Blanche Garcia from "Design Star 2011" is one of the contestants in Season 6 of the interior design reality competition series on HGTV. She likes to mix eco-friendly materials with touches of luxury for a look she calls "green glam." She is a 32-year-old interior designer from Montclair, New Jersey.
Despite a childhood filled with frequent moves, little money and the unexpected death of her father, Blanche Garcia ("Design Star 6") says it was her dream of becoming an interior designer that kept her going.
At age 15, she started as a volunteer for community building projects and, a few years later, pursued her studies in interior design. Today, Blanche is a licensed interior designer and business owner with many high-end residential and commercial clients.
Sleek Bachelor's Pad
The homeowner for this bachelor pad is in the restaurant business, and he relocated from New York City to New Jersey. To suit the bachelor's active lifestyle, Garcia keeps the furniture clean and modern. A color palette of charcoal and chocolate is both elegant and masculine.
Romantic yet Streamlined Bedroom
The master bedroom is designed in neutral cool tones for the man of the house but with soft lines and feminine patterns for the lady of the house. Their existing bed was turned into a canopy bed by adding fabric to create a little romance.
Simply Stylish Nook
Beside the stairway, Garcia creates a nook with a console table, elegant seat and bamboo and cotton fabrics.
Sleek Bar
The show house bar area is infused with a modern 1940s lounge look. The antiqued glass mirror and the Lucite stools are custom made, while the bar is made out of bamboo to keep the space green.
Traditional Kitchen
The custom-designed kitchen is washed in a butter yellow tone to add a pop of color. The Moroccan style print on the stools adds a modern feel to the space.
Old World-Inspired Kitchen
This traditional kitchen is designed to be the main gathering place of the home. The appliances are custom paneled to flow seamlessly with the rest of the cabinetry, and the stove backsplash features honey onyx with a metal pencil inset.
Cozy Sun room
Garcia uses neutrals with a touch of raspberry to keep this sunroom bright and cheery. The chandelier is a work of art that adds an eclectic feel to the space.
Kitchen Office Area
This desk area is designed as part of the kitchen for the lady of the house. The chair fabric coordinates with the color of the custom window treatments.
Nightclub-Inspired Bedroom
Designed for a professional athlete and his brother, Garcia's goal was to keep the home young and modern. In addition, the client wanted to feel like he was living in his own nightclub. The bedroom wall acts as the headboard and is covered in tufted vinyl with studded nail heads. The ceiling is hand done using real silver leaf.
Cool, Comfy Bedroom
The brother's room lacked storage so a closet and entertainment wall is designed to take up a whole wall. Light-colored fabrics and walls balance the dark wood of the cabinetry, and a stylish light fixture adds a bit of bling to the space.
Sleek Living Room
The custom rug is made out of albino cow and the leather ottoman rotates. The light panels offer ambient lighting and act as pieces of art.
Clean and Modern Dining Room
Fabric mobile panels are able to close off the dining room for privacy. The ceiling is lacquered in orange red to reflect the modern crystal chandelier.
Contemporary Bathroom
Garcia creates the illusion of a larger space in this connecting bath for two pre-teen boys by carrying the slate subway tile from the floor all the way up the main wall. Designed to grow with the boys, the bathroom features a modern, streamlined vanity and fixtures.
Expansive Great Room
This family room was constructed in ten days including a new fireplace surround, millwork, stripping the floors and all new window treatments and furniture. Garcia creates a focal point out of the large fireplace by using paint and molding detail.
Contemporary Living Room
An accent wall of sophisticated gray is created with Venetian plaster, while a light blue on the adjacent wall keeps the space light and airy. Streamlined furnishings give the space a contemporary feeling.
