Design Star Season 4: Where Are They Now?

Alissa Sutton

How has your life changed since Design Star?
My time on Design Star was short-lived, yet the beauty of life is that it is always changing (hopefully for the better) and it's how we embrace the change that matters.

What have you been up to?
I was chosen as one of the seven designers to design a residence as part of the “WoW Collection,” at the new W Hotel and Residences in Hollywood, which officially opened on March 31st.

I am completing the interview suite at the Four Seasons sponsored by Vitamin Water for Young Hollywood studios.

I have written four “Design Insights” articles for Angeleno Magazine's interior issues.

I am finishing up an amazing project in Vegas for a hotel and casino executive.

Have you kept in touch with fellow contestants?
I have become friends with Gary Andrews, Lonni Paul and Antonio Ballatore. Antonio came to Cantoni for furnishings for one of his upcoming episodes; it was great to see him and catch up. Must watch him in action to see how it all turned out.

What was the most important lesson you learned from being on Design Star?
I was part of last season's twist where ten contestants got to choose the eleventh designer to join the cast. I was the first to be voted off and I realized I was being judged by my competition, which is an awkward position to be in because everyone wants to win. Later, I was told by a few contestants that they saw me as a threat and thought I was really talented, which is a great compliment but at that moment I would have liked to have had the chance to show what I could do on the show.

Lesson learned: We don't have control over many situations in our life, we must stay faithful and approach every event with the right attitude knowing everything always works out for the best!

Which HGTV talent would you let have free rein in your house?
Candice Olson

What's your home "secret shame"?
You asked and I must admit I do have a "clothes chair." I would like to think other people have them, too. It's a chair that collects pieces of my wardrobe I have worn. I am very busy so it's easy to just throw it there until I take it to the cleaners. I suppose it would be just as easy to throw it in the hamper.

What celebrity home would you most like to design?
Madonna, Gwen Stefani or Lenny Kravitz

Which three books would you take on a desert island?
The Bible
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Joel Osteen's new book, It's Your Time: Activate Your Faith, Achieve Your Dreams, and Increase in God's Favor