See what David thinks about the final challenge and the newest member of the HGTV family.
Chelsey Bowen is a Decorating Editor for HGTV.com. She is a lover of style, whether found in well-designed rooms or the latest fashion runways. Her obsessions include magazines, cooking, estate sales and her puppy, Baxter..
Spot on David. Your summary was simply fantastic. Congrats to Emily and best of luck to Michael.
I enjoyed your summaries of the shows this season so much David. It was a compass that I looked forward to seeing the direction it pointed to weekly.
Kizzi on August 23, 2010 at 8:34 am
I agree -you've done a really nice job with the vlog. I really enjoy your humor too.
Good luck in Miami
SYT on August 23, 2010 at 8:49 am
I too have enjoyed your professional and personal comments on your vlog. I would have liked to see Michael in the winners circle, but would have to agree Emily pulled off a fabulous style in the room for Tom. I do like Michaels concept for a show. It is tough for young people just out of college or on their own for the first time to make their space have a grown up feel, with little to no budget. By the way really enjoy the new wev site http://bromstad.com/.
Denise on August 23, 2010 at 9:57 am
SOOO Happy Emily won! Both me and my 8 year old daughter were really rooting for her. Although my daughter was really hoping Casey would be in the final with her. Michael did better than I expected he would, but in my opinion, his designs just haven't been that impressive. I have that same feeling when he reveals a space as when I'm watching Genevieve's show, it's like "Oh, ok. That's nice I guess". But Emily has that "WOW" factor, and that's why I watch these shows. I don't want to sit through a half hour of television just to think it's OK.
Jodi on August 23, 2010 at 10:37 am
"I don't want to sit through a half hour of television just to think it's OK."
As you indicated for yourself, Jodi, that's exactly why I have quit watching Dear Genevieve. Her space planning is not too bad, but she just does not pull off the details. The finished project often looks amateurish.
ksm on August 24, 2010 at 10:50 am
David's right that Emily's looked more expensive than Michael's, but the point of Michael's was that transitional phase, and it's directed to people who don't have a lot of money–that's why it was focused on making the best use of what you have (or can get from family–that was a nice idea) rather than going out and buying new stuff. No, that's never going to get an award for "most expensive looking," but I think it fit his topic better, not doing it. Gotta disagree on the hosting–Michael seemed more manic than energetic to me.
While most of the season has been silly with its challenges, i think it was really smart to make the final challenge be that mini-episode, since it really tests what it's all about. Now, if only it had used a real client instead of a fake client! Pretending to just be meeting Nina and Tom, while unavoidable in the context of the show, was jarring.
BuffaloBarbara on August 23, 2010 at 11:26 am
Hi BuffaloBarbara,
I really appreciate your comments, and I'm sure those same thoughts about Micheal's space not looking expensive entered a lot of other peoples' minds.
Here's the deal, though … they both had the same budget. They both had the same amount of time. Part of design, even on a budget, is going for "that look" as well as the functionality. Budget, while a consideration, shouldn't cheapen the design. I have been able to redesign two bathrooms and a kitchen on about a three-thousand-dollar budget. It made a huge difference for a tiny price.
Also, on the hosting … I liked Micheal's style, but Emily seemed more real and more engaging. Long term, that's going to win an audience over.
I definitely agree with you on the last point. Having the other designers as "the clients" was weird, but it worked.
Even three thousand dollars would be an awful lot of money for a starting-out kid in a New York apartment to have, though. Scraping together a couple hundred is often difficult in cases like that. (Heck, it's still difficult for me! Which probably explains why I'm still renting. Which, come to think of it, presents a problem with the concept–landlords tend to frown on tenants doing major renovations to apartments. I was allowed to pick a single focus wall and choose from one of three colors that the maintenance guys might paint it, and building a barrier? Fuhgeddaboutit. Hmm. That could equal a problem when the goal is to create entirely done over places. We'll say for the sake of argument, though, that it's a condo rather than a rental.)
I'm glad Emily won; I read her blog and think she'll be a terrific host. I haven't much liked Michael through the competition, and didn't like his hosting style. I just think that, given his concept of people on a strict budget, in this case, he was right to keep it tightly reined in. Affording a new bed and some construction is probably the outer limit of what someone in the position Nina was pretending to be in could afford. Of course, if they were having HGTV re-do their apartments, then presumably some money comes from the show.
BuffaloBarbara on August 24, 2010 at 11:45 am
Thanks, David for doing such a great job on your vlogs this season. As far as I am concerned, there will only ever be one AMAZING Design Star – and that is you!!! But on to this season, congratulations to Emily! She deserved to win with that final challenge. I love Michael, but I think her design was a notch more deserving. I think it would be brilliant for HGTV to hire Dan as Emily's carpenter. I think that together they have a better shot at engaging the audience for the long haul.
Michele on August 23, 2010 at 11:45 am
I agree that this final challenge was a good one. It made me mad, though, because if the designers had been able to design individually through more of the competition, they would have been able to show their skills and we would have been able to see their talent better displayed. Because they designed in groups, the rooms were not cohesive and were substandard. By the time the individual competition began, all but three designers had been eliminated. This is not only unfair to the others, but also changes the outcome of the show and begs the question…was the winner the best of the group? Emily's room was great…Michael did a great job too…they both did a good job of hosting…I'm not taking anything away from them. Because we didn't have the opportunity to see the others individually design rooms, we just will never know.
Suzi on August 23, 2010 at 11:50 am
One other thing I found odd…why in the world didn't the three judges step off their little platform and join the group? Why did Emily have to come to them? She's one of them now…they could have gone to her and mingled with the group. Do they think they are something special?? Hey, in case you haven't noticed, you put your pants on one leg at a time just like the rest of us. David, by the way, has done the best job of all. Loved the blog. It was a real positive bright spot in an otherwise dismal Design Star season. Back to the design board…make next year better or take the show off the air.
Suzi on August 23, 2010 at 11:50 am
Just another example of the disconnect between the judges and the real human beings that are the contestants. Among other things, there was no humanity to the critiques this season.
ksm on August 24, 2010 at 10:42 am
As I understand it, the fan vote is for a web-based show. It's sort of an odd set-up, since the designers eliminated later on–the ones who got further, in other words–have less of a chance at the secondary prize. Then again, Dan's in the lead, and that's a good.
BuffaloBarbara on August 23, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Did anyone else notice that the television was on just behind David's left shoulder? It was rather distracting. Someone should have turned off the TV- even if it is a flat screen and we are seeing it sideways- the motion and changes in light did show.
originalTQ on August 23, 2010 at 12:24 pm
I didn't notice it at all, so it wasn't distracting to me.
Laura on August 23, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Yes, I noticed it too – also found it distracting. Was it supposed to look like he just finished watching DS and rushed right over to give his thoughts?
I like David on ColorSplash (although he uses too many over scaled accessories for my taste), but have sometimes found his DS commentary to be a bit snarky.
ksm on August 24, 2010 at 10:40 am
didn't see it….so it didn't bother me.
CynFin on August 24, 2010 at 6:48 pm
I've noticed it in a few of his vlogs-as he's talking I was trying to figure out what it was-my final guess…a telenovela! He is in Miami afterall!!
I loved David's vlogs and his snarkiness! That's what made it seemed real rather than being so PC!
Spot on David. Your summary was simply fantastic. Congrats to Emily and best of luck to Michael.
I enjoyed your summaries of the shows this season so much David. It was a compass that I looked forward to seeing the direction it pointed to weekly.
I agree -you've done a really nice job with the vlog. I really enjoy your humor too.
Good luck in Miami
I too have enjoyed your professional and personal comments on your vlog. I would have liked to see Michael in the winners circle, but would have to agree Emily pulled off a fabulous style in the room for Tom. I do like Michaels concept for a show. It is tough for young people just out of college or on their own for the first time to make their space have a grown up feel, with little to no budget. By the way really enjoy the new wev site http://bromstad.com/.
SOOO Happy Emily won! Both me and my 8 year old daughter were really rooting for her. Although my daughter was really hoping Casey would be in the final with her. Michael did better than I expected he would, but in my opinion, his designs just haven't been that impressive. I have that same feeling when he reveals a space as when I'm watching Genevieve's show, it's like "Oh, ok. That's nice I guess". But Emily has that "WOW" factor, and that's why I watch these shows. I don't want to sit through a half hour of television just to think it's OK.
"I don't want to sit through a half hour of television just to think it's OK."
As you indicated for yourself, Jodi, that's exactly why I have quit watching Dear Genevieve. Her space planning is not too bad, but she just does not pull off the details. The finished project often looks amateurish.
David's right that Emily's looked more expensive than Michael's, but the point of Michael's was that transitional phase, and it's directed to people who don't have a lot of money–that's why it was focused on making the best use of what you have (or can get from family–that was a nice idea) rather than going out and buying new stuff. No, that's never going to get an award for "most expensive looking," but I think it fit his topic better, not doing it. Gotta disagree on the hosting–Michael seemed more manic than energetic to me.
While most of the season has been silly with its challenges, i think it was really smart to make the final challenge be that mini-episode, since it really tests what it's all about. Now, if only it had used a real client instead of a fake client! Pretending to just be meeting Nina and Tom, while unavoidable in the context of the show, was jarring.
Hi BuffaloBarbara,
I really appreciate your comments, and I'm sure those same thoughts about Micheal's space not looking expensive entered a lot of other peoples' minds.
Here's the deal, though … they both had the same budget. They both had the same amount of time. Part of design, even on a budget, is going for "that look" as well as the functionality. Budget, while a consideration, shouldn't cheapen the design. I have been able to redesign two bathrooms and a kitchen on about a three-thousand-dollar budget. It made a huge difference for a tiny price.
Also, on the hosting … I liked Micheal's style, but Emily seemed more real and more engaging. Long term, that's going to win an audience over.
I definitely agree with you on the last point. Having the other designers as "the clients" was weird, but it worked.
Even three thousand dollars would be an awful lot of money for a starting-out kid in a New York apartment to have, though. Scraping together a couple hundred is often difficult in cases like that. (Heck, it's still difficult for me! Which probably explains why I'm still renting. Which, come to think of it, presents a problem with the concept–landlords tend to frown on tenants doing major renovations to apartments. I was allowed to pick a single focus wall and choose from one of three colors that the maintenance guys might paint it, and building a barrier? Fuhgeddaboutit. Hmm. That could equal a problem when the goal is to create entirely done over places. We'll say for the sake of argument, though, that it's a condo rather than a rental.)
I'm glad Emily won; I read her blog and think she'll be a terrific host. I haven't much liked Michael through the competition, and didn't like his hosting style. I just think that, given his concept of people on a strict budget, in this case, he was right to keep it tightly reined in. Affording a new bed and some construction is probably the outer limit of what someone in the position Nina was pretending to be in could afford. Of course, if they were having HGTV re-do their apartments, then presumably some money comes from the show.
Thanks, David for doing such a great job on your vlogs this season. As far as I am concerned, there will only ever be one AMAZING Design Star – and that is you!!! But on to this season, congratulations to Emily! She deserved to win with that final challenge. I love Michael, but I think her design was a notch more deserving. I think it would be brilliant for HGTV to hire Dan as Emily's carpenter. I think that together they have a better shot at engaging the audience for the long haul.
I agree that this final challenge was a good one. It made me mad, though, because if the designers had been able to design individually through more of the competition, they would have been able to show their skills and we would have been able to see their talent better displayed. Because they designed in groups, the rooms were not cohesive and were substandard. By the time the individual competition began, all but three designers had been eliminated. This is not only unfair to the others, but also changes the outcome of the show and begs the question…was the winner the best of the group? Emily's room was great…Michael did a great job too…they both did a good job of hosting…I'm not taking anything away from them. Because we didn't have the opportunity to see the others individually design rooms, we just will never know.
One other thing I found odd…why in the world didn't the three judges step off their little platform and join the group? Why did Emily have to come to them? She's one of them now…they could have gone to her and mingled with the group. Do they think they are something special?? Hey, in case you haven't noticed, you put your pants on one leg at a time just like the rest of us. David, by the way, has done the best job of all. Loved the blog. It was a real positive bright spot in an otherwise dismal Design Star season. Back to the design board…make next year better or take the show off the air.
Just another example of the disconnect between the judges and the real human beings that are the contestants. Among other things, there was no humanity to the critiques this season.
As I understand it, the fan vote is for a web-based show. It's sort of an odd set-up, since the designers eliminated later on–the ones who got further, in other words–have less of a chance at the secondary prize. Then again, Dan's in the lead, and that's a good.
Did anyone else notice that the television was on just behind David's left shoulder? It was rather distracting. Someone should have turned off the TV- even if it is a flat screen and we are seeing it sideways- the motion and changes in light did show.
I didn't notice it at all, so it wasn't distracting to me.
Yes, I noticed it too – also found it distracting. Was it supposed to look like he just finished watching DS and rushed right over to give his thoughts?
I like David on ColorSplash (although he uses too many over scaled accessories for my taste), but have sometimes found his DS commentary to be a bit snarky.
didn't see it….so it didn't bother me.
I've noticed it in a few of his vlogs-as he's talking I was trying to figure out what it was-my final guess…a telenovela! He is in Miami afterall!!
I loved David's vlogs and his snarkiness! That's what made it seemed real rather than being so PC!