In the Season 6 finale of HGTV’s Design Star, the words, “And the next Design Star is…,” grabbed the audience’s full attention. Fans of the popular reality competition watched 12 designers battle it out for months to earn the coveted title. And, on Monday, September 12, it was down to the last two, Karl Sponholtz and Meg Caswell, in the last test of their skills: making over a family room while making up their own television pilots.
Then There Was One
Turned out, Caswell’s family room design and on-camera presence delivered the most powerful one-two punch for the panel of judges. The distinguished panel included network veteran designers Genevieve Gorder, Candice Olson and Vern Yip.
That’s Entertainment
Olsen summed up the judges’ feelings about Caswell the best, “There’s a lot of design information out there for folks, from magazines to books to oodles on the Internet, but what they can’t always get is entertainment. And you offer that up in spades,” she told the winning contestant.
A Dream Come True
Upon hearing her name announced as the next Design Star, Caswell covered her face with her hands in surprise. She then hugged the judges and her previous competitors. “I’m in shocked. I’m in complete shock. I am so blessed. Thank you,” she said.
Then, upon her being introduced to her HGTV family, Caswell said, “These are the stars I’ve been looking up to for years…Emily, Antonio and John Gidding among others…now, I’m part of the family. I love it. I can’t believe I’m the next Design Star. This really is my dream coming true.”
New Show Begins September 17
Watch Caswell’s new show, HGTV’s Great Rooms, Saturdays at 6 p.m., beginning September 17. In it, she travels back to her hometown of Chicago to craft “star-studded kitchens and living spaces.”