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HGTV's newest Design Star, Antonio Ballatore. Photo: HGTV
Arms wrapped in tattoos. Greets you with an apathetic "yo." And doesn't give a fitted sheet what anyone thinks of him. These aren't typically traits you'd find in an interior designer -- let alone one who just won over three picky judges to earn himself his own show. But after winning HGTV's coveted top honor on the fourth season of "Design Star," Antonio Ballatore has ripped apart the stereotype of what it means to be a designer.
Once a musician, Antonio believed he would be a rock star by age 40. But in between gigs he was learning to build houses and quickly discovered a whole new passion. This eventually led him into the profession of set design, where he created sets for world famous photographers including Annie Leibovitz. Now this New York native lives in L.A. with his English Bulldog and is preparing himself for a different kind of rock-stardom -- one for design addicts.
I chatted with Antonio about his best design tips, what we can expect on his new show (airing in January) and his crush on Genevieve Gorder.
What made you decide to try out for the fourth season of Design Star?
Antonio Ballatore: My good friend Joan sent in my gallery and a brief bio, so I kind of got talked into it by friends.
Standing up on that platform in the minutes before they announced that you'd won, what was going through your head?
I couldn't wait to get home and lay in bed with my dog, Chewie, and get some rest! Oh, yeah, and I was thinking, "I've got this in the bag!"
You've been described as having a design style that "manages to straddle the line between tasteful and outrageous." What are your thoughts on that?
I think every person has his or her own take on what is tasteful and outrageous. For me, it's all about personalization and pushing design beyond the norm.
If you're given a bare, white room and only one can of paint, what color would it be and how would you apply it?
Wow, that's a hard one! It would depend on what kind of mood I'm in and what I had for breakfast or to drink the night before! [laughs]
On one of the final episodes of "Design Star" you were given the task of designing a space for Kathy Griffin. Give us the dirt: Is she as funny off camera as she is on? A total diva?
Kathy is awesome! I had a lot of fun on that episode -- I think you will be seeing more of us together in the future.
What were your favorite and least favorite spaces of the season to design?
My least favorite probably was the backyard because it was more about just getting it finished and not about design; it was over 10,000 square feet and too much drama. My favorite was probably designing 5-year-old Connor's room, even though I wanted to do so much more. Also, the navy base was awesome; getting to help that family really hit home for me.
Any dish on fellow contestants or judges that you'd like to share with us? We promise we'll keep it secret.
Hmmm... I had a little crush on Genevieve Gorder before I found out she was married!
Most TV hosts have their own catch phrase. Should we expect one from you?
I don't think I'm the catch phrase kind of guy. I'm trying to break that mold of the traditional host.
What should we expect from your new show (airing in January)?
All I can say right now is: Expect the unexpected!
Final note: Can you leave our readers with your top three Never-Fail Design Tips to create their own show-stopping space?
Don't be afraid to take chances. Personalize! Customize!
Want more from the HGTV pros? Check out HGTV Stars' 10 Tips for Easy Seasonal Updates
Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)
But Genevieve is married and has a child. He needs to forget her and look elsewhere. Oh yeah..
ReplyI AM SO EXCITED TO SEE AN EXCITING AND FRESH HOST ON HGTV. ANTONIO IS THE BEST THING ON HGTV IN A WHILE. I have been a devoted fan since the begining. I love the fact that Antonio is not a cookie cutter replica of all of the other hosts. He is exciting and different. It is about design and esthetics w him, not following the trends. I don't want and ordinary kitchen. I don't think that is what Antonio would give me.He will deliver designs that are from the heart, not the latest mag. I cannot wait for his show! I am doing a kitchen right now, if he called tomorrow... WOW!!!
ReplyWe love u Antonio! We are looking forward to the show!!!
ReplyThis guy can't design his way out of a paper bag. The talent pool this year was so lacking that a mediocre set designer won.
Oh, yeah, bad boy--I get it. Who knew all you needed to be a design star was an armful of tattoos.
Personally, I think Antonio is going to fill a niche, that as of late is missing....His work is very "fresh" yet extremely "liveable"......His advice to "personalize" struck home as this is difficult for me.... I easily slide into that furniture showroom rutt without noticing....Also his personality seems so honest that I believe he would be easy to relate to....I look forward to the premiere of his show.....He is welcome to do my house anytime............
ReplyThis guy is a joke. His designs are horrible. What was HGTV thinking?
ReplyYou hit the nail on the head. Don't know what those three judges were thinking. eeekkk. I'll never watch his show.
Yeah,Hey congrats to Antonio.Dude Im happy you won,cant wait to see your upcoming show.Your design flavor is kool.Hey Bro take it to the NEXT LEVEL Outter Space..Keep on being you in all your future Design Shows.Be talkin to ya on the flip/flop 10 4
ReplyHe was the worst designer since the show started..this was a big fix and I wont watch it again!
ReplyGive me a break!!! Dan had the best on every episode. Antonio's designs were in proper proportion the woest was when he did Kathy Griffins the rugs were to small and nothing was in proportion. They just let him in to try and get a different viewing audience. Dan was robed
Replywell he talks the talk let us hope he can deliver...it is kind of offputting when a person has to keep porclaiming how different they are,,,he should just show us thru his work, not keeping banging us ove the head with his bad boy attitude.
ReplyWhat a freaking dirtbag.
ReplyAfter seeing Antonio win now I really believe these shows are fixed. Dan was much better and he deserved to win. I think Project Runway is another joke, I wonder how much they pay these people to act?
ReplyI LOVE ANTONIO !!!! I wanted him to win since the first challenge, he's fun, exciting, daring, & classy, not to mention CUTTEEE ( MOEWWW ) . I can't wait to see his show on HGTV, for those slinging mud because he has tattoo's GROW UP WILL YOU PLEASE !!! sounds like you're jealous to me.
ReplyI'm looking forward to his show. It should be fun while providing some unique design ideas!
ReplyAntonio is definitely entertaining and will bring some fresh air to the programming, I hope. He's certainly different than all the other designers, but not the only one with tattoos. (David Bromstad). So who cares about Antonio's personal philosophy or body art? Tattoos haven't hurt David's talent or show.
Antonio's very engaging. I'm eager to see what he can show us.
Dan lost because he can't follow directions as well as Antonio. He over spent. Would you want a designer to give you a price and at the end say," oh, by the way - it's costing a lot more than expected."
ReplyAntonio has nothing to worry about what people think,I first of all think he's very mmm hot,georgous,second I thought he did a great job on he's own house.I lost hgtv on cablevision,I'm very upset,I was looking foward to seeing Antonio new show.So good luck Antonio(hotty).Joanna
ReplyLet's talk about the judges for one moment. Candice is #1, top designer by far. Vern Yip, hmmm, I remember one show where he put real candles that you had to light, over a bed. Then on top of that, another of his shows, he placed a bed in a living room and made an office in a bedroom. I only think that his show is on because it donates to the cause of those who help others. He is not a designer and doesn't come close to any of the girls and guys on HGTV. Maybe they should cancel him.
ReplyThe show was 100% fixed from the outset. Bear in mind that these "reality shows" are actually tightly plotted and actually scripted (with some [bad] ad-libbing allowed). This season's crop of designers was unusually weak, but Antonio Ballatore isn't even good by the lowered bar set for this year.
ReplyHE'S A SET DESIGNER. His work has to photograph interestingly; it doesn't have to be workable or livable. His Guido Trailer Trash aesthetic, in the harsh light of TV videotape, looks sadly cheap-- Crack House Chic. And I defy anyone to wear light clothing and then sit on one of his spray-painted couches, and then rave about how much they like it. The one design I liked from his show so far has been a boutique showroom. You don't have to LIVE there, you just have to want to SHOP there. And his trashy designs will WORK in Silver Lake shops, recording studios and tattoo parlors.
But I do see how Ballatore is attractive to those girls who want a man who will proudly be a douchebag to their loving, vacant faces. He's a Bad Boy, and The Love of a Strong Dishrag-- er, Woman-- Will Make Him GOOD. Or Make Him Laser off the Tattoos with Old Girlfriends' Names. Newsflash, ladies-- you're deluding yourselves.