Medieval Terrace The Great Interior Design Challenge

I'm constantly taken aback

by the huge variety of property styles in Britain,

from characterful timber-framed cottages to grand townhouses.

But sometimes what's on the inside doesn't live up to what

is on the outside.

So we've gathered together the most talented amateur interior designers

who think they could be the next big thing, to show us how it's done.

But it's not as easy as it looks.

I'm panicking! I feel really sick.

16 came to show us their skills, three of the best remain.

I'm ecstatically proud of myself.

I am very happy, I'm very pleased.

Can't wait to do another room.

They'll be tested like never before as they try to win

a place in the final.

Judging them, two industry experts, Daniel Hopwood...

I want to see schemes that take my breath away.

..and Sophie Robinson.

In order to go through, there is no room for error.

In these final challenges, they'll face giants of the design world.

Orla Kiely...

It does look quite rough.

..and Kelly Hoppen.

I want perfection.

But only one can be crowned winner

of the Great Interior Design Challenge.

Previously, the final four battled it out in a dramatic quarterfinal.

I mean, it's not cutting-edge. Don't panic!

And with help from guest judge Oliver Heath...

It's enormously confusing.

..the judges sent one home. Now, three remain.

Oh, that was tough!

I think the room is very elegant.

I think I fulfilled the brief and more.

This is their biggest challenge.

For the semifinal, we're in somewhere pretty special,

the longest wholly medieval street in Britain,

in the beautiful cathedral city of Wells.

The designers must battle to impress their clients.

I think she's given herself a big task.

SHE SCREAMS

And our judges.

This isn't on brief. No ideas at the moment at all.

But there's a surprise in store, in the shape of guest judge Orla Kiely.

This is the semifinal. I want to be impressed.

This is so bad!

Only two will go through to the grand final.

And the designer we're saying goodbye to is...

This epic semifinal is taking place in Wells, Somerset,

beside the magnificent Gothic cathedral on this idyllic

medieval close.

Begun in the mid-1300s,

this cobbled close is the oldest intact residential street in Europe.

Our semifinalists will be taking on these three medieval front rooms.

Our designers, though,

are going to have to be especially sensitive to the heritage

of the living rooms they'll be working in

because they are Grade 1 listed, meaning stringent rules

and regulations over what can and can't be done.

With the floorboards and plaster walls not to be sanded, drilled

or wallpapered, they'll be tested like never before as

they try to win a place in the grand final.

Shall I start doing doggies?

It feels pretty amazing to be through to the semifinals.

I'm, like, absolutely champing at the bit to get on and do it now.

They've been working on a brief from their clients for the last week.

This is wood panelling which I'm doing. Okey dokey.

Lots of excitement but much more nervous than ever before.

The room is going to look like, basically...

They have three days

and a small team, including a builder and a decorator.

I'm going to make you guys work!

And the semifinalists have been given their biggest budget yet -

?1,500.

If this is my very last chance,

then I'm just going to give everything I've got.

First up is ex-textile sales assistant, Frankie,

from Surrey, originally from Taiwan.

It'd make a very nice dress, wouldn't it?

When Frankie unleashes his inner creativity, it is just magic, but

he needs to be more confident and give us some of that Frankie flair.

Frankie is taking on a rather busy living room

that doubles as a place to practise and listen to music.

It's quite a mishmash in here, isn't it?

Yeah, it is a Victorian cubbyhole over in the corner.

A modern radiator. Yet there's a beam going over the top.

It's evolved, hasn't it, this room? It's evolved, yeah. It has evolved.

Frankie's brief is to unite the room with a nostalgic

and cosy grand hotel feel, but with a touch of humour.

Frankie, in my opinion, can be

in danger of doing schemes that are rather frumpy, if I'm honest.

So I think if he can give this scheme an edge,

it could be really exciting.

Frankie's take on nostalgic grand hotel

centres around a complicated Art Nouveau mural in the very

British tones of red, white and blue.

My design, I think it's...

I won't say suicidal, but it's actually quite risky.

The risky scheme had to be run past client and cathedral organist,

Johnny, before work began.

So the room is going to look like... this.

So I'm going to paint this mural from above the fireplace... Mm.

In a kind of Mackintosh pattern. Yeah.

So it's going to cross the ceiling to the other side... Wow!

..and then coming down next to your piano.

I'd no idea you were going to do anything to the ceiling.

I just think that's fascinating.

It's just because this is Grade 1 listed house

and we don't allow to have wallpaper. Yeah.

So I thought, OK, then if we only allowed to paint, let's paint a lot!

Yeah! And above the picture rail I'm going to put LED lighting. OK.

And I'm going to add scatter cushion made out of...suit jacket!

LAUGHTER

So it's a bit bonkers! Yeah. That's a bit of fun.

'Well, I certainly wasn't expecting that.'

When the homeowner asked for sort of European grand hotel and we get...

Mackintosh! Yeah!

Scottish! Yes! Severe, austere.

And on top of that he is adding LED lighting, which is

not going to add to that room.

It's going to be a little bit harsh.

Work is well underway, and as wallpaper fan Frankie is having to

stick to breathable paints, he must brush up on his painting skills.

Wow.

That's how you do the line. I couldn't get the line straight.

Just like...zzzhhooop!

That might not bode well for his hand-painted mural.

Compared with mine...

my one's pretty bad.

RIPPING Do you like the pencil?

Our second designer is textile teacher Lucy, from Colchester.

Lucy is such an accomplished designer.

You can't miss her enthusiasm and passion

and she's brimming with ideas.

But as a result, sometimes her projects can be a little bit rushed.

In the semifinals, I need her to create a polished and finished room.

Before work began, this living room was bland, boring and very brown.

Pretty beige, isn't it? These sofas are enormous.

They're overpowering what is actually a very pretty room.

Lucy's brief is to create an inviting hunting lodge style

living room for her dog-loving homeowners.

This brief is lovely.

It's asking for something that I feel is quite cottagey, very cosy...

Exactly, and we know that Lucy has got lots of ideas,

but actually polishing them up into one refined scheme is what

we're going to be looking out for.

Really pleased with the brief.

Not necessarily my normal choice - country lodge, hunting lodge -

but I've decided to add my own angle to it this time and make it fun.

Lucy's humorous take on a hunting lodge combines cool blues,

warm browns, with paint effect wood panelling and comical animal art.

So, this is the mood board I've created for you.

But first, Lucy had to get her quirky scheme past clients

Melanie and David.

Um, so, the walls are called Celestial Blue.

I want it to be warm, so I'm adding lots of warm textiles,

wool tartans, to give it that lodge look. That's lovely, isn't it?

And one of the biggest things I'm going to be doing myself is

painting you wood panelling on this wall here. Wow! Oh, wow.

I'm going to try and achieve this trompe l'oeil painted effect

with woodgrain, which I've never done before.

MELANIE LAUGHS But I'm loving the idea of the challenge.

And that will be these kinds of colours, quite warm browns.

Lucy also has a plan to hide the '30s fireplace which,

although not original, is listed. And it's more visual trickery.

The fireplace is going to be built like a screen to go over your

fireplace and you'll be able to move it out of the way to use the fire.

Oh, brilliant.

And I know you love your dogs

and I'm going to do you a piece of artwork, contemporary artwork.

I don't think there's anything I don't like, to be honest.

No, I love it! Oh, good! It's so much more than I expected.

Oh, great. It's amazing.

I love the idea of having a go at trompe l'oeil.

It's very difficult to do

because it's about tricking the eye with perspective and light and

shade, and if you get it slightly wrong it can look a complete mess.

I'm just measuring where I'm going to start the wood panelling

on these curvy walls.

I'm really hoping to get it done today. That's the aim of the game.

It's going to be a bit... of an experiment.

An experiment that the homeowners might be slightly regretting.

I think the biggest risk for us is the painted wall.

Let's hope she can pull it off so it looks authentic.

But, yeah, I think she's given herself a big task.

Apparently, this is a wallpaper brush.

But I bought it because I wanted that textured...grainy look.

Yes, I like the risk element.

Although I wouldn't do a bungee jump. It's funny, that.

It's not massive bills, but there's quite a few little things.

Last up is Sarah, a garden designer from Hove.

Hiya!

In the quarterfinals, Sarah produced a striking scheme,

and yet she backed the brief and that colour choice was very risky.

This time we want to see her get those colours spot-on,

because if she doesn't she won't be going through to the final.

Before work began,

this living room was a clash of medieval meets modern metropolitan.

This wasn't what I was expecting.

Well, they've just moved everything from their London flat.

Have you noticed there's a lot of red?

Sarah's brief is for a colourful,

opulent French chateaux style living room with an oriental edge.

Interesting brief, this one.

Something French inspired, which is very romantic, very opulent.

I think quite an unusual choice, considering where we are. Yeah,

but it runs in danger of being quite a tacky look if you're not careful.

Having been asked for colour, Sarah's scheme is her boldest yet,

with tangerine walls, oriental fabrics and black gloss furniture.

I've really pushed the boat out on this one,

because if you're ever going to do it, now is the time.

Right...

But first, Sarah has the little matter of getting

the go-ahead from Merryn and her husband, choir singer, Andrew.

So, your brief was music to my ears.

This is the main colour I'd like to paint the walls.

Kind of like a peachy orange, isn't it? Mm.

It's kind of like going to come up

and wrap around slightly into the room.

And then I've got two panels that I'm going to make

and they will rest against the walls on both sides.

One of them is going to be covered in wallpaper and painted gold. Wow.

And the other one, there's this amazing piece of fabric that I found.

Furniture-wise, I've got you a big French cabinet

and that's going to be painted black gloss.

Also I've bought you two new sofas...

Oh, lovely! ..that are French velvet.

Because I'm slightly taller than average,

I find some sofas quite uncomfortable.

It has to be comfy. It has to be comfy. Yeah.

There's no point buying new furniture...

You probably didn't know I was 6'6".

No, they didn't tell me that.

On my list of extra measurements, they didn't... LAUGHTER

So there's going to be orange on the wall, orange skirting,

bright-pink sofa, black accents around the room.

I'm feeling exhausted already. It is a really full-on scheme.

I would have taken something a bit more subtle in the colour palette.

But Sarah's clients like the dazzling scheme.

On paper, at least.

It looked really exciting, what she's done. I love the colour.

It is bright. It's going to be full of happiness.

Look at the colour! How does that not make you happy?

You know, they've asked for colour,

so I'm going to deliver what they want and more.

All the designers are busy fighting for a place in the final.

Do you think the shelving could actually finish by here?

Their schemes are just the latest addition

to these 700-year-old houses.

Picture a medieval home

and you'd probably conjure up images of a crooked timber-framed house.

These medieval houses, though, are completely different.

They're regular, they're uniform, in terraces, and made of stone.

It's astonishing to think they were begun in 1348 for members

of the vicar's choral, which sang in the cathedral just over there.

The terraces nearly didn't get finished at all when the Black Death

swept through Wells, wiping out much of the workforce.

The buildings between the houses

and the cathedral still show what life was like in the vicar's choral.

In here is the vicar's hall, where the musicians had their meals.

That chest over there is actually a medieval bread bin.

There must have been an awful lot of bread.

And over there, during mealtimes,

Bible readings would have taken place. And over here...

..there's a passageway that takes the choristers over the street

back to the cathedral at the end of the meal,

so they didn't have to mingle with the hoi polloi.

From medieval to Mackintosh.

Frankie's white walls are being prepped for his intricate mural.

While he has taken on a task that suits him much better.

Oh! Did somebody put a tissue paper in there?

Making cushions from second-hand jackets.

I'm going to stitch this seam to make it nice and neat,

but I don't want to see the thread. This is called blind stitch.

So, literally, the thread disappears.

I think in the winter time...

you could actually put your pockets...to keep your hand warm.

I think this has got a very special sense of humour.

Frankie has impressed throughout the competition with his precise

use of textiles.

Fabric, you know, is my best friend.

It allows me to do some of the small detail like this.

But he's been in trouble when he's kept things safe.

It's time for him to stop relying on those fabrics and show us

his true creativity.

He has proved he's got an edgy side, though, with amazing results.

You've got a big smile on your face! Yeah!

It's really dramatic, isn't it?

I'm curious.

Frankie has gone to Mackintosh for inspiration for a 14th century

house in Wells.

And I'm wondering why.

I always say I'm just throwing you a curveball. OK, I accept that.

I've just been hit by it in the face, actually!

I thought, you know, we don't have too far to go now.

Perhaps this will be my very last chance.

LUCY: Oh, no, I've got some thingies for you! You've got that?

Yeah, if I can find the box.

In Lucy's hunting lodge living room,

the 1930s fireplace is being measured up for its fake face-lift.

Look at these nice things. Oh, lovely!

?5 each off t'internet.

Also beginning to take shape is Lucy's faux wood panelling.

We've got a base coat of a light brown and now I'm putting

a darker brown on top,

then I'm going to make it look like wood panelling.

Using a plastic rocker that can cost as little as ?5,

the top layer of darker paint is scraped back...

Ta-da!

..to leave woodgrain effect.

I quite like it. It's going to be all right.

And it's quite quick, which suits me.

Lucy has shown her artistic roots throughout the competition,

impressing with handcrafted schemes.

What I'm trying to do, I think, is get it really dark

in the middle and fade out, so it's a bit like a bike wheel planet.

But sometimes her ambitious ideas have led to her attention to

detail being questioned.

The patterns in the panels just looks a bit like she's done

it with a dry flat brush.

This time, her paint effects must be perfect.

Trompe l'oeil means trick of the eye. Mm. You're playing a trick.

It's a theatrical trick to actually look like you've got real

wood panelling with shadowing round the edges and everything else.

I've never done this before. It's a risk.

I just think it's another skill that I've never used,

so I just want to try and prove to myself that I can do it.

It's risky mixing the real with fake, and that's what Lucy is doing.

Now, she can be sloppy at times,

and if she's not accurate with the finish, it will look a mess.

Sometimes you just get on with it and you think you're doing OK

and then they sort of knock you back a bit ten paces.

I think it'll be fine if it all comes together, but...

Um, it is challenging.

Sarah has also given herself a tough task.

She's priming several pieces of furniture ready to give them

a new look that will hopefully tone down her bright-orange walls.

I want it to be black gloss because if you're going to fill a room

full of colour and pattern, then black is

a kind of a way of bringing it down and giving it real class.

From the very first round, Sarah has been bold with colour.

What a gorgeous colour. Good job! Like it!

She's often pushed her clients to be brave, mainly with success.

You feel OK about the colour? Good. It's good. Really good.

I like it. I like the putty colour. SARAH LAUGHS

But taking risks could end her time in the competition.

Now, your client is 6'6".

And I know he's concerned about whether those sofas are going

to be comfortable for his height. Do you think you've got it right?

I don't think he's going to have any trouble with comfort.

But you got them online, right? I did buy them online, yeah.

You didn't get the luxury of trying them out. No, I didn't.

But have you pulled that off?

I don't know yet, I still haven't seen them.

Oh, haven't you?! You're totally blagging it!

It's not just Sarah's sofas that will be a surprise.

With a place in the final at stake, the judges have set a sneaky

challenge to see how far the designers have come since round one.

Absolutely don't want to think about what they're going to ask me today.

I'm so not happy.

It is incredible what you can do when you're under pressure.

But I don't like it.

We know that these designers have raw talent, but we want to

assess how much they've learnt during the competition.

Give me some good news. OK.

I've got a challenge for you.

It doesn't sound very attractive at all.

So this time, the object they'll be asked to upcycle...

Do you remember this?

..is exactly the same as they received in their very first heat.

Do you recognise this? Yeah!

For Lucy, it's a wooden crate.

Here we come again.

Frankie gets a vintage tennis racket.

Oh, I don't believe it!

Do you remember this? Yeah, how could you forget it?

And Sarah, a wooden barrel.

This time I want it to be even bigger...

and better.

My life within a bucket.

HE LAUGHS

It's just a total deja vu.

It's... This is so bad.

The items must fit their final schemes

and prove what they've learned across the competition.

Bit minging.

It means I can give it a second chance and try

and do something better than last time.

No ideas at the moment at all.

Blank.

As day one draws to a close, the designers are one step closer

to finding out who won't be going through to the final.

Did you get your upcycle challenge? Yeah.

Was it the thing in your first round? Yes. You had that too? Yeah.

I had a tennis racket.

LAUGHTER

Brilliant!

With his walls still wet, Frankie is not all smiles, though.

I thought I could have time to paint the mural today,

but unfortunately the paint, you know,

doesn't get dry quick enough, so I guess that's something I can rush.

Lucy's wood effect panelling still needs a lot of work.

It's still looking a bit basic.

I'm worried that I won't be able to make it as good as it should be.

While Sarah is primed and ready to go.

Right, that's me done for the day, I think.

Big day tomorrow.

I'm going for a pint!

ORGAN PLAYS

It's the start of the second day of competition

and our designers have been getting creative.

Suit fabric cushions, panelling paint effects

and the first signs of orange have all gone in.

But they can't rest on their laurels

if they want to get through to the final.

Helping Sophie and Daniel make their decision is one of the

country's leading experts on pattern and design, guest judge, Orla Keily.

I want to see a designer who has talent

but also has the passion to go further after this competition.

Only two can go through to the final.

Oh, God, I hope this colour doesn't go off. It's insane.

The biggest concerns are getting paint on the walls,

getting things painted so I can just put that away and forget about it

and get on.

Oh, it's rather lush, isn't it? Well done!

Feeling nervous about the competition

and what the other designers are doing.

I really just want to crack on.

This morning the biggest thing is the mural.

I'm actually feeling really, really tired. I feel like...

..not really myself.

At Sarah's, with her boldest and brightest colour choice to date

all over the walls, there's no going back.

I mean, it's pretty insane at the moment.

It is definitely going to divide opinion.

Yeah, it's like an orange bomb has gone off in an orange factory.

Hoping another risky decision will pay off,

Sarah is finally getting to test out her new sofas...

Oh...

..for her 6'6" client.

Wicked.

I think he could learn to love these.

But can the judges learn to love her bright-orange walls?

That is a strong colour.

Well, the homeowner says she likes to experiment with colours -

she's got it.

But they also asked for something elegant, French, chinoiserie.

This isn't on brief!

No, this feels like a cheap holiday villa, doesn't it?

I think it needs a bit more lightness, actually.

Lucy is also being bold with paint, with her trompe l'oeil panelling.

I'm trying to build up layers of different tones.

She's about to find out if it's a success or not,

as her homeowners pay a visit.

Hello. Morning.

Oh, gosh.

It looks amazing. Well, it's not finished.

I'm just adding... That was the first layer.

And then I'm kind of adding and adding to make it more subtle.

Is that actually painted along the top?

It looks like, really looks like wood.

That's painted, it's all painted.

I really like it.

The trompe l'oeil looks really good, actually.

I'm really pleased with it.

It's a good job,

as the fake fireplace is getting the same treatment.

I'm going to try and paint this brick-look here.

You see, that's three-dimensional.

So I'm doing another bit of my trompe l'oeil.

Being so ambitious though...

I hate that middle bit.

I'm wondering if...

..is starting to take its toll.

I'm trying to just keep going and going and going and going.

I really hope Lucy hasn't taken on too much,

cos she looks absolutely exhausted.

We have been urging her to edit down her ideas.

I hope she's left enough fuel in the tank to finish this project

to the really high standard that we expect.

Tired.

The judges are also expecting to see how much each designer

has learned at this semifinal stage.

So they've given each of them

the same object they received in the very first round to repurpose.

It'd be nice to do as least cuttage as possible.

Lucy turned her wooden crate into a futuristic television unit in her heat.

She's given it a modern edge.

I think it looks naff. Do you? Yeah. Oh, I love it. I think it's really cool.

This time she's taken the crate to pieces

and turned it into a drinks tray.

Funnily enough, I wanted a tray,

so it's kind of handy when I got the box to upcycle.

To tie her creation into her hunting lodge theme,

she adds some rustic fabrics to the wood

and decorates with woodland animals.

I'm just sewing on these dear little deers,

just cos I want to sit down doing silly things.

I'm really impressed how Lucy has integrated her upcycle project completely within the scheme.

It's using the right colours and elements,

and it's actually going to be really useful in there.

It is, but it's a tray, and I just don't think it's that innovative.

This upcycle I think is a bit better than the first one I made,

I'm hoping.

I've kind of forgotten.

I used to do this when I was a kid, pretend I'm a musician.

Frankie turned his vintage tennis racket into a swing-out sidetable.

What an ingenious idea.

And being able to tuck it away means the joke is not always on display.

This time he has other plans.

Maybe just a table lamp.

With the tennis string-stretchers turned into a frame...

Oh, you've done it! There we go, sir.

Wow.

That's pretty good.

Frankie can give it a coat of white paint,

with a little Mackintosh detail.

Finally, fabric fan Frankie finishes it off with a piece of blue fire retardant material.

I like the way that he sort of reinvented the shape of it.

It's almost something that Mackintosh would have made.

It just works perfectly. And doing it white too is absolutely correct.

Hey! It works.

HE LAUGHS

I want to start by taking it apart

because I've got this idea that maybe we'll try

and make a lampshade, cos I could do with another lampshade.

In her heat, Sarah transformed her wooden barrel into a book bucket.

Never thought of having a bucket for books.

This time she's chosen to completely dismantle it,

and, just like her rival Frankie, use the wood to make a table light...

Cool.

That's great.

..which she's spraying in black gloss.

I wanted it to be a kind of Japanese fan.

She's created an object of real sculptural quality and very elegant.

I think the transformation is excellent.

I'll never get a job as a car spray salesman, but...

..it'll do.

All the designers have impressed, but the real test for these

upcycled creations is how well they integrate into their final rooms.

I just don't know why I'm putting myself through this.

In Frankie's room, his decorator is busy turning the alcoves red.

So it's down to Frankie to deliver the Mackintosh mural.

It is quite intricate,

but I have to crack on because I don't have the whole day.

Despite being a perfectionist,

Frankie has decided to freestyle his design,

instead of using a ready-cut stencil.

It's looking all right.

There's still, you know, imperfections,

so that we'll touch up later with a white.

And then make sure the lines are nice and clean.

Oh, my gosh, I'm so tired.

And this is just my first one.

But good design takes time,

as history proves.

Old streets always get chopped and changed over the centuries,

and this 700-year-old one is no exception.

Those imposing octagonal chimneys were added in the 15th century

by the same person that carved those crests.

The Georgians came along and they blocked-up doorways,

they added porches, they replaced those narrow medieval windows with sashes.

But there was one house which is very, very close

to the 14th century original, through here.

And it's pretty much perfect.

Tiny bit lower.

There.

Perfection is exactly what Sarah is after for her rather tall client.

6'7".

I think 6'7" is fine, actually. Yeah? Yeah.

Unless he's wearing heels, he'll clear it.

The light may not be a risk, but the orange walls are.

And her clients are about to see the colour up for the first time.

This is the stage where the homeowner does get nervous,

if there's ever going to be a stage.

Hello. Hello.

It's colourful.

How are you? SARAH LAUGHS

It's certainly brightened it up. I said I wanted colour, so... You did!

And we got colour.

The colour itself is not so much an issue,

it's just there was a lot of it and nothing to break it up.

So let's hold out and see what's next.

What Sarah is planning on breaking up the orange with -

lacquered black oriental furniture and two bold freestanding panels.

Sarah is attaching green, yellow and pink

bamboo printed fabric to an MDF board. Wow.

Cos we can't put anything on the walls,

the panels are going to bring colour and texture

and really break up that tangerine.

That is so cool.

The second panel is embossed wallpaper,

which is being painted gold.

I would so have this room at my house.

I'm going to go home and paint everything tangerine and gold.

Like a takeaway restaurant.

Lucy is also toying with the idea of an unconventional wall panel.

It's going to be stretched onto a canvas...

And I'm not sure whether it might be a bridge too far.

But I like it.

The doggy decor doesn't stop there.

So I've got some photos of the dog,

and I did some illustrations of him, some quick water colours,

and then that's paper and I've collaged him

onto an old needlepoint tapestry thing,

and then I've made him a jumper and a jacket for some reason.

And a hat.

Lucy's goal is for her menagerie of kitsch animal accessories

to add a modern and fun twist to her hunting lodge living room.

And I think that'll be fine.

Oh, that's right.

Christmas arrives early.

So these are the reproduction of the Mackintosh chair.

You can see how high the back is.

There's no time to sit down on the job

with so much of his mural still to do.

Wow. Still got lots to do.

That is a lot of work. Yeah.

It's hard to make it exactly the same mirror to that side. Yeah.

How you feeling? Stress.

Murals look like hard work.

I...

I feel a little bit of regret about why do I

put so much work for myself?

I really don't want to blow it,

but I'm so scared I might be.

I just constantly tell myself I have to keep going.

So this is Frankie going at it with all guns blazing.

You are out there... Absolutely. It's just like...

HE IMITATES GUNSHOT

You're going to blow them away. Absolutely.

It's not just our designers making their mark in these homes.

450 years ago they went through another huge change.

These houses were originally built as one up, one down bachelor pads,

with an external staircase around the back made of wood connecting the two rooms.

But the Reformation changed all that.

All of a sudden, the vicars choral, shock horror, were allowed to marry,

and 30 of these original bachelor pads

were converted into family homes.

This is one of the houses that was enlarged in the 16th century.

It's much bigger and grander than most,

and it contains something very special through here.

In this room there is an impressive 15th century mural -

a stylised depiction of vegetation.

Originally it would probably have been multicoloured, but only

the red remains, the hardest wearing of the medieval dyes.

Fading dyes are the last thing on Frankie's mind.

He's still got to get his design on the ceiling,

and there's a problem.

That lighting is not actually sitting right in the centre...

..of the fireplace.

Frankie had planned to paint a controlled stripe design

across the ceiling, perfectly framing the light fitting.

If that is not symmetrical that will look really, really bizarre.

So I...

Yeah, I need to change my plan.

Oh, sorry.

The end of the day is fast approaching,

and for Lucy's playful hunting lodge panel, there are more casualties...

Oh, he's cute though. Look.

..to get her a step closer to the grand final.

I would love to do it again, if I could.

But...

I just want to be prepared to go home as well.

You know?

I hope I've done enough to get through. But you never know.

It's a pretty out-there room.

Tomorrow is a very, very big day.

But I believe if I'm good enough in the judges' eyes then I will be through.

But if I'm not good enough then I'll be heading home.

It's the last day of the semifinal, and our three contestants have

been working round the clock to impress the judges.

The stakes are high - only two can go through to the final stage.

I've come this far, you know?

I've put everything into it, everything.

It's been amazing, but I want it.

I'm generally nervous.

Just try and not think about it too much so I can focus

and get on with the room.

I'm not on track at all.

I'm feeling quite panicky and...

Yeah, I just have to keep on cracking.

They still don't know it yet, but guest judge

contemporary designer Orla Kiely, is on her way.

I want to see their skill, their creativity,

but above all I want to see a designer

who looks at things with absolutely fresh eyes.

Before she arrives,

the Queen of Pattern is taking her first look at the designers' schemes,

starting with Frankie.

Looking at Frankie's mood board,

I do like the Macintosh reference,

but it can't have any messed up edges, it needs to be sharp.

With so much of his mural to do, Frankie is under pressure.

I'm very, very... I'm feeling very stressed at the moment.

I just had to touch that up.

How's Frankie's grand European hotel looking today?

Well, it's looking very unfinished,

considering he's only got a couple of hours left

and he's still decorating.

I'm very concerned for him.

Looking at Lucy's board,

I'm kind of wondering about the choice of furniture and accessories.

There's a lot going on. You don't have do have something everywhere.

The cuckoo clock could go on here...

But Lucy hopes she'll get the balance right,

as she brings in all her quirky accessories.

CUCKOO CLOCK CALLS Yeah!

That is hilarious. I think it's looking OK.

It's quite crowded, but I quite like that.

I maybe need to step back and edit a bit at the end.

Now, Lucy has always been a bit of a whirling dervish, hasn't she?

Full of energy. How's she whirling today?

You know, usually at this point in the process we'd see Lucy

in a blind panic, but that seems to be a thing of the past.

She's already dressing her room, and she's bringing in stacks of stuff.

Now, we know with Lucy she does tend to overstuff a scheme,

and I'm really hoping she's not going to do that this time.

I love that Sarah is brave with colour,

and I think it can be a very difficult thing sometimes to pull off.

If not done, kind of, carefully it might look tacky.

To tone down the orange, Sarah is making cushions...

multicoloured cushions...

Now that's bling, isn't it?

..to go on the dusty pink sofas.

Even I was saying I wasn't panicking yesterday, but there was a moment

where I was like, "Oh, this is really extreme colour."

But now everything is coming in,

so we're just going to soften it and it'll be storming.

I'm excited.

Sarah's always been uber-slick.

So is she pulling off another polished scheme this time?

Sarah does go for these really bold schemes,

but somehow, with her lovely styling and use of lots and lots

of accessories to soften the look, she often brings back the balance.

It could work, but...

I've still got fears about it.

With Orla having scrutinised the designs,

one thing remains -

to meet the designers.

Frankie. Yes?

The judges would like to see you.

Right now?

I've no idea. Maybe another judge. That would be lovely.

Designers, standing right in front of me

is the winner of the Great Interior Design Challenge.

But first, you've got to earn your place in the final.

The stakes are high and the decision rests with our two judges.

So to help them, they've called in some serious heavyweight design clout.

She's been delivering world-class design for over 20 years,

culminating in her being awarded an OBE.

Her talent knows no bounds.

From dressing royalty to giving us

one of the most iconic prints of our era.

Designers, this time you're going to be judged by Orla Kiely.

Oh, wow.

So nice to be here.

Very excited.

And as this is the semifinal,

from my point of view, looking for really interesting ideas,

and a beautiful execution.

So good luck.

The judges just keep on throwing surprises again and again.

This is the semifinal,

and I just can't take it any more.

I think she'll probably be looking for good colour,

I know she likes orange.

I'm extremely nerve-wracked now, because she is such a big name

and someone I admire so much that

now I'm just scared stiff.

Because if she doesn't like it I'm going to really feel quite gutted.

CLOCK CHIMES

With time almost up, Lucy must prove the judges' earlier concerns

about her finish are unfounded.

Down half an inch.

She's had ?1,500 and three days.

Down, down. God, down.

That's it. Oh, it's fab.

But when it comes to her finishing kitsch touches, it's hard to stop.

I'm quite pleased with it. It's crowded but I don't mind that.

I'm never 100% happy with anything, so it's hard to say.

But I'm pleased that I've put myself into it,

and the fun elements that I hope they'll like.

Lucy's brief was to create a cosy hunting lodge-themed living room.

Three days ago, the room was very beige and rather bland.

Now it's cosy and kitsch, with a soft blue and brown scheme.

The back wall has been hand-painted to create a wood-panelled trompe l'oeil,

paint effects continue on the fake fireplace,

which hides the old 1930s mantelpiece.

And Lucy has added a touch of hunting humour with quirky accessories -

from her pooch portrait to her stuffed toy wall hanging.

I actually believe now that I could go through.

Yeah.

I want to believe that I could.

Time for Sophie and Daniel and Orla to see the room.

As far as the wood-panel effect wall is concerned,

I like the fact that she's taken the time to do it herself.

It's a one-off, it's bespoke.

Yeah, it does. It's turned out well.

We've also got this fireplace.

Hidden underneath that is a 1930s tiled fireplace.

And, again, she's got this trompe l'oeil theme going through.

Oh, I see. That's really ambitious, but it works.

She's covered it up. Yeah.

I do think this room though is running in danger of being overly cluttered.

And we know what Lucy's like - she can't resist it.

But I think, funnily enough, in this scheme clutter is OK,

and I think she has left some kind of spaces that are clear.

Because I think that's very important -

to have space to breathe from clutter -

and I think she's focused it quite well into certain zones.

I'm desperately looking for that space to have my breath. There.

It's actually behind you, Daniel.

The judges also have to assess the success of Lucy's upcycled crate.

This integrates brilliantly in the room though, doesn't it?

The fabrics, the motifs, the rustic materials. Beautifully made.

Yeah, that's really nice. I think that's nice. But what is that?

It's a crime, isn't it? It's playful. Oh! It is playful.

Is it playing up the sort of hunting lodge thing?

You know, usually you'd see a stag's head and things like that.

So it's kind of like a bit of a joke on that.

I think I've got the brief right.

Whether there's small elements that the residents may not like as much,

I'm not sure. So who knows?

What all the homeowners think will count towards the judges' decision.

Come in. Thank you. Goodness me.

That's amazing.

I don't know what to look at first.

Oh, love it. I love it.

I could almost cry.

It's your home, isn't it? It's a personal thing.

That fire is brilliant. How has she done that?

Yeah, I feel quite emotional, really.

I've never had a house with a room like this before.

I've always had functional rooms, and someone has come in here

and they've put heart and soul into it,

but they've done it using our heart,

and then they've put their soul into getting it right for us.

This is very, very difficult.

Frankie's time is almost up and the accuracy

of his mural is paying the price.

That is just messy and that's not me.

But it will have to do as he has just moments

to finish dressing his room.

I'm literally just running out of energy now

and I just can't do any more.

Done.

The execution, possibly, a little bit let me down.

But I spent every single second.

Overall, I did my very best.

Frankie's brief was for a grand European hotel feel

with a touch of Cool Britannia.

Three days ago the room was cosy but cluttered.

Now, Frankie has given it a Mackintosh makeover.

Inspired by the Union Jack, the walls have been painted

bright red, brilliant white, with accents of a blue-grey.

A hand-painted mural runs across walls and ceiling,

from fireplace to piano.

And the scheme is completed with edgy LED lighting along the

picture rail and cushions made from suits.

I don't really know what Orla Kiely would think about my room.

As long as she could pick out one or two good things,

I will be very happy.

Well, it's done, which is a relief.

Yes. I'm pleasantly surprised. I think it looks great.

I mean, I think the stencil is interesting

but it does look quite rough.

You know, clean lines would have been really expected.

But the stripe round the edge does work quite well.

It's probably a big, you know, big task to try and do it beautifully.

One of the things we love about Frankie

is he's absolutely brilliant with a sewing machine.

I do like the cushions.

I like the colours, I like the idea of the suiting with pockets.

Yeah, that's cute.

It's quite quirky. I have to say, a bit of a giggle.

It is, it's funny.

His cushions may suit his scheme but does his upcycled lamp?

This is Frankie's upcycle

and I think he's integrated it into the scheme really, really well.

It's definitely got that Mackintosh look. It's slightly utilitarian,

it goes with this very stark interior.

So he's blended the two very well. Yeah, it's very nice.

My only reservation is the amount of white.

I don't quite understand why there is so much white.

I don't think he needed the LED lights.

I would have stopped before adding those.

It's a difficult one, this.

My impression was good, it's only when you start to...

Pick it apart.

..pick at it that you see where it could have been better.

I hope my homeowner's not going to be too disappointed

but I guess... Yeah, I just hope he will like it and he will enjoy it.

My goodness!

It looks so different. I think the LEDs look fab up here.

What do you think about the mural that Frankie's painted?

I really like it.

I think it really hangs together well.

With her deadline looming, Sarah is busy dressing her room.

Watch out, watch out! Oh!

With both the judges and client overwhelmed by the orange

earlier on, it's vital her styling unifies the whole scheme.

I think that'll do.

That'll do? M-hm.

Planned it! Well done.

Awesome.

This is, like, a one-time opportunity

to really go for it, take risks,

have fun and see where it goes.

There's no point in doing...

I could paint magnolia walls every day of the week if I wanted to.

Sarah's brief was to create a colourful French chateau feel,

with an oriental edge.

Three days ago the room was neat and tidy but lacked much personality.

Now it has impact.

Sarah has used a bright tangerine on the walls

and layered the floor with both neutral and monochrome rugs.

Panels painted gold and covered in Chinese fabric

add interest without damaging the walls.

And she's added black gloss furniture,

two antique sofas and plenty of colourful cushions.

I hope that when the judges see the room they'd walk in and go,

"Now I see why she's painted it that colour."

It's still really orange, right?!

I think it's really cool. I rather like it.

I think it's daring and it's quite fun.

I'm not getting the French chateau... Mmm.

I'm sort of feeling more like I'm in some kind of cocktail lounge.

As much as I love orange, I love it in that, kind of, retro '70s way

but somehow that's not what this room is.

But I think the gold screen against the wall

is a nice bridge between the black and the orange.

Yeah, the gold works really nicely,

especially inside the drum lampshade as well,

so you get that lovely gold glow coming from the lighting.

She's also got some nice little pieces that she's collected, too.

Yes, I mean, she's sourced perfect accessories that just...

I think they are very cool, actually.

Yeah, they complete the look. Yeah.

The judges also need to see how well Sarah's upcycled barrel

fits with her scheme.

That was a barrel and look at it now.

It looks like some art deco chicness hiding there.

Yeah, I love it and the light it's casting into the alcove

is really effective.

Definitely the best upcycle out of all of them.

Oh, I hope the homeowners love it. They've put their trust in me.

So, yeah... I think they're...

I really think they're going to love it.

Her clients' reaction to the orange will be crucial.

Oh!

Wow! Cool.

It looks amazing! You wanted bright colours.

Yep! You wanted orange, you got orange.

Not too orange? Not too orange.

Actually, I like the way the green offsets the orange. It keeps...

My eye keeps being drawn to the green and I quite like it.

Those sofas are great. Oh, you've got to try it.

I do have to try the sofa, yes. He was worried about...

This is the one because I'm going

to watch the television from here, aren't I?

That'll do, yeah. THEY LAUGH

That's it, there's no more the designers can do

but wait to find out which two will be finalists.

It's a very mixed feeling at the moment

because it's the semi and I could be the one going home.

You know, at the moment I don't have a very good feeling about it.

I've given it my best, so I'm happy with what I've achieved.

I really would love to go through.

I mean, particularly as Orla Kiely is one of the judges.

It's huge!

I guess because she's so successful...

We're approaching the final.

You're demanding a lot of your interior designers now.

Are they delivering? They have ramped it up.

We've seen all three of them really push the boat out this time.

Let's start with Frankie.

For me, the thing about Frankie's space

that I had most difficulty with was the starkness of the white.

I think for a grand hotel concept,

I feel it was very stark and very sterile.

I mean, I love Frankie's ambition.

I think the ambition with the mural was admirable.

But it did end up looking rather rushed

and I'm so surprised because Frankie's such a perfectionist.

We've come to expect that from him. And, oh, it was a bit smudgy!

The homeowner was very happy.

He loved the mural, he loved the Mackintosh.

It was sad he didn't get to finish it.

What did you think of Lucy's interpretation of a hunting lodge?

Well, it was certainly a contemporary interpretation.

She made lots and lots of different things.

The energy of this girl is unbelievable.

A step too far for me was the little fluffy toy,

kind of, wall panel moment.

I just thought that looked bizarre, especially where she positioned it.

I suppose if that's the only fault we can find,

she's done pretty well. The homeowners adored it.

They said they brought the heart to the brief

but that Lucy brought the soul.

Absolutely no surprise in that comment at all.

Well, let's start in Sarah's room with the orange.

You couldn't miss it!

I love designers to be bold with colour, I really do,

because it's a game-changer.

It can really affect the mood and the sense of space

but is she creating the right mood?

I actually loved the colour, I think it was really cool.

But the idea of living in that room every day with that bright orange

might be a little wearing.

The homeowners loved the orange.

Oh, what?!

They asked for bright, they got bright!

Be careful what you wish for. Yes!

But some amazing objects she'd acquired.

She did and she's always very good at styling a room

and she did it yet again.

She has a good eye and I think that's very important.

So you've got to make the big decision.

It's going to be pretty sad to lose one of them today.

With Orla's help, though, they've made their decision.

Well done because it's so hard.

I think the true test of real creativity is how you work

under pressure and under constraints.

And all three of you have had to deal with

the pressure of being in the semifinal

and the constraints of working in a Grade I listed building.

I've been very impressed with you all today because

it's so difficult working on a brief like this.

I'd be very, very intrigued to see what you really would do

in the real world.

Sadly, though, there's only room for two in the final.

And the designer we're saying goodbye to today is...

..Frankie.

Thank you very much.

Well done.

Oh, congratulations. We were so glad to meet you.

I got third place.

Oh!

So what do you think?

I really like it. I really like it.

I've loved Frankie throughout this whole competition.

He's the king of fabrics, the master of detail.

However, this time the detail really wasn't there,

which tells me he's not a finalist.

I'm just going to keep trying

and hopefully one day I will really be an interior designer.

It's a dream to me.

I can't believe what you've done!

Oh, thanks so much!

Yes, I'm shocked and surprised but absolutely thrilled.

Maybe, maybe I could win this, who knows?

Lucy managed to deliver a great scheme with very happy homeowners.

I'm not surprised because she's bursting with ideas

and she's going to make a really great finalist.

Hello! Hi! It looks amazing! Do you like it?

Yeah, it's brilliant.

The finals, yes!

Bring it on!

I love Sarah's character with the colour,

even if it is a little risky.

Her daring approach to design means she always comes up

with something original.

I seriously cannot wait to see what

she's going come up with in the final.

Next time, the grand final.

For Lucy and Sarah... Yeah!

..their biggest challenge yet.

This is the biggest for a long, long, long, long time.

It's huge!

It couldn't be tougher.

No, something's going wrong here.

She won't let us carry on.

It's got to be puckered.

It looks a little bit amateurish.

Helping decide who deserves to be champion...

It's all falling apart. It's going to look like a mess.

..iconic interior designer Kelly Hoppen.

Too small, too contemporary and doesn't fit. Yeah.

But only one can win.

The winner is...