Ask the Producer: Episode 8
Each week, I chat with Design Star producer Loren Ruch about behind-the-scenes moments you didn’t see on the show. This week, I ask: why yurts? Plus, he offers some inside intel on the upcoming season of Design Star All Stars.
The Carpenters, Designers and Host With Producer Loren Ruch
It’s always fun to watch the non-traditional home challenge. How did you decide to do yurts this year?
We wanted to take small spaces to the next generation, so we decided yurts were the way to go! They happen to be very trendy right now, and Vern has stayed in something like 20 of them on his travels, so we knew he would be very excited to judge this challenge. I was really impressed with how they turned out, too. And for you diehard fans, I have a secret for you…in our Design Star All Stars series (which premieres Tuesday, July 31 at 9/8c), we’ll have another even more unusual small space episode later in the season!
It looked like the designers had fun with their celebrity carpenters! What was the best moment during the building of the yurts?
Not only did they have fun with their celebrity carpenters, they also found a new level of respect for what these guys go through on their own shows. Each group had a totally unique dynamic. Hilari and Jeff basically hit it off right from the beginning and were fast friends. Britany and Joel were a little bit like a brother and sister. Their dynamic was funny and extremely fun to watch because they were joking and kind of making fun of each other. Danielle and Chip had a nice rapport too. Chip told Danielle, “Hopefully I’ll be your good luck charm. It worked for Meg last season!” You’ll have to wait until next week and see if he’s one for two or two for two.
Left to Right: Vern Yip, David Bromstad, Producer Loren Ruch, Genevieve Gorder and Guest Judge Mark Steines
It seemed like the judges had a tough time making a decision this week! How long was the deliberation this time?
They had an extremely difficult time making a decision this week because there really wasn’t a weak space or a weak designer. And all of the judges LOVED Hilari – which made it even more difficult. The bottom line was that they needed to nit-pick for the smallest flaws that would make one room just a little stronger or weaker than the others, and unfortunately that meant sending Hilari home. But this isn’t the last time you’ll be seeing Ms. Hilari Younger…check out our cast for Design Star All Stars!
Where was the yurt episode filmed? Since it appeared to be in a public place, how did you keep the bystanders from revealing who is left on the show?
It was shot in Lake Balboa, which is located in Encino, Calif. It’s a beautiful public location that seemed perfect for this challenge. We did have a lot of bystanders, but we made them sign releases where they promised not to share any of the results that they may have seen! Thank goodness no one leaked anything.
Have a question or comment for Loren? Voice your opinion in the comments below and he may just answer you next week!
Looked at the yurts again, and thought Hilary's yurt met the goals she established at the start of the challenge – a Balinese inspired space. I think I missed the details she put into her design during the judges reviews, since I focused on the flaws the judges targeted. I wouldn't want to be a judge. Brittany is so creative and her ideas are regularly integrated with diy sidebars. Hilary is so alive I enjoy watching her and will miss her. Danielle seems very sophisticated with transitional/eclectic design and love her taste in clothes! Why does there have to be a winner? Put them all on a show somewhere. Ultimately, I guess Brittany and Hillary were my favorites, since the reviews did emphasize that Danielle melted down with incomplete designs more often than not. Will just have to wait for the judges' decision.
Danielle has the most annoying voice and style. If they truly wanted someone that people wanted to watch it was Hilari.
Agreed. She comes across as harsh.
I think they liked how Danielle looked on camera and how warm she was with the clients. She probably beat Hilari, because she and Britney look like Barbies. Hilari deserved to win, because she has such a sharp design appeal, she thinks on her feet and she is funny and real. Mikael also has a great personality. I thought Brtitney came across as cold and self-absorbed. Her revealed room appealed to me, because I prefer muted colors over clown colors. Danielle won fair and square if for no other reason than she used that awful artwork and made it work.
The judges got it wrong. I liked all of the final three but way and beyond preferred Britany's style. She never failed in her designs and was the most consistant in producing beautiful designs. She also showed during her 5min TV time that she could host a show wonderfully. So, I hope as another blogger mentioned that the fix wasn't already in for Danielle. I do think Danielle will do a good job, but the person that deserved the win and the new show because of her performance throughout was Britany. And she proved that she could handle the job. So sad to see someone that knew she should have won have to take a step back and have all the accolades showered on someone that should have finished third. So one of three things happened; 1) judges were told whom to select, 2) judges were jealous of Britany's beauty and possible success, or 3) the judges aren't qualified be judges.
I would have watched Hilari on HGTV, her design choices were more out of the box than many . Too many shows are beginning to seam to be cut from the same cloth. I was surprised to hear Vern has stayed in 20 Yurts so his negative comments on Hilari's Yurt were confusing as he is a designer. There were not empty spaces on either side of that beautiful bed. there was a large, tall sculpture to the right (if looking straight at the bed, & two items on the left) they stood alone in there own right yet did not compete with the bed. That bed, so detailed & exquisite, needed to shine on its own & All those elements brought balance to that part of the room given the many items & large cabinet in the rest of the room. More questionable was his criticism of the two bed panels jutting out on each end of the bed, I think it visually created a more intimate space from the bed point of view when sitting & looking out to the rest of the room, and those intricately carved panels with equally beautiful cut outs facing the bed would allow light & air in but the side panels brought in towards the bed covering those two window panels would help to create a cozy area, blocking out some of the light & sound, while helping to keep heat in when it's time for bed. Vern recently criticized someones room for not leaving some space empty!
What has happened to all the designer shows that used to be broadcast daily? I loved "Devine Design," "Color Splash," "Curb Appeal," "Design on a Dime," and the show that took an expensively furnished room and copied in much more economical pieces. HGTV used to be my favorite channel and now I hardly watch it because the same shows run over and over all day and evening. Please return to your former broadcasting schedules. Thank you.