A chat with Top Design’s” Big Daddy”




Kerry Howard, or “Big Daddy,” of Cumming, Ga.’s Howard House Interiors, was a much-loved contestant on the second season of Bravo’s “Top Design.” He was eliminated in episode three when his team’s design (he was paired with fellow contestant Wisit Prapong, who was not eliminated) failed to satisfy their client, Jeffrey Sebelia - winner of “Project Runway” season three - in the window display challenge. I spoke to him about the show, his business and the allure of Atlanta (and its housewives).

So, how was “Top Design?”

It was phenomenal. I had a great time. It was the experience of a lifetime.



What would you say your design style is? Do you have a specialty?

I’m very transitional, which, to me, is defined as a mixture of old and new. I love mixing old architectural elements with new modern pieces, such as a Barcelona chair or really high-end leather. I really just enjoy a challenge to mix old and new things to form an eclectic field.



You were very diplomatic when you got cut in episode three. Were you upset that you didn’t get another chance to prove yourself on an individual challenge?

Yeah, I would have loved to prove myself on an individual basis, but I think the end result was, you know, everything happens for a reason, and it was just my time to go. If I was to do it all over again, I would have loved to start the whole show with an individual challenge, so America could see our personal style, but that’s just the way the ball rolled for me, so I just have to go with the flow.

Have you watched Blade Runner yet the film his client, Jeffrey Sebelia, wanted his space to be designed around, in Howard’s losing challenge?

No, I have not. I’m not a real big sci-fi person, but I have gotten an overabundance of clips from people around the country. I have an idea of it, I’m just not a big sci-fi person.