Season four of HGTV's Design Star came to an end last night with the final two designers completing the biggest challenge in the show's history. Antonio, known for his edgy designs and laid-back attitude, and Dan, the talented and sweet-natured kid of the bunch, both redesigned an entire house in only 44 hours. Both designers were cool and confident throughout the challenge, and their final products were nothing short of stunning. These guys know their stuff, and they deserved to make it to the end of the show, beating out nine other contestants for a shot at their own series on HGTV. But there could be only one winner.
I'll admit it. I cheered when Antonio Ballatore walked away with the prize. Antonio's designs were always innovative, bold and exciting, and it seemed like the guy never met a space he couldn't transform into something unique.
Plus, his relaxed personality and punk rock style stand in stark contrast to the freshly-scrubbed, inoffensive faces that populate HGTV's design shows. He might not be everyone's favorite, but Antonio's show promises to be something unique for the cable network, and that's why I'll be tuning in. Are you looking forward to Antonio's new show?
Remember to vote for your favorite designer to win an online show (I'm voting for Dan).
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
9-14-2009 @ 9:48AM
Sarah said...
i'm looking forward to it. Antonio seems to be the Guy Fieri of HGTV, so its no surprise that he was the smart choice. i can't wait to see what he comes up with next week.
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9-14-2009 @ 10:32AM
Alice said...
No, I do NOT intend to watch Antonio's show. Couldn't believe that he won. That green bedroom was awful and Candace loved ? Dan met the challenge far better than Antonio and the family he designed for seemed much happier with his work than Antonio's family did. I wonder who really picks the winner-the network or the judges.
9-17-2009 @ 12:50AM
Vanilla Sky said...
I thought Antonio's room was a disaster--the layouts, the godawful colors--it looked like a stoned teenager designed them. You could tell the homeowners hated it--they kept saying "this is crazy" I agree.
I find NOTHING edgy about Antonio--If HGTV's idea of "new" is untalented and boorish--then they made a good choice. The guy couldnt design his way out of a paper bag.
9-21-2009 @ 11:11AM
Barbara said...
Antonio won the design star because he's talented, gives the people what they want adds a small touch of quirky, and he has the personality for it. Dan would put me to sleep before his show was over. He was a good designer but just doesn't have a good tv personality. Antonio's house isn''t how I would want my house designed but it is totally Antonio, it's his house. i liked the blue walls in the bathroom and living room kitchen. I'm looking forward to the next show.
9-14-2009 @ 10:25AM
Jon said...
Nope. I never really warmed up to Antonio. He tended to take control without taking responsibility, and I didn't find his designs all that impressive.
I've only been watching Design Star for two seasons, but in both seasons I preferred the runner-up to the winner. I'm surprised HGTV hasn't found something more for Matt Locke, and that doesn't bode well for Dan Vickery's potential future, either.
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9-14-2009 @ 10:31AM
Alice said...
I will NOT be watching Antonio's show!!
He is not a good designer and his personality and appearance do not fit with HGTV at all.
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9-14-2009 @ 10:45AM
B Wangerin said...
NAUSEATING!!!! I'm extremely disappointed in all the judges although Candice and Vern have been my favorites. I WILL NOT WATCH this disgusting man who needs to grow up. It seems that HGTV sinks lower each season. Thank goodness for the "OFF" button on the remote!!! Trash TV and this Antonio gets first place for the trashiest.
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9-21-2009 @ 11:24AM
Barbara said...
Wow! such venom, you must really be unhappy with yourself. What you see in others is a reflection of yourself.
9-14-2009 @ 10:51AM
Hassan said...
I am so happy Antonio won. Dan house looked like a old lady from the 1970 lived there. Antonio has a personality unlike Dan.
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9-14-2009 @ 10:56AM
CRVBOY said...
Not sure why they changed from viewer voting to "judges" picking the winner this year, probably cause they didn't want to have to deal with the fall out from banning Mikey V. from last season's reunion show again.
But Antonio... why did they pick him? He was grating on the nerves to watch. Yeah, he could design, for the most part, although he ruined that fireplace with that oversized armour that he cut in half to hide the tv. His on camera presence is rough and rude.
Dan should have won. He did great all season, and he got snubbed by the judges.
Won't be watching Antonio's show at all.
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9-14-2009 @ 11:00AM
laura said...
I was rooting for Antonio from the beginning. He just came across as genuine, capable, and my little heart just warmed to him instantly, I CANNOT wait to see his show!
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9-14-2009 @ 11:09AM
George said...
Half of the programs in the HGTV lineup are focused on finding your ideal living space and making it unique and personal. The other half are about people who have made their living spaces unique and personal and as a result are completely unable to sell them (without the help of HGTV's camera-friendly experts and their patented "reblandification" techniques). Anything that breaks that mold is a good thing in my book.
Some possible titles (HGTV, you can use these with my blessing):
Antonio Ballatore's "I Just F***ed Your House!"
"Squander Your Equity with Antonio Ballatore"
"Stage *This*!"
"Design on a Dime Bag"
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9-14-2009 @ 11:26AM
RogueFace said...
I think Antonio Ballatore's "I Just F***ed Your House!" might be the best thing I've read on this site in months! I would totally watch that show!
9-14-2009 @ 11:14AM
missy said...
I also am disappointed with the judges, and can't believe I wasted the whole season waiting for the better designer to win, and he came in as runner up. I will NOT be watching Antonio's show he didn't do the job in every sense of the word.
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9-14-2009 @ 11:23AM
RogueFace said...
The comments that I'm seeing here for the most part show exactly why Antonio was chosen over Dan. The network wants to expand its audience. By only having soft-spoken normal looking hosts for all of their shows, and voiceovers that make me want to take a nap, they are limiting their viewership to women in the 30-50 year range. By bringing in somebody who, like the first poster said (echoing the statement my wife made last night), is like the Guy Fieri of HGTV, they have a chance to expand that audience a bit, bring in a younger group, and maybe even some guys. I can only imagine the boost Guy gave the Food Network, and I have a feeling it will work similarly, if not quite as well, for HGTV.
Also, his designs were consistently some of the best, and Dan, as good as his design was, was more boring than most of the people already on the network.
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9-14-2009 @ 5:20PM
Octavia said...
Then don't call the show DesignStar as Antonio is self-admittedly not a designer. Best to call it HostStar, because that's what HGTV was looking for... not a truly talented designer. It will take more than crude and immature Antonio to attract men to HGTV. Perhaps HGTV can feature Antonio with some of the Rock of Love Bus leftovers drinking and hanging all over him as he "designs." That would bring in the men and boost ratings.
9-21-2009 @ 1:23PM
commentasaurus said...
I agree. I think Antonio brings something new to HGTV, and that really would explain many of the comments that this piece is getting in response to his win. Most people who watch this channel are used to blandish, modernist designed rooms. I've been watching this channel for a while and honestly? A lot of the designs, while beautiful, tend to blend into each other. Whereas, the rooms that Antonio did for the premiere of his own show (the tattoo inspired bedboard, black kitchen) were awesome. They might not be to everyone's tastes but I for one loved it.
9-14-2009 @ 11:30AM
Gordy said...
I felt that Dan connected with his families better, and his reveals were much more dramatic. The web voting for the winner was stupid to begin with, and gave us 'Myles of Style', which is unwatchable.
Dan would have been a better choice in my opinion, but, he is the safe choice. Tony gives you edge, and that always stimulates 'the experts' & makes for good TV. I haven't liked any of his designs, while all of Dan's were great IMO.
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9-14-2009 @ 11:37AM
Allison Solow said...
I loved Antonio for his style and overall his visions. He also had the ability to do a lot of stuff, not just shop for tchotkes! I would definitely watch his show. He reminds me of Duff on "Ace of Cakes."
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9-18-2009 @ 8:32AM
Sharon Olliges said...
Duff is talented.