HGTV Design Star » Where Are They Now?

Kim Myles is a Pro on the Today Show

Leslie Judson — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:13:14 +0000

It is hard to believe that it was less than two years ago when Kim Myles was named the winner of Design Star. She is a testament to how quickly and how completely the title can change a life — not to mention influence millions of TV viewers. Kim has become one of HGTV’s most loved designers.

This was Kim then.

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This was Kim recently when she served as a guest judge on HGTV’s $250,000 Challenge. The host of Myles of Style was on hand to challenge and encourage the contestants vying for the quarter-million-dollar prize. She knows a little something about designing a room on a deadline when there are big stakes at hand.

Kim Myles is flanked by HGTV stars Kristan Cunningham and John Gidding.

And this was Kim just last week on the Today Show when she was asked to tackle a timely topic: how to decorate a bedroom on a budget.

Kim's bedroom design got a thumbs up from the Today show's late morning hosts.

Kim’s ideas included: repurposing an old lace tablecloth as a headboard, framing tin ceiling tiles for simple art that shines and making lighting fixtures with twine, glue and a balloon. She described the look as country with clean lines and contemporary with rustic touches. Good stuff.

Alongside Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb, Kim was a delight to watch, as confident and charming as ever, rolling with the punches of live TV — a true professional on camera and I’m told, off camera as well. Check out the entire segment here or to see more of Kim’s ideas on video, visit the Myles of Style show page.

Congrats, Kim! How fun to watch your Design Star rise higher and higher. Will the next design star hopefuls be as bright? We’ll soon see! T-minus 26 days and counting!

Sustainable Living With Josh Foss

Chelsey Bowen — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:49:07 +0000

Known as Organic Josh on season two, Josh Foss continues to live up to his name with green design and eco-friendly choices in his personal life. His business Thrive Design Studio, which is based in Minneapolis, just opened up a second office in Boulder, Colo., and he’s involved with the U.S. Green Building Council.

Josh was featured on the cover of Saint Paul Illustrated.

Not only does his business promote sustainable living, but he also lives a very eco-friendly life, which he documents on his blog, Metro Hippie.

Find out more about Josh and other season 2 designers »

Stephanie Cook Gives Back

Chelsey Bowen — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:10:06 +0000

Stephanie Cook, who was voted onto the show by HGTV.com fans, has expanded her company, Plural Inc., and also found a way to give back through the Make-A-Wish foundation.

Stephanie with the Make-A-Wish team on her first project.

Stephanie tells us about her experience working with Make-A-Wish:

“The first wish was to a young girl named Kimberly Trello, who was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosis last year at age 12, and her one wish was to have an interior designer make over her room.

We met the next day and next thing I knew I had three days to shop and one day to make it happen! It was like Design Star all over again.

The day was beautiful! My design team and I arrived at 7am. We started painting and putting together furniture. NFL quarterback Matt Leinart sponsored the wish with $5,000, and he showed up with his family and even helped paint for a while.

So, 14 hours later Kimberly got her wish! The reaction was priceless. First shock, then tears, then a lot of “thank yous.” I thought to myself, ‘I can’t believe how a room makeover changed so many peoples lives.’ Everyone there that day had a unique experience that will be with him or her forever. Kimberly is a very special girl and will always be in my heart.

Watch the story here from So Cal News:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQaeCJf3rBI[/youtube]

I am very excited to be working on the second makeover; it is for a young girl named Caitlin Caro with Cystic Fibrosis. Caitlin is a sweet, energetic eleven year old, whose wish is to get a more grown-up room. I will be bringing Kimberly from the first wish per her request to help out. She said all she wanted was to make someone feel as special as she did!

After the room is finished I will be posting it on my blog. You can view it at www.pluralid.blogspot.com.”

Find out more about Stephanie and the rest of the season 3 cast here »

Last Year’s Winner: Jennifer Bertrand

Chelsey Bowen — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:56:33 +0000

Jennifer Bertrand won America’s hearts and votes last year to become our next Design Star. Her special, Paint Over! With Jennifer Bertrand, aired in January with 20 unique step-by-step paint projects, and stay tuned for her new show premiering this fall. During one of the most exciting moments of her professional life, she discovered that she had a little on the way as well.

A snapshot of pregnant Jennifer on the cruise she won on Design Star.

Winston Spencer Bertrand was born on February 20, 2009.

Jennifer designed a happy yet modern nursery for her new little one.

Find out more about Jen’s life since Design Star »

The Sparkle Is Back!

Chelsey Bowen — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:31:18 +0000

Who will ever forget the platinum locks and glitzy style of Josh Johnson? He became “Sparkle Josh” to all us Design Star fans, and we’ve never looked at glitter the same way since. We recently caught up with him to find out what he’s been doing since wrapping Design Star. See what he had to say here »

Sparkle Josh with Kim Kardashian on the red carpet.

Sparkle now lives in West Hollywood, where he’s working on a TV series slated to air later this year.

Find out more about Josh and other season two designers »

Where is He Now? Matt Locke

Chelsey Bowen — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:31:08 +0000

Last year, we left Matt Locke standing on the finale stage next to winner Jennifer Bertrand. He may not have won the title of Design Star, but that doesn’t mean he’s stopped designing.

After Design Star, Matt headed over to HGTV Showdown, where he and season two winner Kim Myles teamed up and beat fellow Design Star contestants, Jennifer Bertrand and Todd Davis.

The designers take a second to pose with the homeowners, Matthew and Katie Bodell.

Matt and his partner, Heith, also headed out on the cruise he won from making it to the top two of Design Star. They traveled to Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Cozumel and the Bahamas.

In Cozumel, the pair took a scooter trip around the island.

See more pics of Matt after Design Star and catch up with more of your favorite designers here