Design Star Season 4 premieres tonight with new judges and new rules

Design Star Season 4 premieres tonight with new judges and new rules

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HGTV's reality competition, Design Star returns for a fourth season tonight, but things aren't the same as they used to be. While host Clive Pearse and judge Vern Yip have returned for another season, gone are judges Cynthia Rowley and Martha McCully. Joining Vern at the judges podium are fellow HGTV stars Genevieve Gorder, host the network's Dear Genevieve and Candice Olsen, host and designer of Divine Design. Also gone this season, viewer input. In previous years, the ultimate winner, who will become host of their very own HGTV series, was determined by the viewer. This season, the winner will be determined solely by the judges.
Ten contestants have been selected to participate this season, which takes place in LA. Tonight's pilot episode will also introduce three other hopefuls, with only one being chosen to join in the competition. Here's a quick look at the designers.
Amy Sklar, age 40, hails from Los Angeles. She is owner and principal designer at Amy Sklar Design. According to her official bio, a background in stand-up comedy, design and public relations have played a part in preparing her to effectively communicated her design ideas. An interesting note, Amy sites the chance to renovate and decorate the original Grey Gardens her dream design project.

Our second 40 year old contestant is Antonio Ballatore. If the pilot episode is any indication, his cocky attitude might be just what the judges are looking for. The much-inked set designer also hails from Los Angeles. His favorite movie is The Jerk and his favorite TV show, Rock of Love. He cites the F-word as a word or phrase he says too often. Kissing up to new judge Olsen, Ballatore claims Divine Design is his favorite HGTV series. He just might be what the network needs to tarnish their goody goody image.

Dan Vickery, a 27 year old bartender from Portland who describes his design style a combination of hip and contemporary history. The 6'3" design hopeful sites his grandmother as his design icon. Of his favorites, he enjoys comfort food, the color blue and lists alternative, pop, hip hop and country music as favorites. His favorite HGTV show, Design Star. He's pretty to look at, but HGTV already has former Design Star winner, David Bromstead.
Dallas native Jany Lee is a 35 year old interior decorator with a BA in economics from Queens University in Ontario. On why she should be the next Design Star she says, "My passion for interior design can be reflected in the beautiful rooms that I create, and I can offer fresh and inspiring decor ideas that anyone can do at home." When asked to describe her design style in four words, Jany cited classic contemporary and glamorous. For some reason she reminds me of a less annoying Kim Myles, winner of Design Star Season Two.
Thirty-three year old Sarasota designer, Jason Champion has the best name for the next Design Star. I can see it now, Design Like a Champion. On why he should win, "I bring a different combination of funny personality with design talent." He draws inspiration from everywhere, including "sand under your feet to snow on the mountains." He gets my vote for best favorites, citing Metallic as his favorite color, lounge music as his favorite tunes, the self-serving titled We Are the Champions as his favorite song and Chelsea Lately among his fav TV shows.
Yet another 33-year-old, Jen Guerin from San Diego. Jen is one of only 151 color consultants in the US who is certified by the International Association of Color Consultation. Her strategy for winning includes distracting the competition with laughter. Her design icons are Vivienne Westwood and Jonathan Adler. She describes her design style as 60s modern, nostalgic and baroque. When asked her favorite TV show, Jen said, "Sorry, I cut off my cable a year ago so I would be more creative." The judges might laugh at that, but we all know they won't like it.
Beverly Hills interior designer, Lonnie Paul, when asked about her age said, "A woman who will tell you her age will tell you anything." She kinda slams the network's current programming by saying if she wins Design Star, her "elegant and simple design sensibility will bring an original and sophisticated point of view to HGTV." Softening the blow, she adds, "And I am a lot of fun!" Her design icon is Phillipe Stark. I had hear of Stark, but wasn't that familiar with him. After reading about him on his official site, I completely understand why a woman of a certain age from Beverly Hills would aspire to be like him. Too bad Martha Stewart won't be doing another season of her Apprentice spinoff.
NataLee Callahan, a 30 year old interior decorator from Salt Lake City is cool and funky and my favorite, based solely on the first episode. She is the epitome of what HGTV is, fun, cool and seemingly nice. I also like the fact that she says winning her own show on HGTV would be her ultimate dream job. She does proceed to lay it on a bit thick when she names Candice Olson as her favorite designer and Olson's Divine Design as her favorite HGTV show. I mean, come on, one or the other, not both.
Nathan Galui, 25, is the youngest of the contestants. Galui is from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and holds a BS in interior design from Drexel University in Philly. WIth design and construction talents being listed as reasons why he should win, Galui describes his style as urban, modern, eclectic and rustic. His dream project, to build and design his own dream home.
The tenth contestant is Tashica Morgan, a 29 year old design coordinator for Ethan Allen from Bowie, Maryland. Taschica holds a Bachelor's in pre-law and is currently working on a master's in interior design. Going against her fellow suck-ups, Tashica boldly named Sheila Bridges as one of her design icons. Astute home makeover viewers will recognize Bridges for her four seasons as host of Sheila Bridges' Designer Living on rival Fine Living Network.

As for the three semi-finalist, CLICK HERE to check them out in action. My vote goes to Alissa Sutton.
Season Four of Design Star premieres tonight on HGTV at 10/9


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