Rowhouse Showdown

While I really enjoyed binge-watching the entire series over the course of a few days, I have to note that it offers more in the way of entertainment than practical how-to or useful inspiration. Still-fun, silly, and dramatic. In other words, a fine, "unscripted" reality show.

Having worked with contractors, designers, and trades on my own renovations, I was surprised and disconcerted by the piecemeal format. While there's nothing wrong with dressing one room at a time, I can't think of anything more ridiculous than actually finishing one room - painting trim and arranging tchotchkes - before starting demo on the other rooms.

There seems to be very little attention given (by the competitors or the judges) to the distinction between design and decor. Or, for that matter, art and accessory. While the San Diego team seems to accessorize with the best of them, real sophistication demands balance and control - and all of the issues raised by the judges do speak to one or the other of these criteria. I can't see the winning team - or any of their competitors - as anything more than enthusiastic amateurs.

Still - squeaky Josh is such a caricature, it's hard not to smile.

I love any renovation that isn't my own.

While the final winners had beautiful designs, the execution and workmanship was a great disappointment. Such shoddy workmanship really makes you wonder what you cannot see. This was a awesome idea to revitalize a family neighborhood but the judges were biased in that they were not looking for the "family" orientation of the design. The question should have been, "can I see my family living here?". The bathroom in the winning design was truly pathetic, so many mistakes made and I'm not singling out only the final winners. However, they were the ones with failures in the craftsmanship. The grout in one room, terrible tiling in another. One of the criteria in judging was the execution and construction of the design. The show overall was a FAIL.

I really enjoyed seeing how these houses that have such beautiful bones, be brought beach to their glory. I just wish they didn't focus so much on the drama participants. I don't care for reality drama shows. But I love watching design and transformations. I just couldn't stand Geoff and, especially, Josh's personalities. They are cringe-worthy. I watched the show for design, not their dumb, narcissistic, diva drama. The idea that people find that awful behavior entertaining, saddens me. I loved watching Dan and Katie design and solve problems. They are professionals who act like adults, not bratty children like the former. I'd love to see more seasons, but without the childish antics.

Overall, I love the idea of taking a dilapidated building and bringing it back to life, and would love to see more of that.