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.
I found Hilary's facebook page if anyone is interested. https://www.facebook.com/Ufunkshen
YYou should check out Leslie's web site, LeslieChristineDesigns, she has a blog that is hilarious!
This whole show didn't make any sense! When you stop and look back, designers were sent home for the most ludicrous of reasons (although I do agree that the panel was right in sending Kellie home right off the bat; her whiteroom was awful as was her arrogant, know-it-all attitude). Then Sparkle Josh got called on the carpet because his room wasn't 'finished'. Well, how many more finishing touches could he have possibly added to bling it out even more? (Loved his red chairs, and him, too). Then, Dan went home because of a green wall. Forget the fact that he took a chance and was/is a brilliant designer/creator, he got the boot. So down to the final three.
The only things I can come up with, in reviewing the pictures of the shipping containers, (and if we're gonna get picky like the judges supposedly do), is the fact that Tom stuck to his neutrals but did it so beautifully, I'd move into that room in a heartbeat, but he didn't 'show his range'. Hilary's corner behind the door where the broken cabinet was looked a bit undone/empty as opposed to the other side of the room where the bed/custom screens/room divider was, and then there was that lampcord coming down the wall behind the couch. Oh, and let's not forget the 'salmon' color which read as 'fleshy'. Interesting that G's scarf read/looked exactly the same way!!! Leslie's room still mystifies me, although the judges might have thought the murphy bed was innovative, and she did make good use of space. But then so did Tom and Hilari. I thought Tom and Hilari's camera challenges were far superior to Leslie's, who started out hers with improper grammar, and ended up with her tossing her hair over her shoulder.
I can't believe the judges were in agreement; it just doesn't compute, and something's not ringing true here. There are many savvy HGTV fans whom I feel are 'being robbed' of their intelligence by this sort of drivel. It's supposed to be a design show, not a display of the most infantile of criticisms which have garnered others a win in seasons past.
I still say the panel missed the mark.
You're right. I remember now that Leslie did start off with bad grammar. Didn't she say, "Me and my ….?" I have been criticizing Hilari for her sometimes awkward phrasing and speech pattern (although I like her design talent), but I had forgotten about Leslie's mistake. I don't like Hilari bragging so much, but she was never as obnoxious as Kellie was in that first episode. You make a point about that empty space in Hilari's container, and she made that empty space mistake in the yurt too. But all in all I liked her container the best. I get why the judges liked Leslie's work for the murphy bed and the casual, "thrown together" look of the beach house theme, but it's not really my style. Tom is always tasteful, but what I would call a little constipated in his approach to decorating. I would let him design a law office or corporate executive suite, maybe even the library/study in a country estate, but I get bored with his work after awhile. Dan was so innovative so many times, and I actually liked his green wall. But when David gives advice or warns against something, he's almost always right. He did warn Dan about the wall. It was a fun show, though, and I was glad to see some of the previous contestants come back on. It undoubtedly also increased their private design businesses.
While I liked Tom's room, I too think his biggest mistake was ignoring David's advice about the deck, especially since he knew David was one of the judges! And unfortunately, once again in the camera challenge the man never once cracked a smile. He had improved on that before, so I was watching closely to see if he would continue, but I suppose the pressure got to him and he seemed so terse and tense. Such a shame, because when he does relax he is actually very personable.
I liked Tom's room and his porch. I liked that the porch was minimalist. Plus, you can actually sit on the bench, and he talked about having furniture that was multi-purpose – just pull a couple of chairs out and you're good.
Leslie's porch was just basic. I liked the planter and table and chairs on Hilari's porch, but not the accessories she chose.
I didn't think Tom was tense or terse in the video – just teacher-like. You're right, a smile would have been nice, but with such a beautiful room I didn't care.
And when David moves to the judge's seat on a challenge, I don't think he should be the mentor as well. He does give them good hints on what the judges will be looking for, but the contestants shouldn't be judged solely on whether they listen to him or not – either their design makes it or it doesn't. It should be design by the contestant. Too many hints and it becomes too much of HGTV directing the designer.
I'd like to know where to get some of the furniture used in these challenges, specifically, the red chairs in Sparkle Josh's whiteroom, all of Hilari's couches, the leopard chair in her whiteroom, and the pillows and rug in her shipping container. Loved Tom's desk/table, wall-lamps with hands 'holding' them in place, and his daybed in his shipping container, and that storage unit Leslie used in her Cape Cod space. It'd be great to have a list of sources/websites viewers could check out, or perhaps, at the end of each episode, a list of what was used/where to get it/how much it cost, would be very useful. Thx, HGTV, for quite a sizzling summer show!!!
I am mortified that Leslie won when her opening statement was "Me and my family"… that is such incorrect grammar and something you should have learned in grade school. How can anyone be successful in TV when they can't speak correctly?
You actually think one grammar mistake should have cost someone the win? It's not "Grammar Star," it's Design Star. Leslie deserved to win.
I FINALLY have gotten my 12 year old Goddaughter to the point where she will correct herself before saying "Me and so-and-so did…." and I did it by explaining that it is "baby talk". How will we teach it in Texas?
Hilari should have been selected as the winner of Design Star All Stars. I would live in any space that she would design. I'd love to watch her show, any time. What was wrong with the judges, especially Genevieve? Criticizing the paint color? REALLY? It looked fine on TV. Her space was absolutely stunning, beautifully executed, with a wonderful front porch.
Come on judges, this was a huge mistake. Leslie's space was ugly, and not well thought out.
Big Mistake HGTV – Hilari was the obvious winner.
I couldn't disagree more. Hilari's shipping container was pretty, but Leslie's was great, too. Plus, Leslie was more entertaining and the better designer overall.
Hilari should have won! I am no professional designer and could have thrown what Leslie put together on the last and final challenge. The difference between Leslie and Hilari's rooms appeared as though one room was designed by a non-professional, and the other was designed by a professional designer (Hilari). Genevieve, Vern, Carter , and David picked the wrong designer!
HGTV lost out, when they picked Leslie.
By the way, what happened to 'Colorsplash' with David? AND Ahmad Hassan on 'Yardcrashers'? Miss him!!
And I am not a Hilari PR person. I am a retired police officer from Houston, Tx.
No fault to Leslie, she tried and did her best to win. However, the judges (all of them), certainly did an injustice to Hilary. Every week her designs and presentations were really good and that charming personality and design creativeness were displayed in her work. Tom too, was certainly a talented designer and someone whose work can be admired. I think HGTV should be ashamed of themselves for allowing these judges to promote the wrong designer to win these perks by winning this competition. I'll be happy to see if HGTV can rectify this wrong to Hilary…
First time to be truly disappointed in the selection of a Design Star. Danielle was a brilliant choice and her new show is delightful. However, Hilari,was definitely my runner up pick in the recent Design Star. And, Hillary was the undisputed winner throughout the ALL STAR episodes. Her performance, particularly in the final competition, wherein she really stretched and gave the judges something totally unexpected, and out of her comfort zone. She is also the only one of the 3 finalists to actually create a functional, livable space on her deck. By utilizing this as her dining area, she accomplished a really luxurious living and sleeping space. Her selection of the truly attractive open bookcase that was so multifunctional, and was much more unexpected than a Murphy Bed. She truly illustrated that though given small space in which to live – you could still 'live large' as an adult. A child's room was too easy and too expected. Tom did his usual fine job of fulfilling his desires for a space of his own; but never seemed to understand how to design anything outside of his comfort zone. Very disappointed in Genevieve's extreme criticism of Hilari's color choice – it read very well on camera. So Hilari…..for all your camera challenges, for your personality, for your ability to work with others, for your calm in the midst of chaos, for your fun design, for your taste for the comfortable to the elegant, for your ability to listen to the needs of others, for your ability to stretch beyond your comfort zone, and for your functionality,,,,hold your head high,, there is no stopping you – HGTV missed out by not selecting you. Hope to see you in a show soon as I miss you already.
I've got to go with the majority. It should have been Hilari. Her space looked incredible on TV and she has a great personality. Since I thought this was the criteria, I'm very confused. I have nothing personal against Leslie, but I have to be honest, I will not be watching when she appears – wherever. Hilary or Tom would have been a priority for me to watch. I guess lesson learned; don't bother to watch because the hoops they make them jump through to show their talent evidently mean nothing. If you're just showcasing your pre-picked new "talent", be honest.
So Wrong! I really don't believe there was an agenda here, regarding your comment about pre-picked talent. The designers all went in with a clean slate and Leslie just jumped through those hoops better than the others. She won fair and square.
I have to agree that Hilari's design was by far the best, including her color choice! She made that small space so warm and inviting and functional. I'll agree that Leslie's Murphy bed with chalkboard paint was a great idea, but to spend more than a weekend in her container would be difficult. Hilari's bookcase/room divider was perfect as was the wall treatment making the deck extra living space. To top it all off, I find Hilari's personality and range to be much more compelling television than Leslie's "sass" ever could be. Sorry Judges, you got it wrong!