Learning from Design Star…All about Emotion
Come on Design Star contestants, you represent the best of the best…supposedly. I almost quit watching this week, but I am tenacious, loyal, and was eating a bowl of Frosted Flakes and couldn’t reach the remote. For me, watching a good episode of decorating TV is tantamount to sex, and well…you get the picture. The learning point this week was good design is wrapped in emotion. As important as aesthetics are, the “Feeling” is even more important. The Red Team brought negative emotion to their design.
Two new teams: Red (Nina, Stacy, Courtland, and Tom), and Blue (Alex, Michael, Casey, Emily) took on this week’s challenge to create functional common areas for the fireman of the “deserves to be decorated” FDNY. The spaces needed to be
The Winning Space
multi-functional and yet, aesthetically pleasing. Bue Team was declared the winner with their group effort. They demonstrated what TEAM means including covering for Michael who shot himself with a nail gun. A number of stand outs, such as Alex’s skyline wall graphic with lights representing 7 lost fireman from 9-11, Emily’swell-meaning but amateurish attempt at a coffee table, Michael’s (with a bit of help) desk area and Casey’s canvas of a fireman. My disappointments (but who I am to talk…they won) was once again the color story. Why blue violet on the walls and fire engine red? The competing levels of saturation hurt my eyes.
Red Team included Cruella DeDecorator Nina, who decided to be unique and unusual with her standout feature…she created a…are you ready…wait for it…WALL ART! A bulletin board adorned with braille stating the fire companies motto. The problem, if you have to explain it, it doesn’t work. Nina also made the furniture decision to add leather to the space without any space planning which meant a reclining chair, couldn’t recline. As a result Cruella DeDecorator is Cruella DeGone.
Although I think the Red Team are individually talented, they took a depressing approach with black ceilings, charred looking panelled wall, and an overall lack of concern for the power of emotion when designing a space. Tom’s decision to open the original ceiling was a good one, but not the place to paint it black. I also was cheering for him when he wanted to knock down a wall but his team mates prevailed and the wall stayed intact. Darn anyway! I think he has a sincere desire to create amazing spaces but the logistics of the team relationship tie many of their hands.
Just when I was feeling sorry for poor mis-understood Nina, she opened her mouth. ”I have a lot of charisma and personality, and people can’t handle that, but I am living in the Nina Show.” At that comment, I turned to my cat and said, “Can you believe the arrogance.” With a run to the door, I realized even he wanted to get away from last night’s episode. I do want to say, if Nina was as talented as she claimed to be, I would have been calling her names but loving the inspiration she shared. I never truly saw the talent she insisted was there. For more endearing Ninaisms, see her exit interview here, where she makes the loss everyone’s responsiblity…except hers.
Next week I will tune in again to see if other personalities emerge, since Nina won’t be overshadowing the group. I hope the rest step up to the plate and show their decorating chops and some chutzpah. We need true charisma and oh yes…knock my socks off!
JoAnne Lenart-Weary
Creative Director-The Decorating and Staging Academy
Founder-One Day Decorating and JLW Interiors
Tags: decorating ideas, Design Star, HGTV, interior decorating, JoAnne Lenart-Weary, The Decorating and Staging Academy, training
AMEN…I am so glad that Nina is gone….and I, too, almost turned the channel last night due to boredom. I am ready for the show to allow each person to fly totally solo from the others and show us what they have. This season has really gotten off to a slow start. No one has stood apart from the pack. If this was the show’s first season, I’m afraid it would also be their last!!
I was thinking about YOUR reaction last night as I too watched with disbeleif as to how “sad” both rooms appeared. Loved the Tin ceiling, would have liked to have seen it done in an aged Bronze. You are so right , of course, about the COLOR. How about a beautiful green for the walls. Don’t even get me started about the horrible furniture placement.
I think Nina should try “Top Artist” on Bravo perhaps;) I still do not have a favorite yet…still waiting for that WOW moment.
I couldn’t agree with you more about this show. I am really craving a good design-idea program, I wish I had a cat to complain to & roll my eyes.
I think the ugly florescent light fixtures could have easily been changed with some interesting, yet functional pendants, then the black painted ceiling would have been less tragic.
I think Vern needs some meds.
OK, now Nina…excuse me, B R A I L L E A R T, why???
Not to mention they didn’t need a craft project on their wall, but braille is not a visual medium. It would be like shining lights underground, or having flavored furniture, or how about a music system with has no speakers. I just don’t get it.
I’m glad I am not the only one disappointed by this season. I love Design Star, but find myself losing interest fast. I am hoping for more individual challenges to see who will really shine.