Battle on the Beach: The Kitchen Challenge

The Design Trust. HGTV hosts (from left) Taniya Nayak, Mike Holmes, Mina Starsiak Hawk, Alison Victoria and Ty Pennington gather on the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama where the first-ever Battle on the Beach competition is taking place. Alison, Taniya and Ty will each mentor a design team who battle it out for the most spectacular beach-home renovation. Mina and Mike are on hand to serve as judges in the competition.

The Teams. The design teams — three duos of up-and-coming renovation pros — pose on the beach. From left: Josh and Shonnie (aka "Team Ty"); Darryl and Sunjay ("Team Alison"); David and Kerry ("Team Taniya").

Design Mentor. Windy City Rehab's Alison Victoria works on the design plan for her team's beach-house makeover. Each of the HGTV mentors gets teamed with a design pair to renovate an entire beach house in Gulf Shores. Alison worked with the design duo of Sunjay and Darryl.

Meet the Contestants: Team Alison. Renovation pros Darryl and Sunjay have been married for four years. They began working together when they were dating, and together they have renovated and flipped four houses.

Before. This unspectacular "builder-grade" kitchen will receive a dramatic transformation once Alison's team gets to work.

After. The kitchen gets a sleek and stylish makeover with new wood floors and ceiling-height cabinets painted in bright white offset by visually striking granite countertops and backsplash with rich veining.

Before. Alison's team transforms this paneled eyesore into a winning kitchen and informal dining area.

After. Team Alison transformed the formerly drab kitchen, giving it a bright and open layout that's both functional and beautiful.

After. The redesign includes a granite island in waterfall design, new recessed lighting and modern stainless appliances.

Before. Team Alison plans to modify this space to create a tranquil dining area with views of the ocean.

After. The dining nook features banquette seating and large windows for wraparound ocean views.

Kitchen, Detail.

Kitchen, Detail.

Kitchen, Detail.

Kitchen, Detail.

Team Taniya. Team mentor Taniya Nayak (R) discusses kitchen design ideas with contestants David and Kerry.

Team Taniya. Mentor Taniya Nayak discusses ideas for the kitchen-adjacent dining area with contestants David and Kerry.

Before. This kitchen, at the hands of Team Taniya, is about to become a chef's paradise.

After. Team Taniya transformed the kitchen, dining room and adjacent living space, giving it a Mediterranean-meets-Texas style.

Before.

After. The redesign includes new cabinets, open shelving, and exposed wood beams.

Before.

After. An extension from the new kitchen island functions as an informal dining table.

After. Team Taniya created the custom light fixture that highlights the kitchen and dining area.

After.

After.

After. A clean and striking contrast is created with the black cabinets, white porcelain farmhouse sink and the backsplash in dark gray and white granite.

Kitchen, Detail.

Kitchen, Detail.

Kitchen, Detail. Modern brass hardware adds an unexpected flourish against the painted black cabinets.

Kitchen, Detail.

Kitchen, Detail.