Jonesing for Top Design?
Jonesing for Top Design? by Roxanne McDonald
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Come to find out, the producers of “Top Design” and “Shear Genius” are doing a casting call as we wonder where our favorite shows have gone. |
Both Bravo TV reality competition series season 2 have yet to be announced or promoed, as per the official website, which features casting calls and downloadable (pdf) application forms that apparently went up in December of 2007.
In season one of “Top Design,” we saw the gentle genius of Matt Lorenz beat out the
crabbiest and kookiest of contestants. Then we seemed to lose the picture for what seemed like forever. Well, it appears “Top Design” will be a perennial, spring experience, the calls for the new cast just coming out on December 12th or so of 2007.
Executive producers Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz are again spearheading (this time with ammo from the production company Magical Elves) the search for the top interior designers in the nation to compete in simulated client-driven challenges, one holding out longest for a grand prize of $100,000 and a feature in El Décor or another high-profile design magazine.
Best Supporting Role Award Should Go to Carpenters of Top Design
Best Supporting Role Award Should Go to Carpenters of Top Design by Roxanne McDonald
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Congratulations to the most deserving of designers, Matt Lorenz. Yet, how about if we have another award–for the carpenters who made it all possible? |
With a father who was a skilled, clever, and patient carpenter, I had been thinking about the carpenters of “Top Design.” It was time, I decided, they got some closer coverage, some more focused attention, too.
Just as I was listening to Carisa carp at and about Carl for the umpteen millionth time and just as Carl, as always, had responded with stalwart stoicism, I had remarked to myself how important to the “Top Design” task the carpenters are. I also remarked (again to myself, as there’s nobody else here) how these carpenters take a lot more crap than they should—how the treatment by some of the “Top Design” contestants is/was disrespectful and even borders/ed on abusive.
But did the carpenters complain? Not to us, anyway. Instead, they smiled about having to go to the ER after a close call; they patiently explained procedures and processes; and they continued to come through with stunning results despite the restrictions and ragging.
One of the carpenters, Ed Schoen, was discussing (on the “Top Design” website) how “the designers are never heard talking about their carpenters.”
He was referring to them on the actual sets, I’m sure, as what we the audience got were several instances of designers talking about their carpenters…in a negative way, usually, if the words were coming from Carisa, but occasionally in reference to the joy of working with such tolerant, effective, supportive craftspersons, if, say, Matt was asked about working with his carpenter of the week.
As I was first plotting an outline for a tribute article to the “Top Design” carpenters, I came across only one other such piece–by Christopher Muther of The Boston Globe, titled “Unflappable carpenter at center of ‘Top Design’.”
That article featured Blair Toland, and even more rightfully so did it honor Blair as representative of all the “Top Design” carpenters, as most considered him the most admirable of the group. The only other place I could find online was the BRAVO.com “Top Design” section featuring bios of and interviews with the carpenters. So with the little inside info I have, I will give nods to each with a few details and comments from each, acknowledging that the notes here are repeats but are delivered to you in attempts to remind us who the designers would be without these brilliant professionals.
The Cutting Edge: Character and Criticism of Final Three Top Designers
The Cutting Edge: Character and Criticism of Final Three Top Designers by Roxanne McDonald
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Well, not so much my criticism as theirs—of each other. Will the least nasty person win? |
In the penultimate “Top Design” episode, we are left with three designers—Andrea, Carisa, and Matt—who are asked to critique and question the competition.
Obviously, as what makes for good reality TV and good televised competition is when the individual contestants rag on each other, the producers of Top Design surely urge discussion of the competition. In the confessionals, or what we see as one-sided interviews, with the person speaking to some prompt, for sure, the contestants speak freely about their fellow designers.
You know they asked Carisa what she thinks of Andrea’s design aesthetic when she says to us how she is “not sure what intention Andrea has for her space, and how she is “never sure” what Andrea does to “pull together her rooms.”
You know they likely went right to Andrea with these comments, for then we hear Andrea tell us—with a smirk—that “Carissa and I have different ideas.” And, she tells us, of course, she “would love for her [Carisa] to go home.”
In even more likely trouble-starting efforts, the host,
Jonathan Adler, is likely encouraged to pit the contestants against each other. In a sort of milder form of interrogation, the finalists are lined up facing the panel that is the firing squad, and Adler prompts each, for example, with such questions as who each considers a threat. This elicits a complimentary critique of the others who are threats, in a sense, but it also makes for the opportunity for the speaker to dis the others.
When asked who was the biggest threat, Carisa had said Matt; Andrea had said Matt; and Goil had said all three of the his fellow finalists. Goil also added that therefore, he would have to kill all three of them.
Granted, the answer to who is the biggest threat also requires some humility, and takes the power out of the speaker’s ego for a minute, but it could start something. It must have some Tv value, for Adler asks it three weeks in a row.
Suicide Thwarted but One More Design Dream Dashed
Suicide Thwarted but One More Design Dream Dashed: A Top Design Episode 9 Recap of Sorts by Roxanne McDonald
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Matt swore he would kill himself if he didn’t get Top Designer of the night; and Andrea again dreamed aloud…for someone else to tank. |
By now you know which dream wish was satisfied. Well, you haven’t read anything about a funeral for the mawkish Matt, have you?
Top Design challenge is to take inspiration from and apply imagination to a space using an El Décor magazine cover—but rather than replicate, create a “luxury for less” design on a budget…of $7,000 or less.
And to “level the playing field,” since Andrea lives in L.A., the three can use Yahoo to research bargain shops and stores in the area.
(Not sure how this levels the playing field all that much, as Andrea still knows the area, and now she can Yahoo plus know where the shops are…whatever.)
Andrea has chosen an El Décor cover which features a “more elegant” space with high ceilings.
Matt goes for the monochromatic, mixed-period styles space which is an empty, clean space, he says.
And Carisa says she chose the cover with the luxurious and the patterns and colors which call to her.
Andrea tells us she hopes—again—someone will tank, then heads off to an architectural supply store where she smartly asks if the place has any unused or no longer in use display items.
Seeing Red
Seeing Red by Roxanne McDonald
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The complaints get stronger, Matt’s carpenter saws off a finger, and Goile wants to murder all his competition. |
In the Viceroy hotel, Todd Oldham informs the final four the creative challenge (and I say “creative” as an adjective for the idea the producers came up with and as one describing the demands of the challenge, as well) involves the four elements.
Andrea, who is thrilled to have met her goal of making it to the final four, gets earth. But since she’s not “crunchy”, she says, the earth element will be challenging.
Goil has fire, which he finds inspiring.
Matt takes water, which he says is perfect for him, as he’s a scorpio.
And Carisa gets air, which she assures us (and herself) will not be involving any birds or clouds.
With a $30k budget plus additional monies (if I heard right) for fabric, lumber, and paint, the four are off to the Pacific Design Center and their enclaves.
Goil is again so thoughtful about his scheme, suggesting metals, when forged, make fire, and setting himself into yet another phase of the project which consumes his time with floors and back walls and whatnot.
This is Not a Chair
This is Not a Chair by Roxanne McDonald
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Top Design remaining five get challenged and tested on fine dining décor by way of guest judge Tom Colicchio. |
They don’t know it until he appears in the white room, but internationally known chef and restaurateur Tom Colicchio (who as Carisa later tells us is a brutal critic, if we haven’t seen “Top Chef”) wants an elegant, up-scale, but eclectic style (20th-century modern and artifact mix) dining area.
Carisa’s confident. Andrea’s terrified. Goile gets pissed cause he’s wasting a lot of time on a floor. Matt is ever-steady. And Michel is ever overconfident, overbearing, and over the top in his selections.
Of course, Carisa’s aesthetic leaves much to be desired, as it is sacrificed by excuse this and blame that: the only “matching set” of chairs left in the store is a patio set of rickety old chairs that Carisa covers with what Matt or
Michael calls “grandfather cloth”. But she is sure that that 10,000-dollar table will cover her chances. After all, that is all she seems to put her faith in, obsess about protecting, and blame Carpenter Carl for almost ruining when he drops a beam he is attempting to finagle all by himself up there on the ladder.
Michael will have similar chair issues when he claims to intentionally mismatch his…but by the time he gets to trial, and Colicchio saying that six mismatched chairs is too much and he wishes Michael had stopped at two, Michael has already mismatched other details and ditties, making for a terribly busy mess of a dining room.
Add to that how he snips at Margaret about not wanting a napkin storage in his dining room and how he refuses to answer a question regarding which of the other rooms he would not want to eat in, and yep, you guessed it, “See ya later, decorater [sic].
Oh, hey, wasn’t it Michael who in the very first episode said he didn’t need to work at or fight for title of Top Designer, as he was just that perfect?
Top Design a Dysfunctional Family Affair
Top Design a Dysfunctional Family Affair…with a Swing by Roxanne McDonald
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It’s about functional design for a family of five, but the Bells add a task, art is questioned, and teamwork is tweaked and then turned out in the constricting and conforming challenge of the week. |
The Top Design task is to re-design the Bell family’s garage, which is pitifully full of crap and which is the target of each family member for usable space: kids want a stage and place for costume storage; Mom wants an office; Dad, I guess, wants to keep his GMC Acadia (plugs, of course, for the car and company, who sponsors this challenge, btw).
As the design contestants identify immediately, the place is a mess and the solution (says Matt) is to clean it up. They want, says Ryan, too much for the space.
In fact, they will want more, guys—you just aren’t made privy to this until later.
Carisa hates models, but complies. Matt or Michael is not “into” them either, but all come up with the 3D rendering for the Bells.
Andrea has the upper hand, winning immunity and leadership for the job with her stage/catwalk/open area for office…oh, and a swing. Again with the swing. Let’s hope the others don’t catch on, lest we have five swings and thus a very difficult time judging the best design.
Anyway, the designers show up at the Bells, and they mention that oh, by the way, there is a shed to be redone, too. This greedy omission sets everyone off, though Carisa takes on the task…and then gets flack for not working on the focal project, not working as a teammate.
Oh, for God’s sake. I don’t care much for Carisa (or, rather, her aesthetic), but in this I am behind her. Judges, check the footage. See how the Bells conveniently said nothing about the shed in the original planning stages? See how they forced it upon the designers in the same way their crap collections forced others, like Matt, to spend all his time putting urine-soaked junk in plastic containers?
Then there’s the typically socially-cool and task-tendentious Goil, whose most clever pull-out stage design is once again way underestimated/ misunderstood. He is taken to task as Andrea’s right-hand man, she chuckles, and then is taken to criticism by the judges for not busting out on his own…. Sigh. This is getting as contradictory, as ambiguous in judging criteria as that Mad Mad House was (the reality show where the leaders had no idea what they required of the players and so just winged it, making for a crazymaking set of rules)….
The criteria, they announce, is design; teamwork; individual contributions; and how well every family member is catered to.
Top Design Look with a Trading Spaces Feel
Top Design Look with a Trading Spaces Feel by Roxanne McDonald
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Episode 4 has the remaining eight scouring sale bins at garage sales for their college student clients. |
Maybe interior design novices typically root through used stuff for kitschy or eclectic. Maybe $500 is a realistic amount of money for a college dorm room or rental re-do. Maybe Top Design creators thought of it all on their own.
Or maybe Trading Spaces set a good precedent and the people who set up the Top Design decided it would truly be a “challenge”.
Whatever. I just couldn’t get the reality show that pioneered the let’s turn other people’s outside trash into our inside treasures out of my mind as Ryan resentfully rooted and Felicia foolishly floundered.
Yep. Ryan, whom I think is one of the best minds in the line-up, is getting even pissier, all the while creating these amazing pieces and sets that they just, he moans, “don’t get.”Felicia gets so fixated on frumpy additions to otherwise clean and classy rooms she designs that her aim shoots and misses the shabby chic look and lands on dead granny land.
Then there’s the contestant who takes every challenge, every command as a most serious opportunity to experiment in the most intelligent and unique of ways and to do so with a friendly humility that elicits a giggle from the garage sale owner and a look of approval from the judges:
Goil (as in gargoyle, he reminds everyone he meets) does it again with a one-of-a-kind concept—a college space that has chairs that ride along ledges, their front legs standard length but their back legs sawed off to rest atop the built-in bed and around the multi-use table. The only thing that keeps him from being Top Designer this week is his recessed mattress in that built-in bed, which one judge (I can’t recall which) notes would be a shin-bruiser.
There’s also the designer I have pegged as one who will be standing at the finale: Erik. This week he successfully keeps to the ridiculous budget and meets his client’s needs/desires for industrial/contempo design. His steel or aluminum and clean lines make for a smart set.
But there is also the surprise success this week: though she brings in the client-requested orange and though she uses that sometimes-hideous Exorcist green, she has successfully made use of space, delivered balance, and used the 500 bucks well. Brava, Carisa, for your first Bravo Trading Spaces…I mean Top Design…win.
*Addendum: Just read on Todd Oldham’s blog how it was his idea to do the garage sale challenge, as he was looking to go outside the “safety net of good choices and fine taste that the Pacific Design Center offer[s]”.
Hey, that makes sense, especially for creative minds and even for those of us who have by default decorated our homes in chabby chic–by way of garage sales and flea markets–for lack of “finer” resources…or cash.
Still a most compelling show.
Top Design Negatives and Positives
Top Design Negatives and Positives by Roxanne McDonald
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Last week, the premiere of Bravo’s Top Design brought infighting and fussing and frustrations…right from the start. Episode two brings frustrations and confessions and quirks of a different sort. |
Whether it was all his doing that his controlling ways, unrelenting attitude, and nasty attitude toward teammate Michael landed the paired competitors in the bottom two in week one, John recants his hostility.
John Gray confides to fellow Top Design housemates that he is HIV positive and had recently been injected with an increased (by 400%) dosage of testosterone. Gray had planned for the extra shots not knowing how long the show would keep him away from home and doctors. This extra male hormone certainly revealed its impact in the way John sniped at Michael Adams (with whom he was paired for the first challenge to design a mystery guest’s relaxation
space), the way he refused to bend in any design ideas Michael had, as he belittled Michael during the building of their first set, and as he insulted Michael in front of the judges: he expressed his quintessential disgust with slurs and stances that would make anyone shrivel (but mind you, Michael has announced to the world that he doesn’t have to justify or testify or compete—or whatever, I can’t remember—as he is the best, sniff, sniff).
And John (who started the program by turning up a nose at “queeny” housemates) and Michael (who in episode two, though he boasts being the best yada yada, has created a kid’s room that looks like it belongs in an “assisted living facility,” the judges say) are not the only ones to watch:
Andrea may not be the excuse mistress of the show, as that was John’s final claim to fame (on Top Design, anyway), but she might just be runner up. The missing je ne sais quois in her design is in paper bags, as she ran out of time, she says, and that does NOT sit well as a reason but as an excuse. And there is a difference.
Carisa has extended the swing-happy thing—or poached the idea: she creates a boy’s room with climbing ropes which recalls the swing that was designed by Elizabeth and Goil in week one and that was a big hit with guest Alexis Arquette. Then again, maybe Carisa is just smart enough to mimic…as opposed to going with too drab and dull a design filled redundant with pillows or whatnot.
Elizabeth just seems, well, a bit quirky. I can’t figure her out, yet, but will keep an eye on her as teacher? Loft Matron? Top Designer? Heh-heh. The sandbox should be a good clue.
Eric looks like he might be the dark horse type: he is smirky without using too many words to convey his precocious and posed prima donna presence. While the first thing we hear him say upon arriving in the competitors’ loft is there is no damned space allotted for his mascara, he keeps quiet for the most part—just using that right eyebrow to convey his superiority, insouciance, or something.
Felicia is the elegant, observant, type A designer. Methinks she might just be the [Project Runway] Laura of the group.
Goil will probably be a favorite, a pet of choice for Top Design fans. He keeps to himself, gets all fascinated with sleep number beds and secret hiding spaces, and keeps busy solving the “puzzle” that he says is interior design.
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