'HGTV DESIGN STAR' RETURNS FOR SEASON FOUR SUNDAY, JULY 19, at 10 p.m. ET/PT

Top-Rated Reality Competition Adds New Judges and More Challengers

Knoxville, Tenn. [For Immediate Release - April 21, 2009] HGTV Design Star is back for an electrifying fourth season beginning Sunday, July 19, at 10 p.m. ET/PT with 11 fiercely competitive and creative finalists, ingenious designs and a judging panel of acclaimed interior design luminaries that includes Genevieve Gorder (Dear Genevieve), Candice Olson (Divine Design) and the series' returning judge, Vern Yip (Deserving Design). The finalists, featuring professional designers, home stagers, architects and artists, must navigate the most demanding design challenges in the series' history and dazzle the judges with creativity and ingenuity until one wins their own show on HGTV. Hosted by Clive Pearse, the hour-long series will air on Sundays for nine weeks through September 13.

"We challenge ourselves to make HGTV Design Star more entertaining every season and our fourth season is packed with the kind of surprises and twists that will keep viewers coming back week after week," said James Bolosh, vice president, event programming, HGTV. "Viewers are captivated by this series because it showcases incredibly talented designers, innovative designs and the latest trends while giving audiences an entertaining and thrilling viewing experience."

The Competition

Throughout the competition the finalists must deal with real-life stressors that come with working on a weekly television show, including time management, budget constraints, rigorous production schedules and the challenge of discriminating clients. From handling major kitchen makeovers and tricked-out garage conversions to tackling small-spaces and managing demanding kid clients, the finalists must display their design expertise throughout the competition. While showcasing their design talents and hosting abilities, each finalist also must contend with sharing a living space with several other competitors, as well as dealing with ever-present camera crews.

The Judges

With their extensive experience and sharp eye for great design, Gorder, Olson and Yip will bring an exciting new dynamic to the HGTV Design Star judging panel. In every episode, the three judges will review challenge projects and offer candid, expert critiques to finalists who are eager to become the network's next star.

Genevieve Gorder's unmistakable enthusiasm and intimate approach to design has made her one of America's favorite interior designers. Finding inspiration and beauty in everyday life, Genevieve applies her soulful, eclectic and whimsical style to transform the interiors of homes around the world. After many years designing on-camera, she is now the host and designer of her own HGTV series, Dear Genevieve, airing Mondays at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT.

Candice Olson, an acclaimed designer in Canada and the United States, is renowned for her sophisticated, timeless style. She incorporates immense creativity and practicality to create refined but accessible designs. Candice established her own residential and commercial design practice, Candice Olson Design, in 1994, and is the popular host of HGTV's Divine Design, airing Saturdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT. She also is author of Candice Olson On Design (Meredith Books).

Vern Yip is an award-winning architectural and interior designer who gained national recognition transforming homes and restaurants in his private design practice and on several television series. Vern - whose HGTV series, Deserving Design, airs Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. ET/PT - also has his own line of top-quality products and has authored his own design manual, Designing Spaces (Regan Books/Harper Collins, New York).

About HGTV

HGTV, America's leader in home and lifestyle programming, is distributed to more than 97 million U.S. households and is one of cable's top-rated networks. HGTV's website, HGTV.com, is the nation's leading online home-and-garden destination that attracts an average of 5 million unique visitors per month.