Design Star 2009

[missypie]

He is a smug jerkface.
Every week I turn the show on and then promptly turn it off as soon as Antonio starts up. I really cannot stand him. So I hope he doesn't win bec his is one show I would never watch. Just loathe his attitude.

For some reason, I think the female judges like him. I fear they want him to win...he is DIFFERENT...like no one else on HGTV...but there's a reason for that...because their viewers won't watch him!

 

[luvmy3]

That yard looked horrible. I can't believe with the budget they had thats all they could come up with, it looked like they just threw stuff in there for the sake of putting it in the yard. The only thing worthwhile on this show is seeing Dan with his shirt off and seeing how much it annoys Antonio
Based on all the shows and all the designs I've seen I can honestly say I wouldn't watch any of their shows. HGTV struck out with this group.

 

[missypie]

Has anyone actually seen Jennifer's show (last year's winner)? She was so forgettable that I had to look her up and I don't recall ever seeing her show. I really liked David and would give his show a B or B-. I really liked Kim, too, but would only give her show a C. I think her money saving ideas come off as looking as inexpensive as they are.

 

[missypie]

That yard looked horrible. I can't believe with the budget they had thats all they could come up with, it looked like they just threw stuff in there for the sake of putting it in the yard. The only thing worthwhile on this show is seeing Dan with his shirt off and seeing how much it annoys Antonio
Based on all the shows and all the designs I've seen I can honestly say I wouldn't watch any of their shows. HGTV struck out with this group.

LOL, my 13 year old D couldn't stop commenting on Dan's shirtless body!

What Candace said about them just buying a bunch of unrelated stuff - grill, playset, furniture - was very true. But that is seriously all they had time to do. If they had been given enough workers to do most of the manual labor, they could have spent their time planning, designing and shopping.

 

[cherylp3]

I also think it was a setup. not giving a final estimate until you install was fishy to me.

 

[missypie]

I also think it was a setup. not giving a final estimate until you install was fishy to me.

But did you notice that Dan and Antonio really didn't have a Plan B? The guy said he'd come by and give an estimate on the spot. So what if they'd known they had only $5000 and the estimate...with the clock ticking away...had been $10,600? What would they have done? Hauled out and bought lumber, with not enough time to complete the project?

 

[luvmy3]

LOL, my 13 year old D couldn't stop commenting on Dan's shirtless body!

What Candace said about them just buying a bunch of unrelated stuff - grill, playset, furniture - was very true. But that is seriously all they had time to do. If they had been given enough workers to do most of the manual labor, they could have spent their time planning, designing and shopping.

I definitely think they needed more time, but I also think they could have at least tried to actually design the space.
It was pretty obvious that there was no effort when Gen said where's the zen? and she answered there is none. The whole concept was to give them a modern zen oasis yet not one of the designers could come up with an actual plan for that? They all just wanted to throw in some stuff here and there without making it cohesive or appealing to the eye and I just think it showed. If I was the jusge I would have sent them all home, except for Dan (only if he promised to take his shirt off next week )

 

[missypie]

Yeah, at least Dan makes an effort to be pleasing to the eye. It is a testament to Antonio's ego that he doesn't even trim his beard...he wants his own TV show for goodness sake...Hs body language before the judges is so telling....apart from the others, hands on hips...I am dominant...I am special...if only he was as special as he thinks he is!

I'd like to see a cycle of past year's memorable non-winners - Todd, Alice, Sparkle Josh...

I really fault the HGTV folks this year as much as the designers. I think they've been given little opportunity to show their own style.

 

[allison443]

I didn't like that it was down to the final four and they had a group challenge. Those always wind up with he said/she said kind of arguments, plus with the group dynamic you don't always have clearly defined tasks.

I thought Torrie could be a decent show host (okay maybe with a little work). The other three....eh. Earlier in the season I did like Dan but I felt like he was shown last night saying "I'll take responsibility, it's on me" about the money mixup, but then when the judges asked if it was the group leader's fault, he looked at Torrie and kind of whimpered, "I don't know who else..."

 

[Keggy]

Dan and Loni are tied for my least favorite. Dan should leave his shirt on. He is trying to come across like a David (that won previously) and he is no where near good looking, in my opinion. I really don't care for Antonio either, so I guess I don't really care who wins at this point.

I thought the challenge yesterday would have been impossible. They just didn't have enough time.

 

[DizBelle]

I think Tori has primary responsibility for the budget mixup. There was confusion in the discussion in the car and as team leader she should have made it abundantly clear how much money there was for the pergola. But she kept her mouth shut and let the confusion continue. Dan could have clarified with her but as team leader, Tori was responsible for making sure everyone knew the budget they had to work within.

I, for one, am glad Tori is gone.

 

[missypie]

I think Tori has primary responsibility for the budget mixup. There was confusion in the discussion in the car and as team leader she should have made it abundantly clear how much money there was for the pergola. But she kept her mouth shut and let the confusion continue. Dan could have clarified with her but as team leader, Tori was responsible for making sure everyone knew the budget they had to work within.

I, for one, am glad Tori is gone.

WHY did she sit there when Dan said he had $5000 and Antonio said it was $10,000? She was sitting right there. It wasn't like she was in a different room...they were all inches away from each other in the van. I think she didn't have it written down and didn't have it straight herself.

I'm glad to see her go, too. She said she was qualified to be team leader because she has chosen exterior finishes for spec homes...sorry, but that has nothing to do with planning a functional back yard.

Of course, she could have had wonderful ideas, but Antonio was too dominant. That is so un "real world." People hire one designer, not a team who have to fight it out for their ideas to get done.

 

[DizBelle]

Tori wasn't very good on camera either. I didn't like here hosting style. I thought Dan was best on camera. Antonio was kind of annoying on camera.

 

[missypie]

We absolutely knew Antonio would win, even though we loved Dan and thought his house turned out much better. The female judges were obviously ga ga over Antonio - I guess a straight acting guy is so rare in the design world that design talent doesn't matter.

I HATED the colors in Antonio's living room...if I was that family, right now I'd be figuring out what other color I could paint the walls so it doesn't look all muddy. The nursery ANYone could have done..paint walls, buy new bed, apply stars. Jeez. The master bedroom looked cold and some furniture was out of scale. I did like the kitchen. Antonio was right to get rid of the lilac.

Dan really got the family - I think they'll love their house now. The TV behind the mirrored wall was very cool. The D's bedroom was great.

I was glad that the carpenter staff seemed to have done a great job for both guys. I think it's so unfair when some of the staff members are slackers.

Note no "results" show. In the past there's been the last challenge (with help from the no. 3 and 4 place contestants), then a results show with everyone coming back, a live audience. I really didn't miss it, but it was obviously a lower budget show.

Finally, did Dan win ANYTHING? In the past, didn't both finalists get cars?

 

[Feralpeg]

We absolutely knew Antonio would win, even though we loved Dan and thought his house turned out much better. The female judges were obviously ga ga over Antonio - I guess a straight acting guy is so rare in the design world that design talent doesn't matter.

I HATED the colors in Antonio's living room...if I was that family, right now I'd be figuring out what other color I could paint the walls so it doesn't look all muddy. The nursery ANYone could have done..paint walls, buy new bed, apply stars. Jeez. The master bedroom looked cold and some furniture was out of scale. I did like the kitchen. Antonio was right to get rid of the lilac.

Dan really got the family - I think they'll love their house now. The TV behind the mirrored wall was very cool. The D's bedroom was great.

I was glad that the carpenter staff seemed to have done a great job for both guys. I think it's so unfair when some of the staff members are slackers.

Note no "results" show. In the past there's been the last challenge (with help from the no. 3 and 4 place contestants), then a results show with everyone coming back, a live audience. I really didn't miss it, but it was obviously a lower budget show.

Finally, did Dan win ANYTHING? In the past, didn't both finalists get cars?

I agree. Anyone could have done what Antonio did. His final rooms were cold and boring. I hated the colors he used. There were absolutely no accents that grabbed me and made me like the rooms. The kitchen was okay, but I hated the living room and bedrooms. I thought the little boy's room was BORING! I could have done the same thing, although I wouldn't have.

Dan's rooms were beautiful and very classy.

I think HGTV made a big mistake on this one. Not only do I not like Antonio's smug personality, I don't think he has a clue when it comes to decorating. I won't be watching his show.

 

[missypie]

HGTV was totally going for the off-beat hosting style. It will be interesting, although the HGTV shows tend to disappear without a lot of publicity regarding their cancellation.

Looks like Antonio's show is going to be remodeling his own home...boy, that's a great prize...you get paid to redo your own home with no client to please but yourself! I guess he won't have to worry about dissing his client's color choices!

 

[luvmy3]

I wasn't a huge fan of Dan, other than seeing him with his shirt off but I absolutely loved his house. I think it showed real design. I didn't like Antonio's house at all, but I knew he was going to win anyway. I have no intention of watching his show, not only do I not like any of the things he has done on Design Star, I don't like watching him. If I want to see a handyman/designer I'll stick to Carter

 

[DizBelle]

I'm bummed that Dan didn't win. Antonio's style (design and hosting) just rubs me the wrong way. I won't be watching.

 

[diznygirl]

I think Dan is the better designer, but HGTV decided to go with something different. It's a shame because I would love to see the classy designs that Dan can produce.

I suggest everyone go over to HGTV.com to vote for Dan to get his own online show.

 

[missypie]

I think Dan knew he woudln't be chosen when Candice and Genevive were just doubled over with laughter at the lame jokes in Antonio's reveal.