Design Star... Didn't see that coming

My family and I have just returned from a much needed vacay to Cape Cod.  We were finally able to catch our breaths and get some R & R.  It was my first time to the Cape and it was wonderful.  We were fortunate to be visting some friends who have a lovely home on  the water, and our weather was perfection.  I had my first whole lobster on the beach and my son caught his first fish.  Pure elation. 

After we returned home, unpacked, threw the laundry in, we all sat down to watch DS.  At last, individual challenges.  At last, a decent budget. They still weren't given enough time, but it was a much better measure of their abilities.  I wish they would have been provided a seamtress or workroom but a couple carpenters was certainly better than nothing.  So, thoughts... I did think the judges had a difficult decision.  We all gasped when they said, Lonni. I honestly didn't see that coming.  I'm asssuming it was due to the headboard not getting installed or the repetition of the graphic focal wall. So, if she backed the bookshelves with that printed grass cloth (which I loved) instead of doing one focal wall, again, would she still be here?  If she was able to get the headboard up would she still be here? Vern, commented that he's never had a case where the headboard wasn't installed.  There were elements in everyone's room that were really good.   I liked the boat mobile and art in Dan's room.  I didn't love the furniture, the drapes (he got love for those too), or any of the bedding.  Don't we already have, a "Dan"?  His name is, David Bromstad.   Then we have, Antonio.  I thought that laser cut dry erase board was beyond cool.  The space plan was really functional and pretty at the same time.  That rug was really under scale and the space looked a bit too austere.  A big flokati rug in front of the fireplace would have been a better choice.  It is easy to play Tuesday night quarterback. Especially, after having the time to really think about the space.   Overall, I thought this was a great challege.  My son said, " I think Lonni should go".  "Why"? I asked.  He answered, "Because, someone is going get killed when that headboard falls on their head."  From the mouth of a 10 yr old boy. 

Comments

[Melanie]

Your son was funny. LOL I could not be more surprised about Lonni leaving. I really think that Dan should go. I did not like the room. He got so much praise for it. I did like his painting. It's funny what some people think is great and others don't. I loved Lonni's wall and the headboard could have been installed after the show was over. It would have added a nice texture to the space. Her room was really classy. Antonio should be the winner. I think that Lonni would have been boring to watch and I am so over Dan and his cutesy eyes and ways. UUGH!

[Terry]

I thought Antonio should have gone home. His room was not completed and what about the lack of accesories? He's too mouthy and not humble. Imagine how he'll be if he wins?!? I was sure Lonny was the one, I loved the wallpaper that had the design added. Who cares if the headboard didn't get hung up? Her room was the best of the three!

[Lori]

I was surprised to see her go too! I just knew Dan was out! Oh and I love the pic of your little man with the fish...my 4 year old is quite the fisherman these days and we have tons of pics like that!

[Paula Grace]

I am always behind on the shows. I just started DVRing them. I'll have to watch. Jack has brains. BTW, love his face with the fish :)
Paula Grace ~
www.paulagracedesigns.blogspot.com

[Dream Mom]

I was a bit surprised that Lonnie went home. I loved that headboard but I am guessing she may have gone home because of the fact that I don't think she had any project that she was able to complete on time (Remember the cups on the white room challenge that fell off the wall.) I liked her room though and I guess the focal wall was was repetitious. She seemed like she was starting to come into her own.

I thought Antonio should have gone home. The dry erase board was cool however the space plan was boring with the desks lined up against the wall and the open shelving in between. I would have liked to see some closed shelving for some storage in there; also, I didn't care for the bulletin board or whatever on the front of each desk. Who uses those? More important to me was the color choice on the wall and the uncomfortable sitting area by the fireplace.

First, Kathy Griffin is a redhead-to put a fushia colored wall in a red headed person's space seemed bad. She would always look bad in that room. I believe the colors you select in a home should be colors that the people look good in. In addition, when you walked through the home at the beginning, it was very natural with a lot of stone and some water, kinda zen. The fuschia walls just seemed like it would have stuck out like a sore thumb in that house. I would be surprised if she kept it.

The area by the fireplace was a total missed opportunity. I imagine that the three of them might sit there with Kathy going over the schedule or whatever. For that, they would need good comfortable seating and a nice size rug. Putting in a too small rug like that seems like a failure of Design 101. I thought the chairs seemed uncomfortable as well. To have a meeting, I'd want comfortable chairs, a nice rug and a place to put a drink or put your papers down. Maybe it's just me but I thought the room could have been more exciting.

Dan's space was good. I liked the mobile, the colors and the space plan. I thought he did a really nice job. I did imagine the little boy on the changing table having an accident and spraying the picture. At least my son did that and that's what little boys do-maybe not the best place for artwork however I'll let that slide because I don't want to appear too harsh.

I liked Dan and Lonnie's space the best. If I had to pick which one of the three that I would most like to watch, I think it would be Dan. His apple room (the white room challenge) was pretty amazing and I think he has some talent. I do agree that his painting does make you think of David Bromstad. Perhaps we can start all over?

[Julia @ Hooked on Houses]

I'm still puzzled why Antonio covered up Kathy Griffin's fireplace opening altogether after she told him it was a working fireplace. He still could have hunt those two TVs above it. I was surprised that no one on the show even mentioned it!

Loved your son's comment. Too funny!

[Fifi Flowers]

I have an 11 year that ADORES fishing... I have some photos very similiar!