Design Star - Episode 1

Task: Design the loft space where the designers will live
Budget: $15,000
Time Frame: 28 hours (Day 1 - 6 hrs; Day 2 - 14 hours; Day 3 - 8 hours)

We've met the designers and they were introduced to where they will live and to their first challenge. The group started off working well together - they seemed to have no problem breaking up the tasks and creating teams. The loft has two levels - main living on the first level and two bedrooms on the second level. The kitchen wasn't part of this task, apparently.

In this episode, there was no single winner or winning team.


Large bedroom for seven - designed by Will and Josh "Sparkle" J
I think this was the most cohesive and attractive space and it was nice to see how well Will and Josh worked together - they seemed to hit it off quickly and move forward with purpose. They had seven beds to work with and a two level curved floor, which restricts the floor plans. It's a bit of a shame that the beds were placed so close together (so much for any possibility of privacy) but there wasn't much choice. The color scheme is luxurious and serene. For this effort, Will and Josh J were given high marks by the judges and were placed in the top group of contestants.



Main living space - Sunken Dining Room, Quarter Pipe, Zen nook - Todd, Scott & Kim
The main living space was probably the most difficult one to create a harmonious design. They quickly determined that the sunken space would make for an interesting dining area - which was a brilliant use of this unique feature. The more obvious choice - a sunken living room or relaxation pit would have worked, but wouldn't have been as unique. Xtreme sportsman Todd saw the open space to the side of the pit and immediately thought "Quarter Pipe", as in skate boarding. Okay... not the way nearly 99% of anyone else would go, but he certainly pulled it off well. I did think it interesting that they never had a discussion about what the judges would think, or even if any of the others living there would use it. One of the first things one should do when designing a space is take into account the needs and desires of all those living there.


I can't say that I love the lighting fixture they made for the table - too clunky - but it did help create an intimate feel to the space and the attempt at making a custom piece shouldn't go unnoticed.

Again, I don't personally love the indoor quarter-pipe idea, but Todd definitely knows his way with the power tools and it did integrate well with the space as well as provide a backdrop to the dining area.
I think their best space was the zen nook. This could have been placed in the pit, but the effect would have been lost. This was a lovely little private space - which comes at a premium when eleven people are sharing one living space. It's styling is clean and simple - accessorized, but not cluttered.

Bar Area - designed by Neeraja
Neeraja took quick control of the money and managed the budget. She seemed to do well with this task - fairly doling out the cash and no one seemed to run out of money for their individual needs. Her design work, however, was not as successful. As the judges said, this was decorating, not designing. While this space started off as the most "finished" and specific in the loft - bar are and stairs - Neeraja didn't do anything to improve the area at all. She could have at least replaced the chandelier - or painted it bronze. The addition of the pink shades was just a big old mistake.


Small bedroom for four - designed by Christina and Adriana
This bedroom was pretty mediocre, in the long run. I like the curtains separating the beds (can you tell I like my privacy?) but the colors don't read well at all on television. The lengthwise beds are a good idea, but they could have painted the wall behind those beds red to really make them pop. The two didn't see eye to eye on much of anything (unlike Josh J and Will) and the room showed it. Christina suffered from trying to be too nice, while Adriana clearly hasn't met an accessory she doesn't like.

Living Lounge - Robb and Josh F.
This space was a big mess - there is no other way of saying it. The circular lounging area was a good idea - very Las Vegas - but neither knew how to pull it off. Josh F doesn't have the carpentry skills he thinks he has (unlike Todd) and Robb has some ideas which sound better in his head than he's able to execute. His idea of a "design metaphor" of the car doors referring to doors opening and closing in life is interesting - but not right for the space he was working in. As a matter of fact - had he been doing the entry/garage door area - his idea might have worked much better. But, he wasn't. In designing a space, it's great to have a unique idea, but not every idea works in every space and the trick is knowing it. If you find yourself saying "I've always wanted to do xxx", step back, think, and then ask yourself "But does it work in this space, for these people?" Note to Robb, visualize, visualize, visualize. And note to Josh - know thyself and learn to use the power tools safely!

Robb and Josh F ran out of time to do the cushion for the round platform and for finding pillows and accessories that matched the space. We can see from the shot above just how off the colors are. A big old eye sore! I wonder if they fixed that later on? And what ARE those hanging things on the pillars?


Front Entry - Lisa
And now we come to Lisa. When did industrial and punk become so militaristic? Between the drab green and the army-style lettering, I felt like I was watching a M*A*S*H* rerun. Now, if she were trying to make some anti-war statement - perhaps. But no, just writing the contestants names backwards on the walls says... nothing. And what was up with the phone book sculptures? And the moss beds? Needless to say, for this effort, Lisa was sent packing. I agree with this decision because while Josh F and Robb's space was pretty lousy, at least there was an attempt at function and a real building project. Lisa folded phone book pages... But, I wish her well, she seems like a very nice person who's passionate about what she does.

So, was there a clear winner? Per the judges: Will, Josh J, Scott and Todd all did "Strong Work"; Kim, Christina and Adriana's work was "Enough to get by". The bottom four consisted of Neeraja, Robb, Josh F and Lisa, with Robb and Lisa being selected as the bottom two.

Apparently, even tho Kim worked with Scott and Todd, the judges determined that the boys had more to do with the success of their space.

What did you think? Any thoughts yet on who has the leg up so far?

See all Design Star posts.