Top Design; Episode 9: "Elle Décor Cover Inspiration"

I love how in the past two episodes Andrea has finally stopped being the quite, nice one and has revealed herself as vice president of the “I Hate Carissa" club. (I'm president). Like Andrea, I honestly have no idea how Carissa has made it to the top freakin' 3 and it bothers me to no end.

For the challenge, Todd presents the designers with 10 framed covers of Elle Décor magazine and asks each person to pick the one that speaks to them the most. After Matt, Andrea, and Carissa make their choices, Todd informs them that they are to design a room using the cover they picked as inspiration. The catch is that while Elle Décor frequently features rooms worth tens of thousands of dollars, the designers will only have $7500 each. They will also not be shopping at the Pacific Design Center as they have in the past; they'll be free to shop throughout most of LA. Since Andrea is an LA native, she has an obvious advantage, but they will all be allowed to use the internet to aid them in their search.

All the designers bitch and moan a bit about their measly $7500 budget, but no one as much as Matt. Matt explains that he's used to spending a lot of money on the rooms he designs and becomes extremely frustrated as he tries desperately to stay in the price range.

He also gets some bad news once shopping is over: Ed, his carpenter, will not be assisting him on this challenge on doctor's orders after slicing open his thumb last week. Instead, he'll be working with the last eliminated carpenter, Sarah. Matt likes her but is a little nervous. However, if he makes the finals Ed will be back to work with him.

ARGH! I HATE CARISSA! She really is insufferable. It's so hard to watch her be such a bitch to Carl, her carpenter, as he just stands there and takes it. Carl deserves the prize way more that Carissa even though he's not a designer; he's just incredibly patient.

Matt's having a hard time reupholstering his chair, but never fear! Todd Oldham to the rescue! He gives Matt some really good tips on making the chair look better...perhaps too good. As I'm watching I can't help but wonder if Todd's showing a little too much favoritism (who could resist adorable Matt?). It feels as though he goes beyond just offering advice and just flat out tells Matt what to do. Oh well...whatever helps Matt win is ok in my book.

Yay! Carl puts that asshole, Carissa in her place at long last! He finally yells at her to “stop talking to [him] like a four-year-old." She of course yells back and so does Carl and they bicker for a while.

Matt hates his room because Sarah didn't make his French doors to his satisfaction. He says it's the only challenge where he isn't 100% satisfied with his final product.

And what about Andrea during all this? She hated the color she painted her walls and repainted. That was about it.

Carissa's final room is quirky...I almost like it but it doesn't look like it was inspired by the magazine cover; it looks like a total rip-off of the magazine cover.

I really like Andrea's room, but it's not terribly exciting.

As much as Matt disliked his room, it actually wasn't all that bad. As always, it was the most luxurious looking room, despite his $7500 budget. He made it work.

The judges ask each designer to explain why they deserve to win and why the others don't. Carissa has a hard time coming up with a reason why she deserves the prize. That sounds about right.

Despite a few kinks, Matt wins the challenge! He'll be featured in the July/August issue of Elle Décor.

WHAT THE FUCK?!? Andrea is sent home, which means Carissa has somehow miraculously made it to the final 2. UGH!

At least this means Matt's going to win the whole thing.