Designed to Last

Alumnus Stars In HGTV’s ‘Design Wars’ Reality Series

A stint on reality TV may seem fun and glamorous. But Georgia Southern alumnus and interior designer Robert White (’07) can tell you it’s a lot of hard work. White recently completed filming as a contestant on HGTV’s “Design Wars,” and found out what really goes on behind the scenes of reality TV.

“I don’t think people realize how much work goes into a design show,” says White. “Usually, an episode looks like it is done in one day. We filmed 16-hour days, and each episode took between four and five days to shoot. It was a lot more work than I assumed it would be.”

White can’t say what happened on the show or how he fared as a contestant until it airs on HGTV later this year. But, he says the show pushed him creatively and professionally.

“There are a lot of things that have to happen when you are re-designing a home. There were several facets of the show that would normally take weeks or months to complete that we did in several days.” But White is no stranger to a challenge. After graduating from Georgia Southern with a degree in interior design in 2007, he began working for an Atlanta design firm. But, he had always dreamed of owning his own business. Within two years, he co-founded Reiner-White Design Studio in Atlanta with business partner Jennifer Reiner. While the economy, stock market, construction and real estate market struggled, Reiner-White continued to push forward. The design team that began with just one project now has 20 design jobs underway.

“We consider ourselves very lucky,” reflects White. “The economy means more people have decided to stay in their homes and make them exactly what they want. Instead of buying a new dream home, they are taking the space they already have and are putting the money back into the house. A lot of our big clients have decided that these are the homes they are going to live in for good, and that allows us to really get creative.”

White credits faculty members in Georgia Southern’s interior design program with preparing him for the creative and business challenges that he has already faced. “My education at Georgia Southern has everything to do with where I am today,” says White. “I can’t say enough about the value of the program or the faculty. They really pushed me and really opened my eyes to some of the realities of being an interior designer, and also how to navigate the business world. That prepared me to jump in with both feet. Without their direction, I wouldn’t have the knowledge or skills to be where I am now.”

And White has advice for other new graduates who worry their big dreams could be sidelined by a bad economy. “Get your foot in the door. Don’t focus on being a rock star or trying to see your name in lights right out of the gate. Take a job you will have fun with and value that job. Get in where you fit in,” White says.

“Go where you can get a foothold in the industry. You can start from there and go anywhere, so keep that dream. You always want to hold onto that dream.”

—Betsy Nolen