he’s in the top 30!

Q will be back with the next qualifying round!  BUT I will still be around blogging about The Challenge, beginning this Wednesday.

<3 Court

HGTV Design Star: Sorority Vs. Fraternity

Five remaining designers must make over main rooms in sorority and frat houses.  The designers are at Occidental College in Los Angeles.  They are serenaded by a drumline, cheerleaders, and a cat mascot.  I was hoping that Bromstad would pop out of the mascot costume, but he didn't. :(

Occidental College

The girls, Tiffany and Anne, will take on the sorority house.  While Brooks, Jeribai, and Boris will take on the fraternity house.  I'm not going to attempt their names since Greek houses are douchey.

The girls head over the sorority and they see a room with two old couches, everything is hand me down.  They use this space as a place for get togethers and alumni come by to visit.  They want red and white since that is their colors.  Their fireplace is awful, which Tiffany wants.  They want their ensigna on somewhere in the design.

The boys see this room that is a rec room, study room, and dining area.  A "Gentlemen's Lounge" is Boris' term.  They want Royal Purple and Old Gold, DOUCHE!  They want the crest involved as well.

The girls are looking at gray and red for the walls, using their Post-It notes, but Anne wants to use a different red color that is sophisticated and she owns it.  Lumber Liquidators is also thrown in, product placement, wow!  I want to go to Lumber Liquadtors for all of my needs.

The boys begin designing, Boris is going to do drapes, shocker!, and Boris wants Jeribai to refinish the table.  Jeribai doesn't want to be the handyman this time around, and focus on design.  I think that Jeribai has a better chance of being the HGTV star if he can show us guys how to do these handyman things at home.  That's an opinion obviously.  "Boris, use your German man strength!" quote of the day by Jeribai.

Anne starts taking over the fire place, then Tiffany is like, "hold up!" and she takes it back.  She has a good idea and Anne allows for her to take control.

Brooks and Jeribai go to a pool table shop and they pick out a new table that will have the Antique Gold felt with the insignia on it, pretty sweet idea.

Tiffany and the carpenter, a man of a lady, start destroying that fireplace.  When they break through this ugly thing, they realize there is a fireplace underneath, but that carpenter broke some of the brick!  Look, you don't' let a woman do a man's job!  Cliche', but it might be true here. Ackward fist bump between Tiffany and carpenter lady. haha, so great.  The carpenter is going to need to re-brick that fire place.

The girls are going to put the crest on some wallpaper, not sure where they're going with it, but believe in Anne!

The boys are looking for some new tables, but they can't find a good one.  Boris is talking Jeribai into refinishing the existing table, but guess what, Jeribai does it.

Carpenter is working on the fireplace, and she is doing work!

Day 2
Jeribai starts working on the table.  He puts something on it, then sands it down, and then stains it.

Tiffany thinks the red in the room looks like a dull orange, and it does look like that with the room empty.  The fireplace is completed, at least the brick part.

VOLVO COMES: BROMSTAD HAS ARRIVED!

Bromstad is talking with the boys.  Bromstad advises that you bring in some table lamps and other lamps so the boys won't need to use the florescent lighting anymore. 

Camera Challenge: Give a home improvement tip to a Fraternity Brother
Jeribai- Teaches how to install a hardwood floor, he does a pretty good job.  I feel like I could install a floor right now.
Boris- He is less creepy, but shows this kid how to paint with a brush or a roller.  Come on Boris, I knew that.
Brooks- Installing a chair rail molding, Brooks stumbles on his words and then Bromstad tears him a new one.  He said, " Do you steamroll over your students?"  Brooks looks hurt, why you gotta be so mean to my man Brooks?!

Season Premiere: Venice Qualifying 1 Continued on NBC

Season 5's premiere continues where it left off in Venice Beach - this time on NBC. Same obstacles as before including the new Frame Slider, Domino Hill, Floating Chains and Flying Nunchucks. 

Brent Steffensen: so sleepy

Akbar Gbaja-Biamila named his "Ninjas to Watch:"

• Jesse La Flair
• Kyle Cochran
• Brett Steffensen
• Kacy Cantanzaro (Steffensen's girlfriend)

Will ninja hopefuls continue to struggle on the new challenges? Here we go...

• Mike Mark - This former pro baseball prospect was competing for his ailing, aging father. After a strong start, he made an early error on the floating chains which resulted in his getting too tired to complete the obstacle. Splash.
• Natalie Duran - The first woman of the night is an overachieving 21 year old soon-to-be doctor, professional youtube blogger and avid rock climber. Her resume was more impressive than her run as the frame slider sent her into the water.
• Matthew Razore - This high school football coach underestimated the quintuple steps as his unbalanced leap to the platform sent him backflipping into the water. Impressive fail.
• Spencer Hurtt - This was Spencer's third attempt at the qualifying course, failing at the warped wall in each of his last two attempts. Motivated by his past failures, Hurtt spends his free time training on his homemade course. Unfortunately, a homemade course can't prepare you for new obstacles - and the flying nunchucks were too much for Hurtt.
• Desmond Odom - Best story to this point. Odom - once jobless, homeless and 304 lbs - was inspired by ANW to turn his life around. Over a hundred pounds later, Odom was ready to face the course. Motivated, Odom got off to a fast start before failing on domino hill.

HGTV Design Star: Real People, Real Kitchens

The Challenge: Contestants must transform the kitchens and dining rooms in two neighboring home within three days, from start to finish, which involves renovating flooring, cabinet hardware, back splashes, and more.  The houses are similar in look and structure.  The teams are Anne, Brooks, and Abbey vs. Boris, Jeribai, and Tiffany.

Remaining Contestants

INTRO MUSIC MAKING ME DANCE!

I immediately think that Anne, Brooks, and Abbey have the advantage, I mean, they've shown how good they can be.  These teams have 3 days to finish, with 2 handymen to help them.


Meet With Clients
Couple with 3 Kids
The family is "transitional", Boris goes crazy again.  He's full on creep early on.  Jeribai focus' on the tile he wants to put up.


Foster Family
Sweet kids right away.  The couple explains what they like, with Anne and Brooks asking most of the questions.  They want modern with warmth, not too traditional or contemporary.   They want seating on the inside of the bar and a potential herb garden.

First Steps
Anne always thinks everything is her expertise, perhaps the show should already be hers!  Brooks wants to paint the exposed wood beams ceiling to make the room look bigger.  Brooks doesn't like the whole cream color, all over.  He's making his voice heard about the color palette.  Anne is bossy, again!  I can't see her as the HGTV Design Star because she is too bossy, even with all that talent.  Brooks is going to make a countertop that is unusual.

Boris wants get rid of the cabinet that the homeowners hate and put in a floor to ceiling wine rack.  Sounds cool, functional.  They're going to get rid of the wood paneling and Jeribai wants wallpaper with texture.  Tiffany thinks the back splash is risky, but Jeribai is going for it.

Both teams are going to town on destroying the kitchen. Isn't that the best part?

Day 2
The homeowners picked a camel color cabinet, so Boris and Jeribai select a back splash.  The kitchen floors were put in over night, it's amazing how much that does for the room already.  The team goes furniture shopping.  Anne finds a farmhouse table and looks awesome!  I could see myself eating around that table.  It has a bench that goes with it, which I love.  Brooks gets a large stainless sink with an apron front.  No idea they had so many features.  Brooks," I've never tried the tope on tope color scheme."  He hates the beige in the kitchen, I'm glad that he is voicing his opinion, but not in a negative way.

Abbey is worried she wont' have much of a choice, so she decides she's going to take control of the back splash and the countertops.  Abbey is super personal and warm, I hope she does ok.  Tiffany finds a dining room table, it has a hammered metal top.  Jeribai doesn't like it because of the finger prints that will get on it.  Jeribai is going to town on the wall, prepping it for the back splash.

Season Premiere: Venice Qualifying 1 on G4/Esquire

At long last, American Ninja Warrior has returned! Tonight's premiere episode took place in Venice Beach, California. Former NFL player Akbar Gbaja-Biamila and Jenn Brown join the crew along with Matt Iseman, the only returning host. The first six obstacles we saw in Season 5 were:

• Quintuple Steps
• Frame Slider*
• Domino Hill*
• Floating Chains*
• Flying Nunchucks*
• Warped Wall

*new to American Ninja Warrior

On to the contestants:

• Travis S. - the first competitor to see the new obstacles is defeated by the frame slider.
• Brian Orosco - The man. The myth. The legend. Brian has a lot to prove after a disappointing showing last season in qualifying. Unfortunately, he is the first competitor to ever face the flying nunchucks, which send him into the water below. This obstacle looks to be a tough one to tackle. They made one of the most decorated Ninja Warriors look like an unseasoned rookie.
• Jordan Babineaux - Another NFL player trying to transfer his skill set to the ninja warrior course, Babineaux is trying to find the success that Kamerion Wimbley found last season. It was not meant to be as he just couldn't hang onto the floating chains.

HGTV Design Star: One Client, Four Apartments

The Mission: In teams of two, the contestants will design an apartment for the same young married couple with the hopes that the couple will choose their design.

The Teams: By Random Choice
Brooks and Tiffany- Interesting, they seem like they're totally different
Anne and Jeribai- I could see some tension, Anne is a control freak
Tylor and Cris- They worked together last week and don't really like each other
Abby and Boris- These two worked together too, not sure about the duo

NEW TWIST: TWO WILL GO HOME!!!


Interview Clients- Best Questions
Anne and Jeribai:  If you had to choose between clean lines or shabby sheik?

Brooks and Tiffany: What is entertaining like for you guys?
         Clients reaction was hilarious, she called them ADD, which they were.

Tylor and Cris: Do you like to watch TV in your living room?  HAHAHA

Abby and Boris: Just the interaction was great, Boris was hilarious in this episode.

First Glance at apartments
Anne and Jeribai: Their interactions seem to be creative and insightful.  They seem to be on the same page.

Brooks and Tiffany: These two seem like they're a better team than first imagined.

Abby and Boris: Boris wants to use faux molding, just stop painting near the ceiling to look like crown molding, which Abby is not thrilled about.  Sounds like a terrible idea.

Tylor and Cris:  Tylor takes over and wants a green that she isn't thrilled about.  She is thinking about herself and what she would want.  Tylor said it's not about her, but I'm thinking she needs to follow her heart.

Furniture Shopping
B&T: They are looking at some vintage chairs and a lounger.

C&T: They found a tray and a rug for the family room.

B&A: Abby finds a bookshelf that she likes, Boris likes it too.  Boris, "I'm not feeling horny." Blam!

A&J: A barbed wire art piece, Jeribai thinks it is abrasive, so Anne will take credit for it.

Design
B & T: They laid out this cool design for the wall using painters tape.  It has inspired me to try this out in our babies room whenever I get to start painting.  Thanks Brooks and Tiffany!  True Design Star potential!

J& A: Jeribai wants to create a stripe on one side of the apartment, two create a two-toned effect.  Anne doesn't want Jeribai to do it himself because it'll take too much time.

C&T: They have their green walls, over the entire apartment, really boring.  Cris is not pleased.

Most teams have a focus wall with a bold color, which Cris and Tylor did not.

David Bromstad
The winning room will be featured in HGTV magazine.  They're looking for things that are easy for the viewer to do on their own.  The camera challenge needs to be something a renter could do that is easy to do and easy to correct upon moving out.

Camera Challenges
All of the camera challenges left something to be desired.  None of them had any mind blowing ideas or clear demonstrations on what to do.  Bromstad had Abby in tears, but in a good way.  He was playing psychologist and Abby is feeling a lot of anxiety.  She seems a little unstable, but aren't great artists like that?  Cris had a good energy, but she didn't show anything.  Tylor, "the expert", was awful. This guy is so overrated, by his own doing.  I think Anne is a natural at this camera challenge thing, but she used a focal wall as her challenge which even I know about.  Brooks had more energy this time, but almost too much, at a maniacal level.  That is Brooks though.  The winner in my opinion:  Brooks, just because he had a more original idea even if it wasn't perfect.