I had a chance to chat with this guy on Monday…
(Found this cute promo shot from HGTV in my inbox last week- LOL!)
…and he was more than happy to answer some of the questions you submitted. (Yay!) I started by asking him something I was curious about first though- What’s it’s like to jump into the world of design TV. Here’s what he had to say:
David: You know, it’s so much easier said than done and when you’re in a competition setting, it’s just so intense. I remember when I was doing Design Star, the producers were like “just relax”. But at that point, as an artist and as a designer I just did things because they looked great. I didn’t know how to express what I was doing in clear terms. Now that I’m able to do that, and give advice to these contestants, it’s just fantastic. I feel like it’s just one less stress that they have to worry about. It’s like, I’m their buddy and their mentor, and they can ask me anything about design and ask me anything about the camera challenges, and I’ll be 100% honest.
Me: And you’re like, “why didn’t I have this when I was on Design Star?!”
David: Exactly! Because I was a hot mess! (laughing)
Me: No you weren’t! But I mean, I’m sure it was stressful. You didn’t have a mentor, and it was all new to everybody.
David: Absolutely. You have to have an amazing personality, but to have your own show on HGTV, you have to be exciting and know how to talk about design, and how to make sense, all at the same time.
Me: So, ar-tic-u-la-tion?
David: Arrrr-tiiiic-uuuu-laaaay-shun, exactly!
Me: A reader named Jeni wants to know- “How do you mentor the contestants without diminishing their style?”
David: You know, I’m not giving much design advice. I’m definitely there, checking in on their design, and being intriguing, and asking them questions- but you’ve got to keep it pretty neutral because it is a competition. And yes, I have very strong opinions about certain designs, but if I give those opinions, then that’s an unfair thing to the other contestants. So, I’ve just stayed very neutral, and I’ve asked them challenging questions. I’m there as, basically, America. I’m representing America. I ask questions that everyone else out there wants to know. Why are you doing this? Are you scared about this because what happened last time? What’s going to happen this time? I’m that person.
Me: Got it. Okay. So, less about helping them with their style, more about helping them just be the Design Star.
David: Exactly. There’s so many facets of being a Design Star. You know, design is just one of those facets. We already have judges giving advice on their designs. I’m just there to kind of wrap up the package.
Me: Awesome! You’re the bow on top!
David: I’m the bow! I love it! (laughing) Well, I’m helping them tie their bows.
Me: Yes! There we go! Well, I can’t wait to watch. It’s gonna be awesome!
David: Well, thank you. I’m really excited. This is really, really incredible.
Me: Another thing that folks mentioned a lot was that they loved your lightheartedness. A reader named Laura actually recalled a moment when you were skipping in a field, and you said “I think I stepped in something squishy.” Do you remember that?
David: (laughing) I think I have an idea of which episode that was!
Me: That is funny! (laughing) A reader named Susana said, “I kind of miss when the judges smiled more”, and wants to know what you think of the new, more serious format of the show.
David: You know what, I agree with her. Last year, I think it was a new production company, it was someone who had never done Design Star before, and I don’t feel like they had the HGTV aesthetic. We have a new production company doing Design Star this year. They do Food Network site. They’re amazing. It’s a very lighthearted show. It’s not as serious. It’s not The Apprentice. The judges are laughing. They’re giving compliments. It’s a love fest. There’s going to be a little bit of poking and prodding, because it’s a competition, but it’s going to be a much more fun show to watch. I can guarantee you that. And you know what, it’s because I’m on it! (laughing)
Me: (laughing) Well, that sounds good because Laura said her kids would be in big trouble if they acted like the judges! (laughing)
David: (laughing) They’re much more smiley this year!
Me: Okay awesome. I’ll let them know that it’ll be a little more lighthearted and a little more “stepping in squishy things” this time!
David: It will be! It’ll be a lot of squishy things! (laughing)
Me: Okay, good! (laughing)
Me: A reader named Dawn wanted us to ask you how you keep from getting into a color rut? She said she tends to circle around the same colors- warm colors in the main rooms and greens and blues in the bedrooms. She said she can’t seem to break from those schemes.
David: Well, I love color. So, I love it when a homeowner comes to me with anything but blues and greens. I love blues and greens. They’re my favorite colors, but everyone wants blues and greens because when you design for couples, what are the two colors that go with boys and girls? Blues and greens. So, anytime someone’s like “I’ll do pink, I’ll do purple, I’ll do fuchsia, I’ll do yellow”, I’m like, what!? To me, that’s great! I love color, and I’m never in a color rut because if I’ve never used a color, I want to use it and I want to use it in a really fun, interesting and unique way that hasn’t been done before.
Me: So, it’s mainly just hoping that you get a client that’s open to whatever because you’ll always wanna do whatever!
David: Absolutely. Yes! When someone goes “do whatever you want!”, I go “you don’t want to know what I’m going to do to your room if you say that again!”. (laughing)
Me: If you get the green light, you’re like, “Alright! It’s on!”
David: It’s on! It’s on like Donkey Kong! (laughing)
Me: Awesome- I’ll tell Dawn, and hopefully she’ll be inspired to just break free!
David: Fantastic! Just tell her to take some of the colors from one room and start mixing and matching them. Just bring one of them into the another room and see what it looks like with the other colors, and vice versa. Just have her break free!
Me: Yes! She might be surprised if she brings a different colored pillow into the green and blue bedroom and likes it!
David: Absolutely! And you know, another piece of advice that I have for Dawn is- go out to the store and buy pillows that you would probably never buy for any given room. Bring them in and play around with them. Whatever ones you like, you keep, and the other ones you take back.
Me: Exactly! Keep the receipt. That’s the ticket. It’s all about keeping the receipt and not removing the tags! (laughing)
David: Absolutely! (laughing)
Me: Okay, I’ll pass that little nugget on, and I’m sure she’ll be super happy and hopefully feel braver!
David: I hope so!
Me: Me too! Thank you David!
David: Thank you!
Isn’t he just the sweetest thing!? I’m tellin’ ya, he is just as fun and funny on the phone as he is on TV. An absolute ray of sunshine!
The new season of Design Star starts on Monday, July 11th at 8pm (Central Time) and I can’t wait to tune in! Wonder who’s gonna win this time around…
Got a guess?
PS- The winner of the Bella Inspirations medic pillow is:
Tiffani from A Thrifted Market!
Congratulations Tiffani! I’ll be in touch soon via email to get your mailing address from you!
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GReat interview, Layla! He is so down-to-earth! Thanks for sharing and inspiring. 🙂
I love David!!! He is adorable and talented. Design Star will definitely benefit with David on board. Thanks for the great interview, Layla.
from the first moment I saw David..
I fell in love!
with his enthusiasm..
playfulness,
his artistic ability..
his presence!!
he comes across as someone I would really like to know better..
David is my favorite designer!!!
thanks for sharing this awesome interview!!!
warmest sandy hugs..
Loui♥
and yep, he’s pretty nice as eye candy!!
Love David! He is so natural, down to earth, funny, all around great guy for TV!! Great interview! Can’t wait to read more of your adventures with HGTV!!
Blessings!!
I love David! I love his designs and he is always fun to watch… not to mention easy on the eyes. (Hey – doesn’t hurt!)
love david!! i am confident he’ll be what this season’s design star needs. last season was BORING. it was very odd without a host…or something. what happened to clive??
Great interview! What a treat for you!
David has always seemed like a genuine person on screen and I think that is what gives him so much likability with viewers. Looking forward to watching this seasons Design Star. Glad to hear that it won’t be as serious as last season.
Awesome tip about buying various pillows that you wouldn’t ever buy!
Loved the interview. David has always been my favorite. He def seems so down to earth. I agree he’s VERY nice to look at 😉
What a fun interview! Thanks for sharing! I can’t wait for the new season to start. David has been a favorite TV personality of mine since he was a contestant on Design Star, he just seems like such a great guy and of course talented!
I LOVE DAVID! I would totally let him have full control ’cause I LOVE every single room he does! Plus he’s just adorable!
Great interview Layla!!!
What a nice and relaxing interview. It sounds like you really enjoyed it! I’m so looking forward to the new season of Design Star!
He is just the sweetest thing……I never miss his show. Such a talented guy, I love how he always GETS his clients style. He, Candice, Sarah and Genevieve are my faves…..
I wonder how much he misses the old gang, they seemed so well suited….I know he loves Miami though didn’t he grow up there ????
I can’t wait for the new Design Star….
Kathy 🙂
What a great interview, Layla! You should be doing this on HGTV! I’d love to read/hear more interviews with other HGTV designers.
aaack! I love David! I knew from the first moment on DesignStar he was the winner. I didn’t even realize then what a great artist he is. I love watching him paint – w/his spray bottle. Which I still haven’t tried yet, and need to.
Color me jealous, Layla!
I , too, love to watch David paint with such reckless abandonment. You just know it’s gonna be something perfect for the room. Gotta admit though, Candice is my all time HGTV favorite! She works wonders with light.
Just wish HGTV had someone like you, Layla. I absolutely see myself living in your rooms. Your designs are approachable.
When u say u got a promo shot from HGTV and its David holding a pic with an image of YOU in it, what exactly does that mean ms layla? Was that promoting the phone interview or something else? David is awesome. Hes very down to earth and funny. A very talented man and soooo cute :Just saying. 🙂
On a more positive note (sorry to be a Debbie Downer above!), GREAT interview with David B!! Can’t wait for DS to start again!!
Thank you so much for posting this! I couldn’t wait to hear about your talk with David! Yay! My question got asked too! I’m so glad to hear this season will bring back the fun! My kids and I can’t wait for the new season of Design Star to start! We are also looking forward to your show working out! This musician family of 8 could certainly use your design sense over here in Albuquerque 🙂 We love ya!
This is so cool….and the new blog design too!
When I read your interview with David, you should have heard me yell to my oldest, “Hey Luke! I’m mentioned on a blog with David Bromstad!!!” (Insert happy dance here!) Not sure which is more exciting- Layla Palmer or David Bromstad? We’ll call it a tie!
I couldn”t agree more! They’d make an awesome team (wtih Kev’s help of course!)
DB = YUM. Great interview!
Good job on the interview.
And love your new website format!
So much fun reading through your interview with David! Thanks so much for sharing it with us. 🙂
He is { A D O R A B L E }. I like to surround myself with people like him!
Another great post Layla. Thank you.
So awesome! I only watched the season that he won so I am looking forward to the season coming up! yaya!
Oh My Gosh! Layla that was fantastic! I love David! His color and style is amazing! You guys were hysterical on the interview!!! Plus I feel like I just had my 15 minutes of fame! I am THE Dawn mentioned! Thank you so much for asking him my question! I will be going to the fabric store this weekend so my Mom and I can sew some new pillows with different colors! I would absoultely let you and/or David free to change the colors in my house…except I HATE pink! So any color but that and your guys could go WILD!!! Thanks for being such an amazing inspiration to us all! Maybe one day you will be a cohost on the show with David?! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for ya while I watch this season. 🙂
So exciting to see your name, isn’t it?! I was THE Laura. Yes, I am a gweeb, but I’m okay with that!
Just want to eat him up. 🙂
There should be a thousand more David’s on television! His energy and positive nature is so contagious. Great interview- you two sounds like old friends 🙂
What a smile!
Hey Layla, I have not ever watched! I know…a DB virgin…but so what right!
I am looking forward to you kiddo!
xo kelley
Ummmm…JEALOUS!!!! I LOVE David Bromstad…he’s such a fun designer to watch…he has such great designs and he uses color well…not hard to look at either 😉
Oklahoma Represent…Go Kelli!!!!
This is so neat!! I love David Bromstad, he is always so cheery on tv and its contagious! 🙂
Jealous does not describe how I feel about you spending time with one of my favorite designers. I rooted for him to win design star. I watch his show when ever I can.
The interview was fun to read. Good job with it!
Layla, you did a great job on the interview with David. It was like you have known him forever.
I LOVE David Bromstad!
I agree! David is awesome! I miss my show hubby I’m sure Layla will confirm that what you see on TV is the real life David. Great interview.
Danielle
Layla,
He seems to be as sweet in person as he appears on TV.
When you get your own Television Design Gig I call dibs on the first interview! 🙂
Your Friend,
Deborah
Love the picture with this post…so cute. I can’t wait for HGTV Design Star! I’ve watched it every season and am so glad to hear that it will be more light hearted this year. Much too serious and grumpy last year–it felt like the judges were mad all the time. Great interview!
Love David. He is so cute. I also love that you are interviewing him. Your star is rising Layla. I love watching you success. Also, it is interesting to see that one of the contestants is from my old home town of Edmond, OK. I will be watching!
Great interview Layla! And just in time too – I posted today about his CS special tonite – and included a link back to your fun post xo
Have a wonderful weekend!
😀 Lynda
I can’t help but smile when I see him – he is soooo lovely!
I think the stars in the sky must be jealous when he is outside because he beams so brightly!
You two are perfect….and ARE design stars…I am there if you need me.Always
JC
Great interview. I love watching David. He has a lot of energy and nothing seems to get this guy down. Looking forward to watching him on Design Star.
Hey! Thanks for asking my question!!! Such a great interview. yay! xo