Age: 36

Home: Louisville, Kentucky

Education: Bachelor of Arts in interior design from the University of Kentucky

Current Job: Residential and Commercial Interior Designer and Builder/Renovator, Tracee Dore and Company

Why I should win Design Star:
I want to inspire the HGTV viewers and all of America with an incredible new outlook on designing fine interiors. I have the most incredible TV show idea and am ready to team up with HGTV to make it the biggest hit ever!

Describe your design style in four words.
1930s and '40s, simple sophistication with bling

Who is your design icon?
Barbara Barry

What is your dream design project?
Designing fabulous unique homes for celebrities and sharing the incredible designs with the world.

Where do you get your inspiration?
From designers and architects in the past who influenced design to what it is today. I want to be an inspiration to others who share the passion.

When designing, what can't you live without?
My vision, imagination and creativity.

What are your most creative hours of the day?
In the evenings when I am relaxing, I create the design vision in my head before it ever goes on paper.

What do you think is the worst design trend?
Macramé wall hangings and plant holders from the 1970s

What's one thing about you that would surprise people?
My knowledge of construction and ability to engineer/construct projects.

Where's the farthest you've ever traveled from home?
My family went to Maui my senior year in high school. It was so incredibly beautiful and the memories that I shared with them are with me forever.

What's your guilty pleasure?
Sweets

What's your most unusual talent?
I can wiggle my ears together or separately.

What word/phrase do you say way too often?
"Ya know?" and "good, good, good."

When I was a kid, I thought I would be:
A flight attendant

Who's your hero?
My dad

What's your fashion style?
Classy with accents of color and bling

Her Favorites
Color: Fuchsia
Scent: Blooming gardenias
Music: Lounge
Food: Steamed crab legs with garlic butter
Magazine: Veranda
Movie: Somewhere in Time
Room in your house: My boudoir (exquisite closet)
Room to design: Sitting rooms
Thing in your home: My father's old drafting table, which is now our kitchen island — the heart of our home.
Hobbies: Antique shopping, oil painting, gardening and, always, designing.
Vacation destination: The northern Michigan small towns, lakes and Mackinac Island. Nothing fancy, just relaxing.
HGTV show: Divine Design