Talking to Gainesville Magazine brought back memories of living in Gainesville as a UF student — some of the best years of my life! Check out the article.
Throwback Thursday! Design Star Audition Video
To celebrate Throwback Thursday, I thought I'd share something that I've kept to a very few select sets of eyes — until now: my very first HGTV audition video! Most of you may not know this, but almost 3 years ago, I auditioned for Design Star (now called HGTV Star). Obviously, I was not chosen for that show, but that's what led to me being asked to be on White Room Challenge, and eventually Brother vs. Brother. I think the first part of the video shows my personality much more than all six episodes of Brother vs. Brother, when I was just concentrating on bringing home the $50k. So, here's the video. Sorry the quality is so horrible. (I have a better camera now!)
What do you all think?
Brother vs. Brother Episode #6 – Finale!
I WON!!! I couldn't be more thankful for the opportunity to HGTV, Loren Ruch, Drew & Jonathan Scott, CBS and the rest of the crew. It was an experience I will cherish forever. As you witnessed, words could not explain. I prepared and played the game to the best of my ability and it worked out.
I look forward to growing from this and someday join the HGTV family with my own show??? Stay tuned!
Brother vs Brother episode #5 "Flu Hits Home"
I'm in the finals, baby!
I can't say enough about what an amazing experience this has been. I want to give Mark from Team Jonathan a shout. Seeing his work on the show, I realize he was a very strong competitor. He'll definitely be missed. Keep in mind that I am seeing the other team's work for the first time along with everyone else on TV. I didn't get to see it on set, since the teams were isolated from each other during filming.
This episode was the first time that I felt tension between me and the rest of team Drew. Although you didn't see it on the final cut of the episode, I nearly lost it! It was the the culmination of several weeks of working at a crazy pace and missing my family. At that precise moment, the difference of opinion between me, Monica, and Brett over the bathroom tile just got to me. I felt I had to remind myself why I chose to put myself through this. So, I wrote "Love you Emily" on my forearm. Emily is the 6 yr-old princess that rules my happy kingdom. She's my heart and soul -- the reason I wake up in the morning and push myself so hard. It was only on screen for a split second, so in case you missed it, here it is!
Despite all that, I pushed through and and finished the tile in the bathroom. Luckily, we added enough value and I'm happy to say that Brett, Monica, and I all made it to the finals. Even after all the tension, Team Drew was still all smiles after it was over.
IT'S GAME TIME, NOW!!! See you Sunday!
Brother v.s. Brother episode #4 "The Fallout"
Woohoo! Team Drew pulls it out again!
Down a team member each, it came down to who pulled together their remodel best and added the most value. Despite what we all saw, Brett and Monica did a great job pulling the kitchen and laundry room together in the little time we had left. Brett had some issues with the backsplash, but in his defense, the counters were not installed until halfway through the last day. That gave us only hours to install and grout that backsplash.
Fortunately, my gamble on taking on the largest room in the challenge paid off! Hilary's face alone, when she saw our living room, was worth all the effort.
This was the first time in the competition that I set out to make a statement with not only my installation versatility, but design ability as well.
Time management was key in this challenge. I knew we all had to do a lot of pre-planning if we wanted to have a shot at winning. I had this room designed down to the space plan, well ahead of time.
Regardless of how well we plan, however, being able to design on the fly is crucial. The competition is so fast paced, that most of the time you have to adapt your design as you go along. As you can see in my original sketch, I planned on doing moldings below the chair rail as well. Once I started, I quickly realized that I wasn't going to have time to do that. Since it still looked great without the lower moldings, I just edited them out at the last minute.
The next one is a nail biter . . . catch up before tonight at http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/video/player/0,1000149,HGTV_32796_15241_78444-119114,00.html
Brother v.s. Brother episode #3 "Double Jeopardy"
Episode3 does not disappoint.
In my opinion, best episode yet. Our morning started much like all others: 6am call time. This was our view in the morning from our Hollywood loft apartment:
This week we were really thrown for a loop when Drew and Jonathan decided to turn the intensity up by eliminating one member of each team at the midpoint of this challenge.
It was a soggy start to this one but that wasn't going to stop us. If it there’s one thing Team Drew does well is work together--or at least I thought so until this challenge. When we were told one member would leave at the midpoint, we really saw everyone trying to own their space and start to fight to leave their "signature".
I decided to finally show my design skills. For the past two challenges I was more of the "handy" guy on the team. Now it was time to let Drew know I could design as well.
Brett and Monica decided to take on the kitchen & Christy the laundry room. So I chose the living room, since I felt it could add a great deal of value and be the biggest impact as you walk into the house. Here are some sketches of the fireplace.
So unfortunately after 2 days, Christy was the latest casualty. Team Drew will really miss her. Take a look at Christy's exit interview:
http://blog.hgtv.com/HGTVersus/2013/08/06/double-elimination-team-drew-sends-christy-home/
At this point the competition gets very tricky. How do you make your mark on a space while helping the team win the challenge? My strategy: I have to take on tasks that I can finish early to give me enough time to help out my teammates if needed. At this point Brett has asked me for help with the kitchen floor as well as the backsplash. Also, keep in mind we're now down 1 person and we all have to pick up the slack in the laundry room. I don't know if I can help everyone and get my room finished and staged!
