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 > 0:00:23So we're asking 24 amateur designers
0:00:23 > 0:00:25who believe they've got what it takes
0:00:25 > 0:00:27to be the next big thing in interiors
0:00:27 > 0:00:29to show us how it should be done.
0:00:29 > 0:00:33We'll travel across the country, and through the ages,
0:00:33 > 0:00:35to Victorian avenues,
0:00:35 > 0:00:37Art Deco cul-de-sacs
0:00:37 > 0:00:38and Regency squares.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44Each time, three would-be designers take on similar rooms
0:00:44 > 0:00:46in three neighbouring homes.
0:00:48 > 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!
0:00:55 > 0:00:57Across eight heats,
0:00:57 > 0:01:00they'll compete for a place in the quarterfinals.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02Judging them are designer
0:01:02 > 0:01:05and president-elect of the British Institute of Interior Design
0:01:05 > 0:01:07Daniel Hopwood...
0:01:07 > 0:01:09The really great designers have a level of flexibility,
0:01:09 > 0:01:11and they can work around a client
0:01:11 > 0:01:13and can yet give them a lot of style.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17..and interior stylist and magazine journalist Sophie Robinson.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20What I'm looking for in this competition is
0:01:20 > 0:01:23designers who have a high level of creativity.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25Now it's their imaginations and design skills
0:01:25 > 0:01:28that'll determine who'll come out on top.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37This time, our amateur designers will be putting their own spin
0:01:37 > 0:01:42on a kitchen, in three state-of-the-art 1960s Span houses.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45They'll each work to their individual homeowner's briefs
0:01:45 > 0:01:48within similar-sized rooms.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50It's been a spanner in the works. SHE LAUGHS
0:01:50 > 0:01:52I just hope it's going to work.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55I absolutely love this. Beautiful.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58It just feels all a bit like the safe option to me at the moment.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02It sort of works, I'm just not sure about the blue.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05These two have decided which one of you is going to go forward.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16The swinging '60s seem like an era of liberation,
0:02:16 > 0:02:19when the world was experimenting with anything and everything.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23But most new British housing was anything but adventurous.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27But there were some exceptions.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30This is the Westfield Estate in Ashtead, Surrey,
0:02:30 > 0:02:35built in 1968 by innovative housing company Span Developments.
0:02:35 > 0:02:40With their steeped pitched roofs, large windows and tilted porches,
0:02:40 > 0:02:43the houses were touted by its developers as the very latest
0:02:43 > 0:02:44in modern village living,
0:02:44 > 0:02:47part of a visionary project that set out to redefine
0:02:47 > 0:02:50how communities lived in post-war Britain.
0:02:52 > 0:02:53In a radical piece of planning,
0:02:53 > 0:02:56they moved away from the road-based suburban scheme
0:02:56 > 0:02:58so common at the time.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01Instead of driveways out of the front of their houses,
0:03:01 > 0:03:03cars were kept in parking areas or garages
0:03:03 > 0:03:05hidden discreetly behind hedges.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08This forced people to walk to their homes,
0:03:08 > 0:03:10through these majestic, open landscapes
0:03:10 > 0:03:12where they might bump into their neighbours
0:03:12 > 0:03:14and could keep an eye on their kids playing safely.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19Now, three Span estate residents
0:03:19 > 0:03:22are giving their kitchens over to our budding interior designers.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30My dream was always to go straight into university
0:03:30 > 0:03:31and into interior design professionally.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34But life completely threw a curveball,
0:03:34 > 0:03:36and we had our daughter young.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39So that meant I was focused on family life.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44And it's only now that they're a bit older,
0:03:44 > 0:03:47we've got family around us who support us,
0:03:47 > 0:03:49and it feels like it's my time.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52I can really go for my dreams now.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57I went to university and did textile design,
0:03:57 > 0:03:59and I specialised in printing.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02So the creative side is definitely there
0:04:02 > 0:04:05and definitely the part of my life I probably enjoy the most.
0:04:05 > 0:04:06I've got three children,
0:04:06 > 0:04:08so I'm very busy at home looking after them,
0:04:08 > 0:04:10even though the youngest is nine.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12My children are very supportive of me being creative
0:04:12 > 0:04:14and love that I'm creative.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16It certainly helps when they come home from school
0:04:16 > 0:04:18and say they need a medieval outfit for a Monday,
0:04:18 > 0:04:20and then I have to make it for them.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22So they do like that side of things.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27I think the thing I like about interior design is the fact
0:04:27 > 0:04:31that it's always drawing on the past in some way or other.
0:04:31 > 0:04:36But my pet hate has to be anything from the '70s.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41It's kind of a really bad take on Art Nouveau.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44It's like Art Nouveau on acid. SHE SNORTS
0:04:46 > 0:04:48Now they'll work for their first ever client,
0:04:48 > 0:04:51with a ?1,000 budget and 48 hours spread over three days,
0:04:51 > 0:04:54to transform a whole kitchen.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00The first house belongs to Bruno and Rosie.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03Their units aren't in keeping with the '60s period of the house.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06And despite a dining extension, the kitchen's not practical.
0:05:06 > 0:05:13We've got several furnitures that don't really fit very well,
0:05:13 > 0:05:15with the space that we have created.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19We do cook quite a bit, and Bruno is Italian, he cooks a lot.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21We do like to entertain.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23And I think, probably,
0:05:23 > 0:05:27we want to use the kitchen more as a dining area.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31Judges Sophie and Daniel want to assess the potential of each room
0:05:31 > 0:05:33that the designers will be working in.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41Well, well. A Shaker kitchen in a '60s house, how about that?
0:05:41 > 0:05:44Yeah, it does look a bit strange, quite country in look.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47Shaker came from a religious group
0:05:47 > 0:05:49who were in the States in the 18th century.
0:05:49 > 0:05:54Everything was all about simplicity and handmadeness.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56So, for example, with panels like these,
0:05:56 > 0:06:00they're just simple. You can see how they're constructed.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02There's no little filigree or anything fancy.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05It was really the early days of modernism, in fact.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09The key thing here for them is the layout, the layout doesn't work.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11Since having the extension,
0:06:11 > 0:06:14they've never really worked out how to configure their kitchen.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17They've created a dead space on the other side of here
0:06:17 > 0:06:21by creating this barrier, and that doesn't really work.
0:06:21 > 0:06:22I've heard they want an island.
0:06:22 > 0:06:27Remember, you've got to have about 90cm. Oh, at least, yeah.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30If not, you're going to put your bum into the oven
0:06:30 > 0:06:32every time you bend over into the cupboards.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37Taking on the challenge of transforming this kitchen
0:06:37 > 0:06:40will be Anna from Chigwell in Essex.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42Each amateur designer has been given a brief
0:06:42 > 0:06:44and a week to come up with a scheme.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46But this is the first time they're meeting their client
0:06:46 > 0:06:49and seeing the room.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52I'm going to show you what I've designed
0:06:52 > 0:06:55and, hopefully, you're going to like it.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Daniel and Sophie will be judging the designers' presentations
0:06:58 > 0:07:00on how well they communicate their concept,
0:07:00 > 0:07:03create a working relationship,
0:07:03 > 0:07:05and adapt to their clients' needs.
0:07:05 > 0:07:10So the overall look of the kitchen is quite Shaker,
0:07:10 > 0:07:14which, for me, I'm thinking of quite plain.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16So I'm thinking of soft colours.
0:07:16 > 0:07:23My thoughts were to actually paint the walls a really nice soft grey.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25The cupboards are grey-green.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29The tiles I was thinking of actually removing,
0:07:29 > 0:07:32and we will just plaster the wall,
0:07:32 > 0:07:35and it will be painted this nice soft blue.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39I'd just probably, because Bruno isn't here at present,
0:07:39 > 0:07:43so I would probably just want to check with him about that,
0:07:43 > 0:07:45whether he's happy with that, yeah.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49Anna is aiming for a three-tone colour scheme
0:07:49 > 0:07:54to make the kitchen homely, but she's also thinking practically.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56The island will be against the wall.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59Initially, I did think of bringing it out,
0:07:59 > 0:08:02but I was a little bit concerned about the space in the kitchen.
0:08:02 > 0:08:07And then I had some thoughts of... over where your fridge is,
0:08:07 > 0:08:11of actually putting another unit above the fridge area,
0:08:11 > 0:08:15and doing a little light unit there which involves marmalade.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18Marmalade lit up at the back, it looks fantastic,
0:08:18 > 0:08:22and I thought it was very Shakery and crockery. OK.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26She's come up with a very pleasing scheme,
0:08:26 > 0:08:29she's got some lovely ideas, she's got the colours right.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33She understands this Shaker look, which is very classic. Did she?
0:08:33 > 0:08:36Not in detail, Dan, but in terms of updating it for now.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39Yeah, OK. She's going to make it modern. Let's touch on that island.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42It wasn't an island, it was shoved up against the wall.
0:08:42 > 0:08:43That's not an island.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45What I'd have liked to have seen
0:08:45 > 0:08:48would have been a well-drawn out, to-scale drawing.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50Do it with a plan, that's the way to do it. Yeah.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57Anna now has three days, the help of a builder and ?1,000
0:08:57 > 0:09:00to make this a homely but up-to-date kitchen.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04She's already got a decision about the tiles from her clients.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07We are happy to go ahead.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09I think it'll be a completely new look
0:09:09 > 0:09:12and it would fit in with the theme that Anna's trying to achieve.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15Basically, I suppose, we'll remove the tiles,
0:09:15 > 0:09:19remove the doors and start. OK.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28A few doors along,
0:09:28 > 0:09:30the second kitchen has units extending along two walls,
0:09:30 > 0:09:33giving a spacious feel.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37It's home to Wendy and Canadian-born Jeff, who's a keen baker.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41I would describe it as a kind of bad '80s nightclub.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43It's very black, very shiny.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47Black absorbs all the light, and it doesn't feel nice in there.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49I love Jonathan Adler's work.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52Bright things, the sort of '70s vibe,
0:09:52 > 0:09:54just brings a bit of fun into your house,
0:09:54 > 0:09:56rather than it all being very sensible and grown-up.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01Wow, Daniel, this is quite a strong statement, isn't it?
0:10:01 > 0:10:02This black gloss kitchen.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05I'm getting that Jeff and Wendy are really into the period of this house
0:10:05 > 0:10:08because I've spotted over here a little gem.
0:10:09 > 0:10:14Hornsea Pottery. Oh, yes. That's the real McCoy.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17Hornsea Pottery was based in Yorkshire,
0:10:17 > 0:10:21creating crockery and tableware which typifies the '50s and '60s.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23That style and that design is just stunning
0:10:23 > 0:10:26and very much in keeping with Jonathan Adler.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28He's a contemporary designer.
0:10:28 > 0:10:33He's use the beautiful fabulousness of the '60s, '70s, '80s,
0:10:33 > 0:10:35and it's about colour, zinging colour.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39Jeff and Wendy have given our designer a real gift, I think,
0:10:39 > 0:10:41by saying that they like his design,
0:10:41 > 0:10:44because it's a real opportunity to do something very current,
0:10:44 > 0:10:48very eye-popping, and really show that the designer can use
0:10:48 > 0:10:51colour and pattern and clash it all together.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54And really create quite an amazing transformation in here.
0:10:54 > 0:10:59But tell me, Sophie, what are we going to do with black gloss doors?
0:10:59 > 0:11:03There are specialist products, OK?
0:11:03 > 0:11:06There is a paint that literally sticks to anything.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09If they know about that paint, they might be OK.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15Taking on Jeff and Wendy's kitchen challenge is Julia,
0:11:15 > 0:11:17who has a degree in textile design.
0:11:19 > 0:11:20This is the mood board.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23We'll be warming up the kitchen with colour through the walls
0:11:23 > 0:11:26with either the green or the grey.
0:11:26 > 0:11:31And we're going to paint the units a matte white.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34This is the idea, you can give me your feedback. OK.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38The units white and clean-looking,
0:11:38 > 0:11:41but almost trying to make the space feel bigger.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44And then we're going to bring the colour in.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48So on this wall here we were going to have an eclectic group of frames
0:11:48 > 0:11:51which are all going to be painted really bright colours
0:11:51 > 0:11:54using the orange, the green and the yellow.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57I am a bit concerned over the possibility
0:11:57 > 0:11:58of the grey or the green on the wall.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00I haven't seen it on a large surface,
0:12:00 > 0:12:02but I'm worried it will be the same as the black
0:12:02 > 0:12:03and absorb too much light.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07How about, then, we go white,
0:12:07 > 0:12:10and then we have one wall, one colour?
0:12:10 > 0:12:13I think, if this wall was green,
0:12:13 > 0:12:17with all the different colours of pictures, I quite like that idea.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21Julia's simple scheme relies on accessories in accent colours
0:12:21 > 0:12:25to keep a '60s vibe, along with some unusual touches.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28I felt like we needed to add some texture in.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32So I would take your splashback down smaller to just above your sink
0:12:32 > 0:12:34and have this pebble effect.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36They're quite beautiful,
0:12:36 > 0:12:38but you can have a look and see if you like that.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42I think I'm really open to all of your suggestions.
0:12:42 > 0:12:47The only thing that made me slightly a bit nervous was the pebble idea.
0:12:47 > 0:12:52It feels a bit too...not quite of the right era, somehow. Oh, OK.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58The '60s were all about experimenting with colour.
0:12:58 > 0:13:03The classics were brown and orange, purple and lime green.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06Really exciting, zingy colours.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09And she suggested sage green!
0:13:09 > 0:13:10I'm a bit lost, really,
0:13:10 > 0:13:13as to whether she's really got the '60s-inspired look.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19So what's our plan of action?
0:13:19 > 0:13:21It's really the cabinets, getting these off
0:13:21 > 0:13:22so I can start painting them.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25Also if I can have your assistance in... Getting the handles off. Yeah.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29Yeah? Yeah, let's do it. Thank you. No problem.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33While the unit doors are coming off,
0:13:33 > 0:13:37Julia's getting straight on with the accessories for the kitchen.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40I'm going to put black ceramic paint on the spots
0:13:40 > 0:13:42just to enhance the design.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46I've got to start it now because it's going to take hours to dry.
0:13:46 > 0:13:51Vases like this are either extremely expensive or you just can't get them.
0:13:51 > 0:13:56They did say they liked bold designs, so let's see if they like this!
0:13:59 > 0:14:04The third home has an original kitchen that has seen better days.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07It's the same size as in the previous house
0:14:07 > 0:14:11but looks smaller, having been cut in two by a breakfast bar.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14Richie and Anna live here with their son Henry.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17We know the layout works for us.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20We just want to modernise it
0:14:20 > 0:14:24but still keep it sympathetic to the house we live in, really.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27What I'd really like to change in the kitchen is the brown tiles.
0:14:27 > 0:14:32We wouldn't be too happy with some sort of bold floor print, perhaps.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35Pink colours, red colours.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38I don't know if I'd say we've got high standards.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41We've just got our own style and our own tastes.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43We've got quite an attention to detail.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46We have quite high attention, especially you! Thanks.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51The couple's attention to period '60s detail
0:14:51 > 0:14:53can be found throughout their home.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56Oh, lovely.
0:14:56 > 0:15:01Perfect. This is the early days of open-plan living.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04All the internal walls in this house can be knocked down,
0:15:04 > 0:15:07it doesn't cause any problems, there are no structural issues.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09Is that what these marks on the floor are,
0:15:09 > 0:15:11where the walls would have been? Yeah.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16This kitchen looks original. Yeah, it is original.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19I think these are what was called Hygena kitchens.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21The early fitted kitchen.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25One of the tell-tales is the metal edging we find here,
0:15:25 > 0:15:26and the Formica fronts.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30I know Richie and Anna like this kitchen and are keen to keep it
0:15:30 > 0:15:32and keen to keep it white.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36I just agree with them that it does need an update.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39I know this Formica worktop is a bugbear.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41Formica now is quite wonderful.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44They've got some amazing textures - in fact, I use Formica quite a lot.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46How interesting. You do high-end interiors.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50People often see Formica as quite a budget option.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52Actually, a really nice, fat, square edge is what I would go for,
0:15:52 > 0:15:56that tends to make it look more expensive than this very mean...
0:15:56 > 0:15:59That soft edge doesn't look good, keep it crisper.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01The only thing I am a bit concerned about
0:16:01 > 0:16:02is they want to remove the tiles.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05I think these tiles are original.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08Brown was the look, earthy colours.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11I think it'd be a shame for those to go.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13I know they're definitely on the hit-list to be removed.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15But I'm onside with you on that
0:16:15 > 0:16:19I actually feel this is all getting quite cool again. Yeah, very.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21Let's see if our designer decides the same.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25Tackling Anna and Richie's kitchen
0:16:25 > 0:16:28is young mum and part-time interior design student Kimberly.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33What I've come up with is a concept board
0:16:33 > 0:16:37which is a designer's tool for an abstract base, if you like.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39How do you feel about this?
0:16:39 > 0:16:41I don't know, what is it? THEY ALL LAUGH
0:16:41 > 0:16:44It looks like a geography project!
0:16:44 > 0:16:48Basically, it's more of a gut-feeling board than anything else.
0:16:48 > 0:16:53So this, with the lines, the circles, the colours,
0:16:53 > 0:16:57it all tends to give it a hint of what the concept is, basically.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01So moving on, this is... Great!
0:17:01 > 0:17:02Oh, we're fans of it now! Yeah?
0:17:02 > 0:17:06I love the colours, lovely colours.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09That's great news, good. I like the colours, very nice. Good, good.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12What I've done is gone through all the wall here,
0:17:12 > 0:17:15and again under the counter there with the blue.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19The tile here, the Metro-style tile,
0:17:19 > 0:17:21I wanted to incorporate the bold colours that you loved
0:17:21 > 0:17:23and you wanted in the room
0:17:23 > 0:17:27and run it through a small slither across the top of the worktop.
0:17:27 > 0:17:28Looking at your drawings,
0:17:28 > 0:17:32are you going to tile all the way up to the work surface
0:17:32 > 0:17:35or are you going to leave the brick and paint it?
0:17:35 > 0:17:37My concern was that,
0:17:37 > 0:17:38taking the tiles off,
0:17:38 > 0:17:41you never know what damage it's going to do to the brick,
0:17:41 > 0:17:44you don't know if the brick's going to be in good condition behind it.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47I can't make any guarantees that we'll be able to keep it.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49Can we consult at some point about that?
0:17:49 > 0:17:51Sure, yeah, absolutely. OK.
0:17:51 > 0:17:56So here, this is the fabric I've chosen
0:17:56 > 0:17:58to help customise the blind I've got.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02Are they flowers? I mean, I was trying to tie in the circles here
0:18:02 > 0:18:07with the '60s, that's where I've gone with the '60s influence,
0:18:07 > 0:18:09is the circular pattern and the bold yellow.
0:18:09 > 0:18:14Kimberly's contemporary '60s-style colours have gone down well,
0:18:14 > 0:18:17and it looks like those brown tiles will have to go.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21Overall, I was really impressed with Kimberly's presentation.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23I thought the second board she brought out
0:18:23 > 0:18:25was of a very high standard.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27She'd got an excellent drawing on there.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30Kimberley is going to have a bit of a challenge ahead of her
0:18:30 > 0:18:33because Richie is quite a style guru if you noticed.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35He was challenging her all the way.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37And in the brief, it was like, "I don't like florals."
0:18:37 > 0:18:39And he was like, "Is that a floral fabric?"
0:18:39 > 0:18:42She cut it very cleverly so you couldn't see the flower,
0:18:42 > 0:18:43it was a lump of yellow.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46It was like, come on, don't hide things from somebody.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50If you're making a really bold statement, why hide it away?
0:18:56 > 0:19:00Are they coming off quite easily, Stuart? Very easily.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05I'm just worried that the tiles were original.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09They look pretty authentic '60s tiling to me.
0:19:09 > 0:19:15I would be very tempted to possibly save as many whole ones as we can.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20All three amateur designers have their work cut out
0:19:20 > 0:19:23if they're to realise their ambitious concepts
0:19:23 > 0:19:26within just under three days and on a budget of ?1,000.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31So, Dan and Sophie,
0:19:31 > 0:19:34what are the challenges of designing inside these Span houses?
0:19:34 > 0:19:37The challenge is to answer the question
0:19:37 > 0:19:40of whether to go for a period look,
0:19:40 > 0:19:43as in keeping with the period of when the house was built,
0:19:43 > 0:19:46or just going your own way, taking the ethos of light and space,
0:19:46 > 0:19:49but interpreting that in a modern way.
0:19:49 > 0:19:50What do you two make of the briefs?
0:19:50 > 0:19:54The hardest thing for our designers this week is they've got a kitchen,
0:19:54 > 0:19:58and that is a major challenge, given a couple of days.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01So, for all of them, it's a really, really tough brief.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08Their kitchens are a similar size but each has been modified
0:20:08 > 0:20:11since they were built to a unique Span specification
0:20:11 > 0:20:12in the late 1960s.
0:20:12 > 0:20:16Span Developments were spanning the gap between traditional suburbia
0:20:16 > 0:20:19and individual architect-designed homes.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22As it sounds, Span chose the name when it formed in the '50s
0:20:22 > 0:20:24because it sounded fresh and modern.
0:20:26 > 0:20:27The driving force behind Span
0:20:27 > 0:20:30was a maverick architect and co-founder, Eric Lyons,
0:20:30 > 0:20:33who, along with developer Geoffrey Townsend,
0:20:33 > 0:20:36placed three core values at the heart of each development -
0:20:36 > 0:20:40community, shared landscape and modern design.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42Lyons was a meticulous and passionate designer.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46He had control over everything, from the initial sketches and plans
0:20:46 > 0:20:50right down to the details like the tiles and the door handles.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55So whether or not those tiles were chosen by Eric Lyons himself,
0:20:55 > 0:20:57they've gone.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02But restoring the brickwork behind them wasn't in the original brief,
0:21:02 > 0:21:05so it's an extra job for Kimberly.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07The brickwork's actually in badder condition
0:21:07 > 0:21:09than I thought it would be.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11It's just the time and the effort it takes
0:21:11 > 0:21:14to get it straight back to a nice brick
0:21:14 > 0:21:19is...is a lot to do with the timescale we've got.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24Kimberly's used to fitting a lot into her day,
0:21:24 > 0:21:27juggling a part-time interior design course...
0:21:27 > 0:21:29What do you want a picture of?
0:21:29 > 0:21:31..with looking after her daughters.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35I'm always looking for the next craft project.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38The girls and I embroidered our handprints onto the cushion
0:21:38 > 0:21:41to make something a bit personal, a bit different.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44I was really, really pleased with how it turned out.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46Pom-pom edgings, just a bit of fun.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49My dreams in interior design are to make it big.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52I'd love to have my own business.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55I love product design. Interior design is part of that.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58Yeah, I'd love for people to say,
0:21:58 > 0:22:02"Kimberly Plested is the brand that I like, that's my style."
0:22:04 > 0:22:06I've been dying to see this,
0:22:06 > 0:22:08because I wanted to see if you had the brickwork behind.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11So it's goodbye brown tiles.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15I was a bit worried about taking out the old tiles. Tell me why.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18They didn't think at all that they were originals,
0:22:18 > 0:22:23but they looked perfectly in keeping with the '60s kind of thing.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26Actually, OK, you've realised it now.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28It's not hell that they've gone.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32They were ugly, so they did have to go, they weren't going to fit.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35In your eyes. It's whether somebody else would have appreciated them.
0:22:39 > 0:22:44Anna's homely Shaker style depends on a heavy painting schedule,
0:22:44 > 0:22:46but there's a delay.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50The problem I've got at the moment is that we've removed the tiles,
0:22:50 > 0:22:51the plasterer has come in,
0:22:51 > 0:22:55the condition of the walls underneath is not great,
0:22:55 > 0:22:59so he cannot just lightly bond it and skim over.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02So lunchtime maybe, if we're very lucky, tomorrow,
0:23:02 > 0:23:05those walls will be skimmed, but then they've got to dry.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07I keep my fingers crossed.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10I want to go home!
0:23:15 > 0:23:18At the home she's lived in with her husband for 26 years,
0:23:18 > 0:23:21Anna continually reinvents the look of the house
0:23:21 > 0:23:23so it's constantly evolving.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25This is one of our old units,
0:23:25 > 0:23:31and I just covered the handles in some of my cottons
0:23:31 > 0:23:33because handles are so difficult.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37If you paint them, they'll just wear away so quickly.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40The paint will look quite tatty.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44So I thought the cotton was much more hardwearing.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47At the moment I'm experimenting with this.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51I'm not sure about this. I'm halfway through.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54I had the idea of all the copper pennies on here,
0:23:54 > 0:23:55which do look quite nice,
0:23:55 > 0:23:59but I've just got to work out something with the background
0:23:59 > 0:24:02so it doesn't look too much like one of those fairground shuffle things.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08Now Anna's curbing her experimental side
0:24:08 > 0:24:10as there's no room for error with this paint job.
0:24:10 > 0:24:15It's a primer, so that the paint, which is an eggshell,
0:24:15 > 0:24:18will stick to it quite nicely.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23Apparently it doesn't take long to dry in normal circumstances,
0:24:23 > 0:24:26but we'll see with the weather.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29The primer costs ?15 a tin
0:24:29 > 0:24:32and can be used on any surface from glass to PVC.
0:24:32 > 0:24:38In an hour, you'll see me with a bit of green on this brush maybe.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40Maybe.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43Julia's simple white design
0:24:43 > 0:24:46also relies on transforming kitchen-unit doors.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49Right, what do I do? Just press the button?
0:24:49 > 0:24:51Just hold it in the palm of your hand.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53You don't need to apply too much pressure.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56OK, and will that do me for all the doors? Yeah, easy.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59And if I scream, will you come?
0:25:02 > 0:25:05We're sanding them down now so that the paint fixes to the doors
0:25:05 > 0:25:08and hopefully we'll get the first coat on tonight.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11Really hoping to get the first coat on tonight.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13So yeah, we're cooking on gas, but it's all good.
0:25:17 > 0:25:22Julia lives in Nottingham and until now her creative talents
0:25:22 > 0:25:24have focused on renovating the four homes
0:25:24 > 0:25:27she and her family have lived in.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29We've just completed this house,
0:25:29 > 0:25:31and so I've done the interior design of this house.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33I'd hate the thought
0:25:33 > 0:25:36of not doing more interior design going into my future,
0:25:36 > 0:25:38although we probably won't move again,
0:25:38 > 0:25:41so the opportunities will become less for me to do it.
0:25:41 > 0:25:46So to actually do something in a job creatively like interior design
0:25:46 > 0:25:49would definitely be a dream, I can't deny that.
0:25:49 > 0:25:54And she's experimented with bold design statements.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58So you can imagine my husband's face when I asked him to put this up,
0:25:58 > 0:26:01but I absolutely loved it, so we had to have it.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04You can't obviously have too much of it,
0:26:04 > 0:26:06because it makes your eyes go wappy,
0:26:06 > 0:26:08but in an area like this it really works,
0:26:08 > 0:26:10and it really adds the wow factor.
0:26:14 > 0:26:18Julia's absolutely steaming ahead on kicking back that black gloss,
0:26:18 > 0:26:21and I'm very impressed with how she's preparing it.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23She's getting a really nice key on there.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25She's filled in the holes left behind by the handles
0:26:25 > 0:26:28to a very high standard. It's a bit scary isn't it?
0:26:28 > 0:26:30A bit like re-spraying a Rolls-Royce, you can't get it wrong.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37Anna? Yes? Can we get your opinion, please?
0:26:37 > 0:26:40With clients who have a keen eye for detail,
0:26:40 > 0:26:41Kimberly can't afford
0:26:41 > 0:26:45to get her contemporary '60s design wrong either.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47OK, so here's the fabric.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50It might help for you to see the pattern repeat
0:26:50 > 0:26:54and see exactly how much yellow and how much neutral there is involved.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57I like it, I'm just worried
0:26:57 > 0:27:02that we're going really literal with the yellow, yellow, yellow.
0:27:02 > 0:27:09Absolutely. What I could do, erm... is use the part of the fabric
0:27:09 > 0:27:14that's got most black and white and just a hint of the yellow
0:27:14 > 0:27:18Like you said, let's just have the area of the fabric
0:27:18 > 0:27:20that's less yellow. Sure.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26It's nearing the end of day one.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29Anna's island unit will be the centrepiece
0:27:29 > 0:27:31of her homely Shaker kitchen.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34To make her budget stretch further, she's cleverly cut costs,
0:27:34 > 0:27:39using three flat-pack shelves for the base at ?20 each.
0:27:39 > 0:27:45I'm trying not to look at the clock, because I get scared.
0:27:45 > 0:27:50In my world, it's about one o'clock now, so I've got hours.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53Hours and hours to go.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56In reality, it's almost packing-up time
0:27:56 > 0:27:59and Julia's sticking to her timetable.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03We're getting there. We're, I would say, on target.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06It was always my aim to have, at the end of the first day,
0:28:06 > 0:28:09to have one coat of paint on the cupboards.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11And give me ten minutes and it'll be done.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15But Kimberly's still preparing for her major kitchen re-fit.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19There's a lot of hardcore stuff going on,
0:28:19 > 0:28:21a lot of ripping out cabinets and filling walls,
0:28:21 > 0:28:23but it's gone really well.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26We're just still chipping away at this wall.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39It's day two, and these amateur designers
0:28:39 > 0:28:42have until lunchtime tomorrow to complete their kitchens.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45After a busy first day, the rooms have been prepped,
0:28:45 > 0:28:48tiles have been stripped out and cupboards rubbed down.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51But day two is when the real work begins.
0:28:53 > 0:28:55At Anna's homely Shaker style kitchen,
0:28:55 > 0:28:58the plastering is almost finished
0:28:58 > 0:29:01but it won't be dry enough to paint until tomorrow.
0:29:01 > 0:29:05Before I started, obviously I had a plan,
0:29:05 > 0:29:08and that has just gone out the window,
0:29:08 > 0:29:14because you get here, and as much as you plan, you just can't plan.
0:29:14 > 0:29:19But the colour scheme she has planned worries the judges.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21I got there's a splashback there.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24Then you're painting this in a sort of blue colour,
0:29:24 > 0:29:29but then the blue stops here and then you've got grey on the top.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32It's quite a lot of stuff going on here. Do you feel?
0:29:32 > 0:29:35Yeah, I don't want to influence your design, really don't,
0:29:35 > 0:29:38but I want you to just address it.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40What I'll do is I'll open the blue,
0:29:40 > 0:29:44because I can't paint this yet because it's not dry.
0:29:44 > 0:29:49But I'm going to paint a patch up there and look at it.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52Little hint. Thank you, yes.
0:29:55 > 0:29:59Over at Julia's simple white kitchen design,
0:29:59 > 0:30:00she's come up with an alternative
0:30:00 > 0:30:02to the pebbled tiles her clients didn't like.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05Can I ask about the splashback? Yes, definitely.
0:30:05 > 0:30:09OK, so if we use this tile, the lovely grey-green colour,
0:30:09 > 0:30:13we'll just start them off where the window starts here,
0:30:13 > 0:30:15and just have them running along that part,
0:30:15 > 0:30:17which I think will lengthen that wall, actually.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19I really like that tile.
0:30:19 > 0:30:21I mean, I don't mind if the red stays,
0:30:21 > 0:30:23but equally I quite like this,
0:30:23 > 0:30:27so I think this is probably the solution. Great.
0:30:29 > 0:30:33And while the wooden worktops Julia has chosen are being cut to size,
0:30:33 > 0:30:36she's getting on with the quirky accessories,
0:30:36 > 0:30:40like window pelmets made out of MDF.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43They're going to be painted with a strong stripe above both windows,
0:30:43 > 0:30:46making sure they're quite shallow in depth
0:30:46 > 0:30:48so they don't block out the light.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50The homeowners quite like bold colours
0:30:50 > 0:30:53so we're adding the bold colours in the pelmet,
0:30:53 > 0:30:55the orange, the yellow, the green,
0:30:55 > 0:30:57so not too heavily but just in a snippet.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59Wowser!
0:30:59 > 0:31:03Oh, wow, it's bolted in at the back there.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05Do you want a hand?
0:31:05 > 0:31:06Unlike the other kitchens,
0:31:06 > 0:31:10Kimberly's, with its contemporary '60s design, requires a major re-fit
0:31:10 > 0:31:13because homeowners Ritchie and Anna have bought a new cooker.
0:31:13 > 0:31:18The previous cooker was...erm, here.
0:31:18 > 0:31:23Now the cooker we've got going in is 800mm wide,
0:31:23 > 0:31:29so we've taken out a chunk of the cabinet here,
0:31:29 > 0:31:32and Stuart needs to dismantle this one
0:31:32 > 0:31:36and recreate it so it looks like it was never tampered with.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42It's a time-consuming piece of carpentry work.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48It's been a really big headache and worry.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52Yeah, it's been a spanner in the works.
0:31:53 > 0:31:58And she's going to turn the fridge into a kitchen blackboard.
0:31:58 > 0:31:59I've got a little tip, though.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02Instead of doing the handles with masking tape,
0:32:02 > 0:32:05I'm going to wrap them in foil. It's just easier to wrap it around
0:32:05 > 0:32:09and it's much easier to just take it off once you're done.
0:32:11 > 0:32:13At around ?10 a tin,
0:32:13 > 0:32:16blackboard paint is a cheap way of updating old appliances.
0:32:16 > 0:32:20For our amateurs, keeping costs down when transforming a kitchen,
0:32:20 > 0:32:23one of the most expensive rooms to update, is key.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27Especially with just ?1,000
0:32:27 > 0:32:31to achieve a sympathetic style to the ethos of the Span estate.
0:32:33 > 0:32:34Span homes were designed for people
0:32:34 > 0:32:37who were after something a little bit unconventional,
0:32:37 > 0:32:40and there were plenty of those in a forward-thinking 1960s.
0:32:40 > 0:32:44Many estates sold out before the foundations had even been finished.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47Here, of the 40 homes, 16 were sold to architects
0:32:47 > 0:32:50eager to take part in Lyons' utopian vision.
0:32:53 > 0:32:55Span wanted their homeowners here
0:32:55 > 0:32:58to feel lucky to live in such a beautiful place,
0:32:58 > 0:33:00so much so that, rather eccentrically,
0:33:00 > 0:33:01there's no house number 13.
0:33:07 > 0:33:09Back at Julia's simple white kitchen,
0:33:09 > 0:33:12her wooden worktops will add warmth and texture.
0:33:12 > 0:33:16But at ?460, it's a huge investment.
0:33:16 > 0:33:18Absolutely love this.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21Beautiful. Did you get that in the budget as well?
0:33:21 > 0:33:24Well, only just. I've had to be quite creative with other things
0:33:24 > 0:33:27to get this on budget, because it's half of my budget.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29I think the transformation is massive.
0:33:29 > 0:33:33What is it? It's almost got a greenish tinge to it, hasn't it?
0:33:33 > 0:33:34Yes. Iroko. Iroko? Yeah.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36OK. It's very, very affordable
0:33:36 > 0:33:41but it's got the same qualities as teak which costs a fortune.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44Actually, you can't use teak these days because it's non-sustainable.
0:33:44 > 0:33:48The beauty of it, it's waterproof, so this will last forever.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51Just a quick sand down, re-oil, and it'll look brilliant.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54Ideal for a kitchen, then, isn't it? Yes, good choice.
0:33:56 > 0:33:58The thing is with that project,
0:33:58 > 0:34:02when it's finished, it's going to look like the most transformed
0:34:02 > 0:34:05because of the changing from black to white.
0:34:05 > 0:34:06The worktop's finished,
0:34:06 > 0:34:10but we know that it's not that much of an effort designwise.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13It just feels all a bit like the safe option to me at the moment.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16Did she consider using colour and pattern?
0:34:16 > 0:34:19I wonder whether she just didn't have the courage.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22Anna's mix of muted colours on one wall
0:34:22 > 0:34:25has also been questioned by the judges,
0:34:25 > 0:34:27so she's testing out alternatives.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29They did make a suggestion
0:34:29 > 0:34:34that possibly I do this one wall in the blue.
0:34:34 > 0:34:38I personally am not convinced at the moment,
0:34:38 > 0:34:42but I don't want to discard what might be a really good idea.
0:34:49 > 0:34:51I don't know.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54I don't really hate it, but I'm not sure.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57I'm going to carry on painting, and I'll see.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04Kimberly's dealing with an original Span kitchen
0:35:04 > 0:35:07which wasn't designed with modern appliances in mind,
0:35:07 > 0:35:10and now that the homeowners have bought a new dishwasher,
0:35:10 > 0:35:12she has to find a way to fit it in.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16So the, erm...idea
0:35:16 > 0:35:19is to box in the washing machine and the dryer that they've got.
0:35:19 > 0:35:23So you're going to make a cupboard for them to slot into? Yes.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26We're going to use offcuts from the old worktop,
0:35:26 > 0:35:29trying to recycle what we've got. That's a really nice idea,
0:35:29 > 0:35:31because you're using material you already have,
0:35:31 > 0:35:33not just sending it off to the skip.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35But there's no room to fit a cupboard door,
0:35:35 > 0:35:39so Kimberly's going to make a curtain to hide the machines.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41So I've just measured up the area.
0:35:41 > 0:35:45I'm going to make sure the fabric fits, cut it to size,
0:35:45 > 0:35:51hem it and pop the nice strip of printed fabric to finish it off.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56These were actually our wedding drapes.
0:35:56 > 0:36:00They were hung from one of the beams in the barn where we had our wedding
0:36:00 > 0:36:03and they created an amazing backdrop for the reception.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06It's good to see them going to good use.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08Kimberly's sharing spirit
0:36:08 > 0:36:10would be in tune with the original Span ethos,
0:36:10 > 0:36:14built around an idealised vision of community life.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18Top of the agenda was preserving the harmony of the environment
0:36:18 > 0:36:19and the people who lived within it.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22Span's co-founder and architect Eric Lyons
0:36:22 > 0:36:24said, "People seem to like discipline and accept it."
0:36:24 > 0:36:26Putting these words into action,
0:36:26 > 0:36:29strict covenants were put in place here, preserving the integrity
0:36:29 > 0:36:32of Westfield's design, its community and its landscape.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35And that meant detailed rules.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39Homeowners have to repaint the exterior every four years
0:36:39 > 0:36:41and at the front, satellite dishes, aerials
0:36:41 > 0:36:44and even hanging baskets are banned.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47The residents' society that looks after all these rules
0:36:47 > 0:36:49is still going strong today.
0:36:49 > 0:36:50It's founded on egalitarian principles
0:36:50 > 0:36:54and gives every owner an equal say in proposed changes to the estate.
0:36:54 > 0:36:56On the outside at least,
0:36:56 > 0:36:58it's preserved the integrity of the design,
0:36:58 > 0:37:01though some may say it's stifled individualism.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06Inside, our designers have more creative freedom.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09With all the rooms having a slightly different layout,
0:37:09 > 0:37:13the judges want a yardstick to measure their ingenuity.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16They've given three plain plates to each of the designers
0:37:16 > 0:37:18to customise for the kitchens.
0:37:18 > 0:37:21I'm just going to cut some pieces of tile
0:37:21 > 0:37:23and lay them out to start off with.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27Julia's been inspired by a '60s fabric, and she's making a mosaic
0:37:27 > 0:37:30using pieces of her white plates for the background.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34It doesn't matter if it looks messy at this stage,
0:37:34 > 0:37:36because it's all going to be cleaned off afterwards.
0:37:38 > 0:37:42The latex-based adhesive costs ?7,
0:37:42 > 0:37:44but it can take up to 24 hours to set.
0:37:44 > 0:37:48I'll leave it until the end today and then grout it later.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50It is taking up quite a lot of time,
0:37:50 > 0:37:53so I kind of feel like I've just got to get it down
0:37:53 > 0:37:55and crack on with other things now.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00Kimberly's using leftover paint to customise her plates.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04I'm literally going to pour it onto my plate
0:38:04 > 0:38:05and let it slide down the plate,
0:38:05 > 0:38:08and it should give a great dipped effect.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14Once dry, she's going to attach them to a light fitting
0:38:14 > 0:38:16and mount them on the dining room wall.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20The consistency's important, because if it's too thick,
0:38:20 > 0:38:23it's just going to go gloopy on the plate,
0:38:23 > 0:38:26but too runny and it just slides straight off.
0:38:26 > 0:38:27So I've got to get a happy medium.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30She's added water to thin the paint.
0:38:32 > 0:38:33That's it!
0:38:33 > 0:38:37They'll dry overnight, so she'll finish the project tomorrow.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41But Anna's gone for a much simpler option.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44It's a cake stand, so the first plate...
0:38:44 > 0:38:46I reckon it could just go on there, couldn't it?
0:38:46 > 0:38:50She's bought two plain mugs to stack the plates on,
0:38:50 > 0:38:53and then she's adding a personal touch in ceramic pen.
0:38:55 > 0:38:59The greatest happiness for the greatest number of people
0:38:59 > 0:39:02The concept owes a lot to her builder's glue.
0:39:04 > 0:39:09That'll do nicely, and then I just need some lovely cakes on there.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11There we go, exactly, yeah. Done. Perfect.
0:39:11 > 0:39:12# Ta-da! #
0:39:17 > 0:39:19It's the end of day two,
0:39:19 > 0:39:22and the scale of transforming a kitchen
0:39:22 > 0:39:24is taking its toll on all three designers.
0:39:24 > 0:39:28It's, what? 7.30?
0:39:28 > 0:39:30And I'm already fed up!
0:39:33 > 0:39:38Probably should stay longer and do a little bit more, but I'm too tired.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43I've been working on the mosaic for quite a while now,
0:39:43 > 0:39:46and I'm pleased with how it's gone, but it's time to go home now.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48It's getting late, and I can barely see.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54Kimberly's got so much to do
0:39:54 > 0:39:58she's had to take her sewing jobs back to the hotel to finish them.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06SHE CHUCKLES
0:40:06 > 0:40:08Oh, no!
0:40:08 > 0:40:12It's 11 o'clock, and Kimberly's getting nowhere.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17I need to get it done, so I'll do my very best.
0:40:17 > 0:40:22If I have to get it done tomorrow, then I'll work doubly hard.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43Everything's in position, isn't it, more or less?
0:40:43 > 0:40:46It's day three, and our amateur designers are busily applying
0:40:46 > 0:40:50the finishing touches ready for the rooms to be seen by the homeowners.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52Their feedback to the judges will be crucial
0:40:52 > 0:40:54in determining who goes through to the quarterfinals.
0:40:57 > 0:41:01So I've got a lot of catching up to do today.
0:41:01 > 0:41:03The sewing machine was missing a tiny little part,
0:41:03 > 0:41:06and I found it as soon as I got here this morning.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10I can crack on with it, but I need to catch up on a lot of time.
0:41:10 > 0:41:14Kimberly's contemporary '60s style has meant ripping out
0:41:14 > 0:41:17and reconfiguring the units and she's starting to see the results.
0:41:17 > 0:41:22The builder's done a fantastic job of cutting these all to size,
0:41:22 > 0:41:27and using the excess worktop to create a fold down,
0:41:27 > 0:41:31which is a really modern touch in a kitchen at the moment.
0:41:32 > 0:41:38But creative carpentry takes time, and there's a lot more to do.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41Cabinets need dropping back and putting up,
0:41:41 > 0:41:45and we even need to fit the oven in...
0:41:46 > 0:41:48..and tile.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50So, erm...not much(!)
0:41:54 > 0:41:56At Julia's simple white kitchen,
0:41:56 > 0:41:59she's already onto putting up accessories.
0:41:59 > 0:42:02Across the left a bit. A bit more.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05That's it. Perfect.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08And she's still got more to make,
0:42:08 > 0:42:13all in her signature colours of yellow, green and orange.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15I've bought some picture frames on budget,
0:42:15 > 0:42:18and I'm painting them really bright, funky colours
0:42:18 > 0:42:21and then varnishing them,
0:42:21 > 0:42:24and then I'm putting 1960s textile pieces in the picture frames,
0:42:24 > 0:42:26because the homeowners love 1960s textiles.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30I have to say, now the frames are coming together,
0:42:30 > 0:42:33the mosaic's come together, I'm really excited.
0:42:33 > 0:42:35I just hope it's going to work.
0:42:38 > 0:42:42Over at Anna's homely Shaker style kitchen
0:42:42 > 0:42:43she's sticking to her plan
0:42:43 > 0:42:46of blue below and grey above the units on the walls,
0:42:46 > 0:42:49and she's experimenting with glass colour, too.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52Oh, gosh, isn't that lovely blue?
0:42:52 > 0:42:56Ooh! That is so nice.
0:42:58 > 0:43:01This one gives you privacy,
0:43:01 > 0:43:04because obviously it's opaque and you can't see through,
0:43:04 > 0:43:09but the blue I'm going to use later is transparent,
0:43:09 > 0:43:14because they've got such a lovely garden there,
0:43:14 > 0:43:17so I want the look of stained glass.
0:43:17 > 0:43:23The gels cost ?29 a metre for opaque and ?16 for blue gel.
0:43:23 > 0:43:28This is awful, because it should be really both sides.
0:43:28 > 0:43:30God, it's not a straight edge.
0:43:30 > 0:43:32SHE GASPS
0:43:36 > 0:43:40The amateur designers are nearing their deadline.
0:43:40 > 0:43:41We're really short on time,
0:43:41 > 0:43:44so I'm just mucking in doing anything I can do.
0:43:44 > 0:43:46There's not much we can do while we're waiting
0:43:46 > 0:43:51for the wall units to be finished, so if I can help here, brilliant.
0:43:51 > 0:43:54They've had ?1,000 and just under three days
0:43:54 > 0:43:58to deliver stylish and practical designs in challenging kitchens.
0:43:59 > 0:44:03We've got 15 minutes, and I'm still painting.
0:44:05 > 0:44:08It's a bit of a centrepiece to the room.
0:44:10 > 0:44:12I think that's fabulous.
0:44:12 > 0:44:15Julia's confident about her final touches,
0:44:15 > 0:44:18but Anna's miscalculated the shelf height
0:44:18 > 0:44:19she needs for her marmalade light.
0:44:21 > 0:44:25I should have thought. It doesn't matter I can do it here.
0:44:35 > 0:44:39The other designers finish on time, but Kimberly's got more to do.
0:44:41 > 0:44:44I could cry, I seriously...
0:44:50 > 0:44:52Having the added complication
0:44:52 > 0:44:56of fitting the homeowners' kitchen appliances during the process,
0:44:56 > 0:44:58Kimberly has overrun by three hours,
0:44:58 > 0:45:01which the judges will take into account.
0:45:04 > 0:45:09It's just hitting me how much this means, and I hope I've done enough.
0:45:18 > 0:45:21First up for the judges' scrutiny is Anna's design.
0:45:22 > 0:45:26A modern and homely take on a traditional Shaker style.
0:45:28 > 0:45:33Three days ago, this kitchen was filled with heavy freestanding units
0:45:33 > 0:45:35but there was no space for informal dining
0:45:35 > 0:45:37and a poor layout for cooking.
0:45:53 > 0:45:56Now it has completely transformed.
0:45:56 > 0:45:59Anna has created a unified and calm space
0:45:59 > 0:46:02with a subtle palette of grey, green and blue.
0:46:05 > 0:46:09She's designed a central unit from flat pack furniture,
0:46:09 > 0:46:13but invested in a quality wood worktop at ?235.
0:46:16 > 0:46:18There's more storage in the new fridge unit
0:46:18 > 0:46:21and her witty marmalade light feature.
0:46:26 > 0:46:28Ooh.
0:46:28 > 0:46:30HE CHUCKLES
0:46:32 > 0:46:34AT ONCE: It's great! Sweet!
0:46:34 > 0:46:36THEY LAUGH
0:46:36 > 0:46:38Now we can see her use of colour,
0:46:38 > 0:46:40the blue under the cupboards and the grey above,
0:46:40 > 0:46:42but I have to say they're so close and subtle,
0:46:42 > 0:46:44I think the effect is a bit lost on me.
0:46:44 > 0:46:48She tried the blue at the top, and it didn't work, and I can see why.
0:46:48 > 0:46:51But it's...all right, it's all right.
0:46:51 > 0:46:54This is now the hero of the room, isn't it? This is the island.
0:46:54 > 0:46:57The island. Sort of works, actually. She's got it.
0:46:57 > 0:47:00This is a nice place to have your breakfast.
0:47:00 > 0:47:03You look behind you, Dan, she's created a really nice display here,
0:47:03 > 0:47:06and I actually really love these marmalade jars.
0:47:06 > 0:47:09Looking at the other side, something that jars on me
0:47:09 > 0:47:13are those window films on the dining room. You don't like?
0:47:13 > 0:47:16It sort of works. I'm just not sure about the blue.
0:47:16 > 0:47:19Maybe if we'd gone for the greens and the soft greens to tie it in...
0:47:19 > 0:47:21It just stands out a bit.
0:47:21 > 0:47:25Sophie and Daniel want to see what creativity Anna has brought
0:47:25 > 0:47:27to the customisation challenge.
0:47:27 > 0:47:28Remember the plates?
0:47:28 > 0:47:31She's made a cake stand out of it, which I think's ingenious.
0:47:31 > 0:47:33It's a really sweet, clever idea.
0:47:33 > 0:47:36She's got a little story going on round the edge,
0:47:36 > 0:47:37but for me that's the downfall.
0:47:37 > 0:47:39It looks like it's just been done with a marker pen.
0:47:39 > 0:47:43But it says, "Happiness for the greatest number of people."
0:47:43 > 0:47:45Well, I think it's fabulous.
0:47:47 > 0:47:49Now it's time for the judges to bring the homeowners
0:47:49 > 0:47:51to see their newly-styled kitchen.
0:47:51 > 0:47:55This is the first time they've seen it complete.
0:47:57 > 0:47:58Wow.
0:47:59 > 0:48:02Hi. Hi. Wow.
0:48:02 > 0:48:03My goodness me.
0:48:03 > 0:48:05Wow, look at that!
0:48:05 > 0:48:09It has transformed. It's nice, this island, the square shape.
0:48:09 > 0:48:11It's brilliant, actually,
0:48:11 > 0:48:15because it's big enough to eat on or prepare food, to sit round.
0:48:15 > 0:48:17It's really lovely, actually.
0:48:19 > 0:48:22Next up, Julia's design for a simple white kitchen
0:48:22 > 0:48:27with personality and fun through colourful retro accessories.
0:48:30 > 0:48:34Three days ago, this kitchen was dominated by black shiny cupboards.
0:48:34 > 0:48:38It felt cold and dark and clashed with the homeowners' style.
0:48:52 > 0:48:56Now the cupboards have been totally transformed,
0:48:56 > 0:48:59repainted in light, reflecting white,
0:48:59 > 0:49:03with a warm wooden worktop and sage green tiles.
0:49:04 > 0:49:06Julia added bolder colour
0:49:06 > 0:49:09in her green, yellow and orange accessories.
0:49:10 > 0:49:13A group of framed pictures create a feature wall.
0:49:15 > 0:49:17And painted pelmets above each window
0:49:17 > 0:49:20keeps the colour scheme running right through the room.
0:49:25 > 0:49:28Blimey! It's a real transformation, isn't it?
0:49:28 > 0:49:30I'm looking at these white cupboards.
0:49:30 > 0:49:33I mean, they were black, Darth Vader gloss before,
0:49:33 > 0:49:35and I can't see a drip anywhere,
0:49:35 > 0:49:38and I think this is a very professional finish,
0:49:38 > 0:49:41and I'm extremely impressed. It's beautifully fresh.
0:49:41 > 0:49:44Also this has been stained down a little bit more, hasn't it?
0:49:44 > 0:49:46I guess that they're just putting an oil on this.
0:49:46 > 0:49:49It's probably got a Danish oil or something like that on it.
0:49:49 > 0:49:50Danish oil.
0:49:50 > 0:49:53It needs that, because it's got to withstand spills and stains,
0:49:53 > 0:49:56and it'll help keep it hard-wearing.
0:49:56 > 0:49:58In fact, wood is perfect for cooking,
0:49:58 > 0:50:01because it's much more hygienic, even more than plastic.
0:50:01 > 0:50:03It's got actual antibacterial qualities within the wood.
0:50:03 > 0:50:06Exactly, so it's a good thing to have that.
0:50:06 > 0:50:09I have to say, I'm looking for the customisation.
0:50:09 > 0:50:11Smashed plates. Smashed plates? Oh, we're in Greece!
0:50:11 > 0:50:14I had a bit of an inkling that she was smashing plates,
0:50:14 > 0:50:18and she's done quite a funky '60s mosaic with it, would you say?
0:50:18 > 0:50:21Yeah, that's quite cool, isn't it? It's all right.
0:50:21 > 0:50:23Now what does that do for you?
0:50:23 > 0:50:25I think she's done a really nice job
0:50:25 > 0:50:29because she's chosen all her frames, just square or rectangle,
0:50:29 > 0:50:33and it's actually quite graphic. All right, OK.
0:50:33 > 0:50:35I think Jeff and Wendy are going to be thrilled with this,
0:50:35 > 0:50:40but I would love the idea just to see on one of those cupboards a pattern.
0:50:40 > 0:50:42It doesn't have to be all on it,
0:50:42 > 0:50:45but something almost like a tattoo sprayed across.
0:50:45 > 0:50:48I think when you've got clients who are up for colour and pattern
0:50:48 > 0:50:51and they like modern design, you can really go for it.
0:50:55 > 0:50:59Wow. That is extraordinary.
0:50:59 > 0:51:02That's incredible. That doesn't look like our kitchen.
0:51:02 > 0:51:04I think I'm going to cry.
0:51:04 > 0:51:07It's magnificent, it's absolutely magnificent.
0:51:07 > 0:51:10It would have been nice to have some colour there.
0:51:10 > 0:51:11It seems to be a bit blank.
0:51:11 > 0:51:16Other than that, I'm still stunned by it. It's just so beautiful.
0:51:21 > 0:51:25Finally, Kimberly's design to give this original Span kitchen
0:51:25 > 0:51:27a contemporary, more colourful style.
0:51:28 > 0:51:31Before, this room looked drab and tired,
0:51:31 > 0:51:33with a dated breakfast bar
0:51:33 > 0:51:37and an old-fashioned brown and grey colour scheme.
0:51:45 > 0:51:48Now it's a bold and modern mix of blue and yellow
0:51:48 > 0:51:52echoed in the blinds, tiles and dining chairs.
0:51:56 > 0:52:01The breakfast bar has been freshened up with a wrap-over worktop,
0:52:01 > 0:52:04and there are child-friendly and imaginative details.
0:52:06 > 0:52:09But Kimberly had to spend some time
0:52:09 > 0:52:11adapting her design to her clients' requests,
0:52:11 > 0:52:15meaning she rushed finishing off the tiling, paintwork and edging.
0:52:18 > 0:52:20Ooh, wow.
0:52:20 > 0:52:22It's cracking.
0:52:22 > 0:52:24THEY LAUGH
0:52:24 > 0:52:27Look at this! How clever is that, to think that through?
0:52:27 > 0:52:30That's really smart kitchen detail, you know?
0:52:30 > 0:52:33Have a look at that. It might give you tears.
0:52:33 > 0:52:36That is so sweet, Henry's little art wall.
0:52:36 > 0:52:38I love the detail on the blind.
0:52:38 > 0:52:40This is an excellent idea, so affordable roller blind,
0:52:40 > 0:52:43she's only had to buy a small amount of fabric,
0:52:43 > 0:52:46so it's very cost-effective, cos most of the time the blind's up,
0:52:46 > 0:52:49so you get the full potential of the fabric.
0:52:49 > 0:52:53I think the yellow with this blue-grey works really well.
0:52:53 > 0:52:57Yeah, very, very nice colours. I've just spotted dipped plates.
0:52:57 > 0:53:00I know, isn't it great? That's worked very well, hasn't it?
0:53:00 > 0:53:02Again that's telling the story of the colour scheme.
0:53:02 > 0:53:05The yellow, the grey, with the black highlight.
0:53:05 > 0:53:06But when you look around,
0:53:06 > 0:53:11beautiful and pleasing to the eye though it is, it's not finished.
0:53:11 > 0:53:13No. We've got grout missing. She ran out of time.
0:53:19 > 0:53:21Nice.
0:53:21 > 0:53:23I'm very pleased with the brick wall.
0:53:23 > 0:53:26I think they worked really hard to restore it,
0:53:26 > 0:53:29and I'm very pleased, I'm very, very happy.
0:53:29 > 0:53:31She's done a fantastic job,
0:53:31 > 0:53:34considering our tired old kitchen two days ago.
0:53:34 > 0:53:38Also what I quite like, she's actually left out one of the tiles.
0:53:38 > 0:53:40They're actually original tiles.
0:53:40 > 0:53:42Are they original? Yeah. We weren't sure.
0:53:42 > 0:53:45They're original. Are they? Yeah.
0:53:45 > 0:53:48You know what? I'm going to frame it and put it on the wall.
0:53:48 > 0:53:50Do frame it. I will.
0:53:54 > 0:53:57Now the judges must decide who's delivered the best design
0:53:57 > 0:53:59and shows enough promise
0:53:59 > 0:54:03to go through to the next round of the competition.
0:54:03 > 0:54:05It would mean the world to me to win,
0:54:05 > 0:54:08because it would be recognition that what I've done is really good.
0:54:10 > 0:54:13I think I'll make my homeowners happy.
0:54:13 > 0:54:15I'm not entirely sure
0:54:15 > 0:54:18I'm going to meet up to the criteria of the judges.
0:54:19 > 0:54:22I'm not even thinking about winning.
0:54:22 > 0:54:25I'm just happy to take each step as it comes.
0:54:25 > 0:54:31I'm grateful for the opportunity, and anything beyond this is a bonus.
0:54:35 > 0:54:39Now, judges, it gets personal for me because I live in a Span estate,
0:54:39 > 0:54:41so I'm really, really intrigued
0:54:41 > 0:54:43to find out how our designers have done.
0:54:43 > 0:54:46Who should we start with? We'll start with Anna. Anna.
0:54:46 > 0:54:48Well, I didn't think she'd got it.
0:54:48 > 0:54:50I didn't think she was getting there with the island,
0:54:50 > 0:54:52and I didn't believe she'd succeed.
0:54:52 > 0:54:53It was a shocker when I walked in,
0:54:53 > 0:54:56and she came up with an idea better than I could have.
0:54:56 > 0:54:59It worked really well, fantastic. It's amazing for you to admit that.
0:54:59 > 0:55:02Yeah! It's very rare, very rare!
0:55:02 > 0:55:05But she put together a look for them,
0:55:05 > 0:55:07and a lovely palette of colour,
0:55:07 > 0:55:09and gave it some identity and some style.
0:55:09 > 0:55:12Julia's clients were a different kettle of fish.
0:55:12 > 0:55:15They seemed to know and love the Span look.
0:55:15 > 0:55:19What a transformation. That was an incredible transformation,
0:55:19 > 0:55:21and it did look gorgeous.
0:55:21 > 0:55:23It's light and fresh and friendly.
0:55:23 > 0:55:25Truly a cook's kitchen as well.
0:55:25 > 0:55:29But I felt a bit disappointed, I think it was a little bit safe.
0:55:29 > 0:55:31Kimberly had a bit more of a difficult time, didn't she?
0:55:31 > 0:55:36She had some delays because a cooker arrived and it was far too big.
0:55:36 > 0:55:38There was a lot of messing around with those units to get it right.
0:55:38 > 0:55:41I think we've got to give her her due on that one.
0:55:41 > 0:55:43Did she deliver? Was it worth it?
0:55:43 > 0:55:45Designwise, I think it worked very well,
0:55:45 > 0:55:49that look with the dark colours, the bright, punchy yellows.
0:55:49 > 0:55:51Come on, this is a competition,
0:55:51 > 0:55:53and I want to see designers push themselves
0:55:53 > 0:55:55and show us what they can do.
0:55:55 > 0:55:58I feel Kimberly showed some real artistic creativity
0:55:58 > 0:55:59with some of her ideas.
0:55:59 > 0:56:01There were some real special touches there.
0:56:01 > 0:56:04Come on, you two. How did they do this time?
0:56:04 > 0:56:07Well, they've all answered different problems,
0:56:07 > 0:56:09and they've all come up with perfect solutions.
0:56:09 > 0:56:12I wonder which way we're going to go on this one.
0:56:21 > 0:56:24Goodness, designers, you've had a time, haven't you?
0:56:24 > 0:56:27A kitchen, ?1,000 in three days, you must be exhausted.
0:56:27 > 0:56:28But you all delivered.
0:56:28 > 0:56:32Unfortunately you can't all three of you win, which is a real shame.
0:56:32 > 0:56:35I wish you could, but you can't, and these two have decided
0:56:35 > 0:56:38which one of you is going to go forward to the quarterfinals.
0:56:40 > 0:56:41And the winner is...
0:56:44 > 0:56:45..Kimberly.
0:56:49 > 0:56:51Thank you!
0:56:51 > 0:56:55I'm very pleased for Kimberly. She had a really hard challenge.
0:56:55 > 0:56:58Yeah, she's done very well.
0:56:58 > 0:57:02It's just been great fun, really great fun.
0:57:02 > 0:57:04I've just loved it. The design experience has been brilliant,
0:57:04 > 0:57:08working as a team's been brilliant, it's all just been great.
0:57:09 > 0:57:13We saw some very professional, some very strong results this time,
0:57:13 > 0:57:16but Kimberly just had that extra little push,
0:57:16 > 0:57:18that extra level of creativity.
0:57:18 > 0:57:20SOPHIE: She was very late finishing,
0:57:20 > 0:57:22and there's still quite a lot of snagging to do.
0:57:22 > 0:57:26Having said all that, she shows that she's confident with colour,
0:57:26 > 0:57:30she's not afraid to use it, and I really felt that going forward,
0:57:30 > 0:57:32she's going to come up with more original ideas.
0:57:32 > 0:57:35'I'm really, really excited.'
0:57:35 > 0:57:37The feeling that this has given me
0:57:37 > 0:57:40and the process and the learning has just been incredible.
0:57:40 > 0:57:42I can't wait to do it all again.
0:57:42 > 0:57:44Thank you so much.
0:57:44 > 0:57:50'I think the judges saw my passion for interior design.'
0:57:50 > 0:57:53I didn't expect it, it's amazing.
0:57:57 > 0:57:59More than 50 years after they began
0:57:59 > 0:58:02with their strong sense of community and bold modern design,
0:58:02 > 0:58:04Span Developments and architect Eric Lyons
0:58:04 > 0:58:07continue to be celebrated all around the world.
0:58:07 > 0:58:09Now with their redesigned kitchens,
0:58:09 > 0:58:13hopefully our residents will have even more to celebrate.
0:58:15 > 0:58:18Next time, 18th century Georgian almshouses.
0:58:18 > 0:58:21It's open-plan living in miniature.
0:58:21 > 0:58:23But bringing these tired rooms up-to-date
0:58:23 > 0:58:25is fraught with challenges.
0:58:25 > 0:58:27We are running behind yet again.
0:58:27 > 0:58:29There are things that I know are problematic.