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Photo courtesy of Bravo
Our season 1 designers are very special to us and we wanted to catch up with what they've been up to. Goil was definitely the designer with the most energy! This Yale educated architect made it to the final four - which is a huge accomplishment!
Goil - thank you so much for taking the time to let us know what you've been up to!
BTD: How is business and what have you been up to since TD1?
GA: Thank you for the question, business is great. TD1 opened all kinds of doors for me. I am having so much fun meeting new people, getting into all sorts of things I never would have thought I would if you were to ask me 2 years ago. It has also been exciting developing my practice (TUG: www.TugStudio.com) with my partner, Tom. We have been working together since graduate school, (8 years ago), to be ready for this step and I am lucky to have a great support system. It has been great.
Click here to continue.
Sometimes we hear from people that are close to the designers and sometimes we hear from the designers themselves.
Click here to see a backyard transformation created by Andrea Keller that was featured on HGTV's Outer Spaces program. Andrea drew her inspiration from Hawaii without having ever visited that exotic location. Wait, that sounds familiar, doesn't it?
Click here for a terrific Buddy TV interview with Goil. He's got a lot of ambition to go along with all of that energy!
Finally we noticed today that Matt Lorenz has a new website! After advancing to the Top Design finals we know that Matt's skills in creating chic spaces are going to be in even greater demand. And don't forget that we have links to all of the designers in our sidebar.
Goil Amornvivat quickly established himself as the early favorite on Top Design. He won us over with his unique design aesthetic as well as his personal wit and charm. The fatigue and pressure of the competition eventually took their toll on Goil, but not before he won a permanent place in our hearts. BTD checks in with Goil as we prepare for the finale:
BTD: (gar)Goil, pepper lovers everywhere have been shedding tears since your elimination. Any words of consolation to your legion of fans?
Goil: Thank you so much for your support and for watching the show. Let's hope this out-of-the-box move of being on a Realty TV show was a good move. I hope that you will hear more of me. BTD: Are people recognizing you on the street? What's your reaction been to all of this?
Goil: Yes they do- I am always very surprised! My first thought is usually... "I wonder what grade I gave them" as I would think that they were one of my former students. A lot more people approach me now that I was 'latered'- all very kind. BTD: You really set the tone for the show paired with Elizabeth, getting the win in the first challenge. What was your favorite element from that room?
Goil: We loved the swing and the sandbox. When we finished them, Elizabeth and I thought that the room was complete. For that challenge, we were the only ones who built our own furniture. I enjoyed making it. We approached the inner-sanctum as an abstract typology of an interior space. (As I have not labeled "inner-sanctum" in many drawings) Instead of using something known like, a "Dining room" or "bedroom", we responded conceptually. I was so glad to have Elizabeth as a partner. She was so fabulous and great to work with.Click here to continue reading our interview with Goil as he talks about Carisa, Jan Brady and his relationship with Andrea.
You won the difficult first challenge and established yourself as a designer skilled in wit and innovation. Consistently you surprised the experienced judges with your touches of whimsy and your novel styling approaches. Your colors are always cheerful and your rooms were unmistakably your clever product. You aren't Jan Brady but you really are an adorable design Rock Star.
This post is only for positive comments about Goil.
We continue our exclusive Q & A series with Top Design contestant Goil Amornvivat.
1. How did you hear about the show?
The ad was passed around at Parsons where I teach. I had recently left my old firm and was looking for new adventures. I remember looking at the ad and was like… Oh no! I am a day late! I called in anyway and got the last spot for an interview. I think they were curious of the (gar)goil.
2. Where did you audition?
My first audition was in New York with this wonderful lady named Jennifer. It was a good sign. In my life many good influences are called Jennifer.
After my interview I was told to come back with all my stuff to meet the producers. I remember Jennifer told me, “Aim to impress”. So I gathered all my work (some were the actual things, not just photos) the next day and went. The last audition was in LA! It was great fun. I felt like an American Idol contestant!
3. What is unique about you? What do you bring to the show that no one else can? What are you really good at?
What isn’t unique about me? I am part designer, part carpenter, part comedian, part poet and a whole lot of fabulousness! My old boss used to call me an “intuitist” because I am really good at concept design. It requires me to be fast on my feet and a good listener. Because English is my second language, I listen with everything I have; my brain, heart, and even things people don’t say. As a designer this is a critical skill. Trained as an architect, I can also (realize) build what I draw and make it stand up.
4. How did you learn that you made it onto "Top Design"?
It had been awhile since the LA round of eliminations (try-outs) and I was just going about my life. I really thought for sure I didn’t make it. I was working when the producers called. You can imagine how excited I was. It was amazing. I was screaming… “What am I doing wrong!!!”
5. Where will you be watching the show?
I am not sure yet – perhaps an undisclosed location, near far away- but I will have my good friends there.
Thanks so much, Goil; we'd like to hear more about the comedy, the poetry and the other Jennifer influences! Maybe we'll even talk in an undisclosed location.
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.
Our very first BTD poll produced some interesting results! We asked you the question, 'Who Will be Bravo's Top Design Finalists.' Elizabeth and John clearly dominated while Goil and Michael were in the next tier. Fun fact: Elizabeth and Goil are a team while Michael and John are paired up in the first challenge.
You can click here to see the final results of our very non-scientific 'Top Design Finalist' poll.
We've been lucky enough to find 8 of the 12 Top Design contestants on MySpace. We had already found Elizabeth, Erik, Michael, Carisa, and Ryan but this week Heather, Andrea and Goil appeared. Of course one of the fun aspects of MySpace is the ability to find pictures available nowhere else on the web. Here is a little montage of those pictures:
Age: 33
Hometown: Born in Bangkok, Thailand, currently resides in New York City
Profession: Self-Employed Interior Designer/Architect & Teacher at Parsons School of Design
Education: Bachelor's degree in architecture from Carnegie Mellon and master's degree in Architecture from Yale
Born in Bangkok, Thailand, Goil moved to the United States when he was 12 years old. After graduating from Yale, he was handpicked by Robert A.M. Stern, a world-renowned architect, to work for him. It was here that he collaborated on a project to design and build the International Quilt Study Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Goil's work has been exhibited at the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh and the Lower East Side Tenement Museum. He likes open spaces and can do everything from interiors, architecture, landscapes and product design. Goil believes he has a more worldly approach to his style, and says he's used to a competitive environment and loves to win.
Self-described as “small, spicy and fabulous,” Goil is known to stand his ground and confront his challenger face-to-face when conflicts arise.
