It’s down to just two finalists now in HGTV’s “Design Star”

HGTV Design Star 4/Host Clive Pearse, Challenge 9: Dan Vickery, one of the two final designers, competes in the biggest Design Star challenge yet - making over an entire home for a deserving family. Photo credit: Aaron Rapoport

Tattooed Antonio Ballatore and sweet Dan Vickery remain as the two finalists for this season’s Design Star, which airs Sunday nights on HGTV.

The talent this year hasn’t been the best, but learning new tips and ideas, is worth watching the show, nonetheless. Who knew colored paper napkins could be arranged to create deco wall art?

Narrowing down to the top contestants has been a little painful. Tashica Morgan, who was eliminated Week 4, must have skipped a few design classes along the way. Her sloppy painting alone was reason to end her short fame. Why on earth was she on the show in the first place?

Nathan Galui might have progressed further, if time wasn’t a design factor and others didn’t continuously question his decisions. He was eliminated Week 5 for such reasons.

What baffles me is the efforts it takes to succeed on the show. Several talented contestants (i.e. Jen Guerin, the show’s color expert and the quiet and unasserted Torie Halbert) were eliminated, possibly from the clock running out rather than their own personal talents. Jen, although a little quirky, seems to have a focused, slowly-but-surely notion about her. Those types can’t be rushed. They can’t be pushed under the pressure of the clock. Their talent becomes skewed and the result is anything but special.

Torie Halbert, oh Torie. Pretty face, nice smile, but absolutely no self-esteem. She’s one of the few contestants with a pure, unadulterated style, but Torie, must you doubt yourself to such an extent? Don’t let your competition dictate your natural-born gifts! Oh, and count your budget dollars several times before settling on the money you have in hand. Torie took the heat in Week 7 though because of her money blunders and questionable leadership skills.

Lonni Paul was definitely the one-wall-design wonder. Her style was overshadowed by her vibrant patterns incorporated as the focal point for an entire design. She clearly had a more modern style, but always took the safe route, and was eliminated in Week 8.

Dan Vickery stills hangs on amidst his design nemesis: Antonio Ballatore, who might end up winning the entire show for his in-your-face attitude and style. Does Dan really have what it takes to run his own show? Sure, he sports some smooth skills, but I have my doubts on his showy aptitude.

Antonio has raw talent and a stubborn eye for the final outcome. I’m fully aware, that he’s actually lucked out when clients approved of his color enhancements, like the hot pink birds he painted and positioned above the client’s fireplace. I was nervous for him, but the whole idea worked, and he wowed the judges once again.

In Week 8, Antonio nervously said, “What makes a good designer is someone that can conceptually figure out what to do with a space, with the money you have, with the time you have, and who you are designing for.” Um, okay. That’s like calling an orange, an orange, but regardless of his ability to define his thoughts, he’s confident and someone the judges have been leaning towards all along.

If this “Design Star” season proves anything, its: talent + personality + stubborn determination divided by ridiculous time constraints for completion = winning their own show on HGTV.

Don’t miss the show’s finale, airing September 13, 7:00p PT/10:00p ET. If you miss the show on Sunday nights, the most recent episode is also available on iTunes every Tuesday morning.