click here to watch the interview

Design Star Audition Video

As I mentioned, the video that lives on my website is edited, If you make it all the way to the blog…. Please enjoy the Audition Video that got me on to Design Star.

And like all good Videos, there are fun outtakes.  Watch how our little handheld captures how I feel about talking about Bachelors Pads and Martha Stewart!

Behind our scenes

And if you still want more… read my blogs from Design Star.  They are here, categorized as “Design Star” I wrote them every monday after the episode aired.

Click here to see the Design Star Category

I have some tweets you can see, but that’s enough of me and design star.  Hope you enjoyed, we are wrapping it up and archiving it as we really move into SCi 2.0 and 2012.

Everyday I am involved on one end of a new pitch, whether it is a new idea, new project or a new collaboration, I am learning something more in my industry of design and learning more and more of live and print media and the production industry.

But, not all of them stick.  Just last week I lost out on a pitch that was pitched to me, but in the end they decided to go with a different theme.  I was disappointed, but at the same time, knew from the start I wasn’t the right fit.

It’s easy to get excited with all these new opportunities.  It’s great to be in the position to weigh the pros and cons and get involved with new people and new projects.  Even if they don’t work out, I’m lucky to have learned something along the way.

I thought it was so cool that they were friends in real life.  Yes, we can also thank Candid Camera and the Miss (fill in the blanks) Pageants of the 1980s, but these contests were unattainable to anyone not already on a television show, those who didn’t own a cam corder or not of extreme beauty with the wish of “world peace.

What sells? Oh, that right, Sex, Sweat and Tears
Real World.  Never in a million years would I ever even thinking of going on that.  I knew people that wanted to be on it and since one time they were filming in Chicago, I knew many friends that sought out the sets to date the cast members.  I could barely watch the show and I worked at MTV.  It just seemed so uncomfortable to watch these awkward fights and hook-ups.  Where was the strategy beyond getting camera time?

I have no Agent!
A friend forward the application for Design Star to me late October.  It was during the time I was growing my business and taking every possible risk for getting my name out there for Stacey Cohen Interiors.  I didn’t think twice.  I filled out the first form and heard back from the casting department within an hour.  I was skewed in understanding how many people were trying out for the show.  I had not known anyone to audition for a reality show, so my naiveness was to my advantage.  I went through a few more preliminary emails and conversations and was told to hold tight for the final application.

My Film Crew and Best Boys
I found a film crew to shoot my audition video.  I have been asked to be in front of the camera before, but never really thought to do anything about it.  The director and crew were nothing short of amazing.  We produced a kick-ass audition tape.  I sent it in and within a week, I was called and congratulated by the casting department for making the final 60.

The GLAMOROUS life —
I was flown to Los Angeles and sequestered to my room at a hotel adjacent to LAX.  Rules were for us not to speak or make eye contact with anyone else out there.  We were given meal vouchers and meal times.  There were 20 people to each seating.  Beyond sly glances to the people around me, I had no clue who was going to be there at the end of the week with me.

And then there were 20
By the third day, of the 20 people in my meal group, there were only 5.  Each night, a bunch were sent packing with a hug and shattered dreams.  The final 20 were called into a room for the stuff only we get to know.  This is where the curtain begins to close on the viewers and the contestants start to get an understanding of the process.  All you need to know at this point is we are in the top 20.  We were told to go home, get our affairs in order and wait for the call.  The call was to come in the next week and we had to be ready to go within two weeks.

When there were 12…
It seemed like we were extras on a set.  The cameras were around filming us, but I wasn’t sure what was really happening.  I didn’t understand that the more I spoke, the more air time I would get.  I was nervous as heck.  I was excited to design and show the viewers great ideas and inspire good design.  I had no clue that the first challenge was to be the last individual challenge.  The format had changed and design was second to show.

When there were 8…
I began to understand my role was to provide entertainment in addition to my design.  I was not good at this.  I had no control over what was bound to happen.  I had worked so hard for the past decade and half to build a reputation as a serious designer and now I was gambling with my persona and I was not happy.  It was different from anything I could have ever imagined.  The pressure began to hit and I felt it all over.  I wanted to go, even though I knew I was going to try to give it my all, I froze.  My audition tape starts out referencing Marsh Brady’s response to the camera’s red light… This was life my life, imitating my art.

Watching the final 4…
I was so awkward for them last night.  Rephrase: not for them, but for me.  I couldn’t have imagined all that attention with no control of the final edit.  There was so much individual camera time seeking the story of the room and their designs.

The plot is always thicker…
I loved my involvement with the production teams.  They all had ways of getting the story.  The producers are story tellers.  To learn that from the best was a ridiculous treat.  We all went on the show with different stories to tell.   I brought a different design element in each challenge to the viewers of HGTV, learned on-camera presence from Mark Burnett Productions and added another chapter to my script.

And, as far as the 60%….
That is a different show…. stay tuned for details

For every project and client, there is a story and back-story.  When I design, I merge my  journalism and design degrees.

“Stacey’s stories…. her stories are a hard sell, but she sells ‘em.”

Emily Henderson, The Brass Petal http://thebrasspetal.blogspot.com/

MY PLUS ONE….

“Stacey says something about cutting it (the taxi) in half, and I think, Yes!! Bookends!!!”

http://ishouldbelaughing.blogspot.com

OH BOB, I wish you had been there to whisper that sweet something in my ear; that was just the team talk I was yearning for.

OPERATOR – There must be some confusion on the line.

NINA in an interview with Laura Fenton of Shelter Pop:

“How do you throw people under the bus and be competitive with people you’re actually friends with? For example, Stacey and I shared a room, but on every episode, it looks like we’re the worst of enemies in the challenges. Yes, sometimes we were, but every night we would still laugh our asses off. We were really good friends because it’s two separate things.”

http://www.shelterpop.com/2010/07/26/design-star-nina-ferrer/

This excerpt is a perfect example of an episode of  “THE NINA SHOW”, from Interviewer Robin Callan of Room Fu, who seemed to be more on a Nina-witch hunt than finding out about my designs.  At the time of the interview, Callan had not read my blog and asked questions about my designs that I addressed each Monday following the episode, yet she was on key to the thoughts and whereabouts of my dear friend Nina.

“Ummm, let me get this straight.  You’re “good friends” and you have your little pajama parties together, you bond swapping stories about your childhood and have “quite a blast together,” then you turn around and go on national TV, calling her a “bully” and saying, “This is probably the best outcome of any elimination to date…she’s gone…you don’t know what a relief it is,” when the woman’s kicked off the show?  The rhetoric sounds so contemptuous–even for a fellow competitor–if there’s any shred of fun or friendship there.  I just don’t get it.”

Robin Callan, Room Fu’s blogging “design guru” http://roomfu.com/2010/07/hgtvs-design-star-season-5-stacey-cohen-interview/

Nina always proves my theories right.  She serves the cool-aide to her friends then throws the one who drinks under the bus.  This is not a surprise.  It is a surprise that I don’t hold anything against her for it.  It didn’t work when she tried it on me in Episode 5.  Friends, it is a game and sometimes frenemies is a way to get through it.

“In a majority rules scenario, the judges send Nina packing. Did you see Stacey smirk? Cause she totally did.”

Shari Altman @ http://thestir.cafemom.com/

CHAIN LETTER (All blogged within the same day…)

“Elimination.  My, My it is getting heated up there.  At this point I want to press stop and rush to Chicago to give Stacey a hug… She had good taste.  Not perfect when it comes to teamwork and competing, but someone you wanted around all the time because she is just overall rad.  I’m sorry that you didn’t see that.”

Emily Henderson, The Brass Petal

Comment:

A Chicago Blogger…

“I love this entry. I think this put a lot into perspective for someone like me who was so anti-Stacey this whole time. I suppose it’s easy to sit back and judge an hour of competition and personalities when not given an opportunity to be on the inside.”

later that day…. after reading the roomfu interview

A Chicago Blogger…

“I still don’t get a sense for Stacey’s technique at all; I’m still really confused. Emily spoke really highly of Stacey in her recent blog, which gave me a nice idea of who she was as a person, but I still can’t figure out where her talent is hidden…??”

HERE’S IDEA, GOOGLE ME – or even easier:

http://www.staceycoheninteriors.com/

S.W.A.K.

“I know that you guys didn’t get to know her, but (Stacey) was snarky as hell.”

Emily Henderson, The Brass Petal

FUTURE PEN PALS

http://www.designblahg.com/contributors/

Have you seen their blog???? http://www.designblahg.com/

P.S.

“fact: sweater dresses make my butt throw up diarrhea.” Jenny http://www.myfavoriteandmybest.com/

P.S.S.

This was the first blog I found and can’t thank Jenny @ MFAMB enough for putting it all into perspective so early on.

Me and Vern

CUT TO:

Stacey wipes her eyes

BILL:

Stacey, your on

STACEY:

(Fresh faced, no tears in sight)

Hi, I’m Stacey and I want to welcome you to the new Trump Tower in Jersey City. Known for details and opulence, this building also boosts breath-taking views of the Manhattan skyline.

(Pan skyline view)

The property is geared to the young working professional that not only enjoys time in the city, but also wants the amenities a home out side of the city can offer.

For a fun twist, we brought in some pop art accessories to tie the potential buyer back to the city.

You can see the lacquered “TAXI TAXI” coffee table tray, because you know, shouting it once is never enough.

Where, a second play on hailing a cab can be seen in the “Sunday Taxi in the Dome.”

I doubt I am the only one that can’t seem to find a cab on a Sunday.

As we move through the space to the bedroom, we enter a space free of clutter to compliment the low profile bed.

While I know you would love to sleep in, it’s off to work in the city, so the drapes let just enough light in to show its morning.

TAXI TAXI

Is something how it went; although it was never shown.  Actually, come to think of it, none of my hosting videos were aired.  Yet, I had been in elimination twice.  Oh, that’s right.  I was never in the bottom two.

Up until this episode I was pretty quiet, kept to my self, focused on my challenge’s story.  I joked that my brochure had read “Design competition” and that the reality portion was out of my hands.  This was my first experience in front of the camera, until now, I had only worked sets behind the scenes.  I watched last night’s episode with wide eyes.  I knew the moments I unraveled.  Honestly, that is part of design.  I have cried every year in design school, in front of teachers, peers and review panels- and now, national television.

Engine #5

You are only as strong as your team.  I felt confident in my elimination explanation.  My signature element was inspired by the fireman’s poll.  I took the brass element into the room and highlighted the chair rail.  I found a brass lamp that resembled a bell and wanted to personalize the space with their engine number 5. 

Engine #5

My Starter Flower

Blossoming… I wanted to create a space in the studio apartment for growth and inspiration.  I took a personal connection to my “starter” flower. The alcove studio we were designing was exactly like mine when I went to Parsons in New York.  I knew the space and knew what was needed.

Carnations are such a well-known flower for not being so well regarded.  People always turn their nose to them. They are used and discarded by the dozen on floats, snarled at in bouquets and swapped out for roses in corsages.  Yet, they are really pretty, full of texture, last long and are easy to keep.

Instead of thinking of them in a loser fashion, I found myself inspired by the hope and innocence they represented.  The hope of homecoming – winning the game or getting asked to the dance by the guy of your dreams. I took that hope and innocence to college graduation and getting a job in the city.  Sure, you probably had roommates the first few years, but the first time you get your own apartment, the first time your means justify living on your own, odds are it is a studio.  This is now another new beginning, another milestone.  And the story continues from there.  Each new personal adventure is a new start.

Starting here but going places

Being part of the bouquet. Let it be said right now, I could work everyday with Emily and Casey and have the best time.  When we turned and left the flower market, the three of us had linked arms like twelve year olds.  I think the producers had to remind us that we were, in fact, in competition with one another.  Emily is funny and in her word, “snarky” and Casey is such a goof ball.  Emily taught me how to sew the pillows on a sewing machine and I made the padded headboard for Casey’s “blue and dreamy” bedroom.

I was very aware of the heat I took for having Dan help me with the wall in Episode 3, so I made sure I was able to purchase my desk and chair while we were out shopping.

Like the homecoming queen… Again, I had drawn the last number to pick my flower and took the challenge of the carnation in stride.  In fact, I loved this challenge.  I loved the desk with no handles, the knock off Ghost chair, the handles I found at the lumber store and the accessories that adorned the desk.  I loved my story that I created.  I loved the confused looks some of my teammates gave me when I told them my story.  I loved making pillows on the sewing machine and working with Emily and Casey.  BUT, what I loved the most was the sparkle in Vern’s eyes when he said, “Stacey, we were so inspired on how you took a flower, like the carnation, and found a wonderful story behind it.”

Carnation Inspiration

Trumpet Please!

Setting the Tone –

Trumpet Please!  What a sassy sound from such a little pistol.  And with only three keys – I knew I could make it work.  And last pick – even better.  Bring the challenge on!

Engaging – I hung my hat on the term “engaging.” When I listened to the music there was a feeling meshing and working together. This was played mainly with the spacing of the wood planks and the ivy poking though.  Small shelves were built to hold a few potted plants and twinkling votives.

Rhyme to my Reason – When designing the wall, I created a sketch, plan, section and elevation.  It was thought out… It was designed – This is a design competition.  Dan helped me execute it.  I was ready to take it on with a saw, hammer and nails.  Remember – I spent a day painting a chair; I would have no problem spending a day nailing a wall.  But then Dan taught me a few timesaving tricks and I was happy for the help.  In return, by working as a team, the wall was able to incorporate tones of his guitar and the xylophone’s twinkling lights.

Working on some time-saving tips from Dan

Little and Loud –

Little things make a difference: I’m a LEED designer and do outdoor spaces.  There are really key elements you should and should not include.  For instance, dark colors absorb heat and contribute to the Heat Island Effect.  The Heat Island Effect is not good for the environment, it traps heat at the source and creates higher temperatures. Using reflective materials (not actual metals) and PLANTS help maintain a cooler temperature at ground level.  Reflective materials bounce the heat back into the sky, while plants absorb the heat for growth that then results in more natural coverage.

Loud: Some times you can be loud without saying a word:  I couldn’t stain the picket fence.  Actually, I wouldn’t is more like it.  We had limited resources for our purchases and I could not get a stain with no VOC or even low-VOC.  So for me, painting or staining in an outdoor space was out of the question.

Like 2 sides to a 45– the addition of Dan helped with the execution of the space, but not so much of the kumbaya he hoped to create.  Did you see that space at the end? Perhaps the judges enjoyed the juxtaposition of my natural wall and the other.

After: Trumpet Challenge

Not all day was spent painting

“The Chair”

Lilly – I can’t remember when I first fell in love with the casual elegance of Lilly Pulitzer, I do know it was somewhere in the time frame of my first Seven jeans, my first Havaianas and my first summer share in the Hamptons. My design take on the challenge was more conceptual than literal. I choose this approach because it is a design challenge based on individual input. I hung my hat on the femininity Lilly Pulitzer embodies and the regional home designs of those who wear her fashions. I KNOW Lilly P conjures up visions of the most colorful palate AND that is the main reason I thought deeper into the concept than just matching colors.

When shopping began on day one, the five girls went as a team. We were in and out of a half dozen stores. I played accountant, I kept all the records and receipts, which was a big part of the challenge. We were allotted a lump sum and credits at various stores in the city. If money ran out before an individual was able to hone in on their contribution – THEY were OUT OF LUCK!

I found the chair IMMEDIATELY at Zarin’s fabric store. While the other girls were picking out fabric, I was pursuing the small furniture selection. I had a vision of the chair in my head and the one I found was perfect. The wicker cane on the back was such a special detail, not to mention the curved back and perfect carvings in the arms and legs. So within the first few hours, I had my inspiration, conceptual interpretation and contribution.

"The Chair"

Goody – Yes, that is a banana clip in my hair during the conversation of painting over the yellow niche wall with the “darkest grey”.

Ben – Benjamin Moore and I spent quite some time together. I had painted that chair about four different colors that day. I also reupholstered the seat cushion with tiny push pins – that is painful for those who don’t know. But no one focused on the bold (Lillyesque, without being obvious) pattern. Everyone focused on the fact that I painted a chair. I think it’s odd. It is a design challenge, I designed. I did not shop, I did not dictate, I did not even question why so few others were creating pieces to go into the space. I had made sure my idea was conveyed into the space and that I was proud of my design. I took care of myself.

Vern – I liked Vern from the start. I could get lost in his smile and little smirks. And boys – did you see the chivalry from my guy – saving my ass in front of all America. Now that is how you get the girl.

Alyssa – Who is Alyssa??? Oh, that’s right; you didn’t get to see my hosting skills, where I cleverly created a story of five people using this Long Island City apartment as a time-share. That, while all five held jobs that only had them in NY a few days a month, my client, Alyssa, wanted a space within the space to call her own. So, for my client, I gave her just what she asked for – “The Chair.”

"The Chair"

Before: White-box Challenge

10 MINUTES to get to know Dan, cute, sweet Dan from Alabama who has transplanted himself to the lower east side.  I couldn’t have gotten luckier with this pair up. I learned Dan was an outdoorsy guy who liked to tinker with found objects.  The term I kept in my mind was “Outdoor-Industrial”

In these 10 minutes, I also had to come up with a sketch of the room.  I knew a few design elements I wanted to incorporate immediately. 1- Flip the bookcase into a dresser. 2 – Pull out 2 of the bookcase shelves and mount them to the platform bed as nightstands. (Full inspiration from my days at Ligne Roset and working with European furnishings) 3 – Incorporate my favorite design principle: “P&R: Pattern & Repetition” (Learned Day 1 of Architecture Program at UIC).

1 HOUR to shop in Pearl River Mart.  I was familiar with Pearl River Mart from my days at Parsons School of Design.  I knew there were three levels and what to expect on each.  I had in my mind to find items that had an organic pattern and texture.

$500 – It was jackpot with the woven sconces and the wrapping paper I used for the dresser covers and to wrap the headboard.  Once I secured those items I found accessories to complete the space.

Please keep in mind, this sounds a lot calmer than in actual real-time.  It is a mad house of running, grabbing, shouting, carrying, brainstorming and thinking on the fly.

Rushing through painting

5 HOURS – Meet Ian – the best second set of hands I could have asked for! We worked really well on the design and execution of my ideas.  I immediately cleared out the space so I could begin painting.  (I felt like I was back on sets of indie films, painting and taping).  I wish I hadn’t rushed it so quickly, because two-thirds though heavy coats of paint, I found with certain pressure on the roller brush, I was able to create a pattern that resembled wall paper (a trend that I am really starting to embrace for upcoming projects).

These hours moved fast and when “TIME” was called, I realized my white-box was on the farthest corner of the room and I had not walked around to size up my competition.

After: White-box Challenge

TOP 6 – Ummmm….. I had no idea what to expect.  NONE.  No Clue. What is happening?  Where am I?  Who are these people around me?  Why are names being called? Didn’t we just get here? Is someone really going home right away? I hope it’s not me…. But, how could it be – with the 2×4 blocking on the dresser and headboard?  I loved my design and it seems the judges’ liked it too.  There were no balloons dropped from the ceiling or confetti-type of party upon the announcement of my name, just a nice acknowledgement that I was in the top six.

MY DESIGN  http://my.hgtv.com/design-star-judge-the-designs-2010/Episode-1/Staceys-Room/detail.esi?oid=16983464

FAN FAVORITE VOTE http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv-design-star-vote-for-your-favorite-designer/package/index.html

TWITTER  http://www.twitter.com/scinteriors

FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chicago-IL/Stacey-Cohen-Interiors/112988119561?v=wall&ref=ts