Episode 1: Star Date 09032008

In keeping with the spirit of team challenges, my partner Tom is helping me blog! Yeah!!!

Episode 1: Star Date 09032008

Dear Diary, What just happened!?! Top Design is back and completely renovated! The contestants get to design outside of the box in a real space right away? ... soo unfair! And for a real client! (also unfair!) Ha! I had to wait until I was on Trading Spaces to do that on TV!

But what remained the same, I love, too. I am so glad that Todd and the judges are back! They are still as fabulous as ever! But (for me) Todd in his "new" role as a mentor is hardly a change! Perhaps it was not so obvious, but he was always there for the contestants. It is also great to see the other judges; they are as sharp as ever. And I love having India on the show and her gift of "Pop Design!" 30 minutes really turns up the heat. A few questions/comments ... seriously ... The talent is really well-rounded and should make for good watching. They are from all over -- in background, geography, and most importantly points of view. Wisit, who are you? You can do everything. Should you be on your OWN show? You are SUPER Fabulous! Jennifer 's attention to detail is amazing! Great designers listen. I am glad they didn't kick off Preston. He seems to have integrity and once you perfect "blue steel" or "le tigre" he will surely rule the world! I didn't appreciate the way Richard threw him under the bus.

Sex in the City lady, Ondine? I believe that the sharpest knife in the drawer has not drawn her sword. The judges as clients is not an equal challenge. The group who worked for Margaret had the hardest job as her personal style is more mysterious. Unlike Kelly, Jonathan, or India, we have less access to visual references of spaces she has made. She is always promoting other folks' work, but never her own. I feel bad for Serge and his dismissive attitude toward education. He should be cool and stay in school.

To be fair, getting the task of putting together wood flooring is not easy. None of the other teams seemed to use this free option. Where were the power tools? I am really glad there is more time devoted to the process of design. It illuminates the individuality of the contestants. (Let's hope for more.) ... and so it begins, another group of contestants enter through the door and their lives will be forever changed. Looking forward to next week!