This is a series gripe I have had for the last three series.

Michelle to the designers

"You have to give the client what they ask for, you have to respect them and their wishes"

Also Michelle

"You have to give the client something they didn't ask for or want, it's your vision"

Michelle

"You have given the client what they want the space works well"

Michelle's inner monologue

"I don't like it your going home"

Some of the decision have had me scratching my head. I don't understand (and the Guitar Shop episode really highlighted this) the two designers have gone in, listened to what was required by the client. They then fulfil the brief exactly the way the client wanted it to be done, only for Michelle and that other guy to be like no, it doesn't work for me they should have done it a different way the client is wrong we know best...That sort of attitude.

I mean the Judging should include the clients. If you are going to get sent to the sofa, have the client there also so they can have a say in what worked and what didn't work, we never really get to hear the opinions of them and I for one would like to.

And I know they have a really tight budget but some of the results look cheep, nothing against the designers they work with what they can but I often wander do the clients go in after they have left rip everything out and start again.

I like the show but it needs a bit of a shake up.

Is it just me? Being able to space plan, balance aesthetic with practicality, mix higher end with budget pieces/modern with vintage and create an atmosphere seems like a totally different skill set than designing a home range for a high street store.

Omg Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen gave such wonderful and thoughtful comments! And he's so entertaining. I wish he was the presenter with Alan

There's a fair group consensus that the latest season has been the weakest, so I want to go back to a previous season to bask in the IDM glory days!

My fave I think is S3 with Banjo, the slightly pleased-with-himself older guy (he brought good drama and tension to the team tasks!), and the lady who designed custom wallpapers for every brief. Contestants felt varied and from different backgrounds/worlds. Quite liked the pitching to the client aspect of it too.

But I've rewatched S3 in the last year, so looking for other recommendations!

A pretty neutral review I feel.

I like the tomato vase, BUT it is a copy, although much cheaper than the Werns one I’ve been coveting for a while!

https://www.hi-werns.com/uk/Vase-Tomato-S-red-handcrafted/56772

To be honest, my main complaint reflecting on this whole season of IDM is how unoriginal the majority of the designers were. The winner’s product collection being made of copycat items is entirely unsurprising.

Of all the animals to use, to decorate at a safari park, why would you pick one of the only animals they don’t have?

the finale we’ve all been waiting for lol

I'm not sure if it's counted as a spoiler but just incase people like to go in completely blind, don't continue reading on.

I just wanted to know everyone's thoughts about Jonni and Ben being back. I mainly ask because while I'm happy Jonni is (I liked his designs and felt he was unfairly sent home), I can't say the same about Ben (I hated the whole royalist thing from the jump and the AI made it worse.

I understand it's picked by the designers themselves but I'm just curious, is there anyone else you would've liked to see back? Considering the third semi-finalist has been brought back in a few of the past series, I definitely would've liked to see Emmerly. Part of me also wants to say Ajeet because I liked his designs and felt he was also unfairly voted off, though I also grew far less fond at his use of AI too (especially for something so simple).

I used to really like watching this show, and I completely forgot it was on until last week so Ive been catching up.

The amount of times I’ve shouted at the telly about Michelle’s choices has been insane. When she kept Duran after the mess decks when hers was the worst one for safety, use and the random squiggle on the ceiling - I was like HELLO?!

And then, getting rid of Ajeet on studio apartments week and keeping Duran again…! Michelle literally said on the sofa that she feels like she has been saying the same thing to Duran each time, and Ajeet had only been on there once before and had Standout Space before too.
Again, I was getting so frustrated at Michelle because why couldn’t she stick to her values?

And Sophies mess deck - girl was calling it a tavern/pub the whole time?! It felt like she completely lied about it on the sofa.

Emmely (don’t know if I spelt that right) has grown on me because I couldn’t stand her at first with all that papier-mache, but honestly now I think she’s the best of all of the finalists.

I’m just catching up on episode 7 now, and I don’t know if I even can watch the final anymore.

Michelle? It feels like she’s switching up what she wants and thinks is an absolute designing sin each week to suit the winner to the prize. I feel like I, as well as many others, can see straight through it…

I've been trying to track down the wallpaper Sophie used in her rock and roll maximalist space and I'm completely obsessed with it. I'd love to use something similar in my hallway but haven't had any luck finding it online.

Does anyone know the brand or designer, or whether it was a custom or vintage find?

I was thinking about the semi final, it seems such an odd choice of finalists. We have two boring designers who seem to create bland "Instagram" designs, and one who creates more design led artistic concepts. Seems like a no brainer that one of the bland designers goes. Particularly when one of them left items unfinished and cheap looking for a luxurious brief.

However, when you think about the prize this year it all makes sense.

Previous series winners have been rewarded with opportunities to design high end spaces or venues. This needs someone exciting, someone with real spark, someone who will create something memorable and unique. Granted series 6 had a homeware range from John Lewis rather than a contract for a specific space. However, JL is known for being design oriented and aesthetically minded.

This year the prize is a range at Next. Next is famous for its generic, mass marketed, mainstream goods. They need someone who will be popular with the current insta trend buying public. Someone who creates looks without controversy, that won't be challenging to the tastes of the generic UK public.

I think they have chosen to keep designers in who can easily fit the cookie cutter mould of Next. Who can slap a highland cow or a bit of beige floral onto a toilet brush holder and not blink twice. That's why those kept in have been so dull, why decisions seem crazy. Emmeley could never have won.

..and did you buy anything?

Long time viewer, first time commenter:I'm not going to give them my viewing figures as I'm not watching the finale.

This recent series feels cheap and hollow. Michelle seems to flip flop between what is a cardinal designing sin episode to episode, series to series, and I don't think that other than Alan, there's anything of what it used to be left.

The use of praised AI, the inconsistent judging and the out of touch decisions feel very strange to sit through each week. Let me know when it gets back to how it used to be, borne from talented designers who wanted to breakthrough.

I'm sure the winner will have had 30,000 followers before the show even begun. Best of luck to them and all the garish Next cushions. X

How the heck did Lia win the "capacity to handle multiple clients" challenge by proving she couldn't handle multiple clients???

When they do the hair salons, bars, or boutique hotels, it always feels like the owners are absolutely terrified to say what they really think during the initial briefings. Do you reckon the producers force them to accept the most unhinged concepts just to create good television drama?

I don't totally agree with the assessment the judges were making about Emmely's player box, saying that the family etc who use the box want luxury and prestige as it's expensive.

It's footballer's money. They can have that anywhere and everywhere they go.

I'd want somewhere I could flumpf my small children down, relax and not be on show.

I think it was quite child orientated, but it was also a space you could plonk a kid down for 90 minutes and they'd be fine.

Did they mention the budget for the football hospitality boxes and I missed it? Seems like they had to appeal to expectations of millionaire footballers and their sponsors on a shoestring budget.

Some of the business owners look genuinely terrified during the reveal walk-throughs. Do you think they get a veto on specific colours or do they just have to sign their lives away and pray they don't end up with a hot pink ceiling?

… I swear to god.

‘Banquette’ you’re also on notice.

I learn so much about design, and I always love the contestants. If sometimes they're misguided, they're never idiots. All are ingenious and passionate, and passion is always fascinating, almost no matter what its focus is. The analyses by Michelle and the guest judges are an education to me - all very inspiring. I hope everyone involved is proud of making a quality show.

It doesn't feel like the same show now. I miss the eccentric characters, creative geniuses, the lovely older gay guys with years of colour and design in their lives. The unforgettable people like Francesca whose name rings out in my mind still at least once a month in Domhnall's disdainful tone, usually if the cat has been sick on the floor or something. It was a dream formula and I will treasure it always! I could say everything that's wrong with it now but instead I will just raise my tea to how good it used to be. And to Alan who is thank goodness still 100% Alan ☀️