Gary Andrews

Hometown: Los Angeles, California

Education: Bachelor of Arts from University of California at Santa Barbara

Current Job: Designer

Why I should win HGTV Design Star:
Well, I guess the easy answer is because I think I would be a great host with a lot to offer in terms of design ideas and passion for design, but more importantly I think I should win because I have come up with a strategy that I feel will get me far in the competition. Hopefully along the way my design talents and personality will be a winning combination because like Charlie in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, who doesn't dream of getting the keys to the chocolate factory? What an amazing honor!

Describe your design style in four words.
Graphic, vintage, elegant and modern

Who is your design icon?
Frank Gehry

What is your dream design project?
Upscale boutique hotel

Where do you get your inspiration?
Nature

When designing, what can't you live without?
Music, mechanical pencil and sketchpad

What are your most creative hours of the day?
1-4am

What's one thing about you that would surprise people?
I can recite the states in alphabetical order

Where's the farthest you've ever traveled from home?
I grew up all over the world, but I guess saying goodbye to my mom at a gas station in Virginia and driving by myself to college in Santa Barbara while my mom moved to Florida seemed like a far traveling experience for an 18-year-old, and it was before cell phones. Can you imagine?

What's your guilty pleasure?
Driving by and seeing the "Hot Krispy Kreme Doughnuts" sign on and getting one, or a half dozen.

What's your most unusual talent?
Reading minds, but I choose not to since it really wouldn't be fair.

What word/phrase do you say way too often?
"Really" or "it's a whole thing"

When I was a kid, I thought I would be:
Candy factory owner

Who's your hero?
My mom

What's your fashion style?
Casual, elegant and graphic

Favorites
Color: Electric blue
Scent: Tea tree oil
Music: Too many types to name
Song: "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong
Food: Rouladen
Magazine: Surface and Wallpaper
Movie: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
TV Show: CSI
Room in your house: Living room
Room to design: Living room
Thing in your home: Phonofone II by Tristan Zimmermann
Hobbies: Poker, photography and art
Vacation destination: Paris
HGTV show: Divine Design
Design tip: Change out all light switches with dimmers.