Did you watch the season finale of HGTV’s Design Star? It was down to these two: Emily and Michael. They each had to design an apartment for one of their former rivals. Emily chose dapper, “dangerous” Tom to be her pretend client, and Michael chose the mural-loving Nina, who earned the nickname “Meana” during her time on the show. Here’s how they turned out. (Spoilers ahead!)
Emily’s Apartment (for Tom)
Emily went for a pinstripe wall treatment that she taught viewers how to recreate at home (lots of painter’s tape is involved). When she was finished, the apartment really did look like the kind of place Tom would live in.
Michael’s Apartment (for Nina)
When Michael pretended to interview his “client Nina” for the cameras, he opened with, “You’re beautiful. Too bad your place is so tragic.” Which I thought was the worst pickup line I’d ever heard from a designer. He went on to insist that he was going to give her a “big-girl bed” and decorate with lots of “big-girl pink.” In case you’re wondering, here’s what that looks like:
Everybody gathered in the studio to watch the shows that they had taped. Emily said hers was about looking at what a client likes to wear and translating it into their home. Michael explained his was “for starter outers who are transitioners.” Or something like that. I hope his comes with English subtitles.
We watched the judges pretend to deliberate and then they finally announced the winner–It’s Emily Henderson! And her new show, premiering next Sunday night, will be called “Secrets from a Stylist.”
The rest of the contestants gathered around and pretended to be happy for her.
So what do you think? Did the right person win? Will you watch her new show? Vote below!
{ 59 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m staying up to watch the show re-run at 1:00a.m. but just by the photo’s it seems Emily’s room was alot nicer and professional then the other…..and really giving someone a “Big Girls Bed”……we just got Miss B her big girl bed but she’s 3!
I have no idea if the right person won because we don’t get this show here (in Canada.) I know some Canadian bloggers have watched it but I don’t know how. Judging from the rooms above and what I have heard, I think she deserved to win.
.-= Vanessa@decor happy´s last blog ..Upholstered Headboard Heaven =-.
I have no idea who should have won since I only watched the two first episodes. From the pictures above, the rooms don’t look all that great and I wouldn’t want them to design a room for me. No offense.
I couldn’t watch this year’s contest. The contestants were all bad.
I watched on and off. Miss the final, but wasn’t much impressed with either final room.
Emily R O C K S ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! I can’t wait for her show!!!!!
I haven’t watched this show because we don’t get it here, but I do like that first room better. The second room looks like a kid’s room.
.-= Carrie´s last blog ..Cooking For A Crowd =-.
I barely watched this season of “Design Star”…but I will tune in to check out Emily’s new show.
Have a great week!
: )
Julie M.
.-= The Little Red Shop´s last blog ..Clayson Farm Antique Show =-.
After last week’s sun rooms and the finally, I was cheering for Emily. I want her to come to my house!!
.-= lindsay´s last blog ..If we had 35 candles this cobbler would be a-flamin =-.
I only watched a couple of episodes this season, as I didn’t like the format. I felt there was hardly any focus on the actual designs. Thank you for satisfying my curiosity though and letting me know who eventually won the show. Lx
.-= Laura´s last blog ..A Slice of England in Pennsylvania =-.
I have never watched this series but have seen bits and pieces through various blogs. Based only on the two pictures above it looks like the right person won of the two remaining contestants.
.-= Stacy@RedDoorHome´s last blog ..Like Mother Like Daughter =-.
I loved Emily from the beginning – her quirky personality drew me in and then you could tell that she was really talented! Can’t wait to watch her new show!
.-= Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish´s last blog ..Patio Update! =-.
I admit that I haven’t watched the show. I think the last time I saw it was when David won (who still has a show with color). Linda
.-= Linda@Nina’s Nest´s last blog ..Kitchen Redo & Fabulous GW Bargains =-.
The viewers certainly weren’t the winners this time. The season lacked creative, realistic challenges and when they finally had one for the last episode, the focus was on the personalities of the contestants, not on the design. Emily is fun, but I can’t really see myself getting excited to tune into a weekly show of quirky.
I think they actually may have found a person who will be a success in this format. I am looking forward to watching her show next week! Janell
.-= Janell Beals´s last blog ..Stencil Happiness! =-.
I like the top one
.-= Juju at Tales of Whimsy.com´s last blog ..Book Beginnings on Friday- Well- Well- Well =-.
Of course the right person won!!! Cute girl-check. Nice girl- check. Talent-check. Fellow blogger-double check.
Like all HGTV hosts, she will have a hard time coming up with week after week of good material.
Does anyone miss Kitty Bartholomew, and how innocent we were back then before we all got so smarty pants with all the info we get from HGTV (and al the other TV design shows) and blogs? Just sayin’
xo xo
.-= Visual Vamp´s last blog ..Pink Monogram Plates =-.
Yes,Yes,Yes! I sure do miss the old HGTV with Kitty and Paul (The Gardner Guy) Matt & Sherry and Joan Steffend. Those were the talented people who really were creative.
I miss the old HGTV shows. It’s all House Hunters and Property Virgins now (one can only stare at whining house buyers for so long). There was one show that was great called Sensible Chic and a spin off of that called Double Take. Then there was Get Color and now it’s latest spin off Colour Confidential. I miss the good old shows. I wonder where the Kitty, Matt & Sherry and Joan are now. I miss Michael Payne too.
You would think with the economy the way it is and all of us looking to make our homes better because now we have to live here longer, that they would come up with new shows that show how to take garage sale finds or what you have to make it better. Not many of us are in the home shopping market any more.
Hear hear! What I miss is “Freestyle” where the designers used the clients own belongings to redo a room–and the clients were there for the whole process. What was more amazing is that often the clients were people in small apartments instead of giant houses full of furniture to re-purpose. I think one time 20 bucks was spent. I never missed an episode, even if I had seen it a million times.
Then there’s the newer show, Redesign, I think its called that again re-did the room with 98% of the owners current belongings. The closest I’ve found to that is a new show on A&E called $100 Makeover. (its on saturday mornings in the US).
Wish the HGTV ptbs could see these comments. . . not that it matters. Oh–and I found this season of Design Star to be uninspiring, seriously lacking in any kind of focus on the contestents’ designs, and quite boring with the judges in the lead. Clive’s hosting charm was seriously missed.
-karen (a first time visitor here)
I liked Emily the best over Michael….something about his mannerisms just make me nervous. I think the REAL show that they should have next year should be “Who Should be the New HOSTS of Design Star”. It was like all of this years hosts had a lump of coal up their _ss this year. I think it takes good judges to bring out the best in the contestants. I’m voting for David Bromstad!
.-= Tammy´s last blog ..A pillow for Aiden =-.
Neither one of them rocked my socks off. I loved Casey. She won several challenges, was a cute as a button and didn’t try any of that reality show garbage, like trashing her opponents. I think she should have one, but between Michael and Emily, I am glad Emily won. I’ll watch her show…but then again, I will pretty much watch anything on HGTV, so that isn’t saying much.
.-= Blessed Mama´s last blog ..3 years ago =-.
I’ve never watched it before (no cable), but based on these two pictures and the attitude, I’d say definitely YES!
I watched it last night and I was really happy that Emily won! For starters, she’s from Portland, Oregon (like me!) and it’s sort of sweet vindication after Dan Vickery didn’t win last year – le sigh! Also, I find her style to be sort of quirky and different and I think sometimes a lot of the designers on HGTV can look a little cookie cutter….so it’s good that they’re trying to think outside the box and do something a little different (just like the Antonio Project!)
I didn’t think that any of the designers expressed any particularly powerful point of view this year, nor did I think they were particularly talented. Antonio B. may not be for everyone (he’s a fave of mine) but you knew exactly where he was coming from — and the second place finisher last year was more talented than any of these people. I was rather shocked and dismayed. I thought some of Emily’s tast level was questionable, and Michael couldn’t seem to pull it together.
I don’t watch DS. I’ve never really cared for any of the people that have won. Too modern for my taste. In fact, I don’t watch very much HGTV any more. The only show that I have really liked to watch was the one where Sarah Richardson remodeled that farmhouse. It’s sad, cause I really want to like HGTV, but I don’t.
.-= beth´s last blog ..August happenings =-.
I only saw one or two shows this season. I didn’t really care for anyone this time around. It didn’t even hold my attention. But now, Food Network Star was a blast to watch this year! LOL!
Always love your blog, Julia!
~Misti
.-= Misti England´s last blog ..The Perfect Inheritance =-.
I like Emily’s quirky design sense. She also has her own blog http://thebrasspetal.blogspot.com/.
Thanks for the debriefing! I tried SO hard to watch the show this season…to be fair and non-judgemental of the contestants, challenges, designs, judges, music, choppy editing, over-dramatized relationships…oh, oops. See? I can’t even talk about the show sans judgement. Maybe that’s the point?
Anyway, I tuned out after the first 4 or 5 shows. Was really tired of the group challenges and it was such a struggle for someone without DVR to sit through it. I wish Emily the best though. I’ll be curious about her new show. Surprised it’s taken HGTV this long to put on a show with a “stylist” spin…
.-= Kelly, Arte Styling´s last blog ..IntroducingNettie & Vals Jewelry Line Psssstand theres a giveaway! =-.
I love Emily’s design concept, and I was on Team Emily from the get-go. I am happy that Emily won, and agree that the right decision was made. I was very dissapointed that Michael made it to the last 2, as his personality leaves much to be desired. I’m looking forward to Emily’s show!
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..My Take- The Ground Zero Mosque =-.
Of the two I wanted Emily to win, she’s more personable and down to earth. However, this season was so very blah for me. It lacked creativity in every single episode. I only continued to watch the show so I could have closure. Hopefully they will do a better job with the show next year!
Will I watch Emily’s show? Maybe. I liked the idea of her show as she takes people’s personal fashion and translates it into decor. If she can pull it off then it may actually be a good show. We’ll see.
.-= deanne´s last blog ..A Curious Find =-.
Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! Watching Michael on his own show would be enough to keep me tuned away from HGTV for THE REST OF MY LIFE.
.-= Design Blahg´s last blog ..DESIGN STAR RECAP FINALE- Ive Seen Fire And Ive Seen Rain =-.
I have not been wowed by any of the contestants…, and kept my fingers crossed that Michael wouldn’t win! And it worked, haha.
.-= Maya @ Completely Coastal´s last blog ..Handcrafted Home Decor with Driftwood =-.
Oh yes. I loved her design and her idea for the show. I will definitely watch.
.-= elz´s last blog ..Friday Favorites-Here and There =-.
Julia, You are hilarious! It’s funny when you said the losing contestants gathered and pretended they were happy for Emily. I’m sure that was it…and they all wished it was them (LOL)! I’m not sure that Emily is a good designer, but since she is a professional stylist, and bubbly, and blond, they gave her the gig. I liked the other blond girl though, she was in the final three, but I forgot her name already.
.-= Marie´s last blog ..From Trash to Treasure =-.
Hi all! I just found this blog so this is my first comment. I was really happy that Emily won because I got the impression even she thought the show and its challenges were lame. Whenever she did a talking head I felt she was having a hard time not rolling her eyes as she talked about finding inspiration for her room in a flower or some mexican food. She has a quirky and intelligent personality, plus I like her Anthropolgie-ish wardrobe. Her sunroom and pinstripe room worked for me. Congratulations Ms. Emily Henderson!!!!
I think Micheal was probably a better designer with more experience but he was so hard to watch. Emily was much more comfortably in front of the camera. I was pretty unimpressed with most of the season though. I’ve seen much more inspired spaces in the blog world than what come out on screen. Just my opinion though.
We’re giving away free design consultations. Check it out!
.-= Pamela @Atmosphere ID´s last blog ..Weekend GIVEAWAY!! =-.
I was pulling for Emily from the first show I saw–I think it was the second challenge when they designed a bedroom for another designer starting with a few of the same items (single bed, white bookcase, etc.). Emily was in the bottom two, but watching her video defending it, it was obvious then that she had a great personality and presence for her own show. She’s different from most of the other female TV design show personalitites. She’s a little quirky but very likeable and believeable…and later on proved herself to be a great designer.
I wanted more focus on the actual designs this season! Oh well. I think Emily was pretty good. My son is depressed that Michael didn’t win. I’m getting them started on HGTV early.
.-= anna see´s last blog ..Friday Hodge-Podge =-.
Emily definitely won the last competition. In my opinion, she had been over-accessorizing her last rooms, especially the glass room in the last episode, but her last design was restrained, detailed enough to be interesting, and really felt like it was designed for Tom. For her presentation skills, she’s pleasant to watch in general, but needs to cut down on the caffeine. Her speedy delivery may just be nerves; if she takes her time and breathes a little, she should do OK. I never would have guessed earlier in the season that she would have ended up winning because in the large group competitions, the meeker contestants got their ideas shut down (NINA!) Nice to see talent, and not just big talk win at the end of the day.
Couldn’t get past the first half of the first episode this year. Sure would like to see real design opportunities for individual contestants. Team challenges and the “reality tv” thing is a turn off. Loved House hunters at first, but it has become so staged that it is difficult to watch. I am about cured of my addiction to HGTV.
I agree I would never have guessed earlier in the show that Emily would have won. She faded into the back ground. But some times flying low is the best strategy. She is very sweet and I have been following her on her blog , http://thebrasspetal.blogspot.com/ . She is much more up beat on her blog than on the show. probably nerves. I wish her much success.
.-= Sue Murphy´s last blog ..Sea Shells and French Style =-.
Design-wise, neither was all that impressive. But it was time for a female to win, and Emily’s show premise is pretty interesting. Plus, Michael invents words and messes up so many idioms, I don’t think we could bear to watch a whole episode of just him.
I just finished watching it from our DVR. Gotta say I’m THRILLED. I pegged Emily from the first show. I just liked the way she dressed and her personality, so I think her design concept for the show is perfect. The sunroom she designed was awesome. Had an Anthropologie feel to it. So I’m really excited to see her new show. I think she will do a fab job!!! Michael was just a little too David Bromstad to me. Love him, but we need something new:)
I don’t watch this show, but if these two rooms are any indication of the level of work they both did throughout the season, the winner is obvious. The pink room is hideous! And no, not because it uses pink necessarily. It’s just bad (very bad) design all around. Just my opinion though.
I am looking forward to seeing Emily’s show. I hope she does well. I was a bit disappointed in this season. I thought the contestants weren’t as talented as in the past and I just couldn’t get in to all the inspiration challenges. I think we all need inspiration for what we do but it was hard to see how the bongo drums or fruit salad was inspiring. Maybe it’s just me. I hope they change things up next year.
.-= Debra´s last blog ..Update =-.
Well well, another blond …just how many can we get on TV. Emily was a meek player who did finish strong, but I will not watch her. I agree w alot of your viewers, with the economy as it is..think about it..Just HOW MANY of us are buying new homes anyway…alot of us ( i.e. ME in my home 25 yrs) would like to see some new ideas of how to freshen up the old homestead…OK do Apt’s for the yuppies, Condos,but honestly, do more shows like the old ones that people REAL FOLKS can identify with and try to incorporate into our own homes… Go back to some of what made HGTV a network worth watching. It is so boring and stale..enough HouseHunters anyway…and WHY SO MANY RERUNS…I will never move to Belize or Honduras..Have you seen the Gov’t corruption/crime there..geezh!!
I watched two episodes and was initially so excited about the change of producers and the New York location. I felt underwhelmed by the competitors. My hope is that Bravo will stop focusing on gaudy, tacky housewives and bring back Top Design.
I do think the right person won. Although I was completely disappointed in the show all season, the last two episodes were more of what I thought the show should be and I thought Emily showed a lot of style and class in those two episodes. Yay Emily! I look forward to seeing her first show and we’ll see where it goes from there.
i think the whole show was rigged. i could tell from the beginning that HGTV wanted her to win. there were a few times, she should have gotten the boot. based on the last show, she did deserve to win over michael (?). casey would have been a better challenger than michael, but i think HGTV knew this, so voted her off. i’m sure with HGTV support and training, any of these designers could have a show. emily fit the bill for the good looking host.
I can’t believe I stuck with it and watched the whole season, given that every week was a huge disappointment until the last two weeks. The contestants were never able to really show who they are with all of the stupid challenges, where they were to be inspired by fruit or instruments (I mean, really, who does that?).
Of the final 2, I think Emily was the better choice with a more original idea.
But I hope HGTV gets the memo, and goes back to a format that allows designers to showcase their work, instead of so many contrived group challenges like this year.
.-= Nicole @ Here’s The Diehl´s last blog ..No Blog Today =-.
I avoided this post yesterday b/c I hadn’t seen my DVR’d episode yet!!
As much as I liked Michael and thought he was fun, Emily did a better job with the last challenge. Her show idea seemed pretty original to me, and it was much more watchable. She seemed more natural on the camera, like someone I’d want to have lunch with. I’ll definitely check out her new show!
.-= Amanda @ Serenity Now´s last blog ..Pottery Barn Translations =-.
I didn’t think any of the designers this year were good enough or had an engaging personality to carry a show. It was a very disappointing season. There have to be better designers out there somewhere!!
I find Emily very interesting…different, fresh. Love the idea for her show.
I couldn’t stand the way Michael would walk – he always looks like he has to pee!
But Courtland what a cutie – I’d watch his show too!
I have to say Julia I didn’t get into this show…….I watched the last two weeks…and out of the two I liked Emily best…..
I miss the old shows on HGTV….does that mean I’m getting old and don’t like change??? Yikes!!! One show I could NOT watch was Miles of Style…I really DISLIKED that one !!! Is she even still on…..??? And the kitchen gal the one from a couple years back that got NO EMOTION from the Dreamhouse winner, I don’t care for her either….
Kitty, Joan, Sherry and My House is Worth What??? Miss them !!!
Kathy
I liked Emily’s show concept more–I feel like it’s something I’d be interested in. I think her hosting is just OK. Hopefully, with help, she’ll improve!
.-= Michelle Lunt´s last blog ..Summers Last Hoo-rah Making Ice Cream with Nellie =-.
I love Emily. I just found her blog and she is so charming. I wish I could be her BFF! The way Michael talks made me want to pull my hair out. And his hair, too.
I don’t like Emily – very disappointed in the entire show this year AND LAST year. Don’t like Antonio. Please, please change the format of Design Star and let us see what individual designers can do not these team challenges (although Emily should have been off the very first challenge which WAS more of an individual design) . Will never watch either of their shows and I am a HUGE HGTV FAN.
I am not a decorater (far from it) but I do think I could take a dress (or suit from my husband) throw the color on the wall and take my own accessories ( or my male clients accessories) and come up with a “designed???room”???????
I am sorry but I dislike Emily’s “I am sooo coool” attitude and cheesy fake smile.
The ONLY “design star” to really make a difference and produce a really good show is David.
I can’t stand Emily Henderson! I never liked her on Design Star and I think she is a bad designer and an even worse host! She does not have good transitions during the show and her diagnoses for people’s styles are just abysmal!
A very disappointed viewer…