Show Canceled: Challenge 4
Age: 27
Home: Irvine, California
Education: Bachelor's degree from the Interior Designers Institute in Newport Beach, California
Profession: Interior Designer for my own company, Plural Interior Design
Why I should win Design Star:
Because my design sensibility and approach are totally unique. I've been formally trained, but I don't conform to the rules. I take the basic principles and expand upon them, change them, update them and make the space really reflect the person who will live within it. I think that's something I can teach people — to let go, step outside the box and pick individual pieces that they love — because, in the end, when it comes together, it’s who they are. I think it's teaching people to strip away their fear of design, and to rule with your gut instinct.
How would you describe your design style?
Whimsical, intuitive, lush and fluid
Who is your design icon?
Architect Frank Gehry
What is your dream design project?
My dream is to be able to design a house from the ground up with no boundaries. I think it would be amazing to be involved in a design project from the moment the architects first sit down, so that we could incorporate design elements into the basic space of the house, instead of having to come into a built space and work around the architecture already there. To be given carte blanche both on ideas and financially on a project? That idea makes me squee to no end.
Where do you get your inspiration?
I think inspiration can be taken from anything. You'd be surprised at what inspires me. I’ve been inspired by patterns and textures and places, of course. I've also been inspired by people, by the way they live their life, their fashion sense or their interactions with others. I am always keeping an eye out for anything out of the ordinary.
When designing, what can't you live without?
That's easy. A measuring tape. I don't leave home without it.
What are your most creative hours of the day?
When I'm sleeping. Yes, I dream about things, and being reinvigorated by a good night's sleep can't be beat.
What do you think is the worst design trend?
Well, all trends have their place. The one I've seen overdone the most is faux finishing. A little bit is okay, but people tend to go overboard with the faux effect. When you’re fauxing the rods in your closet, it's time to take a step back.
What's one thing about you that would surprise people?
I'm a total tomboy! I love guy stuff and can always be counted on to horse around, play a game of football or go wakeboarding. I miss my big white pick-up truck and would rather drink beer instead of wine. If one day I woke up in a world where there were no high heels, I'd celebrate — with a beer.
Where's the farthest you've ever traveled from home?
Hawaii is the most beautiful place I've ever been; the hotel pools faded into the ocean seamlessly. It didn't hurt that I also fell into my first crush in Hawaii when I was 14, and simultaneously discovered virgin pina coladas.
What's your guilty pleasure?
Brownies that are way undercooked with pink powdered sugar on top.
What's your most unusual talent?
I can touch my tongue to my nose. Wanna see?
What word/phrase do you say way too often?
"How come?," "But why?" and "No way!"
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
A crazy scientist/inventor. Of course, the purpose was to invent a money tree, and when I realized that wasn't possible, I gave up on the idea.
Who's your hero?
My mother; she is such an amazing person. She supports me in everything I do and has this incredible, wonderful, generous heart.
What's your fashion style?
I mix it up. I like anything funky. I’ll wear an '80s corset with jeans and pink heels or Vans sneakers with a prairie skirt. Of course, the sneakers/skirt combo makes my friends stand a little farther away from me when we go out, but I laugh at them and point when their feet are killing them in their heels.
Her Favorites
Color: It changes often, but at the moment it's gold; if it's gold and glittery, that's even better!
Scent: The smell of cinnamon on anything fattening and buttery.
Music: The Eagles because they are the best band ever! A few favorite songs of mine are "Cruisin’" by Huey Lewis and Gwyneth Paltrow, "Bad Boy" by Miami Sound Machine and "Escape" by Rupert Holmes.
Food: Potato pancakes, potato wedges, baked potatoes, potato chips, roasted red potatoes with rosemary, mashed potatoes, twice-baked potatoes, hash browns, tater tots, potato soup, French fries. You say potato, I say, OK.
Magazine: Elle Decor. It's the only subscription I have.
Movie: Goonies. If I get homesick, it makes me feel like I'm at my momma's house.
TV Show: Sex and the City
Room in your house: My bedroom because I have a Tempur-pedic bed that is to die for. I love to cuddle up and watch a movie on the big flat-screen with my dog, Lundon.
Room to design: Any room that has good architectural bones
Thing in your home: A 1970s acrylic gold-sparkled side table I found at an estate sale for $10.
Hobbies: Painting and estate sale hopping. I also like to ride my bike, surf and wakeboard. I also have this thing about organizing my cabinets; I love to do it so much that I over-organize and can’t maintain it.
Vacation destination: I'm dying to go to New Zealand.
HGTV show: I love them all so that's hard to pick; it just depends on my mood. If I have to say one, then it's Deserving Design, because I love the idea of creating for people that uniquely deserve to have this incredible space.
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