Ask the Producer: Dream Kitchen Challenge
Each week, we ask Design Star producer Loren Ruch your most-asked behind-the-scenes questions. This week, Loren shares the funniest moments from the shoot with guest judge Paula Deen. Plus, what really happens during the judges’ deliberation process?
What was it like being on set with Paula Deen? What was the funniest moment of the shoot?
Being on the set with Paula made me wonder, “Is it really fair to call this ‘work’? I’m having far too much fun to consider this part of my job!” She was a bundle of fun energy and kept the entire crew laughing from start to finish, especially during moments when she’d say things like “Cat Fight!” during a tense moment in evaluation. However, my favorite moment with Paula happened behind the scenes when I saw her looking very ‘seriously’ at her iPad. I thought that something important must have been happening to her at that moment, and I asked “Are you okay? You look concerned. Do you need anything?” She replied, “Darlin’, I’m not concerned about anything…I’m in the middle of a tense game of Angry Birds!” I started to crack up…and so did she. She’s a burst of fun, positive and insightful energy!
How long is the actual time the designers wait for the decisions and how much of their conversation while waiting is edited out? Have the judges ever been deadlocked about who to send home?
Excellent question! Deliberation can run anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours or more. During that time the Design Panel talks through the camera challenges, design challenges and any thoughts they have — and eventually come to a conclusion on their own. There have been disagreements on a particular decision from time to time, but they have never ultimately been deadlocked.
What happened to the kitchens after the challenge?
In a challenge like this (which took place in a studio rather than a real home) the items are either returned or donated. However, if we were doing a challenge at a real home, the homeowners get to keep all of the furnishings that were part of their makeovers.
With the next kitchen challenge, next time, could you do a challenge using a small kitchen done efficiently, incorporating lighting new counters ,eco-flooring and material choices and types so we can learn from the kitchen designs?
We’re in the very early stages of discussing challenges for next year, so I will definitely add this to our suggestion box. I think that it’s a wonderful, relatable and interesting idea!
Do you have a question for Loren about the inner-workings of Design Star? Ask in the comments below and he may just answer you next week.
Oh thank the lord! She is GONE!!!!!!!
I am terribly disappointed that Tyler was voted off last week to the point that i can't take another minute of this reality tv trash. Really?!! I would prefer tyler's unique design over some of the blahness/yawn/amateur designs. There was NOT one kitchen that was worthy & this may be due to the time constraints imposed on the designers and that they are paired up. Give the designers independence & more time to showcase their expertise. after all, the show is about design and get rid of the drama queens and obnoxious personalities. you have all stooped to a new low by allowing cathy/amarosa to continue on. kevin's design was less than professional & yet you chose him over Tyler??? Perhaps Genevieve needs to remember some of her tacky/horrid designs on Trading Spaces before she insults her peers. lastly, tyler did the backsplash, walls, table area and leslie created one area. yet, he was voted off. i'm disgusted
Thankfully the judges sent Cathy home for her lack of owning her design. Throwing a fellow designer under the bus didn't work for a change! Now I can watch this show and actually enjoy the show!
Hail Dorothy !
Ding, Dong, the witch is dead. Ding, dong, …
Oh wait – wrong show.
I cant believe cathy has a show in Canada. I guess their brains are frozen up there.
My early predicition is holding;
Kellie vs. one of the boys: Karl, Mark(my fav), or Kevin
Harvey
I think that the flowers should of been done by a florist, with the designer chosing the style of flowers and colors. to much to do in to little time.
Mark and Kevin part was not so great. marks skate board could fall on the guest as it did when he was putting it up.
Karal , who fought for his reconition of doing the design on the celing was what you wanted him to do.
I am enjoying homes by Novagrats show, maybe you should think of putting two designers together for a new tv series.
Who can work together the best,
Kevin and Mark wore not the best this week if you would of looked at how dangerous Mark display was.
I agree with so many points made here. Totally love Vern Yip but I am tired of hearing him say (to whoever had to work with Cathy) that you need to fight for your say. Haven’t they figured out the problem (Cathy?)? The judges really do need to watch some footage before they critique!! Even though I hate Cathy and scream at the T.V. whenever she starts talking, but lets face it she has no taste. Whenever she gets something all her way it is not liked and crticized. I can’t believe she has her own show! Which bigwig is she blackmailing? Fire her, and kick her off Design Star!! I am sure that one of the contestants that does not winDesign Star (maybe runner up) would do a much better jon than Cathy Hobbs no matter what kind of show it is, and they probably wouldn’t alienate the majority of North America!! Seriosly if she even makes it to the Finale of Design Star I will not only stop watching Design Star but never watch HGTV again!! Please get rid of her in some humiliating way, that wiuld probably make most if not all of your viewers deliriously happy!!
Would like to agree with the comment about more eco-friendly
challenges … an increasing, unfulfilled market on the west coast.
For instance, the designers could shop at ReStore, the stores
benefiting Habitat for Humanity that carry donated and/or
pre-used building supplies.
well I am a week late but I want to express my opinion. I feel that design star did a little gay bashing when they got rid of tyler. It is funny the episode where he mentioned his husband is the saqme episode where he gets sent home. The week he talked about his son he won. wow think about it.
Could we find some more 'grounded' and less arrogant judges like Giada, for example?
Paula Deen is so full of herself and obnoxious…I could hardly bear watching this episode. And…that phony…worn out…'Hi, Y'all" needs to come to an end!
PLEASE HELP NEEDED COLOR FOR KITCHEN -BLUE PEAR CONUTIER TOPS -WHITE CABINS, HARD WOOD FLOOR MED BROWN FLOOR ,WHIE STOVE,MICO WAVE,AND FIRE