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Ellen's Design Challenge Is Back! Go Behind the Scenes

Season two of Ellen's Design Challenge is bigger, better, and even more furniture-y. Go behind the scenes with Ellen, the judges, the carpenters and the designers.

(top, left to right) : Sef Pinney, Miles Endo and Bradley Bowers
(bottom, left to right) : McKenzie Gibson, Vivian Beer, Ellen Degeneres, Alexis Moran, Kyle Huntoon and Melissa Moir as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge.

Photo: Ejen Chuang / AP Images

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Ellen + Her Cast

Ellen poses with the final contestants of Ellen's Design Challenge season two.

Designers ( left to right) : Vivian Beer, Bradley Bowers, Alexis Moran, Sef Pinney, McKenzie Gibson, Melissa Moir, Miles Endo and Kyle Huntoon as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge.

Photo: Ejen Chuang / AP Images

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One More, With Attitude

These eight (sassy!) contestants impressed Ellen and the judges enough to make it past this year's casting special.

Judges Christiane Lemieux (right) and Cliff Fong (left) with Ellen (center), 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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The Judges

Judges Christiane Lemieux and Cliff Fong return for season two. Each week, they'll be joined by an expert guest judge — and often, Ellen herself!

Photo: Michael Larsen

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Ready to be Inspired

When Ellen stops by the set to check out the designers' latest pieces, she does it in high style.

Ellen Degenerese chats with the contestants as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge.

Photo: Ejen Chuang / AP Images

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Past Her Bedtime?

Ellen sits on a totally minimalist bed as she chats with the contestants.

Carpenters (top left to right) : Matt Blashaw, Matt Muenster, Jeff Devlin, Chip Wade, Brooks Utley, Steve Zimpel, Karl Champley and Ali Azhar. Designers (bottom left to right) : Vivian Beer, Bradley Bowers, Alexis Moran, Sef Pinney, McKenzie Gibson, Melissa Moir, Miles Endo and Kyle Huntoon as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge.

Photo: Ejen Chuang / AP Images

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Designers + Carpenters

Each of the final eight contestants is paired with an HGTV or DIY carpenter to help bring their designs to life.

Carpenter Karl Champley and designer Miles Endo as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge.

Photo: Ejen Chuang / AP Images

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Karl + Miles

Carpenter Karl Champley (last season's winning carpenter!) and industrial designer Miles Endo are paired up.

Designer Vivian Beer with carpenter Matt Blashaw as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge.

Photo: Ejen Chuang / AP Images

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Matt + Vivian

Modern furniture maker Vivian Beer poses with her carpenter, HGTV and DIY host Matt Blashaw.

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

Photo: Ejen Chuang / AP Images

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Steve + Melissa

Steve Zimpel, a carpenter from HGTV's series The Outdoor Room, will work with modern industrial furniture designer Melissa Moir.

Carpenter Ali Azhar and designer Kyle Huntoon checks the length of the board that will fit the side of the bed as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge.

Photo: Ejen Chuang / AP Images

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Ali + Kyle

Carpenter Ali Azhar, as seen on HGTV's Design on a Dime, will work with fourth-generation woodworker Kyle Huntoon.

Carpenter Matt Muenster with designer Bradley Bowers as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge.

Photo: Ejen Chuang / AP Images

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Matt + Bradley

HGTV and DIY host and carpenter Matt Muenster will create the designs of modern furniture designer Bradley Bowers.

Designer Alexis Moran with carpenter Jeff Devlin as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge.

Photo: Ejen Chuang / AP Images

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Jeff + Alexis

Jeff Devlin, host of DIY Network's I Hate My Bath, will collaborate with Alexis Moran, a furniture designer with a modern edge.

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

Photo: Ejen Chuang / AP Images

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Chip + Sef

Carpenter and host of HGTV's Elbow Room, Chip Wade is paired with Sef Pinney, a furniture designer who is inspired by Danish and Asian-style pieces.

Carpenter Brooks Utley with designer McKenzie Gibson as seen on Ellen's Design Challenge.

Photo: Ejen Chuang / AP Images

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Brooks + McKenzie

Ellen's Design Challenge alum Brooks Utley will help contestant McKenzie Gibson, known for her avant-garde furniture pieces, realize her designs.

Ellen's Design Challenge Is Back! Go Behind the Scenes

Ellen + Her Cast

One More, With Attitude

The Judges

Ready to be Inspired

Past Her Bedtime?

Designers + Carpenters

Karl + Miles

Matt + Vivian

Steve + Melissa

Ali + Kyle

Matt + Bradley

Jeff + Alexis

Chip + Sef

Brooks + McKenzie

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