0:00:04 > 0:00:07In Britain we have an amazing array of places we call home...
0:00:07 > 0:00:09from thatched cottages and conversions...
0:00:09 > 0:00:12to terraced housing and tower blocks.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14But when it comes to interior design,
0:00:14 > 0:00:17we don't always make the best of the rooms we live in.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24So we're asking 24 amateur designers who believe
0:00:24 > 0:00:26they have got what it takes to be the next big thing
0:00:26 > 0:00:29in interiors to show us how it should be done.
0:00:30 > 0:00:34We'll travel across the country and through the ages
0:00:34 > 0:00:39to Victorian avenues, Art Deco cul-de-sacs and Regency squares.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45Each time, three would-be designers take on similar rooms
0:00:45 > 0:00:46in three neighbouring homes.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50I don't really hate it, but I'm not sure.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53I haven't upholstered cat beds before.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55This is going really well.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00Across eight heats they'll compete for a place in the quarterfinals.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03Judging them are designer and president-elect of
0:01:03 > 0:01:07the British Institute of Interior Design, Daniel Hopwood.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10The really great designers have a level of flexibility
0:01:10 > 0:01:13and they can work around a client and yet give them a lot of style.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17And interior stylist and magazine journalist Sophie Robinson.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20What I'm looking for in this competition is designers
0:01:20 > 0:01:23who have a high level of creativity.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25Now it's their imaginations
0:01:25 > 0:01:28and design skills that will determine who'll come out on top.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41This time, our amateur designers will be redesigning one room each
0:01:41 > 0:01:46in three Victorian terraced houses in Salford, Greater Manchester.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49The three homeowners have very different briefs
0:01:49 > 0:01:51for their open-plan double reception rooms.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55I'm not too sure about pink.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00The judges will decide which designer is
0:02:00 > 0:02:02worthy of a place in the next round.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05This is like being in a Van Gogh painting, isn't it?
0:02:05 > 0:02:07It isn't going to be the best piece in the room,
0:02:07 > 0:02:08I'm kind of resigned to that.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11The designer going through to the quarterfinals is...
0:02:23 > 0:02:25These are the streets of Salford.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28In the early 19th century, this became a centre of
0:02:28 > 0:02:31the textile industry, boosted over the next 100 years by
0:02:31 > 0:02:32the coming of the railways
0:02:32 > 0:02:34and the Manchester Ship Canal,
0:02:34 > 0:02:37earning Manchester and Salford the nickname Cottonopolis.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51But rapid industrialisation created job opportunities
0:02:51 > 0:02:53and massive urbanisation.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56Mill and factory owners responded by building row after row
0:02:56 > 0:02:59of terraced housing for their workforce. Fitting in quite
0:02:59 > 0:03:03so many homes meant conditions were cramped and basic.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11House size varied according to social status.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15The homes on this street were built in 1890 for skilled workers
0:03:15 > 0:03:19like teachers and weavers and engine drivers. A step up
0:03:19 > 0:03:23from basic back-to-back housing, they featured drainage and running water
0:03:23 > 0:03:26and had bay windows out the front and these teeny weenie front
0:03:26 > 0:03:30gardens to show off the relative grandeur of the residents inside.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39Now, three Salford terraced homes are getting a new look
0:03:39 > 0:03:42double reception room courtesy of our amateur designers.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47I've always loved painting and making things.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50When I was very young, we didn't have a lot of money.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52Most of our furniture came from
0:03:52 > 0:03:56relatives that donated pieces, but I just painted it.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58I've always wanted to be different.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02Hello, Charlotte What's the weather like?
0:04:04 > 0:04:06I never thought about designing other people's houses,
0:04:06 > 0:04:08I mean, I have been asked.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11Unfortunately, when I paint something and I really like it,
0:04:11 > 0:04:13I just want to keep it.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17From when I was quite young, my parents would take me
0:04:17 > 0:04:19round National Trust properties.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21I always enjoyed looking around those,
0:04:21 > 0:04:23looking at different styles of architecture
0:04:23 > 0:04:27and different colours and periods of furniture and suchlike.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29I'm currently on a six-month sabbatical from my job,
0:04:29 > 0:04:32which is working in the City for a well-known bank
0:04:32 > 0:04:35and I wanted to use that period of time to do something
0:04:35 > 0:04:39completely different, and so I did an interior design course.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41It's obviously a very creative environment
0:04:41 > 0:04:43which I wouldn't say banking always is.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46At the moment, I'm a mum of two little girls,
0:04:46 > 0:04:50so my main job of the day is to get them to school on time.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53And I also have a small company which sells handmade
0:04:53 > 0:04:54children's clothing
0:04:54 > 0:04:58and lots of other vintage-inspired things that I make and source.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00I would love to be an interior designer.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02It wouldn't seem like a job, I suppose,
0:05:02 > 0:05:07because it's just something that I'm doing all the time, it's a passion.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10This will be their first ever foray into professional interior design.
0:05:10 > 0:05:15They'll each have £1,000 and 48 hours spread over three days
0:05:15 > 0:05:17to transform their room.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26The first house belongs to Becky and Richard,
0:05:26 > 0:05:29who want their living/dining room to have a new lease of life.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32Our taste is quite vintage, shabby/chic.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35We really love quite bright colours.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39We'd like this to be more of a feature where we can entertain.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44It'd be nice to invite people round and enjoy our new space.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Judges Sophie and Daniel want to assess the room's current state
0:05:48 > 0:05:50before the designer makes their mark.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Oh, very nice.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00- It's very pleasing, isn't it? - It's really nice, isn't it?
0:06:00 > 0:06:03And the fact there's an original ceiling rose up there.
0:06:03 > 0:06:04Do you know why they had them?
0:06:04 > 0:06:07Not only because it looked pretty and it centres the room,
0:06:07 > 0:06:11but also because if you had candles, or here would have been gas light,
0:06:11 > 0:06:13it stops the ceiling going on fire.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16I'm guessing that's not the original woodchip.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20No, but woodchip is used a lot to hide a lot of little imperfections.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23I'm seeing a bit of movement over there which is telling me
0:06:23 > 0:06:26that it's the original plaster ceiling here.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29And the plaster was made with horse hair and urine,
0:06:29 > 0:06:32it stinks if you try and knock it down.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35Nice to see, though, that they've got the bay window, even though
0:06:35 > 0:06:37the windows have been changed.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39But they are a challenge to dress,
0:06:39 > 0:06:41as this homeowner has obviously already found out.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44Here, because you've got brick in-between the paint, you could
0:06:44 > 0:06:48actually have four curtain drops here that wouldn't cheat out
0:06:48 > 0:06:51the light, which would just had some softness and some warmth.
0:06:51 > 0:06:52I don't think there's anything wrong with
0:06:52 > 0:06:55a good old-fashioned lace curtain.
0:06:55 > 0:06:56Planning to redesign Becky
0:06:56 > 0:07:00and Richard's room is 65-year-old Susan from Kent.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04The designers have each been given a week
0:07:04 > 0:07:06to work on their clients' brief,
0:07:06 > 0:07:09but today is the first time they're meeting face-to-face.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11Hello, Becky and Rich, it's lovely to meet you,
0:07:11 > 0:07:14and lovely to see your house.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17This is what I have designed for you.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21The judges will watch how well the designers present their ideas,
0:07:21 > 0:07:23how they build a working relationship
0:07:23 > 0:07:26and how well they respond to their clients' needs.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28I'll start off with this,
0:07:28 > 0:07:31I found this little picture of Sorrento in Italy and this reminded
0:07:31 > 0:07:35me, all these little houses, of your lovely patchwork sofa.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37The pink in the room is the sunset,
0:07:37 > 0:07:42and this is the blue which you said you loved for your dining area.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45I've made some light fittings here,
0:07:45 > 0:07:48and this isn't a particularly good drawing, but they're basically
0:07:48 > 0:07:52five lampshades which have been strung up together on different
0:07:52 > 0:07:57coloured wires and I've put lace at your windows here which I think
0:07:57 > 0:08:01gives you a bit of Victoriana there, which looks amazing with the pink.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04I absolutely love the duck egg in here and I love the chairs.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08I'm not too sure about pink...
0:08:08 > 0:08:11over all the walls in here.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14I just don't know if it's a bit too girly with the lace.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18The brief was for more colour, it's just got to be the right colour.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20Would you go for this sort of colouring,
0:08:20 > 0:08:22which is more what I call a plaster?
0:08:22 > 0:08:27I'm just not sure if it's too...pink still.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29Would you go for pale green?
0:08:30 > 0:08:33I don't know whether pale green might be better?
0:08:33 > 0:08:35I would prefer it to pink.
0:08:35 > 0:08:36Would you be happy with that?
0:08:36 > 0:08:39Yeah, I think more green than the pink.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43I've found you a cast iron fireplace which I've had sandblasted,
0:08:43 > 0:08:46so it will look absolutely glorious, so it'll be matte black.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48Love the fireplace.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52Yeah, I'm really pleased we're actually going to get a fireplace,
0:08:52 > 0:08:54- that's fantastic. - What did you think about her scheme?
0:08:54 > 0:08:57I thought it was very artistic, I think she shows herself to be
0:08:57 > 0:09:01a true creative, and I liked her presentation, it was very fluid,
0:09:01 > 0:09:03she'd got some nice hand-drawn paintings on there.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05I was hoping she'd negotiate a bit more
0:09:05 > 0:09:08because I think we were both on board with the idea of the pink,
0:09:08 > 0:09:11although for me that bright pink was a bit too much.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14Those dirty salmon pinks would work really well.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17Pink is actually warm, it's very flattering and it's really now.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20This is a woman who knows what's in trend.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24Like the other designers, Susan now has three days, her £1,000
0:09:24 > 0:09:26and the help of a builder
0:09:26 > 0:09:29to bring her colourful signature style to the room.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32I haven't been able to really let myself go with the paint brush
0:09:32 > 0:09:34for quite a while now,
0:09:34 > 0:09:38so I must admit I found this quite exciting going out and buying
0:09:38 > 0:09:42things and being able to do them up and paint someone else's house.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47The second double reception room has a similar floor space to the first,
0:09:47 > 0:09:51but the dividing wall has completely gone.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54Owners Jason and Lisa want a stylish look,
0:09:54 > 0:09:56but it also needs to be practical for family life.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00At the moment, it's just not really set out in a good enough way
0:10:00 > 0:10:02for us to use as a family.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05We haven't got enough storage, and that is a big area.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07As Eve is getting older, as well, she's got more and more things
0:10:07 > 0:10:11and I do think it probably needs brightening up
0:10:11 > 0:10:13and being more on trend, really.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16It's rather nice actually, isn't it?
0:10:16 > 0:10:20Knocked through obviously, this would have been two separate rooms.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23There would have been a wall here, no door between.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25This was a grand room,
0:10:25 > 0:10:28even the smallest houses had a very grand space where you showed off
0:10:28 > 0:10:31everything, as my grandmother used to say, actually.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34She used to say, "All red hat and no knickers," which meant you had
0:10:34 > 0:10:38one very grand room but everything else would be actually rather cheap.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41One of the problems these large open-plan spaces throw up
0:10:41 > 0:10:43is how do you define the two different areas?
0:10:43 > 0:10:46And this family have done it by putting this sofa
0:10:46 > 0:10:49in the middle of the room, which is creating a divide.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52I think it must be 70% of English people have brown leather sofas,
0:10:52 > 0:10:54it's really popular, isn't it?
0:10:54 > 0:10:56Sofas are quite a big purchase for a lot of people,
0:10:56 > 0:10:59so if you buy something that's neutral in leather that tends to be
0:10:59 > 0:11:02a bit hard wearing, if you've got little kids it's easy to
0:11:02 > 0:11:05wipe up the spills, and actually you can change your colour scheme
0:11:05 > 0:11:08without having to change the sofa. It's not necessarily going to
0:11:08 > 0:11:11dictate a new look, so in terms of an investment buy,
0:11:11 > 0:11:13I think people find them quite a safe bet.
0:11:16 > 0:11:20Answering this practical yet contemporary brief is
0:11:20 > 0:11:2546-year-old financial lawyer Nigel, who's looking for a creative outlet.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28I hope you're going to like the designs I've come up with.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31In terms of the overall colour scheme,
0:11:31 > 0:11:34I know you like neutrals and taupe and creams
0:11:34 > 0:11:39and things like that, so I've chosen a greyish colour scheme.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43This lighter grey on the walls, a picture rail in the darker grey
0:11:43 > 0:11:47and then a sort of off-white freeze and ceiling, and the reason
0:11:47 > 0:11:50I've chosen those is they're quite sort of contemporary colours
0:11:50 > 0:11:56at the moment, but also they have a sort of period feel to them as well.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00And then you'll notice I've got rid of your dresser behind us,
0:12:00 > 0:12:05these are wall transfers and they're like trees that will cover the wall.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08It's the first thing you see when you come into the room, and the idea
0:12:08 > 0:12:11is that it'll create a bigger sense of space, because you know when
0:12:11 > 0:12:15you walk into a forest or something you see trees beyond and beyond.
0:12:15 > 0:12:16I like the idea of the trees.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19I think that will be quite contemporary and different.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21The colours I wouldn't have gone for,
0:12:21 > 0:12:24but I think I can see them working in this room.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26- Happy with that?- Yeah. - Great, thank you.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30Nigel's neutral colour scheme with contemporary touches
0:12:30 > 0:12:32seems to have gone down well.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34I'll have to get on and do it now.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38I was very convinced and I think they were too.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41His communication was excellent, so I understood exactly what he meant
0:12:41 > 0:12:44all the step of the way and he really got his clients on board.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46But what was it with that grey?
0:12:46 > 0:12:50Grey paint, I know is fashionable, but we've got rain here,
0:12:50 > 0:12:52it's Manchester, this is what happens.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55Grey walls, it just all feels a bit depressing for me.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04All the woodwork will be in this dark grey.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08- Quite a nice colour, that's a transfer, is it?- Yeah.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12I've not done one of those before, so that might be a bit fiddly.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15It's a bit daunting, the size of the room, so it's going to take
0:13:15 > 0:13:18quite a lot of work, but we've got some good people on the job.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28The third terrace belongs to Calvin, who's lived here for 12 years.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33Unlike the previous two rooms,
0:13:33 > 0:13:36this one has an alcove where the original hallway used to be.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39I like this room, but it was last done about eight years ago
0:13:39 > 0:13:41so it's looking a bit tired.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47I like natural materials so there's wood and wicker.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50The fireplace would have been stone but it's concrete.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53There's a hotchpotch of stuff in here
0:13:53 > 0:13:57and I think if it's all married together with style
0:13:57 > 0:13:59then it's going to be cracking.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05Oh, it's quite heavy, isn't it?
0:14:05 > 0:14:07So, the old fireplace has gone,
0:14:07 > 0:14:11the old range which would have been in that space has disappeared.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13But it's quite original, isn't it,
0:14:13 > 0:14:16it's giving a lot of clues about Calvin.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18This is a guy who really can take some colour,
0:14:18 > 0:14:21he clearly loves a feature wall, they're everywhere.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24I think the problem is, if you choose these very dark colours
0:14:24 > 0:14:27in a room where there isn't much natural light, you've got to add
0:14:27 > 0:14:32a lot of lighting, lamps, standing lamps, ceiling lights and there isn't
0:14:32 > 0:14:35anything in here, it's feeling a bit dark and depressing for me.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37I also notice that Calvin has got fitted carpets.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40Originally there wouldn't have been carpets in this house,
0:14:40 > 0:14:43instead they would have had rugs, and they used to have rag rugs
0:14:43 > 0:14:46which was really saving money where they would just make it out of
0:14:46 > 0:14:49old clothes and just sew it and spend hours doing it.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52And that would be placed in the middle of the room, and then
0:14:52 > 0:14:55round the edges the floorboards would have been stained a dark
0:14:55 > 0:14:58colour which would have exaggerated the colours of the rag rug.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00Well, rag rugs or not, I think
0:15:00 > 0:15:03this room could be up for a massive transformation.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07Calvin's brief is for an elegant room of natural materials
0:15:07 > 0:15:10and some Victoriana.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13Taking on the task is 38-year-old mum of two Lynne.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17These are some of the ideas that I've put together.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20Initially I was struck with it's slightly dark, the walls,
0:15:20 > 0:15:22and I just want to lighten it up for you.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26I was hoping to paint the room in this grey colour which I think will
0:15:26 > 0:15:31add some colour to the room without actually painting it all white.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35I thought perhaps for the fireplace that we could make it
0:15:35 > 0:15:36look like it was brick again.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38Bringing back some sort of brick feature in.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41So, if you feel this, it is slightly textured.
0:15:42 > 0:15:46And that would then look slightly like these pictures here
0:15:46 > 0:15:49where we have a brick fireplace which has been painted over.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52Which I think will bring it back to sort of
0:15:52 > 0:15:54more of a Victorian era of the house.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56I know you wanted to use it as a thoroughfare,
0:15:56 > 0:15:59but I want to make it extended hall almost.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02I wanted to use some wallpaper which looks like library books.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05Cos there's not furniture there, I thought
0:16:05 > 0:16:07that would bring an element of furniture, fill the space
0:16:07 > 0:16:11without filling the space, so it's not looking too blank and too bare.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14- OK.- Round the corner we're going to pop a desk in the alcove
0:16:14 > 0:16:16and give it a bit of a purpose.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19And I'm going to try and recreate something like that for you.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21Something of a Victorian feel desk
0:16:21 > 0:16:26and pop it back in there, in an industrial sort of a vibe,
0:16:26 > 0:16:29so it's quite manly, it's somewhere nice you can go and work.
0:16:29 > 0:16:35I wasn't looking for a workspace, however I do like your desk.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39So I am a little bit concerned with regards to this paper,
0:16:39 > 0:16:44I'm not particularly keen on the faux effect of the brick,
0:16:44 > 0:16:48I'm not sure whether it would look almost a bit cheap, to be honest with you.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51I'm going to fill that with some wood like this.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54Not 100% on filling it with logs,
0:16:54 > 0:16:56I think you could do something a little bit more bold
0:16:56 > 0:16:59and design-y in there, otherwise...
0:17:00 > 0:17:02..I'd have filled it with logs or candles.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06It's not just any old logs, it's round logs.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10Lynne is working hard to persuade her client to agree to
0:17:10 > 0:17:11some of her Scandie details.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17The rest of it I think will be spot on, and hopefully
0:17:17 > 0:17:21and probably look beautiful, so I'm looking forward to that.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25I loved her ideas, she created a Scandinavian feel,
0:17:25 > 0:17:29something quite fresh and bright with lots of light.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33I also love with Lynne that she had some local references,
0:17:33 > 0:17:37there's a slight industrial look she wants to go for.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39I don't know if they were a bit lost on Calvin because he was
0:17:39 > 0:17:42so concerned about that faux wallpaper, that was the big
0:17:42 > 0:17:45elephant in the room that wasn't going to move, was it?
0:17:45 > 0:17:48She's got quite a challenge ahead of herself,
0:17:48 > 0:17:50not only with a very difficult space,
0:17:50 > 0:17:52but actually a client who I think is going to be a little bit picky.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00My major concerns at the moment are just the timescale
0:18:00 > 0:18:02and getting everything done for Calvin.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06There's quite a lot to do and also just coming up with something
0:18:06 > 0:18:08for the fireplace situation.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12Firegate. So we just need to have a bit of a rethink there
0:18:12 > 0:18:14and come up with something new.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19But before choosing different wallpaper,
0:18:19 > 0:18:22she has a lot of dark paint to cover.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25If we did put the white coat on then this strong colour would come
0:18:25 > 0:18:28through and probably affect the colour of the grey paint that
0:18:28 > 0:18:32I'm using and I wouldn't get the real colour that I'm going for.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36Each of our three designers' projects are up and running.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39The latest in a line of changes that these houses have seen
0:18:39 > 0:18:42across their 124-year history.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49When Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837,
0:18:49 > 0:18:53Salford was little more than a village, a few farms and cottages.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55Within 50 years it had swelled into a city,
0:18:55 > 0:18:59a dense network of streets was built. Many homes had back alleys
0:18:59 > 0:19:01like this where people would throw the ash from their fires.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05Many didn't even have these, they were literally back-to-back.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12To give you some idea just how tightly packed these houses
0:19:12 > 0:19:15could be, we found this genuine Victorian cobbled street,
0:19:15 > 0:19:18minus the yellow lines, which from one side to the other
0:19:18 > 0:19:20just 86 inches, 2m from here...
0:19:23 > 0:19:24..to here.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26That's wide enough for a hand cart,
0:19:26 > 0:19:29but you'd struggle to fit a horse and cart through this.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34But many early houses were so badly constructed,
0:19:34 > 0:19:37often built without foundations, that none survive today.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42Fortunately these later terraces were built of sturdier stuff,
0:19:42 > 0:19:45well deserving of an interior update.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51To make her colourful shabby/chic scheme work
0:19:51 > 0:19:53practically for family life,
0:19:53 > 0:19:55Susan has given herself a lot to do.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00A built-in cupboard in each one of these alcoves
0:20:00 > 0:20:02with three shelves above.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05We're going to have a built-in cupboard
0:20:05 > 0:20:08again in that unit, mirroring there.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12I have a cast iron fireplace to fit on this wall and so you're going to
0:20:12 > 0:20:16fit that in the wall there, that'll come across like that.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22Back in Kent, Susan's focus is her family,
0:20:22 > 0:20:25who all appreciate her ability to make a house a home.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28I guess when I was younger, I thought
0:20:28 > 0:20:30everyone's mum made cushions,
0:20:30 > 0:20:32made curtains, stuff like that.
0:20:32 > 0:20:37And then I started a family and kind of realised actually
0:20:37 > 0:20:41she is amazing, she can do all these things...
0:20:42 > 0:20:43..and I can't.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47But artistic Susan has no formal design training.
0:20:47 > 0:20:52My style is a bit theatre, really, I'm on show.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56I can do most things, I can sew, I can paint.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59I don't do electrics and I don't do plumbing and I've never
0:20:59 > 0:21:02tried my hand at bricklaying, but I can do most other things.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07No bricklaying required back in Salford,
0:21:07 > 0:21:09but she has had to rethink her colour scheme.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14- I see it's green.- Yes. - So you're going for green?- Yes.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17I could see that they really weren't going to go for the pink.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19And with the blue, it's a bit sort of...
0:21:19 > 0:21:21I have lots of bright colours to go in here.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23- Are you going to zing it up? - Oh, gosh, yes.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26Sometimes you see designers come in and say, "I've chosen pink,
0:21:26 > 0:21:28"it's what you're going to get,"
0:21:28 > 0:21:31and sometimes you have to say, "OK, throw that out, we'll move on."
0:21:31 > 0:21:35I had other ideas, but I was passionate about the pink.
0:21:35 > 0:21:40I was also rather chuffed that you picked up on using rag rugs,
0:21:40 > 0:21:43because also they have lots of nice bright colours in them
0:21:43 > 0:21:46that you can pick out with other bits and pieces.
0:21:46 > 0:21:47That's what I thought.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50Get that green paint on the wall, sorry about the pink,
0:21:50 > 0:21:51and see you soon.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54- It'll still look good. - It will be fabulous.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03Practical Nigel has designed new storage units for the walls,
0:22:03 > 0:22:05but he's less sure what to do elsewhere.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10These fireplaces, I'm not quite sure what to do with yet.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13I think I could probably tidy this one up a bit and put something in
0:22:13 > 0:22:16there to make it look a bit homelier, the other one is still
0:22:16 > 0:22:19concerning me a bit, I'm really not quite sure about that one yet.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21At the moment it's just blanked out,
0:22:21 > 0:22:23there's a mirror I might try and use.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32No. I'll keep thinking about it
0:22:32 > 0:22:35and hope for some inspiration, maybe someone else
0:22:35 > 0:22:38will come up with a brilliant idea that I haven't thought of.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42At his home in south east London,
0:22:42 > 0:22:46Nigel's love of period interiors is obvious to see.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52I think my style's a fairly sort of classic period, but I like to
0:22:52 > 0:22:57add a little contemporary twist or a bit of humour or a bit of drama.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59I just love the fact that there are so many fabrics
0:22:59 > 0:23:00and wallpapers around.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03It's really sort of exciting to go out and find things
0:23:03 > 0:23:04and source items.
0:23:05 > 0:23:11I like some quite bold patterns, I suppose this room shows that off.
0:23:11 > 0:23:16I'm not a huge fan of ultra modern interiors.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22So, this is the main colour for the walls.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25Obviously there's a bit of a brown showing through
0:23:25 > 0:23:27at the moment from underneath, but it's a nice colour.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31I think it will be quite warm. Pleased with the choice so far.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35Nigel's fashionable grey paint would have been popular in Victorian
0:23:35 > 0:23:39times, although they often favoured stronger colours like rich reds,
0:23:39 > 0:23:42dark blues and greens.
0:23:42 > 0:23:43Nearly done the first coat.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49This is the home straight. It's looking pretty good so far.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52So, with the second coat... I think it should look really good.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57For her bright Scandinavian design, Lynne
0:23:57 > 0:24:01and her builder are painting over the room's original dark colours.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03Shall I start rollering? Is there two rollers?
0:24:03 > 0:24:06Shall I just carry on with my brush here?
0:24:06 > 0:24:09But she also wants to bring a Victorian element to the scheme.
0:24:09 > 0:24:15I am painting using this chalk-based paint over this old desk.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19The beauty of this paint is that the furniture doesn't need sanding
0:24:19 > 0:24:21down or anything, I have cleaned it with
0:24:21 > 0:24:24a bit of a sugar soap just to make sure there's no furniture polish
0:24:24 > 0:24:28or spilt coffee or anything there that could affect the final finish.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32But it's just slap it on, any which way, and it's a very forgiving
0:24:32 > 0:24:36paint which looks amazing when it's finished.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46At home in Buckinghamshire, re-purposing old furniture is
0:24:46 > 0:24:50second nature to Lynne, who's house is a showcase of her creations.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54I'm always doing something,
0:24:54 > 0:24:57last week it was dip dying a duvet cover. Paintings, pictures,
0:24:57 > 0:25:01crayon art with the kids, I just love trying new things.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04It becomes a bit of a game to me, if I see something I'll challenge
0:25:04 > 0:25:07myself and think, "How on earth can I make that at home for no money?"
0:25:07 > 0:25:11This is the living room, I wanted it to look a bit like a ski lodge
0:25:11 > 0:25:16at the end of the day, all cosy with lots of furs and comfy cushions.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20I used the wood to give it that sort of rustic feel in here,
0:25:20 > 0:25:23a cosy feel, it's a great way of filling up an old shelf.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25Nothing in my house ever cost a lot,
0:25:25 > 0:25:27it just needs a bit of time spent on it.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32And it's time that Lynne is putting into revamping this
0:25:32 > 0:25:36second-hand desk she picked up for just £90.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39I think everybody looks at these pieces sometimes and thinks,
0:25:39 > 0:25:42"That's so untrendy, I would never have that in my house.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46"It's something that's really gone out of fashion,"
0:25:46 > 0:25:52but I think, fingers crossed, that it can, with a bit of work,
0:25:52 > 0:25:57come back and look something amazing. A bit special.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59She plans to paint the Victorian desk grey
0:25:59 > 0:26:03and give it a distressed treatment later on for an industrial look.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06I'm in a hole!
0:26:09 > 0:26:11It's late afternoon on day one.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16Can't wait to see it all finished and the rug, the fireplace,
0:26:16 > 0:26:17everything going in.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22I would have been more excited if it was pink, but hey, ho.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29Whilst Susan finishes off her first coat of green paint, she's keen
0:26:29 > 0:26:34for her builder to start work on reinstalling the £40 fireplace.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36Done it now.
0:26:36 > 0:26:37There's no going back.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42In the 1950s and '60s, a trend for covering fireplaces
0:26:42 > 0:26:46began in order to fit gas and electric alternatives.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48Susan now wants to restore the traditional look.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51Oh, we've hit a plasterboard.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57There's something else behind there.
0:26:58 > 0:26:59Got air bricks behind it.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02Oh, dear.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05It's up to you. If you want me to carry on, see if I can...
0:27:05 > 0:27:06smash it out.
0:27:08 > 0:27:09I think it's scary.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12They were expecting to find plasterboard,
0:27:12 > 0:27:15but bricks present a far harder task.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17Trouble is, where's the lintel?
0:27:19 > 0:27:21As long as they're not doing anything structural,
0:27:21 > 0:27:24which I don't think they are,
0:27:24 > 0:27:26we're just going through the original hole.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29Not taking anything out that wasn't originally out.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35When it's not a horrible time of the night for the neighbours,
0:27:35 > 0:27:38we're going to chisel these out.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40Fingers crossed. Fingers crossed we might be right.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44And time is slipping away for all three designers.
0:27:44 > 0:27:49The big job is the painting now, apart from building the cupboards.
0:27:49 > 0:27:53There's a few fiddly things which might take a while, I think,
0:27:53 > 0:27:55longer than I expected.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58Excellent. Great. More tomorrow.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01Lots to do. Good night. Sleep needed.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16After a busy first day of design discussion
0:28:16 > 0:28:17and a whole lot of painting,
0:28:17 > 0:28:20it's day two and there's still a lot of work to do.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24Having such large double reception rooms,
0:28:24 > 0:28:29the designers must be particularly creative with their £1,000 budget.
0:28:29 > 0:28:30- Morning.- Morning.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36Lynne's arrived to find her room's not how she left it.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39- What is it?- Damp.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42Not great, is it?
0:28:44 > 0:28:48I'm going to have to dry it out some way, a bit stumped.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51We need to turn on some sunshine in Manchester and heat the room up
0:28:51 > 0:28:56and get that dried out a bit so we can do the next layer. Tricky!
0:28:58 > 0:29:01Aside from damp walls, Lynne's client didn't like her
0:29:01 > 0:29:04original brick wallpaper, so she's chosen a replacement.
0:29:04 > 0:29:08Not going to wallpaper until tomorrow morning, so this wall we can do,
0:29:08 > 0:29:10but we can't do the fireplace until tomorrow morning.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13I thought it'd be easier, but we can't do it until last thing.
0:29:13 > 0:29:15And the requests keep on coming.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18Overnight, he's had a little bit of a think about the curtain situation
0:29:18 > 0:29:21and he's really adamant that he doesn't want curtains
0:29:21 > 0:29:22to go to the floor.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25And then he also mentioned that he would like us to knock through this
0:29:25 > 0:29:29and turn it from the arch into a square opening...
0:29:32 > 0:29:35..a little bit late to perhaps be thinking about that
0:29:35 > 0:29:36because we've painted it.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39He's worried about the arch being old-fashioned, and you can't
0:29:39 > 0:29:43see it as much now, it was two colours before and it's sort of
0:29:43 > 0:29:47blended into itself, so it actually looks, I think, a lot better than it
0:29:47 > 0:29:51did anyway, so I think he's going to be pleasantly surprised with that.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56This is the first time that I've had to deal with somebody else's
0:29:56 > 0:30:00opinions, but at the end of the day it's their house, so...
0:30:00 > 0:30:04they are perfectly entitled to do that. We're all up for a challenge.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08Having hit a brick wall last night,
0:30:08 > 0:30:11Susan has prioritised getting other jobs done this morning.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15Just finishing off the last bit of painting on the walls
0:30:15 > 0:30:18and it's really nice to see the room coming together.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21The cupboards are being built now and the fireplace will be
0:30:21 > 0:30:25going in soon, so I think it's going to look good.
0:30:25 > 0:30:26Why do I like painting?
0:30:26 > 0:30:30You get instant results. And transform something so quickly.
0:30:30 > 0:30:32Sitting back and...
0:30:32 > 0:30:35think at the end of the day, and you think, gosh, you know,
0:30:35 > 0:30:37you've changed all this, and doesn't it look good?
0:30:39 > 0:30:41But with the hand-painted dining table
0:30:41 > 0:30:45and handmade lampshades not started, Susan still has a lot to do.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48When I've finished painting, I'm going to do some crafty things
0:30:48 > 0:30:51and I'm going to be sitting at the table for an hour or two
0:30:51 > 0:30:54just doing a few... Have a few bits to make.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03I was thinking about the fireplaces yesterday.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06Woke up in the middle of the night and suddenly thought of an idea,
0:31:06 > 0:31:09which is to take this panel off,
0:31:09 > 0:31:12so I'm just going to make sure there are no horrors behind here.
0:31:14 > 0:31:15Ah!
0:31:15 > 0:31:17Whoa! Put it back on!
0:31:17 > 0:31:18THEY LAUGH
0:31:18 > 0:31:22Just a bit of soot and ash but nothing too horrendous behind there.
0:31:22 > 0:31:26So, I wonder... Might not actually fill it right up to the top
0:31:26 > 0:31:27with logs cos...
0:31:28 > 0:31:31..it might be just quite nice to put some in the bottom.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35So, we just need to clean this off and then somehow use the frame
0:31:35 > 0:31:41from the mirror just to put an edge around to hide the sharpness here.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44And I think that might work quite well, actually.
0:31:44 > 0:31:48Nigel's builder is constructing the storage units,
0:31:48 > 0:31:52while Nigel paints his surfaces his special shade of grey.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55It's a sort of historic paint colour.
0:31:55 > 0:32:00I think this one's been around since the 18th century so it's possible
0:32:00 > 0:32:04that it would've been used in this type of house when it was built.
0:32:04 > 0:32:06But also it has quite a contemporary look to it, as well,
0:32:06 > 0:32:08so I think it'll provide...
0:32:08 > 0:32:11Sort of bring all the room together by connecting all the woodwork
0:32:11 > 0:32:13with the same colour.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16It's looking good. I'm really pleased with the colour, it's lovely.
0:32:16 > 0:32:20Nigel hopes his period but contemporary colour scheme
0:32:20 > 0:32:23will restore the house back to its Victorian glory.
0:32:24 > 0:32:28Our 1819 houses were built on what was then the very edge of the city.
0:32:28 > 0:32:30This was the very start of mass commuting.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34Living on the edge of town meant larger, grander houses,
0:32:34 > 0:32:37closer to nature - a sure sign of social status.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40In fact, these houses would once have had railings right up to here
0:32:40 > 0:32:44before they were melted down for scrap in the Second World War.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48Despite their relative grandeur,
0:32:48 > 0:32:50they predate many building regulations,
0:32:50 > 0:32:53like compulsory damp coursing.
0:32:53 > 0:32:55The heaters are really starting to work.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58They're really sucking that moisture out, so that's great.
0:32:58 > 0:33:02It is about 400 degrees in here, though. We're all...glowing.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05Industrial heaters are only a short-term solution.
0:33:05 > 0:33:09Homeowner Kelvin will have to solve the issue in time.
0:33:09 > 0:33:14We've picked up the pace and I think we're back on schedule.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17Which is the good news. If we don't all pass out with heat exhaustion!
0:33:17 > 0:33:22Lynne's Scandinavian scheme wasn't an instant hit with her client.
0:33:22 > 0:33:27So she's making sure there are plenty of Victorian touches in the room.
0:33:27 > 0:33:32We just discovered that we do actually need probably another two pieces of the picture rail,
0:33:32 > 0:33:35so we now need to nip out, pop out to the shops.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39Lynne, it looks like you're making real headway.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41Getting there. Yeah, I'm on my second coat now.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44I've done a base coat in a lighter colour
0:33:44 > 0:33:49and now I'm going over the top with this darker shade. This is the final shade that I want.
0:33:49 > 0:33:51But I've done a coat underneath so that when you knock it back,
0:33:51 > 0:33:54as they call it, or sand it at the end of the process,
0:33:54 > 0:33:56it reveals a different colour underneath,
0:33:56 > 0:34:01and then you put a wax on the top of it and it protects it, waterproofs it.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04- Gives it a nice sheen as well.- Yeah. - And have you got any ideas?
0:34:04 > 0:34:08I've seen people use brushing techniques to put their wax on, or lint-free cloths.
0:34:08 > 0:34:10I use one of my daughter's old school socks.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13It allows you to get around all the corners and all the grooves
0:34:13 > 0:34:15cos you've just got it on rather than a cloth.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18I am a little bit concerned about Lynne. She's got a difficult room there.
0:34:18 > 0:34:20It's dark paint, there's been damp coming up,
0:34:20 > 0:34:24the owner's quite choosy, yet...she's doing well.
0:34:27 > 0:34:31This is the fittings for the centre lights. This is my own design.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35I bought them from a shop local in Kent
0:34:35 > 0:34:37and I've hand-painted the fabric.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41Susan's crafting her unique light fitting using decorative,
0:34:41 > 0:34:45coloured flex bought online for around £3 per metre.
0:34:45 > 0:34:51They're all going to hang at different lengths from the ceiling in one single rose.
0:34:51 > 0:34:55I hope they'll like it. I think they WILL like it. I do.
0:34:55 > 0:34:57Hope they will.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00They seemed to like the little drawing, which wasn't very good!
0:35:00 > 0:35:03Susan has chosen £15 shades,
0:35:03 > 0:35:06but with five per light in both ends of the room,
0:35:06 > 0:35:10this stacks up to £150 of her budget.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13The colours are going to look amazing against the greens
0:35:13 > 0:35:16and the blue, and it's going to join each room together.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19I'm very, very excited! Can't you see? I feel happy again!
0:35:19 > 0:35:21Susan's doing a great job with her brief.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25Her homeowners, they wanted colour, they wanted a fireplace,
0:35:25 > 0:35:29they wanted fitted storage, they wanted all their furniture painted.
0:35:29 > 0:35:33A lot to fit in but she's going for it. She's going to try and do it all.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36I think we're quite excited in what she's going to produce.
0:35:38 > 0:35:42Nigel's grey paint job is finally complete,
0:35:42 > 0:35:46and now his list-making skills are coming into their own.
0:35:46 > 0:35:47I think I've planned quite well
0:35:47 > 0:35:53and I do a lot of project work back at the bank, so, hopefully,
0:35:53 > 0:35:57I know what needs doing and I'll hopefully remain fairly calm.
0:35:57 > 0:35:59At least on the surface!
0:36:01 > 0:36:04Nigel's designed a lot of new storage,
0:36:04 > 0:36:06which is taking time to build.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10So, he's left following instructions.
0:36:10 > 0:36:13Having a few problems with this flat-pack at the moment.
0:36:13 > 0:36:17Seems to be a screw hole that may be in the wrong place.
0:36:17 > 0:36:19And I think it's been made wrongly.
0:36:19 > 0:36:21I don't think it can possibly be my fault!
0:36:22 > 0:36:27Flat-pack furniture is the ultimate in mass-market design.
0:36:27 > 0:36:31Mass-marketing is also a concept in the very DNA of these streets.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34Most terraces like this were built without an architect
0:36:34 > 0:36:37but the Industrial Revolution meant mass production -
0:36:37 > 0:36:41mass production of all the bricks, the tiles and all the other elements that make up a house,
0:36:41 > 0:36:46so that builders and developers could churn out terraces like this up and down the land.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52These houses were built in short sections over several years.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54The builders only had the money to develop a few at a time,
0:36:54 > 0:36:57investing what they earned on the last build on the next one.
0:36:57 > 0:37:02You can see the disjointed roofline between two sections up there.
0:37:05 > 0:37:10Just like the roofs, the rooms being updated are all slightly different.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13So, in order to assess the designers' creativity,
0:37:13 > 0:37:16the judges are asking them all to personalise an identical clock,
0:37:16 > 0:37:19in keeping with their schemes.
0:37:19 > 0:37:24I'm going to rough this up and paint it with a sort of mahogany colour.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27Painting wood effects was quite a Victorian thing, actually.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30They would very often use cheap wood and then try
0:37:30 > 0:37:34and apply a paint finish to give a sort of good mahogany look.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38- Do you want to see the progress so far?- Yeah, why not?
0:37:38 > 0:37:41I'm looking at the progress from here! I'm not very sure.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44- Nigel, what are you doing there? - I'll talk you through it.- All right.
0:37:44 > 0:37:50What I thought I would try and do is create a sort of Victorian paint effect.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53- They use combs to create a graining effect on it.- Yep.
0:37:53 > 0:37:58- But it's quite tiny.- It's too small, yeah, so I'm just going to sort of leave it a brushed effect.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00Is this a first time for you? Are you much of a crafter?
0:38:00 > 0:38:04- It is a first time, yes, as you can probably tell!- Good for you!
0:38:04 > 0:38:07- Good for you for having a go! - I'm not saying anything.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10I was a little bit concerned about Nigel's clock.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14Oh, Daniel, you were SO mean to him about that! He's having a pop at it.
0:38:14 > 0:38:18You can see he's completely out of his comfort zone with that.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21- It isn't going to be the best piece in the room, I'm kind of resigned to that.- Mm-hm.
0:38:25 > 0:38:31At the moment, I am decoupaging a clock with vintage comics.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33I just thought it might be a bit fun.
0:38:33 > 0:38:38Decoupage is a paper collage glued onto a surface and set with varnish.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40Comics actually are really great for decoupaging
0:38:40 > 0:38:43cos they're a nice thin paper and they mould quite easily
0:38:43 > 0:38:47around things, and also, the colour in them is set,
0:38:47 > 0:38:50so even when you put the glue on, on certain things it runs
0:38:50 > 0:38:53and ruins the picture, but for some reason, comics don't do that.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01Meanwhile, the clock is the last thing on Susan's mind,
0:39:01 > 0:39:03as her fireplace still isn't in.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09- Brilliant! No treasure!- We've got ourselves a hole.- And no treasure.
0:39:09 > 0:39:13- No treasure, no rats, no dead pigeons...- No dead pigeons. Nothing.
0:39:13 > 0:39:16- ..which makes me think maybe it's blocked up, which is good.- OK.
0:39:16 > 0:39:17Well done.
0:39:17 > 0:39:22And she's yet to finish painting the dining table and chairs in her signature style.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25I think the chairs have taken a little bit longer than I thought.
0:39:27 > 0:39:31I'd like to finish the table before I leave and I'll definitely sleep better for knowing it's done.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34It's the end of the second day.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37Lynne is concerned about the chimney breast
0:39:37 > 0:39:40after her client didn't like the original brick wallpaper.
0:39:40 > 0:39:41Kelvin and I had a chat.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44And he's keen on the texture idea but he just didn't like the brick,
0:39:44 > 0:39:48so I've sourced a wallpaper which looks...
0:39:48 > 0:39:52Sort of a hessian effect and, erm...
0:39:52 > 0:39:55that's arriving tomorrow, so we're cutting it quite fine.
0:39:57 > 0:40:02Little bit behind where I expected we would be. The cupboards have been a bit awkward to do.
0:40:02 > 0:40:06And Nigel's still not attempted his fiddly wall transfer.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09I'm sure it'll be a bit of a rush but I think we'll get there.
0:40:09 > 0:40:14Tomorrow, Sophie and Daniel will decide who shows the most potential
0:40:14 > 0:40:16to go through to the next round.
0:40:29 > 0:40:34With lots of work still to do, it's an early start for the designers.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37- Finished the shelves.- Yup.- Cupboard door. Knobs on the cupboard doors,
0:40:37 > 0:40:41- and then put the shelves up with the light in. Ceiling lights...- Yes.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44- And then curtain rails to go up as well.- Cool, OK.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46That's not too much(!)
0:40:47 > 0:40:48Top of his list -
0:40:48 > 0:40:52the tricky wall transfer Nigel hopes will be the centrepiece of the room.
0:40:53 > 0:40:57So far, it seems to be going very well
0:40:57 > 0:41:00so it's a case of taking the backing off and sticking them on the wall...
0:41:01 > 0:41:04..using... Well, as a banker, I shouldn't be suggesting you use
0:41:04 > 0:41:07a credit card but... it works very well.
0:41:07 > 0:41:12These self-adhesive vinyl transfers can be bought online for less than £100.
0:41:12 > 0:41:16With a range of colours and designs, they're a simple way to transform a room.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19So this is a quite exciting moment, I think.
0:41:26 > 0:41:30Yay! Wallpaper! Special delivery!
0:41:30 > 0:41:32Oh, it's brilliant!
0:41:32 > 0:41:39I'm just sizing the walls at the moment so that it seals the walls, makes them less porous
0:41:39 > 0:41:43and helps the wallpaper slide around so that when we put it on, it's a bit easier to do.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45It's late to be wallpapering
0:41:45 > 0:41:48and the other feature wall also needs finishing.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51But Lynne is still finding time to fit in other jobs.
0:41:51 > 0:41:56I'm just quickly dip-dyeing, improvising with what we've got at the moment cos I want to dip-dye
0:41:56 > 0:42:01some cushion covers to give a sort of two-tonal effect.
0:42:01 > 0:42:02So, just pop it in.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05Being really careful not to splash, and, hopefully,
0:42:05 > 0:42:11you will get a two-toned, designer-looking cushion
0:42:11 > 0:42:15for hardly any money at all. Right, let's leave that.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17We've got lots to crack on with.
0:42:19 > 0:42:23Susan finally starts up-cycling her clock.
0:42:23 > 0:42:28Starting by tearing up some old maps, prints of old maps,
0:42:28 > 0:42:31of Manchester and Salford. I don't know where any of these places are!
0:42:32 > 0:42:36Try and find Strangeways, actually. That'll be quite nice.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39Strangeways! I've found it! I had to get that in, didn't I?
0:42:42 > 0:42:45While Susan's builder finishes the storage,
0:42:45 > 0:42:47she's completing the paint job on the table.
0:42:47 > 0:42:53Tried to block this table off in blocks rather like a chessboard,
0:42:53 > 0:42:56just to make it a bit more interesting,
0:42:56 > 0:42:59and I'm just trying to outline them a bit where I've...
0:42:59 > 0:43:00Been done very roughly,
0:43:00 > 0:43:05just by using brushstrokes in different directions.
0:43:05 > 0:43:09Yeah. Yeah, I think it's making it look more interesting.
0:43:09 > 0:43:11It looks a bit like an old tablecloth, doesn't it?
0:43:11 > 0:43:16Susan creates her crisscross pattern with an acrylic eggshell paint
0:43:16 > 0:43:18in typically bright colours.
0:43:18 > 0:43:24I'm going to try something else, bit more colour, just subtlely.
0:43:25 > 0:43:27I'm trying to give them a design
0:43:27 > 0:43:31but with a look of just blobby paint.
0:43:32 > 0:43:34Just building up colour.
0:43:34 > 0:43:37Our amateur designers are now busily applying the final touches
0:43:37 > 0:43:41to their projects, and they're almost ready to be seen by the homeowners.
0:43:41 > 0:43:47How they feel about their new-look rooms will help the judges decide who goes through to the next round.
0:43:49 > 0:43:53After damp issues, late deliveries and ambitious workloads,
0:43:53 > 0:43:56all three designers are running late.
0:43:56 > 0:44:00But their vast Victorian double reception rooms are coming together.
0:44:01 > 0:44:03Other way!
0:44:03 > 0:44:05Why is that not screwing in?
0:44:05 > 0:44:09All I've got left is to sign it. I shall put a pair of red lips on the side.
0:44:13 > 0:44:16It will be up to the judges to decide which designer
0:44:16 > 0:44:20has most imaginatively followed their clients' brief.
0:44:20 > 0:44:23I'm happy with the colour scheme and everything that's gone in it
0:44:23 > 0:44:26but I'm not happy with the finish I'm achieving.
0:44:31 > 0:44:35Lynne's client didn't originally like the idea of logs in the fireplace.
0:44:35 > 0:44:38So I've come up with a little idea of maybe intertwining
0:44:38 > 0:44:42some fairy lights through the logs so he can flick it on
0:44:42 > 0:44:47and it becomes a little bit of a feature, a bit cosy-looking. That's lovely.
0:44:52 > 0:44:54- Er...- Can I have another, please?
0:44:58 > 0:45:03Right, OK. So... We're just about done now.
0:45:03 > 0:45:07Just clearing away a few last bits of debris.
0:45:07 > 0:45:09I've still got my list in my pocket.
0:45:09 > 0:45:13I've no idea whether I've ticked half of the things off, let alone all of them!
0:45:13 > 0:45:15Oof... Wow!
0:45:15 > 0:45:17It's finished.
0:45:20 > 0:45:22First to be seen by the judges is Lynne's room.
0:45:24 > 0:45:27Her brief was to create a warm, elegant living room
0:45:27 > 0:45:30using natural materials and Victorian touches.
0:45:32 > 0:45:37Three days ago, this room was dark, damp and in need of an update.
0:45:47 > 0:45:49Now Lynne has brought her Scandinavian style
0:45:49 > 0:45:52to brighten up the whole room.
0:45:52 > 0:45:57She's given the alcove a proper function with upcycled desk.
0:45:57 > 0:46:00And she's added a picture rail for period detail.
0:46:00 > 0:46:03Two feature wallpapers create drama...
0:46:06 > 0:46:10..and texture, giving the room a fashionable edge.
0:46:12 > 0:46:16And Lynne dressed the fireplace with her signature logs.
0:46:19 > 0:46:22- Blimey!- That is a transformation, isn't it?- That is!
0:46:22 > 0:46:26It was just a very dark, oppressive room that had a lot of heavy colour
0:46:26 > 0:46:28that was killing this room off and...
0:46:28 > 0:46:32it's light and bright and there's some beautiful details.
0:46:32 > 0:46:36There's a lot of thought and a lot of style she's brought to this room.
0:46:36 > 0:46:39He did ask for some Victorian references as well,
0:46:39 > 0:46:43and you've got it with the desk, which works fantastic.
0:46:43 > 0:46:46She really pulled that one off and I was really worried about it. And...
0:46:48 > 0:46:51- ..the customisation.- Yeah, that's come out rather well, hasn't it?
0:46:51 > 0:46:54- Isn't that neat? - That's very humorous, I think. - Yeah, that's really cool.
0:46:54 > 0:46:57And I love the glow of the bulb on the reflective wallpaper.
0:46:57 > 0:47:02I know. I think actually the wallpaper is the big impression for me, actually.
0:47:02 > 0:47:05It's a really nice trick cos when you've got quite a dark and dingy room,
0:47:05 > 0:47:08you need all the help you can get and if you're pinging off a bit more light off the walls,
0:47:08 > 0:47:13- it just helps lift this space, doesn't it?- Yeah. And then the cosy sitting room on the other side.
0:47:13 > 0:47:17And it does feel SO much more cosy, as she's added cushions to the sofas,
0:47:17 > 0:47:19which I think's just helped
0:47:19 > 0:47:23- lighten up that very blocky lump of colour that she had.- Exactly.
0:47:23 > 0:47:25But what I've been dying to have a look at is this.
0:47:25 > 0:47:27Right here, this was the big compromise.
0:47:27 > 0:47:32She had an idea for a very bold graphic, brick wallpaper, it was going to be quite a statement.
0:47:32 > 0:47:35She's had to go for something a lot more subtle. But it's nice, isn't it?
0:47:35 > 0:47:39Well, I'm not so sure. It's flat but I was expecting some texture.
0:47:39 > 0:47:41- I like the logs inside there. - He wanted a feature.
0:47:41 > 0:47:44- But he was a bit underwhelmed by her idea of logs at the presentation. - Yes, he was.
0:47:44 > 0:47:48But adding that little bit of sparkle, I hope she wins him over with that one.
0:47:50 > 0:47:56A key point for the judges is how well the designers followed their clients' brief.
0:47:56 > 0:48:00Lynne had to persuade client Kelvin on some aspects of the design.
0:48:00 > 0:48:03This is the first time he will see the finished room.
0:48:03 > 0:48:09OK, we're in the moment of truth! Come on in to your new living room!
0:48:09 > 0:48:11What are your initial impressions?
0:48:12 > 0:48:14Erm... It's grey, it's, er...
0:48:16 > 0:48:22- Oh... It's not me, really.- It's not you?- No. No, it's not. It's er...
0:48:22 > 0:48:25It's nice, it's attractive, it's...
0:48:27 > 0:48:29Erm...
0:48:29 > 0:48:31You seem a bit nonplussed.
0:48:31 > 0:48:35Yeah, I can never get excited with logs in a fireplace and,
0:48:35 > 0:48:38you know, I'm a bit disappointed that she didn't pick up on that.
0:48:38 > 0:48:40This textured wallpaper was quite nice.
0:48:40 > 0:48:45- Overall, I'm not getting the vibe from you...- No, you're not going to get a vibe, I'm afraid.
0:48:45 > 0:48:50Little bits and bobs are OK but little bits and bobs are just bits and bobs, aren't they?
0:48:50 > 0:48:52Next up is Nigel's design.
0:48:55 > 0:48:59His client asked for a contemporary but practical family living room.
0:49:01 > 0:49:06Three days ago, it was very ordinary and empty-feeling with a beige colour scheme.
0:49:17 > 0:49:19Now it's fresh and up-to-date,
0:49:19 > 0:49:23with a fashionable colour scheme and bold feature wall.
0:49:24 > 0:49:29Nigel's added cupboards and shelving to meet the family's storage needs.
0:49:31 > 0:49:34He's made more of the room's period features
0:49:34 > 0:49:36by opening up an original fireplace.
0:49:38 > 0:49:42And has updated the family dining area with a new table.
0:49:43 > 0:49:48Sophie, come in. The calm after the storm, eh?
0:49:48 > 0:49:50- That stencil idea is fantastic. - Really clever idea.
0:49:50 > 0:49:53I think it's very simple, it's very elegant,
0:49:53 > 0:49:57- and you remember they had that cabinet there before which they hated.- And it was dead, wasn't it?
0:49:57 > 0:50:00And their solution was to fill that with storage
0:50:00 > 0:50:03but he's been very clever and kept that as a nice feature in the room
0:50:03 > 0:50:05and then put the storage either side.
0:50:05 > 0:50:09And Nigel's idea was that you're looking at a tree or a forest
0:50:09 > 0:50:10and that you would look into it,
0:50:10 > 0:50:14and I sort of think that works in a sort of shadowy way.
0:50:14 > 0:50:17That's not good. Look at those shelves.
0:50:17 > 0:50:20All he would've needed was a plate on the front painted in the same colour
0:50:20 > 0:50:24- and it would've hidden that lighting and all the flexes.- Yeah.
0:50:24 > 0:50:27I can see the customisation from here.
0:50:27 > 0:50:29It's in the wrong place. Why is it there?
0:50:29 > 0:50:34A mantel clock means it goes on the mantel like that. That would be much nicer.
0:50:34 > 0:50:37But he's painted it brown.
0:50:37 > 0:50:41Yeah, I think he just could've been a bit wilder cos it's very calm.
0:50:47 > 0:50:49- So, ta-da!- Oh, my...
0:50:49 > 0:50:53- What do you make of it? - Brilliant.- Amazing! Yeah.
0:50:53 > 0:50:56Look at the trees. We were a bit worried about the trees, weren't we?
0:50:56 > 0:50:59How they would look. But it really goes, doesn't it?
0:50:59 > 0:51:03I really am lost for words. It's absolutely stunning.
0:51:03 > 0:51:07- So, do you think Nigel did a good job?- Oh, yeah, completely. - Absolutely.- Yeah.
0:51:09 > 0:51:11Finally, Susan's design.
0:51:12 > 0:51:15She was given the task of creating a bright, shabby-chic living room
0:51:15 > 0:51:18for relaxing and entertaining.
0:51:19 > 0:51:24Three days ago, there were glimmers of personality here but it lacked an overall theme.
0:51:37 > 0:51:40Now it's a bold, bright and colourful room.
0:51:42 > 0:51:45Susan put back in an original fireplace...
0:51:46 > 0:51:48..added a rag rug...
0:51:48 > 0:51:52and lace at the windows, in keeping with the Victorian era.
0:51:54 > 0:51:57She had some cupboards and storage built in,
0:51:57 > 0:52:01and completely updated Becky and Richard's dining table and chairs
0:52:01 > 0:52:04with her unique paint-effect design.
0:52:07 > 0:52:10Even the bespoke light fitting is bursting with colour.
0:52:12 > 0:52:13Whoosh!
0:52:17 > 0:52:21Oh, she's a master of colour! Isn't she? Look at the yellows.
0:52:21 > 0:52:24This is like being in a Van Gogh painting, isn't it?
0:52:24 > 0:52:28This chequerboard's like a tablecloth. I mean, she's got lovely brushstrokes going on here.
0:52:28 > 0:52:32- It's really like an artist's palette, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:52:32 > 0:52:36Well, I've seen some paint effects in my time and most of them are disasters.
0:52:36 > 0:52:39But this isn't. This is fun, this is true artist in here.
0:52:39 > 0:52:41I want to have a look at these colours, as well.
0:52:41 > 0:52:44They're looking a bit unfinished, I have to say.
0:52:44 > 0:52:50They're not quite done. I can see the edges missing and all that but the storage idea is really good.
0:52:50 > 0:52:54But there's no doubt that she was being very ambitious with her build.
0:52:54 > 0:52:59I mean, that's a lot of fitted storage, an enormous amount of painted furniture.
0:52:59 > 0:53:03I did wonder whether she was going to get it all done. She hasn't.
0:53:03 > 0:53:05- But...- No, she hasn't.
0:53:05 > 0:53:08- ..the fireplace is in. - The fireplace is in.
0:53:08 > 0:53:12And it's black-leaded and it looks gorgeous. Very pleased with that.
0:53:12 > 0:53:14It would've been nice to see a bit of a hearth in there.
0:53:14 > 0:53:19- She's just run out of time.- Now, we've got also a customisation...
0:53:20 > 0:53:25Oh, OK. That's sort of interesting. Let me guess, it must be Salford.
0:53:25 > 0:53:31- With a bit of copper gilding on it. - I don't know, I was kind of expecting a little bit more from her.
0:53:41 > 0:53:44- Ah!- Oh, wow!- I love it!
0:53:44 > 0:53:46So, what is it that strikes you first of all about the room?
0:53:46 > 0:53:51How bright the table is, and we really wanted to make it more of a feature
0:53:51 > 0:53:54so that we could sit around the table, and with the lights as well.
0:53:54 > 0:53:57I love the lights. They're really good, aren't they?
0:53:57 > 0:54:00It's really bold. I love bold colours, you know.
0:54:00 > 0:54:03We wanted a room that we would actually spend time in
0:54:03 > 0:54:08rather than just eat and then go in there, so, yeah, very, very happy.
0:54:08 > 0:54:11- It is like a completely different room.- It really is.
0:54:11 > 0:54:17- I really like the colour in here, the green. The pink that Susan offered originally I hated.- No.
0:54:17 > 0:54:20But she offered us this one and it just looks great.
0:54:20 > 0:54:25It'll just make it such a nice room to sit and enjoy having friends over in.
0:54:25 > 0:54:28It's just really bright and... Yeah, lovely.
0:54:29 > 0:54:32All the designers can do now is wait and see
0:54:32 > 0:54:36if they've done enough to be put through to the next round.
0:54:36 > 0:54:39So, Dan and Sophie, some amazing transformations this week.
0:54:39 > 0:54:43Let's start with Lisa and Jason's place. How did Nigel do?
0:54:43 > 0:54:44Nigel's sort of pushed it.
0:54:44 > 0:54:48Grey is the new beige and he's given them more of a monochrome scheme,
0:54:48 > 0:54:52which I think's sort of raised the bar and it looked very, very classy
0:54:52 > 0:54:55and allowed him to create quite a strong transformation.
0:54:55 > 0:54:58Did he pull it off? Was it elegant or was it just a bit heavy?
0:54:58 > 0:55:01Especially in the Manchester light, which is always a bit grey anyway.
0:55:01 > 0:55:05I might've just jollied it up with a little bit more warmth and colour in those walls.
0:55:05 > 0:55:09Susan is probably, I'd go as far to say, one of the most creative designers
0:55:09 > 0:55:12I've come across in a long time. She's a one-off.
0:55:12 > 0:55:14She just goes that one step further.
0:55:14 > 0:55:17But she didn't finish, she was overly ambitious,
0:55:17 > 0:55:20and interior design is about project management as much as anything else.
0:55:20 > 0:55:24And while I love her use of colour, is she too limited?
0:55:24 > 0:55:28- Could she do a different brief?- What do you two think of Lynne's design?
0:55:28 > 0:55:31I thought Lynne did an amazing transformation.
0:55:31 > 0:55:34She's made it light and added oodles of flair and style,
0:55:34 > 0:55:37but has she fallen into the trap of creating her own identity
0:55:37 > 0:55:39and completely forgetting that of the owner?
0:55:39 > 0:55:42Well, she steamrollered him a little bit, I think.
0:55:42 > 0:55:47But if we were judging Lynne on just the work she's done, it's beautiful.
0:55:47 > 0:55:51Well, all three can't go through, so you two are just going to have to find the ruthless streak in you.
0:55:51 > 0:55:52Make a decision.
0:56:00 > 0:56:03So, designers, some spectacular transformations this week.
0:56:03 > 0:56:07Truly spectacular. I think these two have been really impressed with all three of you.
0:56:07 > 0:56:12We've loved seeing the transformations you've made to these homes. We're highly impressed.
0:56:12 > 0:56:16I'd be rather happy if all three of you just came through into the next round.
0:56:16 > 0:56:19But they have made a decision about who's going to go through to the quarterfinals
0:56:19 > 0:56:21and the designer going through...
0:56:23 > 0:56:24..is Susan.
0:56:26 > 0:56:28My God! Well done, all of you.
0:56:28 > 0:56:32- Well, look, congratulations! Ah!- Thank you!- Well done!
0:56:35 > 0:56:39I've seen the other two contestants' rooms and I thought they were both excellent.
0:56:39 > 0:56:40Gosh!
0:56:40 > 0:56:44I didn't think I had any chance. I thought they were both very good.
0:56:44 > 0:56:45Oh, I'm sorry.
0:56:48 > 0:56:52Lovely experience, and Susan, she deserves to go through.
0:56:52 > 0:56:54She worked really hard and it's a really fun room.
0:56:54 > 0:56:56- Well done.- Thank you, Nigel.
0:56:59 > 0:57:00I was really pleased with the design
0:57:00 > 0:57:04and the fact that the homeowners really loved it as well.
0:57:04 > 0:57:07- Absolutely love it!- Do you? - Absolutely, yes!
0:57:07 > 0:57:10So I was really pleased with the way it all came together.
0:57:10 > 0:57:13With Susan, there was just that little bit extra
0:57:13 > 0:57:17and that was that little bit extra of experimentation, too,
0:57:17 > 0:57:19which made her quite special.
0:57:19 > 0:57:21- It's not pink!- No, it's not pink!
0:57:23 > 0:57:26We've had three incredibly strong designers
0:57:26 > 0:57:30but there was something special in Susan.
0:57:30 > 0:57:35She's got a real, great sense of flair and creativity and I can't wait to see what she's going to do next.
0:57:35 > 0:57:38Oh! It's scary! I'm looking forward to the next round, yes!
0:57:38 > 0:57:41Yes, yes, yes, of course I am! I have to stop shopping again!
0:57:41 > 0:57:45And getting my brain working into creative mode!
0:57:47 > 0:57:51There are reminders of Salford's glorious past all over the city.
0:57:51 > 0:57:55Now these Victorian workers' houses look set to survive
0:57:55 > 0:57:59for a new generation who appreciate their period details and sturdiness,
0:57:59 > 0:58:02and with spectacular interiors like this,
0:58:02 > 0:58:06these three have been shot into the 21st century.
0:58:07 > 0:58:10Next time, Art Deco sunrooms.
0:58:10 > 0:58:13- Oh, this is wonderful. - Oh, it's amazing!
0:58:13 > 0:58:17But brightening up these suntraps is fraught with challenges.
0:58:17 > 0:58:19I am getting a little bit flustered this morning.
0:58:19 > 0:58:22Oh...I hate this! Under pressure!