Have you been watching HGTV's Design Star this season? I'm beginning to wonder how they pick some of the contestants.....
On Sunday's episode the designers were split into two teams, and each team had to design a condo in the Trump Tower in Jersey City as though it was a model to be shown to prospective condo buyers.
The winning (blue) team's living room:
The losing (red) team's living room:
The blue team's bedroom:
Red team's bedroom (not shown in this photo are the dropcloth drapes! Wonder where she got that idea?):
Can I just say that while I agree that the blue team should have won, it was only because they were less bad (poor grammar intentional) . Yes, the area rug in the blue living room is better scale-wise than the red team's, and I like the blue's coffee table better. And though the blue team used both a mattress and box spring (as opposed to the red team, which left off the box spring), neither team did a very good job of making the bed. Not only is the bedding somewhat boring and decidedly non-luxurious, but my 8-year-old can do a better job of smoothing the covers and fluffing the pillows.
Have you also noticed that the last two DS winners don't seem to get any airtime? Jennifer from two years ago had a baby shortly after winning, and so was delayed; I did happen to stumble upon her show in the middle of the afternoon several months ago, but I haven't seen it since. Antonio, last year's winner, had a couple of episodes (not that I watched), but since then I haven't heard anything. And neither one of them is ever advertised.
But it's still fun to watch, and I guess that's what the producers are counting on. What do you think of this season of Design Star?
20 comments:
I don't watch Design Star, but I do know that there's an interview w/ Antonio in the current issue of Sherwin Williams' publication, Stir. I haven't read it yet, but I noticed while flipping through the other day.
Holly,
LOL...I think there are a lot of us who could do a much better job than this year's contestants...even those of us who aren't "official" designers. Geeze! I SO agree with you. I only catch it on an occasional Sunday night, but the Fire House Design week was horrible!!! What is wrong with these people? The saddest thing in my eyes is that no one is enjoying it who is on the show. The contestants look miserable, the judges rarely crack a smile, and the people they design for are trying very hard to show "happy looks" when they see them. Ouch! I think that those of us who are at home, enjoying our homes, relaxing and taking our time "decorating" and creating our "nests"...are much happier and much more "successful" in the end. Know what I mean? LOL (Holly-I've done a bit of redecorating at my blog over the weekend...come see me and tell me what you think. I love your honesty!)
Hi Holly-
Ditto.
this show, while once fun when it first started is making me INSANE>
Are you kidding me?
There, I got to vent!
Laura
White Spray Paint
Kind of disappointing this season. I think Michael has some great ideas, and I like the two blonde girls okay. I think having so many group challenges hurts them too.
Haven't watched. I'm not a big fan of those type shows. But I have noticed that Antonio is nowhere around.
Truth be told, I'm not watching HGTV much anymore. When did it become the real estate channel? Seems like every show is about buying or selling a house--rather than actually decorating one you live in!
I don't think it's a very fun season. No one has wowed me, the judges are just plain rude, it's like the contestants are encouraged to be snarky, and I'm sick of the team challenges. I don't think this show needed to be turned into "Survivor".
I don't watch HGTV much anymore, either. Beverly is right~when did it turn into the real estate channel? I don't really get a huge kick out of watching other people buy houses.
I enjoyed reading your take on Design Star, especially since I've been watching for the past several seasons. I wasn't sure if I liked the new format, but I expect they're focusing on hosting as part of the challenge because they've had problems with the winners from the past. I also think the below-par quality of the designs this season are partly because they're being forced to work in teams more often than individual challenges. Altogether, the actual design- choice of color, materials, placement, accessories- is fairly bland since they have to all agree. The focus on incorporating inspiration as artwork takes away from the overall success of the designing as well. Hope these last few weeks go better.
Havent' watched it--the commercials have been enough. I agree with Beverly when did it become a real estate channel?
Melinda
I have noticed that David Bromstad is really the only one who seems to still be on. He is awesome though. I agree, I am tired of real estate shows!
Hi Holly. I think that you and Mary Joy hit the nail on the head. We'll see how it goes. I'm only mildly interested this year. It does make for mild amusement when I want to enforce my personal tv time and my husband just goes along with it. haha. (although now that I think about it, there have been seasons where he really like it. Last year he really like Antonio. Must be because of the manliness. lol!)
I have been thinking the same things!
I have been disappointed in Design Star since the second season. I completely agree with the "real estate" channel comments. My favorite show used to be Freestyle--remember that show? They didn't spend any money and did some amazing things for people. Thank goodness for awesome home dec blogs!! They have fulfilled my need for decorating ideas since HGTV has gone awry. :)
I actually watched the Trump episode last night to see how poorly they failed, as I knew they would. I don't see any real talent in any of them. I definitely think most of us could have done better jobs, especially with the dropcloth curtains...LOL those were hideous! I've seen them look so much better here in blogland. What was their budget for the Trump apartments? Must not have been very big because they had NO finishing touches for anything. They didn't even touch the kitchens and did you see the potholders framed?!? Horrible! Just the frame by itself would have been better. I know they have a short time period to complete these rooms, but good Lord, they should know what they can complete and make look great with the time they have because they are "designers". I'm just so disappointed, I could go on and on.
I agree with the comments on HGTV being a real estate channel now. Listen up HGTV!!
I hate to say I haven't watched it since the first season. Didn't David Bromstad win Design Star a few seasons ago? I looove him!
Gee, I'm happy to see I'm not alone in my feelings about Design Star. I agree there doesn't seem to be much talent this year. I can't stand the fussing amongst the designers. The challenges are all based on such silly concepts and what real designer could an appt. in 2 days? And while I'm on my soap box, what happened to the Fine Living Channel?? Do we really need another cooking channel? Especially one that predominately runs cooking shows from 2001?? Bring back Sarah Richardson! Even her older programs {Room Service & Design Inc.} were great and relevant even for today. Ok, ok, I'm stepping down from the soap box. Thanks for allowing me to vent! Love your blog Holly!
I agree about this years season. The Trump challenge was a joke! I could have done soooo much better! However, I hate that they have to design in "teams" because the majority rules and they usually get it wrong. Vern is being a little Simon like this year. It's interesting. Ive seen some of Vern's designs and he likes to use tons of candle holders in places no one could easily reach. He needs a few lessons.
I did want to tell you the girl who won 2 years ago lives in my city. Her baby was born with a terrible medical condition that is very difficult to treat. There have been fundraisers for her baby. Needless to say, a tv show became secondary. She still has her design business here with her husband and she is still very talented.
I liked the carpenter guy with the curly hair that got the boot. The one blonde looks like Reese Witherspoon's sister and it is distracting to me.
When I saw that girl start to make dropcloth drapes I had to pause it and explain to the hubby that dropcloth was the new black for awhile in the blogsphere and *everyone* had made dropcloth drapes and they were actually kinda nice. Man!! Did she screw it up!
And I was thinking the same thing about the bedding - seriously? With that kind of a budget why can't they just buy tons of sheers and gorgeous bedding.
And don't even get me started about their "artwork". WTH was that black paintbrush streaks on an empty canvas?? C'mon- at least make an effort.
Too many team challenges for sure. What happened to re-doing peoples' kitchens or real things? I liked the firestation challenge but Trump? Really??
This is the worst..Do they pick contestants based on LOOKS??? The designs every week are horrible and you get NOT ONE idea to take away from the show.. I look forward to this all year and I am embarassed about it. It shows how ignorant the contestants are, and egotistical, thinking they could actually win their own show--what a joke.
I heard that now the winner gets their on "online" show...
Jennifer Bertrand's baby was born with a major birth defect, thus significantly changing her life. Really quite a story. Read about it here http://www.jeneanmorrison.net/blog/guest-blogger-jennifer-bertrand-winner-of-design-star-season.html
Post a Comment