It all comes down to this! We started with 11 talented designers and now Antonio and Dan will go head-to-head this week to design an ENTIRE house.
Watch the preview of the finale, and tune in Sunday at 10/9c to see what happens.
Also, don’t forget you have only 5 more days to vote for your favorite designer and enter the Design Star sweepstakes.
When did you ever see Antonio do anything with style and class? Why would you expect him to ever be able to change? Antonio has already greatly exceeded his level of incompetence, and that is all he can excel at.
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How come the viewers aren't being allowed to choose the winner this year?!
Yeah, that obnoxious Antonio would have been voted off weeks ago. I don't know why anyone would consider watching him, let alone hire him to do a job. He listens to no one but himself.
I can't believe they picked Antonio. I won't watch him that's for sure. Dan's design's were just the best… the white room the child's bedroom with the 'boats', and the final house. Antonio's last challenge was so UGLY. YUCK!
I agree.. I will not be watching anything he does. Dan is the better designer..by far… I love all the judges, but I feel like they made a mistake this time.
Personally, I thought Dan did a better job of listening to the needs of the homeowners. While Antonio did improve the master bath plan, it fell outside the scope of his assignment and the items within that defined scope fell short. For example, Mrs. Star requested a place where she could read with her child. What Antonio gave her an ottoman in the child's room where she could read while he played. Trying to have quiet reading time with a toddler on an ottoman? Also, he did nothing with the horrendous light fixtures visible in the dining/living areas that you could see when the camera panned while showing the new wall configuration in the kitchen. Also visible in that camera pan was an open pantry/laundry area that appeared to be a total mess. Even the judges commented on his poor space planning and changesthey would make in the furniture layout.
And the only thing they "found wrong" with Dan's was the back splash. It is like they had to fish for something negative. I thought it looked just fine.
All that being said, I believe Dan went a little overboard with the mirrors. Mirrors in the entry, over the fireplace, on the master bedroom closet doors, beside the photo of the mother and her daughter and the huge mirror in the dining room. Overall, however, I preferred his design. Plus he listened to the homeowners. He addressed the dance pratice, the morning light in the master bedroom, the homework space and the spacial restrictions in the dining room – while observing what the homeowners' color prefernces were and incorporating them into his design.
In past seasons, the judges voted for (or against) the designers until the final episode, which left it up to the viewers to vote for the winner. So it isn't like American Idol where the viewers vote on the final 10 throughout the competition.
I like the judges better this season. The others only got Bromstad right. I would like to see them mix it up a little on the challenges. On team leader type projects….have the leader assign certain tasks to individual team members…a good leader will assign based on the player's strengths to make the team look it's best!
Yah, but I wouldn't want to be team leader. It is a recipe for elimination. I don't believe in having the contestants team up for any project. It leaves it open for one, namely Antonio, to sabotage one or more of the other contestants. Large competitions should be left until the last three or four are standing and then give each of them their own projects and competent carpenters.
you are 100% correct. Almost like it has been planned long time ago.
Easy, they have been in love with Antonio since the beginning………so disappointed.
Can you believe it? How did Antonio win over Dan? Crazy!!!!!!
I think the design judges were afraid of competition from Dan. It was so obvious that Dan had the best designed house. It was gorgeous with great innovations! Antonio is a nice guy, but I won't watch his show.
Touche! And I'm not so sure I think of Antonio as very nice. He bullied his way into most of the team competitions and let Dan take full blame for the $10,000 when he was there to help Dan pick out the pergola. He had to know how much it cost.
Dan was robbed! Are the judges blind as well as dumb? Dan's home makeover was sublime. Antonio's pea soup green on the bedroom wall was hideous and the child's room was really pathetic. The only critique the judges had about Dan's design was the kitchen backsplash, but they had several critiques of Antonio's design…so WHY did Antonio win? There's something awfully fishy about that. Dan's design was CLEARLY better! Well, not only will I NOT watch Antonio's show, but I will stop watching Candice's, Vern's & Genevieve's shows, as well. I have lost all respect for them as designers if they could not see that Dan should've been the next Design Star! BOO TO HGTV!!!
I wonder if they were told to choose Antonio and did so against their better judgments and desires.
I think so. I think they thought Antonio would bring a new and different "personality" to HGTV, so they chose him over Dan, regardless of talent & performance. That is the only explanation other than being bribed since Dan's designs were consistently better, especially on the last 2 challenges. HGTV probably thought "we already have a cute gay guy persona" (David Bromstad), so they wanted to pick a different "type" of personality — which is really too bad because Antonio's designs were just inferior to Dan and the designs are what I watch for.
I bet this is why they didn't let the viewers vote; HGTV knew from the online voting that the viewers would pick Dan, and HGTV had already decided in advance they wanted Antonio.
I'll bet Verne wishes he had saved his "It looks like a rainbow threw up in there" line for Antonio's makeover.
I agree why didn't we get a say!! I don't agree with Vern that this year was the best. I think the first season had much much more talent. They are getting more more money & are being less creative.
I could shop better than they have. Every time you turned around they were leaving to shop, hardly any of their time was spent actually working on or supervising the rooms. I cant believe that last week lonnie was sent home over the headboard when all antonio did was buy some furniture & stuck it along some walls. No conference table nothing to make Kathy feel like the queen etc. I design an office for 3 people to work in and only had 8 x 8 room it was crowded but it worked. We had to have our backs to each other there was no reason in a space that large in wasn't interactive. This season lack allot, not sure I care if there is a season 5.
2 weeks in a row where the person with the worst design (Antonio) did NOT get eliminated!! Can you say "rigged"?
Because we have the taste in design to have chosen the right designer. Had we been voting, Lonni and Dan would have been the last two standing.
I agreed with the judges almost every week and I definitely think they picked the right person to get a new show. Dan seems like a nice guy but I wouldn't be nearly excited to watch his show as Antonio's. His designs aren't as bold as Antonio's and there's no comparison when it comes to hosting skills. As for Antonio being difficult to get along with – did you notice how he totally meshed with his crew and they were psyched to be working for him? Time to set the DVR to autorecord Antonio Ballatore!
The crew were not his competition.
It was obvious to me that Dan had more Talant than Antonio, but would threaten the three judges shows, so they would not vote for Dan. Also I wonder how much HGTV had a say in who one, somewhow I think they wanted the tatoo guy to try and pull in another group of viewers.
His master bedroom in the last show was pathetic, green walls, and brown wood boards over the master bed???? just crap,, Dan is by far the best designer this season, and they dont like it..
you can teach presentation skills, so thats not an argument,, we all lost on that one..
I thought Dan's presentation in the final challenge was STELLAR. He was really informative and there was NO GIGGLING for Vern to criticize. Much better than Antonio's cave man talk!
I agree with you – I think HGTV already had a show in mind and which designer they wanted for that show and Antonio was their man- but he was definitely not the viewers man – I don't want to watch a show with a hairy tatooed 40 year old man who only wants to know who is single- the fact that they didn't let viewer vote only proves this point – won't watch his show and I have always had great respect for the judges but don't know if I will watch their show any long either – sorry HGTV you got it wrong this year
Antonia all the way. I lost all respect for Dan when he allowed Tori to accept responsibility for his gazebo snafu. Why would anyone pay $10,000 for that eyesore?!
I wish all of you who are still blaming Dan for this fiasco would go back and watch the tape. They are sitting in the van and Torrie says to Dan "I'll give you $10,000" and gives him money. He doesn't count it then (bad!). Apparently she only gave him $5,000. Sounds like they both have something be sorry about. Torries was booted mainly because of her lack of leadership after she volunteered.
5000 for the Pergola that they had in that patio, is such a ridiculous amount that I gives me the impression of Dan's obviously lack of experience as a designer. Anyone can tell you that Pergolas varie in size, and It depends a lot on what they have to offer. The one that they put in the yard was much too expensive. As a designer he should have known that.
I would understand the sentiment if it was just for the pergola price, but didn't it also include delivery and set up from the store? This would have the ability to inflate the price substantially. Realistically, the pergola could have cost just $3500 plus tax {certainly an acceptable price for the vinyl coated thing that it was} and then add a surcharge for delivery & labor for installation.
Not to mention that Where was the furniture budget disclosed? Budget breakdown….all should have been on the same page…it is too important to leave to chance of remembering. This TEAM should have been better organized from the get go.
Ditto
Tori was responsible for the budget.. Remember the car scene…. Tori said $5000 and Dan said $5000 more than once and Antonio said $10,000 more than once….result here could have been where the confusion began. I think Dan and Antoinio working together while the others were shopping….were talking…and the confusion was to Antonio's advantage in the end. The budget should have been better set and ALL should have been made aware of it…maybe in a written budget. Yes, Dan did get the price wrong, yes maybe confusion played a part…whatever…Tori was in charge of the budget in the episode.
You have it all wrong. Antonio told Dan that there was $10,000 to spend. In the van Dan kept saying $5,000 and Antonio told him "no you have $10,000" and Dan being all confused believed him. Also Dan did take the blame for the whole thing, it was the judges who decided that that group leader should have been responsible for the all the money no matter who bought what.
Antonio is a bully and rude to too many people.
OMG I totally agree with everything you said!!! He absolutely threw Tori under the bus think it was a jip and it should be done over!! Hated the gazebo…ugh let Dan go!!!!
Antonio's room……..YUK green.
Read the blogs and posts about this in the numerous blogs and threads. You are angry because HGTV's editors and producers wanted to make you angry. What we saw is not what actually happened during the challenge. The eyesore you saw actually cost $5500 and the ENTIRE DESIGN TEAM agreed to it!
antonio lied about the paint tori wanted hes a liar and very rude if thats what hgtv wants i will never watch again a liar and egotistical and rude
I agree, I lost respect for Dan as well; it was a weakness not to 'fess up and take the blow. In the van, he should have nailed Tori down about how much he had to spend when she didn't hear him ask the first time, instead of asking Antonio (who hadn't heard and said so). Then he said he'd take responsibility, but under the gun — he didn't. A tough situation, but it does show character, doesn't it? Loved Dan's designs mostly, loved Antonio's bear-like personality. Put each in one design-guy and there ya go : – )
You seem to have forgotten that Antonio went shopping with Dan but was not around when the delivery arrived and he was told the price. If he had not accepted it then the other three would have blamed him for not having one. Besides the 4 of them planned the backyard together and chose to have the pergoda not Dan alone. His white room when decorated outdid everyone as well as his last two individual designs. Antonio was crude and rude throughout the show and tried to run everyone and everything. Dan has that great smile and there was nothing wrong with him laughing a couple of times. Antonio cried so which is worst? I hope Dan wins the fans vote and gets his show too.
I think it is pretty tacky of HGTV to not let us vote for this year's winner. I always liked the format of the final show with a studio audience and all of the former designers back and to speak about their experiences.
I agree. Not being able to vote for the winner takes all of the fun out of watching. We may as well be watching reruns of season 1, 2 or 3! Doesn't HGTV know anything about ratings?
The format of the final show was horrid. The announcement of the winner was anticlimatic and awkward.
I have watched every episode this season and, when comparing this season to the three prior, am a bit disappointed.
Agree. I was looking forward to the last four working together again, and the fully assembled cast when the winner was announced. It sure was awkward for Dan when he lost. Clive may as well have yelled, "You are the weakest link!"
I was hoping to see a little bit more of some of the designs they do in that 'sneak peek'.. No matter who wins, I still want to "see" them both giving it their all.
Just two more days and we'll know. I'm loving that HGTV is going to do a special for the winner which will air on Sept. 20. So, for winning the Design Star competition they filmed a special with the Winner who has to face one final design challenge. Sounds interesting.
Sounds like BS to me. The winner would have already fulfilled their committment.
We don't know whether they have or haven't. But if they have, the people involved would have most definitely been 'gagged' by a confidentiality agreement to prevent "spoiling".
However, BS it's not, Season IVs Winner's Special airs Sunday – 9/20 on HGTV and the snippet of info we have on it is:
The "Design Star'' winner is challenged to a home makeover and must unveil the results to family and friends.
Again, the gazebo didn't cost $10,000. What you didn't see was that after they realized the mix-up, they went back and scaled back the design (it was fancier, and included a smaller version by the pool), and it cost $5,500. Also, Antonion went with Dan to pick out the gazebo (which showed lack of design skills on both of their parts, as it didn't fit the yard at all). Yet, they were still over $5,000 because Torie didn't keep track of the money and she was the team leader. Why is no one mentioning the $5,000 she spent on a playset that didn't have more than $500 worth of wood/supplies in it? And, the homeowners said they usually had 20-50 people over, and she bought THREE lounge chairs for the pool area? She totally dropped the ball.
And according to you there is nothing wrong with a 5000 pergola? obviously you know very little about the price of woods, and labor costs.
Prices vary everywhere and $5000 for a pergola and deck is not too high in my area and many other areas.
You just made my point. pergola and a deck. and it also has to do with size. In LA. if they would have had the time to investigate, they would have been able to get a pergola and a deck for 5,000 made out of either redwood, cedar or pressure treated lumber. and a very substancial one if I may add.
No, there was something very wrong with spending $5,000 on that pergola. In the first place, it was hideously overpriced. Secondly, it didn't fit what they were trying to create, in any way, shape or form. Not that that mattered, because the whole back yard was a disaster, and in no way was zen inspired. And, FYI, I am actually the president of a construction company, so I have a very good idea of what wood, vinyl (which is what the gazebo is), and labor costs are, thank you very much. I was merely pointing out that the gazebo didn't cost as much as everyone is saying, and neglected to comment on the fact that it was still overpriced, not to mention the fact that huge vinyl structures NEVER enhance the beauty of a yard.
I still don't thinkthat it was worth it for $5000.
There was nothing sensational about it.
If anything thing they should have added some outdoor drapes and made it more elegant/romantic/cozier. (A good place to lounge and take a nap without getting sun burnt).
The decorating/accessorizing was not part & parcel of the budget of the pergola. Not ever. Once it was scaled back to the $5,500 to bring the budget back under control, then it was up to the other designers who were doing the shopping to purchase decor/accessories. But even with the budget now managed, Torie was STILL out of cash. Had Torie managed the funds better she wouldn't have needed Clive's extra $5000 and even with that new cash she STILL failed to properly accessorize the pergola to give it the WOW that you're talking about.
I know that some keep insisting that cedar or another hardwood would have been preferable to the vinyl, all-weather pergola, but truthfully, the cedar did nothing to draw your eye to the child's play area, did it? It just sorta got lost in the background of everything, or so it seemed.
Where did y ou get that information about the gazebo only being $5,000. Who scaled back? They were given an additional $5M – you must not have watched the same show I did. Dan signed the paper that said the gazebo was 10,600 – it was the same one they looked at in the show room. Where is this stuff coing from? Are you with HGTV?
Good for you. Very good points you have made.
I hope Antonio wins, he has guts and I like his style……. the whole gazebo thing yes in the van Tori had said $10,000 and then there was some mix up – which you should always double check cash. Antonio and Dan went to the store but they did not really show much on that so I think it still come down to Dan when the guy came to the location and was discussing everything and gave him the price. He need to use his brains and said that's not going to work. it did not even fit into the whole design. It looked like something just dropped out of the sky and landed in the people back yard. but that is over and done with and they have moved on………….
You cannot be serious. You like his 'style'? You can't mean design style because he doesn't have any. Hopefully if he wins they'll put him on another one of HGTV's boring real estate shows so another precious half hour of actual design programming does not get sacrificed. Get real!
i agree with you, I don't think Antonio even has personality, he sits there and has this condensating look, He looks like a frigged up carpenter than a designer, no presense, nothing, Now some of his work I thought was ok but overly out there but ok, I hope Dan wins
yeah i hope he wins too.
Give Dan a break…. how many of you out there have never had a communication problem w/ someone…. like maybe even your boss?
What do you think would have happened if Dan had said no to accepting the pergoda? I think we need to look at all of the design shows and stop staying on the one outdoor one. Dan outdid Antonio over and over and I like his style of hosting much better too. I don't care for people who think they are so hot as Antonio comes across looking like. All you had to do was look at the fans votes to see who was the best.
Dan will have a decided advantage in the whole house design challenge. He has consistently shown a wide range of cohesive design work with a good knowledge of solid design principles.
As a set designer, Antonio has been uneven and unpolished in his various challenges, generally failing to deliver rooms with appropriate scale as well as a noticeable inability to accessorize for best visual impact.
Dan merely needs to remain focused on the task, confident in his abilities, and articulate with what he requires from his assistants in order to pull victory out of this final challenge to become HGTV's next Design Star.
I'm looking forward to Sunday night, and a winning performance by Dan Vickery.
Antonio comes across as a great foreman or project boss….however, he is lacking as an interior designer. He has strong work ethics and that would make for a good on-line show… Antonio's Man Caves! Some guys would appreciate a little help in designing their manly domains.
Dan possesses more interior desiger qualities… he incorporates his vision of design in the space. I can't wait to see what he invisions next on the show. Yes, he is young; however, he has my vote as having the most potential to become another Bromstad on the network. Giggles…that's called enthusiasm! I like it.
I hope all goes well for both of them…They both have something to offer.
Hi DB
I'm with you all the way. In my humble opinion, Dan has shown creativity and style. He seems to have the ability to see the whole room and the needs of the client. His lime green/hot pink marguerita room was a little tough to take but overall he's done a great job. He also has the ability to work and play well with others. Antonion, on the other hand, is a set designer. Have a great day. I can't wait to see Sunday's show. Design Star is still my favorite show.
It was obvious from the beginning that the judges were going for Antonio. They wanted somone so different in style from the designers they have on HGTV. On Sunday night Dan far outdid Antonio in his design. The contest was not for the best designer but the most different in appearance and lifestyle . Dan can walk away knowing that he did a great job.
I can't see myself watching a show with Antonio hosting. Sorry that he won. My husband and daughter watched with me and we all agreed that Dan is by far the better designer.
Dissappointed.
The good news: Dan gave the winning performance. The bad news: HGTV picked Antonio because …???
Because they decided from the beginning they are more interested in a show to appeal to the coveted 18-35 male demographic than they are in presenting a talented designer.
yes for a fact Dan was rhe best designer I have agreed with the winner in all of the others till now antonio is rude arogant egotistically vain and a really big liar the judges were very wrong in this season. Besides they had already decided before this challenge why even bother to have the last challenge
It is so incredibly obvious that Dan Vickery is by far the most talented designer here. The show uses their power to edit out so many things. Dan did not end up purchasing the $10,000 pergula. He went back to the store and spent $5,000, but we as an audience were not informed of this. Dan has maintained a positive attitude, he has shown an incredibly strong work ethic, and his designs always blow Antonio's out of the ball park.
And just how do you know Dan did not end up purchasing the $10K pergola (which is the correct way to spell it BTW)? Even if he DID go back to the store and bargain down for a cheaper one – he should have had to anyway. He's the one that thought it was ok to spend that kind of money on a pergola to begin with.
OMG get over i damn perogla!
Because there was an interview published about it. I notice how you seem to suffer from Antonio-blindness, as do many who wish to blame only Dan for the pergola purchase. Yes, Dan signed the contract, but Antonio and Dan selected the style, the color, and knew the estimate of $10K. All they were unaware of was the final cost, which Antonio is shown questioning the dealer as to when they'd get it. Both the men thought they had $10K to work with and so they promptly spent it but everyone wishes to point the finger and blame just one of the two men responsible for that expenditure.
The team all sat down together and came to the conclusion to cut the order back and then they, again working as a team, went back to the store and scaled the pergola order back from its original order. That original order included the pergola to be "raised, with steps and side railings, with built in furniture, and an arbor" which was to be placed at one end of the pool. We know that the arbor is discussed on the program – it was actually called a "trellis" – but of course we know for a fact that there is no such arbor or trellis in that design because it's not there. Which again is further proof to bolster the interview which was given.
Who, of the two men, accepted responsibility for the joint decision and purchase, with the caveat that they mutually believed they had the $10K to work with? Just one man, the man with integrity. Dan Vickery. Antonio, he couldn't run from the responsibility fast enough. He couldn't even tell the truth to Vern when he was asked about being in on budget discussions. He told Vern he'd been on the outside of the discussions when we clearly see him participating in the budget discussion in the van and also in the yard, when they were trying to figure exactly how over budget they really were.
It's also so incredibly obvious to me that the judges want Antonio to win! He is rude, quick to blame and the only thing he took responsibility for was not allowing tan painted walls. I thought his room was by far the worst of the three last week. As for Vern's comment about the headboard; of course you hang the headboard. In real life don't you think she would have had a couple of more hours to figure it out!
The real competition this week should be between Dan and Lonnie. If Antonio wins, I'm done with Design Star!
It was hard enough to watch Antonio on Design Star. I certainly won't watch a complete show with him. He rude and arrogant. I didn't care for his designs either.
I am shocked and very disappointed that Dan was not selected as the next design star. Being an interior designer myself, Dan has the talent, the attitude, and the interior passion for being the best of both. Still VERY shocked that Dan did not win! I can't believe you three judges selected Antonio over him. I want to know why. The entire house that Antonio designed had no flow and felt choppy and cold! Ewwww to Antonio's choices in the home. Totally horrible taste!
Who will be next Design Star? Finalists Dan Vickery and Antonio Ballatore are like oil, vinegar.
The DIY Diva (Dan's aunt Vickie) interviews both Dan and Antonio for this article. Check it out: http://bit.ly/4EYjzl
From the Dan's and Antonio's answers it looks like Antonio was the one to win. His statement that he had to go big on the last challenge and then go big or go home and Dan's saying laugh it off and go to the next thing says much. What a shame….
Thanks for the link. It is beyond me how the judges think that Antonio could possible be a host when he couldn't explain design (with no skill in creativity/design) and has very little to communicate and verbalizes what he does say in an arrogant manner.
I read the link an believe that Antonio was the most honest in both the interview and the questions before the show. Dan's answers were me, me, me and WORDY! It reminded me of some bubble head trying to win Miss America and no matter the question tries to adress world peace.
They are at opposite ends of the spectrum as people for sure. Both deserve shows and will probably get them! Honestly, I watch HGTV to learn design and construction tips (since we own 2 homes, very different in style, and plan to buy more as part of a B & B business) and don't really need to hear Dan's advice for living life. So, my husband and I would want to watch a show by Antonio. Remember, all those mancave and flipping houses type shows are on other networks and HGTV could pull in more male viewers if they had shows like that too. I like that Antonio likes edgy design.
Dan's stated ideas for his own show "would have him to create a show that focuses on much more than just design. I want to show people using and loving a space. Entertaining and living. Each week the show could show varying degrees of interior design, furniture making, lighting design, spatial organization and even cooking and entertaining."
Though definitely not 'Mancave-ish' it is an interesting concept. There's no telling what kind of show that Antonio and HGTVs concept team would come up with. Antonio's been a bit ambiguous in voicing what type of show he'd have, stating that "I have so many ideas for a show it's hard to narrow it down to just one."
As for demographics, well sure, Antonio has his own unique persona. What's to say though, that the current demographics will warm up to him? And would he pull in new viewers only to lose current ones?
I'm wishing them both good luck in the next challenge, though they each know who amongst them won. Can't wait for Sunday's show.