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.