Did you watch the season finale of HGTV’s Design Star last night? I thought this was a good season–there was less bickering and drama and more design, which was refreshing. I also appreciate that they didn’t expect the contestants to do everything themselves–they were given carpenters and painters so they could focus on decorating.
It came down to two strong contestants: Danielle Colding and Britany Simon. They each had to produce a pilot for the show they wanted to host. First up was Danielle’s “Shop the Room,” in which she made over a young family’s living room and dining room. Let’s take a look at the before and afters!
Here’s how the living room looked before:
Just opening up that great fireplace was a huge improvement! That big red sofa blocked it before. Here’s the after:
An artist lives here, so Danielle found ways to display her artwork and took color cues from it. I wasn’t so sure about the purple, but they seemed to love it.
The giant TV cabinet sat beside the front door before:
Here it is now, surrounded by the homeowner’s artwork:
Danielle did a great job giving the homeowners what they wanted.
I couldn’t find any photos from the episode online–HGTV hadn’t posted any yet–so I took these with my camera while watching the show this morning. Hence the lower-quality (okay, blurry) shots like this of the dining room before:
The dining room after, which had to accommodate her art studio as well as a place for the family to eat:
Then it was Britany’s turn to show her 5-minute pilot, “Picture Perfect Spaces:”
The living room before:
And after:
Vern commented that Britany knows “how to style for TV.”
The Dining Room before:
And after:
The couple seemed a little less enthusiastic than Danielle’s. They were like, “Wallpaper?” when they saw the dining room. You can see in this photo below that Britany found a rug for the living room that kind of matches the dining room:
Then it was time for the judges to reveal which contestant had the winning pilot…
David Bromstad, who acted as a mentor to the contestants all season, became the third judge for the finale, along with Genevieve Gorder and Vern Yip.
And the winner is Danielle! Cue the confetti!
What did you think of this season of Design Star? Did the right person won? Will you watch Danielle’s new show? Visit HGTV.com for (better!) photos and details about the finale.
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I loved them both.
I think they are both great at that type of decorating. I couldn’t choose, but I knew the judges would pick Danielle, as she does have the better camera presence.
I think Britney’s producer didn’t do here any favors with the wallpaper/wind segment, it was kind of off. I like Britney’s style better than Danielle’s but that is just personal taste, they were both great.
I think Danielle’s show idea makes more sense than Britany’s, though I like both their styles for sure. Danielle would be more interesting to watch, too, I think. I wish there were a way to get Hilari and Mikel on HGTV, though, as they both have fun personalities! By the way, did you see the yuck face Hilari got when she and Danielle walked into the house and saw the green walls? Cracked me up!
I liked the second room more, but what do I know?
I really enjoyed this season too. I pretty much predicted Danielle would win after her pitiful room on the color challenge. She does have a great prescence on tv. Her concept for a show was more through than the photo idea. I was kind of floored when only two photos were used instead of a whole wall in the living room. Brittany’s yurt did a better job of conveying her photo meassage.
I didn’t watch the season. I haven’t really watched HGTV decorating shows in a few years, because I don’t like the decorating. Danielle’s room looked like a cartoon! Overall, the designs don’t seem real life to me, or fit for the way people actually live. I love timeless interiors that look collected over time and “homey”. I do adore Sarah Richardson…is she still on HGTV?
Your comments are spot on!
Ugly, ugly, ugly designs.
Reminiscent of the 1930′s cold, industrial designs in Germany and other communist countries: No warmth, no comfort, no humanity.
I didn’t watch this season but did tune in last night. Based on what I saw of the contestants and comments about this particular season I wish that I had tuned in. I liked them both – I liked Brittany’s room better, but I do think that Danielle’s probably fit the style of the homeowners although nothing I would care for in my home. I am with Shabby Chick – Sarah Richardson and Candice Olson are my favorites.
We’ve been watching the new season of Sarah 101 up here in Canada — it’s great!! I am sure you will get these episodes soon!
Uhhh……I’m soooo jealous.
Anyone hear when the US season begins?
I do NOT understand what is wrong with HGTV and Sarah. She’s one of the best designers out there, hands down!!!
I did not see each episode but tuned in for the finale. Point made by a judge that Danielle had to work with the resident-artist’s art work, was a factor in Danielle’s choice I am sure. For me personally I loved both Britney’s design and thought her on-camera personality, particularly with the family and then the use of wall photos of them, was lovely. It really drew me in. Her colors by hue were plesanter to my eye and make up for daily living. Danielle’s made me smile at her creativity, as I do at many magazine design pages, but in a glance it is fine…to live with it daily…not for me. I am Not an ArtisT however! I wish Danielle well but I hope HGTV holds on to Britney as she has a sense of easy elegance if this episode
is a good example. LOVED Kim Myles…is she still anywhere on HGTV?
Haha, I totally saw that yuck face Hilari made! But I think she made a face another time too. Not that I blame them, it’s got to be hard to be kicked off the show and then have to come back and help someone in their final challenge.
Overall, I prefer Britany’s style, I would have her decorate my house in a heartbeat! But Danielle was a bit better on camera. I didn’t like Britany’s pilot as well, but I do think the producer has a lot to do with that (agree on the windy segment!). A good producer can make a big difference!
I haven’t watched the show at all (don’t watch TV) but Britney did one of my no-no’s, which is putting the TV over the fireplace so I wouldn’t have given her the win even if I loved everything else. It makes me stabbity.
Danielle certainly is more polished in her presentation and speech than Brittany. I love her design choices for the most part and think they are more sophisticated than Brittany’s, although Brittany’s might be a bit flashier. Yes, I think the HGTV panel made the right choice. It was a very enjoyable season and I will watch Danielle’s show!
As a Interior Designer myself, I personally thought Brittany’s design decisions, color palette & style were done really well. She knew what worked for the camera-vibrant colors & patterns which is so on trend at the present. I felt that she should have won this year’s Design Star as opposed to Danielle who didn’t fair well in 2 challenges on the show. Brittany designs were executed well & were completed in every challenge. The judges should evaluate their work throughout the show on every challenge given as they do on “Chopped” & base their decision on that as well as the other guidelines set forth in their design challenges. Although I would have preferred Brittany to have her own show, I congratulate Danielle on her win!
I totally agree with Grace. Plus there’s something a little scary/bitchy about Danielle, but I sorta watched this season out of one eye.
I don’t watch these shows because I generally don’t find that the winners are designers that I feel will stand the test of time and are ‘trendy’. If however, I had to choose based on just these photos, then I would have gone with Brittany. More classic style. Danielle’s was a bit too busy for me.
LOL at Hilari’s yuck face – I saw that too! I wasn’t a fan of that wall color, or how she painted the fireplace, but I did think that overall Danielle deserved to win. Her concept was better and her homeowners were really happy with their room. I thought that Brittany’s room was gorgeous, but wasn’t quite the homeowner’s style…it seemed like she did more of what she would want, kwim? I wasn’t a fan of the wallpaper…it seemed a little too granny or something? And the big picture hanging over the fireplace seemed odd to me. I am excited for Danielle’s show because I love using vintage pieces in design and it sounds like she’ll be doing a lot of that!
I think the reactions of the families said it all. That wall paper Britany chose for the dining room was WAY to busy. It over powered everything. The wall paper pattern was fighting with the patterns on the windows. My eyes were confused. And I don’t like the rug pattern in the living room. It seems out of place.
I much prefer Brittany’s decorating aesthetic. The pieces Danielle selected looked like dorm furniture and the purple was horrendous.
Don’t think I will be tuning in.
I completely agree. Target is showing all the dorm room furnishings right now and that’s what the first living room looked like to me. I liked the one wall with the art all over and that cool background color. But every other choice looked dorm to me.
Mainly, I just didn’t BELIEVE that they had the couch in front of the fireplace. That choice had to have been made by the producers to show her “fixing” the room more. No one would do that.
Second room? Eh.
I absolutely hated Danielle’s room. It looked like something from a kids book! It had no depth and those chairs in the dining room looked way too short to be useful. If someone had done a purple couch for me, I wouldn’t have liked it at all. Also, the coffee table and the tv console as well as the arc lamp were old fashioned. People don’t decorate (on purpose) like that today. On the other hand, Brittany’s room was much classier and more my style. Although, I did hate the tv over the fireplace mantle. What was she thinking? Also, that roman painting wasn’t too hip either. I really do think Brittany should have won. I liked her designs much more overall. I hope HGTV will recognize her talent and showcase her work too. She is too strong a designer to be ignored. One other thing I have always wondered: since it is a decorating show, why do they only give them a limited few days to do these designs? In the real world, they would have so much more time. It isn’t done in real time so it isn’t what they are really worthy of doing.
I think Danielle was the best choice. I think she had a very difficult assignment. She had to incorporate a work space and all that art work into a room this couple could live in. I was not thrilled with the green but perhaps it looks great in person and I did not like the purple rug. The sofa did not look purple on tv but in these photos it does. But her clients are artists and use a lot of color in their work…and they really seemed to love it. I thought the way she painted the fireplace was a bit much…but the home owners probably liked it. I thought the dining room was very nice in that she incorporated all that work stuff and a table. Seemed like a space they’d be happy to use.
Brittany’s living room was nice. But the room did not go at all with their fireplace. Their fireplace did not fit in with the glam look she went for. I feel like this is how she likes to design and she’ll do it over and over. The dining room was a miss. That was nice wallpaper but was totally wrong in this room. The windows were the standouts and the wallpaper detracted. The windows also had odd placement and I would have liked to have seen some drapes on either side to make them appear to go across the room somehow.
I think they made the right choice. I will watch the first show..if I remember. And I think this year was better than others. Although every year I say I am not going to watch….because no really good design happens on these shows. I’ve pretty much given up on HGTV. I cringe every time I see the word House Hunters…so sick of the endless hours of that show.
Britney’s room: The wallpaper drowns out the wonderful dining room windows, and the family photos get lost in the busy pattern. Perhaps only one wall of paper would have worked, but I don’t think so. The fireplace was a miss especially with the TV over it. I know design shows are always harping on competing focal points but you simply cannot watch a TV comfortably when it is set so high and far away. The pillow choices are totally random, and that giant Roman head painting is horrible!
Danielle’s room: The purple isn’t really a purple I think. The walls celebrating the home owner’s artwork is nice but way too busy, such that the uniqueness of the pieces get completely lost. She needed to pare it down & allow for a rotation of artwork, and some breathing room, rather than throwing it all up on the wall at once through the whole room. And not sure what in the world is going on with the fireplace. I’m not thrilled with the stain on the TV console, though it has nice lines. The green paint, perilously close to hospital green. Danielle had the benefit of a better producer IMO.
It was a toss up as to who should win. Both women have had strong moments and good design choices. Danielle is a bit stiff. Britney a bit too repetitive at times. Either would be more bearable than Meg IMO–I just super annoyed by the horrible personal styling they do with her. And her vocal delivery needs work.
Err….. I was less than thrilled with the outcome. Not that Danielle did anything wrong, I just have zero desire to watch her googly eyes and flat personality. Brittany has produced on-trend work the entire season, and has a bubbly cool-girl personality that would bring a lot to the hgtv family! She got yipped off.
I think now that I have thought about it more that Britney should have won…..the last challenge should not be the deciding factor; but a portion of it. They were both good but not consistantly throughtout the show…espDanelle
I likes both girls and they were who I wwas rooting for all along. However I have to admit; Brittnyt’s family did not seem as happy as Danielle’s. I really thought Britney would win overall though. I wonder if this is another “rigged”show also. I have been thinking that for the last couple of years. Rigged as in the judges know who the winner is the first week. I have no Proof; just a thought.
I think they absolutely have the winner chosen in advance!
Britney should have won. Danielle had a lot of problems with time management, and her crying every episode really got on my nerves. Plus, she wasn’t consistent with her design choices (meaning I didn’t like them!), whereas I loved every one of Britney’s designs, plus I think viewers would respond to her show better than Danielle’s. I think Meg was the wrong choice last year; what’s up with Design Star always getting it wrong?! The only good ones so far have been David and Emily. Not sure I’m going to watch the show anymore.
I agree that Britney should have won. I will never watch Danielle’s show. I haven’t liked her at all throughout the show. Her eyes are expressionless and almost closed all of the time…drives me nuts! Britney is much more talented than Danielle. I was totally shocked that they chose Danielle as the winner. Didn’t Britney win the most fan votes? Design Star needs to listen to the fans and choose who the fans like because that’s who’s going to watch. I also agree with you that Design Star always gets it wrong. I love David’s shows but never watch any of the others the show has chosen to win.
I’m glad Danielle won. I like her concept of shopping for unique pieces. Britany’s designs seem kind of generic to me. But if I was just going by personalities, I would have picked Hilari – she’s cute and fun.
Danielle was on my radar during all the shows. She just had to win, nobody else had her style. Looking forward to her new show, which should include something about photography.
I doubt I will watch it, because it is going to “air” ONLINE!! No time to watch what’s on the TV, much less on a tiny computer screen.
Was that a stuffed dog on the first mantle?
I noticed that! It doesn’t take much decorating knowledge to do that. That’s why I thought Brittany should have won. The judges neglected to mention that. I’m absolutely sure they knew going in who would win.
when i watched the show, the couch and rug looked gray not purple. that said, i thought both designers did a very good job all season, with britney being a bit more consistent. i was surprised britney didn’t win. i would love to see hillari and britney again somewhere on hgtv. this season had some great talent!
I missed this…thanks for the great recap! I think Danielle did a great job…nice to have all of that artwork to use for inspiration!
I thought their rooms were quite similar and looked like nearly everything else that HGTV puts out these days. I agree with the commenter above that there is a cartoon quality to Danielle’s room. A lot of the trendy furniture and decor I see used on HGTV looks like something out of a Dr. Seuss book. I doubt I’ll watch. It would be hard to find it between the 12 episodes of house hunters they air every day.
Danielle’s room was a drug induced nightmare. I’m surprised she didn’t break down and cry as she did through out the competition (talk about the ugly cry face). Last year’s winner Meg was equally disappointing and like last year’s winner I won’t watch Danielle’s show.
I much preferred Britany’s style but was confused by her 2 pictures use only. If you are naming your show about taking pictures then show them.
The judges once again are an epic failure. Vern and Genivive are so pompous and David isn’t worthy of being a judge.
Although I definitely liked Britany better all season, this room was not her best work. The 2 color wall scheme paired with only 2 ginormous pieces of artwork in the LR made the whole room too hard and stark. There was virtually nothing to soften the room except some ugly throw pillows. Danielle’s room was not my taste – who could ever relax in those rooms? – but she had more of the owners’ personality to work with so her challenge was definitely the easier of the two. I won’t watch her show… can’t get past the nasally voice and the exhausted undereye circles. I would watch Britany so I hope they find room in the lineup for her, or maybe TLC or Bravo will hire her. Anything would be better than 3 year old House Hunters reruns.
I do like Brittany’s style a little better than Danielle’s, but I didn’t think she was significantly better than Danielle (the couch, etc. was not purple on my tv – it was gray). What really tipped the balance for me was that Danielle was kind of scary when she tried to be excited or “real.” It was clearly not a comfortable state for her, and did not feel genuine to me at all but instead seemed like she forced it in response to the judge’s comments. Especially when she was talking about the vintage chair — yikes. I also felt like Danielle was the pre-destined winner from the beginning. I really wish Hilari had won.
Is it just me — the weirder the design, the more the judges like it? I really wish the judges would read all the comments here, and bring them back into the REAL world of design. And I totally agree with Tricia about the House Hunter reruns — give me a break!
Although I didn’t like the wallpaper in Britany’s dining room makeover, I did like her designs and preferred them over Danielle’s. On the show, I thought Danielle’s sofa and rug were gray instead of purple. Don’t know what’s wrong with me – could be my old television or my even older old eyes!
I liked this year’s designers, except for a few who were quite arrogant. I did like Mikel and hated to see him go. He was sweet.
I prefer Britany’s style, but didn’t really “get” the idea of incoporating her photography into her show. Seemed like more of a plug for her photography. I liked her room design more, but I give Danielle props for working with the homeowners’ artwork. I like the concept of her show!
I haven’t seen the show (I live in Europe so maybe it will get here soon!), but it seems very interesting!
Didn’t watch, but if the first designer’s rooms are indicative of her overall style–Yikes! I think the living room is horrendously decorated. If this a trend in decorating, I’ll have to be out-of-style. The second is little better, but both of these designers left me underwhelmed. Maybe Candace Olsen has spoiled me.
Dean, I didn’t really like the rooms, either. Her hands were really tied though because the clients were artists and all of that artwork was the wife’s. She had to use that in the design. It wasn’t my style, but the clients seemed really happy with it.
I kind of picked up on the art being personal (and required), but that’s not really the problem I have with the room. After looking at it again, there’s something about the wall color that’s really (REALLY) off for me, mixed with the color of the sectional, etc . Maybe there’s too much of a clash (with the art) for me. Maybe it could have worked better with more neutral tones to let the art take center stage. Right now it just seems like someone threw up a box of crayons all the place. Too much for me, but if the clients like it, go for it. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure…
I agree that this season was MUCH better than ones in the past. They really seemed to do real rooms instead of that garbage of ‘decorating a room with food’. Remember that? Silly. I was impressed with this group and thought they picked the right designer, although they need to hire Brittney to work on one of their shows. I can see us seeing her again.
The color in the screen caps posted here are way, way off. The couch and rug in Danielle’s room were a neutral gray and colors in general (for both contestants) were not as saturated as depicted above.
I hadn’t watched much of the season before I viewed the finale, so I really didn’t have much of an opinion on either designer before seeing it. I thought Danielle was very focused pitched her idea for a series very well. Britney’s pitch was much less focused and her idea for show seemed very weak.
While I wasn’t a big fan of the Danielle’s client’s artwork, she made good use of it to demonstrate how to select a room color(s) based on something one already owns.Very few people get rid of everything and buy totally new stuff when they redo a room and I think it is a tip that translate to any style of decor. I can certainly see why people dislike her rooms, the styling is very much in the “love it” or “hate it” territory, but I think she made really good use of the space and I give her props for not running away from using strong colors. Most importantly to me, she didn’t judge her client’s tastes — she listened to her clients and asked smart questions. I thought her furniture choices worked well with they already owned. I wasn’t crazy about the way the fireplace was painted, I think all white would have worked better.
Britney on the other hand, simply emptied the rooms and imposed her style on her clients. They asked for cleaned line modern, she gave them something out of an old issue of Domino Mag circa 2004 (a magazine I loved – but the spreads do look a bit dated now). It looked too fussy and kinda girly to my eye. Not at all something I view as practical for a couple with a young child. I know they asked for “adult” rooms, but there is still a child in this home. Her intro made reference to one of their problems as being the toys, but she never addresses the how the problem was solved. The toys are just removed — if only it were that easy. The tiny bit of storage added looked cool, but I question how helpful it was — I don’t think it even held all the shoes that were originally shown in the area. The whole proportion of the dining area was iffy to me. While I liked her furniture choices, the art work she ordered seemed very impersonal and a little on the cheap side. Her whole pitch was about how she was going to use photographs to personalize the space and the two that she used were not placed well. Plus I wondered, wouldn’t it had been better to use photos they clients already had or have them take the new pictures? I kinda doubt the family will keep it this way long.
So, all in all I think they made the right choice.
Yeah, the pics aren’t great. Had to take them with my camera while watching it on TV because I couldn’t find any online yet, but since then HGTV.com has uploaded their professional photos. Go over to their site to see much better ones!
We don’t have ether show here in the UK ……I didn’t like ether of them !
Danielle rubbed me the wrong way from day one. Most of her designs throughout the season looked the same (black & gold..ick!) For the final episode she basically painted the walls and hung the owners things back up, no designing whatsoever! Also, her show idea didn’t make much sense to me. Teaching people how to shop for things that speak to them? I think most people know how to shop and when they like something!
Britanys room was actually designed and she has done consistently well throughout the season. This show has to be rigged, and I have no desire to watch Danielle’s new show or listen to her whiney voice!
Okay, so unless I missed it.. did anyone know when Sarah Richardson is coming back to HGTV? I mis her show AND Debbie Travis!! Amazing what Debbie could do with paint. Sarah 101 & Sarah’s House.. the BEST!!
Thoughout the season Danielle had issues finishing her rooms. I never saw the designer 100% because so much was incomplete. I missed the last episode due to vacation, hence h
Thoughout the season Danielle had issues finishing her rooms. I never saw the designer 100% because so much was incomplete. I missed the last episode due to vacation, hence how I came accross your blog. I’m VERY dissapointed that Danielle won let alone chosen to say over Hilary Younger! I thought for sure Brity would have won when they eliminated Hilary!
I did not like the designs on the show; very amateur. Brittany’s were less amateur than the rest, though.
There’s only three good designers on HGTV (all Canadian, by the way):
1) Candice Olsen
2) Sarah Richardson
3) Debbie Travis
I love the couch in Britany’s finale room. Does anyone know the brand or retailer?
Here’s Sarah Richardson’s announcement from Facebook:
HELLO USA FANS! HERE’S THE NEWS YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR…Sarah’s House Season 4 will air September 15th from 2-5 and September 22nd from 3-5. Mark your calendars…the entire season will air in two days. Sorry for the long wait, and hope you can tune in!
I preferred Brittany’s style, but I am not surprised Danielle won. I like her, too, although I didn’t like her rooms in this episode.
Thanks, Terry!
I actually want to know the name of Danielle’s client in her pilot because her artwork is right up my alley and something I would actually purchase!
Cece,
As an Interior Designer, I totally agree with you on the best IDs on HGTV: Sarah Richardson & Candace Olson. They are professional Interior Designers who design rooms not just decorate them. Most of the people who are on HGTV are decorators just like the contestants on Design Stars. There is a difference between decorators & Interior Designers. IDs have 4 yr degrees & have to pass state certifications.
It’s very difficult to design for clients because you are trying to design a room based on their taste, wants & needs for form & function. You may not always agree with their style but you are getting paid to assist them with the hopes of trying to take them out of their comfort zone & hopefully get a result that pleases both parties. You just can’t change a person’s style & preference. That’s why choosing an Interior Designer that best suits your style is important.
On Design Stars, although my preference is Brittany’s designs over Danielle’s as I stated on my last post, I feel that Danielle designs for the client & Brittany designs for herself. I believe that that was the deciding factor as to how Danielle won & her engaging personality. Although I did watch Danielle’s new show & really was not impressed. I also can’t bear to watch Genevieve because in my opinion, she is a poor decorator. Her decorating decisions are not functional or practical because in the end…Interior Design is not just about beautifying a room, it needs to function well for the individual or family.
I look forward for the new season of Sarah’s House & Candice Tells All!
I’m so glad Brittany didn’t win—those mascara caked eyes and that blond hair and the way she was constantly talking about how wonderful she is: blech. So immature and boring. I’ve watched Danielle’s show and really enjoyed it.
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