Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr 2025 episode 6
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CreativityTranscript
00:00It's the quarter-final of Interior Design Masters and we're in the
00:06chocolate box town of Rye where our designers are doing up shops oh hello
00:15welcome to Alan's in Pouring is there anything I can help you with candles
00:19hand-poured by adopted otters exotic shag and for one day only a signed photo of
00:26a national treasure sorry I'm not really into old antiques get out my shop some
00:33people have got no taste welcome to Interior Design Masters oh previously
00:41can I touch your balls you can the designers were at Twickenham transforming
00:50hospitality suites brani one standout space with her premium rugby pub it was
00:58just an absolutely fantastic palette for the history and the future of rugby
01:02thanks so much great retro design forgot the rugby fortunately yeah Michelle is
01:07not an art critic while over ambitious John ran out of time the feature bar just
01:13didn't happen but it was Victoria who came unstuck I'm just really gutted to be going home but what a ride it's been
01:30Shops Week Shops Week I think you've got retail experience
01:33well you've got retail experience I've got retail experience I've been in retail since I was like 16 years old
01:38so I was so hoping to get to shop week oh my life I want to design a shop this is my dream come true my main
01:48career has been in retail as a visual merchandiser so the pressure is on I have to nail this challenge
01:54do you like shopping I love shopping this is really geeky but I love I love shopping for power tools my favorite
02:02shopping is usually old furniture junk shops many years ago I had a shop in London and I sold kitsch funky
02:10items but it is a very complex business retail well hello quarter finalists that sounds good doesn't
02:18it sounds great so has everyone won standout space I think we all have except for our job John
02:27it's your turn could this be your week sounds nice I like that well to buy a place in the semi-final you
02:34are hitting the shops you're working in pairs and you'll be transforming two stores in the hip and
02:41happening town of Rye nice this medieval town on the East Sussex coast was once one of England's main
02:50trading ports now it's a destination getaway with lots of independent shops two of which are in need
02:57of transformation the first is a women's boutique selling clothes shoes and jewelry the second is an
03:05Indian paper shop specializing in imported handmade wrapping paper textiles and gifts so Michelle who's
03:13pairing up with who I would like to see Briony working with Rita on the women's boutique
03:20boys versus the girls so Craig I'd like to see you paired with John yeah on the Indian paper shop it's
03:33up to you to decide who takes the front or the back of the shop but I do want to see that you've worked
03:39together to provide an enticing environment for the customer but also a good working space for
03:45the owners and to help Michelle judge this week is the ultimate queen of shops and believe me she
03:52will be checking out your checkouts it's Mary Portis you've got a budget of 3,500 pounds but spend it
04:03wisely because this is for a place in the semi-final good luck thank you
04:08thank you it's cute isn't it isn't it cute what a lovely street how lovely is that the designers head
04:20straight to Rye to meet their clients oh wow wait Rita Rita and Bryony's clients are Leslie the owner of
04:29the fashion boutique and her husband Peter who is behind the bespoke jewelry this is Niche and Peter
04:35Faroe jewelry fundamentally we have two businesses in one it's a one-stop shop for ladies yeah right
04:41all right yes so what is it that you sell in the shop generally it's jeans trousers separates I'm
04:48okay we have a tiny underwear department because I am a bra fitter and from my side of it is bespoke
04:54jewelry I design jewelry mainly gold and platinum is there anything you feel you would like us maybe
05:02to improve it a bit for my part we put the stock out by color which makes it tidy and easy but
05:07actually sometimes it would just be really nice to have something different yeah okay yeah I sort of
05:12struggle with the fact that all my jewelry is is displayed in sort of generic jewelry cases yeah
05:18also I need a table yeah yeah chairs to talk to clients yes so we can see obviously you've got your
05:25back section over there I can see some changing rooms so this is probably the biggest headache of
05:31the shop for me okay okay the fitting rooms we have two this one is used more I'd like this to be more
05:38private and a little bit more enticing maybe yeah and the other area is the till area because when we
05:45started here that was big enough but it now isn't big enough and it's almost in the wrong space as well
05:50because you're hidden behind the pillar okay leave it with us and I think you're in safe hands I have
05:57a fantastic shop I just know that Rita and I can help them elevate it my partner and I had a home and
06:04giftware business so I'm gonna bring all of those learnings and we're gonna create them something super
06:11special there's a massive potential as a freelancer in visual merchandising you know I can see how it's
06:17gonna look so I think we're gonna do a very good job I mean girl's power obviously we're gonna win
06:23isn't it Bryony round the corner Wow this is lovely Craig and John are meeting and Vaisha owner of the
06:34paper place this is a lovely show thank you amazing papers mostly they come from Bombay which is where I'm
06:41also from and all of the products that are paper are silk screened and they're done by hand we have
06:48wrapping paper cards we have cushions we have wonderful little mini rugs are made in India and
06:56celebrating our you know heritage yeah okay yeah you have a shop full of beautiful products but I think
07:03what we really need to help you with is to bring the shop in line with the quality of the merchandise yes
07:09you can see it's really tired when you look at the shelves I don't think those have been changed since
07:13the 70s no and also what I use as a till was used to be a breakfast bar in our kitchen you know so
07:20maybe can we have a look at the back now yes of course okay so here we sell stoles and scarves from
07:26Kashmir and I would like to be able to display the shawls as as they hang rather than having them in
07:34plastic packets okay you know thank you so much yeah and we look forward to transforming your shop
07:39into a thing of beauty they really look forward to seeing that the shop is tired and dated but the
07:45product is still vibrant and alive so we've just got to bring them together the way that the products
07:50are displayed isn't ideal so I think we can really do something with that and hopefully together with
07:56Craig we're able to transform this into something that's like an adventure a kind of place of curiosity
08:02a very cute little town it is it's perfect so you see after a week of planning the designers are
08:12ready to go transform these shops I think we are they've got two days put things on this way yeah
08:20to me to you to create enticing and functional spaces and to help each team has two carpenters
08:28and two decorators morning guys good morning today we're going to be transforming this shop into a
08:36beautiful Indian destination shop so I'm going to be doing the front half of the shop and the exterior
08:41meanwhile I will be doing the back window display in terms of inspiration we've looked at old Indian
08:49palaces and temples and taken the idea of shape form pattern and we're trying to create a journey and a
08:57celebration of Indian arts and crafts are you wearing the color chart just followed me
09:06in the fashion boutique Rita and Bryony are repurposing the existing chrome rails so we
09:18decided to keep all the shop fittings because actually they're really strong and we save us a
09:22lot of money I would like to raise them all to eye level because I feel is too close to the floor and
09:27we didn't like the color so that would be painted black but basically we got we got to take it all off
09:32yeah and start fresh yeah okay I'm designing the front of the shop and the window display the main
09:39inspiration I had is neutrals because I wanted the stock to shine and as well I want to open up the
09:46store so the first thing is to remove the big metal structure that is in the center of the store there's
09:52locking the view into the shop and then painting actually the chrome black that will add this nice
09:59modern twist so neutral tones and black I think is a good combination to bring luxury to a space this
10:07color is looking great isn't it yeah the black it's really taking well Bryony is tackling the exterior and
10:12the back of the shop I'm obsessed with retail so is Rita and we've had ridiculously identical ideas of
10:20like the function the format how everything needs to be laid out the colors we chose exactly the same ones
10:24it needs to feel contemporary and a bit premium are we bringing this round in the beige color here
10:32that's all going to be beige Bryony and Rita are color drenching the exterior of the shop interior walls
10:38ceiling and floor in a warm beige Rita's reconfiguring the rails showcasing stock on a rustic wooden table and
10:47creating a till area with hidden storage and a stud wall Brian is also adding a stud wall to give privacy
10:55to revamped changing rooms making a display for Peter's jewelry and providing a consultation area with an
11:02upcycle table and chairs these seat pads are going on my upcycle chairs for my little jewelry consultation
11:11area so this boucle started life as a curtain and actually found him in the bargain bin it adds really
11:20nice texture keeps it light in color so it doesn't take anything away from the closer in the shop I love
11:28it I think it's a gorgeous page it's gonna make the stock look amazing because it doesn't disturb all
11:34the prints and the colors you've got with the clothes and it's not just the walls and ceiling going beige we
11:41are painting the floor matching with our walls and ceiling so your eye will not stop anywhere you're
11:47just gonna feel you're in this luxurious beautiful bubble of nice fabric prints and beautiful things
11:54to wear hopefully while the girls are going neutral ceiling looks absolutely great loving the color the boys are
12:07going pink the inspiration was definitely the colors of cashmere that's where a lot of the products are
12:13made so they have lovely bright colored walls and love you paintings and stenciling and we use that to pick
12:20the actual paint colors this is much better than just leaving it white I think a little bit of paint
12:26splash of color absolutely their colorful shop will feature minty green exterior paneling and green gold and
12:35pink walls and ceiling at the back Craig's designing bespoke displays for scarves cushions and rugs and in the
12:43center of the room a stenciled antique table will sit under some handmade lamp shades in the front John's
12:50cladding the walls with distressed timber boxing in the window to extend the display area and provide more
12:57storage and making a shelving unit with pull-out drawers and decorative fretwork so my big build for
13:05you okay is this shelving on this side of the room so we're gonna have some columns with the shelves in
13:13between and we'll have some racking for papers and the bottom some storage to be able to pull out so these
13:20just boxes on on casters that we can wheel out okay these details are these painted okay so those are
13:28laser cut out okay okay so they would just literally stick onto the wood I wanted something
13:34that kind of really look like the detail for whether you gain India that's a very expensive thing to buy
13:40but I was able to laser cut out all those designs this you can just bang out because it's nailed in
13:47currently the problem in this shop is that there is no change in mood wherever you go in the shop
13:52it just carries on the same all the way around the products will be separated out
13:57and shelving at the front will be where John displays all the stationery what we're looking
14:03to do and me in particular is create a different kind of mood in the back of that shop oh well done
14:09Craig at the back Craig's in charge of textiles I'm designing this display with a mannequin so she can
14:19put the scarves on lovely little gold bars that she can hang them off and there's even a little half
14:24table at the bottom so she could if she buys other accessories she can just really build on it at niche
14:32Rita's attacking the hanging rails this is the metal paint that I'm hoping is gonna stick beautifully to
14:43our structure the concern is it's not gonna stick to the chrome because they're too shiny and if it
14:54doesn't work it's a problem when I heard the most famous Lane in Rye was Mermaid Street I thought I'm
15:09gonna get into the spirit of things you know make a splash now I just feel like a fish out of water and
15:15I tell you what tails and cobbles are not a good combination anyway time to meet the designers
15:21it's the quarter-final now is not the time to start crazy paving what what is this it was once a
15:40coffee table but I found in a charity shop and I smashed it up a bit it's travertine stone and then
15:46you can like chisel the edges make it look a bit more rustic yeah and then you like you hang your
15:50jewelry over it and you know all about retail because you owned a shop I did own a shop tell
15:55me some tricks of the trade tricks of the trade so generally in retail people always walk clockwise
16:00when they come into a shop naturally and you walk to the left so you will just want to make sure that
16:04everything you've placed in the shop kind of flows correctly for that how clever is that yeah yeah and
16:09you need any more smashed up yeah I've got the coffee table base here okay yeah um so you put a
16:15mask on oh yeah yeah okay I mean I thought we're in Rye not Chernobyl I'm gonna wrap it over go in
16:25go in with a light tap first and then get harder we know where yeah well we can check go for the
16:29middle where do you move your finger um I'll go again bit harder oh look at that quick work isn't
16:41it oh that says to me high-end jewelry in Craig's homeware section we're gonna make frames just go
16:55around the shelving he's devised a time-saving stenciling hack I've actually made my own wallpaper
17:03border so I use this with your regular wall lining paper then I gave it a lick of paint in the same
17:10pages we're using on the wall and then I got this little fancy stencil and I just used a sponge and
17:15just sponged it on it's amazing isn't it looks like the real thing last week I ended up on the sofa
17:24because I just didn't quite hit the brief I didn't reference the rugby styling enough so I felt doing
17:30the stenciling was really a way of keying in the whole Indian design John is using a lot of cutout fret
17:36work so I didn't want to do that so I want to reference what he's doing but in a different kind of way
17:41hi John hello what are you doing I'm sanding I'm sanding bits of wood oh I love a bit of that
17:51yeah yeah listen before we start sanding can we talk about your time management problem you've been
17:59on the sofa three times in a row what are you gonna do about it so I'm gonna be ruthless this
18:08time in terms of jobs don't come up and it's is it gonna take longer than we need it to can I just
18:14cut this job and move on to the next thing John I love this side to you so where's this going and
18:19what is it this is a reclaimed pallet wood and I've painted these and then I'm gonna sand them
18:25back just to distress them and I'm gonna clad an entire wall in those lovely well listen should I
18:30put me by phone I'll put mine on now we do this yeah yeah yeah so just press that button on okay
18:37so wicked put your hand on top of it there press down nice and hard oh that's beautiful is that
18:44good yeah good are you proud of me yeah keep going oh you can see you're a teacher oh you're
18:50doing very good you'll have this done in no time yeah you're just the right side of patronizing
18:54it's halfway through the first day there we go thank you man Rita's paint hasn't stuck to her
19:03poles I'd sand it so it gives the surface something to grip okay the paper shop has a brand new frontage
19:11reeks of class and Brian is having a smashing time to me that's beautiful
19:19we're gonna go in the shop yeah I need to test it if it'll fit one of the things the owners wanted
19:29was to have a proper till point in there oh caught on the door oh is that it and I've stumbled upon an
19:38absolutely gorgeous antique shop till counter oh well done Craig however it's a bigger desk than what's
19:46there and space is quite tight in the front of the shop I think you can get past there fine that's
19:52gorge that's a massive relief that I don't have to cut it down because it would have added a job to
20:01the list and I don't want to be adding jobs to the list so welcome to the till area location the first
20:08thing I thought when I walked in is to move the till from the back of the store to the entrance because
20:13that's part of the customer journey and experience you walk in and you're greeted by a member of staff I'm
20:18using the current tail but I want to extend it and make it bigger so my thought was if I have my MDF
20:26sheet and then we have one side blocked off here okay another side blocked off here but we extend it
20:34by 600 and another side here so they're basically building a sleeve to go around this like a box use
20:40this structure for your base yeah okay that's fine outside right so mirror moment mirror time Brian is
20:53working on a triple mirror feature for her changing rooms so my idea is that I've got three of these going
21:00in each and they're gonna have hinges going down them so like one connected to the wall and then
21:04the others you can like angle around to see yourself from all the angles okay all right yeah leave it
21:08with me yeah no problem thank you so the changing rooms at the moment are two different sizes and the
21:14one at the back is larger so you can see straight into it from the roadside and what the shop owners
21:19really wanted was a bit more privacy so I'm building out with a little stud wall that just creates a
21:23little bit more privacy and it's going to be a seat more mirrors coming in some lovely wallpaper and it
21:30just creates much more of an experience for the customer Rita's also building a stud wall closing in
21:35the pillar beside her till area I cannot tell you how excited I am about before they had this pillar and
21:45the gap next to it I mean who's gonna run around the pillar no one so block it use it as functional rather
21:52than just a waste of space drama no tell me what you cannot do so you know you said we got that
22:03sheet of 18 mil yeah for our unit yeah one sheets isn't enough Rita needs more MDF for the till but
22:11she's maxed out her budget I can return some of the accessories one less vase it is hi Craig
22:21hello Alan is this the actual paper that they use in the shop yeah so we thought it was really
22:27important to showcase these amazing hand printed papers so yeah we're using them to make our light
22:32fittings would you like to help me make one I'd love to so I put this double-sided sticky tape onto the
22:37wire frames yes and then you're gonna roll it all the way it's it oh look at this keep it steady keep it
22:44sturdy keep it steady oh oh is that good it's good for me hey voila that's amazing listen a little birdie
22:52told me that you had a shop in Clapham and I think I actually bought something from your shop oh it's
22:58amazing it's a Labrador with the hook and you hang your coat on it it was a great little shop yeah yeah so
23:04listen we're in the quarter-final now the prize at the end is a collaboration with John Lewis amazing
23:10I know and it could be something like this I might be doing a lampshade collection out of paper
23:14Craig's paper shades shady
23:18Shady paper Shady paper Shady paper
23:20Shady paper right see you in a bit
23:22Bye Alan
23:24There's just a few hours left of day one in the girls shop
23:31It's still scratching
23:33Sanding hasn't helped the paint stick to Rita's poles but she's got a plan
23:38I'm gonna prime it and wait until it dry and then try the black paint again
23:43to see if that will make it stick a bit more to the poles
23:47This was meant to be the week where I enjoy it the most
23:51Just no drama I know about tree tail but so far the paint is not working for the poles
23:58I'm short on MDF for my tail it just seems one problem after the other
24:03We need our poles to be painted today and put back in situ
24:07Otherwise we cannot use it tomorrow to put all the stock back because it needs to be 100% dry
24:13But it's not just the poles that need to dry
24:16We have to be out of the shop now because they need to paint the floor
24:20But we wanted this floor to be painted you know so you pay for your design
24:31So here we've got my table
24:32It's gonna be for the jewellery consultations
24:35But the top all needed sanding because Rita and I are having all our wood tones the same in the shop
24:39So we're sanding it back and then we're gonna paint it with our walnut stain
24:42And then the base of this gorgeous table is gonna be painted black
24:46So it's gonna pair with my already spray painted chairs
24:50And then they're gonna have their gorgeous boot clay upholstery seat pads on them
24:54And so yeah it's gonna feel fancy
24:58I'm just removing I don't know years and years of decorative paper that the previous owners have decided to put inside here
25:05So it's easier to paint
25:07John's original plan was to paint the whole thing pink to match his shelving
25:11So just looking at this now
25:13I don't think I actually want to paint it pink
25:15I'm gonna paint the inside the alcoves pink
25:18I'm gonna leave all of this wood is too beautiful a thing to paint
25:21It'll save me a bunch of time
25:22And you know based on previous experiences
25:25I'm trying to take on board the advice I've been given
25:27And you know work out how I can work most efficiently
25:30For Rita
25:32For Rita
25:33Absolutely
25:34Love it
25:36Her extended till is bang on the money
25:39You made my day
25:41With everything else not working to plan
25:44It looks really good
25:45Et voila
25:47Sexy till
25:49There's also progress with the poles
25:51After sanding and priming the paint has finally stuck
25:55I don't want to see any black paint for a long time
26:02Hello friend
26:08Hey
26:09Hello
26:10How are you?
26:11What do you think?
26:12It's a lovely colour
26:13Really striking isn't it?
26:14Thank you
26:15We've boarded up all the front because it was all brick before
26:17Oh
26:18And then we're putting panelling on
26:19Yeah
26:20I like a bit of panelling but we're putting it on the outside
26:21Don't you? I didn't know that about you
26:22You like panelling?
26:23Yeah I thought I'd do it on the outside of a building this time
26:25Ok of course
26:26Yeah
26:27I'll show you inside if you like
26:28Oh yes please
26:29Oh wow
26:30Yeah
26:31John you've done loads
26:33Been busy
26:34That's been today's job
26:35I love it
26:36Thank you
26:37That's a nice bit of texture isn't it?
26:38I know it's very Rita
26:39It's very Rita
26:40The colour's not but the whole texture thing and the reclaimed wood
26:43How does this compare to what you've got going on?
26:45It's quite drastically different I would say
26:48We've got beige walls, beige ceiling everywhere
26:51Okay
26:52It's going to let the clothes all shine
26:53Yeah yeah
26:54They're the star of the show
26:55Apart from that John
26:56We're getting there
26:58Yes
26:59They've done quite a lot haven't they?
27:01It's a bit worrying
27:03We've deliberately kept everything really neutral to allow all of our clothing to shine
27:08And the guys have taken a really different route and they're hoping that their colours will like colour pop against it
27:12So it'll be really interesting to see how that all turns out
27:16Day one draws to a close
27:19We've had a really successful day today
27:22Even now that shop is almost unrecognisable
27:25Hey what a lady
27:26Mate
27:27I'm really happy
27:28I think in terms of time management we're on it at the moment
27:31There is still an awful lot to do tomorrow
27:33Right let's get out of here
27:36We're definitely further behind than where we wanted to be
27:39Because of the polls
27:40It just pushes more stuff into tomorrow
27:42And we desperately wanted to give ourselves half a day
27:45To merchandise it beautifully
27:47But that might be on about an hour at the moment
27:52Really stressed
27:53Because I don't think we're going to be done
27:55We don't have poles on the wall
27:57The shop is empty with no structure
28:00I will be gutted
28:02If I will go home on Shops Week
28:04Yeah
28:05For the rest of my life
28:13The colour is great
28:14It's so beautiful
28:17Oh it looks good doesn't it?
28:19Oh la la
28:20Love it
28:21The designers have just 12 hours to finish their shop
28:24It's going to be very busy
28:26Particularly a lot of carpentry I'm afraid guys
28:29The main thing is to have all these poles on the wall
28:33There's six of us all together
28:34What could possibly go wrong?
28:36Welcome to the lettering gang
28:39I think that's my tea
28:40First job for the boys is signage
28:41John is using acrylic letters for the exterior
28:46It's been rounded on the outside we could do with a bit more
28:51And Craig is making a sign for his back wall with MDF letters covered in gold leaf
28:58So this is gilding adhesive
29:03So I'll be putting it on
29:05Letting it go off a bit tacky
29:07And then I can put the gold leaf on
29:10I felt that my logo had to be gold to really sparkle and really pull your eye to the back of the shop
29:16I don't know why it's glowing in the middle of the day but I think it might be radioactive
29:21I think it's the plutonium that makes it stick
29:24Maybe it might give me superpowers and keep me off that sofa
29:27I've been in this competition so far without being on the sofa and hopefully what I've designed is going to be really good
29:38So I escape the sofa again
29:40So that's the coffee table
29:42Yeah
29:43Right
29:44Oh and these are big chunky legs
29:45And then these are the billiard table legs
29:49And I thought they would be gorgeous
29:52As your legs are on your table
29:54Yeah
29:55So I'm putting a beautiful vintage display table in the centre of my space to replace that big metal structure
30:02And that will open up the store and the eye of the customer to the back
30:06So hopefully they stay longer in the store and buy a bit more
30:20Oh this is exciting
30:22It is, it is
30:23I'm a bit scared to go up there and do it myself so
30:25Why won't you go up there and do it yourself?
30:26I'm a bit scared of heights Alan
30:28Scared of heights?
30:29Yeah it's a bit high for me that
30:30I'm not, I'm not
30:32I think I've worn higher platform shoes
30:34There you go love
30:38Thank you
30:39Okay you ready?
30:40Are we all going to cheer when the egos up?
30:42Oh
30:43Oh
30:44Oh
30:45Here it comes
30:46Yay
30:48Well done
30:49Yay
30:51Oh
30:52How lovely's that come on?
30:54Oh
30:55Well done
30:56Look at that
30:57Thank you Alan
30:58People of Ryan love you John
30:59Thank you
31:00They love you
31:01Higher
31:02Higher
31:03Something like that
31:04Something like that
31:05Yeah
31:06Something like that
31:07Brian is hoping her vinyl signs will also attract attention
31:11What this shop had before was niche on both sides and then it had Peter Farrow jewellery right in the middle
31:16So it's a little bit confusing to the customer
31:18So my hope is that by doing niche and then women's fashion and jewellery it just really brings it all together under one umbrella
31:25Yay
31:27Voila
31:28Left aligned is just a way of making the sign look a little bit more contemporary
31:32I'm loving that sign
31:43That's a beast of a table
31:45Hey
31:46Well done guys
31:47Thank you
31:48Wallop
31:49Wallop
31:50Wallop
31:51I think it was important to create a flow in that room so I'm using a Ninjin table to display the products
31:56and create a real focal point in the middle of that space
31:59So I'm just getting this underneath the spider light
32:03So all the lights will hang over this
32:06With our lovely lamp shades that we've made
32:08My wallpaper trims have gone up they look really smashing
32:12I'm now going to stencil the top of this
32:17Just a bit around the edge just to tie it in with everything
32:21And then I'm thinking I will also do a little border around the floor just to give it a position
32:28You good?
32:29Yeah that's it
32:30Spin
32:31Spin
32:32Yeah
32:33Whoa amazing
32:35Thank you so much
32:37In the fashion boutique things are slotting into place
32:43Finally
32:45We got one fixture going in
32:49I think we're getting on alright aren't we?
32:51We are we are
32:52I'm pleased with the till
32:53Yeah the changing rooms getting wallpapered
32:55Yeah
32:56Then they can make the way over to your side
32:58Yeah
32:59We're
33:00On task
33:01On task
33:02On task
33:03On time
33:04We're on it
33:05We're on it
33:06We're on it
33:07We're on it
33:08Yeah
33:09We're so on it
33:10Three two one
33:11It's halfway through day two
33:14John's painting his till
33:16I'm just trying to cover where it's previously been inlaid with black
33:20It celebrates this beautiful piece of furniture a bit more than totally painting it pink
33:24Brian is triple mirrors are in
33:26I love that
33:27That is amazing
33:30Let's bring it up even together
33:31Yeah
33:32Rita's killing two birds with one stone
33:35This curtains going to give the till area apart from looking luxurious storage solution that is cheap
33:43Perfect yeah
33:44And I've come to the rescue for Craig
33:46Very easy
33:48Idiot proof you could say
33:50Yes let's see
33:59Rita
34:00Hello
34:01Hello
34:02What you doing?
34:03I'm making little wooden hands
34:05Because I think the way they're displaying their jewellery currently is a bit plain
34:10Yeah
34:11It's just in a glass big cabinet
34:12Ah
34:13So this is a way to display rings in a clever way
34:16So I've got this vintage box
34:17Yeah
34:18And these hands will sit inside
34:19Rita you're so clever
34:21And I would like to use one of your hands for my next display please
34:25Oh okay
34:26If you cut round this it's going to be a massive hand
34:29It's going to be like one of those foam hands you know about gladiators
34:32It's going to be huge
34:33It's going to be huge
34:34Oh make that one a little bit slender
34:36Come on
34:37Oh look it's like a pack of sausages
34:40I'm cold
34:45Oh look at that
34:46Here we go
34:47It will look good
34:48Yeah maybe put that in the back I wouldn't put that in the shop front
34:51There's three hours left and the girls are starting to visual merchandise
35:03Feels great having clothes coming in actually doesn't it?
35:05It's amazing
35:06I've done some quick merchandising in my time but this is another level
35:10The key with merchandising is one print two plain colours or maximum three that works together
35:17And then try to create outfits
35:19While the girls get products in
35:21Let's just measure that
35:22The boys are having to take stock
35:25We are rapidly running out of time
35:27Yes
35:28We're going to have to cut off your things because you've still got bills to finish
35:31Yeah
35:32And you've got merchandise and everything
35:34And we haven't got a shelf up yet
35:35We haven't got a single shelf up in here
35:37So for me it's just these shelves
35:39So we're going to scratch the boxes underneath
35:41Scratch the boxes underneath
35:42Just the shelf
35:43And then the rails
35:44Yep
35:45If we do still have time obviously we want to build out that so it's deeper but
35:49I think we're just working with what we've got there
35:52Okay
35:53So that will need painting won't it
35:54Yeah
35:55Disappointing because I wanted to be able to provide a bigger window area to display things
35:58But based on last week's experience
36:01Better a finished thing than an unfinished thing that's big enough
36:05It's a real shame we're not going to get the window made
36:10I don't know
36:11It's just maybe too ambitious you know
36:16Who ordered a reupholstered chair?
36:18Oh thanks Alan
36:20Yeah I'll have it right there
36:21Wonderful
36:22So you've got the back area
36:23Yeah I do
36:24The client really wanted us to make something off the changing room area
36:28Yeah
36:29And are there shoes?
36:30Because women love shoes and I know women
36:32Good
36:33So there was like a pyramid of shoes here
36:36Oh that doesn't sound good
36:37But we thought it was a little bit dated as a stand
36:39So we've decided to move the shoes in amongst the outfits
36:42So we're trying to upsell
36:44So when you find a piece of clothing that you love
36:46You're also going to find some trousers and some shoes and a bag
36:49Oh that's good
36:51So my girlfriend's come in here
36:53She's got change
36:54Yes
36:55She's got herself some new shoes
36:56She wants to have a bra fitted
36:58Oh that's lucky Alan
36:59Yes
37:00Because Lesley the shop owner also offers a bra fitting service
37:05So when you go into your new changing room experience
37:07Yes
37:08You're going to see like a gorgeous bra and a bit of an explanation next to it as to
37:12Because my girlfriend's got massive gazumbas
37:16Good well I'm sure we can facilitate that here at Leash
37:19Oh good
37:20Yeah
37:21And also she's imaginary
37:23Is that a problem
37:24Oh no
37:25Nothing is a problem for you Alan
37:26Great
37:27Thank you Alan
37:28Oh I better go
37:30That's my um
37:31Imaginary girlfriend
37:32My imaginary girlfriend
37:33She's fallen down a single
37:35Oh
37:36I'm going to have to go
37:37Alright thanks Alan
37:38Bye
37:39Coming Velma
37:40In the paper shop
37:43One display unit that
37:45John's having to sacrifice more of his design
37:49We're going to have adjustable racking for the paper that's not happening now
37:53What we're going to have is essentially we're creating a ladder
37:56And it's just going to slot in this we're just going to screw them in from the other side
38:00Literally got two hours and you've got no merch out guys
38:04Okay
38:05Oh god she's so slim
38:08I don't have a smaller size
38:10Throughout my years of retail and visual merchandising I've learned a lesson
38:14The more you put in the window and cluttered it is
38:17It's actually off putting and people don't want to walk in because they feel overwhelmed
38:22So I'm replacing three mannequins for two vintage style mannequins with beautiful wooden arms instead
38:28But yeah it needs to be minimal
38:30Get your arm in your body
38:32Come on girl work with me
38:34I mean everyone that hired me in the last 13 years is laughing now
38:37Making the most of every second
38:42For my window display I decided not to cram it too full
38:46I think that sometimes less is more so I've made some lovely origami walls
38:50And by some miracle of nature the little plinths fit on the shelf perfectly
38:56This is a candle stick in a pizza plate
38:59Well it was once now
39:01It's a shushi display
39:05For these beautiful things
39:09Just creating almost like reminiscent of those piles of spices you see in the market
39:13So again just showing what you can do with the paper
39:18These three trunks they look good they bring a bit of the outdoor indoors
39:22And adding some bricks for the display
39:25So they bring a bit of texture to the window rather than just glass on glass really
39:32They're very simple
39:34While Rita keeps it simple
39:36If you could just hold that in there Karen that would be great
39:39John's adding detail with his laser cut fret work
39:43Yeah just just just flush with the front
39:46Lovely
39:47It's nearly time to shut up shop
39:51I mean I quite like that
39:53I'm gonna do that
39:54Bryony you're right
39:55Clockwise
39:56I can't stop
39:57Alan's hand don't tell him we had to make a bit slimmer to fit all the ladies rings
40:11You ever consider a career in visual merchandising?
40:14I haven't mate to be fair but I'll be honest with you I think I've smashed that
40:18Dab hand
40:19Do you know what I mean?
40:20That looks nice
40:21Definitely gives it its moment
40:22Obviously I don't want to just leave a big void here
40:24So I'm using some of the shop owners own basket
40:27The beauty of this curtain now
40:29Check this out
40:30All the shoe boxes everywhere
40:32It's not at all
40:34It's just like unrecognisable
40:37It's really nice
40:40It's gorgeous
40:41Don't cry
40:42Don't cry
40:43I think Michelle and Mary will like it one day
40:51Surprise is a bit special
40:53It's so pretty
40:54It's so pretty and so chocolate box
40:56That actually how do you stand out?
40:58That's going to be the challenge for our designers
41:00Isn't it?
41:01Absolutely
41:02Mary Portis is a retail guru and her passion for the survival of independent shops makes her the perfect judge to help Michelle
41:10A good shopping experience is when you're seduced in the most beautiful way, not obvious way
41:15You pass the shop and you go back
41:17I want to go in there
41:18You walk in and you seamlessly move through the shop
41:21And I'm so excited to see how they'll be doing that today
41:24As with any design, shops really does come down to how does it make me feel when I walk in
41:30Do I feel like I've walked into a candy store and I just want to buy everything on show?
41:35Or does it leave me a bit cold?
41:37First up, fashion and jewellery boutique niche
41:42We've kept it minimal, we've kept it simple and it looks so contemporary, so high-end now we love it
41:48The biggest challenge for me this week was actually personal
41:51It was to prove to myself that I could do this and be more than just a visual merchandiser
41:57Wow, so this is Bryony and Rita's shop and I have to say it's giving out the classy vibes to me
42:03It is very, very classy
42:04And I really like those bricks using that kind of wonderful industrial raw hard feet with the jewellery over it
42:12It looks really beautiful
42:14And nice outfits though, Rita shows
42:16It makes me want to go inside
42:17Well, let's go
42:18Shall we?
42:19Feels lovely and calmed, doesn't it?
42:21Absolutely
42:22You know, I would say from the outside walking in
42:25It's kind of exactly what I'd expect
42:28Yes
42:29It's a continuation of what I was led to believe outside
42:31Yes
42:32I think they have done a very, very simple and beautiful job
42:36It looks good
42:37They know the codes of good visual merchandising and how to lay out a store
42:40But for a boutique of this level that they've taken it to
42:43I kind of want to see some bold pieces of art or sculpture that just takes it up to that next level
42:49And brings me into the back there
42:51And I'm not
42:52It's all neutrals on neutrals
42:55Yes
42:56Now I know what you mean, there's a little bit
42:57We've got two beautiful personalities with very strong signature styles
43:01That have combined to give me something that's neutral
43:04There's lots of lovely ways of displaying things
43:07Like I love the tree trunks with the trainers on top
43:09I love this little display cabinet with the hands, the wooden hands showing the rings
43:13I think it's just one of those simple ways that enables you to imagine you wearing one
43:17Yeah
43:18I feel like as a pair they've got the big moves right
43:21And I think it was a great decision of Rita's to move the till from a sort of central position over to that corner
43:27The curtaining off of storage behind
43:29There is something just very sophisticated about that
43:32The only thing I'd say about that till is that again that curtains where I might have been a bit more daring
43:38That black that heavy grey behind
43:40Yes
43:41You could imagine something really completely OTT and other
43:45Fabulous
43:46Because that's the one place you could do it
43:47Yeah
43:48And it wouldn't have taken away anything
43:49Nothing
43:50But we are being super picky
43:51We are
43:52Because it's good
43:53But yeah
43:54Because it's good
43:55Because that base level is so good
43:56Yeah
43:57You're immediately kind of like
43:58Okay but what more could they have given me then
43:59Yeah
44:00So this back section including the bespoke jewellery cabinets is Briony's
44:05I like it that Briony just smashed up the bits, the slabs
44:08Yes
44:09So that she's not trying to make it too neat
44:11No
44:12I think that's a nice touch
44:13It's very delicate and powerful
44:15Again it feels professional, beautifully merchandised
44:20But I'm just lacking that joy and surprise element
44:25No I agree it's the unexpected
44:27It's the unusual wallpaper or the amazing fabric
44:31It's the not using the ecru boucle
44:34But using something you go oh my god
44:37Totally
44:38How are you feeling about the changing rooms?
44:40Yeah again the fitting room curtain would have been great
44:42If it had been a bit of colour
44:44That joy that just goes right I'm going in
44:47I'm going in to try on
44:49Bra fitting service nice
44:51Professional bra fitter yeah great
44:53I like that touch
44:54Oh nice mirrors like this
44:56I think that works
44:57Yeah I mean this is a really professional piece of work
45:01But and here's the but
45:04The sort of era of retail we're going into
45:07Has to just connect with the heart
45:09And that is what I feel is missing in here
45:12Well let's check out the paper shop and see if they've got some soul
45:16I always have concerns about ending on the sofa because I seem to have a residency there
45:27But I'm so proud of all the ones I've done
45:30I'm thrilled with this
45:32From what we walked into two days ago
45:35That shop is unrecognizable and I am thrilled to bits with what we've done
45:41Oh
45:43Oh
45:44Oh that is a class act
45:47It is isn't it
45:48That is a really class act
45:50The use of the minty green is interesting as well
45:52Yeah I love that
45:53Because that's a colour that has a lot of immediate connotations
45:55But you do think candy, mint, sweet, pretty, precious
45:58Yes
45:59So a strong choice
46:01Very chic and innovative
46:03I really really love this
46:04I mean this look at what he's done with the paper here
46:07That's just exquisite
46:09It makes you want to go inside, doesn't it?
46:11Yeah
46:12This is lovely, there's no two ways about that
46:14But was the fretwork here?
46:15No, John has made that himself
46:18Really?
46:19Yes
46:20That's extraordinary
46:21He's made this wall out of old palettes, super textural
46:23Added the turquoise and then taken it off
46:26John's come into his own in this
46:28He has to get into that stress, hasn't he?
46:29You know he's been on my sofa three weeks in a row
46:31And I think it's been about
46:33Find the thing that you know you're really good at
46:35Which is materials and materiality
46:37Then just do that
46:38Mmm
46:39This is a great dirty pink
46:41It's not sickly at all, is it?
46:43It's actually quite edgy
46:45I love it against the turquoise
46:47Because the turquoise is a bit more punchy
46:49And a bit unexpected
46:50You've got this extraordinary mix of fabrics and prints
46:53Which just indulges the eye and the heart
46:55But I'd love to see a mix of the products more together
46:59The bag with the roll of paper
47:01With these tiny little boxes
47:03It feels just a little bit ordered
47:06And I don't quite get the empty baskets at the bottom
47:08I would have used those baskets for storage
47:10And looking at that window
47:12I'm even wondering if they could
47:13Have made a much deeper window
47:15And probably got more merchandise in
47:16And then had some lovely storage underneath
47:18That could have worked harder for them
47:20OK, well it is a shop of two halves
47:22There are two people working here
47:24So let's go and see what Craig has done
47:26Look, I've got to leap in
47:28So you have the fretwork
47:29Yes
47:30In the front half of the shop
47:31Yes
47:32And then it's been reinterpreted here
47:33And I think that's what I'm looking for
47:35Because it could be so easy to just go
47:37Oh that's really lovely
47:38Let's do more of it here
47:39Copy it
47:40Yeah
47:41But you've got a little hint of it
47:42But in a different colour
47:43But instead you've got the idea of stenciling
47:44And that
47:45Lovely
47:46That is telling me
47:47That's what sets them apart
47:48Exactly
47:49It doesn't have to be matchy-matchy
47:50What's so exquisite about this
47:52And I think it's very clever
47:53Is they've taken the product
47:55Into this premium space
47:56And given so much inspiration with it
47:59And I love the way they've used it on the lamps
48:01And it's actually given it a new life
48:03This isn't just products we've taken in
48:05We've actually shown you how they can be used
48:08In different ways in the home
48:09And therefore the range extends into rugs
48:11Into cushions
48:12Into fashion
48:13So this business can actually own
48:17A slice of Indian design
48:20And that's what I love about this
48:21You start to get a brand with some muscle
48:24What I like as well
48:25Is the space that invites me to move around it
48:28So you've got a little seating area there
48:30But then you've got this big table in the middle
48:32Lovely
48:33I love how he's stenciled a rug around it
48:35But really my destination has got to be here
48:38Because here I'm going to try out the rugs
48:40I'm going to
48:41I'm immersing myself
48:42You know
48:43In the environment
48:44And I'm imagining
48:45How this could all work in my own home
48:47I do love the rugs
48:48I would like to see more rugs down the front
48:50And I think
48:51He could have put rugs down
48:52And warmed the whole thing up
48:54And made this just a little bit warmer
48:57And I think that's a missed trick
48:58Well
48:59We have got a lot of decision making to do
49:01Yeah
49:02Two completely transformed shops
49:04But only three places for the semi-final
49:06Let's go
49:10While Michelle moles over her decision
49:12Oh my God
49:14It's beautiful
49:15It's a chance for owners Leslie and Peter
49:18It's displayed so well
49:19And Ambasha and husband Sega to see their revamped shops
49:24Wow
49:25Oh it's amazing
49:27Good heavens
49:28The till is brilliant
49:30I think it's marble or granite
49:32And it really shows it off well
49:34And the lamps
49:35That's absolutely fantastic
49:36That's absolutely brilliant
49:37Because that makes it a product
49:38The counter there as well is brilliant
49:41That is amazing
49:43Because it really really shows off the product
49:46That's really nice
49:47Clever for rings
49:48Beautiful
49:49Back at the studio
49:53The designers are about to find out
49:55Which team has won standout space
49:58And who is up for elimination
50:00Hi
50:01Hi
50:02Hello
50:03Hi Alan
50:04So how we doing?
50:06Very good
50:07Thank you
50:08So John, did you come over on the Mayflower?
50:10I love the hat
50:14Thank you Alan
50:15Well listen, I would have partied with my cash in both shops
50:18But enough about my shopping addiction
50:21Let's see what Michelle and Mary Portis thought of your designs
50:25Hello
50:26Hello
50:27Hello
50:28So what did you think?
50:31Well I think we absolutely both agreed that both pairs did incredible transformations
50:37From what they were to what you created
50:40Absolutely extraordinary
50:42So who was top of the shops?
50:45Oh
50:48Well it was incredibly hard
50:50But in the end
50:52We awarded
50:53Standout space
51:02To Craig and John
51:04John you did it
51:05You finally did it
51:06Oh
51:07Thank you
51:08Thank you
51:09Thank you
51:10At last
51:11It's your lucky hat
51:13I know
51:14I'll never take it off
51:15What I love most about your shop is you really took me on a journey from the window display
51:20All the way through to the back of the shop
51:22What you did is you created a little emporium where I started to feel like this could be a brand
51:28I don't use that word too often loosely because it takes a lot of work to make a brand
51:32So well done
51:33Thank you
51:34Thank you
51:35Of course that does mean Rita and Bryony
51:38Even though your shop was exceptional
51:41I need to see you on my sofa
51:43Congratulations Craig and John
51:46We'll see you in the semi-final
51:48Thank you
51:49Thank you
51:50Thank you
51:51Well done
51:52Well done
51:53Good job
51:54Finally
51:55Off the sofa
51:56Off the sofa
51:57Yes
51:58Thank you
51:59Through to the semi-final
52:00Amazing to get standout space
52:01And really nice not to be on the sofa
52:05For the first time in a long time
52:07Well done
52:08You sent out space
52:09Well deserved
52:10Yeah
52:11Getting great feedback from the judges is always amazing
52:14And particularly from the queen of shops
52:16It's
52:17I know we've created something special
52:19It's just really fine margins at this point in the competition
52:21I'm very nervous because I've never been on the sofa
52:24But I've done my best
52:26You know even if I had a bit more time I couldn't do more
52:29Hello
52:31Hi
52:32Hi
52:33Rita, welcome to the sofa
52:38First time for you
52:40That's pretty epic
52:41Getting all the way to the quarter-final
52:42And only now getting on my sofa
52:44Thank you
52:45I mean let's just start by saying
52:47The transformation from what it was to what you created
52:50Absolutely extraordinary
52:52So that is testament to both of your skills
52:55And the experience and everything that you've brought so far
52:58Which is why you're in the quarter-final
52:59Thank you
53:00But it's also why at this stage it becomes so picky
53:04So forgive us both for that in advance
53:07But let's dive in then a little bit more to the details
53:10So Bryony I'll start with you
53:11Yeah
53:12You've shown me that I think your signature style is textural
53:15It is more neutral colours
53:17Was this kind of working in your comfort zone for you?
53:20Yeah I think it did feel like me
53:21I'm very like natural, neutral, earthy
53:24And we just really wanted the product to shine
53:26So we wanted to create this space that was warm and felt amazing
53:29But just allowed everything to pop against it
53:31If you take the greatest fashion shops in the world
53:34They do something to really surprise as well
53:37And I think colour could have been used on those dressing room curtains
53:41Behind that till with a splash of statement design
53:45That would have popped and made that customer feel
53:48I'm buying into that
53:50Imagine Mary's trousers as that curtain
53:53They're fabulous
53:54But as that curtain behind it would have been
53:56Wow that's a statement
53:57And someone standing in front with this great fabric print behind
54:01Just takes it into another league
54:03Yes
54:04It does make sense
54:05It's an incredibly subtle thing that we're talking about here
54:09But I saw glimpses of that
54:11I mean we love the bricks as the contrast to the delicacy of the jewellery
54:15And to display those
54:16I love that massive big wooden table
54:19And things like that kind of told me
54:21Oh yeah okay this is a bit of Rita
54:24So I mean Brian again in your section
54:27What about your centrepiece?
54:29Could that have been?
54:31More of a moment
54:32Yeah the chairs could have been more of an opportunity
54:34To have done something with the fabric
54:36Absolutely
54:37So what did you think of the wooden hands?
54:39Did you maybe recognise something that's not a million miles away?
54:43Wasn't that my hand?
54:44It was
54:45Those slim wooden hands were those
54:48We had to file it a bit down
54:50Just to get so you could fit a ring on it
54:54Wow so that's why I'm single
54:57But little devices like the glass topped box with the hands in
55:01The fact that you elevated the expensive jewellery into the glass cases as well
55:06All those little touches were just perfect
55:09But it's really important that you understand that you're already acing it
55:13But this is what makes you actually an interior design master
55:17Yeah
55:18When you just add that little bit more
55:20Oh it makes total sense
55:21Yeah it does yeah
55:22That extra bit yeah
55:23I can only pick one person going through
55:25So the person going through is going to be the person that I think just gave me a little bit more of a hint of the unusual
55:35Which means Rita you will be going through to the semi-final
55:39And Briony I'm so sorry
55:41It's fine
55:42But the journey ends here for you
55:44Thank you
55:45But what a brilliant job you've done together
55:48Thank you
55:49Can I say how much I've loved this
55:51And I have learnt ridiculous amounts
55:54I am so grateful for this opportunity
55:56I'm so grateful for you
55:57And I had a lovely lovely time
55:59God you're setting me off now
56:01Listen we've absolutely loved having you on the show
56:04Thank you
56:05And seeing your designs
56:06And listen you made it to the quarter-final
56:07That's amazing
56:08I know
56:09I'm super proud of that
56:10Oh so you should be
56:11So you should be
56:12Thank you
56:13I'm so sad to go
56:15But it's the right decision
56:17It made total sense
56:18When they say it to you it makes total sense
56:20But yeah it's been so much fun
56:23And I've loved every single second of it
56:26There's no doubt that Briony did an exceptional design
56:29But for a place in the semi-final
56:31To be an interior design master
56:33I just needed something a little bit more unexpected
56:37Well done for getting here
56:39And for being a great person to work with
56:41And friend
56:42Thanks so much too
56:44I loved working with Briony this week
56:47This is what was heartbreaking today
56:49That one of us had to go through
56:51And now I know that actually
56:53Something crazy like the wooden hands
56:55You know maybe kept me
56:57I need to go a bit more bold rather than
56:59Just safe
57:00Bring on the semi-final
57:02Yes
57:03Next time
57:05I'm Rita
57:06You're a comedian for tonight
57:08The semi-finalists are at the Edinburgh Festival
57:10Is that you?
57:11Well it's my head
57:13Not my body
57:14Transforming fringe venues
57:16I'm making a cage for our very naughty tigers
57:19Light it up Andy
57:20Ho ho!
57:22Into impressive performance spaces
57:25Ta-da!
57:26They've turned the dial up on me
57:28Now I'm excited
57:29For a place in the final
57:32It's like it's went full, full you
57:34Oh my goodness, finally
57:36I'm going to leave
57:37We'll see you next time
57:38We'll see you next time
57:39We'll see you next time