Travel Reviews

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Million Dollar Decorators: My Thoughts - Season Finale

I have to say that I'm a little sad that it's over, aren't you? If you've been following along throughout the season, it's really been the only show for design savvy tv viewers like all of us. I really hope that Bravo brings back the show, but maybe with a few new designers - and some subtractions. I would personally love to see Michael S. Smith, and Ryan Brown (who we already know is great television from his first two seasons of Flipping Out).


Course, they could branch off, as they've done with the Real Housewives, and pull in designers from New York ... like Jeffrey Bilhuber, and Charlotte Moss.



Just my thoughts - and really, who do I think I am? Ok - so back to the finale. First Mary McDonald is designing the tent for the LA Antiques Show, something I was excited to see it come together. I love everything I've seen Mary do, and I think a tent like that is perfect for her make a statement, more-is-more style. As they hinted on the show, Martyn Lawrence Bullard did the tent last year, and here's what it looked like:


Very Martyn, right? Now, I have to say, that although his accent and demeanor isn't my fave, his design work is top notch. I love that he isn't afraid to use color, and has skirted the trends of going beige and greige, and stuck to his guns that color and pattern is the way to go. The tent at the L.A. Antiques show is really a very anticipated part of the show, and they market heavily the name of the designer who's working on the tent.
And the show itself does definitely attract Hollywood elite. So for a designer in charge of the tent, it's a way to find perspective clients that definitely have the money to spend on high-end design. So, back to Mary, she comes up with this chevron patterned wall/floor combo, with a mix of mid-century and modern antiques. Of course, there's drama, right? But at the end of all of it - it was gorgeous, right? (I wish there were pictures!)


I don't have a picture - but if you watched the show, I loved the entry she did with the desk and chair. Such a Mary McDonald moment, really! I have a feeling that Mary was in a bit of a camel and black moment this spring. First the office, now this. Both with pattern floors. Really great.

Kathryn Ireland is dealing with the Factor tragedy! How appropriate that someone with millions - and I mean, MILLIONS, wants someone with no responsibility for foundation issues on a house built 20-years ago, to pay for it. (I'm fuming by the way - as I have had this happen to me on a smaller scale ...) and Martyn gave her great advice ... "Part as friends, dahling!" But did she? Well, she didn't have a chance to. They got fired before it even became an issue. So there's no wonder it hasn't been something I could track down the final product for! You know what Kathryn, good riddance! She was certifiably nuts.

JAM and twinky ran into some problems with their contractor-ess? And end up actually having to work. Go figure! At the end of it, it really looked nice. I love that bar!





And Martyn, deservedly so, receives a great many accolades at the end of the season, which has me thinking he was pretty integral in the pitching of this idea to Bravo, how about you? Interational Designer of the Year, and Martyn Lawrence Bullard day in West Hollywood!

I really loved the group sort of hug/toast/two time kiss at the end. And what a great way to end the series with Kathryn saying: "this business is about the relationships." And it's true! It's really about who you know. Let's just hope we get to know all of them better in Season 2!

5 comments:

  1. i so hope they have season two. If you hadn't turned us on to this, I would have missed some great stuff.
    I loved the finished products they showed last night. It was as if the personalities came shining through at the end. Thanks for walking us through each episode with your charming words and thoughts. xo marlis

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  2. I am so sad that the season is over...let's hope there is a season two for all us design junkies!!! LOL I'd love to see different designers too as long as they bring Mary & Kathryn back ;o)
    ~Des

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  3. Would love to see a new season with new designers from NY this time!!!

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  4. As someone who loves design but isn't in the profession the one element of the show that bothered me was how unprofessional it was that the designers would insult their clients so openly behind their backs. They were hired because the client doesn't have the skills to do the job themselves.

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  5. I don't think I'll miss them (even thought I know I'd watch a second season). I just have a hard time with reality shows that are clearly scripted...if they just did their thing and not try to turn it into high drama it would be far more interesting...

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