Jul
4
David on Ep 6: “It Was ‘Toile-icious’…Not A Good Moment”
David on the “crazy soup kitchen,” plus whose design skills imploded during the “infamous, ego-crushing kitchen challenge.”
See David’s thoughts from the Design Star set:
Do you agree with David’s critique? Which designers do you think deserved to go home? Give your opinion in the comments below.
David, as a design you are great, as an artist real good and as a mentor, excellent. A host, not so much. It is hard to play both roles and I think you are distancing yourself from the contestants this season. Get a host next year and go back to being yourself. Also, your commentaries are fun, but you can be a bit on the mean side. Yes, Stanley's hands were awful. (Disembodied hands NEVER work IMHO), but waving goodbye was a bit obnoxious.
I agree – disembodied hands never work! I agree – let David mentor and let someone else host.
David I have watched your show since Design Stars first season I think you do a GREAT job as host. But it was mean for you to wave Stanley Off. He was my favorite of all the designers. I was sorry to see him go but those hands were wrong. Maybe if he had chosen only one style of a hand that might have worked. I will miss Stanley he truly is a wonderful designer and I woul d ask him to design any spot for me.
I was reading your comment and was laughing to myself, because David has consistently been completely attached and sympathetic to all of the designers maybe a little too much, until this season. I laugh, because I think it is the network that is making David be more assertive in his role as host. He doesn't seem to be comfortable in that role at all and you can see where sometimes he really doesn't have a problem asking them what were they thinking, but most of the times you can see the inner struggle on his face. People don't really watch shows that don't have enough drama in them. UNFORTUNATELY! I personally loved Stanley's hands, just not for a kitchen cabinet, but maybe in a child's bathroom to hang up their robes and towels….definitely.
I agree with you about the hands in a kids room, that would totally be perfect. I also agree that David doesn't really seem to enjoy being the Design Star host. He doesn't seem to be acting like himself.
I thought it was hilarious! So clever, too. come on, Design is cool, have a sense of humor!
Amen!
The hands would have made a great drawer pull on a dresser or, as another poster mentioned on this thread, in a kid's room to hang things on. Maybe even in a bathroom or anywhere else but on cabinet doors that swing open. David's waving goodbye to Stanley may have seemed mean, but maybe he was fond of Stanley and waving so as to say he was sorry to see him go. But I agree it came off more sarcastic, even though I'm not sure David meant it that way. However, Stanley's problem is that he does not listen to advice and stubbornly wants to do things the way the judges and David have already warned him not to do. You can tell that even from his closing remarks after his elimination. So maybe David was just fed up with him. I think Stanley is a good artist/sculptor/builder, but not an overall designer — did seem like a pretty nice guy, though.
I thought it was funny and very apropos
Why would anyone think a kitchen doesn't need upper cabinets? If you watch any of the property buying shows, kitchen storage and workspace are the first things anyone mentions. I also wonder why anyone would put wallpaper near the sink (or stove). Kitchens walls must be washable! Even in the cleanest kitchen, "stuff" happens and "stuff" gets on the walls.
Loved the colors in the red & blue kitchen, but the hands??? CREEPY. End of discussion.
The frames as a backsplash — hard to keep clean. Maybe would have worked if the photos could be behind a large piece of plexiglass – solid, smooth, easily cleanable.
I'm glad Rachel went home. She was turning into a know-it-all whiner. A little sorry about Stanley, despite the hands. I do think the best kitchen won, but ladies, you must do better in the camera challenges. Get to the point more quickly and remember to tell us something useful!
I watch HGTV Design Star with my kids every week and then we do a design challenge of our own. We discuss gracious losing and winning and how to work as a team. They love coming up with their own ideas and making videos presenting their designs.
My eight year old son, in particular, wants to become a designer himself. Stanley was his favorite this year and he was sad to see him go. If Stanley is a guest on anyone's show, I'm sure my kids would watch. We'd love to see him design a really cool playground or basement playroom.
My kids have become increasingly disturbed to hear that the contestants are kept away from their children. I have to travel for work and have to leave my kids for as long as a week with their father or sometimes with the grandparents. Beyond that they start to beg for me to come home. I see no reason for the contestants to all live in a home together without their families. Certainly younger children could be brought along and put in daycare during the day. Alternatively, the contestants could be paid enough to fly home for the weekends if they wish so that they have family time at least once a week. It is unclear how long the contestants have been away from their families, but from my children's perspective as viewers, it appears that they have been gone for over a month. A contestant appears to have expressed sadness about her child in last week's episode and is still missing her child this week's episode. My kids have questioned why Design Star is keeping the contestants from their kids. Certainly HGTV could implement more family friendly policies in future seasons.
I think all of this is gone over in the papers they sign- ie you will be living in the designer's condo and that there is a no vistor's policy… Point being they must know this before they enter into the competition. Frankly, all working moms make sacrifices- as you do.
Last I checked slavery was abolished 150 years ago! If she doesn't want to be away from her kids, then go home . . . oh yeah, she did!
I think that is awesome that you are incorporating it into your kids' education. That would be so much fun and I do love watching Stanley's ideas too. He's just not the guy to spearhead a general show all by himself.
As far as the time away from family, I suspect that since the whole competition is taped ahead of time, the actual time is a lot more compressed. I think that if they edited the show a little differently to make it clearer, it would be less needlessly depressing for families to relate to. It's not ever going to be easy, but even a statement like "I haven't seen my preschooler for ten days" would make it a lot easier to understand what the actual pressures are.
And I would love to see a follow-up with all of the contestants after the show ends! Maybe a two-hour special where we get to see their own homes and find out what they've done with their lives since the taping of the competition!
I've enjoyed Design Star this year. Vern has actually smiled. I've liked all the guest judges. The challenges have been interesting. I agree David has seemed harsh. Looking forward to the next couple of Tuesdays. I thought the ladies' kitchen was way overpacked with stuff but filling in the spaces looks good on camera. I concur with Michigan above, plexiglass would have been much better to put pictures or recipes or notes behind. It's so nice to have a show that's not House Hunters or House Hunters International!!!!
OMG yes! I am so sick of all the shows that are NOT design shows, House hunting shows should have their own channel. I want MORE design, you HEAR HGTV MORE MORE design!
AGREE!
I am so totally tired of House Hunters, too!!
I think the reason why there are so many HH shows is for the cost. AGREE- time to REDUCE HH to ONCE A WEEK- NOT SEVERAL times daily- BARF – Who cares whether someone chooses one house over another!
And enough already with "Holmes on Homes" all Sunday evening! One hour of Mike and the sob stories is plenty for one night. I just turn the channel, now, when he's on.
I loved Holmes on Homes when it first came on- a manly guy- and my husband even peeked in on it. BUT anything in overdose becomes too much. Imagine eating your favorite dessert day in and out- it soon becomes very ordinary and no longer a favorite. That is why I love the concept shows with rotating designers- ie you have been hgtv'ed. It breaks up the monotony.
Everytime I turn on the tv it's HH or HHI! I have come to the conclusion that except for design Star on Tuesday nights, just watch what I WANT on the computer. What's the use of getting your own show if no one ever gets to see it. I was perturbed that Meg won over the multi-talented Mark last season and where is her show? When are they playing the shows of the previous winners?
I agree totally with everything that David said about the designers. He truly is honest and has a great way of sharing his opinion. I feel that Rachel did not have the presence for a show and Stanley can make great architectural things but is not a total designer for rooms. I feel that the remaining designers are definitely the right ones to be remaining and I am leaning towards Danielle because she not only is a great designer but has a terrific personality which comes across every episode.
Karen, I agree with everything you said – good call!
You said it well, Karen. David really tries to save the contestants from themselves before the judges shred them for what David sees they are about to do that won't work. His advice is spot-on. Also, while I liked Rachel's portfolio and some of her work on DS, I came to agree that she just does not have the presence to host a television show. Danielle has looks, style, and grace (as well as a good speaking voice). Brittany's voice can be a little annoying, although she is talented too. I think Danielle has a slight edge over her, though. Plus, her caustic remarks last week when Danielle's room was chosen over hers might hurt her in the minds of the viewers. Hillari and Mikkel would make a good team on a show together because of the entertaining way they play off each other. I'm not sure either is ready to host his or her own show, however. But I am glad Hillari is still on the show and was not sabotaged by Stanley's mistakes. Maybe HGTV will find something for Hillari and Mikkel to do together because they are so funny on camera when they work with one another.
I agree, not only does she have an eye for design, she is grounded and focused…She's my first choice,
My fellow friends and I will not be watching this show again. Sad. We all agreed that Stanleys kitchen was something NONE of us have EVER seen before. It was BEYOND exciting… the kitchen that won, we each have seen in atleast 4 billion homes… BORING, DULL, NOTHING… and that female judge???? That 50 year old woman is wearing go-go boots? seriously???? is she trying to looking like a street walker??? and SHE is judging style? WE ARE DONE… pray you go off the air.
UM REALLY? I LOVE THIS SHOW AND SO DO MANY OTHER PEOPLE!
I think the right designers went home though I did like Stanley. I hope Mikel can step it up a notch. I agree with David being a little harsh last night. I had quit watching because Candice was too harsh. Genevieve has improved with the harshness. It is one thing to have constructive criticism another thing to be mean. That said – looking forward to next week.
David, I think you are a great designer and mentor, but these recaps are showing a catty side of you. I don't like it and am surprised HGTV allows it. Meg's vlog recap isn't catty or mean. Show a little more compassion, since you know how hard this is.
I have seen a bit of catty-ness in David on his shows but this is really a lot. Is this the real David, if so, I will not be watching his shows any longer? I remember watching Design Star the first time, I really liked David because he wasn't a jerk like some of the other players were, but I wonder if all his stardom has gone to his head.
I love you David, and I have followed you avidly since Season 1 of Design Star. But this cattiness is not worthy of you. I love you as a host and mentor, but you are looking like a back stabber and someone not to be trusted.
Sad to see Rachel go home. Mikal should have gone, but that would have left 4 women so I’m sure that factored in. I’m hoping the next design star will be better than those in the recent years. Hope the judges choose someone who decorates for the average family. I’m tired of the extreme decors that the judges seem to like. Choose someone with good design sense that will appeal to the average homeowner. Love Sabrina, matt& Sheri, &Jane from color confidential.
I so agree! I love the designers who bring style on a budget and miss Matt and Sheri and Joan Steffend. I think the network needs to better balance hi end and low end budgets. I was really sorry to see Rachel go home. Truly none of the final four have shown they could host a show of their own.
Mikkel did pick that great chandelier the judges liked.