The Big Interiors Battle Channel 4. No Spoilers please

[LadyEloise1]

Anyone watching The Big Interiors Battle on Channel 4 ?

some good ideas but it ended up feeling cramped. Which, as pointed out upthread, is often the way with modern urban dwellings.

I said that and I really feel that it's something Dara left unacknowledged. There was a comment about not wanting to be the person who sat against the wall at table and not enough room to pull out the breakfast bar stools and that was that really. I did think Tara missed a furnishing trick, eg she could've had one of those space saving table and chairs which push together into one neat shape when not in use - but it is a fact that very few modern city flats have room for both a breakfast bar and a table and that pulling a table out for use and then folding or pushing it aside, is not that unusual. I get the feeling she's looking for a magazine set rather than a 'real' living space.

I think I've also commented on John's personal style being at odds with the building, specifically the exposed brick walls and visible pipe and electrical conduits, which are industrial, however, that said, when it's an extremely modern scheme applied to the interior of a period building or something like the pyramid entrance to the Louvre, it's not generally criticised in the same way. Given the premise is to design to his own taste for his own use, I kind of admire him for sticking to his guns and not turning into a people pleaser.

I'm quite interested to see who wins and what happens to the other apartments afterwards.

Aghh I didn't record it on Friday 🙁

I watched it on the Channel 4 app.

Well, that was a pointless episode! I really dislike the format of this programme and the judge brings nothing of interest or any feeling of experience to it. The designers who are left all seem like nice people but no one is particularly amazing. I will watch the rest of it now, but its a frustrating show.

I thought it was good in that it was a hell of a lot better after they had redesigned it. And they were restrained by having to keep the flooring and lighting.

I was very impressed with what they did and how well they worked together, being faithful to Tara's vision but also being able to bring something of themselves into the design. They made an excellent team and Tara an excellent leader.
Consulting the centre users was the right move, too.
It would have been so wrong to send one of them away after all that this week.

I really enjoyed this one. I thought they all did a really good job and worked as a team. I like what Jamie? did with the mirror to make it look less dance studio-ey. I was so glad no one was sent home as they all had listened to and acted on criticism from previous weeks

I've just watched on catch up and there was no one who deserved to go home this week. They all worked beautifully together and no one messed up.

JackRosenberg I really like the format in that it’s not got a presenter being silly and making cringy puns and jokes. It gives the contestants enough time to do the best their capable of unlike baking, sewing etc where despite being incredibly talented it’s almost impossible to complete a task to the standards expected. I like the brief and the fact they design to their own taste and are judged on how well they bring off their ideas and things they like but also are expected to take on constructive criticism and sometimes design something not for themselves like this week. It’s my favourite of all these types of shows.

Ah, its probably just me! I think it doesn't work well for me as 'entertainment' for some reason but at the same time I don't find either the contestants or the judge credible enough to take seriously. I do think its a fun concept though.

Jack we all like different things . I totally agree the contestants with maybe the exception of Tara, are not exactly high calibre. Most look as though they go on Pinterest a lot and some of the ones who were elimated just appalling.

I've just watched and the room was beautiful. They all worked well together to make it now all the annoying people have gone. Any of them could win and deserve it.

No comments from the semi final?

I've only just watched it on catch up. I couldn't predict who out of Jamie and Jack was going home. I thought probably Jamie was more likely but I was glad I was wrong.

I liked all 3 rooms. With such a big prize one of them is going to be heartbroken next week. Coming second won't be much consolation.

I’m glad John went he was good at his style but didn’t seem able to tone it down at all, it just became boring but functional in that final room.

I felt that although John's room was his usual style, it worked really well as a library/study. What let it down was the bed; it looked a bit makeshift. So, on these two counts, I would agree that he should leave this week.

Tara's and Jamie's rooms were both good and I found myself agreeing with both of the criticisms made: that Tara's finishing could have been better and Jamie's desk didn't work re both style and positioning.

I still feel that Tara could win this, especially since her confidence in her own designs has grown, but liked Jamie's room very much this week, lovely to get away from the neutrals, and storage at last. He could continue to stretch himself, so who knows?

I felt sad that John got the boot but mainly because I'd come to see him as vulnerable and having a sad backstory, rather than design-wise. I agree his pull out bed looked a bit dodgy compared with the well thought out and implemented double one with bedhead and built in shelving. I liked his spare room but felt it was something I could do after looking through some Pinterest ideas. It felt like the right choice.

I'm in. Have been watching but just quiet about it. Tonight Two Tribes Go To War and there can only be one winner.

I’m pleased for Tara she won. Jamie’s flat was much more to my taste but Tara did a great job too.

I couldn't choose between them but would have been happy with either of them winning - they were both so lovely and the apartments were both really lovely (although so different!)

A little part of me hopes they quietly gave Jamie his apartment too. How gutting to design and kit out your dream apartment and not have it at the end. I think he handled the defeat well (on screen) and came across as a totally lovely person.

This programme has ingnited a need in me to design my house into my dream house. I've done very little to it really.

I wanted a surprise decision that both of them got their flat but was happy for Tara. I wasn’t a fan of her wallpaper choices or written and neon affirmations but she was clever at maximising space and it clearly is going to meet her families needs. I was trying to find out if she had moved to Sheffield yet but couldn’t see anything online. I hope they do another series. Really enjoyed it.

I was so delighted for Tara and the security the win will bring for herself and her children. She really did a great job throughout and is an excellent designer. As is Jamie. They were both such lovely genuine people and AJ was lovely with them both! Really enjoyed the series and hope there is another one.

As a side note, the series brought the UK's housing crisis into sharp focus. These hardworking people should be able to afford a secure home of their own, either by buying or by renting a social housing property long-term. If you don't have help from the Bank of Mum and Dad you are generally at the mercy of the private rental market, which is a nightmare and perilous for one's mental health. A secure home is as important as an education and access to healthcare. All the participants deserved this.

Wombat. You are right about this highlighting how hard it is for people to get somewhere decent to live with either a secure tenancy if they’re renting or afford to buy somewhere. So many of my friends DC are still in house shares in their 30s, despite having good jobs and unless they get financial help from parents or grandparents the chances of them being able to get a deposit to buy something, are pretty remote.

Delighted for Tara too. Thought it was a very hard call. Jamie was great too.
I'd prefer to live in Jamie's I think.

I'd agree with that @LadyEloise1 although it was interesting that Tara was designing for a small family rather than just adults. I didn't care for her hallway or all the affirmations everywhere. I don't suppose they were actually everywhere, it just felt like they were.