It’s the final! Last episode and last review. This has been a great season. I have to say, in comparison with other design challenge shows that have come out, this one was by far the best for me. There was real depth in how the judges looked at the space, and the challenges for the designers were not only well-ranged, but impactful. Oh and if you didn’t know, the BBC has renewed the series for a second season. I’m really hoping Netflix picks it up again so I won’t have to jump through hoops to watch. Anyway, let’s get this final episode underway! Frank and Cassie are made it to the end, and the rivalry between them is going to push these two even further.

The Challenge: The last challenge takes place in Royal Mills, Manchester. Each contestant must update a two bedroom apartment with kitchen, living, and dining. These are quality interiors with some really good views. It’s also a huge career opportunity for both designers that could theoretically set both of them up as great future professionals. It’s important that both of them remember that it’s about the client, and so each contestant is meeting with their client before getting the work underway. Since it’s the final, the designers get three days with double the usual budget. AND there will be two guest judges to help Michelle with the judging and one past contestant to assist each designer. This is a nice way to set up the last challenge. Cassie enlisted the help if Nicki, and Frank brought in Kyle, so Both are ready to take this design to the next level.

The Work: Frank met his client first and immediately recognized the Scandivanian design of the apartment. The client was not a fan of the strong Scandinavian style and asked for Frank to soften it up for her. She wanted it to feel more like a family home. Frank planed on building storage unit, which would be great since the husband was an avid reader. Cassie met with her clients, and she has a nursery to add. (Sidebar: COVID has lit everybody up with new babies, and the amount of nurseries that designers are doing right now is exploding. But it’s also super fun. Anyway, back to what you came to see.) The master bedroom was a really important area for the client, who’s looking for a very neutral palette with a boho chic styling. That seems very different for Cassie so that’s going to be intriguing.

Frank is going high-end with his apartment by including bespoke cabinets in the kitchen with new luxury cabinet doors, and installing an oversized headboard in the master. He’s also incorporating pattern and color in the guest bedroom, focusing on taking a minimalistic approach with a high level of finish. The combination is pretty daring. I like the wallpaper look, but I’m not sure how it will connect in the end. Cassie is looking to create real space that works functionally as well as visually. To help in her execution, she’s created plans for each room so that everyone involved knows what’s supposed to happen in each room (great idea, and highly recommended for all projects). She’s putting in a new floor, as well as an island in the kitchen with narrow shelving around the apartment. A monochrome look is going in the nursery, and Cassie is looking to add her style by adding vintage here and there with terra cotta base in the master.

After working awhile, Cassie is on track and takes a peek at Frank’s space. In typical Cassie-Frank fashion, she’s not really impressed with what he’s doing, but hey it’s his design right? After going back to her own space, Cassie gets an unexpected visit from the client. While the husband is fully on board, the wife is… let’s say concerned (lol). She absolutely is someone who is not a fan of color, and was really looking for the traditional neutral colors. So she’s a bit worried. Her reaction was just priceless.

Continuing on with the build, Frank is worried that he’s behind schedule. Since, the last challenge, he’s a little more on the timeline to make sure things go the way they need to. He decides to take some time and check out Cassie’s space. It’s so funny how much the two hate on each other. Neither will ever say honestly that they like the other’s design. They float it out there in front of the judges, but it’s pure gaslighting. It’s a shame, though, too. They both have things that I’m not necessary into, but they also both have a great eye in their own way, and have shown themselves to be strong competitors. I just wish they’d be more honest with themselves about what each brings to the table, but I digress.

Cassie makes curtains for the whole apartment. Frank tries out his custom headboard idea with integrated lighting. It’s pretty ambitious, and turns out that it doesn’t work, so he changes the design to a simpler solution. He’s also troubleshooting with his floor, which came in the wrong size, and some custom drapes, that still haven’t showed up. Woo! He’s got a tight window to keep things going. They both can feel the pressure, and all nerves are fully on display for the final day of the build. Cassie adds brass detail to her sofa. Frank’s drapes finally show, but he frustrates his team with the additional work at the last minute that could’ve been prepped much sooner. They both finish placing the final details, and are ready for the judges to view the spaces.

The Walkthrough: Michelle is getting TWO guest judges to help her with the decision this week: Matthew Williamson (remember him from Week 1) and Naomi Cleaver, a high end consultant and designer. Their focus this challenge is seeing how both contestants work with the open space plan, and how they respond to that particular challenge. Cassie’s walkthrough is first. It’s very light and simple with beautiful colors, and a lovely balance. They do feel that more decor was needed to help enliven the space a bit more. There is a nice clever use of incorporating storage, but Naomi notices that there are no imminent spaces specific to the baby. Matthew doesn’t like how barren it feels, but you have to take that with a little grain of salt, considering that he’s more maximalist in his personal design style. The master brings him around with color, pattern, texture, and a timeless look. The nursery is sweet, and the details of the decor lowered to child level and adding that additional black stripe really helped to bring the design around. Final thoughts from the judges: she did great on the upstairs but not enough in the community areas. Final thoughts from the clients: love the space, but the color of the Master is going to be a bit difficult for the wife to get used to.

Frank’s walkthrough is second. The open plan uses some nice colors, but there’s not enough storage. There’s a nice depth created for the wall, but Naomi thinks the space could be more useful and isn’t enough for a bookworm. There just weren’t enough details to make room for the husband. The kitchen is great with some great, dramatic lighting that adds vintage decadence. The judges also love the wallpaper used in the guest room; not my cup of tea, but I see what they like about it. Matthew wishes he’d added more detail in the guest room. The headboard was definitely successful and the palette related to it nicely. Final judges thought: he had some great details and uses of color and pattern, but didn’t do enough for the husband in the end. Final thoughts from the client: Client likes the natural and paired back feeling, and loves the curtains.

The Judging: Frank and Cassie both want to win, and I don’t blame them. They did a lot of work under some intense restrictions, and came up with some amazing designs. In the end, “there will only be one” (anyone remember Highlander?), so let’s see what Michelle decides. The judges decide to talk to both contestants separately; Frank is up first. The kitchen was an exceptional transformation, but it led to a new big space behind sofa that was somewhat untouched. Frank explained that he ran out of money to create a reading area there, so intent was there, but there was a lack in execution. The judges felt that overall the Master was not done well. Since it’s the final, Michelle wanted to express ways in which he was a successful designer, expressing that when he finally started to listening to feedback was when he began to grow as a designer. Cassie’s critique was second. Matthew wanted to know why she didn’t add color in the lounge, which she explained was because the client asked for a contemporary, neutral space. She decided to add extra detail to help with that. She admits she didn’t consider the new baby in the other spaces as much, but she did make sure she added storage, especially since she took some away. Michelle definitely feels like Cassie really had steady growth throughout the challenges, and shined when she had more freedom to let her perspective come through.

Both Frank and Cassie think they’ve done their best and are ready for the contract. It’s a little nerve-wracking, because I can’t guess which way Michelle will lean. Before the final announcement, all the previous contestants are invited back to review the two finalists’ projects and witness the winner of the competition. So now, with everyone present, it’s time to announce the winner of Interior Design Masters. Michelle was looking for someone who evolved the most, who could be a good team player, and also be good as an individual. And with that criteria, the winner of the first Interior Design Masters is… Cassie!!!!

Congrats Cassie!!! She was so shocked she won, she was literally speechless. Michelle’s final words to her were that being a great interior designer was the sum of many parts and that Cassie has them all. That was a beautiful moment, and a great way to end the series. Thanks to all of you for hanging out with me these last eight weeks as we explore this awesome show, but don’t count us out just yet. We’ve got even more content and great things coming your way. So like, comment and of course follow right now to stay tuned with what’s coming next. I’ll see you next week!!