Results in - You were the judge on Episode 1

Team Kelly Wearstler, "Form Over Function": Teresa, Ondine, Wisit, Nathan (left column)
Team India Hicks, "Caribbean Classical": Andrea, Shazia, and Serge (left column)
Photos courtesy of Bravo. Click to see a larger view.

Our polls for Episode 1 are closed. This week you overwhelmingly agreed with the judges and felt that Team Kelly deserved the win. Click here to see the results. You agreed with the judges that Team India did the worst job, but you disagreed with who should have gotten 'latered and thought that Shazia should have gone home. Click here to see the results.

Check back with us tomorrow for our Episode 2 poll.

The Market Basket - Kelly's Loft Wallpaper

There's been a lot of buzz about the wallpaper that Team Kelly used in the entry of the loft.


I did a little research (I googled the word chrysanthemum) and came up with Linda Barker for Graham & Brown's Tempting wallpaper in turquoise.


The colorway looks different, but I cannot find that they have anything closer, so I'm thinking that this is it. If anyone has any thoughts, let me know!

Recapalooza for Episode One

Episode One is done and we visit some of our favorite bloggers to get their take:

My Monkey Could Do That has a great play-by-play.
Becky of Hatch, the Design Public blog is dishing Top Design over on Decor8.
Dan from AfterElton laments the loss of SYLD (aka See you later, Decorator)
Julia is Hooked on Top Design.
The Recapist does her thing.
Erin from Elements of Style thinks the designers were being prima donnas.
Other Eric of Everything Eric has taken over recapping from Other Other Eric from Eric3000. Get it?
Fu For Thought noshes on Episode One.
Leah at More Ways to Waste Time is feeling the love for Wisit.
The Cliffieland Reality Show Drinking Game™ is underway!
Moodboard throws some vintage Ricky Schroder into the mix.


Doing a recap? Let us know!

Poll - Episode One - Your turn to be the judge

Team India Hicks, "Caribbean Classical": Andrea, Shazia, and Serge (left row 1 and row 2)
Team Jonathan Adler, "Chic & Dreamy": Eddie, Jennifer, and Natalie (right row 1 and row 2)
Team Kelly Wearstler, "Form Over Function": Teresa, Ondine, Wisit, Nathan (left row 3 and row 4)
Team Margaret Russell, "Crisp & Glamorous": Robert, Kerry, Preston (right row 3 and row 4)
Photos courtesy of Bravo. Click to see a larger view.

The first episode is always kind of a blur. So many contestants to get to know! But, we know you have opinions! So...

Click here to tell us who you thought should have won the challenge.

Click here to tell us who you thought should have been latered.

Congratulations Team Kelly

Congrats to Wisit Prapong, Ondine Karady, Teresa Keegan and Nathan Thomas for winning the first challenge!! And a big challenge it was! A two story loft, two days and a lamp size budget didn't stop you from creating a lovely space filled with interesting textures and accessories. Designing for one of America's preeminent taste makers could have been daunting, but you were all professional and hardworking. A great team effort!

This post is only for positive words for Team Kelly or their work. If you have anything to say about other designers or the challenge, please click here.

BTD Love for Serge Van Lian

The first contestant to be sent home is always in the toughest position - you've not had a chance to really show what you can do and we the viewers haven't had a chance to really get to know you. But, someone has to be the first and we're sorry it's you. You were a trooper and a real team player all while trying to show your unique design aesthetic.

This post is only for positive words for Serge and his work. If you have anything else to say about other designers or this challenge, click here.

Reactions to Episode One - "Impress the Best"

We've met the thirteen designers and one is already out. So - were you impressed? What do you think of the new "Top Design"? Do you miss the white boxes in the belly of the Pacific Design Center? Who do you like and who do you think is next to go?

Episode One Party!

Welcome Top Design fans to the Episode One Party Room! Are you ready to "Impress the Best"? Join us as we meet the thirteen designers who were willing to put themselves on the line for $100,000, an editorial spread in Elle Decor and the title of "Top Designer".

If you're new here - welcome! Just click the comments link and come on in!

Poll Results For Episode 1

Our poll results are in for Episode 1 and you agreed with the judges this week. In our 'Who Should Have Won' poll, you said that Goil and Elizabeth had the best room. In the 'Who Should Have Been Latered' poll, you felt that Heather and Lisa needed to go. You can click on each of the pictures to see how you voted.

Katy's Take: Episode 1

BTD is thrilled to welcome Project Runway Season 3 designer Katherine Gerdes as she provides exclusive recaps of each week's episode. Katy brings a unique perspective not only as a professional designer, but as someone who has been through the Bravo reality competition mill. Welcome Katy!

Hi guys! I’d just like to start out by saying a big “THANKS!” to the crew at BPR (and now BTD) for asking me to write a recap each week for Top Design. They have consistently been a great source of support and love for all of us PR designers and I know they’ll take equally good care of the Top Design crew.

For those of you who don’t know, last season on PR I started writing recaps from a designer's point of view of each episode for my website and then BPR. I try to keep my recaps based mostly on the actual design and not whether I’m a fan of the personality behind it. I do believe that in the real world a top designer needs to work well with others, because you can’t do it alone all the time, but, I also have first hand knowledge that what I’m watching at home is not the entire story and it’s hard for me to judge someone’s character based on the edited show I see.

One last thing and then I’ll get on with it… I am not an interior designer, and in fact, I have the hardest time making my living spaces look good and always have to get my mom to help (thanks mom!). For example, the comment that the judges made about Erik & Carisa’s empty coffee table would have never crossed my mind. With that said, I do believe that as a fashion designer (or any kind of designer for that matter), you have a eye for what looks good whether it’s clothing, furniture, cooking, etc… So with that in mind, I give you my opinion on the first week’s challenge:

Click here to continue reading Katy's Take on Episode 1.

Read What Alexis Had to Say

Click here to read a statement from Alexis Arquette regarding the rooms that the designers created and the challenge she faced as a judge.

Want to know more about Alexis? Click here to read her judge bio.

Congratulations, Goil and Elizabeth!

You created a sanctuary for a 'mystery client' and managed to surprise all of the judges with your innovation. You looked at those 5 objects, determined the playful nature of their owner and you created a playground for the spirit complete with sandbox and swing. You managed to do all of this without conflict or drama while delighting a very unconventional lady; the smile on Alexis' face said it all. Well done, Goil and Elizabeth!

Let's use this post to congratulate this fabulous team; only positive words belong in the comments please.

Send Some BTD Love to Heather and Lisa

You were expected to design a room without ever meeting your client while collaborating for the first time. You managed to create a restful room with a clear point of view while avoiding conflict. In the end, it was simply a matter of opinion and someone had to go. You left with your dignity intact and we respect that.

Let's send some BTD love to Heather and Lisa. This post is only for positive comments.

Your Turn to be the Judge - Episode 1

We saw the rooms that the teams created and now it is your turn to weigh in on the results. This week you get to be Jonathan Adler, Kelly Wearstler, Maragret Russell and Alexis Arquette.

Update: Our polls are closed. Click here for the results.

Rooms shown at the left, from top to bottom, were created by the teams of Goil/Elizabeth, Heather/Lisa, Matt/Felicia, Michael/John, Ryan/Andrea and Erik/Carisa.

Episode 1 Reactions

So, what did you think? Can Top Design fill the Wedneday night void in your life? Post your reactions to the premiere of Top Design here.

To our new readers: we tend to be a bit more lenient of our moderation of the comments on our reaction threads, however we do ask you to review and follow the comment guidelines before posting. Thanks!

Episode 1 Party!

It's Wednesday night party time! The BTD lounge has been specially decked out this evening as we welcome the premiere of Top Design. Everyone watching is welcome to chime in with their witty observations, predictions and commentary during the airing of "Mystery Judge".

And, for one night only, we will even allow some conversation space for you Top Chef finale watchers to pass the time. So, pull up a chair, grab your beverage of choice and come on in!

BTD Live Play-by-Play: Episode 1

The night (some of us) have all been waiting for - it's the Top Design premiere! Follow all of the drama with Tbone as he provides live play-by-play coverage of Episode 1, "Mystery Judge". This weekly feature is especially helpful for those of you without Bravo, stuck in hotel rooms with limited cable access or West Coasters who just can't wait any longer to find out what happened.

Comments on this post are for Tbone's exclusive use, everyone else feel free to chime in at the party room above.

Tbone's Wednesday night vacation is over!