Design Star...Is anyone watching?

I finally got around to watching the latest installment of Design Star, the "Design" competition on HGTV.  Every show I watch, is now on Sunday night at 10pm Eastern.  Mad Men, usually gets viewed Sunday because my husband will watch that with me.  Which means Army Wives and Design Star get DVRd.  The show consists of "Designers" competing to receive their own show  on HGTV.  They are judged by a prestigious panel.  Candice Olsen of Divine Design, Vern Vip of Deserving Design, and Genevieve Gorder of Dear Genevieve.  This year they tried to change things up by hiring new judges and in casting, looked for more individuals with design backgrounds.  I'm curious to hear what y'all think of the show.  Here is my take.  First of all, I really like the judges, especially Candice.  A couple years ago she was in Northern Va promoting her furniture with Norwalk (back when they had the franchise stores).  I was one of 30 local designers invited to participate in a training seminar conducted by Candice.  It was excellent. 

Okay, I'm going off on a tangent for a moment, bear with me.  I could be the most un photogenic person on the face of the earth.  It is a constant joke with my husband.  He sometimes has to take 5 shots to get me with my eyes open.  So, in my usual fashion I shut my eyes with my Candice pic.  Nice!  When my husband saw the pic he laughed so flipping hard, which really p'd me off.   He did try to photo shop eyes in for me.  It was bad!! My professional photographer BIL ( Ryan Beck Photography) would have been horrified.  Okay so back to the post. 

They now have four contestants left. Antonio, the Set Designer, Lonni the Interior Designer, Dan, an Architecture Graduate, and Tori, an Interior Designer. Interestingly, of the past winners only one former contestant has a show that airs currently.  I understand that last year's winner, Jennifer Bertrand got preggers right after she won and had to delay her show.  Kim Myles won the year before and had a show, Myles of Style but I don't think it is on anymore.  It is hard to discern on the HGTV website because they have a lot of spin.  They make political pundits look like pre schoolers.  A couple things that bug me about the show is the crafty nature.  Honestly, I don't know many Interior Designers who build cabinetry, demo kitchens, and install floors.   I also wish they would provide a seamstress/workroom, more time and bigger budgets.  The biggest issue to me is the lack of paying clients.  I would like to see more realistic situations.  I wonder if, Antonio would tell a  client to "pound sand" when they asked for warm neutrals if they were footing the bill.  He refused to paint a room beige or tan on a previous episode because the Navy base housing (where the recipient/client's home was located) had tan everywhere.  He painted the room, Blue.  They did like it, but again, they received two flat panels TV's and brand new furnishings.  I'm sorry, the room could have been painted Fuchsia and they would have probably been happy.  So what do think?  Are you watching?  Who do you think will win? My bet is on Lonni.

 

Comments

[Paula Grace]

Dam, I'm going to have to start watching or DVR it! Love the picture. I am 'blessed' with the unphotogenic gene too. It sucks! I have a similiar photo with Candace (I think it was at the same event). Mine is also a bad pic. I should send it to you so we can have dualing bad pics and let the readers vote on who has the worse! That would be funny and horrifying at the same time :)
Paula Grace ~
ww.paulagracedesigns.blogspot.com

[Kaethe]

I'm watching it with my daughters. Right now I'm kind of amazed Lonni is still on. All she seems to do is put a lot of something on a wall.

My money is on Antonio. Weirdly, he seems to think more about making rooms truly useful as well as appealing.

[Kimberly]

My vote is for Tori or Dan.

Yes, I agree that the situations are unrealistic! Any professional would allow themselves enough time to finish each project...and they simply aren't given much time.

[Kristin]

Okay Paula, I dare you. I think we barely knew each other back then.

[Lori]

I am so jealous of your Candace Olsen experience...she is my favorite! I am not a designer but I love to decorate and she so inspires me! I have watched Design Star faithfully and I agree the situations aren't realistic. I am rooting for Loni or Tori! Oh and I do the same thing with my eyes in photos! Too funny!

[M in G]

Okay, I am not a designer but I am addicted to the show. I hate the ridiculous parts - decorate with stuff from a grocery store...really?!! I admit I get the blond ladies confused each week - remembering who did what. I think I like the one with the southern accent. I usually like Dan but he choked last week. I will be staying tuned to the show and the this blog!

Also my page kept erroring last week and I couldn't comment - love the martini's! I really want to be in those pictures with the drink!

[M in G]

Oops I forgot - I have seen way too many pictures of you with your eyes closed...is it wrong to be laughing as hard as the hubby?! At least you were having a good hair day!

[nikencantik]

nice blog..i love your article and picture..keep write about this topic...good job..

[Angie]

My vote is for Tori. They are given unreal time challenges. Grocery Store Items? come on! That was just silly.
I just found your blog and into my favorites in goes.
~Angie~

[Jo Ann DiGiacinto]

Okay, now I'm really jealous that you have a picture with Candice. She's my favorite designer on HGTV. Awww, Kristin, you're so cute. My brother has the same problem when taking pictures. I don't watch Design Star faithfully (because I'm usually sleeping). I try to catch the reruns on the weekend. I'm so glad you said it's unrealistic the things they do. I was saying to myself, OMGosh, designers have to do all of that (and on a rush basis).

[Dream Mom]

First, I must agree, I just LOVE Candice Olson. She is amazing. I think Vern and Candice are great interior designers; Genevieve, not so much.

As far as Design Star, it's so-so. I can't believe with all of the talent out there that they can't find better people with talent. I am not wowed by any of the remaining four although if I had to pick a person I'd like to watch, it would be Tori.

As far as Antonio, he's next to go. I am not sure who would hire him. He's abrasive and I don't think he's very talented, from what I have seen to date. The dinosaur room he created was horrid and what's worse, Vern Yip liked it. Now I do like Vern Yip but seriously, the dinosaur room was terrible.

I read the bios on Dan and Tori a few weeks ago. Dan doesn't care for historical or classic architecture so I found myself aligning with Tori. Dan did a great job on the white room contest a few weeks back however he hasn't done much since.

Tori's white room challenge was kind of cool, kind of like an Escada jacket, but overall I expected more from her. She tends to give a client "exactly" what they ask for and I don't think that's always necessary. I am not saying don't listen to a client, but take a few risks. I also expected her rooms to look more upscale, based on her profile.

As for Lonni, I am not sure. She is depressing to watch. She's always overwhelmed and stressed out because her project isn't coming out right. A little make up would go a long way; this is television. I did like the chest of drawers she selected and the bases for the baseball bedroom but I can't say I am very impressed.

Overall, I think they could come up with some better challenges. I'd like to seem more focus on the planning and problem solving than on these seemingly rushed rooms.

[Kristin]

Okay, Dream Mom you crack me up. Yes, when Dan was asked what he considered the worst design trend he responded with "Historic presevation." I just thought, Wow! I think that is rather sad.
I just hate the time crunch, but it must make for good TV. Yes, designers have deadlines, but it is usually weeks not hours. Truly good design work can not happen in hours on grocery store food items. Joann, we have peeps for everything. Upholsters, drapery installers, picture hangers, contractors, plumbers, painters, wallpaper hangers etc. Trust me you don't want me to install your kitchen sink, I'm pretty sure it would not pass code.
I'm glad I could provide levity to those that found my picture posing skills amusing. BTW my BIL told me to send him the pic and he is going to fix my eyes. He promises you won't be able to tell. Then he told me to send a pic of my hubby posing with with his Air Force General and he'd give him some shut eyes. LOL!