Local Furniture Designer Judges Reality Show Hosted by Oscar Winner, Common

Smallgood's co-founder, Thom Jones, lays down the law on the Spike channel's design reality show

By Seattle Mag February 24, 2015

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Nerd alert. Confession: I love reality TV. Fashion reality shows are my favorite, natch, but home and product design ones come a close second. Remember Bravo’s 2007 decor show, Top Design, hosted by Todd Oldham with Jonathan Adler, Kelly Wearstler and Margaret Russell as judges? Loved it. And who can forget Philippe Starck’s 2009 British reality series Design For Life meant to save British design? Did you see it? Me neither, but now that I know it’s on Vimeo my weekend plans are all zipped up.

Imagine my glee when I realized that two furniture design/build reality shows were on the docket for the winter? Ellen DeGeneres, who shares my passion for good design and ostensibly, reality TV, has one on HGTV, which I enjoy, but it conflicts with The Bachelor, which is an issue for me. However, I’m obsessed with Spike’s Framework, hosted by foxy rapper Common (who just won an Academy Award for his song, “Glory”, for the movie Selma) and furniture industry superstars Nolan Niu and Brandon Gore. You can catch it on Tuesday nights at 10 p.m. on Spike or the next day at spike.com.

And while super prickly, Spokane-based Curtis Michael was a contestant on the show and eliminated early in the season, one of Seattle’s finest furniture makers, Capitol Hill’s Thom Jones of custom furniture company Semigood, is guest judging tonight’s episode, which gives me a reason to blog about it.

Semigood chair/table

Rian cafe table and chair, from Semigood

We chatted, via email, about his experience on the show, what surprised and impressed him and how to make the most of criticism.

Seattle magazine: What did you know about the show before you guest-judged?
Thom Jones: I had actually gotten an email about being a contestant on the show but due to the time frame necessary to compete, I could not consider auditioning. When the producer contacted me about being a guest judge he filled me in on what they were doing and it sounded amazing. I was thrilled to be a part of it.

SM: There are some pretty strong personalities on this show and it’s super competitive—were you prepped beforehand? One contestant in particular, Freddy Hill, caused a lot of consternation among the other players with his superior attitude.
TJ: I was not prepped in anyway regarding personality types or who was going to be a contestant. In all honesty, with the little engagement I actually got with each contestant, none of those qualities shown in the edits really came through. Freddy especially, seemed like a really calm and collected guy.

SM: Did you know any of the designers (judges and/or competitors) prior to the show? It seems like a relatively small world, so I would imagine you did.
TJ: It’s funny you should ask. Although I did not know any of them, Jory [Brigham] and I follow each other on Instagram with the occasional comment here and there, but Lacey [Campbell] actually had inquired about working with me several years back when she finished up school at SCAD. We exchanged several emails and she had shared her portfolio, so it was pretty neat when they introduced both of them as I knew immediately who they were, and I’m pretty sure they recognized me too.

table

Semigood’s Whitaker coffee table

SM: What surprised you the most about your experience? Did you put yourself in the contestant’s shoes and think about what you could do in the time allotted? Where you impressed or disappointed by what they produced?
TJ: I was genuinely blown away by the production of the show. They really spared no expense and the facilities were top notch. You could make anything you could dream up with those resources so in my mind there would be no excuse for sub par products. I absolutely put myself in the contestant’s shoes and I think most designers would look at the challenges and think, here is what I would do, and I do that every episode I watch.

SM: The other judges are super duper intense—they make it very clear that they’re not messing around and are not hesitant to tear a project apart during the critique. Did that surprise you or did you expect it?
TJ: Being torn apart as a designer/builder is just a fact of life. No sense in letting it get the best of you. Just take notes and make the next piece better. Or just knock it out of the park every time and never get a bad critique.

SM: It seems like some of the contestants have been at it for a long time and have a high opinion of themselves as designers. What separates the judges from the competitors? I think it’s hard for the layperson to understand that.
TJ: Although some of the contestants have lots of experience, [judges] Brandon and Nolen are true professionals in the industry. Both have made an incredible mark and as a designer at that level I am not only familiar with their work, but a true fan. I remember back when Nolen released the Zero chaise lounge down in L.A. and when I first saw Brandon’s Erosion sink in 2007, it changed the way I looked at concrete forever. Both are incredible designers and well deserving of being a judge on this show.
It was an honor to be a part of the show and I am truly impressed with the production of the show since airing. I tune in religiously each week and can’t wait to see who wins. Been a long time coming for a true design/build show and I look forward to multiple seasons.

 

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