MY VIEW 6.08.08

Like many, I like to watch, as one of my co-workers refers to as, those crazy reality shows. My favorite being “HGTV Design Star” which will air on Sunday, June 8 on HGTV at 8 p.m and run through Sunday, August 3..

This year marks the third season for the show which will be filmed in Nashville, Tennessee.

Among the ones selected for this year’s competition was a local from Lafayette, Dwayne Paul DeRouen, also known as D-Paul by his friends.

D-Paul was selected from thousands of entries to join this elite group. As one of the nine designers selected, D-Paul will have the opportunity to star in his very own design show.

I recently had a chance to speak with D-Paul on the phone, and I must say he is a very nice person. Through this phone interview, I learned a little about him.

He told me that he started his career as an architectural designer after graduating from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

D-Paul said he believes his formal training instilled a “function before aesthetic” approach to his design style and the most important element of design is a proper space plan.

D-Paul is married and has four little girls that keep him very busy.

“I’m at my most creative sense when I am sleeping,” he said. Going on to say that in fact, he even keeps a journal by the bed to record his design dreams. He also relies on music to keep the creativity flowing.

Despite Dwayne’s beliefs about preparedness and space planning, his approach to life is a bit more spontaneous.

D-Paul says he “works hard, plays hard and is willing to take a risk to create something beautiful.”

I am really looking forward to watching this show every Sunday night. With each week, the excitement will grow as the drama unfolds between the finalists.

Sizing up their competition, navigating the compelling design challenges and attempting to impress the judges with their ingenious design skills will be the only things on the minds of these courageous people.

In a news release sent to me by Courtney Smith, PGPR, for HGTV Design Star, I was informed that viewers will be able to vote for their favorite designer either online or by phone once the judges have narrowed the competition down to two finalists. Viewers will also have a chance to win fantastic prizes throughout the series.

On that note, I will end by saying “Good Luck to our Louisiana native and the other eight finalists!”

I will be watching. What about you?