HGTV Star contestant Brooks Atwood made it to the final three contestants on the reality TV competition. Atwood travelled to the South End over the Fourth of July weekend to visit the family of his wife, Amy Estelle Nichols Atwood.

The TV show filmed 10 designers as they competed to win their own design TV show. Atwood ultimately lost to designer Tiffany Brooks.

For the final competition Atwood received help from two former castmates, Anne Rue and Tylor Devereaux, to make over a suite in a Palm Springs, Calif. resort. The challenge was the largest space the contestants had to design during the show, which aired Sunday, July 21. Atwood said working on the final episode was overwhelming, all of his stress and emotions flooded out, he said.

“It was amazing to work with Anne and Tyler, I trusted them wholeheartedly. The space turned out amazing and I owe a lot of that to Anne and Tyler.”

“I’m super proud of the sexy hotel suite and I’m proud to finish (the design),” he said.

Since the show’s finale, Atwood said his life has changed in every way from getting chased down the street by fans to getting more projects at POD Design, where he is the principal designer. His upcoming projects include designing bars, offices, retail stores and homes around his Brooklyn neighborhood and in New York City. Atwood is also an assistant professor of industrial design at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

“I’m proud to be on the winning team for both of the client projects (on the show),” he said. “It shows I can think outside of the box, independently and work with clients.”

He said one of his favorite moments of the show was designing a school bus. He said his idea to make the bus a time traveler’s lounge was unique and original.

“I really pushed the boundaries and executed,” he said.

Atwood said one of the things he’s learned from being on the show is to go with your gut instinct.

“Don’t be afraid to be an individual,” he said. “If I can do it you can do it.”

Cassie Nichols, mother-in-law of Atwood, thought he did incredible. “We sure would have loved to see him win. But to have gone as far as he did, he did awesome.”

Nichols said it was exciting to watch Atwood on the show. Friends and family joined her to watch Atwood compete each week.

“I am very appreciative of the many people being supportive. He’s just an incredible, talented and awesome son-in-law,” she said.

Atwood appreciates the support he’s received from fans on Whidbey Island and the Nichols family. He said his company works on projects all over the country and is available for projects on the island.

“It’s overwhelming the amount of support and love I’ve received. I was not expecting that,” he said.