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.
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
Stephen, did you miss the episode where there was a team challenge and Leslie went around and took everything her team mates did and imposed her awful taste on the challenge? That pretty much qualifies as arrogant, self centered to say the least.
I was disappointed at the end of Design Stars. I felt most connected with Hilari's room design. She and Danielle were a good match for the final. Hilari has great tips (then and now), design aesthetic and know how when it comes to dressing a room. But what it came down to this time was, the space I would most like to be in. I am baffled why the judges praised it so much and then dismissed it as the rightful winner. Hers was hands down the top of the list. Tom's was a room that I would love to have in my home, but mostly for show. Although he had a couch/bed, you would have to push so much stuff aside to use it. If I was at the beach- and not spending much time in the room, maybe I would like Leslie's but not so much. Having a bed that let down and a place to scribble on would not cut it for me. You get that at home. If that is all it takes to win then we could all come up with that idea. When you want to be whisked away, however, the last place I'd want to go is to a room with a chalk board and a murphy bed.
I took notice of the design elements Hilari used, it was evident she designed for the entire area. Starting with the porch and leading you inside to one gorgeous room. When you entered into the space you felt engulfed in luxury, style, color and comfort. A place that spoke to your senses. If I could have a space designed for me, hers would be what I would choose. I don't think the judges were fair to her considering she designed for the outside and the inside. She also brought architectural elements to the windows that was noticed even before you entered the container. Once you got in there the way she divided the bed from the rest of the room made it seem like it was an oasis all to itself.
Genevieve's comments felt disingenuous to me. Clearly there seems to be something up with the judges. Every time I have watched Hilari, I have come away with a tip that I would like to use in my house and a sense that if I could, I would like her to design for me.
This will be the last time I watch design star. It was so obvious that both Hilari and Tom had the best containers. I could not make rhyme nor reason on why Leslie was chosen. Her room looked really bad. The overall look and the clutter…ouch . The outside was not thought out and it was embarrassing. Why did she win? I think someone needs to investigate that. Otherwise this show is based on falsehood. Maybe the the judges need to change. This brings up the question of who makes the decisions on who wins anyway? Oh well.. .the ratings will drop and eventually the show will go away because of lack of integrity. Sorry to say it but this is a big mess up for someone at HGTV!
It is obvious that the "new" hgtv trend is shopping- Danielle with her Shop This Room show -which by the way- is warm and very nice and has a decent design point of view….AND now, Leslie, who was dubbed the coffee table shopping queen. Face-it folks, These design "challenges" are not truly real- they are entertainment.
I will say I enjoyed all three as contestants. But as far as the final challenge goes . . . I thought Tom and Hilari both shopped for their containers better than Leslie – and both had more going on than just shopping. Leslie's shopping didn't pan out for me for her container and her "more" of the murphy bed just felt awkward to me. I want to sigh when I see a room, and that murphy bed was too clunky to make me sigh. I guess that's the nature of murphy beds though. Pull, clunk, bed.
I totally agree with the majority, Hilari should have won! I don't know what the judges saw that we all missed. Leslie's design came across as a cluttered and amateur design. I will miss Hilari.
No one is trying to disparage Leslie. Hilari's room was better. Plain and simple. If there is something we didn't see HGTV should show us.
Okay, producer Loren Ruch: Where's your "Ask the Producer" segment this week? Inquiring minds want to know how this all*stars decision really came about. Please tell us the criterion used to make the final choice, as it is obvious there's alot of dissension among your viewing audience.
Also, where can we find out how to purchase some of the items the designers used in their shipping containers? I loved Tom's lamps by the daybed, with the hands holding them, and the daybed, as well. Hilari's pillows and rugs were gorgeous, and that storage unit in Leslie's space is great for organizing all kinds of odds and ends.
How about an open suggestion box for HGTV viewers where we could suggest ideas that appeal to us, and our everyday needs? Such as how to deal with small apts, cluttered mudrooms, how to decorate on a budget, etc. Then you could narrow it down to the final three ideas, put it up for a vote, and create a new show which already would have a guaranteed viewer base……
What show will Leslie have a guestspot on??? Thx for an paralleled (and obviously misunderstood) summer design show. You certainly got the viewing audience engaged, talking, watching, discussing, redecorating, and involved!!!
Please select new judges if they really thought Leslie's design was a winner. Hilari was robbed!!!
Can't imagine what the conversation was like to award Leslie 1st place. Hilari's space was one that just pulled you in and you wanted to stay. Leslie's made you want to drop something off and get back outside. I have a feeling Genevieve had something to do with it. I've never forgotten the horrible re-do she did where she removed carpeting from stairs in an old house and the old dog could no longer use them. Plus a completely empty wall in the same house. We don't need more of her type of designing.
Leslie deserved first place. Having watched every challenge, I could come to no other conclusion.
So disappointing. Hillary was by far the best. Hillary I would watch. Leslie? No.