Courtland Bascon

Design Star 7: Premiere Episode

First of all, my apologies for not completing my cast critiques for all of the HGTV Design Star Season 7 finalists before the premiere episode aired. I just couldn't cram it all in, especially in this "gap week" between the [...]

HGTV Design Star Season 5: Courtland Bascon Interview

If Venetian plasterers are looking for a poster boy, they could scarcely do better than Design Star castoff Courtland Bascon.  Known for faux finishes and V-neck shirts, he caused quite a stir during the seventh episode when he outed himself. [...]

HGTV’s Design Star Season 5 Episode 8: Dine with Dash

Hello, four remaining designers, welcome to Design Star--it’s about time the season started!  Love this challenge.  Love how impossible and daunting it seems, to make anything that even remotely resembles modern or upscale out of rooms that scream [...]

HGTV’s Design Star Season 5: Alex Sanchez Interview

When I put together my cast critique prior to this season’s premiere of Design Star, I characterized Alex Sanchez as being “moldable,” due to his young age (26).  He turned out to indeed be moldable in a positive way…but in [...]

HGTV Design Star Season 5 Episode 7: Faux Kitchen Challenge

Zzzzzzz.  Zzzzzzz. Zzzzzzz.  Huh, wha? Is that cute John Gidding playing guest judge on Design Star tonight?  Wake me when he comes back onscreen. CHALLENGE: Design a kitchen for a Sears catalog cover in two days, featuring Kenmore appliances.  Inspiration [...]

HGTV’s Design Star Season 5: Tom Vecchione Interview

When I connected with Design Star castoff Tom Vecchione yesterday afternoon, I loved him immediately.  What a great laugh!  What interesting insight!  He’s knowledgeable and articulate without coming off as snotty or above anyone.  His quiet confidence stands in sharp [...]

HGTV’s Design Star Season 5, Episode 6: Trump’d!

All hail the returning Red Team designers who arrive Nina-less, to everyone’s complete delight.  “This is probably the best outcome of any elimination to date,” says a relieved Stacey Cohen.  “She’s gone.  Like, do you know what a relief that [...]

HGTV Design Star Season 5: Interview with Castoff Nina Ferrer

I wish I could say that interviewing this week’s Design Star castoff Nina Ferrer was a revelation, but it wasn’t.  Every narcissistic, ego-maniacal impression I had of her turned out—in my experience—to be well-founded.  Unlike other normal human beings, Nina [...]