Design Star Season 4: Where Are They Now?

Want to know what happened to season four contestants after the show? We caught up with some of your favorite designers and got the scoop.

Filed under: Decorating

Lonni Paul

How has your life changed since Design Star?
My company, Lonni Paul Design, is still busy, but now I get recognized everywhere I go. Airports, restaurants, shopping, everywhere. People are so nice and supportive when they stop me and have such kind things to say. The fans are really great. It's amazing so many people watched the show. Other than that, I'm working like crazy, raising my four-year-old twins and doing volunteer work for the Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Step Up, a group of professional women that help underserved teen girls. I'm spending six months mentoring a professional woman on her career.

Did you participate in any events or get a specific job because of the show?
Yes, I did a fabulous apartment renovation and design in NYC for a wonderful couple, Michael and Stephanie, who called me after seeing the show. I just finished Tiffani Thiessen and Brady Smith's (who I met on the celebrity challenge) kitchen and playroom and am working on their nursery, reading room, office, second guest room and living room. Tiffani and I are working to launch a new line of eco-friendly children's furniture, and we're very excited about it. I'm a spokesperson for Silestone and spoke for them at KBIS in Chicago along with Dan. I also worked on an installation at the Los Angeles Mart called DreamScape, which involved seven design teams paired with seven artists. I'm in talks with three different production companies about doing a design show, and I did a blog for CB2 and some work for the KTLA Morning News show. I'm a regular contributor to a radio show, The Art of Living, and have been on CBS's Home Wizards show.

Lonni's husband, Don, with their son, Jett

Have you kept in touch with fellow contestants?
Yes, Dan, Nathan, Jason, Janie, Tori and Amy. Amy and I went to a Dwell show together. Dan moved to LA from Portland and lived with my family for several months. We've formed a company called Lonni Paul + Dan Vickery Design Group and have several projects we are working on together. We worked on Jason Priestly's home, Dreamscape and are doing the architecture and interior design on a mid-century home as well as several other projects. Something I'm very excited about is the launch of a company where I can help all the people that have called or emailed me from Design Star, but don't have the resources to hire me long distance. The company is called "My Design Box." People can send in a photo of their room with measurements and in three to four weeks, we'll send them everything they need to complete a fully designed room on their own. It's been rewarding to hear from people how much they love it. I've also become friends with Matt Locke, Sparkle Josh and Kim Myles.

What was the most important lesson you learned from being on Design Star?
That reality shows have nothing to do with reality — ha! Also, to trust my instincts.

Lonni with her twins, Jett and Sophie

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

What's your home "secret shame"?
My bedside table — it's a catchall. I go through it every couple of weeks so it doesn't become too overwhelming.

What celebrity home would you most like to design?
It's been fun working with Tiffani for sure. I'm finishing up Melissa Hart's new house in Connecticut and Meatloaf's house here in LA. I just met Keanu Reeves so if that works out it would be a blast. I'll let you know.

Which three books would you take on a desert island?
Wilderness Survival, How to Build a Boat and Spearfishing Techniques (Ha! The first one is the only real book.)