Lonni Paul: Designer to the Stars
She was the last gal standing before Antonio and Dan went head-to-head in the finale. Although she was eliminated because the judges wondered if she could multitask, Lonni Paul has been proving them wrong ever since.
After creating the beautiful guest bedroom for celebrity couple Tiffani Thiessen and Brady Smith in her final challenge, the couple hired Lonni to continue working her design magic. She just finished their kitchen and playroom and is now working on other rooms of their home, including the nursery, office and living room.
In addition to raising her adorable four-year-old twins and tons of other design projects, Lonni has also been volunteering for the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Step Up, a group of professional women that help teen girls.
Lonni’s twins, Jett and Sophie
Find out the other celebrity homes Lonni has been working on since leaving Design Star ยป
Lonni had it all over Antonio. The final two should have been her and Dan. But apparently the judges did not appreciate her or Dan's low-key personas and went with the abrasive personality of Antonio. Lonni and Dan were much more talented as designers so I am glad to know they both are thriving in their chosen fields. I would hire either one of them should I ever win the lottery and have the resources.
I very much agree with heartfriendsinnbb. Not only does Antonio have an abrasive personality but he appears unkempt and unclean. He definitely needs a new wardrobe, haircut and beard trim. I personally don't think he is anywhere near as talented as Dan and Lonni. I was not pleased that one of them did not win. Being abrasive does not make up for talent. I'm happy to hear that both Dan and Lonni are doing well. I wish them both best of luck with their chosen field.
The outcome of last season's DS has dampened my enthusiasm for this season's DS. That, and learning the three same judges will be returning. While I love Candice and Vern (although he can be a bit harsh at times), the negativity Genevieve brings to the panel is a real downer. Oh, well, just as in any situation, one has gotta take the bad with the good, I guess.
I quiet agree being abrasive and cocky does not make up for talent, in my world anyway. While I am sure some appreciate the "confidence" and design style of Antonio, his appeal is limited, imho. I can always hope the judges pick someone with a much broader appeal this coming season.
Yvonne
I couldn't agree with you more. I will never see her that I don't think about her rudeness reminding the contestants how hard she worked for her show and one of the contestants would have a show "handed" to them. I just checked the site to see if she is still judging…DWTS lost me with Kate and HGTV lost me with Gen
Watching Gen's show, it appears that her employees do a lot of the actual design work. That makes me like her even less as a judge.
Well, after watching the first episode of this season's Design Star, it seems as if little has changed. Gen acts as if she is always angry about something, like a cat ready to pounce on a mouse. I stopped watching her show because I could not tolerate how she was always cajoling clients into thinking her way. Like Antonio, she decides what they would like and then talks them into it. Candice doesn't do that and neither does Vern. They listen and follow their clients suggestions. While they may "pretty" up the rough vision given by a client, they keep the client's basic wants.
I cannot believe they collectively thought, however, that Nina had the best design in the first episode. Talk about Asian Market Look, with all the parallels scattered around the room. Sheesh! I agree with Lucyant about the possibility of the winner being "pre-selected".
Yvonne
Agree 100%!!
OK guys and gals; enough Antonio bashing….he is not running for Congress. I think that he won BECAUSE he is obviously a hands-on, "unpretty" TRADESMAN who has done it all, and his designs ARE considered edgy because America has somehow invented an aura around what should look like and perform like a "designer", and he aint it for sure! Do I like everything he's done? No, but I've been an Interior Artichitect for most of my adult life, and I can tell you that what he is is REAL, and he does not need my permission or acceptance (Or yours either) in order to perform. ABRASIVE? You've just met me through this blog…..he is a pussy cat! Given the opportunity, I would hire him over all of the other contestants….and now you know from a professional of 30 years in construction exactly why; he is a true and plumb individual devoid of pretense and bovine manure. Get a grip folks. Antonio RULES!
It would seem, Michele, from the responses of average Americans, that edgy is not very popular outside the design world, or at least Antonio's version of edgy. You are, however, free to think differently and say so. Thank you for your contribution.
Yvonne
I couldn't agree more. The show was much better when the fans decided the final winner. I got the impression last year that the winner was fixed. Antonio did everything they called "wrong" and was never eliminated. Lonie and Dan were much better. I notice that Antonio's show has gone nowhere! Maybe because he was not that much of a favorite with anyone but the judges.
Are the judges still picking the ultimate winner or are they going back to a fan vote? The show was better and the winners more deserving when the fans voted. They do a better job than the so called "professional designers."
I watched the final few episodes last season and I couldn't believe Antonio was the winner. He did not listen to the customers' requests but went the way he wanted a room to be. He didn't even try to make the customer happy. Dan, on the other hand, was the one who ask the customers what they were interested in accomplishing and then attempting to make their requests happen.
Lonnie is a lovely person, and a classy designer. She and Dan were my faves too. Since last season I have almost quit watching HGTV. I was hoping that the show would go back to the old format with viewers voting for the best. Am so disappointed in the way Candice gushed over Antonio, now her show is not even on my radar–and I used to never miss it! Genevieve really cost herself with her stuck up attitude. Vern remains Vern! Don't know if I'll give it another shot.
I agree with your assessment of the judges viewpoints; but I’m still a huge fan of HGTV; : )
I loved Antonio. But then again, I love folks who think outside the box and test my boundaries. Antonio's personality and style are a nice addition to the same ole stuff that we see on many of the other design shows. If you watch the families closely, the "out there" designers tend to give them looks and color combos that they never, ever thought of and absolutely love when they see it. Most people are afraid to venture outside of their perceived comfort zone but are always happy when they do! I hope the voting remains in the hands of the professionals and not the "traditional, beige" crowd.
I am not a traditionalist either, fmwalker, and consistently think "outside" the box. However, if I am spending my hard-earned money, rather than having HGTV pay for it, to renovate my room or home, I want the designer I hire to listen to what I want. I do not mind input or suggestions from someone else but I do mind someone else deciding for me. In almost every instance, Antonio decided what HE wanted and executed what HE decided, the homeowner be damned. If he continues that trend in the real world, it makes little difference how much talent he does or does not have, he will fail. Attitude is everything when you are dealing with a generic public, rather than a taste specific public. Most of this world is made up of those "traditional, beige" people. Apparently, Antonio has not learned that lesson yet.
Every one of Candice Olsen's designs look exactl alike. She uses similar materials in every room. She'll always have sparkly, pale blue/green/gray walls, too much furniture, and everything must be "modern." As for Gen. Gorder, she is hopelessly arrogant and overbearing while pretending otherwise. ANybody who puts dark gray curtains in a nursery and black curtains in a mostly-confined-to-bed person's room is just crazy. On trading spaces everything was brown, especially if the homeowner didn't want it, and now everything is white or gray. She gently "teaches" the clients to give up their styles and colors in favor of her boring mess. Who are these people to judge. How about some variety? Vern is also rather harsh. How about some judges with differing styles. How about David Bromstad so at least people could use some color and variety. I'm just about done with HGTV, or should they call it Real Estate tv?
I agree with your assessment, Pam, but Candice is a more tolerable personality, imho. That is basically the point I was trying to make. While I am no professional, I know what I do and do not like. And when I am spending my money, professional or not, I want what I want. Talking clients into a design they are not comfortable with is showing a lack of respect for the client, again in my opinion. I used to sew for people when my children were small. I had clients who would tell me in detail what they wanted. Others would leave it up to me. But never, ever did I concoct a design, then proceed to "sell" them on it. I made suggestions but the decision was always my client's, not mine. I do not know when the attitude that the designer is always right started. Perhaps it was always there and I never paid attention to it until it became so prevalent and in your face.
I like your idea to change up the judges, rather than keeping the same ones. New contestants, new judges. Yeah.
I used to like Vern (especially on Trading Spaces), he was always so nice to his clients, but he is very abrasive. I realize it's a different format and it is his role to critique, but not to be mean! I really, really miss Clive! He was a great moderator — I think Gen acts too uppity.
Never agreed to Antonio — thought he was sneaky and unkempt. If he came to my home, don't think I'd invite him in! Did I mention I really, really miss Clive?
Yep I miss Clive too. Sad to say I think he kept the design "experts" in line.
I've gotten to the point that I don't even watch the whole show. I DVR it and buzz through all the parts where there's fighting and controversy. I have no desire to watch a show where the entire cast is mean, petty and snide. If I wanted to watch back stabbing and hatefulness I'd still be watching Survivor. To me the first season with David was the shining example of what the show should be. He was never mean or petty about his fellow contestants. Class act.
As for Vern, I used to be a fan. Now he's just mean, overbearing and abrasive. If tonight's show is more of the same uncomfortable hatefulness…..adios.
I've liked this season the best so far. As talented as some of the previous years' contestants were, this was the first time I felt really attached to so many. Normally I'm just waiting for the annoying ones to get kicked out, but right down to the last 5 I couldn't bare to see any of them go.
I know Antonio isn't for everyone, but I think he was fantastic. His designs were wholly original and he was so unlike anything else the channel sees that he came across as a truly solid anchor for the usual fluff and cattiness that the others tend to bring. I really hope Dan and Lonni do wonderful things, because it was heartbreaking to see them go, but I definitely think Antonio was the best option.
I also definitely prefer the judges choosing the winner. I hate reality shows in general, so it was really nice to sidestep so much of that nonsense. I like to see people judged on their talent and how they shine, not just on personality.
anyone know the manufacturer of the printed grasscloth Lonni used in the final episode room…the blue architectural print on grasscloth???? Want to find it to use in my bathroom…thanks