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This is only my opinion and the fact that I've been a designer for over 20 years probably doesn't matter, but, as someone who does this for a living, you can tell good work from just O.K. work based on your experience. Tom's work as well as his personal grooming are just too chic for HGTV. He didn't lose because his work wasn't the best (which it was) he just wasn't "T.V." material. And this is where D.S. kind of s*cks,Tom's work was far more sophisticated, classic, and timeless than anything the other contestants could dream of.No "bling", no trendy cheap mirrored furniture,no bargain basement junk. Whether purchased from high end or low end sources his final room looked like a million bucks.

Ya' got at least one fan here in N.J., buddy. Keep it up!

Charles, I have been waiting for your comments and you did not disappoint. Hilari's space was my choice, but even my inexperienced eye could see how chic and stylish Tom's space was. Tom and Karl have the same problem...they are experienced designers with good style and HGTV doesn't appreciate that fact. Tom and Karl are too good on their own. They don't need HGTV.

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There is no question that Tom is a very good designer, his room was very well put together, quality furnishings, professionally done. It was his color choices or lack thereof that I did not jive with. Also his designs tend to be a little too masculine for my taste, but his daybed was the best furniture choice out of all three designers.

I agree. Tom's design acumen is far superior. For some reason, I don't think Vern or Genevieve like him. Well, they are 2 designers who were on that "other show"! I think HGTV needs someone like Tom. He shows high end finishes and is intense! Let's face it, they were threatened by him!

I don't like to be redundant--But here is an additional thought to Charles' well-taken point.

Tom's elegant, classic style is not my first go-to choice for the way I live (I am not a designer; I probably gravitate toward a coastal, eclectic feel in my home). However, I appreciate his talent and his choices enormously. I wished that the editing of the finale could have focused in on his drawings more; my sense from the glimpses we were given was that they were amazing...and that small-space transformation was splendid.

I found Leslie's design (one I would gravitate to stylistically, in theory) a mess. As I wrote Tuesday night, I thought--"well, perhaps the mishmash of color and cluttered feel and big, hastily-constructed-looking blackboard wall-bed (mmm, blackboard paint: not a new HGTV idea)--maybe the room just wasn't--telegenic..."

But as I think about it, from what Charles and you all have said, I'm more comfortable commenting from an area I know--performance and public speaking. I observed the panel as being put oddly off-balance by Tom's intensity. He "attacks" his lines--and, actually, sometimes that energy works! It could be used to advantage easily. He had a very well-organized, outlined, connected set of tips; and he delivered them well.

I, too, sense this show has a very insecure bunch at the helm. Tom's delivery could easily be dialed down or modulated by a coach or skilled producer--where appropriate. His personality could be funky and out-of-the-box and charming to viewers. But I think he does not fit the accepted current network "designer" type, and it is unfortunate, if one of HGTV's goals is making design accessible to everyone.

Tom’s a great designer and artist, no doubt, but I think his nervous energy kind of made people feel uneasy. I wanted him to slow down and focus on one thing. And, I want to feel inspired and educated in a soothing way when getting ideas and decorating tips. You know, like an old friend giving advice. I think that’s why Danielle won the last Design Star and her show is doing well. As far as Leslie, I’m still shaking my head and truly disappointed.

Charles - Your comments are spot on. Tom's final room was so smart in terms of space planning and so beautiful that I forgot that it was a shipping container.

I have a long, narrow sunroom at my house and I will be thinking of Tom's shipping container transformation as I approach a long-needed redesign of this space.

Bonactor - I really appreciate your comments from an acting perspective. It seemed to me that the judges' feedback on his camera challenges was making Tom more nervous and tense. It seems to me that a good director (not David) and crew could help Tom relax his delivery just a bit. Or HGTV could have appreciated Tom for what he is and marketed him as just what he is - a smart, fast paced, high end New York designer. I'd watch that show.

Hilari - talented, but not in Tom's league as a designer. Warm on camera, but the minute she started referring to herself by her first name, I wanted her gone. It's one of my pet peeves.

Leslie - not in Tom's league as a designer, or Hilari's, but she sure figured out how to pitch her camera challenges to the HGTV sweet spot, roller skates, bouncing on the Murphy bed, and all. I found it too over the top of cuteness for my taste, and I thought her shipping container was the least successful design. IMHO.

But hey, what do I know? Donna is back, doing Dallas for a second season. Yikes.

David Bromstad's camera challenges were juvenile and silly. He had a rock solid concept of what his show would be and HGTV groomed him for T.V. The station saw D.B. as a welcome addition to the semi DIY sensibilities that were going to be the post Trading Spaces generation of the HGTV corral of stars. Very much like the old Hollywood studio system of polishing raw gems into a product they needed to fill a niche. Designers like Karl Sponholz and Tom could easily be coached into a T.V. ready personality, but they both have a "design professor" aproach to decorating that might not be geared toward selling Behr paint, and Target lamps.

Interesting thread... If I were hiring a designer for my own home, it would be Tom. If I were choosing a designer to watch on HGTV, it would be Hilari.

Tom's intensity is often painful to watch, IMO. I did think his final camera challenge was spot-on, though.

Leslie - I'd neither hire nor watch.

I like his colors, but sponsers may be from paint stores, whether it translates to tv, give me someone like him for shows anyday. after all the real estate sale shows that we endlessly see has poor taste anyway.

I agree, I think Tom's eye and his sophisticated style are too good for Gen and Vern's taste (or lack thereof). I am not a designer but I have a designer's eye and it doesn't even take a professional to see Tom's talent is above Leslie's. Not everyone walks in lock step with the typical fare on HGTV. Some of us like a more refined, traditional concept.

I think Tom can be trained to improve his TV delivery. Anyone who can do as well as he does without training can become good enough for TV. David B himself was no better before he won Design Star.

That said, I would have been just as happy if not more with a Hilari win. She's been my favorite all along.

tom's container looked so much like a high-end, elegant new york apartment! i thought his design was awesome and sophisticated. perhaps more than what hgtv can handle. would love to see more of his design done on a series! i am getting bit tired of some of the things being done.
hillari, i still think, was just 'too black' for hgtv. but her design in the final challenge was also well thought out, well executed and, again, it looked like an apaartment, not a storage container.
blonde leslie is just one of many blondes who has won design star/allstar... leads me to wonder if the judges have a bias...

Excellent points, all of you. I can easily see the whole "made for t.v. celebrity designer" format being threatened by someone as sophisticated as Tom. HGTV doesn't want anyone who will raise the bar as far as design shows go - they want people who will, at best, throw a bone to those of us who ask for intelligent design and at worst, get lost in the endless pandering to the lowest common denominator - and of course, we all know who pays the bills.

By naming Leslie as the first AllStar they have disappointed probably 99% of the viewers, but oh well - there was another perky blonde to add to the "winners". Leslie - as well as most of the last couple years DS contestant - would be competent to design a room. I'm not trying to take that away from her at all. But, if they were looking for something that would be a cut above merely competent, they screwed up yet again.

Tom is clearly an excellent designer, with an excellent eye and exquisite taste but his design sensibility isn't geared toward TV. It's way too layered and sophisticated.

I think Hilari's final design was the winning design, particularly because of how she addressed the outdoor space, although there was a major flaw in her design: she left the (salmon) walls bare. Her sofa faced . . . a painted wall. The vertical elements of the space needed to be addressed, and wall decor - whether artwork, sculpture, mirrors or what-have-you - would have modulated the wall color.

I don't know why Leslie was an all-star in the first place. Frankly, I was happily surprised they brought Tom back because he's so NOT an HGTV-type designer, but I was really glad to see him in action again!

I can't figure out how Leslie won.

I couldn't make up my mind whether Hilari's room or Tom's was the best -- both seemed clearly better than Leslie's room.

Isn't it obvious that Tom had the best bed choice for such a small space? His daybed was useful both day and night.

I loved both his subtle color choices and Hilari's beautiful color choices. It does seem that Tom gets camera-shy in those camera challenges. I can't figure it out -- he's on camera all the time, and has no problem. Then he has to face the camera for a specified length of time, and deliver a message, and he becomes seriously nervous.

Maybe there should be more rehearsals for the camera challenge -- as they have in that cooking show (okay, I forget the name -- the one with the camera challenges). Then top designers who happen to be camera-shy wouldn't be unduly handicapped.

It did seem to me that Tom had made serious progress as a designer since the first time he was on Design Star. I find his beautifully subtle designs stunning for the most part, especially with his hand-drawings.

Charles, I agree with your post, however Tom is a designer for an upscale clientele. What upscale person would want to design the inside of a shipping container. I would hire Tom or Hilari for any room in my house. Would love to see Tom design an office or a den.

I hope we see more of him and his nice work

Tom's designs are Architectural Digest. Hillary's are Elle Decor.
Leslie's are Home Depot.

quote:

Originally posted by Soosie:
Tom's designs are Architectural Digest. Hillary's are Elle Decor.
Leslie's are Home Depot.

Is it possible to tell you like someone from a single statement?

I think Tom was awful! He ran around like he suffered from ADHD and was awful in front of the camera. He over accessorized and loved neutrals far too much. His rooms all looked the same and the 'lived in' look got old. I could never watch a show if he was a host. His style is so boring! He was one of my least favorite contestants on All Star's. His personal 'look' was not that great either. I lived in San Francisco for 15 years.He dresses a bit to 'open' for me. Not impressed.I think Hilari should have won.

Tom should have been second. He didn't get robbed. Tom is great for the upper crust; but he doesn't have the ability to switch it up.

I do like contributing to these boards as well as reading them, for the experience of interacting with people about design. The comment about Tom dressing "too open" leaves me completely confused. The fact that it has nothing to do with design or Tom's capabilities is totally off the chart, but it seems like some kind of personality dig. I don't think Tom is any more "too" than any other designer on HGTV. Candace is "too" silly, Genevieve is "too" unprofessional and David is "too" too... So what's your real point, or is it "too" un PC to print?

As far as him being high end, you can always watch Design On A Dime, The Unsellables,Cash and Carry,or Trading Spaces if you want DIY style.I'm looking for something different than what HGTV already offers.

quote:

Originally posted by Charles D:
I do like contributing to these boards as well as reading them, for the experience of interacting with people about design. The comment about Tom dressing "too open" leaves me completely confused. The fact that it has nothing to do with design or Tom's capabilities is totally off the chart, but it seems like some kind of personality dig. I don't think Tom is any more "too" than any other designer on HGTV. Candace is "too" silly, Genevieve is "too" unprofessional and David is "too" too... So what's your real point, or is it "too" un PC to print?

As far as him being high end, you can always watch Design On A Dime, The Unsellables,Cash and Carry,or Trading Spaces if you want DIY style.I'm looking for something different than what HGTV already offers.

Yeah, that sort of made me do a head tilt too, Charles. IMO, I thought he dressed pretty nicely but then I'm an old lady and like nice things. And, why not be high end? He is extremely sophisticated in his design which is lovely to see - I'll take that over a glue gun and rhinestones any ol' day.

Personally, I was sorry to see a comment directed at a designer that so clearly was "coded", particularly when the commenter referred to a particular city. Unfortunately, if any of us call out pathetic dog whistles, there is great faux outrage...

Coded, indeed, and confusing.

I grew up on the East Coast and I've lived in San Francisco or nearby for many years. I thought Tom's personal "look" was very East Coast urban -beautifully tailored suits, and brightly colored polo shirts with chinos, which is classically preppy casual wear. Preppy is not a "look" that I associate with San Francisco.

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