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Ellen's Design Challenge Season 2: Designs From Melissa Rivera Torres

Flip through the designs that modern industrial furniture designer Melissa Rivera Torres created alongside HGTV carpenter Steve Zimpel.

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Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images

Meet Melissa Rivera Torres

Melissa Rivera Torres, a furniture designer and business owner born and raised in Mexico, describes her style as modern industrial. She now lives in Pleasant Hill, Calif. She says she loves to use bold colors and fun materials that allow her pieces stand out and make people smile. Melissa says she enjoys working with stainless steel, wood, PVC, acrylic and aluminum and isn’t afraid to try unconventional ideas — she once transformed a 28,000-square-foot warehouse into the stage for Hawaii’s first ever Fashion Month.

Carpenter Steve Zimpel with designer Melissa Moir as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge.

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Photo: Ejen Chuang / AP Images

Melissa + Steve

Steve Zimpel, a carpenter from HGTV's series The Outdoor Room, will work to bring Melissa's designs to reality.

Designer Melissa Moir (right) and carpenter Steve Zimpel (left) work on a classic vanity inspired by France. 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.

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Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images

Challenge 4: International Inspiration

For the series' fourth challenge, Ellen asked the designers to create a space inspired by travel. Melissa's destination du jour? France.

Close up view of designer Melissa Moir's sketch, the draft for a vanity inspired by France. 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.

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Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images. From: Home Town.

Challenge 4: Melissa's Design

When thinking of France, Melissa's mind went straight to fashion icon Coco Chanel. From there, she decided to create a vanity as chic as one of the fashion designer's sleek dresses.