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HGTV What Were You Thinking? Color Splash?????

Submitted by Editor The Decorating Diva.com on Wednesday, 16 May 2007

This weekend was my catch-up on new HGTV shows I hadn’t seen or were recently premiering. Unfortunately, one of those shows that got TIVOed was Color Splash with David Bromstad – which happens to be an awful – let me emphasize AWFUL show.

The show lacks personality, creativity (it’s a combination of me-too shows) and in all honesty feels like someone dragging their fingernails across a blackboard – you get the idea. Which is actually sad because Bromstad has design talent,his hosting skills are a bit rough but I think he could quickly change that – the key here is that his talent is wasted on a poorly compiled show.

Bromstad’s designs are clean and modern which I love but his design talent is completely overshadowed by his relationship with his assistant which feels forced (and that’s putting it nicely), his lack of polish as the show’s host and the really awful way the filming/editing is done. The show comes across as choppy and disjoint. It fails to inspire or instruct (design principles, application and how “real life” design problems can be solved) – HGTV seems to be losing it’s creative how-to decorate edge to TLC, Discovery Channel and DIY NET.

Side Note: When I have some more time this week or next I will post on some design ideas for shows that I’d love to see on HGTV – let me know yours and I will post them.

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28 Comments »

  • Gayla Bowers said:

    Your funny!

    - 27 April 2008 at 5:45 pm
  • cam said:

    I think HGTV is trying too hard to show David off as a sexy guy (but he’s gay) so they have to add co-host female to tone that down, who btw, I don’t think the show needs 2 hosts… because he’s the star, and she should just be the helper, like the carpenter. Just be there to execute the design, not help with the design.

    David’s tv hosting skill isn’t good by himself, not yet. he’s more natural talking to Danielle, which is why they keep forcing her into being a co-host when she should just be doing the work, like the carpenter.

    I love David’s artistic talent but it’s like the producers are trying different ways to show him off which they are trying to see if people want to know David’s personal life along with his talent. It may be, I don’t know, but none of their other shows go into the personal side of the host. The host just presents the design and goes on. No story or update about what’s been happening in their life. I guess after the reality show, people might be expecting to know more of the personal side of David.

    I enjoy the show, like David’s personality, and esp love all the art work he personally gives the homeowners. I get some sense of “forced” assistant scripting though. The show is trying new things I guess.

    - 13 July 2008 at 11:04 am
  • Heather said:

    I think that Color Splash is great. He seems like a very likeable guy and I think he is a great artist.

    - 18 July 2008 at 8:21 pm
  • Cat said:

    Color Splash is my favorite HGTV show. It continues to become better and better.

    - 25 July 2008 at 2:28 pm
  • Ms. Rose Nemes Bernard said:

    If David Bromstad has an agent or someone who can help with his talking, that one may be able to give assistance regarding his speaking tone. Does he have a sinus ailment? Could that be remedied for him through a doctor? And yes, he does need some more guidance in hosting as the primary person on the show! He still seems a little nervous, but he has definitely improved since the shows in the beginning.

    I love his color splashes! I could sure use some of his instruction along these lines, too! I may have gone overboard with my style, but would rather do that than be drab!

    - 18 October 2008 at 9:26 pm
  • Rainie Gadway said:

    David Bromstad’s talent is outstanding! His show is about the design not “selling himself” A magnificent crew, full of ideas on their own. I enjoy most of the design shows, but Color Splash is my favorite. David is a nice guy, full of expression-his nervousness is about pleasing the guests. I could watch David’s Color Splash all day and never ever be bored…

    Christmas is approaching and I can’t wait to try “his tall trees with the gift box stacks” and after Christmas I will be blending paint that I was taught by the lovely Danielle, I enjoy her faux finishes-the ragging techniques in my home get most of the compliments of my decor. Thank you Danielle. Thank you David.

    - 21 October 2008 at 8:08 pm
  • vp said:

    Why haven’t there been any NEW shows lately?
    I love David and look forward to his shows.
    Thanks,
    VP

    - 30 November 2008 at 8:41 pm
  • ko said:

    even though on my opinion David Bromstad is the most talented artist and “fairy land” designer on hgtv (and definitely the only one with a noticeable classical art training), the show is (purposely?) not using his full potential.
    “the key here is that his talent is wasted on a poorly compiled show”-
    exactly!!! but why is that still true? and why do hgtv has so many smooth and pretty shows with so many mediocre designers/hosts???

    - 3 December 2008 at 2:28 am
  • Carmen Natschke - Editor, The Decorating Diva LLC (author) said:

    ko, I wish I had an answer for that. David is very talented and the show/HGTV network is not capitalizing on his great strengths. In my opinion, to their detriment, HGTV has fallen on hard times design-wise, and, yes, I completely agree with your last statement “smooth and pretty shows with so many mediocre designers/hosts”. To be honest I barely watch the HGTV network anymore.

    - 3 December 2008 at 3:45 pm
  • David in Houston said:

    Carmen girl get over it. You are so not in tune. Oh that’s right you don’t have a show, so you feel the need to dis. Go back to whereever you came from. OMG you so 20th century

    - 28 December 2008 at 10:47 am
  • Floy Calogero said:

    I love David Bromstad and Color Splash. He is so talented. I feel the relationship he has with his crew is very natural.
    I e-mailed to find out why he has not been part of the Holiday specials this year. I received a reply that no new shows have been ordered in the first quarter! Sadly, the unwatchable “Myles Of Style” is still on. I hate to think Color Splash has been cancelled but it probably has been.

    - 28 December 2008 at 12:11 pm
  • jim said:

    I really enjoy color splash. I like David and Daniellle but the “Carpenter” IAN is a magician. The things he does with a simple sketch are amazing. Only one who could keep up with him is Norm Abrams from this old house. I love to dabble with wood and try to make things but I just shake my head with some of the things he does. a real talent. I sure hope the show is continued. Myles could go.

    - 2 January 2009 at 10:08 pm
  • Lauren G said:

    I think interior design is so amazing and creative. And color splash is my favorite show on HGTV. I don’t understand what you mean by a poorly compiled show though. Can you explain?

    - 8 January 2009 at 5:22 pm
  • Carmen Natschke - Editor, The Decorating Diva LLC (author) said:

    Hi Lauren,

    This post was written when the show first aired in 2007. At that time the filming and production of the show was less than smooth. Transitions were choppy, the editing made the show difficult to follow and the relationship with his co-host was unbearable. David, as I noted in the article, is a tremendous design talent and he deserves a better vehicle.

    - 8 January 2009 at 5:47 pm
  • Chris E. said:

    David, David, David ~

    Hire a host

    Take off your shirt

    Design – the plan

    Communicate – to Danielle & IAN

    Draw / paint – your gift

    Delegate – to the staff

    Transform – the space

    Beautify – the space

    Astound – the recipients & viewers

    - 9 January 2009 at 11:01 pm
  • Debbie K. said:

    I dont think anyone could do a better design than David. I would proudly let him redesign any of my rooms (if I could afford it). His designs are always cozy and homely. A place where I could relax. I think he is great.

    - 16 February 2009 at 7:14 pm
  • ko said:

    Totally agree with Floy and Jim that “Myles Of Style” could go….
    (and isn’t she already gone?)
    And totally agree that David is great and deserves a better (much better)vehicle.
    Could anyone suggest a good design show to watch?

    - 20 February 2009 at 5:39 pm
  • Donna said:

    David is the Bomb!

    I too wish he could come to my home!

    Just love his paintings!

    *And as Chris above said: take off your shirt!

    - 1 March 2009 at 4:53 am
  • vicki said:

    who cares if he hosts well on TV or if he has a side kick his rooms are outstanding and when his contract is up, I am confident his career will still be soaring.

    - 1 March 2009 at 6:30 am
  • Brenda said:

    MEOW Carmen. I love Color Splash and the wonderful David. I think your just a tad jealous girl. He has done some of the most innovative designs on HGTV. He doesn’t repeat his color schemes over and over like Divine Design,or the boring kitchens like Spice My Kitchen,no bland or over done Tuscan, ect. HE is so fun and energetic the that laugh is infectious. Love him and the show.

    - 8 March 2009 at 12:02 pm
  • Cynthia said:

    I have read a lot of the posted comments and can’t believe some of whats posted. David is a human like the rest of us the only thing he has most others doesn’t is a talent for art,color and true emotions.The only thing that really counts is if David is happy and/or content with what he is doing and with whom. I personally think he is good at what he does and he couldn’t do it without the respect and help from the crew he has.each one of the crew members along with David has their own talent to offer and with that talent and respect they “ALL” do a wonderful job.

    - 27 March 2009 at 8:20 pm
  • Donna F said:

    David has been great from the begining. If his show is canceled it’s a shame. I love his original art work, quest were lucky to get them. I like his changing art work in his apartment.(Where did yo get those 3-d animal heads. They were awesome and no real animals were used. That is just gruesome.) I read you like cars. It would be cool if you could design for Toyota Prius. Just a thought.

    - 31 March 2009 at 11:53 pm
  • deshard said:

    “Color Splash” is just “okay”. Who’s to blame for its monotone feel? HGTV? The talent? Don’t really know.

    But I do know this…it’s still far superior to Myles of Style. Some of the things that girls whips up are simply horrific.

    I’m willing to bet many of her “clients” quickly re-did their re-dos.

    - 18 April 2009 at 7:02 pm
  • Linda said:

    David Bromstad is awesome! He is by far the most talented artist on HGTV and I look forward to new episodes. I don’t understand Carmen’s comment about David and Danielle’s relationship….seems like a good one. I do think however that if producers are going to feature Danielle in photos with David that Ian should be included as well. Ian is a master of carpentry! Danielle is so talented and she inspires me. The team seems to work great together and I like that the producer gets in the act and sews, etc. David has such a genuine and warm personality, very likable. If he were ever at my front door, I would jump up and down with joy! There hasn’t been a Design Star contestant with talent that even comes close to David Bromstad and I hope Color Splash goes on and on. David….you can paint me a picture anytime!!

    - 1 May 2009 at 8:43 pm
  • Cathy said:

    I do enjoy his show and he’s an inventive artist. he’s much more polished than in the beginning. Thumbs-up from me!

    cathy at openhouse.homegoods.com

    - 11 May 2009 at 3:07 pm
  • Lynda Theilen said:

    I enjoy Color Splash temendously. I never miss a single episode….even the re-runs. David and his team do a fantastic job turning the homeowners’ dream into reality. I have looked up some of his episodes online and have ordered the same items he used to decorate the rooms, and now they look perfect in my own rooms! Not only is David a talented genius, but so are Danielle and Ian. Now, that’s a trio that really clicks in turning out designs! I hope their show continues for a very long time.
    I really don’t think Carmen knows what she’s talking about.

    - 23 May 2009 at 9:15 pm
  • Katie said:

    I love Color Splash. Davud is super talented and seems to be a wonderful person. If I could I’d bave him design every room in my house.

    - 24 May 2009 at 1:07 am
  • Jane Hammond said:

    Please do not take Decorating Cents off the air, it is the only show that common people can relate too.Her ideas are unique and beatuiful, so many of their ideas are easy to do. Thank you for your consideration.
    Jane

    - 18 June 2009 at 4:47 pm