The DS Episode 6 Challenge was to decorate a $400,000+ condo in a Trump-New Jersey building. Contestants were encouraged by guest judge, Donald Trump Jr, to create a space that reflected the Trump brand of luxury and quality.
Trump Style Luxury in New Jersey
I know, I know, you already heard who was eliminated, about the blueberry bathroom, and the taxi under the glass dome.But you haven’t heard my witty observations yet, because I was in Baltimore and Washington DC in a hotel with (can you believe it) no HGTV. I called my cat from Baltimore and asked his opinion, but he wasn’t very forthcoming this week. So yesterday, I was one with my DVR, and once again, Design Star continued to amaze me with mediocrity and lack of creativity. This week I was struck by a number of only-in-Design Star-World- realities.
#1- Practical skills and common sense don’t matter. Evidently, you don’t need to know crown molding is installed at an angle, has a top and bottom and beds need a mattress and box spring. You don’t need to know drop cloths don’t drape well and do not shout, “Luxury!” You also can make foolish amateur mistakes in DS world. If I was competing for my own show, you can bet I would measure three times and truly think out my decisions.
Million Dollar Views Ignored
#2-Listening to the client isn’t important.
Hel-lo-o, this was a Trump Project. Glitz, glamour, luxury, are Trump hallmarks. (sometimes even pushing the envelope toward tacky) But neither team really seemed to understand the meaning of luxury or creativity. These were model condos created to SELL the project. Addressing million-dollar views with furniture placement is Decorating…and Staging 101. Both teams ignored that key feature as well as the opulence and luxury that Trump is known for. My feeling was the winner was more by default than merit.
#3-Design Star is not be a Talent Show- I(and most of America) thought Design Star searched for the most talented in the country and combined that with on-camera skills, and Voila’…A STAR! Well, not so much, as talent does not really seem to be a pre-requisite or they are doing an amazing job of hiding it. I have yet to see a Design Star room that delights me. In fact, the entire season, has not given me ONE memorable idea. Even the winning condo, in my humble opinion, was very disappointing. If what I presented to my clients was that underwhelming, I wouldn’t still be in business 35 years later.
#4-There is no ME in team. I have the pleasure of working with teams on a regular basis. Each time I teach a class, our team creates beautiful rooms. The key is to combine everyone’s shining moments of creativity into a cohesive masterpiece. We experience individual and team pride. Our ideas are not meant to be self-serving but for the betterment of the entire process. No one is the DIVA. Design Star contestants don’t understand if you are a village…you need to work as a village, for the better good of the space.
#5. Challenges are not reality based. Show us a challenge that the real DIY, Decorator and Designer, encounter on a regular basis. They might be based on:
1. Creating a budget-driven transformation that doesn’t look budget driven.
2. Satisfying the needs of a family of 5 while creating the aesthetic appeal they desire.
3. Upgrading ready made draperies, textiles and artwork to a custom status.
Next week, we will see a kitchen challenge for a Sears Photo Challenge. Take a look at the sneak peek to see a discussion that never even needs to take place. The answer is obvious to a real design star…those of us who delight clients on a daily basis, like you and I.
Good points JoAnne. I agree totally. I have been very disappointed with Design Star this season. The name doesn’t quite fit these people.
I TOTALLY agree with you. Especially #5 where are the REAL day to day challenges. I believe the show is partly to blame for the poor quality we are seeing.
I agree with you about being underwhelmed. I have watched Design Star since the beginning and think this group is not the calibre of previous groups.
Where is the creativity not to mention common sense in this group. No one stands out to me. Although the challenges are different than other seasons, I’m not impressed with anyone in the group and certainly have not seen anything that wows me.
I hope someone emerges as the front runner soon because I can’t see anyone person in this group hosting a show. And seriously, purchasing furniture and not measuring to see if it will fit in the space………come on.
Show me something!!
I watch these shows to learn something new…
not sure this show works.
I hate the back stabing I have seen in past seasons so I no longer watch.
i’ve been anxiously awaiting your views. This is really shining the light on the fact that NONE of them posess the “practical” Decorating abilities.
I know the rug on one angle, furniture another. The AWFUL bed…what were they thinking? Complete lack of PIZAZZ and WOW!
An oversized calendar of NY Architecture done in Blk & Wht film, taken apart and put up in like frames in a grid would have looked classy and for mere penny’s on the dollar.
The DSA works as a “team”, proof positive that several strong personalities can work together to create something that is greater than any “one” of us.
i petition that a DSA/One Day Decorating grad or faculty member should compete on the show next year;)
DesAnn
DSA-Staging Director & trainer
I was a fan of the show, and still watch in hopes that it will show me something. This season has been TERRIBLE! The judges are mean and arrogant. The shame is that this is not how they behaved in past seasons. I believe the new producers are doing their best to make it catty and mean. In my opinion, there hasn’t really been a chance for anyone to shine. The challanges are all group related. Of course they need to compromise to get it done right but that’s difficult to do when they need to think about ‘me,me,me’. I think when Trent left he spoke volumes by saying he just dosen’t thrive in this type of enviornment, who does? All of the judges comments have been highly critical and there is nothing constructive about it. It also seems as though there is too much focus on personalities and almost none on design. They barely show the rooms and what is being done. By the way…what happened to budgets and time limits? It’s hard, as a viewer, to judge what is being done with out these huge factors. If this show has another season I hope they figure out a way to make in about good design.
BTW, I do LOVE the next food network star! Well done.