The Latest on Antonio and Dan
Last season, they stood next to each other on the final elimination stage: one was crowned the winner of season four; the other viewers named the fan favorite.
See what Antonio Ballatore and Dan Vickery have been up to since leaving Design Star.
Antonio, our tough guy winner, hit the ground running and had to make over his new home in five days. Watch the makeover and see the before and after images »
Now, he’s working on his new series, The Antonio Treatment, where he had the opportunity to make over Mario Lopez’s home and office gym. Plus, don’t miss full episodes of The Antonio Treatment.
As the winner of the fan favorite vote (which will return again this year!), runner-up Dan won an online series, Kid-Sized Design.
From nurseries to big boy’s and girl’s rooms, Dan redesigned four kids’ rooms with simple how-tos, bold color schemes and a ton of creativity.
See where all the other designers from last season are now »
I think Dan is a very talented designer. He listens to what folks need & want. After reading his design preferences last year, they were great, but from looking at the rooms he has designed you would not know what HE likes. In my humble opinion he should have been the winner of last years Design Star by a landslide. Many of we viewers thought towards the end of last years season that the contest may have been rigged for Antonio to win, since he was already somewhat in the bussiness. Dan in many folks view was clearly the better designer, & somebody we would want to watch on t.v.
I agree with you…Dan should have won.
I think Antonio style is awful and I will not watch him. What were the judges thinking?
I agree with you…and that is why I will not watch any more design star shows…because it's not what the judges think ..it's who the producers want….and the judges are just pawns…that is why I will not watch any more of Vern, Genevieve or Candace's shows…they didn't pick the best designer last year…and they cheated Dan big time…and they were not true to pick the best design star! Judy
As for your comments on Antonio's designs and unwillingness to see if maybe those who voted him in as the winner saw more than any of you little and close minded people could see. I mean your comments, "I won't watch any of his shows" and "I won't watch any more design star seasons" reminds me of pre-schoolers and kindergarteners who when they don't get their way, throw a fit and say things like "I won't be your friend anymore…" You are falling into the same category you placed the judges in by "rigging" the outcome, just by closing your mind to different design styles. But hey, you're all entitled to your opinions and feelings, as am I and the only reason I felt compelled to reply.
One last note. Overall, I thought both Dan and Antonio were good designers and I would have had a hard time choosing between the two based solely on their designs. Personalities were polar opposites but that’s what great about being human, we don't all have to be the same. Dan's personality was sweet and endearing, like the guy next door. Antonio's was ruff and gruff on the outside but a soft heart in the middle. I have watched his show as well as Dan's and I find his approach uniquely refreshing from the cookie cutter style designers on most average shows. His designs are incredible. IF I were to go on personality or personal style I would have to work to get past the tattoos of which I'm not a big fan of. In fact that's exactly what I do. I look beyond the tattooed tough street guy "persona" and look at the design on its own. And in my single humble opinion they stand solely on their own. But if you’re too close minded to even watch his show than you are missing out.
Are you all forgetting what a wuss Dan was??? He wouldn't even man up to going $5000!!!!!! dollars over budget. Then on top of that the $10,000!!!!! Gazebo didn't even stand up to the dollars spent. It was plain and blah. I think overall Dan was good, but I think he needed to learn to go outside his safety zone and the competition helped him learn to do so. I have seen all of his Kid Sized Design shows, and those rooms show much more creativity and willingness to go beyond "safe" designs.
When HGTV selected Antonio, I was so disappointed that when Antonio was to begin his weekly presentations, I thought that I couldn't bare to watch. However, one evening while flipping channels, I caught sight of one of Antonio's episodes, so I watched. He seemed less arrogant than during the contests, and I must admit, he was truly talented, but so was Dan. To me, Dan was not only very talented, but he also had better interpersonal skills. However, some of the female judges seemed to find fault with his presentation style.—For god sake, he was nervous, not incompetent! To me, their decision was disappointing because the message they sent was that being gruff and obnoxious will get you everywhere. None of HGTV's designers come across like that. Why was it ok for Antonio?
antonio is far from arrogant he is one of the nicest people you could ever meet…..100% good hearted man and he's extremely talented he takes designing to a whole new creative level!!!!!
I agree they seemed to like Antonia's bouris attitude and Vern was not nice and said ," Dan giggled".This was ok for Antoniato laugh.
I think Vern should be replaced as he can't wait to insult someone.Like the commercials when Vern said "you had better step it up"He is not so great himself..All Vern knows how to do is use candles and personal pictures.
Antonio should be designing gutters, dirty garages. old smelly dog houses. Dan has so much more going on. He made it interesting, I was forever shocked at what he would accomplish. Antonio always never failed to discust me. The only reason Antonio was chosen is because of his rough cave man attitude for which you could tell each and every judge turned into a giggley little girl. Dan worked, and he has such a fresh lovely attitude towards every design. You did not lose Dan, you will be decorating much longer than Antonio's attention span on designing lasts. Good Luck to you Dan.
I found Antonio so disgusting I wanted to puke. All his mistakes were overlooked. He should never have won. The only reason I am going to watch this season is because I read that the fans get to pick the winner. Becca you are so right. I wanted to send them all bibs
It was totaly obvious that the whole thing was rigged. I have never watched one of his programs. I wonder how long HGTV will keep him on while trying to save face……
I agree with Becca, Antonio is a mess. Dan was and is still much better designer and personality than Antonio.
I agree with both of the previous posts. I wasn't a fan of Antonio's during the contest and I'm still not. His designs were OK. I wanted Dan to win, as well. And I thought his presentation skills improved as the competition progressed. Though I love their designs, I thought the female judges acted like silly high schoolers in their interactions with Antonio, and he definitely seemed to get preferential treatment. I was disappointed to see the same judges will be judging again this year. New judges should be appointed every year IMHO.
I agree Chris, NEW JUDGES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is Vern who needs to go. He loves to say ugly thing to the contestants.His personality is lacking in kindness.
I agree with the last three comments. I have owned my own inerior design business for 24 years, have a degree in architecture as well as interior design, and alot of experience. Dan is, BY FAR, so much more talented than Antonio, and has far more screen presence. From Antonio's "blue design star" room to his house that was re-done…his design is very elementary. Whereas, Dan has a very sophisticated eye and real talent. I too was very disappointed and agree with Debra…..if the general public were to have selected the winner, Dan would have won by a landslide. I'm even shocked that "hey, YO" Antonio made it as far as he did and that out of the last three designers standing, he didn't wind up third. I agree that judges should be, if not changed every year, then shuffled so as not to get such unilateral, one-sided critique. The last season was very hard to watch at times…….
Can you explain how Dan completely blew it with the backspash in the kitchen of his last house? I will admit I learned from it though. Rather than have the backspash just drifting out into nowhere, I certainly did my own kitchen much better.
Dan was the obvious winner last season. I wouldn't want Antonio to design my dog house. What were you thinking HGTV????
I agree with the respondents. Antonio did not earn his place among the talented, it was a gift from someone. I do not watch his shows. Dan exhibited superior talent and personality but was relegated to second place.BIG MISTAKE! After 24 years in the residental marketplace, my experiences tell me clearly. Dan was the winner. PLC
I couldn't agree with you more! AMEN sister!
Antonio was by far the best designer. Dan was the arrogant one.
I have to disagree. I came to prefer Antonio's approach, but Dan did seem like a nice guy. I thought the baby's room he did in the 'design for a star's house' episode was amazing, and he obviously put his heart in it. If he's doing kids' rooms, then he probably has found his real niche. I wish him nothing but well.
I have enjoyed watching The Antonio Treatment. He seems to interact with the clients in a very real way. I like the way he brings in talented craftsmen & women to help out.
Sure if some kid with $50.00 to spend. Did you not see his own house make over. Some other designer would walk in and say it needs a complete make over. OMG that headboard what was he thinking. Needs to go in some head shop in TJ.
My husband and I agree with you. Antonio does really "hip" work. He is with it and we love his personality and furthermore, he is a musician. He is just a great all around decorator and person. We wish there were more of his shows on. What happened to them? Weren't very many of them. Sandi &Bob
yes, i am wondering the same thing….where is antonio???? if someones knows please respond to me…thanks
i love antonio!!! i love his design, as well as, his personality!!! dan is a fantastic designer too and seems like a genuine nice guy(a male candice olson)..antonio is unique and i really appreciated that so was happy he won(and he has a bulldog)…i am, however, glad they both got shows because they both deserved it…..
I had watched all the previous Design Star episodes, but quit watching almost everything on HGTV after Antonio won that episode. I guess I was just so disappointed I had no faith left in the show or the judges.
I could not stand to watch Candice and Genevieve's shows after being sickened by their childish schoolgirl crushes on Antonio. They handed Dan a huge injustice by declaring Antonio the winner. I question whether I will tune in to watch who they flirt with this year. I am with Mari, HGTV was my most watched station, I barely watch it now.
I agree with you Jean. I too was SOOOO DISAPPOINTED. Now, I watch the FOOD NETWORK 24/7. And never watch HGTV anymore. I will bet that their ratings dropped significantly. They should consider putting Dan on a trial show to see how his rating will help HGTV out of a deep dark HOLE.
I've watched a few of the Antonio Treatment episodes and was not all all thrilled with them. The bathroom that he did in the hotel with all the graffiti was absolutely horrendous. The living room was just okay—- they definitely got it wrong. Mario Lopez's bed was horrible too. Sorry judges – but hopefully next season you pick better. Plus, Antonio is not even nice or easy to watch. He grubby and unkepty. Mabye if he just cleaned up his beard a little would be an improvement. Certainly hope this show doesn't stay on.
Mario Lopez's BED? Antonio did Mario's boxing gym spaces and they were *amazing.*
Mary,
I'm in total agreement with you about Antonio. Even though I thoroughly enjoy all of the judges in their own shows, I was deeply disappointed that they chose Antonio. Maybe I was not used to his "rough" style, but I sure did think that Dan had everything going for him. Maybe as the new season for Design Star begins in June, they will have people who are so outstanding that it would be impossible that the judges could make a mistake. Hope so anyway !
hgtv got it right with antonio. it is refreshing to see a new approach to design. he's a real guy and i love to watch work his unique style. the only thing myself and my other hgtv addict friends are unhappy about is we're not getting to see enough of him. come on hgtv show us more antonio!!!!!!!!!!!
He is the John Wayne of HGTV in my opinion. He says and does what he thinks is right. He comes across as a very kind, sensitive and caring person. He seems very sincere and gentle but can make difficult decisions. He recognizes in people he is working with what other people do not see. I think he is great. I want to find out what kind of music they are singing on the show. It sounds like yelling and bellowing at times, meaning no disrespect to the music. I like it!! and would like to find out how to hear more of this type music. It is like maybe a type of working man's blues, Blue collar blues. I have never heard that kind of music before!!! It was very enjoyable to hear after getting over the initial shock of that kind of music.