Sabrino Soto, HGTV and Design Star

Hello Friends and Fellow Home Décor Enthusiasts:

I have a confession to make today. It is something that I don’t think will surprise you, but I just have to get it off my chest. I am addicted to Design Star on HGTV. Whew! What a weight lifted off my shoulders. It is time to come clean…

I have watched every single episode from every single season of Design Star. Yep – you heard me right every episode from every season. I have watched so many Design Stars that I have nightmares about being in a stark white room with no paint or in the middle of a kitchen remodel and can’t finish the tile. If you are a Design Star fanatic, like myself, that last sentence just made perfect sense. If you are scratching your head … you better run your fingers to HGTV.com and watch some past episodes. You do want to be in “the know” right?

This season, HGTV has decided to try something a little bit different with the judges. We still have our fearless leaders, Vern Yip and Genevieve Gorder, but instead of Candice Olson as the third judge, there are now guest judges every week. Oh – and did I mention there is a new host. Stay calm if you can, but it is the adorable, colorful and super talented David Bromstad. David was Season One’s Design Star winner and he has grown into a true HGTV icon. Check out the cast:

There are a lot of great episodes of Design Star, but  Episode 4 of this season was extra special. The guest judge this episode was Sabrina Soto. Sabrina Soto: HGTV Designer, Target’s Style Expert for Home and the author of Sabrina Soto Home Design: A Layer-by-Layer Approach to Turning Your Ideas into the Home of Your Dreams.  She is one busy, brilliant designer and so likable – oh and let’s not forget … gorgeous!  I was thrilled to see her as a guest judge this week.

In this “indoor/outdoor” challenge, the finalists work with two neighboring homeowners to redesign a family room that connects to an adjacent outdoor space. The competitors team up to transform one of the four areas and work with the home’s other team to create a design that flows seamlessly between the indoor and outdoor spaces. Sabrina Soto, host of HGTV’s The High Low Project, along with Genevieve Gorder and Vern Yip, review the spaces and select a winner based on which team has the most beautiful space. For the on-camera hosting challenge, each finalist must demonstrate their ability to bring the outdoors in or the indoors out by giving a clever design tip under $100.

I love this summary and critiques of the designers given by David Bromstad.  His honesty is so refreshing and he is just so funny!  Check out the video by going to this link:

http://www.hgtv.com/video/david-design-star-2012-ep-4-video/index.html

One of the best things about watching Design Star is seeing the products that the contestants use to decorate their rooms. I love to see how the textures and colors are mixed together to create amazing artistry and style. Sabrina Soto is the new “Style Expert  for Home” at Target.  Her ideas and advice will allow you to create this same artistry and style in your own home that you see on Design Star with items from Target. Oh and did I mention – they are at Target so it is super affordable! Yay for us regular folks!

Here is one of the rooms that was designed on this episode:

Imagine this room without the throw pillows and accessories.  B-O-R-I-N-G!  I think of the accessories of a room like the jewelry of an outfit.  It is what makes it POP!

These are some of the items from Target that were used in this room:

This is the Home Blue Oblong Pillow from Target and is 14×24.  They were placed on the chairs in the room to give a little punch of color on the neutral background.

Sabrina’s Tip:  Neutral colors and natural surfaces allow for a very calming and peaceful interior.

This Home Blue Piped Stripe Toss Pillow in a 20 x 20 size is on the ends of the couch.  The blue from these pillows pulls the blue over from the chairs to bring cohesion to the room.

Sabrina’s Tip:    Switch up your accessories. If you don’t have the budget to buy big statement pieces, go for an assortment of colorful pillows, a bright throw blanket or eye-catching décor pieces that can instantly transform a room without breaking the bank. Target is a great place to find affordable décor pieces. This fall, the new collections include a mix of rich autumn colors, textures and patterns that are perfect way to update your home.

Add some fun patterns and textures to your couch with pillows like these shown above.  These pillows are also from Target.  Don’t they look like they came from a high-end boutique?  Check out the prices!  I am feeling a little light-headed from the happiness!  I love a deal!

Target Home Flocked Pillow in Blue – $19.99

Target Home Woven Round Pillow in Cream – $24.99

Add some architectural elements to the coffee table to bring interest and color!  Target Home Lantern Candle Holders – $12.99 – $14.99

Sabrina’s Tip:  Layering gives a home a cozy look and feel. Decorate with accessories like vases, trays and decorative pieces that can be easily (and affordably) swapped out or rearranged when it’s time to update the look.

Thomas O’Brien Wood Tray – $12.99

Good luck trying to find a wood tray for your coffee table for cheaper than $12.99!  What a steal!

If you want some more great tips from Sabrina Soto to help you transform your home and you into a Design Star, check out Sabrina’s new book – Home Design:  A Layer-by-Layer Approach to Turning Your Ideas into the Home of Your Dreams!

 

Hope your life is more Design Star heaven than havoc!

Missi