MY BOY DAVID BROMSTAD IS STILL THE SLAY KING OF COLOR WE DON'T DESERVE 💅🔥
Okay besties, let me TELL you something that's been LIVING RENT FREE in my brain for like a decade and a half. Remember that absolute ICON of a man named David Bromstad? The guy with the rainbow hair before rainbow hair was even a vibe? The dude who painted like a chaotic angel and made HGTV actually watchable? Yeah, HE’S STILL THAT GIRL. And I’m not talking about some dusty "where are they now" segment. I’m talking about a full-on GLOW UP that’s been hiding in plain sight while you were busy doomscrolling.
Let’s rewind real quick. If you were a true 2000s kid, you remember the THRILL of watching "Design Star" on HGTV. David didn’t just win season one—he OBLITERATED the competition. His aesthetic was pure maximalist chaos: bright colors, bold patterns, a sprinkle of glitter, and a whole lot of "I don't care if you hate it, I'm obsessed." And we ATE. IT. UP. He was the first openly gay winner of a major design competition show, and he did it with so much swagger that he basically became a blueprint for every designer who wanted to be unapologetically themselves.
But here’s the tea: after "Design Star," David got his own show, "Color Splash," and it was LITERALLY the blueprint for every home renovation show that came after. He didn't just paint walls. He painted SOULS. He turned beige, sad, "I'm afraid of color" suburban homes into LOUD, PROUD, VIBRANT sanctuaries. He was the original "go big or go home" designer before that phrase was even a thing.
Now, you might be thinking, "Okay, but what is he doing in 2024? Is he still relevant? Is he still serving looks?" And to that I say: PUT SOME RESPECT ON HIS NAME.
David Bromstad is NOT fading into obscurity. He’s been on a quiet but MASSIVE comeback tour. He’s doing collabs, he’s got a merch line that makes you want to paint your entire apartment neon orange, and his Instagram is a MUSEUM of dopamine hits. He’s still rocking that signature colorful hair—sometimes pink, sometimes blue, sometimes a galaxy of colors—and his energy is IMMACULATE. He’s like if a rainbow and a golden retriever had a baby that was also a genius interior designer.
But what REALLY got me? He’s been appearing on "Celebrity IOU: Joyride" and other HGTV specials, and let me tell you, the man has NOT lost a step. He’s still doing that thing where he walks into a room and just KNOWS what it needs. He’s still treating color like it’s a superpower. He’s still making you feel like your home should be a reflection of your personality, not some boring Pinterest board.
And can we talk about his FACE? The man is aging like the finest wine you’ve ever seen. He’s got that "I’m in my 40s and I’ve never been happier" glow. He’s fit, he’s stylish, he’s serving looks that would make a Zillennial cry. He’s proof that being yourself is the ultimate flex.
But here’s the REAL reason David Bromstad is still the king: he never sold out. He never watered down his aesthetic to fit a trend. While everyone else is chasing "quiet luxury" or "sad beige," David is out there screaming "MORE COLOR, MORE LIFE, MORE JOY!" He’s the antithesis of that boring, minimalist, "everything must be gray" culture that has taken over the internet. He’s a REBEL with a paintbrush.
And the internet is starting to notice again. TikTok is FLOODED with clips of his old shows, and Gen Z is discovering him for the first time. They’re calling him the "OG dopamine decor king." They’re recreating his looks. They’re making thirst edits of him painting a living room (and I’m not even mad about it). He’s having a RESURGENCE, and it’s beautiful to watch.
So, what’s the lesson here? David Bromstad is not just a reality TV star from 2007. He’s a TIMELESS icon of self-expression. He’s a reminder that color is not scary. That being loud is okay. That you can be an artist, a businessman, and a total ray of sunshine all at once. He’s the uncle we all wish we had—the one who shows up to Thanksgiving with glitter in his beard and tells you to paint your bedroom ceiling gold.
If you haven’t checked in on David Bromstad lately, DO IT. Follow him on Instagram. Watch his old episodes on Discovery+. Let his chaotic, colorful energy wash over you like a wave of pure serotonin. He’s still out there, slaying, serving, and reminding us all that life is too short for beige walls.
David Bromstad, we don’t deserve you. But we’re SO glad you’re still here, still painting, and still being the absolute GOAT of maximalist design. Period. 💖🌈✨
Final Thoughts
David Bromstad’s journey from a vibrant "Design Star" winner to a HGTV mainstay shows that genuine passion and a willingness to evolve matter more than a polished, by-the-book resume. While his rainbow-bright aesthetic isn’t for every homeowner, his real success lies in proving that a designer can be both a brand and an artist, balancing commercial appeal with a distinct, unapologetic voice. If there’s a takeaway here, it’s that in the often-cookie-cutter world of reality renovation, being memorably yourself is still the best renovation job you can do.