January 31, 2007
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All I knew when I arrived on set was that the show was called Top Design and that it was very Top Secret. I knew I was only going to learn as much as they needed to tell me. In the end, it was fun to be involved in this show. I love Top Chef and Project Runway, and all of those. And I love design. I love furniture and interiors. When people come to my house, they can tell.
I was surprised when I arrived on set to see that this was still the beginning of the series. There were so many designers, and I thought it would be overwhelming until I saw the rooms and that they were paired up for the challenge. During the judging, now I look back and think I could have been a little more candid, but I didn’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings. Overall, I was a little surprised with the lack of ingenuity I saw. To me, once something becomes repetitive, I understand that it becomes “classic” but it also becomes safe. And I was hoping that some of these people, even if they were students or up-and-comers ... I thought I’d see more innovation and a lot more original thinking. I really did think that all of them really needed to get on their game and dig a little deeper. If I’d been a professor at a design school, I would have been unimpressed.
There was another room, the first one I saw, I think, where I probably wasn’t mean enough about it. It was like an inner sanctum, but only if you’re into a sort of “Pottery Barn” mausoleum. I’ve been in warmer cemeteries.
For Alexis Arquette's bio, click here.
Comments
bennett wrote:
Alexis:
John was right...you rock! First, you look beautiful, second, your comments were great, and third...your stuff is cool. Did you paint that velvet head. Never knew you were an artist. Picking you was a real surprise for the first episode. Can't wait to see more.
posted on February 1, 2007 at 10:12 AM
Alex wrote:
I loved the first episode and your choice for rooms, but my wife and I have to know, are you a man or woman?
Thanks
posted on February 1, 2007 at 12:19 PM
Sarkika wrote:
I watch the show because in my imagination, I want to be a designer. (But life is too busy: I will never make it.) When I saw your inspiration pieces, I just hit pause and enjoyed them.
Wouldn't a deep blue metallic or silk wall be beautiful, I thought? And a curving, assymetrical room divider of seemingly free-floating metallic butterflies, creating a space for a circular bed and another for a seating area with low fluffy white chairs around a low Mexican carved coffee table?
Then I thought: too wacky. Then I saw you and thought: she'd like it! So, thanks for the nice trip in my imagination.
posted on February 1, 2007 at 1:22 PM
ladynitesong wrote:
you were looking fierce lady. Loved the whole all together. I was hoping that i was mistaken and you would be a permanent judge that would be wonderful. I was so excited to see you on the show. Keep up the good works lady.
posted on February 1, 2007 at 4:02 PM
don wrote:
Don't know which was creepier, the boring designs, the fangs growing out of the host's mouth or the dude in drag! Put it all together and you got another reality TV show that's all about show, no substance. The designers, the hosts, the judges and the he-she thing all add up to the substance of a plastic cup.
Bravo should have a mass elimination and blow them all off next week Then they could do what they do best: Project Runway!
posted on February 1, 2007 at 7:52 PM
DOLLGIRL wrote:
SINCE I HAD NEVER HEARD OF ALEXIS ARQUETTE, i WAS REALLY puzzeled, when she appeared. I enjoyed her though. I looked her bio up on google and was surprised that she was Patricia Arquettes brother. Anyway....I enjoyed the show not quite as much as I enjoyed TOP CHEF or PROJECT RUNWAY, but maybe it will grow on me..
posted on February 1, 2007 at 8:29 PM
H.A.L. wrote:
Sorry, Alexis -
I had never heard of you and am unfamiliar with your professional credentials (other than your family pedigree). When you first stepped out to take your place at the Judges' Area, I thought you were "A Boy Named Sue" or had a very bad cosmetic surgery botched job.
No matter. Your comments on this blog are acceptable.
Enjoy your fame.
posted on February 2, 2007 at 7:53 AM
GoddessLu wrote:
Hi Alexis,
It was refreshing to hear your comments about the designers. I thought it was a bit bland myself. Your comment that the designers created based on the objects threw me--that's all they had to work with to figure out who would inhabit the room. I saw someone whimsical, feminine yet strong in those objects and I would have designed according to that. It was really the only way they could get a handle on the "client" but I agree that many took it literally and some not at all (the Asian room? That was very much Lisa's idea of calm and relaxing forced on the client). Love the guest blog idea Top Design--keep it going.
posted on February 2, 2007 at 11:02 AM
Lucy wrote:
Hi Alexis,
I also think you should be a permanent judge on this show. Or Project Runway. I've loved you since Club Makeup days, and the New Years Eve about 5 yrs ago at the Hollywood Athletic Club where you let me feel your boobie right past the stroke of midnight was one of the funnest ever! (My husband was so angry at me! Jealous no doubt)
You rock.
Lucy
posted on February 2, 2007 at 11:31 AM
marge wrote:
I too did not know who Alexis was, a famous family? I really wanted to know more about your professional life. I was really confused and I am sure the designers were also. You were right on about the rooms, even the one that you picked. I would be interested to know if these poor people will have to design for a client they have never spoken to. This may be the reason that the rooms really didnot suit you.
posted on February 2, 2007 at 11:40 AM
elaine wrote:
Hi Alexis -- I knew who you were the minute you walked out! Ironically, the first thing that popped into my head when I saw the objects was, "those look like things David Arquette might have (or want!) in his house". I nearly fell out of my chair when you walked out. Wish the designers could have meet with you - perhaps the results would have been better.
posted on February 2, 2007 at 3:25 PM
Tad wrote:
wow, there are some serious idiots posting comments on your blog...
regardless, i thought you were fabulous on the show alexis, and although you picked the room i liked least, i can appreciate why it is you chose it. :)
anyway, i think i spotted you in the new robbie williams/pet shop boys video 'she's madonna'. am i right, is that you? you looked wonderful in the video, and i adore that track.
thank you for making the season opener of top design a lot of fun!
posted on February 3, 2007 at 1:36 AM
j. libertino wrote:
Oh my Gosh!!! Melissa Rivers and Steven Tylers love child.... thats what I thought when Alexis walked out as surpried judge. I have never even heard of him/her, so I also had to Google the name. Boy was I surpirsed! Or should I say Girl, was I surprised ?????
posted on February 3, 2007 at 4:28 AM
Kim wrote:
I can't belive this many people don't know who Alexis is. I actually enjoyed the show alot. I'm a reality t.v. junkie. Alexis was great but I think a little to nice. The only thing I would change about the show is the host. I hate his voice but i'll still be watching every episode. As for Don, the guy who was talking smack about Alexis, if it was so creepy why did u watch it. Grow up. This is 2007. I think he's probably jealous of how good Alexis looks as a woman. Not everyone can pull it off. You look great Alexis. Love the show.
posted on February 5, 2007 at 1:07 AM
tracy wrote:
Hi Alexis,
I enjoyed reading your blog on this episode, and agreed with you 100% on your take on each designer's room. I hope to see you return on furture epsiodes for judging.
posted on February 6, 2007 at 3:23 PM
Helen wrote:
Alexis, Have admired you since "Surreal". Happy to see you looking so smashing. Too bad they didn't give you anything innovative. Hope you're not actually stuck with that room.
posted on February 6, 2007 at 7:47 PM
ms. place wrote:
You took the words right out of my mouth. These designers created rooms that I thought looked rather pedestrian and ordinary. Even the winning design seemed like it had something lacking. Let's hope the lack of true design innovation was due to freshman nerves and nothing more.
Enjoyed your guest judge stint very much. Those few tantalizing objects make me wonder what your house looks like. Also, adored your turn in that other reality series on that other cable channel. :)
posted on February 7, 2007 at 6:43 AM
Stephanie wrote:
Alexis,
Your comment about how you would "consider renting" was by far the funniest part of the entire episode. Haha, you were great :)
posted on February 7, 2007 at 3:46 PM
Brett wrote:
Alexis,
I was not surprised at your appearance on the show, but by the good grasp of design you display in your blog. Why did you not speak up and tell it like it was? You could have been the voice for many of us watching at home; some of us do appreciate and live for good design and innovation. Personally, I thought it was a Crate and Barrel showroom and half the contestants should have been booted. I could have picked six people personally, who have more innovation than these contestants. But we know the show is about neither design nor innovation, it is about ratings, which means safe and pleasing to the great number of the television watching public who live in cookie cutter houses and think the Olive Garden is good food. Otherwise, the guy with the architecture degree and intense training in design would have won by the second show. And how much fun would that be?
Brett.
posted on February 7, 2007 at 6:00 PM
Chauncy Gardner wrote:
You have to be true to yourself, but your appearance was surprising. I though it would be Tim Burton or someone really creative;no offense. You definitely should've talked more, but you put in a solid appearance. Peace & best wishes.
posted on February 8, 2007 at 12:38 AM
LK wrote:
It was interesting to see the assumptions regarding the sex of the client. The brief look we got at the items said "female" to me - so that side of you certainly comes through!
I would have loved to see some of the discussion and reasoning the pairs used to decide the issue.
You clearly know what you were looking for - and I don't think _any_ of us found it!
posted on February 8, 2007 at 11:24 PM
alex wrote:
it was awesome to see alexis as the mystery client. great choice! and she made the right choice - the amazing design by goil and liz. i so want that room. but you should have eliminated michael, the snotty brat, and the chinese bed lady. and kept heather and john. i would have loved to see what she does on individual challenges. the judges and producers could have improvised to send away the worst 2 people, not be bound by the eliminate-2-as-a-team rule. please show more of the design process and building of the rooms. love the show.
posted on February 12, 2007 at 1:17 AM
juni wrote:
I agree with your astute comments that the contestants were playing it safe. I think they could have done much more with the $50K to portray your whimsical personality and colorful approach.
posted on March 7, 2007 at 2:48 PM