en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/662673 Comments by Miern http://blog.hgtv.com/design-star/2009/09/16/dan-is-your-favorite-designer/#IDComment34958034 BEFORE they even went to get the pergola while in the van, Dan said, "We have $5,000 for the pergola." Antonio said, "NO, we have $10,000." THAT is why they shopped for a $10,000 pergola! Antonio talked Dan into believing they had the extra money. Antonio's mistake or sabotage, but Dan's fault for believing him, something you cannot do in a competition of this sort! Too bad! Some people just cannot be trusted unfortunately. I saw sublte hints of it in Antonio all through out the show. Candice was right; he is the Tony Soprano of the design world! Beware! LOL Fri, 18 Sep 2009 04:10:23 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/design-star/2009/09/16/dan-is-your-favorite-designer/#IDComment34958034 http://blog.hgtv.com/design-star/2009/09/16/dan-is-your-favorite-designer/#IDComment34956672 Dan can be taught how to host. Antonio cannot be taught how to get along with people. He is just plain overbearing and abrasive. He didn't want to be team leader, but he sure took over many times and stepped on many toes in the process. The professional hosts will tell you that part of their hosting abilities is how to get along with others. I think that Antonio will have a problem perfecting that part of the requirement! Fri, 18 Sep 2009 03:48:39 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/design-star/2009/09/16/dan-is-your-favorite-designer/#IDComment34956672 http://blog.hgtv.com/design-star/2009/09/16/dan-is-your-favorite-designer/#IDComment34895931 That wasn't Dan's mistake; it was Antonio's. Dan said that they had 5K. It was Antonio who said, No, we have 10K, and talked Dan into believing they did have that much. It was a sabotage in my humble opinion. Dan's mistake was in trusting Antonio and not double-checking himself. I had seen it with Antonio every week subtly in one way or another. People need to pay better attention sometimes! Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:32:31 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/design-star/2009/09/16/dan-is-your-favorite-designer/#IDComment34895931 http://blog.hgtv.com/design-star/2009/09/16/dan-is-your-favorite-designer/#IDComment34894101 I agree with many of you, especially Etoy. I think Dan and his designs were the greatest. There was something abrasive about Antonio, but he was different and that's why they picked him. Another thing I noticed about him during the season that I haven't seen mentioned is that he was pretty darn sneaky as well. He seemed to single-handedly undermine and sabotage the other contestant's work every chance he got. Remember the pergola? How convenient for him to "forget" that the budget was $5000, not $10,000! Dan remembered it was 5k; Antonio said NO, it was 10k! He isn't that stupid! And the rocks around the pool, Antonio changed Lonni's Zen idea. There just seemed to be subtle things every week, and his ability to turn on the waterworks for effect really clinched the deal. I do think he is passioante about his work, and it is good, but so is Dan and his work! They show it in different ways. Dan's work is far superior, and he showed it over the course of the season and challenges. Go Dan! :) Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:11:52 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/design-star/2009/09/16/dan-is-your-favorite-designer/#IDComment34894101