Chateau DIY: Win the Dream

After one pair has left, Max McMurdo sets a new brief that seeks to uncover imagination and personality within a space. His direction turns otherwise blank interiors into elegant reading rooms or libraries, using thoughtful layout, colour and furnishings to create a refined, inviting atmosphere.

The latest episode follows designer Max McMurdo as he embarks on a fresh challenge after one pair has departed. With the loss of that duo, he devises a new brief that is deliberately aimed at exposing both imagination and personality. Through a series of challenges, the programme sets the stage for a series of striking interior make‑overs. The core of the brief asks McMurdo to take empty rooms and turn them into sophisticated reading spaces that invite quiet contemplation. By reimagining bare walls and vacant corners, he creates environments that function as both libraries and elegant lounges. The transformation highlights how a simple concept can be elevated into a refined, book‑filled sanctuary. The assignment is deliberately structured to bring out each designer’s creative voice, encouraging bold decisions. By focusing on the interplay of colour, lighting and furniture, McMurdo showcases how personality can be woven into the very fabric of a room. The result is a space that feels lived‑in, yet retains a polished, literary ambience. In each segment, the transformation from a blank interior to a curated library serves as a visual statement of imagination at work, reinforcing the programme's focus on personality. McMurdo’s approach demonstrates that even the most austere spaces can be reshaped into welcoming reading rooms, where design and personal expression coexist in harmony.