Ep 9. The Glass House Challenge

The Glass House Challenge is the ninth episode of season 5 of HGTV Design Star. The episode kicks off with host Tanika Ray welcoming the remaining contestants to the Glass House, a stunning and modern property filled with floor-to-ceiling windows. The challenge for this episode is for the contestants to design a modern and attractive space that complements the unique architecture of the Glass House.

The contestants are excited but also nervous about the challenge, as they know that the design decisions they make will need to not only look great but also work with the unique structural features of the Glass House. Host Tanika assigns each contestant a room in the house, challenging them to create a cohesive design that works well with the glass elements of the house.

The contestants immediately get to work, sketching out their design ideas and planning their layouts. They are all drawn to the natural light that filters throughout the Glass House, but are faced with the challenge of finding ways to manage and direct that light to create the perfect atmosphere for their assigned room. Some contestants choose to use light and color to create a more vibrant space, while others opt for a more minimalist approach that highlights the structure of the house.

As the day progresses, the contestants begin to face unexpected challenges. One contestant struggles with getting the shades on their floor-to-ceiling windows to work correctly, while another realizes that their furniture pieces are too large and crowding the space. Some contestants experience communication issues with their teams, resulting in unexpected design choices.

The judges arrive on set to assess each of the contestants' designs. They are blown away by the beautiful and creative spaces that the contestants have created, each of which is uniquely tailored to the architectural features of the Glass House. The judges highlight the moments when the contestants successfully incorporated the natural light in their designs, as well as when they found ways to work with the angles and unique structural elements of the house. They offer constructive criticism to help the contestants make their designs even better, highlighting how a few small changes could make a significant difference in the overall aesthetic of the space.

After many tense moments, the judges finally announce the winning contestant for the Glass House Challenge. The winning design is one that expertly incorporated the natural light of the house to create an open and inviting space that is both functional and beautiful. The winner is ecstatic about their success and receives a cash prize, as well as the opportunity to be featured in an upcoming issue of a popular design magazine.

The other contestants are disappointed to be eliminated but grateful for the lessons they have learned throughout their time on HGTV Design Star. They all acknowledge how the unique challenges presented in the Glass House Challenge have pushed them to think creatively and work outside of their comfort zones. They leave the show feeling inspired and ready to tackle the next design challenge that comes their way.