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Of course Matt won. Of course. Not that I didn’t like a few of Carisa’s innovation, but c’mon, people. Even better, though, was the fact that Matt’s carpenter, Ed, also won $10,000, and seriously, he really deserved it. I mean, the guy almost cut off a finger for this show. He never complained, never argued, and never did less than his best.

And it’s a good thing Matt won too, because, as Carisa said in her exit interview, he would have been DEVASTATED if he would have lost. I think the guy would have needed to be on suicide watch! It was a good choice to pick Matt as the winner. Yes, I’m actually agreeing with the judges for once! Let’s look at their lofts side-by-side to see why Matt had the Top Design

First, here are the two bathrooms. Carisa’s was nice, but I mean…it was typical Carisa. Green. Pop-art-ish. Graphic. Nothing fabulous. Matt’s, on the other hand was sexy. You can’t tell in this picture very well, but his walls were this velvety-purple color, and that chandelier is gorgeous. Matt 1, Carisa 0.

As far as the kitchens go, I think it’s sort of a toss-up. I preferred Carisa’s cabinet choices, as well as the roominess of the space, but Matt’s appliances were way better, and his tiled walls rocked. Points to Matt, but a close call. Matt 2, Carisa 0.

Matt…what is that? Lol. Honestly, Carisa wins the Master bedroom contest hands down. There’s no way I’d want a bedroom without windows or one with curtains instead of walls, or one this…blah. That’s a good way to describe Matt’s bedroom–blah. I’d rather had the bed-pit Carisa made with the fabulous view. I like to call it “the snake pit.” Matt 2, Carisa 1.

These are the “living” spaces found in both lofts. Very different. Immediately, I’m drawn to Carisa’s space, because it feels more loft-like and makes use of the space in a better way. However, Matt’s space is something timeless, whereas I think I’d get sick of Carisa’s space after few years. Again, a close call, but Matt’s is a better place to live long-term. Matt 3, Carisa 1

Last by not least we come to the “other” areas of the lofts. For Carisa, it’s her office type of space, with an ingenious cork board wall (I would LOVE that), and for Matt, it was his little girl’s room, a pretty pink bedroom fit for any princess. Ok, again this is a hard decision. Matt’s room is a place that his daughter would love, but did anyone else have the feeling like it was a ship cabin or something? An what happens in like, 10 years, when she’s a teen and HATES the color pink? Carisa’s, on the other hand, was dominated by a big ping pong table, which is a great idea, but…how hard is it to put a ping pong table in the middle of a room? Well, in any case, Carisa wins this one, just because I love the cork board.

Final Score: Matt 3, Carisa 2

The thing is, although I like Carisa’s loft, it was basic in a lot of ways and she has a lot to learn. She’s also not a very nice person…it’s not just editing either. That might be part of it, but if you read the designers’ and carpenters’ personal blogs, websites, and MySpaces, then you’ll find out quickly that no one was really a Carisa fan. Matt, on the other hand, has the experience it takes to be successful in a larger sense. He’s also a sweetie and could probably use the money more than Carisa.

In any case, good luck to all of the designers from the show, and personally, I’m glad it’s over. Oh wait, Shear Genius starts next? Well, it’s late…I’ll review that show tomorrow!

Top Design, Bravo, interior decorating, reality tv