In This Section
|
« Top Design
April 4, 2007: The Trinity
Oh, Matt, don't scare me like that! Why that momentary crisis of confidence?
I was quite surprised he wasn't more gung-ho about tonight's task. Granted, designing a high-end living room inspired by an Elle Decor cover for $7,500 total was a tall order. Still, chic luxury is his shtick and he's succeeded with a limited budget several times in this game. And surely he knows how to spell "Los Angeles." Clearly, the pressure was finally getting to him.
Indeed, by the end of the second day, every member of the Design trinity had pulled a Goil/Jan Brady by freaking out over some aspect of the challenge. Carisa made a biting but hilarious crack about Andrea's wall color ("nothing says happy like gray"), and suddenly Andrea realized she'd wasted time and effort (not to mention some embroidering) painting her room's gray walls with another horribly neutral shade of gray. Carisa's drama centered on her carpenter (as usual), as they bickered over divergent visions of the back wall's stone aesthetic. Where Carl saw exposed brick, artistry and old-school handiwork, Carisa saw round blobs in a Montana log cabin, and much eye-rolling ensued.
Matt's stress level only increased when Sarah, Goil's former carpenter, was assigned to Matt since his (evidently) efficient and dependable go-to guy was too injured last week to work on this project. She got bogged down in intricate flooring and French doors, while reupholstering turned out to be Matt's kryptonite. At least we got to witness some quick thinking from Todd and see him relay some great advice. But unfortunately, Matt still turned in his most incomplete and unpolished product in the competition so far. Eeek!
Honestly, by the time the judges came around to their rooms, I was unsure who of the last three designers wouldn't make the finale. Andrea's living room was mellow and neutral again, but at least she had splashes of color and was able to do away with her initial grayer gray. I was too distracted by Kelly's garish earrings during Matt's explanation of his living room, but what I gathered was that he tried to go "dreamy," and he later rattled off several things he didn't have time to complete. When Adler (again sporting a range of color and design palettes from the waist up) emphasized both the importance of imitating the Elle Decor cover as well as creative inspiration in this challenge, I feared Matt's might not have enough of the former and too much of the latter. Carisa did a great job adapting her room to the magazine cover and keeping her voice. But that meant she still had way too many pillows and too funky a design and color palette for luxury. I was so glad that her (well, Carl's) wall worked out, though Carisa couldn't seem to muster much of a compliment or credit his way in the white room.
Even though Andrea was able to depart from her standard gloominess, the architect was shown the door. I couldn't believe Carisa's delirious response to Adler's "Why do you deserve to be in the finals?" didn't seal her fate. (After all her opinions about her competitors and all that cocky self-promotion, how could she have been so tongue-tied by that question?) Well, you all know I would have preferred to see Andrea and Matt battle it out next week. But at least Matt can still win the war.
|
TVGuide Links:
|
|
|
|
Apr 5, 2007 1:58 AM
|
Was that Jonathan Adler? I thought it was Pee Wee Herman!!!!!
Oh my gosh, he and Kelly are just something else. If he came into my house looking like that, I'd call the police. Not even to mention his voice and facial expressions. EWWW. And what was Kelly wearing on her legs? Anklet socks without the sock? Just the anklet? Or were those bandages? EEK.
Anyway, back to the other show.
Is it just me or is Carissa's carpenter a real a$$? Maybe he hates her and maybe for good reason, but we have never been shown a reason that would match his attitude. Seeing previews, apparently the carpenters win something too???
I actually wasn't in love with any of the three designs tonight. But my vote would be for Matt. I still love his hotel room from last week.
And though I know Carissa is a big whiner, I still prefer her over Andrea, so tonight ended as it should have, in my opinion.
Great review, Aimee.
|
|
Apr 5, 2007 2:20 AM
|
Very disappointed that Andrea is gone and then I saw the credits where it said the Producers have a say in who is eliminated and I realized why Carissa was saved over Andrea. She makes for a lot of drama.
I'm really pulling for Matt now. I hope his carpenter is okay. Todd said his carpenter would be back for the finale, but the previews show Sarah. Don't get me wrong, I love Sarah but it will be harder for Matt if he can't have his carpenter that he knows and has worked with before for the biggest challenge in the competition.
|
|
Apr 5, 2007 8:10 AM
|
|
I was disappointed to see Andrea go home too. Carissa whines too much and frankly that eye rolling is extremely annoying. And why is she the only one who seems to have so much trouble with her carpenter? I can't decide if she doesn't give him good instruction or does he just do his own thing regardless of what she tells him? I also think her rooms all look the same. She seems to be stuck in the 60's with too much plastic, orange and green. I really liked Andrea's room this time and was surprised that they sent her home. Margaret said Carissa's room was not elegant so they must be keeping her for the drama. I sure hope Matt wins. He has so much more talent than Carissa and he never whines or complains like she does. And isn't it amazing that Kelly Wearstler is a famous designer but always looks like she's dressing for Halloween? Too bad her sense of design doesn't roll over into her wardrobe - someone should check that woman before she leaves the house!
|
|
Apr 5, 2007 9:09 AM
|
I promised myself that no matter how poorly or scarily dressed the judges looked, I wouldn't say anything about Jonathan Adler's Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Ensemble or Kelly's 80's inspired outfit.
I love Matt and I think the judges gave him the win because he possesses the most potential of being a great designer. I also agree that Carisa was kept because she carries the drama portion of the show. I thought that her carpenter, Carl, was going to deck her. I don't know if I couldn't work for her, because she would drive me crazy. I thought Andrea's room looked nice, but I think her forte' is in restaurant design and she should stick to that.
I'm bummed that the show's ending next week. I'll miss it.
Thanks, Aimee for the great recap.
|
|
Apr 5, 2007 9:50 AM
|
I was already angry at Bravo before the show even started! I usually watch the "encore" episode at 11pm since I watch Lost at 10pm. This is the third occasion where I've tuned in a little after 11pm only to see the previews for the next week's episode! When I turned to Bravo, I saw Matt & Carissa standing there while J.Adler was commenting that one of them would be the Top Designer. Why bother watching this episode at all? I knew the ending before the beginning. Seriously, Bravo, if you WANT viewers to keep watching your programs, stop bleeding into the next hour just to grab the ratings at the top of the hour!! Idiots.
(After all her opinions about her competitors and all that cocky self-promotion, how could she have been so tongue-tied by that question?)
Well, Aimee, Carissa was tongue tied b/c she usually says all these things behind people's backs. It's easy to get flustered when you're not used to stabbing people in the front 
|
|
Apr 5, 2007 11:33 AM
|
|
I am glad to see Andrea gone; something about her was just... off all the time, and her rooms were all drab city (except the Chef's Table, which was fabulous). Well, now that its down to Carisa and Matt, you'd think we know who the winner will be, but this is Bravo after all. Be prepared for a Carisa upset. If she can keep Carl in line, that is. Overall, I think Matt truly deserves to win, since he's been the most consistent and sophisticated, but these judges are a bit wacky, so there's no telling. I don't what I'm going to miss more once the show ends. Adler's colorific combos or Kelly's frightastic hair!
|
|
Apr 5, 2007 12:32 PM
|
|
I think Clarisa can be annoying, but her designs appealed to me more then Andrea's did. And Andrea was just as bitchy, if not more then Clarisa. Most of her designs were boring. I think Clarisa's carpenter hates her and purposely yanks her chain. I think Matt will win, he deserves to. I think they made the right choice of the top 2 designers.
|
|
Apr 5, 2007 1:43 PM
|
I'm glad that Matt is in the top two. I think Chicago gets a bad rap as far as being a sophisticated city. It's good to see someone with class and sophistication representing the city. Go Matt!!!
Carisa's carpenter saved her butt last night. If it had not been for the wall that she continually criticized, she would have been gone. The judges seemed to love it the most of anything in her room. Also sad that she did not give Carl more credit for it. She has the idea but he had the skills to deliver, the eye to see what was needed and the strength to deal with Carisa. I would hate to work for her. I loved her quote from a couple weeks ago "It is not Top Carl but Top Design". Kind of tells me all I need to know about her! I'm sure she will be the type to walk into her office with an attitude that she is a "designer" and everyone else is beneath her.
|
|
Apr 5, 2007 2:48 PM
|
I was glad to see Andrea go. Her designs are always too muted and boring for me, and she can be nasty and catty behind people's backs just as much as Carissa.
Carissa and her carpenter, Carl, are just a match made in hell. I can understand her frustration, because Carl acts like this competition is as much about his skill as it is about Carissa's designs. He is pig-headed, and does not take direction well at all. He changes her designs on a whim, and then tells her it's too late to change back. WHAT??? He complains that she's talking to him like a 4 year old, but he doesn't listen, so she's trying to be as simple and clear as possible so that he gets it. I really feel sorry for her.
In the end, I hope Matt wins. He is the better designer, and he's more mature and professional in his dealings with people. But, I must say, I enjoy Carissa's flair for color.
|
|
Apr 8, 2007 5:01 PM
|
|
|
