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June 4, 2009

HGTV star returns to Endicott this weekend

Susan Flynn

Endicott College alumni don't need a reunion to see what fellow classmate Danielle Hirsch is up to these days. They can turn into HGTV's "Color Splash," and watch the talented painter complete amazing home makeovers with designer David Bromstad.

This weekend Hirsch, 39, returns to Endicott College to help celebrate the school's 70th anniversary. The New Jersey native, a 1990 graduate, attended the college as a graphic arts major back when only girls went to the oceanfront school.

She will give a talk on campus at 4 p.m. on Saturday, joining other accomplished alumni, including Susie Castillo, Miss USA 2003 (Class of 2002) and Lee Bryant, Broadway, screen and television actress (Class of 1965).

We recently caught up with Hirsch in between volunteering duties at her daughters' school just outside San Francisco. Here's an edited version of our talk:

How did you end up at Endicott?

I lived in New Jersey and I was really interested in Boston, which was still close to home, and where a lot of my friends were going to school. There was no way I was going to go to an all-girls school. But I went on a visit there and I totally fell in love with the campus and the people. It was one of those things where it spoke to me right away.

What was your major?

I was an art major, and got an associate's degree in science for graphic design.

Did you have the best decorated dorm room?

Before college I called my roommate to introduce myself and I said, "OK, let's color coordinate our room." We definitely had our touches on it. We actually at the time had blacks and white with accents in red.

How did you end up in California?

My husband produces extreme music and sporting events and this wasn't as prominent on the East Coast. We packed up a 25-foot Penske truck and drove cross country. It was a really great adventure. That was 13 years ago.

How did you get onto HGTV?

I had a decorative painting business at the time. My friend was looking for a job and saw it advertised on craigslist. They were looking for someone proficient in power tools and painting. I sent a totally cheesy video of me. The cover shot was of me in front of my house, holding a drill. I wasn't going to even send it. Then my husband said, "You have worked on that for three days straight, you have to send it."

Then what happened?

Of all the tapes they received, they auditioned five people and only one female. I thought that seemed promising. I got the show, "Design Remix," and that show lasted for 2¬½ years. When that ended, I auditioned for "Color Splash." Right away the chemistry was undeniable between David and I. At first they didn't want me. They wanted a fresh face. But David and I had a really great friendship from the first time I walked into that room."

What's working with David like? He seems very Type A.

He is a little type A. He has tremendous personality. I describe David as a cartoon character that just leaped out of a book. He has a fabulous figure, a beautiful face, and anything he touches turns to gold. Yes, he wants the things the way he wants it, but I'm a perfectionist, too. We both come from the same mold.

How does the taping work?

Each season is 13 weeks. We film 13 weeks straight, three days a week. And then we do a little break for a couple weeks. This week we are breaking for the summer. Mostly all the homes are in the San Francisco area. I live in Marin County, so I don't have to travel. Call time is at 9 a.m. and I'm home at 7 or 8.

Does the homeowner have to pay for the makeover they get?

The production company puts up $2,500 and then the homeowner has to put up at least $3,000. They don't pay for any of the labor. They get the designer, the painter, the carpenter and the seamstress all for free. We don't have any problems finding people. We have people lining up at the door.

Do you watch the show with your kids?

I used to watch the show with my kids, but now they have had enough of me. My first-grader does love to tell people I am on TV.

Does your family tap you for your expertise?

It's funny, I'm going to visit some friends and I know they will ask me for advice. That's fine. If anyone asks me my opinion, I give it.

Is what we see on TV the true reaction?

I think sometimes it's even better than what people see on TV. Some people are so stunned they don't even say anything. Our success rate has been really, really good. We haven't had any unhappy customers luckily. I love it when people are able to open a door and embrace what David's style is; it is a little over the top. He is a very colorful designer.

Is your family coming with you to Endicott?

No, but my sister Melissa (also a graduate) is coming up and she is so excited. I have not been back since I graduated. I can't wait to see all the changes. When I learned the school was going coed, I was really disappointed. But President Wylie knew what he was doing. Now that Endicott College is coed, students probably have the best of both worlds.

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HGTV star returns to Endicott this weekend
by Susan Flynn , , Thu Jun 04, 2009, 05:45 AM EDT
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