Can the New HGTV Design Star, Kim, Measure Up to David Bromstad?

HGTV's viewers have decided... their next Design Star is... Kim Myles!

First, I can't help but remark how different this year's final two were from the first season's Alice Falkier and David Bromstad.

While it's definitely a stretch, I'd say that David and Alice are almost like the Warren Beatty and Annette Bening to Todd Davis and Kim Myle's Tommy Lee and Pam Anderson. They were just that different.

Kim Myles and Todd Davis seem like polar opposites compared to last year's dream team (I say "dream team" because so many viewers wished they could see good friends Alice and David host a show together). While David did cause viewers to gush over his good looks, he and Alice were overall a much more mild mannered duo than the extremely vivacious Kim and Todd.

Todd Davis was extravagant on Design Star. His designs always left me with my jaw dropped. They were adventurous and wild, and every room was a surprise. Todd's hosting personality one hundred percent matched his design; each hosting job was full of his high energy. When Kim was on TV, her bubbly personality immediately emanated from her. And when she was in HGTV hosting mode, she nailed it every time. She's organized, efficient, had clean designs, and her hosting ability enhances every bit of that. Kim was always able to perfectly describe what she'd done to a room and how she'd done it, all the while giving it that little extra flair to seal the deal.

Yet with all that being said, as soon as the contestant pool was narrowed down to Kim and Todd, it was obvious that Kim would win. They were both good, but Todd was a bit over the top, and it was hard to apply his designs to the average person's room. As much as I loved Todd's crazy designs, I couldn't really see him making over my whole home. Maybe my game room, but I think I'd stop there. Perhaps viewers thought "been there, done that," as last year's winner, David Bromstad, also had great energy (although not "fifth gear, full throttle") and knew a thing or two about taking off his shirt. I'd definitely let Kim redo my house, but then again, to me it seemed like Kim mostly decorated, while Todd really designed.

But for a short time, it won't matter what I think as the votes are already in. Kim Myles is the lucky lady who now holds the title of HGTV's Next Design Star. However, the viewers' opinions will matter yet again once Kim's show airs on HGTV this spring. Will it do as well as David Bromstad's Color Splash?

While Kim did receive the most votes, crowning her the Design Star, the responses on the HGTV message boards don't sound so thrilled about her win. Last year, as with any competition, not everyone was pleased that David won, but most people did admit that both he and Alice would have done great jobs. There were some people who didn't like that he walked around with his shirt off, and those who had other complaints, but overall, there was a general consensus that Design Star was a great show, and they couldn't wait until next year.

Well next year came, and the responses seem a bit different this time. The people happy about Kim's win are in the minority, while most people wish neither Kim nor Todd got the prize. Again, Kim did get the most votes, so some people had to like her, but I just don't sense the same sort of excitement this year as there was for David Bromstad.

The message board topics on HGTV's website range from "Kim Needs a Makeover! FAST!" to "Does Kim Own a Mirror....?" to "Kim is the Worst Design Star Contestant" to "She Didn't Forfeit -- But It's Not Too Late. Do It Now!" That last post is in regards to the fact that Kim may have known people associated with In Style(judge Martha McCully is executive editor at In Style).

As of now it looks like Kim is sticking with her win. Yet it also looks like the HGTV viewers, as they should, will be expecting a lot from Kim. Not only will she have much to prove, but she has a hard act to follow. Kim came off as a good person on Design Star, so I hope, for her sake, that her dreams of becoming a successful HGTV show host do come to fruition. I just really wonder if Kim's show will reap the same rewards as David Bromstad's Color Splash.