THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!

I am WALKING ON AIR!!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for making me your next Design Star!! This whole experience has been amazing, and I am so honored to be able to represent all of us 'normal folk' who are passionate about design. You have no idea how much this means to me, and I can't properly express the enormity of what's begun to happen in my life. And all thanks to YOU!!!

My blog will be rather quiet for a bit as I begin the transition into my new career (!!!!!!!), but please check back later this fall so that I can fill you in on my 'behind the scenes' experiences as HGTV's Design Star! (I've noticed a proliferation of exclamation points in this entry, but it's the only way to let you know how excited I am!)

Again, I thank each and every one of you who've supported me, encouraged me, and VOTED for me! I can't wait to debut my new show this spring, and I promise that we're all about to have a ton of fun together!

With a full heart-
Kim

Final Challenge - Hawaii!!

Goodness. Where do I even begin?!!

I really feel that I was able to focus on my vision, tighten up my process, and just execute the heck out of my design. My suite was a perfect representation of my style, my taste, and my abilities; it's a new personal best, and here's hoping that it marks the beginning of many more adventures in interior design.

No matter what the outcome, I am so honored to have taken part in Design Star, and I can't thank you all enough for championing me!
So please, VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!!!!!! Let's ensure that what we have here is the start of a long, happy relationship!

Text: (5 times per day)
44881 --- type in the letter A
Log onto HGTV.com/Design Star (once a day) ----- and vote for 'Kim'.

With Fingers crossed and a hopeful heart-
Kim

ps
Will Smith -- An angel. A Gentleman. So proud to call him my friend.

For HGTV Fans

Making it to the final 2 is one of my biggest dreams, and I couldn't be more excited!

I just want to say 'Thank you' to all of you who've reached out on the streets of NYC, on my website, here on my blog, and on the HGTV message boards to give me encouragement and support -- you rock, and it means the world to me. I'd like to think that the final challenge in Hawaii will sway the folks who are still questioning my skills (the message boards are pretty brutal, but when I went to Vegas, I packed my thickest skin); it's been a long haul, and I hope that all of you steadfast believers will be proud!
This competition means so much to me, and I want to encourage any of you out there who've always held a secret dream or wish to just GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!! (This means you, Nina from Astoria Park!) It's what life is all about.

It's time to grab all of your friends and get ready to vote like mad! I'll be posting the rules/voting codes this Sunday, so stay tuned!

Final 2 Viewing Party

It's the final showdown, and you're invited!

Drink Special/5 Boroughs Ice Cream all night long, usual time and place.

When: Sunday, September 9, 8:00PM
Location: 3 Steps Bar
322 2nd Ave. (SE corner of 19th St.)
NYC

Challenge #6 -- Design Star Gives Back

THIS is why I love design!! Being entrusted to improve the quality of life for a beautiful young family was the biggest thrill ever -- I still can't get over it!! The Dean's loved the result, and I couldn't have asked for a better reaction!

What worked:
Overall feel of the space: Cozy, comfy, and rustic, as requested.
Natural elements: Stone and wood details brought the outside 'in' while honoring the families desire for simplicity and earthiness.
Paint choice -- Green is the perfect neutral: It complements all colors well, and is lively with out being too 'bright'.
The 'chalet' style bar overhang: My clients wanted to keep it (I was on the fence), and it actually became a nice focal point once I stripped off the plastic trim and gave it a stain.
'Bonus' Dining Room: Who doesn't love a little something extra?! When you have 10K, just go for it!
Hosting: I could talk about design and design choices all day long, every day of the year. It's my favorite subject, and getting to do that on camera is REALLY fun!

What didn't:
Well, the client veto'd hardwood floors, leather sofa's and warm colors. This made rendering a truly rustic feeling much harder!
The wall-2-wall carpet: The client is always right of course, but in my opinion, a home that's set on country property (equaling lot's of mud and boot traffic) would be better served by a hardwood floor. (Also, that beige carpet was the darkest one available for immediate installation..Uhg.)
The floor plan: Keeping the traffic pattern flowing while giving access to the wood burning stove and TV proved to be less than successful.
Furniture: The in-stock availability / time constraints were definitely tough obstacles -- Ideally, I would have modified the available furniture choices (side tables in particular) to better suit the room's scale.

Final thoughts:
The mud, rain, time crunch and hardcore rural location were all huge challenges, and to have succeeded in pulling it off for the Dean family is something that I'll always be proud of. My carpenter Jimmy was a gem of a guy, as well as an amazing craftsman. The execution of the firewood storage unit and bar exceeded my expectations!

FINAL 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am honored, and BEYOND excited! I remember watching Design Star last year, and saying to myself, 'I have talent and passion -- I'm just going to go for it!'.
Throughout this process, I've worked hard, stayed true to myself, and played the game to the best of my abilities -- all I can say is that believing in yourself is POWERFUL, and I feel truly blessed.

Will -- Will Smith is a consummate professional, a gentleman, and a massive talent. It was bittersweet saying goodbye to a man who has become a true friend to me, but I've no doubt that his Star is on the rise, and that he's unstoppable...he's quality in every way.