Ep 3. Bleeding Color

In season 1 episode 3 of Best Room Wins, titled "Bleeding Color," interior designers are given the challenge of creating a vibrant and colorful living room. Host Genevieve Gorder introduces Brininstool + Lynch architecture firm, whose Chicago-based living room serves as the inspiration for this week's episode.

The two competing designers, Anne and Maureen, begin by exploring the room and analyzing its features - a neutral color palette, clean lines, and subtle hints of orange and green. They then meet with their respective clients to discuss their design preferences and existing furniture pieces.

Anne, a Brooklyn-based designer, is assigned the task of creating a bright and energetic living room for a busy family of four. She decides to incorporate the color red, inspired by the family's love for Chinese culture and the traditional red envelopes given during holidays. Anne chooses a statement red sofa as the centerpiece of the room and balances it with green accents and neutral walls. She also transforms an existing wooden cabinet into a colorful storage piece with a red, white, and blue geometric design.

Maureen, an interior designer from Atlanta, is given the challenge of designing a colorful yet elegant living room for a single woman who loves entertaining. Inspired by the orange and green accents in the Brininstool + Lynch living room, Maureen decides to create a color-blocked wall with shades of orange and green. She also adds gold accents and textures such as velvet and brass to elevate the room's sophistication.

During the design process, Anne and Maureen face several obstacles. Anne struggles with finding the right shade of red for the sofa and has difficulty incorporating the family’s existing artwork while still maintaining the vibrant atmosphere. Maureen initially struggles to find a balance between the bold colors and the client's desire for an elegant and polished living room.

After the 2-day design challenge, Genevieve and guest judge Nate Berkus evaluate the two rooms and provide feedback to both designers. They are impressed with Anne's use of color and the way she transformed the wooden cabinet. However, they express concerns about the sofa overpowering the room and the lack of cohesion between the vibrant pieces and the existing artwork. On the other hand, they love Maureen's color-blocked wall and the combination of textures and materials. They also appreciate her attention to detail and the way she incorporated the client's existing pieces. However, they express concerns about the green accent color being too intense and overpowering the room.

In the end, Genevieve and Nate deliberate and ultimately choose the winning room. The winning designer is awarded a design feature in Elle Décor magazine and the losing designer exits the competition.

Overall, season 1 episode 3 of Best Room Wins showcases the challenges and creativity involved in designing a colorful living room. Both competing designers tackle the challenge in unique ways and provide insight into the design process. The episode also highlights the importance of balancing bold colors and maintaining a cohesive overall design.