Ellen's Design Challenge Season Two: See Sef Pinney's Designs

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Meet Sef Pinney

Sef Pinney, an L.A.-based furniture designer and business owner, characterizes his design style as modern with Danish and Asian influences. He says he prefers to work with any type of beautiful wood and veneers, as well as industrial materials such as aerospace plywood, aluminum, steel and titanium. Sef says his strength as a designer is his ability to envision and execute complicated, elegant pieces.

Carpenter Chip Wade with designer Sef Pinney as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge.

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Chip + Sef

Carpenter Chip Wade and designer Sef Pinney are paired up to bring Sef's designs to fruition.

The remaining three designers, left to right, Miles Endo, Vivian Beers and Sef Pinney face the judges during the challenge reveal, as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge. This week the designers must create a multi-functional piece of furniture inspired by a bench-table on which they sit, without knowing that it is multi-functional, during the challenge reveal. Ellen DeGeneres puts eight furniture designers to the test when they come to Los Angeles to compete in various challenges designing and building amazing furniture creations. With a workshop, a lead carpenter and all the tools they’ll need, the contestants will be tasked with a new build each episode. A panel of expert judges along with appearances by Ellen will eliminate them one by one until one designer is left standing to take home the cash prize and win “Ellen’s Design Challenge.”

Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images

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Challenge 7: The Final Three

The remaining three designers face their toughest challenge yet: Create a multi-functional furniture piece that wows the judging panel.

Designer Sef Pinney drills the steel frame of a multi-functional desk that he is building, as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge. This week the designers must create a multi-functional piece of furniture inspired by a bench-table on which they sat during the challenge reveal without knowing that it was multi-functional. Ellen DeGeneres puts eight furniture designers to the test when they come to Los Angeles to compete in various challenges designing and building amazing furniture creations. With a workshop, a lead carpenter and all the tools they’ll need, the contestants will be tasked with a new build each episode. A panel of expert judges along with appearances by Ellen will eliminate them one by one until one designer is left standing to take home the cash prize and win “Ellen’s Design Challenge.”

Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images

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Challenge 7: Hard at Work

Here, Sef cuts metal parts for his interpretation of the challenge, a multi-functional desk.

Crunch time: designer Sef Pinney (left) and carpenter Chip Wade (right) struggle to secure the legs of a multi-functional desk that they are building as the clock is about to expire, as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge. This week the designers must create a multi-functional piece of furniture inspired by a bench-table on which they sat during the challenge reveal without knowing that it was multi-functional. Ellen DeGeneres puts eight furniture designers to the test when they come to Los Angeles to compete in various challenges designing and building amazing furniture creations. With a workshop, a lead carpenter and all the tools they’ll need, the contestants will be tasked with a new build each episode. A panel of expert judges along with appearances by Ellen will eliminate them one by one until one designer is left standing to take home the cash prize and win “Ellen’s Design Challenge.”

Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images

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Challenge 7: The Finishing Touches

Sef and carpenter Chip attach the blue powder-coated metal legs to the modern desk shell.

Designer Sef Pinney's design, a wooden multi-functional desk that pivots 360 degrees on its steel frame, is presented on judging day, as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge. This week the designers had to create a multi-functional piece of furniture inspired by a bench-table on which they sat during the challenge reveal without knowing that it was multi-functional. Ellen DeGeneres puts eight furniture designers to the test when they come to Los Angeles to compete in various challenges designing and building amazing furniture creations. With a workshop, a lead carpenter and all the tools they’ll need, the contestants will be tasked with a new build each episode. A panel of expert judges along with appearances by Ellen will eliminate them one by one until one designer is left standing to take home the cash prize and win “Ellen’s Design Challenge.”

Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images

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Challenge 7: Sef's Finished Design

This modern take on a secretary-style desk opens to reveal a desk surface, light and storage compartments.

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Challenge 7: Pivot, Pivot, Pivot

Sef's desk pivots into a vertical, magnetic writing surface.

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Challenge 7: Bright Details

Sef's modern desk features hardware and metal accents decked out in powder blue paint.

The remaining four designers, left to right Kyle Huntoon, Sef Pinney, Miles Endo and Vivian Beers listen to the judges on day one of a new challenge, as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge. This week, it's personal, as Ellen gives each designers a copy of her new design book with a personal note instructing them to build a specific piece of furniture for her. Ellen DeGeneres puts eight furniture designers to the test when they come to Los Angeles to compete in various challenges designing and building amazing furniture creations. With a workshop, a lead carpenter and all the tools they’ll need, the contestants will be tasked with a new build each episode. A panel of expert judges along with appearances by Ellen will eliminate them one by one until one designer is left standing to take home the cash prize and win “Ellen’s Design Challenge.”

Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images

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Challenge 6: Ellen-Inspired Design

This week, it's personal, as Ellen gives each designera copy of her new design book with a personal note instructing them to build a specific piece of furniture for her. Sef's task: A modern dresser.

The remaining four designers, left to right, Miles Endo, Sef Pinney, Kyle Huntoon and Vivian Beers, as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge. They had to design and build a sofa for a green room of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Ellen DeGeneres puts eight furniture designers to the test when they come to Los Angeles to compete in various challenges designing and building amazing furniture creations. With a workshop, a lead carpenter and all the tools they’ll need, the contestants will be tasked with a new build each episode. A panel of expert judges along with appearances by Ellen will eliminate them one by one until one designer is left standing to take home the cash prize and win “Ellen’s Design Challenge.”

Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images

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Challenge 6: A Sofa for 'The Ellen Show'

Ellen challenges the final four designers to create a modern sofa to dress up The Ellen Show's green room.

Before photo of the of The Ellen DeGeneres Show green room for which designer Vivian Beers will have to design a new sofa, as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge. Ellen DeGeneres puts eight furniture designers to the test when they come to Los Angeles to compete in various challenges designing and building amazing furniture creations. With a workshop, a lead carpenter and all the tools they’ll need, the contestants will be tasked with a new build each episode. A panel of expert judges along with appearances by Ellen will eliminate them one by one until one designer is left standing to take home the cash prize and win “Ellen’s Design Challenge.”

Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images

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Challenge 6: The Sofa, Before

The show's green room sofa, before the designers tackled its replacement.

Designer Sef Pinney sands the wooden legs of the frame of the sofa that he is building for a green room of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge. Ellen DeGeneres puts eight furniture designers to the test when they come to Los Angeles to compete in various challenges designing and building amazing furniture creations. With a workshop, a lead carpenter and all the tools they’ll need, the contestants will be tasked with a new build each episode. A panel of expert judges along with appearances by Ellen will eliminate them one by one until one designer is left standing to take home the cash prize and win “Ellen’s Design Challenge.”

Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images

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Challenge 6: It's All in the Details

True to his style, Sef decides to create a 21st-century take on a classic modernist design. Here, he works on the pointed legs for the sofa's wooden frame.

Designer Sef Pinney's design, a large, stunning mid-century upholstered sofa, is presented on judging day, as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge. The contestants had to design and build a sofa for a green room of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Ellen DeGeneres puts eight furniture designers to the test when they come to Los Angeles to compete in various challenges designing and building amazing furniture creations. With a workshop, a lead carpenter and all the tools they’ll need, the contestants will be tasked with a new build each episode. A panel of expert judges along with appearances by Ellen will eliminate them one by one until one designer is left standing to take home the cash prize and win “Ellen’s Design Challenge.”

Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images

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Challenge 6: The Finished Sofa

Sef's finished midcentury design looks as if it was pulled from a Mad Men-era office waiting room.

Designer Sef Pinney's design, a large, stunning mid-century upholstered sofa decorated with a Mayfair accessory, is presented on judging day, as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge. The contestants had to design and build a sofa for a green room of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Ellen DeGeneres puts eight furniture designers to the test when they come to Los Angeles to compete in various challenges designing and building amazing furniture creations. With a workshop, a lead carpenter and all the tools they’ll need, the contestants will be tasked with a new build each episode. A panel of expert judges along with appearances by Ellen will eliminate them one by one until one designer is left standing to take home the cash prize and win “Ellen’s Design Challenge.”

Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images

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Challenge 6: Built-In Coffee Table

This stunning piece features a built-in coffee table, a common feature in midcentury-era sofas.

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Challenge 6: Moveable Armrests

This waiting room-inspired piece features armrests can be moved depending on the occupants' needs.

Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images

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Challenge 6: Back Detail

Carved wood spikes add a graphic detail to the sofa back.

Designer Sef Pinney works on the joint of a dresser designed for Ellen, as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge. This week, it's personal, as Ellen gives each designers a copy of her new design book with a personal note instructing them to build a specific piece of furniture for her. Ellen DeGeneres puts eight furniture designers to the test when they come to Los Angeles to compete in various challenges designing and building amazing furniture creations. With a workshop, a lead carpenter and all the tools they’ll need, the contestants will be tasked with a new build each episode. A panel of expert judges along with appearances by Ellen will eliminate them one by one until one designer is left standing to take home the cash prize and win “Ellen’s Design Challenge.”

Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images

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Challenge 5: Under Construction

Sef works on the joints of a modern dresser designed with Ellen in mind.

Designer Sef Pinney's furniture piece, a beech wood dresser with a sound wave-like front surface and custom steel handles, designed for Ellen, is presented on judging day, as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge. This week, it's personal, as Ellen gave each designers a copy of her new design book with a personal note instructing them to build a specific piece of furniture for her. Ellen DeGeneres puts eight furniture designers to the test when they come to Los Angeles to compete in various challenges designing and building amazing furniture creations. With a workshop, a lead carpenter and all the tools they’ll need, the contestants will be tasked with a new build each episode. A panel of expert judges along with appearances by Ellen will eliminate them one by one until one designer is left standing to take home the cash prize and win “Ellen’s Design Challenge.”

Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images

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Challenge 5: The Finished Design

Designer Sef Pinney's furniture piece has a beech top with a bright turquoise, textured front surface and custom steel handles.

Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images

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Challenge 5: Detail

The angular edges of the piece contrast with the rippled front and custom handles.

Designer Sef Pinney sands the wood of a chair inspired by Denmark. Ellen surprised the five remaining designers by driving into the workshop in an electric luggage car filled with five suitcases. After picking a piece of luggage each containing a flag from a different country; the designers have to create a piece of furniture inspired by the country they receive. At judging; the designers will explain how their piece was influenced by their assigned country; as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge. Ellen DeGeneres puts eight furniture designers to the test when they come to Los Angeles to compete in various challenges designing and building amazing furniture creations. With a workshop; a lead carpenter and all the tools they’ll need; the contestants will be tasked with a new build each episode. A panel of expert judges along with appearances by Ellen will eliminate them one by one until one designer is left standing to take home the cash prize and win “Ellen’s Design Challenge.

Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images

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Challenge 4: International Inspiration

In the competition's fourth challenge, Ellen asked each designer to create a piece of furniture inspired by an international destination. Sef's choice? Denmark, home of the sleek Danish modern style that inspires many of his designs.

Designer Sef Pinney (left) and carpenter Chip Wade (right) work on a chair inspired by Denmark. Ellen surprised the five remaining designers by driving into the workshop in an electric luggage car filled with five suitcases. After picking a piece of luggage each containing a flag from a different country; the designers have to create a piece of furniture inspired by the country they receive. At judging; the designers will explain how their piece was influenced by their assigned country; as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge. Ellen DeGeneres puts eight furniture designers to the test when they come to Los Angeles to compete in various challenges designing and building amazing furniture creations. With a workshop; a lead carpenter and all the tools they’ll need; the contestants will be tasked with a new build each episode. A panel of expert judges along with appearances by Ellen will eliminate them one by one until one designer is left standing to take home the cash prize and win “Ellen’s Design Challenge.

Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images

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Challenge 4: Easy Chair

Sef and Chip work the wooden frame of this wide, sleek easy chair, inspired by traditional Danish modern design.

Designer Sef Pinney's Danish inspired chair made of multi-layered curved wood is presented to the panel of judges on judging day, as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge. After picking a piece of luggage each containing a flag from a different country; the designers had to create a piece of furniture inspired by the country they receive. At judging; they will explain how their piece was influenced by their assigned country. Ellen DeGeneres puts eight furniture designers to the test when they come to Los Angeles to compete in various challenges designing and building amazing furniture creations. With a workshop; a lead carpenter and all the tools they’ll need; the contestants will be tasked with a new build each episode. A panel of expert judges along with appearances by Ellen will eliminate them one by one until one designer is left standing to take home the cash prize and win “Ellen’s Design Challenge.

Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images

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Challenge 4: The Finished Design

Chip and sef pressed layers of wood to make the curved seat and back of this chair. Bright blue upholstery adds color and comfort.

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Challenge 4: Chair Detail

The Danish modern-inspired chair features sleek wooden armrests, as is indicative of the style.

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Challenge 4: Chair Detail

A continuous wooden leg arches from the front to back on each side.

Designer Sef Pinney grinds a metal piece that will be used to build a dining table inspired by a fine china plate choosen from the Mayfair Wall, as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge. Ellen DeGeneres puts eight furniture designers to the test when they come to Los Angeles to compete in various challenges designing and building amazing furniture creations. With a workshop, a lead carpenter and all the tools they’ll need, the contestants will be tasked with a new build each episode. A panel of expert judges along with appearances by Ellen will eliminate them one by one until one designer is left standing to take home the cash prize and win “Ellen’s Design Challenge.”

Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images

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Challenge 3: China-Inspired Design

For the show's third challenge, the designers were asked to choose a china pattern to inspire a dining table design. Sef chose an ornate, metallic dish as his inspiration.

With time running out on day three of the challenge, designer Sef Pinney and carpenter Chip Wade work to complete a dining table designed dining table around a fine china plate choosen from the Mayfair Wall, as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge. Ellen DeGeneres puts eight furniture designers to the test when they come to Los Angeles to compete in various challenges designing and building amazing furniture creations. With a workshop, a lead carpenter and all the tools they’ll need, the contestants will be tasked with a new build each episode. A panel of expert judges along with appearances by Ellen will eliminate them one by one until one designer is left standing to take home the cash prize and win “Ellen’s Design Challenge.”

Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images

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Challenge 3: Ornate Pattern

Chip and Sef finish the detailed scrollwork on the underside of the dining table.

With time running out on day three of the challenge, designer Sef Pinney sands the inner edge, where glass will be set, of the wooden top of a dining table designed around a fine china plate choosen from the Mayfair Wall, as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge. Ellen DeGeneres puts eight furniture designers to the test when they come to Los Angeles to compete in various challenges designing and building amazing furniture creations. With a workshop, a lead carpenter and all the tools they’ll need, the contestants will be tasked with a new build each episode. A panel of expert judges along with appearances by Ellen will eliminate them one by one until one designer is left standing to take home the cash prize and win “Ellen’s Design Challenge.”

Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images

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Challenge 3: Sef's Design

With time running out on day three of the challenge, designer Sef Pinney sands the inner edge, where glass will be set. Chip and Sef will mount a mirror inside the table, reflecing the routed design on the underside of the table.

Designer Sef Pinney's dining table presented on judging day, decorated with Mayfair products. This week's challenge was to design a dining table inspired by a fine china plate choosen from the Mayfair wall, as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge. Ellen DeGeneres puts eight furniture designers to the test when they come to Los Angeles to compete in various challenges designing and building amazing furniture creations. With a workshop, a lead carpenter and all the tools they’ll need, the contestants will be tasked with a new build each episode. A panel of expert judges along with appearances by Ellen will eliminate them one by one until one designer is left standing to take home the cash prize and win “Ellen’s Design Challenge.”

Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images

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Challenge 3: Sef's Finished Design

This modern table features a surprise detail in the center of the table.

Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images

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Challenge 3: Leg Detail

Custom-made metal brackets add an industrial detail to the top of each table leg.

Designer Sef Pinney presents his design to judges Christiane Lemieux, Cliff Fong, and guest judge Wendy Goodman on judging day, as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge. This week's challenge was to design a dining table inspired by a fine china plate choosen from the Mayfair wall. Ellen DeGeneres puts eight furniture designers to the test when they come to Los Angeles to compete in various challenges designing and building amazing furniture creations. With a workshop, a lead carpenter and all the tools they’ll need, the contestants will be tasked with a new build each episode. A panel of expert judges along with appearances by Ellen will eliminate them one by one until one designer is left standing to take home the cash prize and win “Ellen’s Design Challenge.”

Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images

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Challenge 3: Sef Takes the Stage

Sef presents his modern-meets-traditional dining table to the judging panel.

Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images

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Challenge 3: The Inspiration

Sef's table is set with the dishes that inspired the table's design. The scrollwork featured on the plates is carved on the underside of the table and reflected with a mirror into the center of the table.

Photo: Ejen Chuang / AP Images

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Challenge 2: Outdoor Design

Chip and Sef pose with power tools as they plan their challenge two design: An outdoor dining table.

Designer Sef Pinney spray paints the steel frame of his outdoor dining table as seen on Elen's Design Challenge.

Photo: Ejen Chuang / AP Images

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Challenge 2: Construction Time!

After fabricating the modern steel base of the table, Sef adds a light yellow hue.

Photo: Ejen Chuang / AP Images

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Challenge 2: The Finished Design

The finished table combines a bright metal base with an acrylic top – a design that would look right at home inside or outside the house! The panel loved this modern take on midcentury lines, and awarded Sef with a win.

Detail on designer Sef Pinney's and carpenter Chip Wade's outdoor dining table as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge.

Photo: Ejen Chuang / AP Images

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Challenge 2: Design Detail

See the legs of the table up close, as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge.

Carpenter Chip Wade welds the steel frame of designer Sef Pinney bed as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge.

Photo: Ejen Chuang / AP Images

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Challenge 1: Sparks Fly

For the show's bed design challenge, Sef dreamed up a faceted headboard made of metal trianges. Here, sparks fly as Chip creates the pieces.

Designer Sef Pinney's and carpetner Chip Wade's steel and wood bed as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge.

Photo: Ejen Chuang / AP Images

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Challenge 1: The Finished Bed

The finished design features a faceted metal headboard, accented with trianges of wood veneer at the bottom of the design. A footboard, complete with an upholstered seat, provides a comfortable place to sit.

Judge Cliff Fong exmines the metal head board of designer Sef Pinney's and carpenter Chip Wade's bed as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge.

Photo: Ejen Chuang / AP Images

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Challenge 1: Judges' Take

Judge Cliff Fong exmines the metal headboard. Though the design was innovative, the execution and functionality of the piece left the judges wanting more.

Ellen's Design Challenge Season Two: See Sef Pinney's Designs

Meet Sef Pinney

Chip + Sef

Challenge 7: The Final Three

Challenge 7: Hard at Work

Challenge 7: The Finishing Touches

Challenge 7: Sef's Finished Design

Challenge 7: Pivot, Pivot, Pivot

Challenge 7: Bright Details

Challenge 6: Ellen-Inspired Design

Challenge 6: A Sofa for 'The Ellen Show'

Challenge 6: The Sofa, Before

Challenge 6: It's All in the Details

Challenge 6: The Finished Sofa

Challenge 6: Built-In Coffee Table

Challenge 6: Moveable Armrests

Challenge 6: Back Detail

Challenge 5: Under Construction

Challenge 5: The Finished Design

Challenge 5: Detail

Challenge 4: International Inspiration

Challenge 4: Easy Chair

Challenge 4: The Finished Design

Challenge 4: Chair Detail

Challenge 4: Chair Detail

Challenge 3: China-Inspired Design

Challenge 3: Ornate Pattern

Challenge 3: Sef's Design

Challenge 3: Sef's Finished Design

Challenge 3: Leg Detail

Challenge 3: Sef Takes the Stage

Challenge 3: The Inspiration

Challenge 2: Outdoor Design

Challenge 2: Construction Time!

Challenge 2: The Finished Design

Challenge 2: Design Detail

Challenge 1: Sparks Fly

Challenge 1: The Finished Bed

Challenge 1: Judges' Take

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