apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I really enjoyed the first season of Design Star and I'm curious as to whether the producers paid close attention to Top Design and whether they learned anything from the way that ran. Personally I think Design Star was the stronger of the two shows, even though I expected to like Top Design more, so I was really excited to learn there would be a second season!

Exactly! There was some tiny, funny little something missing about the overall sheen to that first season -- almost as if it were filmed with a less expensive camera, or something -- but it was a very good show, and I enjoyed it much, much more than Top Design.

I'm just hoping that the glitz of the whole Vegas thing doesn't drag it into completely tacky glitz. That could be a little too much sheen, methinx.

Who are the judges for this season?

Oh, I just read the same judges as last time. I do think the other design shows had better judges. Surprised they are sticking with these judges for another season.

The first Design Star show was allright, I was occasionally impressed yet frequently disgusted by the episodes. Despite the problems, I am impressed by David Bromstadt's work on "Color Splash". However, I felt that the "Design Star" show's downfall was its unrealistic time constraints. Although a few interiors appeared impressive, I simply can't see how a competent designer, amateur or professional is supposed to conceive and then create an outstanding design demonstrating their skills within the miniscule amount of time provided. Excellent design requires a LOT of research, interaction with the client, intimate knowledge of local sources, and trial and error.

As a result I have to wonder about the homes of the people who volunteered their spaces for the show. The kitchen they messed up where pine planks were substituted for wood flooring sticks painfully in my mind. I would never, ever allow any part of my living space to be renovated in a 24 hour period no matter how many people and materials the producers threw at the space. That kind of haste can only result in a disaster.

I find that I can't watch much of these shows- there always seems to be at least one contestant that is such a pain in the butt- negative, obnoxious, loud, rude, backstabbing etc... I don't want that in my REAL life, why watch that crap on tv? Yes, they are competing against each other in a way, but that doesn't mean they have to be awful human beings to each other.

Am I missing something or was there supposed to be an interview?

No, Jeremy, you're not missing anything... this is just the announcement, so readers can contribute questions.

I'm talking to him later today, and the interview will be included on a later Post.

how do you spell titlillating?

Um, mod*mom, your question came in after the interview, but I'll ask him next time I talk to him.

i gotta say the new season of design star is looking SO good. i work with hgtv and i got to preview the new episode, it's the casting special, and it's so fun, and the contestants all look like they're guna be tough competitors this season. the show premieres on the 22nd so make sure to catch it. and on the 8th episode you guys can vote online for a finalist. kool huh? check it out

will there be posts to discuss episodes, as AT did with top design? i think design star is a more appealing, less obnoxious show, so i'd be interested in responding to the episodes and challenges, etc.