Color Splash takes on Miami starting this Sunday on HGTV
The first thing you might notice when you see interior designer David Bromstad on television is that he happens to be very easy on the eyes and that includes his often shirtless, tattooed torso. However, Bromstad established early on that he is much more than a gym bunny and first showed his amazing design skills when he won HGTV’s first season of its competition series Design Star in 2006. The following year (as part of the Design Star grand prize) Bromstad premiered his own series, Color Splash, which was set in San Francisco and became a hit for the design network. With the new Color Splash season that begins this weekend on HGTV, Bromstad, his crew and the cameras venture cross-country and move the show to Florida with Color Splash Miami.
I talked to Bromstad earlier this week about the move, the importance of listening to your gut, what part of his personal life is off limits to the press and his thoughts on when gay marriage will no longer be an issue.
JH: Besides the obvious geography, what are the differences in Color Splash moving from San Francisco to Miami?
David Bromstad: We were in San Francisco, which was a beautiful city and very quaint and lovely, but Miami is edgy and sexy. I have a whole new team and I’m really concentrating a lot on personality and design and we’re really taking it to the next level. The makeovers are bigger, the colors are more crazy and it’s just a shift to a really fun show.
Bromstad splashes some color on a project
JH: Visually I know Miami clearly has its own sense of style but how does that lend itself to a designer?
DB: Miami is itself South American-influenced and it’s very international in a very different way than San Francisco. In San Francisco, everyone is traditionally contemporary but in Miami everyone is modern chic and very eclectic at the same time. People are very aware of style because we’re surrounding by amazing hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs and new architecture. Since we’re surrounded by so much design, people know what they do like and what they don’t like.
JH: You grew up in Minnesota, what was it like when you first ventured to Miami? They’re very different places.
DB: I went to school in Sarasota, Florida, which is on the West Coast of Florida and then I went and moved to Orlando and worked at Disney Universal for nine years [as an animator] and in those nine years I was down in Miami several times and I always wanted to move down there. You have to be really strong to live [in Miami]. It’s a party city so it’s easy to get caught up in that. When I first moved down here and made that decision I was ready for the diverse culture and ready for all the designers and artists and all the great architecture so there was no shock to me.
JH: Miami also seems to have a little of everything in terms of the types of people. Will we see that reflected on Color Splash Miami?
DB: We’re going to show a lot of different types of people and have a very international cast. I have two Latina assistants – one who speaks four languages and the other is completely gorgeous and is incredibly talented. We have carpenters from the UK. My painter is from Panama. And then the clients we’re working with are very different, very cool and a little bit spicy.
JH: Spicy is good!
DB: Spicy is great. [laughs] That’s what we want!
Bromstad working with some clients on Color Splash
JH: Watching you on your show, you seem to really listen to your gut and go with your inspirations. Is that the key to being a good designer?
DB: Absolutely. Going with your first instinct is always key, at least it is for me. Once you start second guessing yourself and you start doing things that you are not quite comfortable with it really shows in your work. I always come back to my first instinct and stick with it.
JH: How has your business changed since you first started appearing on television? Has it gone places you never imagined?
DB: I never thought that I would be an interior designer on television. That’s bizarre to me! And then getting recognized…it’s a huge compliment and I’m very aware of how blessed I am and I never take advantage of that. Because I’m so thankful and appreciative of what I’m doing it makes work so fun. Nobody is throwing me eggs or calling me nasty names. I’m not in the press having scandals so I have it pretty good.
JH: Even before you were on TV with Design Star, was being out ever a question for you?
DB: That was a huge part of when I came to Miami. In my 20s I really struggled. I was out and gay but being proud of it and really owning it was a whole different story. When I went onto Design Star I did think about it. ‘Should I be in the closet and keep everyone guessing?’ I made the decision to just be myself and it was the right decision. HGTV has always backed me on that. When you have a company that really supports you 100% it really empowers you.
JH: One thing about watching your show is that it’s never about you being gay and it doesn’t really come up or is a part of any agenda.
DB: Well, that’s the thing about that. A lot of people on these reality shows are like “I’m gay!” Being gay is who I am but it doesn’t define who I am.
JH: One thing that does coming with being in the public eye is people wanting to know about your personal life. Are you comfortable with that or do you draw any lines?
DB: I do draw a line on certain things. I let everyone know I have a partner and we’ve been together for six years but that’s where it stops. His personal life is his personal life. It’s not up to me to divulge his information. I’ll divulge everything about myself and be an open book but when it comes to my partner and what he does and where he’s at in his life that’s nobody’s business but his own.
JH: It’s also very easy for fans to have misconceptions of celebrities. What’s the biggest misconception about you?
DB: I have to honestly say that I’m really portrayed exactly who I am. When I do appearances and meet with people they’re like ‘You’re exactly who you are on the show!’ I say ‘I wouldn’t have it any other way!’ I’m not a good actor. People always think that I am always this high energy/crazy personality person all the time and I am when I’m around people but I’m actually kind of an introvert and I like to be home with my partner or home alone watching TV or on the beach where it’s quiet.
JH: Since you are partnered, what’s your thought on gay marriage? Are we going to get to the point where it’s a non-issue?
DB: I think we’ll definitely get there but I think we need to get there faster. Come on, people! In the last five years we’ve come a long way but we’re supposed to be in one of the most progressive countries in the world and yet we’re just half way there but I do think we’ll get there. Gay marriage will definitely happen. It’s just a matter of when.
JH: Miami already had their Pride celebration, right?
DB: We have it really early in March because it’s so bloody hot down here right now! We had our Pride early and I went to it. It’s very small but it’s so great. It’s the second year that Miami Beach has Pride. Miami the city does not have Pride but hopefully that will come in the next few years.
JH: Since you travel quite a bit, will you be hitting any other Pride celebrations around the country?
DB: I’m always celebrating but I am just starting the second season of Color Splash Miami in two weeks but it’s so funny because every year during New York’s Pride I’ve been up there working and again this year I’m scheduled to be up there working. [laughs]
Color Splash Miami with David Bromstad premieres this Sunday on HGTV at 11pm et/pt right after the season premiere of Design Star.
Jim Halterman is a freelance writer who spends his days interviewing the top tier of talent and creative forces in the entertainment world and then, because he's that kind of guy, he brings it all to YOU! And, because we all like free stuff, check back on Fridays for the best giveaways!! (Photo: Interviewing actor Ray Ford - from DONT TRUST THE B**** IN APARTMENT 23 - at The Abbey, West Hollywood, 4/2012)
{ 56 comments… read them below or add one }
Just watched the first two episodes of “Miami” colorsplash — ugh!! Very disappointing — another Candace Olsen only a different location. Can see this one will get tiring awfully fast. Why would you change a successful show??? Puzzled. Guess I’ll never know because quite frankly, you’ve lost me. Thanks. Lucille Pew
dislike the new Miami colorsplash. Why change a successful show? It really has lost the charm and is nothing more than a decorator buying high end modern furnishings to stick into a modern high end condo. So where is the creativity. Don’t care because you have lost me as a viewer. Yuk!
I do not care for the new format, the new staff or the designs. It is cold, snotty, comes off ditzy ( new staff) and it seems you have to a millionaire to be inspired by these new designs. I will not watch ColorSplash in it’s present state of snobbery. I miss the old staff and the warmth the show had. Miami is not the place I want to see every week. Sorry. VERY DISAPPOINTED.
We have yet to see the new show so, will reserve an opinion until we do but, sure hate to see the loss of Ian and Danielle they are super talented people and very down to earth ………I hope David does well in Miami as that is our Roots……
I have seen the first new episode and loved it because I think David Bromstad is a hugely talented guy and a great TV personality. But I do miss, Ian, Danielle and Claire! They were such wonderful additions, both in their abilities and their personalities.
As a big fun of this show, I am ery very disappointed with the new format, to say the least. Superficial, heartless and energyless. I understand David wanted to unite with his family, but in the price of changing every thing that contributed to the success of the show. I miss the old crew, the chemitry and the laughters.
I know it is too late to move the show back to SanFran, but please at least consider to invite the old crew back (I understand maybe they don’t want to move themselves). Anyway, we will see what happens.
I saw the first segment and was very disappointed. I like David and his designs however the Miami show is missing the warmth of his old location. I hope for David’s sake that HGTV didn’t make a huge mistake by moving him to Miami [even though it is his home].
Like a couple of other people who’ve already commented, I miss Ian, Danielle and Claire…wish all three of them and the rest of his old crew the very best.
Watched the “new” show based in Miami. Was extremely disappointed with both the design aesthetic and the crew. Seems tacky compared to SF. Way too much glitz for me. Definitely miss the old vibe and design sensibility. I don’t think I will go out of my way to watch this show. DB is “eye candy” but that only goes so far….
I just watched the new show and I don’t like it at all! It is not edgy or sexy. Florida may have its own style but it is not mine and I am not interested any longer.
I would like to said I love most of David’s work. I would love to know where did he find the mirrored buffet? It is what I have been looking for. Until today 6/17/10 I just saw it. Please email me the information at Besroll@aol.com
Thank you
Please forgive me I saw the show today 6/19/10at 5:30pm and that is where I saw the mirrored buffet.
i really miss the crew – where did they go? I loved the warmth they all shared – david is the best and hope him well i will continue to watch him – why not? give him some slack – only one show out and here come the critics let’s support him!
I don’t have the information on the mirrored buffet but I’d go directly to the show website and see if you can reach out to the show or the network. http://www.hgtv.com/color-splash-miami/show/index.html
Good luck!
JIM
I have absolutely loved Color Splash from day one. David is an amazing talent. His crew in San Francisco was such a complement to David and his warm style.
I have watched just two episodes in Miami and find them kinda boring , disjointed, somewhat tacky. HGTV….what were you thinking….if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. I left my design heart in San Francisco with Ian and the rest of the original crew.
Still love you David but Miami isn’t working for me.
I have to join the chorus of not liking the new show. Ugh … without Ian, Danielle, and Claire, David is just not as good. I’m afraid this fan has been lost.
Just saw the first two episodes of Colorsplash and am so bummed. I miss Ian, Danielle, and Claire. The format was so much better when it was in SF. I agree with everyone that the warmth is gone from the show and the assistants are just that…assistants. Where is the great painter, the great carpenter and wonderful seamstress? I’m hoping this is just a one season only and then David is back to SF. We can only hope.
If you are a fan of David’s you know it is his talent, his passion, his creative vision that makes his show worth watching no matter where it is being filmed or who is working with him. I think the new Miami show is vibrant and demonstrative of David’s unique energy and brilliant design concepts. I and my mother (who is 85 and adores David’s work) are thrilled that David is sharing more of what inspires him, more of how he processes and manifests his clients’ wishes to make their rooms spectacular! CSMiami is exciting!
David, I have loved since your Desing Star days…. I watch and rewatch your San Fran ColorSplash shows on HGTV all the time. I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED Danielle and Ian and mis them terribly! Claire was funny and quirky too but had good taste. I’m not loving your new crew. Sorry guys… The females seem ditzy and scatered and make me want to shake them and sit them in a corner. The guy who questioned you over and over just doesn’t seem to get you. Ian was funny and talented. I lvoed watching and listening to him. I never use power tools but he made me think I could someday. Danielle was AMAZINGLY talented with her painting techniques and she knew how to do other stuff like hang tile, wire fixtures, etc.! I really miss them! Please bring them back!!!!! Doing the Miami show would be fun for a few times, but it’s too weird. Most people do not want their houses to have that kind of style. David, I still love you…just go back to Ian and Danielle, please!!!
I’m pounding on my keyboard because I’m in a tizzy and very emotional!!! Please forgive my type-os in the message I just sent!!
Saw the new Color Splash Miami. Needless to say, I agree with most of the comments posted here. The show lost everything that was good. Now it is just another gawdy, over the top Miami style show. I have completely lost interest. Get back to SF where the format and design team worked .
Since I first saw Color Splash with David Bromstad I became a huge fan. He is not only talented, but has a way to truly capture his audiance. However, I’m sure HGTV knows it takes more than these qualities to keep a viewer interested every week and wanting to see more, even reruns.
David, when I watched your SF show I felt like I was right there with you and your staff and it appeared that all of you had such a great raport. The combination of your talent, personality & CREW kept your show fun “colorful” and alive, but it doesn’t seem to be that way now with the Miami group. You are not boring on the new show, but to me, the new crew & show is. I truly hope this will change soon because I am finding it hard to stay interested. Good luck.
I’ll reserve judgment on the new show until I see a few more episodes and give the cast time to gel. I do hope we don’t see tropical colors week after week – turquoise, orange, white – that would get old really fast.
I thought the interview was quite revealing – SF is quaint and everyone is traditionally contemporary while Miami is edgy, modern chic and eclectic? SF is quaint? Seriously? Both areas are two of the great melting pots of the country. While Miami may be more influenced by South America, the Bay Area is influenced by Asia and Spain and is more interesting topographically. I’d think someone of his talent could draw inspiration from both cities. If not, maybe he’s letting his hometown bias in a bit too much.
As for the new show going forward, I just hope we see less of him painting and working alone in a studio. The way he and the cast worked together made the old show really fun to watch.
Miami is so flat I miss his interaction with the old crew Ian, Danielle and Claire. I hope after this seanson he heads back to San Francisco
Hate to say it, but I agree with the others. I love David’s style, but the painter and the two girls working with him bug the hell out of me. I don’t see their talent as much as I saw it in Danielle, Ian and Claire. Everyone on the SF crew clicked and were professional but personable; I don’t see it with this new Miami group. They come off like teenagers. I’m not sure I like it. I say, get rid of them and find new ones or see if the SF crew would be willing to relocate.
Color Splash Miami….SUCKS! I agree with every negative comment made….it was the chemistry and personality of EACH person on the original show that made it work! The humor, talent, genuine affection and warmth amongst the entire crew (production people too!), is what made the show SO wonderful. David, you’re an awesome talent, but I WON’T be watching Color Splash Miami….
Sorry but you lost me with your new show. Your new staff can’t even hold a candle to Danielle, Ian and Claire….where did you find them…..they come across as rude, snooty, and lack of training. The painter needs an attitude adjustment. Why would you hire them when you had perfection. I will watch the reruns (if there are any) of Color Splash…..but as I said before you lost me with your new venture. Sorry, you made a huge mistake.
David, I love you, and you are a design genius with a great personality, but I miss your Color Splash crew!! Danielle was incredibly talented, and her personality, as well as Ian’s, meshed very well with yours. I am watching the Miami show, but I’m not nearly as excited about it. In fact, I must admit to zipping through the DVR recording – just to see what the outcome is – and kind of skipping over the journey to get there.
I agree with so many viewers here. The new show doesn’t have the same energy, I’m disappointed with the segments I’ve seen so far, and I totally miss Danielle, Ian and Claire! Your new crew is BORING! Get it back to the old show, please!
Dear David:
I’m old enough to be your Grandmother and would not dream of telling you what to do. I watched the new show and I liked it, but it’s different without your “old” crew.
It’s going to take some getting used to, but it’s still about YOU and your creativity. I hope you will ask Danielle, Claire and Ian down to the beach for a guest show!
I love David and am trying to keep an open mind about the new show, but it just isn’t sitting well with me. Where did they find his new team? The cannot fill the shoes of Ian, Danielle and Claire.
I want the old team back at least. Can’t they all move to Miami if they really have to be there?
Hmmm, loving the new show? Notsomuch. I watched Color Splash for the entire team, not just David. I wish him well, but would rather watch the other team, even on their own – miss the carpenter, miss the best painter in the world, miss the designer . . .muscles were not enough to keep me hanging in. Maybe the new show would do better just as a local show in Miami -
Because I love David Bromstad and his work so much, I’m going to give the new show and crew a chance to see if they eventually mesh better. I can understand that the San Francisco crew of Danielle, Ian and Clare, probably didn’t want to be uprooted from their homes and families, but they sure are missed in the new show. It’s just not the same without them. I admit I don’t like change all that much, so I’m trying very hard to keep an open mind; but, the reality is, the new show’s crew just can’t compare with the SF crew. I hope we’ll be seeing all of them in their own shows sometime soon.
The show was SO MUCH BETTER back in San Francisco! That city was sooo beautiful and ornately unique. The people seemed more outgoing and nicer too. AND– the crew has been split up! –BAD MOVE, HGTV.
I love David, and love the ENTIRE SF crew. I have seen a few Miami episodes so far, and I am not interested in watching anymore in Miami.
*San Francisco = Amazingly beautiful, even inside the homes.
*Miami = One note and predictable. ..It comes through on the show.
I have always loved the work David has done. I love the new show because it shows a different side of the country. However, I know that none of that type of design would ever fit into my home. I will continue to watch the show because I think David is a design genius. I do miss his old crew. They were more my style and seemed to be a really fun group.
I hate the new show; also miss Danielle, Ian and Claire! They were talented and added to the show! I will not be watching it.
Sorry…..you missed….old was good new..not so much…the old team had something David alone….and Miami….way off…goodbye !……hit the remote…
I would love to say something up beat and positive about the Miami move. Maybe it will get better with time. In the meantime I really miss the old crew. At present Miami seems a touch predictable rather than edgy.
I guess I will add my “I miss the old crew!” to the list. I will do my best to give everyone time to ‘gel’ together before deciding whether I like the shows changes or not… but so far it’s a not. Normally (when they were in San Fran) I could get ideas that I could actually use in my own home – now I have seen nothing that would really work in my house.
WATCHED ALL THE NEW SHOWS. I DID NOT LIKE THEM. PLEASE HAVE IAN, DANIELLE, AND CLAIRE BACK ON THE SHOW. PLEASE
Well, as they say, ” if it ain’t broke…don’t fix it” My husband and I love HGTV and all of the creative shows they have on…but we will NOT be watching the new move to Miami. Sorry..we love David and all his creative talents, but the show is not as it was. I know that things are different when you get a new group of people to work with, etc, but it is not the same show anymore. We miss Danille, Ian and Claire. They all wored like a well oiled machine. Not so much now… bye!!!
I hate shutting you out but will NOT watch you unless you have your old crew ( they were the best around)………….there..
David….
I have to join some of the others in saying that I also don’t like the new show. Without Danielle, Ian, and Claire the show is lacking genuine laughter, professionalism, and most of all those wonderful familiar faces. I will not be watching Color Splash Miami.
Good Luck to you
The new crew is really not cutting it. They are really bad. Hope you can get the old crew to move to my hometown. Love Miami and David.
David, I have watched your show since the start,and loved it. You had the greatest crew ever! You are an amazing talent and have infectious personality. I’m sorry to say, however, that your new show does not “cut the mustard”. Please bring back the old show and crew. I’m 74 years young and would love to have you do a room for me. So, if and when you come to Missouri, look me up. Oh, yes, you are definitely “easy” on the eyes! Mary
So sorry , I have to agree that David’s show in Miami has absolutely no splash. Whoever picked out those assistants for him should be shot. Any, we still have the reruns.
Whoever picked out those assistants should be fired. David just
doesn’t warm up to them..at least it doesn’t show on TV. There’s no splash in his new show. At least we have the reruns
DAVID THANK U FOR WHO U R AND GOD BLESS U FOR NOT BEING ANYONE ELSE BUT YOURSELF I AM A TRUE FAN AND I LOVE YOUR WORK I HAVE A SMALL ROOM ME AND MY HUSBAND BUT CAN’T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START NOT EVEN WITH COLOR BUT I WILL KEEP WATCHING EVERYDAY MY BIGGEST WISH ISLORS 2 MEET U IN PERSON JUST FOR WHO U R GOD BLESS U AND CONTINUE SUCCESS.
LOVE AND BEST COLORS LISA ROSA
Gee, I thought I was all alone in my opinion of the new Miami show, but these comments have re-inforced my opinion. The format is totally different, does not show enough of the how to stuff. Seems to be showcasing Miami. The new crew stinks. On the show in S.F. I never missed it and even re-watched several shows. Now, after watching several new shows I just change the channel. David is very artistically talented, but the pieces he does usually are really far out. (and I like impressionism!) Like the previous commenters, I liked the old crew so much. Even the filming seems different. David has lost some of his self-confidence that is so appealing. Don’t blow it David. (You are about to do just that!) Candice Olsen and Genevieve Gorder are the top shows now. It used to be Color Splash in S.F.
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