The answer was:

Everyone playing, correctly guessed that Josh Johnson from HGTV was the real Offbeat visitor. However, most people seem to think, that if it were up to me, I’d like to have a Food Network guest here at Offbeat, which is far from true.

Only Nick Allen correctly guessed that I would love an X-Files guest and got the extra 5 points. (Go Nick!). I adore the X-Files. In case you think I’m joking, I wrote about it here. I figured it would be obvious what with the “offbeat” theme we have here. Oh, well.

The contest winners: Sorry it took me so long to suss out the winners. Mainly, it’s because we had two clear winners, but then two others who were so close that I ended up re-counting about ten times to be sure the real winner won.

The three final winners of the December’s Reader Appreciation Contest are:

1. Noreen Crone-Findlay
2. Linette
3. Mark Anthony

If you’re a winner, I’ll be e-mailing you at some point this weekend, so all you need to do is figure out which prize you’re going to want.

Congratulations to the winners! It was an extremely close race. Thanks to everyone who played along. This was such a great contest that I’m pretty sure that I’ll be throwing another one this spring or summer.

Post from: Blisstree

December’s Reader Appreciation Contest Winners!

Yup folks the end of HGTV Design Star is drawing to an end. Will it be Kim or Todd? Who knows. It’s won’t be Sparkle Josh so it’s hard to care but still he is supposed to be on the final show so that’s exciting. I did vote and you should too. I had to vote at least once to make my world complete I suppose. I voted for….

Todd

Why? Because frankly Kim gets on my nerves and I honestly question her design skills. Todd has the fun edge. But I only voted once; I don’t like Todd that much. You can vote through Wednesday.

If you are aching to see the return of all the canceled designers watch the season finale on September 16, at 9pm e/p. Or if you fancy yourself a savvy design star in the making apply for season 3. Who knows you might be my favorite next year.

In cool Offbeat Homes news:

I got an email today from International Listings telling me that Offbeat Homes is being recognized as one of their Top 100 Real Estate Blogs in the Green Ideas category. According to their site, International Listings has been a leader in online luxury classifieds advertisements since 2001 and they do have an interesting selection of worldwide homes featured.

I of course, frown on McMansion style living but did find some nice villas and some glamorous but not huge homes at the site. Which made me happier than seeing all mega homes.

Overall I was pretty excited. Eco-living is so important to me and I try to insert a lot of green home info here at Offbeat. To be listed along side of sites like Jetson Green, Treehugger, and Inhabitat is a huge honor to me and made my week — so a hearty thanks to International Listings for the nod.

A tasty treat:

Obviously I used most of this post up talking about HGTV and Offbeat props so I leave you with some beautiful morsels of an offbeat home:

The home above; the Orchid House is just one of the amazing homes designed for Landmark Homes. The Orchid House is by Sarah Featherstone. The entire site is full of beautiful and offbeat designs and has a large eco-slant. The architects seem heavily into blending ecology with structure form which is one of my favorite things to hear. Pay them a visit.

Now, who are you going to vote for as the all new Design Star?

Post from: Blisstree

Vote for Your Favorite HGTV Design Star & Other News