Candice Olson

Featured Blogger for HGTVersus

Aug 1

Candice’s Recap: Episode 4

Kathy Ireland

This week’s challenge took our designers to the Jersey Shore and the home of the Spring Lake Inn. This time, the gorgeous Kathy Ireland stopped by to lend her design expertise — this woman definitely didn’t get the memo on aging! The challenge: Turn old-fashioned bedrooms into up-to-date spaces. Once again, the designers were paired up. I love when that happens because it’s so interesting to see how well they work together — and often, how well they don’t.

Meg, Mark and Karl joined forces on the large suite. Talk about a dream team! They had a great time working together and it certainly showed in their cohesive, beautifully detailed room.

Meg Mark and Karl Shopping

Karl, Mark and Meg In Their Finished Sitting Area

This this was one of the smartest, best-designed and well-executed spaces in six years of Design Star. Meg’s contribution to the room was bright, bold, beachy and perfectly “Meg.” Her fantastic use of color helped to finally show her true colors and I really like what I see. She has absorbed everything the panel has been saying to her.

Meg Bedroom Nook

Meg's Amazing Bedroom Nook Makeover

Karl is definitely rising to the top as well. His wall detail was so clever and his table-turned-wall-mounted consoles will surely see all of America karate-chopping their old nightstands in half.

Karl's Wall-Mounted Coffee Table

Karl's Repurposed Coffee Table

I’m not sure I quite shared Vern’s excitement about Mark’s rope ladder. I do think it shows a meticulous work ethic. However, spending eight hours creating a rope ladder — well, all I know is that somebody probably didn’t get their knot-tying badge in Boy Scouts.

Rope Ladder By Mark

Mark's Rope Ladder

Leslie and Tyler were paired up and what a match made in heaven this was. Leslie wowed with her repurposed carpet artwork — loveeeeeeee it! And Tyler’s chairs worked perfectly in the room.

Leslie and Tyler In Their Finished Space

Leslie and Tyler's Finished Space

The faux fireplace treatment, however, was a stinker. These sorts of finishes need to look authentic to be successful; simply trying it isn’t enough. More importantly, a good designer knows when something isn’t working and adapts. I don’t think Tyler was “feeling” his “faux,” but he kept going. Simply painting the washed-out whitewash and sanding the finish back to reveal a bit of the original finish would have given the fireplace the rustic, casual character he was after.

Tyler With Fireplace

Tyler's Fireplace Faux Pas

I loved their individual touches, but as a whole I think the room was a bit dull. I just wanted a bigger WOW factor — more color, texture, some kind of a statement or point of view — so then it could have been as exciting as Meg, Mark and Karl’s room. Overall it was a success: a good room, just not a great one.

Personality powerhouses Cathy and Kevin were a team on the third bedroom. Let’s start with Kevin’s floor. The bad thing about it? The finish scrapes off easily. The good thing about it? The finish scrapes off easily, making this milky, mucky mess of a floor at least easy to fix (but still inexcusable). Combine that with Cathy’s uninspired moldings and matchy-matchy style and this room was a total snooze-fest. Again, this pairing was proof that when working as a team in this competition, you need to truly be united. If your working relationship is a red-hot mess your end results will surely reflect it.

Kathy and Kevin in the Finished Space

Cathy and Kevin in Their Finished Space

Bret and Kellie did the last room. Brett’s headboard design puts the hard “C” in comfort — youch! Aesthetically speaking, I think it was just as painful, as the white squares looked like primed canvases screaming out for color, pattern and texture. In bedrooms the headboard is the element with which to make a statement. Where Brett could have been the hero, well, frankly, he blew it.

Bret's Uncomfortable Headboard

Bret and Kellie's Misguided Headboard

However, there were some nice elements in the room: The bird chair was brilliant and their space plan worked beautifully. But Kellie, no more kindergarten artwork. Ever since this show aired my 5-year-old and 7-year-old have been begging me to invite you over for a play date. They’re great kids but as a designer I don’t think that’s where you want to be.

Bret and Kellie's Sitting Area

Bret and Kellie In Their Room's Sitting Area

Meg, Mark and Karl’s room was a “suite” success and Meg was a shoe-in for the win. I kept waiting for the real Bret to show up to the competition. I know he’s in there, but unfortunately it was too late and he was sent home. Kevin’s rise and fall showed us that each week it’s anyone’s game. Next week is the Dream Kitchen Challenge. If the past years’ competitions are any measure, the process of creating the Dream Kitchen can prove to be a designer’s worst nightmare.

What did you think of episode four? What questions do you have about the bed and breakfast challenge? Tell us in the comments below; Design Star producer Loren Ruch will answer the most popular queries on Wednesday.

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Posted at 10:00 pm

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730 Comments

  1. What is it with Kathy? She can't work with anyone and it is already showing again on next week's preview. Doesn't the judges get to see any of the footage while the show is being taped before the final vote? It would show that Kathy can't work with anyone.

    clr on August 1, 2011 at 10:03 pm
    • I agree totally. I can't wait until she gets voted off, which should have happened already if you ask me. Why does she think she is the boss all the time? The only thing she has shown so far is that she can shop when she is spending someone elses money.

      Teresa on August 1, 2011 at 11:20 pm
      • Oh yes! Cat woman loves her some shoppin' and leavin' her grunt behind to do the work. Don't like her at all. Bad attitude, too.

        kkat on August 2, 2011 at 12:21 pm
        • Couldn't agree more. But what chaps me even more is that she has her own blog, and is openly advertising for people to vote for her in the online poll – check it out: http://cathyhobbs.wordpress.com/2011/08/ Does she really think that people who watch Design Star would want to watch her online, or that there's a big enough audience that DOESN'T watch DS that would watch it?

          Speaka Some Truth on August 3, 2011 at 9:07 am
          • Contestants are allowed to ask for votes – via FB, their websites, etc. Cathy has an extensive presence on social media.

            Nestings on August 3, 2011 at 10:41 am
          • Most viewers want to watch talent and real people do wonderful things. Most of us do not appreciate watching people walk all over everyone else and be a monster to the world. It is already a pretty ugly place especially in difficult financial times. We don't appreciate constant tension and stress in a show. We prefer pleasure and maybe some of the types of mistakes we all make from time to time. We like to see ourselves there sometimes. If I envy someone, it surely wouldn't be a bitch like Kathy.

            Lyn on August 3, 2011 at 11:02 pm
      • This is not a personality empowerment show; a competition. Like sports, they play to win…Cathy disagrees and let her partners know face to face. Once she has spoken, she moves on. I think this is commendable. She doesn't hold grudges. Perhaps most of you are still holding on to high school mentality… "Don't disagree with me, cause if you do, I won't be your friend…I will ditch your name" Cathy is a good sport, she disagrees, but is not disagreeable. All of you bloggers are hating for the wrong reasons. She is not the only contestant who disagrees, and says things on camera. Professionally, what she says in on point. Let's hear your opinions on the other negative people and stop focusing on every word out of one person's mouth. Be fair or get lost!

        By the way, get ridge of Emily! I can't listen to her for more than five seconds. She looks tacky too.

        carolmac10 on August 4, 2011 at 3:15 pm
        • Feeling alone in the world?

          William on August 5, 2011 at 1:42 pm
        • I must disagree and you don't have to be my friend. Kathy is nasty and not on point. She has a very bad superiority complex and thinks she is the only designer on the show with talent. She does very little work and has no real sense of design. She is a stager with an over-blown ego. She is a bully and does all the shopping which cheats designers that she is paired with out of the opportunity to show their sense of style. She is skating by, has never been on a winning team and has not been an individual winner. Kathy is not a happy person and her expressions show that. She takes out her short-comings on every other designers and I feel terribly bad for the people who have to sttempt to work with her. None of the contestants are perfect, but most try to make the best of the stress and tension of the competition. KATHY MUST GO AND SOON.

          Beverly on August 7, 2011 at 9:06 am
          • Agree completely, She isn't even enjoying herself, but why bring everyone eslse down with her. She is miserable.

            Julie on August 7, 2011 at 5:59 pm
        • Unfortunately for cathy, her likability factor on TV is very, very low. Does she come across too pushy and arrogant? I think so. No matter what you think, it is very important to appeal to viewers and cathy doesn't.

          kkat on August 7, 2011 at 3:10 pm
        • Sounds like a loyal friend posting here…..not someone who is seeing the real truth about her.

          Rose on August 8, 2011 at 10:08 pm
    • I wanted Kathy to go home! I don't understand why she's still there. She has been consistently at or near the bottom with her efforts. I don't like her demeanor and when she told her partner never to talk to her like that again, it was right after she'd talked more disrespectfully to him. BOOO!

      kkat on August 1, 2011 at 11:29 pm
      • I didn't realize people felt the same way I did. Kevin handled her perfectly, it could've gotten alot uglier. Cathy must go, she is agorant and nasty, not team player. Who would watch her show, really????

        Julie on August 7, 2011 at 6:03 pm
    • I am with this and below. Can't the judges see she always wants things her way and never listens to whoever she is working with and then when they assert themselves she makes a big deal! Get her off already! I do think this is a more talented group then last year over all. BUT Cathy goodbye goodbye already!!

      susan on August 2, 2011 at 12:10 am
    • Omarosa HAS to GO!!! She seriously makes me NOT want to watch the show. It Is RIDICULOUS!!

      scubagolfjim on August 2, 2011 at 12:33 am
      • LOL Good one!! I was thinking the same thing on the very first challenge!! After all she did win 3 Emey's, for being a b-tch I would bet!!!

        Dode on August 2, 2011 at 3:20 am
      • too funny , my friend calls her Omarosa, too. I like her work , but what a nightmare she his to work with.

        Terry C on August 3, 2011 at 10:42 am
      • That is what I was thinking.I actually thought of turning the channel while she was on.She is one of those people,that does not think,anyone can do it better than her.Probably the clients too.I would not want to hire her.Big deal she has been there and done that.She needs people skills.Go home Kathy!!!

        patricia Fox on August 6, 2011 at 1:37 pm
    • Seriously!!! She comes across as a DIVA BITCH!!! Absolutely cannot stand her! If she wins, I will turn off HGTV!!!

      Cyndi on August 2, 2011 at 1:06 am
    • I totally agree!! She is arrogant and strangles the other designer's ideas all the time. It's all about her. She shows no joy….very cold personality. I would never tune in to watch her on TV! Time for her to go!

      missy on August 2, 2011 at 1:11 am
    • Get RID of that talentless, classless, mean, ___itch, Cathy! She is a loser. I have been wondering why your panel did not send her home already. Please already. There is no reason whatsoever she has survived the cuts so far. I would much rather watch Brett who was sent home. Well, in fact, I would never watch Cathy and HGTV is my favorite channel!!

      Guest on August 2, 2011 at 1:23 am
    • Saw that preview for the 5th episode with Karl and Kathy looking to argue before the judges. If Kathy gets him booted off, I am done with this show. Karl is so relaxing to watch. I love his personality. (screwed the table and nailed the camera challenge ahahahah). He's talented to boot. So really, Kathy better not get him booted out and strangle his chances.

      ruthie on August 2, 2011 at 2:47 am
      • I totally agree. For some reason, all the judges seem to place blame on whomever she is paired with instead of on her. Does it not occur to them that she is the common denominator in every partner challenge that goes bad? It's like, if you've been divorced five times, maybe it's YOU!

        Babs on August 2, 2011 at 11:35 am
      • I really agree with you. I like Karl. I wish our votes counted for or against the designers.

        Meme on August 2, 2011 at 4:59 pm
      • Karl really has what it takes. I hope he can improve his camera ability. He is friendly and super talented. He has always a new excellent idea for each space he works with. I feel he has what it takes and hope he is the final one to get his own show.

        Lyn on August 3, 2011 at 10:58 pm
    • She does not play well with others…..Give her the boot……Her attitude is awful….what a biache

      dode on August 2, 2011 at 3:16 am
    • Thumbs up! You are so right! Send the too proud-of-herself, no-talent Kathy home next, pleasssee!

      guest on August 2, 2011 at 8:59 am
    • I agree!

      Michelle on August 2, 2011 at 10:46 am
    • Next week! :) Have to work as a team.

      BAB on August 2, 2011 at 11:36 am
    • Get rid of Cathy.

      pokey on August 2, 2011 at 3:14 pm
    • I agree. Everyone that Kathy has worked with is pushed aside. She does not like to work either. What a prima donna!!! Kevin has now worked with someone who is pushy too. Kevin is not what I call a good designer.

      Pam on August 2, 2011 at 3:31 pm
    • I 100% agree. Kathy cannot work well with others, hands down. And don't get me started on her evil eyes…. I would not watch her on HGTV. Please send her home.

      Sarah on August 2, 2011 at 3:34 pm
    • I agree- she seems to be just plain LAZY and does not play well with others- did she not learn those lessons in kindergarten??? I truly hope that the judges get to view the footage and see what goes on behind the scenes – because they really need to!

      Letta Gano on August 2, 2011 at 4:36 pm
      • I agree! I can't imagine having her come in to my house … if she can't work or collaborate with the other designers, can you imagine how she treats her clients?

        benngie on August 4, 2011 at 1:00 pm
    • I coudn't agree more with your comment! I think there should be a teamwork portion in each challenge. The judges should call people out who act like she did.

      Meme on August 2, 2011 at 4:56 pm
    • I agree….artistic style isn't anything when you have to be a team player….she has gotten along with NO one……whoever is her partner needs a handicap score for putting up with her S***.

      jmurphylone on August 2, 2011 at 6:14 pm
    • Please send her home !!!!!!

      candice on August 2, 2011 at 6:35 pm
    • Is she Omarosa's sister from The Apprentice?

      bosmom on August 2, 2011 at 7:18 pm
    • agree with you!!! She is so annoying, and hr taste is not great yet she thinks she is God's gift to design!

      wisdomsrl on August 2, 2011 at 8:01 pm
    • I also believe Kathy should be voted off, girl can't play with others well.

      Pati on August 2, 2011 at 8:54 pm
    • I thought the same exact thing…… The judges should read these blogs and so should Kath because NO ONE would watch her show if she one… She is not a team player and no one wants there home designed by a designer who can't work with a homeowner…. ARG…SEND HER HOME PLEASE!!!

      Vickie W. on August 3, 2011 at 3:47 am
      • I'm so frustrated I just caught 3 misplellings in my reply LOL …. oh well… Go Home Kathy

        Vickie W. on August 3, 2011 at 3:49 am
    • I agree with all. I have been trying to figure out why the judges haven't warned her about her behavior. Isn't their job to make each one of them better? I also think, because of her inability to get along, she may be holding some of the other talented designers back. I know not everything in life is easy but I want to learn about decorating and be inspired, not always clinching my fists with frustration when I hear her badger someone else.

      Martha on August 3, 2011 at 9:42 am
      • Oh, that is very well put. Whether a designer is working with an individual client, or a TV audience, they need to be IN SERVICE AND ATTENTION TO their client and/or audience. Vern is, as is Candice, Genevieve, Cari, David, etc.

        As a former designer, the very first and foremost step is the vision, then a plan, then patiently implementing all the steps needed to organizing the outcome, while including supportive staff with dignity and respect. Every project involves the vision and cooperation of others, as no designer can do any major project solo. Interior design is a people business.

        Cathy is a 'My way or the highway' control freak. She did and does not stop to acknowledge nor respect the input of her design partners. I would HATE to work with her, and would also, never hire her.

        Cathy needs to decide whether she wants to be happy or right. And HGTV needs to see her as incompatible with your viewing audience.

        marieswan on August 8, 2011 at 7:39 am
    • I agree –Kathy is a snob and would just turn viewers off—it's too bad because she does have style.

      gowe22 on August 3, 2011 at 10:19 am
    • I can't stand Kathy. To put it bluntly, she's a bitch!!!! She can't work well with anyone. She won't listen to anyone and everything has to be her way. Get rid of her!!! If she became the winner I would never watch her and would never want her to design any room in my home. She doesn't listen she would do what she wanted not what you wanted or needed. I hope she is voted off next week she really deserves to be.

      Randi on August 3, 2011 at 3:43 pm
    • i totally agree, in fact I signed onto this website to say that exact same thing. Let me add that with her lack of personality (other than her self centeredness) she is NOT someone that I would like to watch on ANY show.

      Linda on August 3, 2011 at 4:20 pm
    • She is super annoying!!!!!!!!!!

      She bossy, and super lazy, has no skills, just one of those who can talk, but don't know how to do anything. She totally sucks!

      Pinky on August 3, 2011 at 4:33 pm
    • I agree Kathy is the worst of the lot. She treats the others as if they are there to work for her. She needs to go. I am sick of watching here drama

      Gibsoc on August 3, 2011 at 4:49 pm
    • Amen! It is Kathy's way or the highway. Her mom did not teach her to play (or work) well with others. I feel sorry for the designers who have to work with her. Hope she is gone next week. I really do not like the show when they are snapping at each other—-and Kathy is always the one snapping.

      K. Carpenter on August 3, 2011 at 8:12 pm
    • I agree!! Kathy doesn't work well with anyone but herself. She doesn't even give the other person a chance to put anything into the mix. She tromps all over everyone. I'll bet if she had to do a spot with one of the known designers, she would walk all over them too. She is too hung up on Kathy and her abilities. The mistake was quoting all those 'awards' she is supposed to have gotten. She thinks she is already an equal to the real designers.

      Lyn on August 3, 2011 at 10:54 pm
    • First of all, who is Kathy? Second, if you are working with someone, there is always some type of disagreement. I would suggest that CATHY allow her partners to do what they wish to do, don't care so much, and let you people (kathy haters) see why she argues with the meatheads. Carol Mac

      carolmac10 on August 4, 2011 at 3:08 pm
      • Sorry Carolmac, but Kathy is the meathead. I am not a player-hater, nor a Kathy-hater, however, she cannot work with people. You are wrong when you say that there is always a disagreement when people work together. Kathy is not a team player — she walks in assesses the situation and them announces what she is going to do and that is SHOP. She is LAZY and leaves all the work for the designers that she is paired with and proclaims that they don't have the skills that she has. Who died and made her QUEEN OF DESIGN? From what I've seen they all have skills. All may not be Design Star potential, but they have talent. I have yet to see Kathy's talent. In this week's challenge her contribution was the most drab, boring, matchy-matchy set of bedding that I have ever seen. I don't care about her so called credentials — I want to see design ability. She wants to win by taking everyone else down and is arrogant or stupid enough to think that people would vote for her. If she's so good why is she begging for votes on her blog? Talent speaks for itself and so far she hasn't shown any. Did you happen to see her Spanish mosaic table?

        Beverly on August 7, 2011 at 9:53 am
        • Wholeheartedly agree, Cathy can't work with others, and that's all HGTV designers have to do. Plus she isn't very good, aside from shopping her design style is sedate, too constrained, and her personality is so cold that I'm hard pressed to recall an enjoyable moment with her on screen. Plus I've been to Barcelona and visited many of the Antonio Gaudi buildings, which is what she was trying to reference with that mosaic tile and boy was it pathetic. Both her style and herself need to loosen up. I was really hoping to root for a minority woman but she is so antagonistic. I think the only reason she hasn't been voted off is the drama for ratings. I really enjoy Karl, Tyler, Meg, Kevin, and Leslie (when she's in a team). Would love to see more of them in the next episodes. I'm wondering if HGTV is planning a team show for the winner, they seem to have a lot of teamingup this season. Last week's basement team was awesome.

          Soccer Senorita on August 8, 2011 at 3:56 am
    • I don't see much creative vision in Kathy. She's abrasive, yes, but her point of view can easily be showcased at a chain decorator showroom, as well. She aggrandizes her "global perspective"–and completely fails on an interpersonal level.

      Dina on August 4, 2011 at 6:53 pm
    • I think Kathy is so bossy. I also think she is uninspired in her work. I don't see her as being able to work with clients either.

      Sarah on August 5, 2011 at 1:51 pm
    • What I don't understand is why Cathy is second place in the voting. Do all you bloggers vote your 10 votes every day? I just realized a couple of days ago that I could vote again and again. After you vote, wait a moment for the next screen to come up and you'll see a "vote again" spot. I am so turned off by Cathy that I would have turned off the show except for wanting to see the other designer's work. Still may end up turning it off if she isn't voted off soon.

      Cori on August 6, 2011 at 6:58 pm
    • I'm very tired of Ms. Doesn't-Play-Well-With-Others.

      weary on August 7, 2011 at 1:31 am
    • I agree 100%! Kathy does not know how to work with people and I'd hate to be in her employ. The problem is that she sees herself as the only one with design talent. All of the participants are designers and she has to learn that the best road to success is to use the expertise of the person(s) that she is paired with. She is not a team player and certainly not a team leader.

      Kathy has demonstrated that she does not want to roll up her sleeves and work. She thinks that she should give orders and leave the nitty-gritty work to the other designers whose talents she finds questionable. This gives her an excuse to skip out on everyone and shop.

      She has been getting by because she does most of the shopping and has had the opportunity to find one or two nice pieces of furniture. Kathy has not been on a winning team nor been the individual winner on any of the projects. She doesn't realize that she is the problem. Kathy is a piece of work who doesn't want to do any work and should be sent packing.

      Beverly on August 7, 2011 at 8:36 am
    • Totally agree, I mean would she be entertaining on her own show. How many Jeff Lewis' do we need. Though his show is hysterical, she is not funny, fun, way to serious. Is she even enjoying herself? Do everyone a favor SEND HER HOME!!!!! She is meiserable.

      Julie on August 7, 2011 at 5:44 pm
    • Kathy is the worse and this week her tv challenge comes in first. I cannot stand looking at her. If she gets a show I will make sure that I never watch it. I think they might be leaving her on for the ratings.

      Michelle on August 8, 2011 at 10:02 pm
    • I agree she gets on my nerves. She is too cocky and pushy. She looked shocked that they didn't like her cluttered design. She does not work well with others, but the others need to stand up to her.

      Jinet on August 8, 2011 at 10:05 pm
    • Cathy needs to be sent home. She is rude, pushy, and a pain. I enjoy the show and look forward to the competition of the designers until Cathy comes on the scene. I wouldn't let her design my compost bin!!!!

      judy on August 8, 2011 at 10:32 pm
    • I so agree with you. The panel always gets on to the poor guy who got run over by her, instead of getting on to her. It is so irritating. And then on tonight's show, she bully's Karl over the staging. Then in front of the panel she denies that he even said anything, saying, "This is the first I'm hearing of this." He was trying to have some input and she's like "I got this. I got this!" And she physically shoved him away!

      CyndiCat on August 8, 2011 at 10:48 pm
    • This woman is so ANNOYING….OY VEY…GIVE HER THE BOOT!
      All shows need a villain, and she is it. She is the best VILLAIN..annoying as all heck.
      We have to watch each week and scream at the TV until they hear us! You know THEY know she's a PIA, but it keeps the fans screaming!
      If she wins, then I will never, ever watch my favorite HGTV again….they wouldn't do that to me, would they?

      Sophia92253 on August 8, 2011 at 11:58 pm
    • And what is it with her styling? My goodness, she is PROUD of that?
      It looks like she bought out HomeGoods and put every single item on the counter……yuck.

      Sophia92253 on August 9, 2011 at 12:00 am
    • I suggest that Clive should come on the show next week and give her the boot…

      Sophia92253 on August 9, 2011 at 12:02 am
    • Cathy must go … NOW ! why is she still there! Sorry she is a BITCH !

      Ken hollis on August 9, 2011 at 12:25 am
    • I'm with you – Kathy is obnoxious! She's always at the center of any controversy. Her ego has no match! Give me a real person like Kelly or Meg or Leslie or Mark!

      Julie on August 9, 2011 at 1:11 am
    • I agree, I think she's lazy and over baring and can not work well with others, all she wants to do is go shop while every one else does the hard work, I will not be watching her show if she is picked, and I was sooo bummed that Tyler got sent home in my opinion he was one of the best on the show, bring him back and send Kathy home…. yesssssss!!!

      kathy on August 9, 2011 at 7:51 am
    • I agree she is the one to go she can't work with anyone. She wants everything her way and last nights Kitchen looked terrible because of all her staging. The judges saw the arguement last night maybe the ought to look into it further.

      Miriam on August 9, 2011 at 8:07 am
    • Totally agree with you, can't imagine working with her on her on show.

      rocknpat on August 9, 2011 at 8:50 am
    • Kathy is a bitch and very pushy. I don't know why the judges haven't commented to her yet that you need to be able to be pleasant with folks if you are going to be a tv host.

      Nancy on August 9, 2011 at 11:50 am
    • Who doesn't agree Kathy has to go. She is so obnoxious. However, Mark and Kellie are a great team and I love both. Add karl and you have a serious triple threat. These three are so creative and have a great eye for what is practical to actually live with.

      CoffeeCat2 on August 9, 2011 at 12:22 pm
    • I totally agree. Kathy makes the show uncomfortable. If she has her own show I would not watch it. She's rude. There is enough of that going around without having to watch it on a design show where you want fun and inviting ideas.

      sherryc on August 12, 2011 at 8:42 pm
  2. OMG!! Send Kathy home!!! She can't play well with anyone!!!!!!!!! All she wants to do is shop and boss!

    Lori on August 1, 2011 at 10:06 pm
    • Cathy is NOT a team player! I can't imagine working on a show with her. What a nightmare! Send her home before she ruins someone else's chances of winning!

      joanpy on August 2, 2011 at 12:20 pm
    • Ya no kidding. If she ever won (which I know she won't, too cautious, predictable, boring) I wouldn't watch her after seeing Design Star. Too bitchy for my taste.

      HGfan57 on August 5, 2011 at 7:08 pm
    • Go Home Cathy, Go Home, You are miserable, who would watch you on you own show, really??????

      Julie on August 7, 2011 at 5:46 pm
    • I am in COMPLETE agreement. She proved it again this week that she is a 'control freak'. I promise IF she somehow wins, I will never, never, never watch her show. I yell at her now imagine a full hour of her. NO, NO, NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      B.J. on August 8, 2011 at 10:17 pm
    • Ditto a zillion times over. She irritates the holy daylights out of me. She's like someone I used to have to work with daily. PLEASE – get her off the show.

      Jenna Smith on August 9, 2011 at 12:16 am
    • Yes, She won this week but I won't watch anything she has to say because she is so bossy, my way or no way and I feel so sorry for her crew she would be working with. SEND HER HOME!

      angela on August 9, 2011 at 11:14 am
  3. Kathy looks like she was cast as the friction factor on this season. Her attitude and ego are insufferable, her design sense is not as strong as most of her competitors and she has zero ability to get along with others. Every season has the designer we can't stand, she is it this year.

    Kevin on August 1, 2011 at 10:07 pm
    • Ditto!! I find her presence insulting to our intelligence. Is this REALLY a bonifide competition or just a pitifully staged charade?

      Cindy on August 2, 2011 at 1:21 am
    • I so totally agree. I wish I could phone in and ask someone to send her home. She so gets on my nerves and just makes me crazy. I do not know how those who are stuck with her have been able to maintain their composure. Camera or no camera I'm afraid I'd loose it with her!

      thememster on August 2, 2011 at 1:35 am
    • Yup. She is this year's Nina.

      Rickapolis on August 2, 2011 at 2:46 pm
      • I was so glad last season when Nina was booted!

        Babs on August 2, 2011 at 3:28 pm
      • And do you remember Traci, the one who "threw everyone under the bus" from season 3?

        Penny Crowson on August 2, 2011 at 7:51 pm
    • You are so right! She is a ringer … Everybody else is bland….. She is the spark!

      Ken hollis on August 9, 2011 at 12:28 am
  4. I deal with difficult people and do not pleasure in watching them on a favorite design show. I have had enough conflict in my day, please improve the evening and remove the design and personality challenged contestant. I beg you!!! lol!!!! (you KNOW of whom I speak of)

    Laura on August 1, 2011 at 10:08 pm
  5. What's with Cathy? She always seems to have a problem with someone and her facial expressions throughout all of the shows seem disgruntled whenever the camera scans her rooms. The only time she smiles is when she's doing her camera challenge or is being told she's made it another week!

    kay laurel on August 1, 2011 at 10:08 pm
  6. Once again, no talent Cathy was lost in the crowd. Her lack of contribution
    to her room should have eliminated her. Bret's no great designer, but Cathy is worthless.

    erikcreature on August 1, 2011 at 10:08 pm
    • It should be noted that Cathy's Emmy Awards are local NY area awards not the national Emmy Awards. While they are all industry awards, they give out the local ones like candy at Halloween.

      erikcreature on August 2, 2011 at 9:23 pm
  7. I think the judges missed the mark on the concept of a B&B. They said the winning room stimulated which is the opposite of what patrons of a B&B are looking for. They don't want to be stimulated … they are getting away to relax and to experience serenity. Also, the rope … whatever it was … would offend any knot tyer or sailor.

    Sheilah on August 1, 2011 at 10:10 pm
    • I liked the texture and graphic of the rope, but what I didn't like about it was that these rooms needed to be kid friendly. Can you imagine a kid with that? There's no way they wouldn't want to climb it, which could lead to danger.

      Kate on August 1, 2011 at 10:35 pm
      • I totally agree. I liked the appearance of the rope but was very concerned about the safety factor for children. A child could accidently hang himself in that contraption.

        Freddie on August 2, 2011 at 11:09 pm
    • i thought marks rope was not that great.. yes if he had bought it good choice i agree but that fact that it took him so long to make it such a turn off. y would anyone hire him to design a roo,m he takes hours and days just to do one part .

      TiffiiKrista on August 3, 2011 at 3:12 pm
    • Sheilah, I fully agree about the rope knots. My sister-in-law (a sailor at heart) made a beautiful tied rope for a stair well. So looking at Mark's rope design, the first thing I thought was he needs to learn how to tie knots.

      summerRain on August 3, 2011 at 7:15 pm
  8. Kathy is awful if she can't work with another designer how could she work with clients – I guess she just tells them what to do and like. Please send her home. I would not watch her show!!

    jea on August 1, 2011 at 10:10 pm
    • That's what I wanted to say! "I would NOT watch her show!" Exactly. She is so disrespectful of the other designers!

      Kate on August 1, 2011 at 10:36 pm
      • I really wish we knew if the judges ever read these blogs. I have yet to read one single positive thing about Cathy. Why is she still there? Does she have blackmail info on them or something?

        Babs on August 2, 2011 at 11:38 am
        • All the episodes of this show have already been recorded. The winner has already won and is probably beginning to work with producers to hammer out the logistics of his/her show. It doesn't matter if the judges read this or not, they're already finished taping. This isn't like the early seasons when our vote decided the winner.

          dgm on August 2, 2011 at 6:30 pm
    • Me neither! I think she is very arrogant and would ramrod most home owners into accepting a design plan that they may not like.

      Michelle on August 2, 2011 at 10:48 am
    • I agree wholeheartedly!

      begee on August 2, 2011 at 11:04 am
    • To quote an old cliche 'You hit the nail on the head' Why does Cathy/Kathy keep making the cut week after week? I don't understand the logic in keeping her. Can't anyone see how rude, uncooperative and singular she is? Maybe she should go back to onscreen journalism.

      Ann on August 4, 2011 at 1:40 pm
    • Kathy is a stager–she doesn't work with clients that live in the spaces. I would not watch her show either.

      HGfan57 on August 5, 2011 at 7:10 pm
  9. i missed it. who got voted off?

    mary on August 1, 2011 at 10:11 pm
    • Brett

      Brenda on August 1, 2011 at 10:17 pm
    • Bret

      Jill on August 1, 2011 at 10:23 pm
      • Bret did, he had an uncomfortable headboard and he did a bad job repurposing a table. Also, Cathy once again shows that she can't play nicely with others and once again gets away with it.

        Emily on August 2, 2011 at 8:11 am
  10. I agree that Brett was the weak link in this episode but what is it with Kathy? I really don't think I could watch a show with her "know it all" attitude! Does the panel of "experts" know about the drama that goes on during the tapings and is that taken into consideration? After all, there are alot of people they need to get along with in order to make a show successful!

    Mlamb on August 1, 2011 at 10:11 pm
    • I had told my wife that either Cathy or Brett would go this episode. I'm really sorry it wasn't Cathy.

      Rickapolis on August 2, 2011 at 12:49 pm
    • No one seems to get along with Kathy.Surely the judges won't be blind enough to produce her show.I would not watch this sour faced,full of herself,and self centered person in a show.I would rather not watch her compete anymore,unless by some miracle she learns to play nice.

      Gelli on August 4, 2011 at 2:50 am
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