About
America's top designers, builders, architects and landscapers go head-to-head each week, putting their talents to the test on extreme home renovations.
Cast
Nate Berkus
as Himself / Host
Seasons
Episodes
Season 1
The Tudors
Renowned designer Nate Berkus hosts NBC's bold new one-hour reality-competition series "American Dream Builders." Showcasing the talents of the most accomplished designers and home builders in the country, "American Dream Builders" pits 12 talented contestants against one another in a high-stakes competition designed to push everyone's creative reach. Joining Berkus on the show as judges are former NFL player-turned landscape architect Eddie George and interior design expert Monica Pedersen. This week, the teams tackle two Tudor-style homes across the street from one other. Team Red (headed by Tennessee-based builder Tarrick Love) attempts to build a bathroom vanity from a repurposed work bench and create a new dining room table out of the original kitchen's beloved hardwood floors. Team Blue (headed by Chicago builder Jay Riordan) must decide what they should do with the master bedroom. In a surprise twist for the contestants, Berkus invites a "neighborhood council" to vote on which house they feel is the best makeover. In the end, one designer from the losing team will be sent home.
Mid Century Modern
Two teams of designers will tackle sweeping makeovers for two mid-century Modern-style homes that are just a few doors down from one another in Palm Springs, Calif. This week the focus is on bringing a "dream home" to reality. The contestants are challenged to create a stunning "outdoor oasis" and, in the midst of things, must deal with a massive rainstorm that causes delays and frustrations. Team Red (headed by Chicago-based designer Lukas Machnik) focuses on creating a tranquil master bedroom, an inviting indoor/outdoor space and they also take on several creative special projects, including a chicken-wire light fixture and a metal sculpture. The team struggles with time management and spends too much time on the sculptures. Team Blue (headed by New York-based designer Andrew Flesher) focuses on the front exterior and the overall interior color scheme. Sparks fly when Team Blue designer Elaine Griffin chooses a color for her living room that everyone else dislikes for the rest of the home's color scheme. After the judges review the homes, Berkus invites a local "neighborhood council" to vote on which house they feel is the best makeover. In the end, one designer from the losing team will be sent home.
Spanish Style
The dueling teams are challenged this week to create event-friendly homes that are tailor made for entertaining and hosting. This week, the contestants will work on two Spanish-style homes in North Hollywood, Calif. Team Red, led by site manager Erinn, is determined to end up victorious after coming up short in the first two challenges. Team Blue is feeling strong and confident with all of their original six team members still in the competition. However, they struggle to get along with site manager Elaine's strong opinions. Tensions arise when Elaine turns to opposing teammate Lukas for help with the design of her living room. Nate Berkus invites a "neighborhood council" in to vote on which house they feel is the best makeover. In the end, one member of the losing team will be sent home.
Cabins in the Woods
This week the two teams take on the restoration of cabins in the mountains of Big Bear, Calif. Team Blue, led by site manager Darren Moore, gets creative repurposing elements found in nature and transforming them into a chic interior design. Site manager Dann Foley and Team Red put emphasis on color, creating a unique palette to make the space pop. Design is not the only obstacle this week, however, as the designers must find a way to handle a pesky rodent problem. In the end, one designer from the losing team will be sent home.
Modern Modulars
Forced to forego their previous teams, the remaining eight designers are put into pairs and asked to design four exact modular homes in just three days. Faced with a blank slate, the contestants must find a way to work together with ease and transform the raw space quickly. The stakes are at an all-time high and the winning team receives a spread in the June issue of Better Homes & Garden magazine. Nate Berkus hosts while Eddie George and Monica Pedersen serve as judges. One designer is sent home.
California Craftsman
This week the contestants renovate two beautiful craftsman-style homes with families that require an office workspace for their at-home businesses. Team Blue, led this week by Nina Magon, puts Darren Moore's fitness background to use by creating an eco-friendly indoor gym for an owner who is a personal trainer. On Team Red, site manager Erinn Valencich cooks up a classy kitchen for a professional chef. After the judges and the neighborhood council tour the homes, one designer is sent home. Nate Berkus hosts while Eddie George and Monica Pedersen serve as judges.
Colonial Duplex
For the first time in the competition, the designers must renovate a single project, a colonial-style duplex. Six designers remain, and the focus for this week's challenge is to create a "Lowe's fantasy bathroom." Personalities clash as the teams are reshuffled. Jay Riordan serves as site manager of Team Blue, but he struggles to lead with team member Dann Foley trying to take control. On Team Red, Lukas Machnik and Elaine Griffin find difficulty in site manager Darren Moore's casual work style. Ultimately, one designer is sent home. Nate Berkus hosts while Eddie George and Monica Pedersen serve as judges.
Downtown Lofts
The dueling teams tackle two empty artist lofts in downtown Los Angeles this week. Their focus will be to present a project that defines them most as a designer. Feeling the pressure, Darren of Team Red builds a unique project in his attempt to prove to the judges he deserves to stay in the competition. Nina Magon takes lead on Team Blue, but she and Jay struggle to divide their odd-shaped open floor plan into multiple living areas. Lukas Machnik serves as site manager for Team Red. One designer is sent home. Nate Berkus hosts while Eddie George and Monica Pedersen serve as judges.
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