apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I couldn't believe they painted that table- it was such a beautiful piece! The spray-on tan bedroom would certainly not make me a happy roommate so I can see why Scottie was the first one out. I was surprised the big team didn't split into two to handle the two rooms.

There was an awful lot of crying, yelling and drama for the first challenge- I hope folks settle down a bit or this might be an annoying season...

I have no idea why they bothered with the "Build your own House" ruse - Kinda dumb.

And as much as I hated Scotty's Burnt-Orange Tie-dye room (What was he thinking?!?) and "Miss Control Freak/Throw-Everybody-Under-the-Bus", I think that painting the Dining Room Table was a travesty. If I was Vern, I would have simply said: "Who's idea was it to paint the dining table white and faux the mantle. Your show is cancelled"

Yeah, the table that WAS so gorgeous now looks like a giant slab of melting plastic.

Agree with everyone, the dining room table was a sin, I really thought they should have taken the two girls to task for that.

As for the judges evaluation, I really thought the one contestant "Mommy Dearest" was pretty lame for instantly throwing people in front of the bus- I'm glad it backfired.

Dividing the rooms into groups was the right way to go. How could they not discuss each room's concept before beginning the work. Shows these contestants are not even close to being professionals.
BTW: The judges show should be cancelled.

Melting Plastic... spot on.

I would imagine that this show purposefully chooses contestants that lack any design skill whatsoever in order to antagonize the viewers - i.e. trying for that gruesome "look at that horrible accident" effect.

Didn't see the show, but that living room (at least the fireplace wall) just says funeral parlour waiting room to me. I thought the sun room was a before-we-renovated-the-basement-rec-room picture.

The dining room is horrible. Who could eat in there? At first I thought they'd wrapped the table in plastic sheets, but then I figured out what it once was. Criminal.

I like Bedroom 1. Bedroom 2 a.k.a. the butterscotch pudding room - well, I like the lamps.

i too wanted to cry when they poured the paint on that dining table. it was gorgeous... and such a good deal.

i hated the tie die bedding and hideous window treatments in that bedroom so i'm glad scotty got the boot.

why the hell would they paint a SUNROOM a super dark, light absorbing brown???

i really cant believe they didnt all meet together and come up with some sort of cohesive style/color pallete for the home.

that 4-in-1 bed turned out pretty cool, but aside from that i'm really underwhelmed with the "talent". i thought they were going to take it up a notch by only letting those with heavy design backgrounds through for the show!

ok i'm done with the complaining :)

bepsf: They did the "Build Your Own House" ruse for the obvious effect of drawing viewers in for show 2. A cheap, underhanded trick which almost caused me to turn the TV off immediately. But, alas, I stayed tuned in.

Wish Michael had been the first to go home. And what's with all the crying women with no talent? Could they not find ANY women with some sense of design talent AND the ability to take harsh criticism?

The only worthy end result exhibiting design talent AND creativity was Bedroom #1.

Liked the modern bedroom design the two men built. Showed talent, ability to complete tasks and a willingness to "think outside the box." I thought the females were for the most part, mean, petty and weepy. Get a grip!

I practically weeped when they painted the table!

The challenges on these design shows have a certain predictability. (Does anyone doubt there will be individual challenges with objects from non-design stores?) So I am surprised that anyone had to think creatively on the spot. Note to contestants: watch the other two series, note the challenges, and be ready to execute a design for each. As for that beautiful table---the only way they could have made it worse was to turn a pristine white mantle into faux wood--oh, wait, they did. On the other hand, the working relationship of these two women was refreshing. Too bad Scottie is gone. He would have made a charming host.

If anyone is interested in a refreshing change of design challenges, the Debbie Travis show on Fine Living is actually turning out to be very fun to watch. Last Sunday she didn't pick a winner b/c everyone disappointed her which is something that would never happen on Bravo or HGTV, I feel. Also, the challenge was great - they had to design and build a chandelier for a restaurant (including the electrical work). It comes on Sunday nights right after Design Star on Fine Living. It's worth a peek, if only to see a show that's not drama-centric...

Yes, the table painting was tragic. The living room is pleasant but kinda sedate compared to the entry hall and the kitchen. The only people that stepped up to the glamor plate were the Dining room team. Even though we hated the table travesty.

While I was sad that Scotty had to be the first to go. I grew up near Winston-Salem so I was rooting for him until he painted. It was wrong and I feel it was the poorest design.

Mommie Dearest has to go. She needs to stop whining and casting blame. I don't think she a "team player." lol, understatement!!!

Living Room - I kinda like it. I'm not a huge purple fan but it looks funky with the zebra rug.

Sun Room - Um... when I think of a "sun room"... I think of the sun. I think the brown is too dark. I probably would have gone for a burnt orange on the wall with all white furniture and accents.

Dining Room - WHY WOULD YOU PAINT THAT TABLE??? It's awful!! I can't believe they did that.

Bedroom 1 - I love everything about this room. Wouldn't change a thing.

Bedroom 2 - I like the color on the wall but HATE the curtains and the bedsheets.

The funniest thing to me that Scottie is gone and everyone else has to live with that awful bedroom. :)

I actually enjoyed the show and was laughing to myself when "mommy dearest" performed. She will hate herself when later after watching the show. Not only did she throw everyone under the bus BUT she is chose Chocolate brown walls for a sunroom. If you are going to stand up and fight for your rights, you should have some skills to back you up.

I look forward to see how the show develops.

A brown sunroom. How depressing.

This is the only reality show I will watch, but I enjoy the design challenges and results (and sadly the lack thereof at times). The drama I can live without, though some has been funny.

I agree with nearly all previous comments but have to say Michael, Mr. I'm Amazing, gets on my last nerve. It's not JUST about the design talent (which he has) but also who has host potential. I don't see that with him, nor any camaraderie which makes me question his interaction with real clients. I'm sure he's using that approach to be more visible but it's rather obnoxious.

What was with Vern running into the hallway after him (first episode) and then targeting the designer that Cynthia Rowley wanted so much? That took Vern down a peg in my book, and I like him. It's probably all about creating drama to make the show more appealing to the masses. Ugh.

I have yet to see any personality from Mikey V., whose ideas really work for me. Maybe soon...

Loved Matt's portfolio in the 1st show, some terrific solutions. Again, no opportunity to see any personality yet.

Sigh...

Oh, one more thing...
Thank God wood can be stripped!