I don't usually ask this, but...why?

The question has been asked, and I've pondered…Why do I want to be on Design Star?

(Remember Sparkle Josh? I will never look at a tan wall without thinking “That’s the exact color of spray on tan.”)

I’m not a competitive person, or am I? I don’t like team sports, but I do set a high bar for myself. I am competitive with myself and always want to do better and try something more difficult.

I’ve heard many people say that they couldn’t handle the competition part of the show. Many bloggers critique the show saying that there’s too much competition and not enough design.

I don’t think the show really is about good design. I don't watch it to be inspired. That’s not the true appeal of a competition show. I’m already a good designer, and I love the competition aspect of the show.

It's the same reason I watch Project Runway. I do love to see their creative process. It's interesting, because it's a different medium than my usual. But, the show's not entirely about who makes the best clothes.

(Sometimes it’s about the challenges. I love when they use art as inspiration. But, I just love Heidi.)

Going way back to the very first episode of Survivor, I was intrigued by the concept. I thought, “What a great social experiment.” And, it has turned into a phenomenon.

(Boston Rob is a Survivor staple.)

I watch a lot of reality tv, but all of them are competition shows. Does this mean that I am a competitive person? I think I just like a challenge.

I also like social/corporate politics. Well, like isn’t the right word. I think it’s a fascination. I love “playing the game.” I think that’s what it’s really about for me.

I love games. It’s about strategy, creative thinking and observation. Each time you play a game it’s different.

Being on Design Star would give me the chance to be a live pawn in my very own board game. Hmm, I love that idea! So, that’s what Design Star means to me.

(Could I be so lucky as to live the Design Star game?)

Simply Inspired Italian Kitchens

Watching the kitchen episode of Design Star left me searching for something inspiring. I mosied over to the website of a classic Italian kitchen company, Scavolini.

Now here’s something to drool over.

Look at the harlequin detail on the frosted glass doors, and the elegant mix of wood and shiny laminate. Oh my!

Somehow, this use of cool blue and steel doesn't leave me cold.

There's something very inviting about that kitchen. It's like a play kitchen for grown ups.

This one feels fresh, with an old world feel.

Everything reads as freestanding, even though they're built-in. Great use of contrast in the cabinet frames.

This one could be inspired by the green olives in the DS baskets.

A great monochromatic palette of greys with a fun splash of yellow green. Like cooking in a martini glass. Shaken, not stirred.

Now here's a simple color scheme done right.

Simple doesn't have to be boring. High contrast blocks of black and white are perfectly balanced with the dark wood floor and sparkling pendant. Sophisticated and fun.

Now that's how to do a kitchen.

All photos sourced from www.scavolini.us

Design Star Upstaged - Through Episode 7

While I haven’t stopped watching Design Star, I have stopped writing a blog after each episode. Why? Well, I just didn’t know what to say anymore. After letting a few episodes pile up in my mind, here are my general thoughts.

• It seems like this crew of designers does not know how to think conceptually. They consistently take inspiration from objects (some very cool, I might add) and have no idea how to distill the essence of something and translate that into their own design. This is something I can critique, because I have done this constantly over my career in graphic design and interior design. I am a firm believer that there are no new ideas, just new ways of using the same old idea. Not only do I see a lot of, “I showed my parmesan cheese in the color on the wall” excuses from the cast, but I see a total lack of design concept thrown in. Which leads to my next thought.

• There is a huge lack of design expertise being displayed. The visual designs have been ok, but don’t ask them to talk about the designs, please! They sound like scared robots. “We didn’t have enough contrast, so we added a bunch of food.” That’s not design, that’s like a kid fingerpainting. I’m all for an organic design process, and making decisions on the fly, but the reason there was no interest in the first place was because the designers made it that way. Did they not see that coming when they chose garlic and cheese? Where’s the thought process and use of the elements and principles of design? I want to be wow’d with the use of the fancy terms that I paid thousands of dollars to learn about in design school. Isn’t that what makes an expert? Those who can use and understand terms that lay people can’t?

• Another gripe... The designers seem completely unable to define their client, especially in the Trump challenges. (photos above) The apartments looked like urban dorm rooms, NOT luxurious Trump dwellings. That is certainly not the time for Stacey’s arts and crafts project experiment. And, the kitchen designs showed the same hum-drum designs I’ve seen in tract homes for the past ten years. Where was the sexy tomato red Italian laminate in the Italian inspired kitchen? Maybe the cabinet selection was limited, but still paint or counter tops, something exciting. And the fact that there is no story shown about who’s using the space. It is difficult to see a lifestyle in any of the designs. Even in these fake challenges, they are still designing for someone who would use the space. It seems that the designers are trying only to showcase their talents. How exhausting! It’s much easier to show talent when you are designing for a purpose.

I could definitely upstage these designs. J

All photos sourced from www.hgtv.com/designstar

Design Star - Upstaged

Since I couldn’t be in New York to compete myself (even though I really wanted to be), I figured I can at least critique those who were. After watching this second episode, I have gotten past my funk about not being cast and am ready to dish. So here goes…

This season’s designers are being thrown right in. They’ve had little time to get to know each other, which adds to the element of competition. How very Mark Burnett to add this element of Survivor to our Design Star.

The designs so far have definitely suffered. And, I’ll give the contestants that benefit of the doubt and say it’s the extreme pressure of the rapid fire challenges and not their design abilities. However…I’ll pick apart a couple for starters.

I’ll start with the one who was sent home after challenge 2, Tera. I liked her white box bedroom design. It was well planned and cohesive, but she doesn’t seem to play well in the sandbox. Apparently, she never got over being last to choose her fashion inspiration, because she was totally uninspired during the apartment challenge. It was lack of creative thinking that led to her dismissal. Come on, using the colors from the outfit on the walls was just lazy…or huffy from being last to pick.

Nina seems to be filling the shoes left by last season’s Antonio. Every good show needs a villain, the one we love to hate. This too, follows every good Mark Burnett show. Problem is we don’t have a reason to love her yet.

How annoying is it to see her be so sweet during judging?

Now for the overall designs seen on this episode.

Men’s Apartment

These spaces really aren’t that great. But it looks like the men worked with what they had rather than fighting what they were given. They seemed to use passion and energy that resulted in a better design.

The verdict.

• Some good overall design planning looks evident.
• Interesting choices created a sophisticated space in the living/dining room.
• Bedroom is lacking the same level of detail – Who’s idea was it to pair the wedding dress with those pjs? Functionally they work in the bedroom. The judges said it best, the romance element is missing. I don’t think the two styles work together. The whimsy of the pjs is also lacking.
• Accessories would be best way to inject the missing personality, and the men missed the mark accessorizing throughout the apartment.

Women’s Apartment

Nina’s headstrong opinions can be hard to take, but the best thing about this space? That red rug that the other women didn’t want. It starts the personality direction for the entire space, and certainly pulls in the red from Emily’s outfit. Why was she complaining?

Here’s what went wrong.

• They wasted too much time throwing disparate ideas into the room, and focused on the negative, rather than saying, "Ok we have this to work with. Now what?" Their argument against the red rug? It doesn’t work with the navy drapes…those ugly, cheap looking, drapes that are too small for the windows. Get rid of them. They are the worst part of the room. Whose ideas were those? She should be the one to go.
• Stacy’s chair I like, but don’t see the connection with the fashion. The dress uses pink (remember the rug?)and pastels. She could have done so much more with that rug there. I like the drink cart.
• I am surprised at the lack of pattern usage. There was so much to work with here from the two fabulous dresses. But everything in the space is solid or textured.
• Where are the plaid and zippers in the bedroom! They had two on trend styles that were completely overlooked by the designers. These two were uninspired by their outfits, and could not get over it. A designer has to have an appreciation for the work/choices of others. That’s what separates a designer from your average person. It’s the ability to “see”.
• Nina’s ideas are the only ones apparent here. Maybe her strategy is to wear down the others, so that they’re too tired from fighting with her to think brilliantly. Her competition should stop focusing on the things they cannot change, and focus on what they can control…their own choices and reactions.

Can’t wait to see what happens next week! They have certainly changed our old predictable Design Star.