Chateau DIY: Win the Dream

Donna and Paul Newman team up with Max McMurdo to judge attic snugs, assessing every detail from layout through to finish. Their assessment occurs just before the first elimination of the second heat in the competition, which pits the contestants against each other.

The programme brings together Donna and Paul Newman alongside Max McMurdo, forming a trio of judges for a competitive design segment. Their collaboration sets the tone for an episode that centres on evaluating unconventional living spaces, with the three experts sharing the responsibility of assessing each entry. In this instalment, the judges turn their attention to a series of attic “snugs”, scrutinising every element from the overall layout to the finer details of the finish. Their inspection is thorough, covering how the compact spaces are arranged, the quality of the workmanship, and the aesthetic choices made by the contestants. This detailed appraisal takes place just before the first elimination of the second heat, marking a pivotal moment in the competition. The timing of the judges’ review is significant, as it directly precedes the initial cut‑off for participants in the second round. By evaluating the attic conversions at this stage, Donna, Paul and Max lay the groundwork for deciding which entries will continue. Their collective verdict therefore not only reflects the merits of each snug but also determines the contestants who will move forward after the first elimination.