NataLee Callahan

Age: 30

Education: Bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism from Brigham Young University

Current Job: Interior decorator

Why I should win HGTV Design Star:
This is my ultimate dream job. I have been trying to prepare myself for this incredible opportunity for a long time. I want to be able to use the talents I have been blessed with to bless others' lives. After all, isn't that what life is all about? Hopefully along the way I can put a smile on a lot of people's faces, too.

Describe your design style in four words.
Transitional, fun, comfortable and unexpected

Who is your design icon?
Candice Olson

What is your dream design project?
I would like to design a playroom in a children's hospital with a budget large enough to do a really good job. Hopefully it would be a place where a sick child would feel really happy, laugh a lot and focus on getting better.

Where do you get your inspiration?
Inspiration can come from the most unexpected places. I have gained inspiration from a necklace to a bowl to a shirt. Whatever has colors, patterns and textures that speak to you is inspiration.

When designing, what can't you live without?
My camera and measuring tape

What are your most creative hours of the day?
The most creative time for me is when I am trying to sleep at night. My mind won't shut down and let me sleep because the wheels in my mind are spinning.

What do you think is the worst design trend?
A design trend I didn’t love was mauve or forest-green carpet and pickled oak cabinets from the '90s.

What's one thing about you that would surprise people?
I think it would surprise people to know that I've had heart surgery.

Where's the farthest you've ever traveled from home?
I traveled to Belgium and Hungary with my dance group a little over 10 years ago where we performed for large audiences and on their national TV stations. It was a great experience.

What's your guilty pleasure?
I like something sweet everyday.

What's your most unusual talent?
I am a clogger. It's one of the types of dances we performed in Europe.

What word/phrase do you say way too often?
"So." I asked my husband and he immediately said, "so." So, apparently I say "so" a lot!

When I was a kid, I thought I would be:
A famous singer/actress.

Who's your hero?
My 95-year-old grandma who is still a spit fire. She's done a lot of good in her lifetime.

What's your fashion style?
Young, hip and fun

Favorites
Color: Teal
Scent: Coconut and vanilla
Music: I love music, everything from rock to rap to country to Broadway. No reggae or jazz for me, please. My guilty pleasure is Eminem.
Song: "What About Now?" by Daughtry
Food: Sushi
Magazine: Better Homes and Gardens
Movie: Twilight
TV Show: Anything on HGTV and American Idol
Room in your house: Living room
Room to design: Bedrooms
Thing in your home: Framed picture of my husband and me with a poem he wrote me.
Hobbies: Besides decorating, spending time with my family, singing, dancing, violin, movies, friends and traveling
Vacation destination: Anywhere with palm trees, warm weather and saltwater
HGTV show: Divine Design, Designed to Sell, Deserving Design and Color Splash
Design tip: Learn how to sew. It can save you "sew" much money.