I agree with your assessment, Pam, but Candice is a more tolerable personality, imho. That is basically the point I was trying to make. While I am no professional, I know what I do and do not like. And when I am spending my money, professional or not, I want what I want. Talking clients into a design they are not comfortable with is showing a lack of respect for the client, again in my opinion. I used to sew for people when my children were small. I had clients who would tell me in detail what they wanted. Others would leave it up to me. But never, ever did I concoct a design, then proceed to "sell" them on it. I made suggestions but the decision was always my client's, not mine. I do not know when the attitude that the designer is always right started. Perhaps it was always there and I never paid attention to it until it became so prevalent and in your face.

I like your idea to change up the judges, rather than keeping the same ones. New contestants, new judges. Yeah.

I am not a traditionalist either, fmwalker, and consistently think "outside" the box. However, if I am spending my hard-earned money, rather than having HGTV pay for it, to renovate my room or home, I want the designer I hire to listen to what I want. I do not mind input or suggestions from someone else but I do mind someone else deciding for me. In almost every instance, Antonio decided what HE wanted and executed what HE decided, the homeowner be damned. If he continues that trend in the real world, it makes little difference how much talent he does or does not have, he will fail. Attitude is everything when you are dealing with a generic public, rather than a taste specific public. Most of this world is made up of those "traditional, beige" people. Apparently, Antonio has not learned that lesson yet.

It would seem, Michele, from the responses of average Americans, that edgy is not very popular outside the design world, or at least Antonio's version of edgy. You are, however, free to think differently and say so. Thank you for your contribution.

Yvonne

Well, after watching the first episode of this season's Design Star, it seems as if little has changed. Gen acts as if she is always angry about something, like a cat ready to pounce on a mouse. I stopped watching her show because I could not tolerate how she was always cajoling clients into thinking her way. Like Antonio, she decides what they would like and then talks them into it. Candice doesn't do that and neither does Vern. They listen and follow their clients suggestions. While they may "pretty" up the rough vision given by a client, they keep the client's basic wants.

I cannot believe they collectively thought, however, that Nina had the best design in the first episode. Talk about Asian Market Look, with all the parallels scattered around the room. Sheesh! I agree with Lucyant about the possibility of the winner being "pre-selected".

Yvonne

The outcome of last season's DS has dampened my enthusiasm for this season's DS. That, and learning the three same judges will be returning. While I love Candice and Vern (although he can be a bit harsh at times), the negativity Genevieve brings to the panel is a real downer. Oh, well, just as in any situation, one has gotta take the bad with the good, I guess.

I quiet agree being abrasive and cocky does not make up for talent, in my world anyway. While I am sure some appreciate the "confidence" and design style of Antonio, his appeal is limited, imho. I can always hope the judges pick someone with a much broader appeal this coming season.

Yvonne

Lonni had it all over Antonio. The final two should have been her and Dan. But apparently the judges did not appreciate her or Dan's low-key personas and went with the abrasive personality of Antonio. Lonni and Dan were much more talented as designers so I am glad to know they both are thriving in their chosen fields. I would hire either one of them should I ever win the lottery and have the resources.