27 replies to this topic

[lu1wml]

Watched the new show with newest Design Star Danielle Colding last night, two episodes, and thought they went pretty well.
Her carpenter Justin is really talented, but didn't get much impression of her design assistant, whose name I can't remember.
She really had empathy when she was doing the room for the woman whose mother had died, actually less recently than Danielle's, I think.
The one thing that seemed a bit ill-considered was when she described the woman's husband as a "surfer dude." He was an adult, and a client, and that seemed a bit dismissive.

[diydude]

Didn't see the kitchen episode but the other one was o.k. for a rookie. The dialogue with the design assistant seemed very forced. Same for some of the shopping scenes. I'm sure she'll improve over time.

Also liked the carpenter's tables but no way did Justin do the blue end table with a hand router as Danielle represented/implied to the clients. JMHO but when he said, "I used the router", I believe he was referring to a CNC machine.

Have to agree with you, lu, about the Venezuelan husband and Danielle's "surfer dude" comment. Don't know why but he didn't look that thrilled during the reveal.

Edited by diydude, Aug 11, 2012 @ 5:12 AM.

[SiameseCatLady]

I really like the show and thought Danielle did much better with the two home designs than pretty much anything on Design Star, which makes sense when she explained her way of designing by finding a great piece and going from there. Shopping was seldom the first part of any challenge on DS.

She also seems to do better when she has clients to give her input instead of having to come up with it all on her own. Danielle seemed much more in control and came off better as show host than in any of her on camera challenges. The Venezuelan husband didn't really strike me as a surfer dude so much as someone who had a hobby of surfing. He didn't look or act the part, IMHO. Just like a lot of men I know enjoy riding motorcycles but I wouldn't call most of them bikers.

[diydude]

Previously heard that the other DS winners all received intense coaching to work on their hosting skills, after DS' completion. Have to believe Danielle received the same. So, that probably accounts for her improvement in that area.

[Cattykit]

I liked the episodes well enough, but if she doesn't move outside the teal-yellow color spectrum, I will become bored very quickly. Is she going to be based on Long Island the way David was in San Francisco and then Miami?

[gazerguy]

Given that they've allowed the last 4 DS winners plus 1 DS participant to film around their home bases (Antonio, Emily, Casey, Meg, Danielle), it feels as if they decided against another long-distance commuting situation, ala David to SF. Helpful, naturally, that they all lived around major metropolitan areas, although nothing was in production in Chicago (that I know of, anyway) at the time Meg won.

IIRC, David's production company (Edelmann, initially) wanted him to film in their area to tutor him/develop the talent. Don't believe HGTV's production companies were filming anything in Miami then, either.

Edited by gazerguy, Aug 7, 2012 @ 2:15 PM.

[diydude]

Had time to watch the kitchen episode and noticed they showed Justin's CNC machine - hadn't seen it when I posted about it previously. Bingo! Will give Danielle the benefit of the doubt (assuming they shot those episodes out of order) about her comment that the blue table had been made by hand.

The kitchen was o.k. but wasn't a fan of that small, obligatory, center island. Always feels like they throw those in to eventually check the "has island" box on a future real estate listing form. Don't believe the family will care for it when they're using the dishwasher and can't use that aisle. Personally would have preferred a new cabinet between the two shuttered windows. It would have been the same width as the island but might have provided more storage, if built all the way up the wall.

Beautiful tile but a little taste specific. Instead of using a permanent material, that look could have been achieved many other ways with more flexibility, allowing the homeowners to change it out, if desired. Don't know what her budget was but it was a small kitchen. The cabinets looked like cheap, white particle board boxes with walnut fronts. Any cost savings from the tile could have been applied to at least cover over the visible white ends of those cabinets.

Not really feeling her shopping/inspiration item premise. To me, the spice jars are ubiquitous and didn't find the small painting that special. I routinely see those vintage postcards online for $4 - $5. She paid $150 each or for two? The main thing, however, was that the items had no particular connection to the homeowners.

JMHO.

Edited by diydude, Aug 11, 2012 @ 5:11 AM.

[Tahitian Moon]

I had these saved on the DVR and finally had time to watch. I loved it. I like her ease on camera and her design POV. I think she did a great job and I love a designer who has a great eye and isn't too forced. I also love her personal style, I would kill to spend an hour in her closet. The girl was killing it with her wardrobe changes.

[tinalou09]

My I second all your comments Tahitian Moon about Danielle and her show. I will definitely watch again!

Edited by tinalou09, Aug 8, 2012 @ 10:14 PM.

[Imissroswell]

It's a CNC machine that does the routing. Stands for computer numerical control. Carry on.

[diydude]

Agree, Imiss. That's the equipment's full name. My flying fingers tend to type what my ear hears. Will edit my spelling error. Thanks.

[angelita100]

I enjoyed her 2 episodes and will be watching again. She does seem to gravitate towards greys and blues. But I LOVE LOVE LOVE her carpenter. He's fabulous and they seem to get along well. She's just so cute and warm. Loved the second family. They were a hoot.

[Cattykit]

Just watched the third episode. I like Danielle, like her pace, like her bringing in the little touches with the carpenter. Loved the built-in. Didn't like the big focus on floral design since the flowers will die in a few days. Really didn't like the blue and yellow yet again. Is she afraid of the full color spectrum?

Wish she would give a total budget for her makeovers.

I'll still watch. For now.

[lu1wml]

I liked the way it turned out, and agree about the flowers being so transient.
What got me was how really blah the room was before. I can't imagine being so afraid of doing something wrong that I didn't do anything.
How far wrong can you go hanging family pictures?

[car54]

This show is pretty meh for me. So far I have watched all the episodes and I don't really remember one room destinctly. Nothing horrible, but not really anything outstanding or having design "star" quality.

Her rooms are pleasant, as is she but I don't think I've seen anything yet that I could not do myself with the budget and her carpenter. I know how to shop. I'd prefer if she'd design this room.

[Linky Loo]

I didn't love the chalkboard paint on the cabinets. You can't open the door and see what's inside? You need to have it labeled?

[TheLady2]

I didn't like her on DS and I won't watch her show just based on her whiney voice and I honestly don't think she's talented at all.

[MyLisa]

Just saw (my) first couple of episodes. I loved the Brooklyn kitchen -- I was a bit dubious of the copper tiles as backsplash, but then when I saw they went all the way up the wall I was sold. And the sideboard was supercool -- it's the style I'd probably gravitate to if I had a blank slate and unlimited funds (as opposed to my current hodgepodge of family castoffs). The New Jersey living room had it's good points -- I liked Manny's ottoman -- but I was surprised to see that the great spindled cabinet doors had no backing -- anything put in the cupboards would be visible. And while the butterflies looked great on camera all I could think of was the dust they'd collect.

[tinalou09]

For me...this was her best design yet. I always take it from the room's starting point(yuck!) to the final look and it was an amazing transformation to me. What can I say, I LOVE Dan's interior and clothing style. Love the show especially the chemistry with her design assistant

Edited by tinalou09, Aug 19, 2012 @ 9:34 AM.

[Cattykit]

I floved the Brooklyn kitchen, but I had two concerns/questions. How did they mount the bicycle wheels? And I hope that door off to the side led to a pantry, because the open storage didn't exactly lend itself to cans of green peas or boxes of macaroni.

Was very happy to see Danielle move away from her blue/yellow color palette, and especially that she got rid of the lemon yellow walls. For the most part, I really like this show, and I hope HGTV renews it.

[phoenix780]

After four episodes, I'm not getting her premise. The only episode that seemed to fit the description in the intro was the one where she used a crystal doorknob. Otherwise it seems like she uses something they own as her real design starting point. So, I don't really understand how what she's doing fits the concept.

It doesn't matter to me a whole lot, though. I enjoy her on this show way more than I did on Design Star, and I've liked everything she's designed so far, especially the Brooklyn kitchen. It's a fun little show, imho.

[xingcat]

It's a fun little show, imho.

Yup. I don't think Danielle is going to suddenly become the next big thing, but like Meg before her, she has a perfectly acceptable decorating show that isn't trying anything too over-the-top, quirky, or whatever. That's usually why I tune in to HGTV.

[floretbroccoli]

So, for the Brooklyn kitchen episode, they showed pictures of the Brooklyn Bridge, looking toward Manhattan, going into and coming out of commercials.

But why did they use one or two pictures that had the Twin Towers still standing?

[Cattykit]

Her show has disappeared from my TV listings/DVR. Did they only give her four shows? That's hardly enough time to build an audience.

I guess it's like so many of these competitions where the end result of a program is less important to the network than the competition itself. But I liked Danielle and would watch her again. Unlike anything else on HGTV.

[lu1wml]

This is on this Saturday, tomorrow, at 5PM.
Danielle, on Facebook, says that they are in talks, and urges people to watch the show/set dvr if you wish it to be renewed.

[gazerguy]

Thought Meg received a 6 episode tryout so perhaps they have a couple more episodes in the can. Not surprising that the production companies prefer to limit their investment and risk.

[tinalou09]

I really hope they renew the show. I liked today's eppy, I think because this was not her recent looks but something completely different. It was not my personal taste( I am Danish Modern/ Mid Century) but I really liked it.

[nicepebbles]

I've seen just 3 of the 4 episodes and I liked them all. I like Danielle and her team. I hope she does get renewed.

The last episode I saw with the red living room had me wondering is that game table really big enough to play games on? Seemed small to me.