Cathy Hobbs' Design Portfolio From HGTV Design Star season six 2011

Age: 42
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Originally from Maryland, Cathy went to school in California for business and eventually became a broadcast news reporter in New York City. Despite winning five Emmy awards for outstanding news reporting, Cathy’s passion for design propelled her into a second career. She attended morning classes at the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in interior design, and then returned to the station to report the evening news. Married with an 8-month-old daughter, Cathy now owns a flourishing interior design company and specializes in residential and commercial properties. She says that her signature design style includes Asian influences paired with touches of Hollywood glamour.

City View Bedroom

To add pops of color without outshining stunning New York City views, Hobbs balanced rich lime, chartreuse and chocolate accessories with neutral un-glazed linen fabrics.

Eclectic Living Room

Hobbs captured her clients' love of art and travel by incorporating eclectic accessories into this clean, contemporary living room.

Green and Pink Children's Room

Hobbs used bright colors and graphic prints to give this room a whimsical yet sophisticated feel.

Charcoal Living Room

Hobbs used charcoal flannel and linen fabrics to create a streamlined, elegant living space for an urban client. The horse artwork adds a trendy element to the timeless space.

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Contemporary Loft Living

Hobbs mixes mustard, black and red with heavy textures such as a shag rug and felt pillows to furnish this streamlined model home.

Restful Master Bedroom

Hobbs created a tranquil oasis in this master bedroom by using neutral colors and soft fabrics.

Contemporary Orange Office

Victorian meets contemporary in this vibrant office space. Hobbs paired ornate accessories with contemporary furniture and bright orange paint to bring this 1880s Manhattan townhouse into the 21st century.

Traditional Blue Living Room

Hobbs transformed a classic pre-war gem into a traditional masterpiece using timeless colors: blue, chocolate and gold.

Plush Charcoal Bedroom

This contemporary bedroom is outfitted for lounging day or night with a charcoal-hued chaise and bed.

Artful Penthouse Living Room

Hobbs combines unusual accessories like steel wire balls and sculpture with classic materials and furniture in this urban penthouse.

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J Allen's Design Portfolio From HGTV Design Star season six 2011

Alisha “J” Allen
Age: 31
Chevy Chase, Md.
Instead of pursuing a career in political science at the behest of her parents, “J” says she decided to follow her dream to be an interior designer. With more than 11 years of professional experience, she has designed dozens of residential and commercial properties across the country. J, who studied interior design at Howard University, says she can do anything for her clients, whether it’s paint a room, build a table or reupholster furniture. She characterizes her design style as eclectic and modern. She says she loves to incorporate a client’s global souvenirs into the design to personalize the space.

Loft Home Office

Warm gold tones and block-style cherry floating shelves make this loft home office look less like an office and more like a casual space for living.

Contemporary Chic

Shabby chic meets modern in this casual and cozy living space. Chrome and glass are mixed with reclaimed teak and linen to bring some edge to the organic.

Modern Simplicity

A modern bedroom is designed with a minimalist feel to inspire tranquility and calm.

Clean White Showroom

Miami Beach-inspired showroom lobby is designed with crisp, tailored elements that invite guests to lounge in sophistication.

Asian Inspiration

This garden-inspired living space incorporates a soothing neutral palette and eco-friendly elements to make this space a Zen oasis.

Easy Living

This casual living space is punched up with a pop of red amid monochromatic tones.

Modern Comfort

Simple clean lines make this space comfortable and inviting with a underlying sophistication.

Playful Kid's Space

This fun jungle-themed bedroom is dressed with whimsical elements and a hand-painted mural to give this space a storybook ending.

Transitional Tuscan

Transitional meets Tuscan in this master bedroom designed to reflect the homeowners' style while highlighting their love for knotty pine.

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Bret Ritter's Design Portfolio From HGTV Design Star season six 2011

Bret Ritter from "Design Star 2011" is one of the contestants in Season 6 of the interior design reality competition series on HGTV. He loves to create mid-century spaces that include eco-conscious building materials. He is a 30-year-old construction project manager from Brooklyn, New York.

Growing up in a military family, Bret Ritter ("Design Star 6") spent his childhood moving to different countries around the world, including India, Germany, Panama and Japan. He soon discovered a love for design because with each move he learned how to make every new space his own. Bret, who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Art Center Design College in Tucson, Arizona, is a project manager for an eco-conscious construction company in New York City. Bret says he loves mid-century design that includes environmentally friendly, energy-efficient building materials. Although he describes himself as nice guy, he has been known "to get very intense when he works."

Modern Tile Bathroom

This tiled bathroom has touches of both classic and modern, with a timeless tile shower enclosure and stained cabinetry with modern fixtures.

Modern Kitchen Installation

Modern cabinetry, recessed lighting and stainless steel appliances give this kitchen a whole new look.

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Tyler Wisler's Design Portfolio From HGTV Design Star season six 2011

Tyler Wisler (Design Star) biography pictures news forum Tyler Wisler from "Design Star 2011" is one of the contestants in Season 6 of the interior design reality competition series on HGTV. He loves to incorporate recycled materials, dark metals and wood into "industrial chic" spaces. He is a 35-year-old interior designer from South Orange, New Jersey.

After completing high school in Honolulu, Hawaii, Tyler Wisler ("Design Star 6") moved to the East Coast to attend Marymount University. Since earning a bachelor's degree in interior design 12 years ago, Tyler has worked as a professional interior designer in the New York City area. He believes that most of his design skills were developed by on-the-job experience with clients, who he says appreciate his attention to detail. Tyler says he enjoys the latest design trend of "industrial chic," which includes the use of recycled materials and dark metals paired with wood. As a professional designer, he says he always strives to give his clients the design they love, but will not hold back if he disagrees with a design decision.

Neutral Made New

Shades of oatmeal, ivory and beige don’t necessarily mean boring, as this comfortable and casually chic seating area proves. Gorgeous cream-lacquered nesting tables and floor lamp sit proudly alongside the intricate detail of a cloisonne drum stool, set off by lush printed linen drapery panels.

A Place for Reading and Relaxation

This tranquil reading space is quiet and relaxing. Wisler used a petrified teak wood stump aside a dark tobacco rattan lounge chair and ottoman. A hand-blown glass lamp illuminates the area.

Refined Neutral Bedroom

With unobstructed views of the East River, gorgeous modern art and a sprawling terrace, the last thing you want to do is overpower a room with distractions in the way of loud patterns and colors. The bisque-colored kid leather bed holds court in the room, but doesn’t deter from the splendor its surroundings offer.

Spice-Inspired Living Room

Smart and sophisticated, this modern living room celebrates the colors of the Turkish spice bazaar. Vibrant hues of saffron and paprika upholstery upon deep coffee-colored frames are peppered with accessories in bright aqua. 

Tranquil Bedroom

Keeping a muted color palette in a room is always a sure-fire way to ensure a sense of serenity, especially in a bedroom. Harmonious shades of aqua bounce around the room with eye-catching textural and pattern changes.

A Great, Great Room

A neutral color palette and smart space planning is the foundation unifying this large space, despite it being so multi-functional. Natural Belgian linens collide with supple ivory leather and rich chocolate ultra suede to give not only giving textural interest but practicality to this all-purpose room.

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Kevin Grace's Design Portfolio From HGTV Design Star season six 2011

Kevin Grace from "Design Star 2011" is one of the contestants in Season 6 of the interior design reality competition series on HGTV. With a small budget and big style, he likes to combine retro furture finds and pops of color to create spaces with a chic, mid-century feel.

Kevin Grace ("Design Star 6"), a 42-year-old fashion merchandise director and window dresser from Chicago, says he was first inspired to become an interior designer by watching design shows on TV. Encouraged by friends who loved his room designs, Kevin decided to follow his dreams
and audition for "HGTV Design Star." He describes his favorite style as "eclectic retro" — a look with a mid-century feel that includes clean lines and pops of color. On a small budget himself, he says he designs with "cheap" in mind and understands the importance of repurposing items whenever possible. Kevin says he is a lot of fun, friendly and focused.

Modern Dining Room

This pitch-perfect midcentury dining room features a vintage bench and modern chairs.

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Karl Sponholtz's Design Portfolio From HGTV Design Star season six

Karl Sponholtz
Age: 42
Chicago, Ill.
As a kid, Karl says his love of design was “there from the beginning.” By age 10, he frequently rearranged his parents’ furniture while they weren’t home and was mesmerized by building blocks and floor plans. Karl, who studied architecture at the University of Illinois in Chicago, has more than 10 years of practical design experience and says that he can excite people with his passion for design. He characterizes his personal design preferences as “ultra-modern minimalist,” but often completes traditional designs for his high-end clientele. As the youngest of six, Karl says he is extroverted, loud and loves to live in the moment.

Traditional Meets Modern Kitchen

For the kitchen renovation of this historic Adams-style home, Sponholtz tried to stay true to the history while providing all the convenience of a modern chef's kitchen.

Family-Favorite Sun Porch

This new sun porch quickly became the favorite room in the house, says Sponholtz. "I really wanted to let the outside in, and with heated bluestone floors, it can be enjoyed year-round!," he says.

Book-Smart Family Room

Built-in bookcases frame sunny French doors in this family room addition.

Custom Bathroom Cabinetry

Sponholtz designed a custom skylight to let light into this his-and-hers bathroom addition. The center glass cabinet stretches to the ceiling for ample linen closet space.

Georgian Kitchen Addition

Sponholtz designed this kitchen addition, including the custom cabinetry and paneling. "I wanted to give the traditional Georgian architecture a modern aesthetic — dreamy!," he says.

Beadboard Bathroom

The beadboard wainscoting adds texture and durability to this bathroom addition.

Federal-Style Backyard Remodel

To open up this federal-style home to the backyard, Sponholtz added large windows and French doors. White railings on the balcony overlook the new brick patio.

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Meg Caswell's Design Portfolio From HGTV Design Star season six 2011

Meg Caswell
Age: 33
Chicago, Ill.
Meg says she began her career in design the moment she decided not to attend law school. After she earned a degree in criminology, she soon enrolled at The Art Institute of Chicago where she earned a B.F.A in interior architecture. The interpersonal skills she learned during her criminology studies helps her develop a profile of her clients and uncover their true design preferences. As the owner of a design firm and a home décor store in Chicago, Meg characterizes herself as a determined, direct and high-energy competitor. She describes her design style as a preppy mix of modern and traditional, but she also counts the vibrant pastel colors of “Palm Beach chic” among her favorite looks.

Chic Living

Inspired by the couple's love for sculptural art, Caswell creates a contemporary eclectic living room.

Classic Blue and White

An octagonal dining room is accentuated by the circular table and light fixture, while the horizontal-striped fabric helps to continue movement around the space.

Simply Elegant Dining

The kitchen eating area is inspired by the client's minimal, monochromatic style.

Traditional Living Space

Caswell creates a layout that showcases the stunning architectural details of the room.

Colorful and Vintage

A collection of the homeowner's family antiques dictate the sophisticated yet still bright and lively feel of the space.

Sophisticated Seating

An elegant floating seating area sits in the transitional space between the living room and dining room.

Light and Airy Living

Caswell designs a living room for a well-known artist and uses the artwork as the focal point of the space.

Family-Friendly Kitchen

The family kitchen features an oversized island for preparation and seating. The space also opens to the family room and a fabulous hidden pantry behind the walnut doors flanked by two refrigerators.

Contemporary Living

Caswell loves to combine silver and gold, which mixes nicely with the rustic leather sofa and vibrant orange chairs.

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