Mark wrote:

Can I say what a breath of fresh air it is to see you on reality TV and to read your blog? You can be honest without being cruel. You are professional, witty, secure and calm. I so admire good editors, and your skill comes through.

One can't help but compare you to the publishing world "expert" that stalks the poor contestants on "Top Chef." After months of seeing my profession represented by a shrew (from the marketing department, not editorial, and I think it shows) how nice it is to enjoy your company for a few months.

posted on March 1, 2007 at 1:44 PM

Alex wrote:

Why are the people on this show called Interior Designers? The challenges require them to DECORATE. The show "Top Design" is a scar on the interior design profession as a whole. When there are legitimate licensed Interior Designers trying to pass legislation to prevent decorators from calling themselves designers, this show is a huge leap backwards. Not only does the show imply that the only thing that interior designers do is decorate, but it also creates the perception that anyone can be a practicing designer. This show must not come back for another season. Bring back “Project Runway” and “Top Chef”, but leave Top Decorator behind.

posted on March 1, 2007 at 6:17 PM

Alicia wrote:

I actually have a question for Margaret. I only watched a couple of shows but I have been a reader of Elle Decor for many years and I am now delving in the home textile business. My question is: How does one develop the eye for editing? What are the basic requisites if someone wants to develop such discerning skills as hers yet stay original? In other words, if I already feel I have some kind of style savvy and sophisticated taste, how to I take it to greater heights to help my business? Thank you.

posted on March 2, 2007 at 3:45 PM

Gary Edwards wrote:

You should have your OWN show!

posted on March 3, 2007 at 10:19 PM

Renee wrote:

Dear Margaret,
I don't understand why Calista wins. Sure, her room has nice colors but her client was not especially thrilled about the room. But Matt's client was thrilled about Matt's design. Shouldn't Matt wins? Is it not more important to satisfy the client then what the judges like?

posted on March 4, 2007 at 2:08 PM

Jay anders wrote:

Alex needs to take his or her medication!
First of all, why are you yelling at Margaret?
She is a judge; she did not create the show! Yell at the Producers.
Second, most of the great, iconic designers are not ASID- Betty Sherill at McMillen, Mario Buatta, Christian Liagre , Jacques Grange, the list is extensive.
Third, LIGHTEN UP!
This is a great, fun show!!!
Margaret, my friends and I ALL LOVE YOU!!!
WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THE NEXT EPISODE- JUST TO SEE YOU!!!!!!!

posted on March 5, 2007 at 6:54 PM

juni wrote:

Good taste, excellence, charm and sincerity--you express and portray them well. You also have common sense. I am enjoying this show very much because it is more civilized than Top Chef.

posted on March 7, 2007 at 10:27 AM

A.C. wrote:

I am an Interior Designer, I would love to design furniture and accesories. Could you give me any direction on how to persue that aspect? PS. I enjoy the show and love your magazine.
Thanks, A.C.

posted on March 12, 2007 at 8:36 AM

Ed Blondin wrote:

Hey there,

One question. Certainly you are not the egotistical, snobbish editor that the top design show's editors have showcased you as! We enjoy Elle Decore and we were taken aback when we saw you in the first episodes. We find it difficult to believe that you are that callus, opinionated, cold and tunnel visioned and still produce such a fresh journal. If you are so biased as to think your design ethic is without critique shame on you. If you are the explorative, creative mind we have come to know, get your people to speak to TD people to edit these shows that are more favorable to you.

Many of our group in Bloomfield Hills, MI stopped watching shortly after it began simply because of the nasty way the judges were portrayed. (We do, however anticipate the next season of Project Runway where the judges are edited differently so that their true personalities (not the producers) are shown.) PR seems less pretentious than TD. Why is that?
P.S. Todd may be a genious designer but he is no Tim Gund. Believe it or not we think that you would be a better mentor!?!
Best Regards and wonderful luck with this show. I will tune in again next season to see if it seems more sincere. Ed B.

posted on March 14, 2007 at 12:33 PM

Paul wrote:

I recently discovered the show "Top Design" and find it a very interesting "reality" show. Blushingly I have to say that Margaret Russel, you take my breath away! I think I am more a fan of yours than the show itself. Contrary to the previous post, I do not find you to be "nasty", rather you just tell it like it is. I am from Michigan as well and always believe an objective opinion is always welcomed. I will indeed continue to watch...because you are on the show! :) Paul S.

posted on March 16, 2007 at 1:34 PM

Randy wrote:

Margaret:

Lighten up on the show. Out of all the judges you always seem so uptight and stiff (maybe it's the stools you complained about on an earlier post). Even your smile seems like the "fake" smile of a Miss America contestant. Try relaxing and having fun. This is a show which we the public enjoy and not a life threating situation that should cause such serious expression...

After all the most important part of ANY interior design is making the client happy even if the designer doesn't get his/her vision out of the experience. REMEMBER WHO PAYS THAT INTERIOR DESIGNER'S HOURLY RATE AND WHO SHOULD BE THE HAPPY PERSON AT THE END OF THE DAY!

posted on March 19, 2007 at 4:07 PM

SVAZZO wrote:

Hello Margaret!
I love your magazine and love the show. Could you tell me how one goes about having their merchandise featured, or just used for some of the editorial photos? I ask because I would like to have my website and items featured on the magazine, or even on the set of a Bravo program! That would be cool too :)
Any suggestions would be graetly appreciated!

posted on March 21, 2007 at 2:38 PM

Amy wrote:

You are truly awesome and a breath of fresh air on the show. I love to watch every episode just to see your reactions and mainly for your fashion choices. You are always so elegant and beautiful. You should give some style tips to the other judges. And thank you for having Chef Tom C. on the show. He is awesome!

posted on March 22, 2007 at 7:06 AM

karl wrote:

Margaret,

I'll keep this simple. I love you! Your gorgeous. Honestly.... I give the show a 6.5 out of 10 at the moment but thats probably because I'm a straight man.
Back to you! Your like a cross between jackie-o and J-lo. Beautiful and stunning would be two words you'd here quit frequently from me when you finish dressing in the morning.
Can I please have an autographed picture?
If yes please someone contact me at karlsaddress@msn.com.
I will tell you where to send it. I'll pay for postage, but i'm hoping my lovely comments will get me one free of charge!
I'm serious, your gorgeous. My girlfriend is gonna kill me but i'd dump her for in heartbeat.
Thank you,
karl

posted on March 22, 2007 at 6:27 PM

NEIL PLESKOVITCH wrote:

MS. RUSSELL I FIND YOU TO BE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR IN THIS RUDE OVER THE TOP WORLD. YOU REEK OF TASTE AND QUIET ELEGANCE. I APPRECIATE YOUR DESIGN AESTHETIC AS WELL AS YOUR PERSONAL STYLE. I THINK PERHAPS YOU COULD HAVE YOUR OWN SHOW AND GIVE MARTHA A RUN FOR HER MONEY. YOU ALSO COULD DESIGN YOUR OWN LINE OF PRODUCTS FOR THE MASSES FOR LET''S SAY TARGET. ALL THE BEST, NEIL XO

posted on March 30, 2007 at 1:32 PM

Tony wrote:

Margaret your sense of style and elegance brings so much to this reality show. It is apparent that every reality show must have a tough judge but in this case, Top Design landed itself with a strong and confident judge who cares about these decorators yet provides them with good and constructive criticism. You are definitely a lot better than Kelly and of course Mr. "See you later decorator", Johnathan Adler. You mentioned earlier that you judge the designs from an editor and client point of view, BUT you do offer excellent points that one would easily miss like Andrea's furry flowers in the Bacardi & Limon project. You definitely bring a refreshing presence to television Margaret..

posted on March 31, 2007 at 8:36 PM

Brian wrote:

Actually, what I like best is the way you use words in a special way that invents a fresh language of design that powers itself. As good as the visuals and drama created in the show are, its the language used by everyone that is so captivating(amazing in its pithiness, but transmits so much information. Your wise crack about the dilemma of putting fire and hotel in the same sentence is what I would call good writing, except it seemed real and off the cuff and it made me laugh as it was genuinely funny. Frankly the contestents on Top Design work hard whereas the one's on The Apprentice just sit around trying to look O.C. as they bask in a sea of tedious negative energy. So I vote Top Design.

posted on March 31, 2007 at 9:01 PM

Marcia wrote:

I've been a loyal watcher of the other trail-blazing Bravo shows: Project Runway, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Top Chef and now Real Housewives of OC, Workout and Top Design.

I'm sorry, but I must say the "expert panel" for Top Design, of which you are one, appears to be very rigid and extremely uptight on camera. The bright spot - aside from the contestants themselves - is Todd Oldham, who appears as a warm person who is seemingly interested in supporting and mentoring the designers appearing on the program - he's obviously talented in the field of design.

The dynamics between you, Kelly and Jonathan are extremely flat. Kelly's valley girl whine and set of fashion "don't"; Jonathan's world of jargon and "smushed" up faces and your preoccupation with the height of chairs to the table and rigid grilling are complete distractions to the program.

I would also wonder, how any of you could think that listening to Adler whine, "see you later decorator..." is anything but uber annoying and completley demeaning to the designers. Really Margaret, one can only imagine how you would roll your eyes if anyone ever uttered those words to you, Kelly or Adler.

What is your personal design background? Are you a trained design professional and/or did you go to school/study design?

posted on April 4, 2007 at 10:20 PM

Connie Smith wrote:

I like Carissa's loft. I would love to know how she made that bed. Me and my grandkids would spend all day in there watching TV. Carissa strikes a note with the average hardworking peron. Matt's rooms look like something from a very high priced meeting where you breathe a sigh of relief when it is over. Who could relax in one of his rooms but someone who constantly picks lent off their clothes?

posted on April 12, 2007 at 2:39 PM

TORI wrote:

MARGARET, I LOVE YOUR SHOES WITH THE RED SOLES!! CAN YOU TELL ME WHO THE DESIGNER IS?

posted on April 13, 2007 at 12:43 PM

Denise DeSantis wrote:

Go Marcia! I totally agree with everything in her post of April 4., so to reiterate would be redundant. The show could be so great with so much talent, but falls short of my anticipation and initial excitement about the show. I love Elle Decor and have subscribed for years. Possibly YOU could have more to do with producing, editing and speaking more on the show. Please have everyone else involved watch Project Runway for some helpful information! Thanks.
Denise

posted on April 15, 2007 at 2:11 PM