Okay first let me say that I usually don't voice my opinion that much on this site as an editor, but I now think its time I say a little something about the other nights episode of Top Design.
I had similiar comments as Aaron from AT-NY, but being from LA and being a designer here locally I was SO INCREDIBLY DISSAPOINTED in the show. Back in August of 2006 I was asked personally from the casting department to audition for the show and at the time I was opening my showroom, so it was certainly a conflict but I did it anyway. Looking back I am glad things worked out they way did they did.
Regarding Wednesdays episode, when given the opportunity to shop within the PDC with a $50,000 budget and given the "objects" from a client, wouldn't you seriously go on a major shopping spree and really think about what the client is looking for? Don't you think its odd but not one decorator (sorry I cannot say designer just yet) said where each item would be placed in the room.
I LOVED the items, but in no way did those objects reflect the rooms at all. I don't think anyone listened to the client, which is YOUR job as a designer.
And wasn't that the challenge?
I also found it obvious that they had no idea what to do with all that money. They had carpenters and seamstresses to "help" them along the way. Can someone please tell me when did wenge furniture and lime green walls come back into style or should I ask when did it ever. And why in the world did the first challenge involve the PDC and a huge budget! Give me Wal-Mart or Kmart and create a dynamic room on $300bucks! Remember when on Top Chef they sent them to a convenient store to make a gourmet meal, now that is a challenge!
Margaret was fab, and her litter box comment was right on.
Kelly was very quiet, I really do hope she shares her opinions more.
And as for Mr. Adler, I could not agree with him more, and wondered why the heck he didn't host the show. His personality is wonderful and perfectly honest.
Lets hope the next episode steps it up in terms of design.
What did you guys think of show? We would love for you to share your comments!
For $50,000 PLUS free labor from a carpenter and seamstress, "not sucking" should be a slam dunk, with opportunities for "frickin' awesome."
But, apparently, in the hands of America's Crappiest Decorators, its just a recipe for high-priced disaster.
Based on the color schemes and designs, I'd say half the design-testants were on LSD and the other wish they were.
For the best dish on the show, go here:
http://projecttopdesign.blogspot.com/
Oh no you d'in't!
Don't trash Lime Green walls!!! They are classic if you know how to furnish a room with that color.
Speaking of trends, I do enjoy me some Hollywood Regency (Dorothy Draper, Douquette et al), but it is dangerously close to being played out.
I'm predicting a war on revival damask prints in 2 years, if not sooner.
The room that won was so gimmicky. Looked like a grad student gallery, not a living space. And the upholstery on that swing? Blech. Like a bad 80's nightmare.
I don't know what show you watched, but I found Margaret super bitchy in an East Coast boarding school catty girl way, but all grown up and in charge of a mag. No thanks.
Kelly, I thought, seemed so sweet, which I found refreshing.
I heart Jonathan, adore Todd, but he' no host. This show is hopelessly bereft of its much needed Tim Gunn.
todd oldham is so ANOYYING!!!!! he is so not any thing like tim gunn or even tom colicchio.he is wayyyy to inthusiastic,and the woman from elle is a b*$%#!
but i though the sand box was genius.the first guest judge was lame,and those idems do not represent her at all!
the nine year old,
devin
I think it it is not working because it is over produced. I like the idea of an open call in various cities, instead of contestants by invitation which seems unfair, and an all too transparent coordination of hopeful conflict and drama!! I think we are over that, watching a quality creative process unfold is far more satisfying. The drama will take care of itself. Project Runway seemed to be approaching this, and now alas we are back where we started - with bad reality TV.
Shauna - I was going to pretty much write the exact same thing you did - so thanks for saving me some time!
Although I don't have lime green walls, I think they can be fabulous. Heck, most colors can be fabulous if you pair them with the right furnishings and accents. Lime green is luscious and alive and works with many different styles. Much of Kate Spade's home is in this lovely color.
I also agree about the Hollywood Regency trend being nice, but definitely a trend that is peaking and will fade quickly.
Shauna, are you "More Dash Than Cash" Shauna? If so, I look up your gorgeous and unique home once in a while for a smile and some inspiration.
I'm not sure how Bravo missed the boat so badly when PR was so good. True, no Tim Gunn but "See ya later, decorators?!" Who came up with that one? I didn't really notice all the bitchiness that Mags is supposed to have shown, but she is looking at the producers of a spread for HER magazine so she needs to be tough. How would you feel looking at those rooms and wondering how you were going to fit them into Elle Decor? Poor Todd, he'd do some much better winging it rather than reading cue cards. The thing that bothered me the MOST (and I've written this other places) were the ubiquitous Adler vases. In the preview. In the background of every interview. It's probably not his fault but it is tacky in the worst kind of way. I'm trying to give the show a chance and we'll see what happens tonight.
Vanessa- Seeing that you hate lime green, were you disaapointed with the color choices of many AT readers during "I've got color"? Are all those readers "out of style"?
Heather,
My opinion is based ONLY on this show and the rooms that were decorated by the "design experts". Since the challenge was to create a tranquil room it would have been nice to see something outside that box other than lime greens walls.
And I also want to be clear - I never said "I hate" lime green walls, I am just not a fan.
Vanessa, you nailed it. The show was such a disappointment. It was inspirational only if I want to make my home look like a catalog. Which makes me wonder, are most of the contestants actually "stylists?" And if so, how does that afffect their choices?
I'm not a fan of lime green or chartreuse mainly because those colors are rarely flattering to a "girl's" complexion.
I was looking forward to the show, but found it terribly disappointing, from the challenges (I've seen the first two so far) to how little most contestants rise to the challenges (I didn't see a single room that looked worthy of $50K and the next challenge's results were worse overall). The judges are blah, from Adler (who might do well to watch the video and adjust his goofy faces), to Wearstler (who's awfully wooden, first time I've seen her speak, I was shocked), to Russell (who takes herself and her magazine far too seriously). Overproduced, underimagined, I think it's another loss for Bravo. And having been a fan of Project Runway & Top Chef, in their early stages (not this season when a physical assault was a part of Top Chef and the show was manipulatively edited), I think the network's true intent, besides making a pile o'cash, is to kill design- & food-related reality television. Sadly, Bravo's becoming a joke (if it hasn't already).