Tuesday Mailbox

Nathan Thomas is on the cover of OutFront Colorado. Read the story here.

Eddie Ross was featured in November's Domino Magazine in a story on decorating and entertaining.

Easy and Soothing on the Eyes

What's up Nathan's Sleeve?

It's a preview!

The Final Four!

Top: (l) Eddie Ross; (r) Ondine Karady

Bottom: (l) Preston Lee; (r) Nathan Thomas

We're down to the Final Four with two episodes to go! So the questions is...

poll by twiigs.com

Recapalooza!

Photo by Jonathan Skow/People Magazine

And who wouldn't want to go back home to all that? The TD recappers weigh in on Andrea's departure and other issues of the day:

Miss Becky could go on talking about Eddie all day and also has the scoop on Andrea's wallpaper...

Cliffieland has the real prices on those chandeliers...

Other Eric gives us The Angst and The Ego...

Tom and Lorenzo drool over the chandeliers...

The detail that Toyouke delivers never ceases to amaze...

J-Mo at TVgasm has a brush with Top Design stardom...

The Moderndomestic was entertained...

Karly has some hilarious alternate titles...

Liz wasn't the only one missing Kelly Wearstler...

Donna Kauffman kinda, sorta likes Preston...

Karen Shih at the Baltimore Sun watches Eddie give the Martha Stewart commercial...

Have a recap to share? E-mail Team BTD to get in on the fun!

BTD Podcast with Andrea Schroder

Linda Merrill talks with Top Design Season 2 designer Andrea Schroder. Click here for the podcast.

Click here for her website.

Your turn to be the judge - episode 8

Andrea Schroder
Nathan Thomas
Preston Lee
Ondine Karady
Eddie Ross
Click on image for larger view. Courtesy of Bravo.

It was a wild episode filled with drama and tears. The question is - who did you think should have won and who should have gone home.

Click here to tell us who you think should have won.

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

BTD Chandelier Challenge!

Blogging Top Design and ::Surroundings::
invites you to join us for a fantastic contest!

The October 22nd show challenged the contestants to decorate a room around a fantastic Swarovski chandelier from their Crystal Palace collection.

How would you have done? Now is the time to find out! You are invited to submit a design board that illustrates your design creativity. It can be a standard mood board created with paper and or you can create it digitally, or step outside the box and paint a picture - the sky’s the limit! (okay - the digital image is the limit!)

Here are the details:

• Select a chandelier. The images will be available for download here.

• Contest starts: Thursday, October 23rd

• Contest deadline: Friday, November 7th.

• Submit one .jpg image of your design plan to bloggingtopdesign@gmail.com

• Provide a brief write-up describing your design, tell us a little about yourself and include your contact information.

• All projects will be showcased on Blogging Top Design and on ::Surroundings::

• Team BTD will select a small group of finalists from all entrees.

• Our judge will be Top Design judge Margaret Russell, editor-in-chief of Elle Decor! This is your chance to put your work in front of Margaret’s eyes!

•There will be one first prize winner who will receive a signed copy of Margaret’s book So Chic AND a little something sparkly from Swarovski! Plus, the title of Top Virtual Designer!

Contact us at bloggingtopdesign@gmail.com with questions.

Although I'm not eligible, I've put together a quick design board to get the party started. We look forward to seeing your creativity in action!

Congratulations - Preston Lee

Preston, you did it again! You have been the stealth designer this season, but you're coming on strong at the end! Your room was elegant and polished. A real showstopper.

This post is only for positive comments about Preston and his work.

Click here to comment about the episode.

BTD Love for Andrea Schroder

Andrea, you have been the epitome of elegance and maturity during this competition. You finally hit your breaking point this episode and realized that you had achieved what you set out to do and it was time to send yourself home to your family. It takes a lot of courage to know when to say when. We'll miss you all the same.

This post is only for positive comments about Andrea and her work.

Click here to post comments about the episode.

Reactions to Episode 8

How did the designers do this week? What did you think of the Pop Design challenge? Did Andrea make the right decision?

The BTD Swarovski Chandelier Challenge

This time, it's YOUR turn to be judged. Can you decorate a room around one of these fantastic Swarovski chandeliers from their Crystal Palace collection? Check back first thing tomorrow for all the contest details and deadlines. All I'll say now is that there will be a fun prize for the winner - and we have a spectacular judge on board.

And you just watched he or she on the television! All will be revealed soon!

Episode 8 - Party Room

Welcome Top Design fans to the Episode Eight Party Room! The designers create a room around a chandelier. Come on in and join the party!

If you're new here - welcome! Just click the comments link and come on in! For those who come later, we'll be providing some play-by-play as well as ongoing commentary. So, join in!

TGIW, a little mail and a big announcement!

Join us tonight in the Party Room at 10:00PM! We're down to the final 5 and based on the previews things aren't looking good for Andrea, but you never know what will happen!

Check out The High Schooler's predictions for who will win and who will be latered.

And, we're having contest! Stay tuned after the show tonight for all the details. And pay close attention to the show - our contest will you put in the shoes of the designers - in more ways than one!

Following the Party Room, you will be able to post your reactions and comments, send love to the latered and congrats to the winner.

TGIW!

Episode 7 Poll Results

(l) Nathan Thomas (r) Andrea Schroder
Click on image for larger view. Courtesy Bravo.

Our episode 7 polls are now closed and you resoundingly disagreed with the judges on all accounts last week. Over 50% of you felt that Nathan Thomas should have won the episode. Click here to read the results. Likewise, but nearly the same percentage, you felt that Andrea Schroder should have been latered. Click here to view the results.

Stay tuned for our poll for Episode 8. We always want to know what you think!

Previews!

A lot of bling, bling...

... and a little Simon Doonan to light up the rooms!

Monday Mailbox

Ondine Karady was looking lovely a few weeks ago at the Holiday House kickoff party in NYC. Ondine is one of the designers for this charity showhouse, opening November 3rd, to support the Susan G. Komen For the Cure.


Andrea Schroder and family attended the premier of High School Musical 3.

Andrea and fam also appear in this weeks' People magazine where they share just how normal their family life is - filled with ups and downs - just like the rest of us. Except - well - most of us aren't as photogenic!

Recapalooza for Episode Seven

Lots of recaps this week. Kelly's outfits play a big role in the commentary (and the TD production stylist can now ask for a raise), Eddie's comments get some attention and body parts are always popular! Onward...

•Fans of Reality Television provides a great play by play. Check 'em out if you missed the show.
•Karen at the Baltimore Sun laments Our first week without Wisit … ah, sad times.
•The future is a sparkly strip club says TVgasm.
•Moderndomestic says Space Age rooms bring yawns and heart attacks
•Kerrianne takes on Scary Kelly's wardrobe.
•And Kelly's turban (the talk of blogdom this week) is taken on over at DeSmitten.
•Everything Eric sees a Boring Future after this epi.
•Erin at Design Crisis comments on the Science Fair Project on Steroids and wishes they were given another day
•Becky from Hatch and Decor8 covers Kelly's comments, Preston's pronunciation of 'chaise lounge' and asks who has a tougher time with constructive criticism - Eddie or Kenley from Project Runway.
•The Recapist is missing her little singing angel.
•It Happened Last Night calls one room MC Hammer/Circus/Serial Killer chic. Who's is it?
•My Monkey Could Do That reminds us of Eddie's "Top Design" castmate cloning scenario.
•Cliffieland anoints Medium Madame Ethel Mertzola.

And, having nothing much at all to do with this episode, I wanted to share a post I did on ::Surroundings:: comparing the Project Runway finalists' designs to interior design. Just a little diversion.

Have a nice weekend and happy reading!

BTD Podcast with Natalie Williams

Linda Merrill talks with Natalie Williams of Top Design Season 2. Click here for the podcast.

Click here for Natalie's firm.

Your turn to be the judge - episode 7

Row 1 (l) Preston Lee, (r) Ondine Karady
Row 2 (l) Nathan Thomas (r) Eddie Ross
Row 3 (l) Natalie Williams (r) Andrea Schroder
Click on image for larger view. Courtesy of BravoTV.

Please click here to vote for who you think should have won.

Please click here to vote for who you think should have been latered this episode.

BTD Love for Natalie Williams

Natalie, you were the quintessential ingenue - young, perky and likable - with a lot of talent bubbling up. It's obvious that your fellow designers adored you and so do we.

This post is only for positive comments about Natalie and her work.

Click here to comment about the episode.

Congratulations - Preston Lee

Preston, you've been a strong contender all season and it looks like you really hit your stride with your room of the future. Your design was confident, stylish and practical. Congratulations!

This post is only for positive comments about Preston or his work.

Click here to comment on the episode.

Reactions to Episode 7

How did the designers do this week? Who is an optimist, who's a pessimist, and who just didn't get it?

Episode 7 Party Room!

Welcome Top Design fans to the Episode Seven Party Room! The designers create the room of the future. Who will win and who will be left behind?

If you're new here - welcome! Just click the comments link and come on in! For those who come later, we'll be providing some play-by-play as well as ongoing commentary. So, join in!

TGIW and a little mail

Join us tonight in the Party Room at 10:00PM as we dish together. The designers face their futures. What will be the result?

Check out The High Schooler's predictions for who will win and who will be latered.

Serge Van Lian is interviewed over at Juxtaposition Design.

Following the Party Room, you will be able to post your reactions and comments, send love to the latered and congrats to the winner.

TGIW!

Results in - You were the judge on Episode 6

Nathan Thomas (l) and Wisit Prapong (r)

Episode 6 polls are now closed. When asked who should have won, you disagreed with the judges and felt that Nathan Thomas deserved the win. Click here to see the results.

However, you were in agreement with the judges that it was time for Wisit to go home. Click here to view the results. Our thanks to all who voted.

And stay tuned for our Episode 7 poll! We're getting to the final 6!

Preview - Future Rooms, Stripper Poles and Glinda, oh my!

Episode 7 Preview

It's the morning after. Who's here and who's ...? And who is that singing on the sound track?

From the Mailbox

Andrea Schroder and family are shown in this week's People Magazine where they talk about their son's car accident in 2007.

Upcoming TD judge and Jonathan Adler's husband, Simon Doonan, has a new show on British television, based on his memoirs.


Eddie Ross was interviewed in the Washington Post.

Recapalooza for Episode Six

Epi 6 is done and we're down to the final six. Let's check out what our favorite bloggers are saying:

Becky over at Decor8 is blogging while tired (but then, who doesn't?) and shares her notes on the Bubb Report.
As usual, TLo doesn't mince words.
It's rock, paper, scissors with My Monkey Could Do That.
Moderndomestic asks "And this is supposed to showcase their individual design aesthetic how?"
Design Crisis says zzzzzzzzzzzzz
Reduce. Reuse. Respoiler - and so it goes on It Happened Last Night
Reality Check disagrees with the judges.
Donna Kauffman is having problems with Eddie.
Casa Sugar offers lots of episode pics.
Everything Eric turns Tim Gunn into a verb.
Cliffieland offers up the Ole' Switcheroo.

BTD Podcast with Wisit Prapong

Linda Merrill talks with the operatic designer Wisit Prapong of Season 2 of Top Design. Click here for the podcast.

Click here for his website.

Your turn to be the judge - episode 6

1. Eddie Ross
2. Wisit Prapong
3. Natalie Williams
4. Nathan Thomas
5. Andrea Schroder
6. Ondine Karady
7.Preston Lee
Click on image for larger view. Image courtesy of Bravo.

Time to voice your choice!


Please click here to vote for who you think should have won.

Please click here to vote for who you think should have been latered this episode.

Congratulations - Eddie Ross!

BTD congratulates Eddie Ross for being the winner of the Eco-Green challenge. Who knew you were green? From your creative re-use of the blind slats to the carpet treatment. You were smart enough to keep Nathan's original concepts while laying on your own style. Bravo!

This post is only for positive comments about Eddie or his work.

All other comments, please click here.

BTD Love for Wisit Prapong

Wisit, your sweet demeanor and killer countertenor voice made you a truly unique contestant. You did some truly standout work along the way - from your first episode Pop Design fashion sketches to your Parisian garden room that was a clear fan favorite. We'll miss you and wish you all the best.

This post is only for positive comments about Wisit or his work.

All other comments, please click here.

Reactions to Episode 6

So, how did they do? Who understood the green concepts and who missed the boat?

Episode 6 - Party Room!

Welcome Top Design fans to the Episode Six Party Room! It's another individual challenge and we're going green.

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

TGIW and a little mail

How many decorators does it take....?

Can you imagine a reality show with Kelly Wearstler? Would you watch? Kelly hosted a big soiree at her home this week to celebrate the launch of Domino Magazine's new book Domino: The Book of Decorating. Attended by Hollywood glitterati, the poolside party (attendees were not allowed inside the house) has been the talk of the web.

Teresa Keegan kept her focus and her smile, via Unbeige.

Chris, our favorite high school prognosticator is laying the odds.

Join us tonight in the Party Room at 10:00PM as we dish together. Guest judge is "eco-stylist" Danny Seo. The designers are tasked with making over offices in an environmental consulting firm. It's another indi-challenge!

Following the Party Room, you will be able to post your reactions and comments, send love to the latered and congrats to the winner.

TGIW!

Results in - You were the judge on Episode 5

(l) Wisit Prapong and (r) Teresa Keegan
Click on image for larger view. Images courtesy of Bravo.

Episode 5 polls are now closed. This was a hard episode to run a poll on as we had two triathlon winners and one over all winner. Since Bravo only provided us with images of the final leg, our poll was based on this leg of the competition.

When asked who should have won, you disagreed with the judges by a wide margin and felt that Wisit should have been the winner for his Paris themed garden room. Click here to view the results.

However, you were in agreement with the judges that it was time for Teresa to go home. Click here to view the results.

Our thanks to all who voted.

And stay tuned and voice your choice for Episode 6!

Previews!

We have insecurity, cockiness and a little touch of modesty... the final 7!

Previews - straight up with a twist!

Another indi challenge!

From the Mailbox

Project 365 captures Kelly's eccentric style from Episode 5.












Judge Margaret Russell chatted with Time Out Chicago and talked about how being associated with Top Design has affected her work at Elle Decor.










Teresa Keegan talks about how unrealistic the competition was with the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Serge Van Lian will be guest blogging on Style Whipped.

Recapalooza for Episode Five

Okay TD fans - we have quite a roundup today on the Epi 5 'Looza, so let's hit it:

My Monkey Could Do That does Episode 5.
Becky from Decor8 loved the indi challenges. Welcome too to Becky's new blog The Bubb Report, where she shares her program notes!
Erin from Design Crisis is not feeling the love ...
Irondesigner dukes it out over at It Happened One Night
BTD welcomes Moderndomestic to the 'looza
Reality Check checks in on Episode 5.
Julia from Hooked on Houses has some advice for the producers.
Donna Kauffman is yawning...
TLo says dull, shrug, yawn, bleh... cute, really really cute
Everything Eric is off to the races.
Kelly gets Fugged.
Cliffieland gets his fix.
Jonathan may need an intervention.
India is sympathetic.
Margaret found something worse than "panty-dropping chic" in this epi.
Season 1 designer Felicia Bushman loves a competition.

And from me, Linda: I haven't had a chance to write a recap/review in a few weeks, so here's a mini one: I wish the judges didn't know the bios of the designers, I think it affects their judging too much. Eddie may create a perfect table arrangement, but since it's what he does for MSL, then he's not stepping up. Meanwhile, Natalie is so young that it feels like she get's extra credit for even finishing. Is that fair? While I'm loving the season, I'm feeling like it's beginning to wilt. Lack of time brings mediocre results. And the viewers are not being shown enough of why certain designs win and certain designs lose. While I know this is first and foremost a reality competition and it's not a design education show, the viewers do want to be inspired. Nothing so far has been truly inspiring. Project Runway inspires people to haul out their sewing machines - it's inspired mini-me competitions like Project Prom and others. But nothing on TD so far looks like it would inspire the masses - no hot trends, cool pieces of furniture or fabric, no hot glue guns being dusted off. There's very little to hang our creative hats on. This is not a slam on the contestants - it's a criticism of the project planning and editing. Hopefully, as the competitors are weeded down, there will be more time for creative drama - and not just personal drama. Just sayin'...

BTD Podcast with Teresa Keegan

Laura K. interviews Top Design Season 2 designer Teresa Keegan. Click here for the podcast.
Click here for Teresa's new website.

Episode 5 - You be the judge

Click the image for larger view; Images courtesy of Bravo
(Row 1, left) Teresa Keegan; (Row 1, right) Wisit Prapong
(Row 2, left) Natalie Williams; (Row 2, right) Ondine Karady
(Row 3, left) Andrea Schroder; (Row 3, right) Nathan Thomas
(Row 4, left) Preston Lee; (Row 4, right) Eddie Ross

This is a harder episode to judge as there were three mini-challenges that made up the whole. So, we're going to limit our poll to this final "leg" the garden room.

Please click here to vote for who you think should have won.

Please click here to vote for who you think should have been latered this episode.

BTD Love for Teresa Keegan

Teresa, you said yourself that you were perhaps not the strongest competitor on the show, but that doesn't mean that you are a weak designer. And we believe it. You were, after all, part of two winning teams - Episode 1 - the loft challenge and Episode 4 - the Bachelor challenge; and, you were safe on the other two challenges. So, we congratulate you for doing so well and wish you all the best!


This post is only for positive comments for Teresa or her work.

Click here if you'd like to comment on the episode.

Congratulations Nathan [and Natalie]

There were really two winners this episode.


Nathan won two of the three legs of the design triathlon and was named overall winner. His chair makeover and and deconstructed table scape really impressed the judges. While his garden room was not a winner, his first two mini-wins was enough to take the challenge.







Natalie was also a winner. She won the third leg of the triathlon - designing a garden room. For this win, her room will appear in an upcoming issue of Elle Decor ! Which is a great prize!









So, BTD congratulates both Nathan and Natalie for your hard work and successes in this first individual challenge of the season.

This post is only for positive comments for Nathan and Natalie and their work.

Click here to comment on the episode in general.

Reactions to Episode 5

So, how did our designers do on their first individual challenge? Worth the wait? And... really... who can concentrate on anything besides La Wearstler's 'do'?

Episode 5 - Party Room!

Welcome Top Design fans to the Episode Five Party Room! It's the long awaited individual challenge. Who will step up and who will fall when left to their own devices?

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

TGIW and a little mail

It's Wednesday and our designers are being put to the test (an no, not the "how do we take Kelly seriously looking like that test") - a Design Triathlon! My expectation is that they are required to do three small solo challenges each. Or, perhaps they're spaces have to have three different design techniques (painting, sewing, woodworking, cave drawing...). Well, I'm not usually good with predictions.

Speaking of predictions - The High Schooler has been doing well in this regard and he's sent over his Episode 5 thoughts.

Margaret Russel (r) with designer Celerie Kemble (whom I met last week in Boston!) on Monday. Image courtesy of New York Observer and PatrickMcMullan.com.

A big GET WELL for lovely judge Margaret Russell who, according to the New York Observer, fractured her ankle on her way to a dinner party Jonathan Adler's house. Those crazy judges! (but seriously, get well MR!)

We all need a little Big Daddy. Here'a a nice interview on CreativeLoafing.

Eddie Ross' blog has hit the design blog world with a sledgehammer. A beautifully decorated sledgehammer, of course.

Speaking of Kelly, she wrote the foreword to a fantastic new book Regency Redux. Check out my review.

Join us tonight in the Party Room at 10:00PM as we dish together. We all know that Kelly's hair will be the talk of the night. Hopefully, it won't overshadow the designers' work - but that's hard to imagine!

Following the Party Room, you will be able to post your reactions and comments, send love to the latered and congrats to the winner.

TGIW!

Results in - You were the judge on Episode 4

Images: (l) Andrea Schroder, Wisit Prapong, Teresa Keegag; (r) Shazia Kirmani, Nathan Thomas, Preston Lee
Click on image for larger view. Images courtesy of Bravo.

Our polls for Episode 4 are closed. You were in near total agreement with Margaret, Jonathan, Jeff and India that Obi's Bachelor Pad designed by Andrea, Wisit and Teresa was the clear winner. Click here to see the results.

You were also in near total agreement that it was Shazia's time to go. Click here to see the results.

Check back with us tomorrow for our Episode 5 poll.