Aug
22
David on the All Stars Finale: The Toast Goes To…
David breaks down the designs and the final decision. Plus, inside intel from the judging room.
Here’s what David had to say from the set:
Do you agree with David (and the judges)? Did the right designer win? Weigh in in the comments below.
Seems like this series has been searching for lasting members for the HGTV team, and on-camera personality ranks right up there with talent. Hilari would have delivered lots of information, good ideas, and a delightful presence on her own show. Meg's (un)Great Rooms is a perfect example of the judges choosing the least abrasive personality over creative talent. She's only inspiration for low budget tackiness. She'll be gone soon.
Leslie may look pretty on camera, but she's proven herself to be hell behind the scenes and her skill certainly didn't outshine Hilari's. I think H. could have delivered several seasons of delightful AND informative shows. Look how much Candice taught us over the years. We need more content and less wow factor. Antonio went over like a lead balloon.
I cried when Dan was sent home again. I think they're praying for another David Bromstad and it's not going to happen. Nobody has David's charm, but Dan is a gifted designer and craftsman, not a song and dance man.
After the last show, I was astonished Hilari didn't get a contract, though I don't want anyone painting my living room lime green and orange. I'd hire Tom in a heartbeat.
That's show biz!
Im a big fan of sophisticated elegance, and Im big on architectural detail. Architectural detail adds value that will stay with your place when its time to sell. In saying this Im totally surprised how hillary stepped up her game so much to make me a fan, she should have WON!! hands down. I love tom but he got tunnel vision and totally missed out on the opportunity of doing the deck. I don't like how you have to enter his place. Im happy for Leslie but Im not impressed with her space at all. The bed has no pillows, the sheets were stapled in place. It does not work as a bed at all. There's no innovation in having something thats not functional. Her space looked like a hodgepodge of sorts. Hilary I love your energy don't stop keep going, I see tremendous potential in you. like one judge said you will be unstoppable!!!!!!!!!
In the yurt competition, when posters said Hilari was robbed, I didn't agree. I thought Brittani deserved to win that one, even though it was close. But last night, I do think Hilari was robbed. I agree with David that hers was the best design. It was certainly the one I would most want to stay in. However, Leslie did do a very innovative thing with not only installing a murphy bed which becomes a chalkboard when folded up, but I love the way she put the storage unit beneath the bed, which does not interfere with the mattress when the bed is down. I do agree with Carter, though, when he said she didn't seem to have put much thought into the outdoor area. It did indeed look comfortable with the umbrella and chairs, but Hilari's deck was more creative, and she creative privacy with her planters on one side and the little fencing on the other. Tom seems like a nice guy, but so compulsive at times that he is stuck in his ways. I remember David clearly warning him to also make use of the deck area as additional living space. Whenever contestants ignore David's advice, that's almost always their downfall with the other judges, too. I fear that poor Hilari did not see the episode of the past Design Star season when Doug (I think) was sent home largely because of the salmon color he put on the walls. Genevieve hated salmon then, and I guess she still hates salmon. But I thought it was gorgeous, and I also like the throw pillow colors Hilari picked out, even though Genevieve did not think they blended well enough. Perhaps the colors didn't look as nice in person, but they looked great to me, and I'm not a big fan of salmon, either. But Hilari made it look great.
Forgot to mention: I think it was probably the murphy bed idea and Leslie's hosting that gave her the slight edge over Hilari, even though I thought Hilari's space was the most attractive.
I never liked David B. shows before. I found them lacking elegance or too many patterns.
After the final, I found the decision of Leslie winning so ridiculous ( her container is so cluttered) that I cannot tolerate watching even David B. commercials. Before I can tolerate watching his commercials even I don't like his show. but I found myself looking for the TV remote so I can turn in off.
I will never watch this show again, a waste of time. And I will never watch any commercials or show by any of the judges as it will only reminds me that I will probably just be wasting my time too.
Thgen don't watch it. Wah.
i would agree, very dispointed
So, I have just finished watching the finale On Demand and my jaw literally dropped when Leslie won! Hilari's container was the best, by far, and she had that wonderful outdoor space. Leslie's outdoor space looked cheap, like something you pick up at a supercenter.
I am baffled by the judges decision!
It is pretty obvious that the judging is not based on the challenge at hand. Leslie lost big time. It must be embarrassing for David and Vern(?) to have to pretend Leslie won. There must be a network official directing the outcome. Maybe they don't really need a new show, because clearly no one would watch a show with Leslie. So hats off to the REAL winner, Hilari… Looking forward to seeing her in the future.
-I thought Tom's space was the clear winner. He had seating for 7 people in that small space! His day bed, dining/library table, book shelves, seating area all worked together – there was actually flow. Everything was perfectly proportioned.
-The architectural bench on the porch was so simple and creative and made a custom look. Plus he talked about furniture having multiple purposes – just pull out some of the chairs from inside when you want to sit on the porch – at least 3 of them would have been easy to move. I thought the judges gave a weak reason that his porch didn't have anything more to it. The simplicity was the point.
-He had layers of neutrals – it wasn't just one neutral – it was layers that blended and created depth. Plus he used yellow so well as an accent – I can't even just say "pop" of yellow, because it was so integrated into the space that it gave a brightness while still being part of the whole.
-Those hands holding the lights by the day bed were clever.
-His own art work personalizes and elevates that space, and the other art work was well chosen.
-I was so frustrated seeing contestants in season 7 do the same thing over and over – but I could watch Tom do his signature style every single time. He made it work from a PDC furnished room all the way to a shipping container! His rooms have beauty, sophistication and nuance.
I agree; Tom's designs consistently ooze sophistication, elegance, and an architectural simplicity that can only come with an innate knowledge of how to translate those ideas into a living space. Like David said early on, his rooms 'tell a story'. How many designers can tell a different story every time with neutrals? His layers are so seamlessly integrated, and all the different elements works together so beautifully. I thought his shipping container was brilliant!!!
Yes! I had forgotten about the "story" comment – perfect. When I think of it that way, that porch set the tone/story for the whole space. I keep thinking about his room and how harmonious it felt even in such a small space. There was a complexity going on so that as my eye moved around the room, there was more to discover – even his use of symmetry was layered! But the complexity was still beautifully simple. I absolutely loved that room.
I agree! Tom's rooms feel like organic living things that will grow and change over time. It will always be complex and interesting. The outdoor bench was amazing, but he should have made the deck more than just an entry. Ignore David's advice at your peril. But Tom just ran out of time.
Hilari's was by far the best, just didn't get it when Leslie was announced the winner. Hilari's outdoor porch was enough to win it alone and then in side she just had such great ideas and colors. I agree with so many other show watchers….Hilari was robbed. She has such a fun personality and it comes across in her decorating. Think the judges got it wrong…..know you will do great Hilari….best of luck to you and so neat to meet your family!
Hilari didn't win because she always comes across as too self-important , self-centered, and ignorant when it comes to being able to educate viewers about real design elements. Fun person with a fun personality? Check. Some good design abilities? Check. Camera challenges sounding knowledgeable? Nope. Her acting as though she deserved to win the whole thing from day one? Nope. Sorry. I agree that Leslie's room wasn't the best, but overall, she hasa the chops to design AND be great on camera, and that is as important as being able to deliver the information to viewers as being sassy and blingy, as David kept saying about Hilari. David clearly had a bias toward Hilari, too. Anyway, I just wonder why there were so few contestants for an All-Stars edition. Anyone know? I personally think Dan should have gone further, even won. But that's just my opinion. Keepin' it respectful.
Stephen
Calling someone ignorant is definitely not respectful. You speak as if you know Hilar personally. Have you ever considered the fact that the show is meticulously edited? It is developed in such a way to shape the mind of a sheep like you! I didn't think Leslie had any valuable info tho share, but she gets a pass because she is what you are accustomed to looking at and listening to. What real designer would ever advise someone to paint wallpaper. Don't hide behind words and semantics just say what you mean and stand behind it. Hilari deserved to win!
Ignorance is bliss- as the saying goes
I got his meaning that she really didn't know how. I DO agree that all the past, over-confident people in these challenges got the boot-It may be due to the editing. Who knows? They may ask each one- Why do you think you will win? These shows aren't real- they are entertainment.
I do have that issue with Hilari, too, Steve. I wanted to see her and her husband win the money — I got the impression they needed it more than Leslie and her wife. But I agree with you that I have been put off several times with Hilari's bragging. it just doesn't sound professional, and neither does her speaking voice. She seems like a nice, caring person, but I would like to see her add more personal sophistication to her overall image, because if she doesn't, it may hurt her career and she does have talent.
Hey, I've copied and pasted this message so that I can put it in as a reply to anyone I disagree with. I know that might not be part of an actual conversation or discussion, or respecting any of the points you actually made, and it might even seem a bit obnoxious, but whatever. I'm sure you of all people would understand, Stephen.
Dan was actually my first choice, but I had to reluctantly agree with the judges about his unfortunate color choice, especially since David warned him it was too much for the space. As for Hilari, I think she did a great job imparting useful information during the finale, although as the judges mentioned she did not have her usual energy, probably from sheer exhaustion. None of them actually had great camera challenges — Tom reverted back to his former tense and unsmiling self while Leslie exhibited the same manic energy she has shown in the past when nervous. Of the three, I think Hilari showed the most improvement in the camera challenge.
I still believe that of the three spaces Hilari's was the best, with Tom a close second. Tom made two mistakes which I believe cost him the win — ignoring the judges on adding more color and ignoring David's advice to turn the deck into usable space. After viewing the photos posted online, the only criticism I could see for Hilari's space was a little too much empty wall space and too little function on the side opposite the bed (although it looked like her intention was for that area to be devoted to yoga practice, which I personally would enjoy). Leslie's space still looked cluttered, cramped, and too dark in the photos.
And as for Hilari acting as though she deserved to win, I think all of the designers were there to win, and both Leslie and Tom said as much, not just Hilari. Some may find Hilari's outgoing personality a little overwhelming, but when it comes to being on television I think that is a plus. Overall, I liked all three of the designers, but in the finale I feel that Hilari did the best job.