I'm trying to figure out how this happens time and time again with these contests - I see these great places along the way in the contest - but at the end the finalists and winners are always the homes that are nice enough, but not anywhere near what I consider the best.

I think it has something to do with the bracket process. Many times the pairings are two homes that are so similar in taste - but if they are both good, that knocks one of them out of the running -

Please pair nicely decorated homes against homes that are less nice so that we are left with the outstanding homes at the end.

I agree. I just looked at these and thought, these are the finalists? Yes, they are lovely, but I saw some more inspiring ones during the process.

Disagree with the above. I LOVE Chris's place. How did this happened? Simple, more people voted for these places. Everyone gets one vote, and the vote is based on opinion. More people (that voted) did not share the above opinions.

Chris, I think your home is outstanding, despite what the naysayers think :)