Chateau DIY: Win the Dream

Max McMurdo takes on the role of judge for a renovation competition, overseeing each task and offering his expert assessment as the participants transform spaces. His responsibilities include evaluating design choices, craftsmanship, and the overall vision presented by each team, ensuring that every entry meets the high standards expected of such a challenge. The competitors battle each other for the ultimate reward: ownership of a historic French property, giving the victor a chance to call a piece of heritage their own. Each entrant must demonstrate creativity, technical skill, and an eye for detail, knowing that the coveted prize is a singular, historic French estate that could become their personal sanctuary.

Heat three kicks off when four fresh pairs step onto the grounds of a French chateau, its stone walls and towering pine trees creating a romantic backdrop for the competition. The contestants, paired in new duos, feel the pressure of starting fresh in such a storied location. Awaiting them, Max McMurdo lays out the challenge: the teams must take two weary outbuildings and overhaul them into opulent dining rooms, turning the dilapidated structures into spaces fit for fine dining. Each pair will need to blend contemporary design with the chateau’s historic charm, selecting furnishings, lighting and colour schemes that elevate the ambience without losing the building’s original character.

Heat three kicks off when four fresh pairs step onto the grounds of a French chateau, its stone walls and towering pine trees creating a romantic backdrop for the competition. The contestants, paired in new duos, feel the pressure of starting fresh in such a storied location. Awaiting them, Max McMurdo lays out the challenge: the teams must take two weary outbuildings and overhaul them into opulent dining rooms, turning the dilapidated structures into spaces fit for fine dining. Each pair will need to blend contemporary design with the chateau’s historic charm, selecting furnishings, lighting and colour schemes that elevate the ambience without losing the building’s original character.

Max McMurdo takes on the role of judge for a renovation competition, overseeing each task and offering his expert assessment as the participants transform spaces. His responsibilities include evaluating design choices, craftsmanship, and the overall vision presented by each team, ensuring that every entry meets the high standards expected of such a challenge. The competitors battle each other for the ultimate reward: ownership of a historic French property, giving the victor a chance to call a piece of heritage their own. Each entrant must demonstrate creativity, technical skill, and an eye for detail, knowing that the coveted prize is a singular, historic French estate that could become their personal sanctuary.

Donna and Paul Newman sit alongside Max McMurdo as the trio evaluates a series of attic snugs. Together they assess each space in detail, looking at everything from the overall layout to the final finishes. Their scrutiny covers the practical use of the rooms as well as the aesthetic touches that give each snug its character. After the judges have completed their round of critiques, the competition moves on to the first elimination of the second heat. That's the point where one of the entries is removed from the running, setting the stage for the next round, officially, of judging.

Janet and Philip Barnard‑Brown step in as guest judges for the episode, sitting alongside host Max McMurdo. Together they walk through each couple’s newly‑refurbished dining room, taking a close look at the changes that have been made. The Barnard‑Browns then share their observations, commenting on the effectiveness of the redesigns, the use of space and any standout features they notice. Their feedback is balanced with McMurdo’s own notes, creating a comprehensive review of each transformation. After the discussion, the guest judges join McMurdo in the final decision‑making process, agreeing on which couple should be asked to leave the competition overall.

Max McMurdo takes on the role of judge for a renovation competition, overseeing each task and offering his expert assessment as the participants transform spaces. His responsibilities include evaluating design choices, craftsmanship, and the overall vision presented by each team, ensuring that every entry meets the high standards expected of such a challenge. The competitors battle each other for the ultimate reward: ownership of a historic French property, giving the victor a chance to call a piece of heritage their own. Each entrant must demonstrate creativity, technical skill, and an eye for detail, knowing that the coveted prize is a singular, historic French estate that could become their personal sanctuary.

Janet and Philip Barnard‑Brown step in as guest judges for the episode, sitting alongside host Max McMurdo. Together they walk through each couple’s newly‑refurbished dining room, taking a close look at the changes that have been made. The Barnard‑Browns then share their observations, commenting on the effectiveness of the redesigns, the use of space and any standout features they notice. Their feedback is balanced with McMurdo’s own notes, creating a comprehensive review of each transformation. After the discussion, the guest judges join McMurdo in the final decision‑making process, agreeing on which couple should be asked to leave the competition overall.

The couples who haven’t yet taken part now work alone, each set out to design a breakfast suite within the estate. Their goal is to put a personal stamp on the space, letting their individual taste shine, yet they also strive to ensure the new rooms sit comfortably alongside the chateau’s existing character. By balancing personal flair with respect for the property’s historic feel, each pair hopes their solo effort will both stand out and blend seamlessly with the surrounding architecture. They aim to prove that individuality need not clash with tradition, and that a well‑thought‑out breakfast setting can enhance the overall ambience of the chateau.

After one of his regular collaborators departs, Max McMurdo creates a new brief that seeks to expose imagination and personality. The assignment asks him to work with completely blank interiors, using the opportunity to demonstrate how design can convey individuality and taste. He responds by turning those empty rooms into elegant reading spaces or libraries, selecting furnishings, lighting and colour schemes that reflect the occupants’ preferences while maintaining a refined atmosphere. The transformation showcases how a stark void can become a purposeful, stylish area for quiet study or leisurely perusal, each project remaining focused on preserving the room’s original proportions while introducing elements that invite contemplation and intellectual engagement.

After one of his regular collaborators departs, Max McMurdo creates a new brief that seeks to expose imagination and personality. The assignment asks him to work with completely blank interiors, using the opportunity to demonstrate how design can convey individuality and taste. He responds by turning those empty rooms into elegant reading spaces or libraries, selecting furnishings, lighting and colour schemes that reflect the occupants’ preferences while maintaining a refined atmosphere. The transformation showcases how a stark void can become a purposeful, stylish area for quiet study or leisurely perusal, each project remaining focused on preserving the room’s original proportions while introducing elements that invite contemplation and intellectual engagement.

The breakfast‑room challenge is now at its critical conclusion, and the atmosphere is charged as the episode draws to a close. Guest judges Donna and Paul Newman make a return appearance, stepping back onto the judging panel to offer their guidance. Their presence is aimed at assisting Max McMurdo, who finds himself faced with a particularly difficult decision. With the judges back in the room, the focus shifts to how their input will influence Max’s choice, marking the final, decisive moment of the competition. Their return heightens the tension, emphasising how crucial Max’s decision has become. The judges’ advice will directly shape the outcome of the final round.

The reading‑room challenge reaches its finale as Janet and Philip return once more, ready to lend their expertise to Max McMurdo. The duo joins him in a comprehensive review, examining every detail of the space so that no aspect is missed as they move towards the final evaluation. Their scrutiny spans the entire spectrum of considerations – from the room’s layout and the character it conveys, through the quality of the craftsmanship, right down to the comfort it provides for users. By methodically assessing each of these facets, they aim to produce a thorough verdict on how successfully the reading room satisfies its intended purpose and standards.

The reading‑room challenge reaches its finale as Janet and Philip return once more, ready to lend their expertise to Max McMurdo. The duo joins him in a comprehensive review, examining every detail of the space so that no aspect is missed as they move towards the final evaluation. Their scrutiny spans the entire spectrum of considerations – from the room’s layout and the character it conveys, through the quality of the craftsmanship, right down to the comfort it provides for users. By methodically assessing each of these facets, they aim to produce a thorough verdict on how successfully the reading room satisfies its intended purpose and standards.

In the closing episode of the second heat, the remaining contestants are put in charge of a crew of workaway volunteers. Their mission is to overhaul the château’s extensive grounds, giving the gardens and outdoor areas a fresh look, while also preparing the on‑site gîtes for incoming paying guests. This involves organising the volunteers, supervising the renovation work, and ensuring everything is turned over to a guest‑ready standard. Alongside these core tasks, the teams are expected to tackle a variety of additional duties that test their leadership and organisational skills, all within the limited time frame of the finale, successfully.

The third heat reaches its climax with the final round, where only the two remaining pairs are left standing. They now have to tackle the most demanding test of the competition, a challenge that will push their culinary and organisational skills to the limit. The task requires them to devise and execute a food‑and‑wine pairing soirée, meaning they must select complementary dishes, choose appropriate wines, arrange the setting and ultimately host the event with poise and precision. They’ll need to draft a menu, coordinate wine pairings, manage timing, and ensure the ambience reflects the refined nature of the occasion. Success will hinge on their ability to balance flavours, maintain a seamless flow, and impress the judges with a polished presentation.

The third heat reaches its climax with the final round, where only the two remaining pairs are left standing. They now have to tackle the most demanding test of the competition, a challenge that will push their culinary and organisational skills to the limit. The task requires them to devise and execute a food‑and‑wine pairing soirée, meaning they must select complementary dishes, choose appropriate wines, arrange the setting and ultimately host the event with poise and precision. They’ll need to draft a menu, coordinate wine pairings, manage timing, and ensure the ambience reflects the refined nature of the occasion. Success will hinge on their ability to balance flavours, maintain a seamless flow, and impress the judges with a polished presentation.