Candice’s Recap: Episode 1
Design Star Judges Candice Olson, Genevieve Gorder and Vern Yip
Visit the Design Star blog every Monday after the show for Design Star judge and Divine Design host Candice Olson’s recap of the episode’s best and worst moments. Read her take on the season premiere, then tell us what you thought in the comments below.
It’s a new season of Design Star, and you know what that means — 12 designers are ready to show what they’ve got and win their own show on HGTV. And let’s just say, this isn’t a group of wallflowers. For their first challenge, the designers were asked to pick a partner to make over six rooms in their own living space. It’s always fascinating to see who pairs up, and this time was no exception. Here’s my take on the episode one action.
Surprisingly, Cathy and Leslie partnered up on the great room to great success. What could have been a disaster in mismatched personalities turned out to be a pretty cohesive room and early evidence of two very strong and unique design sensibilities. Cathy did drop the ball big-time on the uncomfortable, poorly executed banquette. (I think I still have indentations in the back of my thighs.) But Leslie chose a fantastic coffee table and, overall, their room showed great promise and I can’t wait to see what they do individually.
Leslie's tire-tread coffee table was a highlight of the great room.
Meg and Tyler struggled a bit with their bedroom. They made wonderful use of color and fabrics with their custom headboard, but unfortunately their bookshelf and poor accessorizing left much to be desired. It was as if they were making a meal with only half of the ingredients. I wanted to see a lot more from them, but luckily their intention shone through and they were both safe from elimination.
Tyler and Meg's purple bedroom seemed unfinished, but showed potential.
J and Doug were the last two designers to pair up and it seems like maybe they weren’t instantly drawn to each other for a reason. J has a clean aesthetic, and knows what she wants — which is exactly the opposite of whatever Doug wants.
Doug and J spent much of the competition at odds with competing personalities and design styles.
It’s too bad that her headboards were so amateurish; I was much more impressed by Doug’s use of contrast in such a small room. His choice of the bold patterned wallpaper and large mirror to add depth to the space was one of my favorite overall moments in the penthouse.
Doug's bold focal point was the highlight of the small bedroom.
Bret and Kevin paired up and can I just say — tangerine orange in a bedroom? The color orange is said to induce hunger, so instead of “relaxing” I would probably sit in that eye-popping room eating.
Bret and Kevin's bedroom had too many mixed messages.
They’re lucky we ultimately made them both safe this week due to a few smart choices in the space, because that suitcase on the bed was certainly tempting us to let Kevin go as he was the one who placed it there.
Kevin (and his suitcase) were safe this week.
Kellie and Karl’s bonus room was more than a bonus, it was my favorite room of all! They worked seamlessly together and did a fantastic job planning the space, and it showed. Everything they chose for the room was smart and savvy; from Kellie’s teeny-tiny nook to Karl’s beautiful mural, they hit a major home run. Karl called it right — he said he wanted to win the first design challenge, and he did.
Kellie and Karl's bonus room popped with color and personality.
What can be said about Blanche and Mark’s bedroom? They had a brilliant plan, but, truthfully the only thing that showed a finishing touch was Mark’s luxurious head of hair. I was disappointed with this room. The tea-light holders on the walls looked like doilies and the framed wallpaper had hints of potential, but they totally missed the mark with terrible execution. I did like Mark’s bookshelves, but, again, all the beauty was lost because they were unfinished. Sadly, one has to go every show and this time it was Blanche.
Blanche's wallpaper panels and Grandma-esque tea lights weren't enough to keep her in the competition.
The White Box Challenge is next. I can’t wait to see what the designers do with their spaces!
What questions do you have about the episode one? Ask in the module below or in the comments below; the Design Star Director of Programming, Loren Ruch, will answer the most-asked questions tomorrow! Plus, live chat with Loren on our Facebook page Wednesday at 12:30 ET.
I agree with Candice's comments and with the Judge's decision. From her portfolio I was rooting for Blanche but it just goes to show…
Yeah, me too. I was rooting for Blanche, Leslie, and Kellie.
Cathy…:) –
Why is your name Cathy…:)?
Because Cathy is kind of a snob. You know the Cathy on the show??
But she's good at designing…
Yeah, that's the thing
Yeah, I hope she doesn't win!!!!!
Every year, it seems that the same issues arrise…very ambitious, over the top designs are used by the designers to impress the judge panel. I am an avid viewer of "Divine Design" and "Dear Genevieve" and I have learned enough about design, time constraints and "measuring out spaces" that I could have done a better job than some of the experts. A beautiful and eye catching design does not have to take three days to finish if the plans are good. The critisms and praises by the judging panel were not only true and to the point, they were not cruel. Love Candice and Genevieve…if either of you would ever want to visit St. Pete to remodel a 700 sq foot mobile home, I would love to welcome you!
I agree with you, but would add David Bromstad and Color Splash to the list of shows I watch regularly. I have to admit to loving his group in Miami, but I sure do miss his team from California. I'd love for any of them to do a room im my home (when I have one I can decorate). I live now in a small apartment which I am not permitted to paint or use wallpaper, but in which I frequently sit and look at each of the 2 larger rooms and consider what I could do to make them look better.
The judging was spot on! Good show – can't wait until next week's challenge.
I'm rooting for Karl and Leslie for now. We'll see who else steps up. Good first episode though. I thought the living rm that Leslie and Cathy did with the exception of Cathy's bench was the best space. I had a concern about the rubber smell as well. Who would want their living rm to smell like Big Ten Tires?
where was the planning to me they just jumped in without thinking or was let left out for time reasons?
I think ths season got off to a promising start. I think there is some talent in this group. It is hard because David Bromstad set the bar so high. Glad to see him a part of the show.
I agree David set the bar too high; there have been good designers in Design Star but none like David !!!
Hear Hear!! I agree totally.
I realize this is the first show, but to me it's the "same old thing"………..everyone wants to push their own ideas, which is normal. I just haven't seen any talent in Design Star since David Bromstead. Enough said.
How exciting! This season is going to be tough. As for now, Kelli has my vote.
David is the bestest, as you guys said the bar was set high when he won season 1. I've been a fan ever since, but i mean where is even season 2 & 3 winners?
Kim has another new show starting this season or is it the same one. She's very talented. WHo the other winner was I don't remember. David is a DVR must with my sched. I wish he'd stayed in CA though I miss Ian. He's a guy that needs his own show!
I Agree with you Suescritters. I miss Ian and would like to see David back in Ca. I miss the lady who worked with them. She was great with color and design.
I agree–where are all the past winners?! We only see David, but he is tops anyway!
I agree with Brenda…..nothing new…..no new ideas.
I also have to agree….they really need to change things up from season to season if they want to keep the show fresh. Nice to see the mentor and host and not a repeat of last years disaster with Vern playing host and judge…that was one horrible season. It seems that Vern has also been given some tips on his commenting to the designers….less nasty and more constructive….hope that continues.
but vern's nastiness is funny. my favorite line from last season was "this looks like a rainbow threw up in here." LOL
the orange wall with "relax" was the worst design ever…for relaxation you need horizontal lines…and muted tones…the guy who picked orange should have been axed…i cannot watch him…
I think if they had used some horizontal lines that were aqua or some sort of blue, it would have brought that wonderful view into the room from the two adjacent windows!
I agree. Poorly executed wall covering was not half as jarring as that horrendous orange. The room overall is a disaster. Both partners should have been up for disqualification. Henceforth, the orange guy should leave his suitcase at every challenge.
Totally agree – orange is a POP color and is better suited as an accessory – the RELAX was UGH – should have used individual letters maybe??
Agree that the room was not good,but mostly am responding to your comment about horizontal stripes being a requirement for a relaxing space. No one "needs" horizontal stipes. That is right up there with "brown is the new black". Definitive design pronouncements are so silly since they ,like the trendy aesthetic they come from, never age well. ( flashback to the 90's: "these floors need to be pickled!", "this kitchen needs to be Tuscan", "these walls need to be fauxed")
Most likely you will "need" to paint over those horizontal stipes in 3 years when they become so dated.
You said a mouthful there, and I agree totally. I also have heard it said that orange is supposed to make one hungry, but I'll carry it one step further and add that Fuschia can be used to make one want to leave the room; which is why until about the last 10-15 years (I've lost count!), Denny's Restaurants decorated in orange and fuschia. Interesting idea, anyway.