Angelo Surmelis profile picture

Angelo Surmelis

The official page for HGTV's DESIGN GEEK: Angelo Surmelis

About Me


OK, let's just get this out in the open and over with, I am a DESIGN GEEK. Plain and simple. I started moving (dragging) my parents furniture around our Chicago apartment when I was about six. They freaked out and thought I was going to kill myself (my parents are Greek, so the freak out was VERY dramatic), but quickly figured out it always looked better when I was done. I have always been fascinated with space and in my early, naive years I thought I was going to be an Architect (that or the next great American Theater Actor!) Since my understanding of math and all things logical was not that acute...I decided to study theater (at Second City and Steppenwolf in Chicago) and fine art after a few years of architecural school. I still feel like a frustrated architect and continue to doodle designs of buildings I dream of constructing one day.While in school I designed and built sets and always designed spaces on a freelance basis for friends, family and architect friends between acting gigs in Chicago and New York. I eventually found myself in Los Angeles (to "further my acting career" as my agent said at the time) but 5 lines on "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" every 6 months does not an actor or career make...So, I kept freelancing in design until a friend said that I could charge people for my "design genius" (her words) I started my design firm, Swell Space, and a new career was born. That was over a decade ago and since then I have been lucky enough to not only work with amazing private clients but do a few design shows along the way, including MERGE on Lifetime, CLEAN SWEEP on TLC, and MY CELEBRITY HOME for the Style Network.You can now see me on the HGTV series "24 HOUR DESIGN."I am fortunate enough do what I love and have an amazing time working with awesome people!If you still want more info...my design firm site is:

www.swell-space.com

.The "official" fan club (a friend & fan is totally responsible for this, so don't take it that seriously):

www.swellfan.com

Thanks for checking me out and let me know what you think of the new show, old shows or anything else that's on your mind. I'll even try to answer any design questions you may have, but sometimes I can't get back to you right away due to crazy schedule stuff. And also, if you too are a design geek....BE NOT AFRAID, it's served me well and kept me sane.-Angelo

My Interests

Almost everything

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I'd like to meet:

You.

Music:

All Kinds, from Country to Classical

Movies:

Anything with Michelle Pfeiffer in it, The Godfather, One From The Heart, Notorious, The Apartment, Annie Hall, North By Northwest, Rear Window, Apocolypse Now, Wizard of Oz, Amelie, Sling Blade, La Femme Nikita, Kill Bill (both), Some Like It Hot, Million Dollar Baby, Mulholland Drive, Anything with Gary Oldman in it, The Hours, Young Frankenstein, Best in Show, A Christmas Story, Elf, Waiting for Guffman, Run Lola Run, Anything by Alfred Hitchcock, Fight Club, Donnie Darko, The Graduate, Party Girl, Anything by Tim Burton, Laurel & Hardy movies, The Thin Man Series, The Wizard of Oz, Anything by Martin Scorsese, Born Yesterday, The Philadelphia Story, And WAY TOO many others to mention.

Television:

Family Guy, Sopranos, The Simpsons, American Dad, King of the Hill, South Park, Brothers & Sisters, Boston Legal, David Letterman, Strangers With Candy, I Love Lucy, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Faulty Towers, To the Manor Born, The Daily Show, The Colbert Report. 360 with Anderson Cooper and of course, 24 Hour Design,!

Books:

Ice Master, Ada Blackjack, Curious George Books, Anything by David Sedaris & Dr. Suess

Heroes:

Curious George & Batman;

My Blog

FLOORING QUESTION

Hi Peeps,I've been getting a few questions about the carpet tiles used in one o the "24 Hour Design" shows (the foyer episode). The tiles are from one of my favorite places:  www.flor.com &n...
Posted by Angelo Surmelis on Tue, 11 Sep 2007 09:23:00 PST

Come Meet & Greet (West Palm Beach)

I'm going to be appearing at the West Palm Beach Home & Garden Show Oct. 19-21 I'll be doing a few seminars a day, answering people's design questions and generally saying, "hello." If you're in t...
Posted by Angelo Surmelis on Tue, 09 Oct 2007 09:55:00 PST

Bedroom Before and After

New "24 Hour Design" episode tonight on HGTV at 9:30E/PT...Have a great week, Angelo
Posted by Angelo Surmelis on Wed, 19 Sep 2007 05:01:00 PST

Who would have thought of designing a foyer?

We did! We tackle an odd foyer/entry area and go MOD! Check out a new epsiode of HGTV's "24 Hour Design" tonight at 9:30 E/PT-Thanks, Angelo
Posted by Angelo Surmelis on Wed, 29 Aug 2007 06:19:00 PST

DNG. RM. EXTRAVAGANZA!

Check out dng. rm. makeover tonight on HGTV's "24 Hour Design."7pm E/PT. and have a great weekend. -AngeloP.S. New Episode next week Tuesday at 9:30pm E/PT...woo-hoo!
Posted by Angelo Surmelis on Sat, 25 Aug 2007 10:02:00 PST

Funnel cake, homemade ice cream and food on a stick!

Went to DollyWood today and had waaaay too much greasy food, but it was fantastic!  Heading back to L.A. tomorrow.  The trip to Knoxville was really amazing...even went to Nashville for...
Posted by Angelo Surmelis on Fri, 03 Aug 2007 04:43:00 PST

ON THE ROAD AGAIN....

Just got back from New York and now I'm heading off to Knoxville, TN (home of HGTV) to visit the network "motherland" if you will. Looking forward to it PLUS the Southern hospitality, FOOD & scenery!...
Posted by Angelo Surmelis on Sun, 29 Jul 2007 09:54:00 PST

IM BACK....

Howdy! My account was phished/hacked and taken to some strange place. Sorry for any confusion and not being able to get back to you if you sent me a msg....MySpace got it back for me, so three cheers ...
Posted by Angelo Surmelis on Sat, 28 Jul 2007 01:11:00 PST

My page was hacked and deleted

I've alerted Myspace & hopefully they will be able to get my page back online... -Angelo
Posted by Angelo Surmelis on Sat, 28 Jul 2007 07:21:00 PST

Thank You!

To all of you that have written about the new show (season) that premiered this week...A BIG THANK YOU for your comments, questions and support of the new season. Working on seaosn 2 of "24 Hour Desig...
Posted by Angelo Surmelis on Fri, 27 Jul 2007 08:39:00 PST