Welcome to the series premiere of 'Top Design', the show Bravo is betting on to take over 'Project Runway' and 'Top Chef's' successful timeslot for the time being!
Making it in the world of interior design is a challenge, but they have selected twelve of the top designers from around the country to prove that they have the passion, drive, creativity, and the vision to create the Top Design. Each week, these interior designers will be faced with grueling design challenges that will force them to be innovative.
The winner will receive a feature in one of the world's premiere design publications, Elle Décor, plus the opportunity to showcase their skills at the company's dining by design charity event. A brand new Acadia vehicle from GMC, a $100,000 from Lendingtree.com to help design their future, and of course, the prestige of creating the Top Design will be awarded to the winner as well.
The premiere begins with a GMC Acadia pulling up to the loft where our designers will be staying. Our first contestant is named Goil Amornvivat, and he is 33 years old from New York, New York. He tells us that he has two degrees in architecture; he went to undergraduate at Carnegie Mellon, and to graduate school at Yale.
As Goil heads into the men's loft, he tells us that in terms of his style, he's more of a problem solver than a stylist, and he believes that design is more like a puzzle. Goil starts moving and rearranging the loft.
Outside, our first female is arriving, named Felicia Bushman. She is 38 years old, from Los Angeles, California, and she has her own interior design business. She adds that she likes to be involved in every aspect, and would like to even put the food in the refrigerator and the toothbrush in the toothbrush holder. Sounds a little too anal to me. As she walks into the women's loft, she says that it is a girl's dorm room, and it's just like being back in college.
The next woman arrives, Andrea Keller, who is 36 and also from Los Angeles, California. She and Felicia introduce themselves to each other. Meanwhile, Michael Adams, who is 23 years old, meets Goil over in the guy's loft. Michael tells us that he has always wanted to be an interior designer, as when he was a child, while other kids were outside playing baseball, he was inside watching 'Dynasty' and commenting on the interiors. That may be one of my favorite Reality TV quotes ever.
Goil spots the remote controls for their beds, and Michael points out that they are Sleep Number beds. Somewhere, Bionic Woman Lindsey Wagner is smiling very proudly.
We next see Ryan Humphrey, age 35 from New York City arriving in the airport, skateboard in tow. He tells us that he is an artist, and his outlook on design and his artwork is that he is half Henry Rollins, half Evil Knievel. Ryan adds that being an artist is going to be an advantage. Ryan skateboards through the airport, and then down the sidewalk once he nears the lofts. Ryan adds that he will be able to look at things outside the box, as we see him skateboarding on the table inside the men's loft.
Outside, Erik Kolacz, age 28 from Chicago, Illinois is arriving, while inside the women's loft, Heather Ashton, age 36 from Los Angeles, California is meeting the other women. I think nearly everyone is from Los Angeles and New York City! Over in the men's loft, as Erik gets acquainted, he is upset that there is no space for his mascara, which he considers wasted space. I hate when that happens!
Back in the women's loft, the women are sitting out on the balcony talking, as 48-year old Elizabeth Moore, from no other than Los Angeles, comes out and joins them. Matt Lorenz from Chicago is outside, and he is 31 years old. He tells us that he is married, with a wonderful daughter and wife. He tells us that design just isn't a job for him, design is going to the pumpkin patch with his daughter, picking out the perfect pumpkin, and placing it when they get home is design to him. Aw, how sweet! He adds that everything is design.
Back in the women's loft, 48-year old Lisa Turner from Los Angeles comes up the stairs, introducing herself to the others. Outside, the GMC Acadia pulls up, and Carisa Perez- Fuentes, who is 26 and from New York City steps out of the vehicle. She tells us that she is currently a student of design at FIT in New York City. As she introduces herself to the other women, she tells us that her intention with interior design is to alter the life and environments of people who don't have the financial means to do so themselves. That's very good of her.
Over in the men's loft, John Gray, who is 39 and from Chicago, tells us that he didn't think this was going to be a positive experience when he walked in and saw who he was going to be living with, saying that they are all so young and carrying on, and so queenie. He adds that he would rather go and be living with the girls, but stops himself, saying that he would be living with the girls regardless.
John and Carisa find letters in their lofts that read: Welcome interior designers! Congratulations on being selected for 'Top Design'. Make yourselves at home and try to get a good night's sleep, as tomorrow, we go to work. You will be meeting me at the Pacific Design Center tomorrow morning at 8 AM. Until tomorrow, love your host, Todd Oldham. John can't believe that Todd Oldham is the host of the show, saying that not many designers can say that they worked with Todd Oldham and got feedback from him.
The next morning, the designers arrive at the Pacific Design Center. We get a little more background on Heather, who tells us that she doesn't have any formal education in interior design, but she does have clients who hire her to do their restaurants and bars. Is her client named "Hooters"?
Todd Oldham comes out of the doors with applause, greeting the contestants. He tells them that he will be giving them their challenges every week, and they need to be prepared to hear his opinion along the way, but whether or not they take it is entirely up to them. Todd informs that that he will not be the one judging their designs, and along the way, eleven of them will be going home, because in the end, only one of them can have the 'Top Design'. Todd tells them that the winner of 'Top Design' will be published in Elle Décor magazine, which Felicia tells us gave her chills, as they have the best taste, and to have a spread in their magazine is a dream. He tells them that the winner will also receive $100,000 to jump start their career.
Todd tells them that along the way, they will be working at the Pacific Design Center, which is one of the largest and most respected design centers in the entire world. Inside are the highest in furniture products available, and almost every style of design can be achieved from the showrooms right inside the building. Heather tells us that at the Pacific Design Center, PDC for short, items are expensive, and can cost anywhere from $20,000-$40,000 a piece.
Todd takes the designers inside the PDC, and shows them their design studio. There are drafting tables and supplies for all of them to execute their designs. He points out that they have left the walls white, and are expecting them to fill it up with wonderful work.
Todd begins to tell the designers about their first challenge, saying that good design is often a collaborative effort between them and their client. Todd introduces them to their clients, pulling a cloth off of a table. The table has five odd objects on it. The designers laugh, as Todd tells them that their celebrity mystery client has some odd and exotic tastes, but they are short on time, so they weren't available for a meeting today. Instead, they sent over the five personal items that best capture their personal style. I think their personal style is tacky. John tells us that all of the items were campy, and he isn't a campy decorator, so he was scared. Ryan doesn't know who the mystery guest is, but says that they clearly have a sense of humor, and it could be Weird Al Yankovic, or Rick James, bitch! OK, I added on the bitch part, but you all know you were thinking it! Ryan corrects himself, saying that Rick James is dead, so it probably isn't him. Oh well, it could still be Weird Al Yankovic. Or not.
Todd tells them......
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