Design Star All Stars: Photo Highlights From Episode 3

The final four Design Star All Stars contestants take a trip down memory lane to make over sets inspired by hit '80s sitcom The Facts of Life..

Keep in mind: Price and stock could change after publish date, and we may make money from these links.

November 25, 2014

Related To:

The Final Four

Leslie, Tom, Dan and Hilari are all strong contenders — who will make it to the finale? One more challenge will determine the final three.

The Facts of Design

Host David Bromstad presents this week's challenge: Pairs of designers must make over sets inspired by hit '80s sitcom The Facts of Life. Each group must reimagine what an all-girls boarding school TV set would look like today.

Guest Judge: Mindy Cohn

In The Facts of Life, Mindy Cohn played boarding school student Natalie. Today, she's a design enthusiast, actress and comedian. She's the guest judge on this week's panel alongside regulars Vern and Genevieve.

Team One: Leslie and Tom

Leslie and Tom team up. Their game plan: Keep the set traditional, but update to a lighter, brighter color palette and create a homey, lived-in look.

Too Many Accessories?

Leslie worries at first that Tom is stocking up on too many accent pieces, but she tries to avoid micromanaging the project.

Mentor Meeting

Too many colors and patterns don't make for a beautiful camera shot. When Leslie and Tom meet with host and mentor David Bromstad, he recommends they tone down their accent walls.

Hamming It Up

Leslie dons roller skates for the camera challenge as a throwback to Mindy Kohn's character, Natalie.

Before: Stuck in the '70s

With paneling, dark woods and an outdated fireplace, this set needs some upgrades.

After: Elegant Update

The judges love Leslie and Tom's traditional update and agreed it looked like a high-end school environment, but with there were a few more pops of bold color. "It's stunning in person, but less impressive on camera," says judge Vern Yip.

After: One-of-A-Kind Globe Coffee Table

Before: Drab and Oudated Fireplace

After: Bright White Update

After: Tom's Fireside Reading Nook

After: Perfectly-Styled Bookcase

After: Wallpaper and Crown Molding

After: Texture and Pattern on the Floor

Before: Dated Paneling

After: Architectural Update

After: Worldly Accessories

After: Crew-Inspired Medallions

After: Leslie in the Finished Space

After: Tom Poses on His Set

Team Two: Hilari and Dan

This duo decides to pursue a more modern take on the boarding school look with lots of bright, bold colors and patterns. They decide to turn the paneling into a lime green accent wall.

Problem-Solving

Hilari is worried about the green paneling being too bold, so she suggests they create faux windows to break up the wall.

Modern Staging

Dan arranges the books in vertical stacks to give every detail a modern look.

David's Advice

David hints that the lime green paneling might be too bright for TV, but Dan sticks to his design guns.

Before: Drab and Outdate Set

This living and dining room set definitely isn't camera-ready.

After: Bold and Modern

The judges love many details in Dan and Hilari's space — like the office nook and the updated fireplace — but they can't get past the green wall. "We've seen this tennis ball green from Dan before, in the season four kids' room challenge," remembers Genevieve.

After: Plush Chesterfield Sofa

After: Bold Seating Area

Before: Nothing Special

After: Modern and Traditional

After: Fiery Focal Point

After: Bookcase Storage

Before: '70s Paneling

After: Present-Day Dining

After: Contemporary Dining Table

After: Sideboard Storage

After: Extra Greenery

After: Space-Saving Homework Nook

After: Hilari in the Finished Space

Goodbye, Dan

The judges named Leslie and Tom's room the winning space this week. Dan's repeat offense — the bright green wall — and a ho-hum camera challenge was enough to send him home.

HGTV Design Star