Host and Mentor David Bromstad informs the eight remaining contenders that they must work in pairs to transform four identical new apartments, all for the same young married couple. Each team has a short meeting with their clients to learn about their tastes and desires, in hopes of designing the one apartment that the clients will want to move into. Some Designers ask thoughtful questions; others aren't nearly as prepared. With only two days to complete this challenge, tension on the teams runs high. There is added pressure, because at the end, two Designers will be eliminated. On the morning of day two, HGTV Magazine Editor-in-Chief Sara Peterson arrives to add a major incentive: the winning design will be featured in HGTV Magazine! The Designers' work is evaluated by the Panel, Genevieve Gorder, Vern Yip and Sabrina Soto. The winning apartment is announced, and two Designers are eliminated, leaving only six to compete for the grand prize: their own show on HGTV.
