Just a reminder that we are dishing about HGTV’s Design Star over at decor8 today. If you are a fan of the show, if you watch it and hate it, or if you are anywhere in between, please come join in the conversation. Also, I had a chance to ask last week’s canceled contestant Stephanie a few questions about the experience, with the help from the Design Star viewers over at decor8:

If the interview seems less than conversational or a little disjointed, it’s because it was simply done by submitting questions and having them answered. I’d like to thank Stephanie and HGTV for giving us the opportunity to hear a little more from the contestant that America chose. Here goes:

Hi Stephanie and thank you so much for taking the time to answer some Design Star viewers’ questions. I’d like to start off by telling you that I thought your exit was very gracious. I’m quite sure you will NOT wind up as a clip on The Soup! Did you feel it was your time to go or did you feel someone else should have gone in your place?

Thank you! Well you never really know going into an elimination what the judges will pick out and emphasize as they critique the work. I honestly felt it could have been anyone’s turn each and every week. I took on a lot of responsibility on that last challenge, and that always means you are putting yourself out there to be eliminated easier. I didn’t feel like that challenge was going to be my time but everyone’s gotta go sometime and that time it was me.

Did you feel that the sofa not fitting up the stairs was the reason you were chosen? Why didn’t you let the judges know what happened with the sofa situation – did your team make a pact not to single out any one person for being at fault in that situation?

Hah!. That sofa was quite the downfall on the show. We – as a group – had gone shopping the first night of the challenge and picked out some of the main pieces we liked – including that sofa! It was not purchased that night because we all hoped we would find something better. Big mistake – on Design Star there is no time to look around, you just grab and go! So we decided I’d go back and get that sofa on the last day because nothing else was found. I volunteered because I knew I could persuade the store to open early. Sunday was the last day and all the stores had shortened hours, and we could only get into that store and make it back in time if they opened a half hour early! We did let the judges know what happened and since it was a group decision to buy the sofa, they were looking for a reason to give someone the boot! I’m
guessing the ultimate reason I was booted was because of my hosting skills, I have never had any practice before, but I really feel with a little I could become stronger in that arena and really surprise some people.

Did you feel like you really had a chance to show who you were as a designer in the challenges? If so, which challenges? How did it differ from working with your real-life clients?

Hmm a little, so much was filmed and there is only so much air time, so I was bummed when a lot of my ideas and solutions weren’t shown. I’m glad they showed me disassembling my pink flamingo in episode three though. I picked a completely unappealing object and turned it into a table, a vase and an art sculpture. Also in the individual challenge I created a modern twist to a Mexican cabana which was one of the top rooms. I bent backyard wedding chapel arches and wired organic curly twigs to form the cabana. They were an art piece on their own; it created these beautiful shadows against the dark backdrop and really showed that industrial and organic can work together.

You seemed to get along with everyone very well, something not everyone is accomplishing! Did you have to work hard at that or does it come naturally to you?

I’m a pretty easy going person. I always try to make the best out of a situation and there is no reason to be mean to people. I try to understand where they are coming from and always look at both sides of the story. Everyone has bad moments, especially put under that much stress. So I just tried to have a good time and not take anything personally.

What is it like when the cameras go off and when exactly is that? Are we seeing a realistic representation of each player or are people like Tracee being villanized? What percentage of the show do you feel is about drama vs. actual design (we viewers are loving the drama even when we don’t love the challenges!)

Cameras off? When? Haha, the cameras go off when you lay down in bed for about two hours! You are constantly being filmed – there’s no hiding what you say or what you do! So they can use all those thousands of minutes and well represent you however they want. I don’t think it is realistic to expect the editing department not to do their job, which is to make the show interesting with lots of drama. People were definitely veered to look better and worse. Hey what are ya gonna do, that’s show biz!

What kind of response have you received from clients and the general public since the show has aired? Has your appearance on the show brought you a lot more work? Less work (I doubt it)!?

People have been very supportive, I can’t believe I have fans! My company PLURAL Interior Design has been swamped with inquires. I have been working on expanding and coming up with new services to better serve my clients. I have a one day makeover for people pressed for time and design online so anyone anywhere can have a beautiful home. I hope to shake the design world and become an inspiration to creative thinkers worldwide.

Who would you rather design an Opryland suite for, Sara Evans or Dolly Parton?

I would be so thankful for either, since I have already done one for Sara Evans I would love to do one for Dolly Parton. I grew up watching her, she’s a super star. Opryland is featuring our Sara Evans suite on their website for visitors to stay.

If given the chance, would you do the show again? Are you happy with the way the show turned out (besides being put “off air”) and the way you were represented?

I would do the show again, designing is my life, I could never pay for that publicity. Good or bad. It’s reality TV, so everyone has gotta become a character. I do feel they were really playing up my spunky personality more than my design ability. But my friends, family and clients know the real me, and I just hope America will get to one day.

Well Stephanie, America chose you and I think they made a good choice. Best of luck to you and thank you for taking the time to answer our questions!

images from HGTV.com