David Bromstad’s New ‘Dream Home’ Is a Nightmare for Haters—And I’m Here for It
Look, I get it. When you’ve been on TV for damn near two decades painting rainbows on people’s walls and crying about their “journey,” you’re going to rack up some haters. David Bromstad, the original host of *HGTV Design Star* and the human embodiment of a glitter bomb that learned to talk, has officially hit a new level of internet infamy—and honestly? The guy is winning. The recent meltdown over his brand new “dream home” in Los Angeles is so gloriously unhinged that I almost feel bad for the terminally online crowd that’s losing their collective minds. Almost.
Let’s set the scene. Bromstad, a man whose wardrobe looks like a Lisa Frank trapper keeper exploded in a thrift store, just dropped a cool $1.8 million on a mid-century modern house in the hills. It’s got the obligatory infinity pool, the open-plan kitchen that will never be used for actual cooking, and enough natural light to give a vampire a sunburn. The property is a perfect 10/10 for anyone who likes their architecture with a side of “I’m better than you.” But the internet, being the cesspool of joyless gremlins that it is, decided to focus on the one thing that apparently breaks their brains: the paint colors.
Yeah, you read that right. David Bromstad, the guy who once painted a house hot pink for a client who asked for “something fun,” bought a house and painted the exterior a shade of deep, moody teal. Not baby blue. Not pastel. A rich, almost black teal that screams “I have taste and you don’t.” Cue the comments section imploding like a dying star. “Looks like a funeral home.” “Disgusting.” “Why would anyone ruin a classic mid-century home with that trash color?” Sir, this is a Wendy’s. Or, in this case, a $1.8 million house that you will never set foot in.
The sheer audacity of a gay man with a successful career, unapologetic style, and a bank account that laughs at your 401k is clearly too much for the perpetually offended. The usual suspects—the same people who think beige is a personality trait—are out in full force. They’re clutching their pearls so hard they might need surgery. “He’s ruining the neighborhood!” “That color is an eyesore!” “He should have consulted with an HOA!” Newsflash, Brenda: HOAs are the government of petty dictators, and David Bromstad doesn’t answer to a board of retired accountants who think a red door is “too aggressive.”
But here’s the real kicker, the part that makes this whole circus genuinely funny: the house is stunning. I’m not even a fan of mid-century modern—it’s basically the architectural equivalent of a dad who won’t shut up about his vinyl collection—but Bromstad’s renovation is objectively good. He kept the clean lines, ditched the avocado green fixtures that looked like they were salvaged from a 1972 hospital, and injected his signature “chaos but make it fashion” vibe. The interior is a masterclass in controlled madness: a neon sign that says “Relax” next to a vintage Eames chair, a living room that looks like a unicorn vomited in a good way, and a primary bedroom that’s clearly designed for someone who has never had to sleep on an IKEA futon.
And yet, the haters are hung up on the teal. They’re acting like he painted the house with the blood of their ancestors. News flash: no one cares about your opinion on exterior paint when you’re renting a studio apartment with a “cozy” view of a dumpster. The jealousy is so thick you could spread it on a bagel. It’s the same energy as the people who rage at celebrities for having “too many bathrooms.” Babe, you’re mad because he has a guest bathroom that’s bigger than your entire living space. That’s not a design critique; that’s a you problem.
Let’s talk about the actual drama, though. Because the internet can’t just be mad about paint. Oh no. They had to dig deeper. A few “concerned citizens” started a thread claiming the house is “haunted” because the previous owner died there. Yeah, no shit, Sherlock. People die in houses. It’s called life. Unless you’re living in a brand new build that was constructed on a sacred burial ground, your house has probably seen a death or two. David Bromstad responded on Instagram with a video of himself dancing in the living room, captioning it, “The ghost is my interior designer now. He has great taste.” Fucking legend. That’s the energy we need.
The real AITA moment here isn’t Bromstad. It’s the entire internet for acting like a home renovation is a moral failing. The guy is a professional. He’s been doing this since 2006. He helped launch an entire network’s worth of design shows. He’s survived HGTV’s weird obsession with “open concept” and the scourge of shiplap. If anyone has earned the right to paint his house the color of a depressed ocean, it’s him. But no, we have to act like he’s committing a war crime because the shade doesn’t match the “original intent” of a house that was built in 1965 and probably had shag carpeting.
Honestly, the only thing missing from this whole saga is an HOA letter. I’m waiting for the inevitable headline: “Neighbors File Complaint Against David Bromstad for ‘Unsanctioned Use of Color.’” And then I’m waiting for his response, which will probably be a photo of him flipping them off while wearing a sequined blazer. That’s the content I live for.
So, to the haters: you’re boring. You’re the kind of
Final Thoughts
Having followed David Bromstad’s career from his *Design Star* victory to his current reign on *My Lottery Dream Home*, it’s clear he’s far more than just a colorful personality. His true skill lies in translating a winner’s chaotic joy into a tangible, livable home, proving that practicality and personality don’t have to be enemies. Ultimately, Bromstad’s lasting appeal is his authenticity—he remains the same unpretentious, glitter-loving artist who reminds us that good design should always feel like a celebration, not a compromise.