It’s semi-final time! There are only three designers left in the competition, and the end is in site. Ok, I’m going to update my predictions! Based on who’s left, I’m going to say that Ju and Frank would be in the top 2, with Ju, taking it all. The biggest reasons are that Cassie’s performance in comparison to the other two designers has been inconsistent, and Ju has shown the most growth with the most cohesive designs. I think Frank is really talented and has a clear eye, but he still has a lot more growing to do. Anyway, that’s enough of my predictions. Let’s see what actually happened.

The Challenge: The designers head to Whitstable in Kent to upgrade three salons in need of complete remodeling. This is the first challenge where each designer is working fully on their own, and each one can feel the pressure. Michelle explains that the salons are much-loved businesses. It’s important that the contestants take the clients through a journey and make it a priority to listen to the client. Each designer gets a chance to meet with their respective clients either in person or via Skype to get the details for the space. With 3 days and £3000, it’s time to look at what this all does.

The Work: Cassie is first up, working on a men’s hair salon that’s looking for a retro upgrade. This appeared to be the perfect pairing, given her regular work. She’s incorporating deep greens and red velvet curtains. The client throws a bit of a curveball, wanting to remove the drywall behind the mirrors. So seeing how that turns out will be interesting. Frank is next with his candy shop turned hair salon. The client’s desire for his space is a little… let’s just say interesting: he’s looking for a clean and futuristic look that takes cues from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. In Ju’s space, she’s working on upgrading the old salon with a clean and modern scheme that includes a seaside scheme with light industrial touches, all based on the feedback she received from her client. Guest Judge Lawrence Lwellen Bowen.

Frank gets started with his futuristic design by removing everything from the space and going for a very ambitious upgrade. He decided to incorporate 8 floating mirrors and completely overhaul the lighting scheme with brand new fixtures going down the space, plus pendants that will sit above each station. Frank, along with Ju, also choose to push the boundaries of his design by trying to fulfill the needs of his client. He was not a fan of the colors and style of the space, but was still confident that he would finish everything on time. Ju is choosing to minimize the impact of her style and focus it down on providing the client with his needs and completing a finished look. Cassie, on the other hand, took this opportunity to show Michelle exactly what she had to offer and is going all out with her signature antique style. And also in Cassie fashion, she decided to push her client use green all over the shop, a color that the client does not like. She’s pushing the boundaries with this one, and the color is intense. I don’t know how that would go over.

The clock’s ticking and Frank learns that working on his own leaves him with all the design decisions. He was stressed out and tired of hearing, “frank there’s a problem.” Well sir, that’s design. You want the accolades and big projects, you have to be able to be the go-to problem solver. Ju’s design scheme is running on schedule, and it looks like her design is simple and clean for the client. We’ll have to see the final version for what the full impact would be. Cassie was making custom curtains for her salon when the needle broke on the sewing machine! Ahhh, stuff like that is so frustrating! Frank’s tile started getting behind schedule, and it was a moment that made really want him to let it go so he’d have a finished design. The tiles were just so small and all with a custom design. It takes sooo much time. I’m afraid he may not finish. Ju realized that she would have to leave the exterior as is, and she’s upset about it. The judges did make a huge deal about it in the previous challenge, so it could be the thing that sends her home. Cassie and Frank also add touches to the exterior to add to the flow inside. I’m not sure about the jelly beans decal Frank used, but his client did want that sort of thing, so I get it.

At the final hour, the designers are stressed, depleted but hanging in to add the finishing touches to their spaces. Frank’s ambitious lighting design finally comes together, but his tile detailing is far from complete, and it’s going to show. Cassie’s managed to get all her items in and completed, and Ju decided at the last minute to give the exterior a little boost and finish up the inside with the typical Ju touches.

The Walkthrough: This challenge’s guest judge is Laurence Llewlyn-Bowen, and he’s really looking at a space with some personality. Michelle says the key for this challenge is to over-deliver. Ju’s salon is up first. The color scheme is there, plants, some storytelling, but the judges struggled to fall in love with the overall design. The banquette was lack, and Laurence felt that Ju could’ve done more with creating a feeling. Frank is next with his candy-inspired creation. Literal jelly beans on the windows was not what Michelle wanted to see; it was way too literal. The lighting scheme was good and visibly ambitious. There was a lot to like architecturally, but it was too clean cut for the judges. Cassie was last up. Laurence immediately expressed that the colors were off-putting, but still worked together somehow. She demonstrated some nice detailing and personalization on the mirrors, creating a successful design.

The Judging: So now we find out who stayed and who was removed from the competition. Since there are only three of them left, they are all invited back to the couch for judging. All the clients were happy with their spaces, so in terms of client, they all had successful designs. Cassie’s design was the standout winner for this challenge. I wasn’t a fan of the final look based on a difference in taste, but it is understandable as she came through with the most impactful and cohesive design. Lawrence saw and appreciated the texture and Michelle felt she was finally able to recognize Cassie’s signature style. Frank’s client was very specific with what he wanted, but Frank didn’t manage the client well with expectation and needs. He also didn’t finish and underestimated the amount of work he needed to complete. Ju’s design was successful, as well, but it could’ve done more to bring in more of Ju’s style and perspective. After going through all the contestants and asking some really tough questions, Michelle decided to send home Ju because she felt like she didn’t see her shine as an individual and that Ju was better when she was with a group of people.

Now this decision I’m completely against. In other episodes, I’ve expressed the Michelle’s opportunity to send Frank home, and why there was cause for it, but I’ve at least seen understood the perspective. This was a week where sending Frank home absolutely made sense. In comparison to Ju, Frank had more issues working on his own, given the state of items not being completed by the end of the challenge. Also, while his design definitely had great ideas, but his inability to finish the design resulted in an unsuccessful design, per feedback from Michelle to a previous contestant. I really think Michelle is simply fond of Frank, and just doesn’t want to let him go, which makes me think that having a single decision maker might be something to change in the future judging. We’ll see who wins this thing in the end.

It’s Frank and Cassie at the last- the two who’ve been rivals since the beginning! Given everything else, it’s a great set up for a finale. Follow the page and get notified on when the final review is up! And don’t forget to like and comment on how you felt this semi-final ended. See ya next week!