Jason Champion: HGTV Design star shares design/backstage secrets

On the most recent season of HGTV's Design Star competition, Jason Champion made it to the "top five" out of 11 design professionals from all over the country.  Personally, he was my favorite because he is from Sarasota, is very personable and he really comes across as sincere and just an all around really nice guy. As a decorator, I could relate to the pressure of pulling a room together in in record time and I am glad that it is not something that I have to do on a regular basis with the entire country watching!

I had a chance to meet Jason recently when he did a seminar at the International Design Center in Jason's table designs.Estero.  He talked about design and color trends and shared some hilarious backstage secrets about what really goes on behind the scenes of the show.  He also shared some of his designs from his line of furniture, Jason Champion Outdoor.

What I like most about Jason is that he is the master of blending different styles and price ranges in his own home which he used as an example in his presentation.  He showed us lighting from Pier One and vinyl tiles from Home Depot.  He shops Pottery barn Outlet and Ikea.  He mixes high and low priced items.  At Spectacular Spaces, we love showing our clients how this can be done with beautiful results.  

Other tips and trends:  There are no rules. Use multiples in a room. Use bold contrasts: red/black/white or green/black.  Repurpose.  Reuse.  Recylce. Bedroom colors:  grey/green/pink/ruby/silver/grey-blue. Dining room: warm rose/plum/coral.

He describes his personal design style as livable, organized and fabulous. When thinking about how we want our own homes to feel, it doesn't get any better than that!