Candice’s Recap: Episode 3
I’m still out shooting Candice Tells All, but don’t worry — I’m still watching! This week, the stars of HGTV’s Home by Novogratz, Cortney and Bob Novogratz, came by to give their perspective on our designers. This challenge was the most important one yet: working with actual clients in their homes. The designers were split into groups and assigned two rooms in two separate houses. The assignment: Give some old rooms new life.
First up was the Callegaris’ house. Leslie, Kevin and Kellie took the basement, and Doug and Mark took the living room. The Callegaris asked for a living room that would suit large family gatherings, with plenty of comfortable seating but still have room to dance. Right off the bat it was obvious that Doug and Mark were not working cohesively. It was shades of Doug and J from episode one’s loft challenge, and their lack of teamwork showed. From their disagreement over wall color to poor furniture choices and a complete lack of passion in general, the only thing they did as a team was throw the challenge away.
Their living room was ridiculous from top to bottom. Nothing about it matched, and all of the furniture was pushed up against the walls. Just because a family asks for a “dancing space” doesn’t mean you need to set up the room for a full-time dance party. Doug really dropped the ball on furniture selection, and his accent-wall color choice was even worse. Mark fought him on it, but should have firmly put his foot down. His wood wall was clever, but he should have spent more time with Doug to make sure the other 80 percent of the room looked as stylish as his wall.
Leslie, Kevin and Kellie’s basement had some wonderful elements. Leslie is starting to show that she thinks like a “mommy,” which is a good thing. That collage with the children’s handmade drawings was clever and really added an important personal touch to the space; I know viewers are going to want to try that for themselves. Kevin’s family-friendly office corner was kitschy and chic, just like him. I loved that while it was functional, it was still classy and had great elements of design. And Kellie — smart girl tackling those boring structural columns to make an island. Creating that space in the center really worked and, overall, the entire room did look like one designer created it instead of three. Mark and Doug should take note.
Next was Christina Scano’s house. Tyler and Meg took the dining room, and Cathy, Bret and Karl tackled the entertainment room. Cathy set out to do all of the shopping while Bret and Karl did the demo. Good for them for standing up for themselves and demanding they do some of the shopping to showcase their own style. (Mark should take note.) The room had definite high points and low points. The high? Karl’s gorgeous mosaic backsplash. This is the first time in Design Star history that someone has started and finished such a beautiful tile project — and to think that he even broke all of the tiles himself is so admirable. That really showed us who he is as a designer, and I love that he broke out of his perfectly painted mold (even if his camera challenge was about doing graphic lines on a wall). Bret’s area was just sad. The furniture looked like it belonged in an office, not a home and, again, he didn’t give us that “edgy” side he keeps promising. And Cathy — we know you’re a great shopper, but this is not “Staging Star,” this is Design Star and you need to start designing! Ditch the “all neutral, all the time” and start having fun! Okay, but I did dig that coffee table — I’ll give you that.
Tyler and Meg’s dining room was really pretty. It was really pretty. Did I say it was really pretty? Because that’s pretty much all I can say about it. Tyler’s wall was inventive and made a statement and Meg’s refinished hutch was smart, but I wanted to go in and throw some trinkets on the table and family photos on the hutch to give it some personality. The space looked generic and I agree with the panel — it just didn’t look personal at all. But, it looked really pretty.
Kevin definitely deserved to win because that shelving was fabulous. I’m also giving Karl an honorable mention because maybe he’ll come do that mosaic tile in my house. Unfortunately, someone has to go every week and this time it was Doug. That paint color was just unforgivable.
Next week we’re headed to the Jersey Shore and the designers will have another chance to step up their game.
What questions do you have about the episode three? Ask in the comments below; the Design Star Director of Programming, Loren Ruch, will answer the most-asked questions on Wednesday!
I agreed with everything the judges said tonight. and with Candice's views as well. Doug does have talent, but needs to learn to work well with others & just isn't ready for this yet. Kathy should re-watch tonight's challenge to learn from his mistakes. Picking a nice table or having prior t.v. experience doesn't make her a boss or above compromise. Good taste isn't always good design. And an Emmy doesn't make you boss. Loving this season so far. David as a mentor is AWESOME! But, no offense to Tanika, I have to admit- I MISS CLIVE! He was a much better host. The "No Host" season last year was a bit of a let down for me, but if they weren't going to bring Clive back then David should be THE guy. Go Karl & Tyler!!!
Totally agree with you about Clive. Miss him and wish he was still the host!
you no I don't want to make this a race problem but it is DESIGNER JUDGES are this have been a problem with them from the first show, Now WHY did doug go home oh yeah because mark played it safe and worked on a wall and did not work well with Doug to help. and you think doug should have went home no he should not have went home. I LIKE THE COLOR IT WENT WITH THE BRICK the furniture was not right but doug did mostly ALL the room. I HAVE WATCH THE DESIGNER SHOW FROM THE BEGINING BUT NOT ANY MORE.They kept Mark because of his talnet to do wood work and that was not a good choice to me. mark should have done more then just a WALL. And as for kathy she do have to learn to work well with others better but on this show she did well kathy did the shopping and painting. what did Bret do stage a wall BRET AND MARK should have been in the botton two .
I'm sorry but your time would be better spent learning to write.
Very sweet to say "no offense to Tanika". This is the first season I'm watching the show so I don't know what Clive was like as a host but Tanika is wooden and soooooo uncomfortable onscreen and really detracts from the flow of the show. I don't think her role is necessary – she needs to go. I think DS would be better off without a host. David can comment during the onsite segments and the judges can cover Tanika's lines during the studio segments.
I liked the black wall shelves. Anyone know where there is a pic? Thanks
go to roomfu.com and click on the segment for this week. Actually, in their picture the wood looks dark blue
Loved the basement with Kelli, Kevin and Leslie. Goodbye Doug & Mark. Doug just doesn't listen.
Please bring back Clive.
I agree totally! Bring back Clive! He is much more entertaining than the current host.
I agree! Hogtie him if you have to…!!!!!!!
Don't remember Clive but current host is very annoying; sounds like she's trying to channel Tyra
Banks.
Tyra, you can see complete episodes of old Design Star seasons right here on HGTV; go back 2 seasons and you'll understand why EVERYONE loves Clive. You can visit Clive on Facebook.
I LOVE his self-deprecating humor. He was talented, charming, and got along well with everyone.
I agree. He was much more entertaining and fun to watch.__
Same here! The show just isn't the same without Clive! He made the show entertaining and fun to watch. I wish HGTV would just make him the host again! Nobody really likes the new one, her voice is VERY annoying! Just bring back what we all want: CLIVE PEARSE!
I totally agree – I'm loving the show, but NOT loving the new host. She's condescending and, really, what credentials does she have that give her the idea that she's better than the designers?
I loved the basement too. I think it'd be great for two people to win this season and do a team show. Of course, it'd have to be two people who've worked well together in the challenges, but it'd be more interesting than just adding a single person show. For example, it's a learning experience to see the Novogratz (spelling?) couple work together and meld their ideas.
If that kathy person says "Global Perspective" one more time, I may have to throw a bucket of paint at my T.V..not really, paint is too important to me… we are turning those words into a drinking game
Yeah… sooooo over her "Global Perspective"… Does she actually have a perspective on anything other than herself???
xD:D:D
I've been thinking about watching all this season's DS episodes with a pencil and paper and tallying the number of times she refers to places she's been in the world and her global perspective. Hopefully, I'd just have to rewatch the first 3 episodes and then next week will be the end of it.
Same here! She acts as if no one else has ever traveled to Morocco or Turkey or wherever she's been that makes her feel exotic and superior. She's like one of those obnoxious people you meet in a hostel who act as if they were the first person in the world to eat banana pancakes at a backpacker cafe in Marakesh.
LOL. Her show would be called "Global Perspective," where she tells her clients what they want, and no one would watch it.
OMG YES!! I'm sick of her already!! We get it, you're well traveled, ok already!!!
LMAO. She must be kin to Senator Lurch Kerry!!!!
Really disliked Doug's attitude and bad taste in color and furnishing. These contestants should be better screened to "work nicely with others" as the overbearing posturing of Doug and Cathy is not fun to watch.
I think they cast these folks to add "drama" they KNOW these personalities will clash AND it makes it easier in the first few weeks for the cut.
Tyler and Meg’s dining room was beautiful. Let the home owner put in their own photos and/or personal touches!
I agree. I see what they meant about it being a showroom more than a room, but the owner didn't leave them a lot of personal things to work with. You can only do so much if you don't have those personal items to put in!
Also have to agree. David B. is always reminding them of how things will look on camera. I thought their room photographed beautifully. I had to chuckle at Candace's comments because in our house we think she clutters up her spaces with too much stuff. To each his own.
It was beautiful!!! Kudos to them both bc that room did not look like that before they began. And yes let the homeowners come in and place their personal photos etc.. where they like.
I completely disagree with Candice concerning Mark. Mark did all he could to get Doug to give up on that hideous color. BTW – I loved Genevieve's description that it looked like "organ meat". This is a competition that each individual is trying to win and each is trying to impress the judges with some sort of wow factor. The color was Doug's and he wasn't about to give it up. How overbearing would it have looked had Mark painted over Doug's wall? Mark's only chance would've been to refuse to team up with Doug in the first place.
This season's designers were advertiesed to be the best group yet. I think the elimination choices made so far were quite easy and I suspect the next three at least will be as well.
I agree that Doug's color choice was bad, but Genevieve saying it looked like 'organ meat'? Wow, this coming from someone who had some of the worst paint choices and worst designs ever on that other show on another network, "Trading Spaces."
I totally agree. Doug was the problem, not Mark. Mark pleaded with him to give it up, but the color stayed. I think the judges are out of line with their criticism of Mark. What was he supposed to do, punch Doug out? That is the only thing that would have worked.
So glad Doug is gone. He refused to work with anyone. Cathy is the same way and her only contribution was the small table while the guys did everything else. How Karl was able to work so creatively in that environment is amazing. I really liked Meg's and Tyler's rooms but loved the super team of Kelly, Kevin and Leslie. Not only did they work well together but they were able to visualize their talents in extraordinary ways. The superb designers are emerging even though a couple keep trying to assume that they are better. Put karl, Meg and Kevin with Kelley, Kathy and Leslie and you have he final 6.
Woundn't it have been interesting if Doug and Cathy would have been teamed up…..?!
just read this but I had posted the same thing somewhere else about an hour ago – great minds think alike!! Still, what fireworks that would have been
OMG!!! that would have been a disaster and too darned funny to watch
I'm glad Doug is gone because he was another one who thought he new better than everyone.