Design Star - Challenge 6 - 3 Families

Task: The final 3 designers are randomly assigned a "lucky" HGTV viewer family from somewhere in the country to design a room in their home.
Budget: $10,000
Time Frame: 26 hours over three days
Judging Criteria: design and execution, plus first challenge at hosting skills
Winner receives: no specified winner

Bold Red Family Room - Todd, designer

This project showed that Todd's design and build experience might be a bit shallow. While he was right to be concerned with structural issues - anyone should know that that beam running down the center of the large family room was 99% likely to be a structural beam. Something has to hold up the ceiling and why else would it be there? So, for him to be surprised when they opened it up seemed odd. He seemed to get flummoxed by what to do once that was made apparent and several of his plans seemed to fall to the wayside.

But, why oh why if he was planning on removing the "eyesore" of a ceiling beam, did he then paint it bright red??? That was just a weird choice. It looks like it's a lance poking into the fireplace.
I think the color palette that he came up with was great - bright and cheerful in a close, dark space. The furnishings were nice looking and the chaises a fun, comfy touch. But, the layout is terrible. The television set is behind the long side of the sectional, so no one sitting there could view the tv. Fine for a family of four, not great for eight who may all want to watch tv together. Everything seems just crowded to once side of the room and it looks like there was plently of space to push the sectional back a couple of feet.

The bookcases look cheap and undersized in the space. He should have made them taller - all the way to the molding - which would have balanced out the structural beam a bit. They also should have a back, vs. just sides and shelving. A back would have made them look more substantial (plus made them more structurally sound). The build-in seating/toy box (not shown) was a good idea - but no exactly unique.

Todd's hosting skill is pretty good - not my taste, a little too forced and surfer dude-ish. But he's energetic, good looking and would probably appeal to a male audience. I can't imagine what kind of show they would create around him. His background is as a landscape designer and I think his personality and physicality would be better balanced by the outdoors. There are already "guy" shows like the Junk Brothers and the one with the big, brawny blond guy (sound familiar?) who finishes people's unfinished projects. While I could use that show (or the guy!), obviously I don't watch it. So, perhaps a show where he builds outdoor rooms, or country cabins, ski lodges?

Modern Teenage Bedroom - Will, designer

This project showed Will's true skill - careful care and attention to his client's needs. Of course, it was a tear jerker - lovely family, articulate and personable teenage girl with medical challenges. What's not to love? Of all the rooms - this room ended up being the prettiest most up-to-date space. However, it was also the easiest project to do. While there were restrictions and physical needs, the room looked to be in good (if blah) condition going in, with floors and walls in good condition.


I loved the mother's concept of the room being a "studio" apartment feel. It really helped lay the ground work for taking into consideration her physical limits. A place that she can live in full time if she's been injured was the goal. Plus, what teenage doesn't want to live full time in their room? The color palette is beautiful, but did lack some pizazz. The client is still a young girl and the accessories and art were too old and staid looking. Given that he had little to no building to do (aside from assembly required furniture) there seemed to be plenty of time for some more thought into wall art - either custom or purchased. Those "dot" pieces look like braille to me - literally. Perhaps they make sense up close.


I think the humongous television set was a bit much. I appreciate that the goal was for it to be really spectacular and easily visible from the bed. But, it seems to be overkill and the savings by going with something smaller might have gone into more art or a better quality furniture. So, as I said, while this is the most pleasing room, it was the easiest to do on $10K in 26 hours. As for his hosting skills - they are just too weak for television, sadly. I loved how in his exit footage, he was so gracious and said all he wants is to be a designer and how inspired he was by his client. Bravo Will! You are one class act who should have a line of clients waiting for you. (Are you listening Robb?).

Rustic Living Room - Kim, designer

First, I will say that this was the biggest challenge of all three spaces. The room was in terrible condition and the location so rural that resources were sparse and spread out. That said, in the footage of the designers traveling to their destinations, they were apparently unaware of which client was theirs. So, they were all sketching ideas for all three. Um... she knew she was going to West Virginia and in the family footage, the wife said (with a strong Southern accent) that her husband works in the coal mines. Two big hints of who the clients were.

As stated, this was clearly the most difficult task of the three and for that , Kim did well. Add onto that the rain and mud and she proved herself to be a real trooper. I would have laid tarps on the floors once the new carpet was laid, however. Thankfully, it was easily removable - I nearly cried for her when I saw all the muddy footprints all over it!


The "after" room still really looks like a before. Her space planning is weak (as noted by the judges). There were no conversation areas and putting the single chair in front of the stove seemed pretty random. The house was really a double wide trailer - with two doors opening directly onto the living rooms. In this photo directly above, you will see that the kitchen abuts this space (with the bar separating it). I would have considered turning this space into the dining area and using the tiny dining room (which wasn't part of the challenge, but she cleverly added it in) as either a new playroom or reading room.

Kim's on-air skills are better than anyone else on the show. She's wonderfully natural on screen- even when she was wet, muddy, tired and bedraggled. She did a great job explaining her design choices and the various elements of the space - and as with last week, she made the space look better that it actually was by the way she talked about it. She can sell a space and it makes you want to buy. The question is, what kind of show would be created around Kim? As with Todd, I'm a bit stumped. Her design skills are undeveloped - she seems not to have one special skill - such as painting (a la David Bromstad), or sewing or building. Her space planning isn't the best. Without education or experience, she doesn't have enough expertise to be a legitimate "teacher" or critic (a la Tim Gunn). So, what's left? Perhaps they could create a show where Kim plays host and "design student" where she brings in professionals who would teach her, and therefor the audience, about design. Could be interesting.

So, we're down to the final two. Kim and Todd. I am disappointed that neither is a strong designer and there has been little focus on really good design on the show. But then, a show that focuses solely on hosting skills isn't going to get a designer, it's going to get a television person.

Click here to take my poll: Who Will be the Next Design Star?

And, what types of shows do you think could be created around either Todd or Kim?

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