Sunday, August 2, 2009

Design Star- Season 4, Episode 3

This weekends episode of Design Star had the season 4 contestants competing against each other in the "White Wall Challenge".



The catch- they could only use things found at a grocery store!

Since I put my design together earlier this week, I used this photo of what a previous seasons cast had to use furniture-wise when creating my drawing:

I created a make-believe, Layla-style, "Relax & Read" room design.
This is not what I would have done if I was actually on the show. I heard one of the contestants say that the judges were looking for big, wild designs, but I didn't know that when I created this drawing earlier this week. So this one will just be for fun! :-)




As always, just hover over the photo above to see it transform from a previous seasons White Wall Challenge photo, to what I came up with.


The two paint colors I chose are Sherwin Williams' "Sea Salt" (or something like it), and just a plain old regular white.
I would cut brown paper bags into squares and saturate them in a glue/water mixture. Then I'd apply them (backwards) to the walls, to simulate a khaki-colored wainscoting. (Backwards so any writing that might be on the bags wouldn't show)

To create the look of chair rail moulding and base boards, I would simply leave the wall white in those areas.
To simulate a banded sisal one, the rug would have been made up of dog food and bordered in Milk Duds.
The bookcase would be painted white, and hung horizontally on the wall above the small sofa.

I would paper the wall behind it with blue, brown and white striped wrapping paper.

I would also use the same striped wrapping paper to cover the "throw pillows", which would actually be extra-large zip lock bags filled with air.

Inside (and atop) the bookcase is a variety of different-sized cereal boxes, covered in more brown paper bags. I would number the spines of some of them (with a marker) just to add a fun, graphic punch.

To create symmetry, I mimicked the look of the two nesting tables on the left by using a similarly-sized cardboard box, painted white, cut in the shape of the larger nesting table. It would also get a coat of white paint.
I would buy two potted plants at the store, but I'd remove the plants and use two wooden spoons stuck down into the dirt instead. They would be cut at two different lengths. The spoon part would be nestled down in the dirt (for stability) and the handle would be pointing up. I would create topiaries by piercing a grapefruit down onto the top of each handle, and then using toothpicks. I'd attach small broccoli heads to the grapefruits. In theory, it sounds like a really cool idea- but until I tried it, who knows if this would really work or not!
:-)

I also love the idea of using boxes covered in granola, or pasta, to simulate baskets. I would even cut out a handle (as shown in my drawing), so that they look even more like real baskets.

The "frames" on the left wall are actually aluminum foil boxes, covered in black trash bags, and attached to the wall in the shape of picture frames. On the wall underneath the brown boxes are white paper towels, to act as mats. Greeting cards that have black and white photography on the fronts of them would be attached in the middle of the paper towels.

On the right wall, I would hand paint a massive quote that reads, "Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is an ideal life". (It's so true!)

The lower shelf of the coffee table would be painted the same "Sea Salt" color that the walls are painted.

On top of the coffee table, I'd use a cookie sheet as a tray. Chic peas would act as small stones surrounding a candlescape in the center of the tray. I would sink the candles down into vegetables such as artichokes, and wrap some of them with green beans and asparagus. Some kind of ribbon, string or twine would neatly hold the stalks in place around the chunky candles.


The last thing I did was "paint" a wide, chocolate brown stripe down the center of the sofa with Hershey's syrup to simulate a throw blanket.

And there you have it!
It was so fun putting this together. I may actually have to try the broccoli topiary thing sometime! Ha ha! :-)


Layla

47 comments:

hzgrace said...

You did good girl! I think your idea of the ziplock bags filled with air is genius. I was surprised that no one else had thought of the brown bags

You have a blessed day and keep on creating

Anonymous said...

you are certainly more clever than most of the contestants. I watched tonight and I liked Tori's room best.......however, you would give them all a run for their money Layla.

Laurel said...

Well what can I say that I haven't already said. So fun, so smart, so Layla. Love it! All of it. No matter what you are destined for greatness, girl. Actually, you're already there!

The Blushing Hostess said...

I will never get enough of that design tool. Thank you for this post.

Shannon said...

Very creative! I love your color choice. I just watched this episode, and I am amazed at some of the designs people came up with. Napkins on the wall, and the apple guy were my favorite!

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

WOW! And to think you came up with all those ideas and no hallucenogenic drugs were involved! You are beyond incredible!

Unknown said...

What a cool challenge! I could totally go for the hersheys syrup blanket, lol : )

Dana and Daisy said...

I was surprised at the elimination last night, even though her room didn't meet expectations, the other girl I thought was for sure history.

B'ham nancy said...

Love it!!

Anonymous said...

I think I love this color..sea salt..I think I love this room! I think you need to be my neighbor~

Somewhere In The Sun said...

Very relaxing a peaceful..yet fun! I like yours better than any of the ones from the show.

Liz said...

I was actually thinking of what you would come up with last night as I watched. This is so awesome!

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

My goodness. I watched it thinking what would layla do. you blow me away!

Cheri said...

Layla,

I don't know that the judges were looking for large wild design as much as ingenuity with the use of items from a grocery store and girl you were spot on. The large wall, you made use with your quote and I think that was something else they were looking for, because they made a comment about the word "Respect" on one of the walls being small on a large wall. You rock!

PS~Erin said...

So very creative! Can't wait for you to be on the show... You must try out again!!

Elz said...

Once again, your design is head and shoulders above what we saw last night. I think the judges would have preferred good design (like yours) over some of the big, bold and bad designs last night. I certainly hope the designs we see get better.

BALLET NEWS said...

Well done - all gorgeous !

Anonymous said...

Very cool! Love the dog food and milk duds idea...never would have thought that one up. ;)

Lynn Kellan said...

Hi Layla,
I am always inspired by your ideas. Keep 'em coming!!

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

I was wondering last night what you would do too! I love your design! The judges would have loved it too!

I liked Tori's room and the little guy with glasses' room.

Lou Cinda :)

Farmgirl Paints said...

Just watched it last night. You should have been on the show. I love both of your designs.

Anonymous said...

You are amazing with your ideas!! You need to be on Design Star!!

Kristina

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

I don't watch design start because I know I can just come here and see your amazing transformation. Such fun. :)

Tracy Watier said...

Good job, Layla! I love the broccolli-on-grapefruit topiary idea... that would make a fun centerpiece for a party... and I'll bet it would smell good too!

Anna Whiston-Donaldson said...

this looks great! what fun you must have had coming up with it.

Lylah Ledner said...

So, why are YOU on the show? You're good! Love your fun ideas!

Keep em coming!

Lylah
La Maison et le Jardin

Melaine Thompson said...

Ok, what were they thinking passing you up? Seriously? I couldn't believe some of the designs these "designers" came up with! I was also racking my brain on what I would do and I too would have done the walls in brown paper bags! Great minds think alike huh? Melaine

Little Lovables said...

once again, I much prefer your design!

BellaLinda said...

I am amazed at your design visions. Wow!!

Joi said...

Amazing! I just found your blog and love it! You would've rocked that challenge!

Casey said...

Love it Layla!!
Your decorating ideas are fabulous!!
Your's are #1 in my book!!!!
I vote that you should have your own show!!! :)

Kim said...

I can't see your design. I see a red X, then I hover over it and can see the red/white/black room. I'm so anxious to see your design! As I was watching last night I was also wondering what your take would be on it. Hopefully the glitch will go away and I can see it! :o)

denise @ little ant design said...

Great job! Love the cereal boxes and the "baskets". Your frame idea is great too.

Bernadette said...

How about a bunch of lemons in the bottom of huge glass vase with a handful of elegant flowers?

Anonymous said...

Ahhhhhh!! I can't see your design!! I only see a Red X and then if I hover over that, I see the red/white/black room. :(

Anonymous said...

Hi! I received my photos today and LOVE them! I can't wait to finally get my wall put together. Just wondering ~ if Kevin thinks he can do the photo requests (sent an email). Like everyone, I'm sure, I cannot wait to see the inside of the cabinet and the pillows with the hint of red. Your home is getting more and more beautiful by the day! Good Luck with all your new adventures.
Sarah

EMBELLISH said...

I was seriously pulling for you to be a contestant on this show. I honestly believe you would have done well. You are very talented and I am little taken back by the folks who were chosen for season 4?

Rose - Watching Waves said...

Darn it! I'm just getting a red X, too. I love seeing your take on each week's challenge. (Design Star should know you're doing this, I think. Have you told them? Could be an interesting arc for the show.)

paula said...

love this!

Kasey at Thrifty Little Blog said...

This is my favorite design star challenge! You came up with some great ideas. I love those candle holders!!

Unknown said...

I love your version of the room!!! The topiary idea is soooo cleaver! Great job Layla! Keep it up!

geri said...

Layla.
Hi. I purchased the book The Fixer Upper. I needed a book for my train commute and the lake.
"Love It"!!
So glad you talked about it and recommended it.
I am up to Chapter 39 and can't wait to pick it up again.
I think I am the one doing the "Fixer- Upping".
Thanks. Can't wait to see your take on next weeks Design Star Challege.
I must say you are totally outdoing the contestants. Yea! Geri

Shari Sunday said...

I am so disappointed that my hover picture doesn't work this time. Did anyone else have this problem. I see a little square with an 'x'. When I double click on it, I see a room with red walls, but no 'hover' picture. I was looking forward to seeing YOUR room.

Cathy said...

Wow this looks great!

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

Grrrrrrrr :-(
My hover picture isn't working either.
Your description sounds fun~ I just had to use my imagination. You are fabulous dawling!

Missy in Texas said...

The picture isn't working for me either... bummer. I really want to see it!

Anonymous said...

yeah, not working for me either. :(