Dooce’s Recap: Design Star, Have You Ever Seen a Souvenir?
This week begins with the red team returning to the apartment without Nina, and Stacey could not be happier: “This is probably the best outcome of any elimination to date. She’s gone. Like, do you know what a relief that is?” Meaning Stacey read the note I slipped her WORD FOR WORD.
The contestants meet Vern in the lobby of Trump Tower to meet Donald Trump, Jr. who is going to help judge the challenge this week. Each team has to design a model apartment in the brand new Trump property, The Trump Plaza Residences in Jersey City. Don, Jr., explains that the Trump look is consistently about luxury, but that it has to be contextual, which in this instance means it should reflect Jersey City. And since the Trumps are all about New York, each contestant must choose a New York City souvenir package and physically incorporate it into their designs. Uh, Design Star? Have you ever seen a souvenir? About as luxurious as an ingrown hair.
Casey takes the architectural package, Stacy grabs the yellow taxi bag, Alex selects the Big Apple package, Tom takes the Statue of Liberty, Emily gets the subway bag, Courtland takes the Times Square package, leaving Michael with the Broadway souvenirs. They head out to their apartments and the blue team immediately decides to apply crown molding. Emily worries it’s going to be a time suck. These designers have to realize at this point that if their gut is telling them TIME SUCK, then the reality is going to be TIME BLACK HOLE.
Over with the red team, Tom suggests painting the bathroom blue because it would match the mood of a Wall Street financier. They talk about clean-lined furniture, and Courtland suggests keeping the windows free of treatments to emphasize the view. The other two disagree, and Courtland just throws up his hands, comparing the dynamics to a democracy. I’d compare it more to Courtland, please take up for yourself a little bit more.
After shopping for accessories, Stacey pulls the plastic yellow taxi from her bag and says she wants to make a mosaic with it, and Courtland starts laughing. This is when the vibrant yellow of that bag comes back to haunt her, and she realizes she doesn’t know how to incorporate it into the room. Excuse me, comes back to bite THE TEAM. And then she starts cutting drapery from drop cloths. Remember that ingrown hair I mentioned?
The blue team is busy painting and cutting crown molding, except guess what? It’s been cut wrong AND Casey is installing them upside down. Donald Trump, Jr. isn’t going to notice that at all.
And oh no, is this really happening? Back at the red team, Tom is painting the entire bathroom blue, including the ceiling. And not just any blue. DARK blue. It looks insane, I’m sorry, just… nuts! So gloomy and small. And then wait! STOP! He’s painting the door blue, too! It looks like a giant Smurf exploded all over the walls!
Crown molding over at the blue team is proving to be the time suck Emily had predicted. In the meantime, Alex creates a pillow out of his souvenir package, and Emily is making a collage/art piece out of hers. There’s a bit of discord among the team when Michael gripes that Emily and Alex lack the ability to see the big picture, maybe because he’s been stuck with building all the furniture. And then he calls Alex’s pillow ugly. Michael, that is just below the belt! So cruel! You’re going to get hate mail from the pillows now!
More terribleness is going on over at the blue team as they set up their bed and fail to actually make it a bed. And then they’re left without any art in the room, and even though Tom said he’d get to it he’s stuck painting the door back to its original white. And then Courtland asks Stacy to kiss his coffee mug with red lipstick “to create a story line” for his souvenir. INGROWN HAIR. INGROWN HAIR.
Time for the judges’ walk through, and the blue team is up first. The place looks really elegant and soft. The judges like the crown molding (although Don, Jr. does notice that the execution is off, who told you so?!), and they love the metallics, patterns and textures. Everything is really muted, but instead of being boring, it reads very smooth.
And then the read team…queue horror film music. It’s so incredibly sparse, and Don, Jr. says that this is something he’d see in a college dorm room. The judges remark that the implementation of the souvenirs is, for lack of a better word, LAME, and then they see the bed, the sad, deflated bed. But then they walk into the blueberry bathroom and every one of them says, “I hate it.” Don, Jr. says it’d be his job to make sure no one would ever see this room.
Lemme guess which team loses.
I’m right. The red team is headed to prepare host presentations, and Alex from the blue team is the designer who impressed them the most. How’s that ugly pillow treating you now, Michael?
Stacey is a mess during the shoot, and Tom is standing behind his blue bathroom. Courtland decides to make fun of the space because he’s so angry and admits that his presentation will not save him. And then back at the judging studio, Courtland can’t keep quiet. He says Tom spent much too time on the bathroom, and when given the opportunity to explain his choices, Tom doesn’t make any sense. Vern describes it as a cave. Really? Not a disastrous cave? Because that’s where I’d go.
Courtland then tries to defend himself, saying that he couldn’t get his voice heard, when Vern says one of the truest things ever spoken: “Some of the absolute worst designs are designs by committee.” As a former web designer, I COULD NOT AGREE MORE.
Stacey takes the blame for the bed, but can’t really explain herself. These guys are as much a mess as that room! She even admits to having no creative process here at all. And then grades herself at 60 per cent. That’s when Vern steps in and says that since that wouldn’t even be a passing grade at Parson’s, it’s not a passing grade for HGTV. And she’s out of there just like that! Without even a glimpse at her presentation.
BUT GET THIS. They aren’t finished yet! Double elimination time since Don, Jr. was so appalled. Tom’s video is up first, and he’s having a hard time keeping his eyes connected to the camera. He’s also a little wordy and uncomfortable. Courtland apologizes for his video before they even see it, but it’s actually kind of funny. He doesn’t seem angry, per se. Just a little fed up. And he’s having a sense of humor about it. Although, Genevieve is not laughing.
Vern thinks Courtland seems more natural and is learning in terms of his hosting skills. Vern says that Tom needs to be more engaging and cover more real estate in the space, and then the decision is handed down: Tom. They couldn’t get past the blue bathroom. There’s a joke in that last sentence to be made, but I won’t make it. I will say, though, that this means we get to ogle Courtland for a least one more week!
Yeah!
Stacey and Tom are gone!
That room was HORRID!!!!!
I can't even belive it! It was a disgrace to
design!!! Blueberry bathroom…..
I mean yuck!!!!!
Wow! Did they choose these designers this season for their looks, because so far I haven't seen ANYTHING that impresses me? I'm a floral designer and love to decorate my own home, but without sketching skills never felt that I could pursue an interior design career – I'm starting to think I should apply to the show! I am so disappointed this season – they seem to not even care, where is the passion? I mean, they decorated for Donald Trump and the room that won had crown moulding applied flat on the wall with (what was that?) glue in the corner painted purple.
Yikes!
Sherry, if you think you have mad skills in the style and design areas, don't let the fact that you cannot sketch get in the way of a design career. There are many successful designers that cannot draw a thing. There is terrific software available to help you with that problem. All you need is style, creative vision, and the confidence that is required to be a designer. I am a designer and I am also an artist, but you don't have to be an artist, at least not on paper. Go for it girl! I totally agree with what you said above, it seems to be a beauty contest this year. Most of these people seem to have little to no experience. Maybe if they gave them good challenges and let them do at least some of them on their own, we might be able to see what they are each made of.
I have been watching the show each week, and I am quite amazed that they do not give these designers carpenters and seamstresses. I truly do not think that this is fair, because it is not their responsibility to construct furniture, I think that this is out of their scope of work. David Bromstad received assistance from a carpenter, an assistant as well as a painter. These designers should be given this help as well, it would really help pull together their aesthetic. Shame on HGTV for not giving these very important tools!
Amen to that!!!
I agree TOM & STACEY acted as if they were on some kind of drugs… I mean they were "sketchy"!
I am so relieved that Courtland is still there. He's definitely one of the best designers on the show but consistently gets bogged down by incompetent team members.
Disagree! What has Courtland designed? Terrible combination of furnishings this week and NO design. His use of souvenirs–a ridiculous 0. (How about the yellow wall he "designed" a few weeks ago, and called yellow a "soothing" color!) His biggest contribution…complaining about everyone else, and yes, complaining on every challenge. This and overexplaining his poor results. SHAME ON the producers for allowing someone who bashed his own team's design to continue on the show after this Trump episode debacle. Please let us not have to endure this pretty face for another episode!
I have two major comments about this season… first, I don't think ANY of these people can really carry a show. None of them seems to be a standout and at this point in their competition, they should be doing better. This is definitely the worst bunch ever. Now that may be do in part to my second irritation with this show and Food Network Star..what is up with all the group competition? These are supposed to be individuals vying for an individual show, yet every challenge seems to be a group challenge. This does a couple of things, it makes it impossible to get an idea of what they can do as individuals. Secondly, it is unfair to them when they have to count on others for their continuation in the show. It puts them at too much of a disadvantage.
I agree there is too much group competition. We really can't get to see what anyone can do on their own.
completely agree for design star. As for FNS, at least they do have to cook individual dishes, there's no question on who cooked what.
Poor pitiful Courtland… Bull….. he needs to grow a pair and demand his ideas be incorporated.. How many times do the Judges have to tell him that? If I was fighting for my own show NO ONE would tell me not to put a chair in a room!!!
So then you would come across looking like a bully (Nina) and probably be spending most of your time arguing, instead of designing…The whole point of this show is to reward someone with their own design show…They're not having multiple hosts for one show, or maybe they are?…I personally don't know what the purpose is behind these team challenges…They certainly don't do anything to showcase each designers individual design styles.
I LOVE Courtland… His ideas are great… What was he supposed to do? Knock the 2 idiots out and do the apartment all by himself? He is professional and a professional is NOT going to start a fight on TV.. Now that would be unprofessional… I do think that these group projects take away from the show.. I want to see the INDIVIDUAL designs from the designers like on the very first episode… This may be the last season i watch this show.. unless they start treating them as individuals instead of a group that they are supposed to be individuals? Makes no sense to me…
Other than the striped wall in the 2nd challenge, can you name one great idea that Courland has had? Because I can't.
I am just glad that Courtland stood up for himself since they didn't listen to him on not making window coverings or doing the blueberry bathroom.
When did this become Vern's show anyway? The other 2 judges hardly say anything and I can't stand Vern as the host! I wish they would not deliberate in front of the contestants. This show is so bad and I keep watching hoping something will get better and even 2 person teams would be better than the larger teams, this show has been so bad this season.
Courtland only has a good television appearance. But, design wise he is no better than the rest of them!
Thank God that's over…I don't like that we're are never told how much of a fee they are given to do these projects…I still don't understand how you can force one team to go with one less person to help out…That just doesn't seem fair, and what Courtland said about the team thing is true…Is he going to start a fist fight to get what he wants there, or is he going to go with the theory majority rules?…Vern's an idiot.
To be fair, I'd imagine that in professional design, the ability to sell your idea to your clients is pretty important, so maybe that's what they mean about making your voice heard. But the thing is, the other two contestants aren't your clients or your employees. If you don't want design by committee, then stop doing team challenges!
Exactly Barbara, and that's why I thought Courtland brought up a good point…I couldn't imagine if the pip squeak squawker was actually a contestant, instead of a judge…I would love to see how he would implement his ideas if others didn't want them…He would be literally tossed across the room like a midget in a dwarf tossing contest.
Mark, thanks for the laugh!!!
You're welcome Annie…I just reread my message and noticed a typo in my original message…That's what happens when you're too tired to go back and proofread what you've typed…So I guess I'm an idiot too! – LOL…Anyways I don't have anything against any of the judges, but they're making me not want to watch any of their own shows, and from what I've read here, I'm not the only one.
I definitely agree. Vern has been pretty unreasonable throughout this whole season.
Yes whew. It was painful this week. And yes what is the $ amount they are given? and I missed the beginning so I didn't know if they mentioned the length of time. Important aspects to know. What Courtland said was significant. He voiced his opinion many times on things and was overruled. In a group that doesn't have a designated leader the only thing you can do is compromise or fight. I think he chose the right path.
Can't agree more. In a group project, you either compromise or fight. If you fight or push your ideas on others you risk coming off like a "Nina". The producers probably love this drama and think this helps ratings. Actually it hurts designers the credibility and we never get to see grow into TV design stars. We the viewers lose. It doesn't matter who wins at this point.
I think that your point is correct in that the producers probably want them to fight, as it makes for drama. I've been trying to find out what the ratings are for DS this year, and haven't been able to find them. Last year it did great in the ratings, and I'm wondering if the change in format and producers has had an impact on the ratings.
One more person wasn't going to change or help that design though. Imagine if Nina was still there… it would have been worse with ridiculous abstract square art. It didn't have any kind of cohesion. That team didn't understand the importance of an overall idea (except Courtland who mentioned it many times) and that wasn't going to change with another follower on the team. That apartment was awful. Tom and Stacey are not strong designers, and it clearly came through this week. Tom should have had this in the bag with all the talk about being up-scale, luxurious, elite, classy with design.
But it does give you an extra hand to help out…For example if there were only 3 people on the other team, would Casey have been able to waste so much time on those messed up crown moldings? And Vise Versa, the other team would have had another person to help make some art, since Tom was apparently lost in his Blue Blue World.. .www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9ea1mEfHBI
Dang that link didn't work…Try this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA52uNzx7Y4&feature=r...
Nina would have done a bold color wall to "contrast" tom's blueberry bathroom (bold colors – toddlers will love it. Who in their right mind considers blueberry a SPA color?) – and she'd have squiggly lines going across. Her painted cardboard squares were a one-off. Well stacy, you outlasted Nina – though not by much. I agree, tom has no excuse for not producing a luxury look.
I admire the work of all 3 judges but I think Candice would be the best to decorate the Trump apt. I'd really love to see her take on the same challenge, same rules with the same cheesy "props". She's super talented – do you think she could pull this one off?
Not without a boatload of cash!!
i agree i used to like vern but now you're right he is a big idiot they should watch the real show instead of the finished room at the end i mean courtland did everything he could to be heard but that tom idiot and the moron stacey are so loudmouthed and arrogant that he can't be heard i mean stacey a taxi cab under glass?? my two year old cousin could do better than that this season is just junk enough said
The team could have had 10 members, and in no world would tarp ever be an appropriate fabric for drapes, would blueberry be a color in a spa or a taxi cab under glass be an accent.. Cortland could have easily taken responsibility for one room and gone to town.
The bedroom looked like it belonged in a motel that rents by the hour and the "guest" had to leave in a hurry
Maybe I'm giving Courtland a little too much credit, but I think perhaps he was aware how important the client was and new if things bombed he could force a double elimination. Not that it was hard for him to do. He just had to let his teammates make the world's worst design choices of their lives, but maintain his opinion against those choices. The way he was celebrating, I wouldn't be too surprised if that was the goal, but again – - maybe I'm painting him as too devious. Either way – a great decision to kick both Tom and Stacey off.
Where did they find these people? What happened to attention to detail etc? Both rooms were bad. One was worse than the other. I am sure both rooms look very different today.
I agree! None of them seem like they have any talent. All they seem to be able to do is contempory, I myself hate this style. As far as the Trump building the rooms were far from being luxurious, they looked like they threw them together and what did the judges mean by giving them such stupit things to put in a space like that. I'm very disappointed in the show this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When I heard the twist I immediately thought this was going to be awesome like the White Box of Season 4 with Dan's orchard from the grocery store or the White Box Season 1 with David's pet store design. I really thought some creativity would be evident, but I was sadly disappointed for the most part by everyone's execution. Michael at least had an idea that wasn't strictly art, but it didn't look like it gave off enough light to be functional. And now next week is a kitchen challenge… these people have ruined enough rooms, hopefully this isn't someone's house. From the angles, I think it's like a white box kitchen, but I don't see this challenge going well either. After next week though, they have GOT to start doing individual challenges. Gen even said that you can't hide anymore in the preview for next week.
This is the worst season ever. The next one to go should be the producer for picking such duds. I have lost interest in who wins. If any have actual talent it has not been given an opportunity to be seen with all of the group challenges. I have no concept of the individual design aesthetic of any of the "designers". Perhaps they have none. I enjoyed the first two seasons but downhill since then.
People with no idea how to install crown molding installing crown molding. Someone who never sewed a curtain making curtains out of a drop cloth?
When Courtland made the comment about the drop cloth drapes I lost it. Couldn't stop laughing.
here's a small question: WHAT HAPPENED TO THE INTERNET? isn't it fairly easy to grab a computer and use a tutorial for installing crown moulding or sewing a specific pattern for drapes? i concede that there may be limited time and computing/wireless resources, but COME ON! i would never walk into a tennis match without having studied the opponent, i'd never take an exam without thoroughly preparing, and i'd never enter a competition like this or any specific project without having done my homework. i thought this group is supposed to be smart?
Do you see the clothes that these contestants are wearing to paint and to do wood work? Are you kidding? who does that? That Tom guy was painting like a 5 year old! These people need to get down and dirty in their jeans and t-shirts! We need to see some sweat!! This is a C-O-M-P-E-T-I-T-I-O-N people!!!!!!
I couldn't agree more. I was amazed that the judges thought either apartment was even passable. Where did they find these people? None of them can design their way out of a paper bag. A show of their own?! You must be kidding.
When Vern reminded Stacey that 60 percent is a failing grade, a small part of me really wished that she had retorted, "Not in Canada."
that would have been hilarious
I thought she was overly generous with her self grade – she didn't deserve 60%.
This season is so bad! I think they should fire them all and just start over! No one is standing out, that is in a good way.
I agree—they have gone down hill since the first one—if I can find something else to watch on TV. I never watch Design or Genevieve(she acts like she is so superior to everyone) A&E has a great new show–it comes on the same time as Design—-
what is the name of this show and what is it about?
Were these contestants in an unimployment line and looked like they could be hired as cheap help? I agree that this season is so bad. I keep watching to see if anyone shows any talent. They don't. Who did they know to get on the show????
I so agree. I enjoyed the previous seasons. This season is hard to watch, even when recorded. Where did they get this group????? What's up with these lame challenges. I thought this was a design show. I can't me wasting my time watching this or the "winners" show.
agreed they should definetly get rid of the new producer
They have a new producer? Well, this one is worse than the last one, lol!
I agree. There is not one person on this show that is good enough for a show of their own. Worst season ever.
Almost from the beginning I had a hunch that Alex will be the winner. The show doesn't pick the best designer, just the one that fits the demographic (gay man, straight white woman, mixed race woman, straight white man, etc). Who is missing? A straight, black man! It doesn't matter who is best (see Mickey V), but who can get the best ratings. I wish the show would be honest and select the best based on talent so I kind of agree with you sherri that they should start all over.
anyone disagreeing with you that they're choosing demographic need only look at last year and antonio. he didn't even deserve to be in the top two, let alone win.
I think this whole season is a big joke. I haven't seen one room that they designed that I would want in my house. Get rid of the inspirations, flowers, clothes,etc, and let the designers design a room with some taste. I don't think any of the designers deserve their own show. I am so disappointed with this years show. I feel like I am watching Survivor Design Star instead of a really great show about designing rooms by people that are professional designers. Get rid of Mark Burnett and send him packing before he ruins Design Star and no one watches it any more. Send him back to the Island.
Exactly, I agree!! Just start all over. I am so embarassed of the show. They don't deserve to be on the show.
I really enjoyed this evening – primarily because I watched Mad Men rather than this increasingly sorry excuse of a show.
LOL…That's a good show.
I'm going to look at A & E and see their design show next week.
Yeah, other networks are coming out with awesome design competitions!
I agree, although I could kick a few people on Mad Men too!
Ha, Ha, Ha!!!! Not a bad idea for next week. Thanks for the idea!
Shark week's next week so I'll probabley be watching that instead. I'll probabley read the comments and decide whether recording or watching on Friday. Too bad HGTV can't do something like food network's Challenge– 4or 5 designers design a demo room for clients instead the show pieces and cakes and food recipes and the winners get the job or some money. I wish that Food network Challenge was on later.
Are we ever going to have another individual challenge?
Apparently not until the end and even then they could tell the finalists they have to design a room together. I would not put it past the judges or who ever comes up with the challenges.
Can we get a picture of the blueberry bathroom???
are you kidding?
Courtland's a douchewaffle and should have gotten punch in the throat during judging. That would have knocked the smirk off his face. He can't be gone soon enough.
"gotten punched"
I completely agree
WHAT IS A DOUCHEWAFFLE?
The next step beyond douchebaggery.
I LOVE douchewaffle, I hope you enjoyed my nickname of toupette for the Donald Jr.
He was soooooooo mocking the show! I don't blame him. It's a joke and he's figured it out! Ha, Ha, Ha, ha……………………