'Design Star: Next Gen': The Natural Elements and "Living Rooms" Challenge

Contestants bust through the walls of their individual design labs to create a cohesive indoor/outdoor living space filled with lush living, breathing, natural elements. Five designers remain, and the pressure mounts as we wait to see who'll come out on top.

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Photo By: Rob Pryce/Lando Entertainment

Five Designers Remain

The "Living Rooms" challenge on this week's episode of Design Star: Next Gen required the designers to customize their existing design labs into a fully remodeled indoor/outdoor space. As if designing two rooms in three days wasn't challenging enough, they also had to incorporate natural elements. Their cohesive designs must have incorporated nature-evoking elements representative of earth, water, fire and air.

MEET THE DESIGNERS: Meet the Contestants Competing for $50K on 'Design Star: Next Gen'

Contrasting Neutrals in a Lake House Bedroom

Carmeon’s signature style shines in this bedroom modeled to embrace the natural theme of the challenge. A handmade mobile adds movement into the space to symbolize air, while a contrasting modern, square fireplace with white candles promises warmth. Accessorized with gold decor, black picture frames and fresh greenery, this modern bedroom is layered to balance hard and soft elements.

A Floating Canopy Bed in a Modern Bohemian Suite

A tall black canopy bed floats in the middle of the bedroom and is anchored by a living headboard filled with lush tropical plants. White curtains, bedding, textured pillows, and jute accents balance the space. Black French doors were added to Carmeon’s design lab to marry her indoor and outdoor designs for the challenge.

Architectural Elements in an Outdoor Living Area

Modern black fencing surrounds the exterior of Carmeon’s space, and light concrete pavers and gravel are installed to add permanence. These light and dark elements, along with the natural wood facade of the design lab, tie the inside to this outdoor area. A contemporary black fireplace is installed near the French doors so it can be enjoyed both indoors and out.

Privacy Fencing in a Modern Backyard

Comfortable chaise lounge chairs and an outdoor bistro area make this private outdoor patio feel like a welcoming extension of the indoor space. A DIY water element was made using a ceramic planter, and lush plants are used to accessorize and help the space feel complete.

A Luxurious Indoor Lounge

Global design elements offers a cozy aesthetic in Chris' magical indoor lounge. From floor to ceiling, textures and small details define the space. Beaded chandeliers hang from overhead, and French doors were installed to marry the indoor living area to the outdoor lounge. A Moroccan-tiled fireplace and fern accents adorn one wall of the space to serve as a focal point. Around the room, burlap fabric and a chair rail divide the space to add definition and texture.

Vintage Details in an Indoor Lounge

Chris’ indoor lounge incorporates a vintage fan to embrace the “air” part of the challenge. He also incorporates vintage-inspired textiles and greenery. A large charcoal leather sofa is positioned beneath a window and across the room from the French doors, so that you can view the outdoor living area while relaxing and entertaining inside.

A Moroccan-Inspired Focal Wall

Like the interior, the exterior living area incorporates a Moroccan tile focal wall. You’d hardly know that it was made using wallpaper to save time! A gold fountain is installed in the center of this outdoor terrace garden and potted plants encompass the perimeter of the space. Burlap-wrapped pots help the garden to feel authentic and lived-in.

A Charming, Ornate Terrace Garden

The greenery-filled outdoor room outside Chris’ Moroccan-inspired lounge offers tranquility and privacy. The gravel landscaping and antique carpet-wrapped step match the vintage feel of the other spaces. A small table and chairs and the antiqued-gold fountain add ambiance to the garden.

A Retro-Inspired Headboard

A graphic teal headboard serves as a focal wall in Arianna’s bedroom design. With a greenery-framed gallery wall installed above and matching marble tables flanking each side, this retro-inspired bedroom fits her vintage aesthetic.

French Doors in a Retro-Inspired Bedroom

Like other designers, Arianna expanded her indoor space to the outdoors with new, white French doors. A low platform bed contrasts the height of tall Burgundy curtains. Lush carpeting helps the space feel cozy.

A Unique, Gold Outdoor Bathtub

Uniquely embracing the “water” element of the challenge, Arianna installed a gold standing bath tub in her outdoor space. Bridged with greenery and lush detail-rich accents, the plant installations in her outdoor bathing area differentiate her from other designers.

Privacy Walls for an Outdoor Bathroom

Next to the standing bathtub is a sink and prep area and a round mirror. A freestanding fire pit sits on the other end of the space offering warmth and ambiance, addressing another natural element as a part of the challenge. On the ground, pavers are painted in a graphic pattern that coordinates with the headboard installed in Arianna’s indoor space.

Large French Doors and a Unique Planter Chandelier

Eli’s chandelier helps to differentiate his space. With inset globe lights and stacks of potted plants, he sought creativity when it came to his room. With a vision of creating a fresh, young combination dining room/dining room, his concept embraced boldly patterned wallpaper, bright yellow paint, and black and wood-toned accents. Large French doors open wide to showcase the outdoor living space.

A Playful Backyard Living Room

The black French Doors open into a playful outdoor area with lush grass flooring and brightly colored seating options. A natural wood privacy wall helps disguise the space, and a fire pit satisfies the “fire” element required in the challenge.

Turquoise Details in a Lush Living Area

Eli’s biggest time investment was in designing and building (and repainting) an arched, covered shade structure. The final turquoise color carried over to the metal couch in the space and to the wall of the outdoor shower. The outdoor shower uniquely addresses the water element requirement of the challenge.

A Plaid Wall in a Mature Office Space

Justin’s plaid wall installation defines his office space as moody and masculine. Real books were framed and hung on the wall, and wood flooring and leather chairs helped to make the room feel polished and mature. For his “air” element, he brought in a vintage gramophone to suggest the movement of soundwaves. This feature was a very conceptual contribution to his design, and helped differentiate his approach to the challenge.

Textile-Rich Accessories in an Outdoor Living Area

Large doors open onto a fenced patio outside the office. Lined with green grass, Justin embraced natural and white decor, including textile pieces like macrame. Framed in matte black antique frames, green moss was used to intentionally incorporate more living and breathing elements into the outdoor space.

Embracing the Outdoor Office Space

A wooden platform patio offers another area to work in Justin’s design. Accessorized with comfortable seating and a fire pit, it’s designed to be functional for work all day and set to entertain clients into the evening. Lush greenery behind the couch helps marry the grassy green floor to the patio.

A Comfortable Outdoor Office

The natural exterior of the design lab was leveraged to work with Justin's creative concept. A large mirror helps to reflect light even on shady days, and makes the outdoor office feel larger than it is. With the wooden patio offering a different type of living area than the grassy space, Justin helped this small outdoor room feel full of comfort and appeal.

Design Star: Next Gen