New from Active rain: "We arrived early to get a good table (and had a cocktail before ordering a delicious Irish dinner) and soon a big white limo pulled up outside and out popped Dan Vickery with some of his family & friends ... when Dan walked into the pub, everyone cheered and he happily posed for photos with his "fans" and even signed autographs. Dan was accompanied by a gorgeous, tall brunette who he later introduced as his girlfriend, Rose. Dan is extremely gracious and about the nicest, most humble person you could meet. Not to mention what a talented designer he is!"

Read the whole post and see photos. Thanks, Michele Rose!

From Fu for Thought: Her thoughts on the finale! She loved both rooms, but liked Antonio's better.The weekly interviews conducted by Fu for Thought haven't been posted yet, but I expect them to be up later this week. I'll post a link to that and others as they pop up.

I've collected a roundup of the links related to Design Star and the final challenge.

If you haven't read Dan's comments after last night's show, be sure to catch them. They include thoughts about the final challenge that Dan has kept secret since May 15. Sure, Antonio edged him out in the final challenge. But there's so much ahead for Dan. I know there's a lot of bashing going on, and it would have been nice for Dan to win, but in my book, Dan's still a winner. He has so many opportunities ahead ... and I hope I can continue to tell his fans about them ...

But for starters ...

Video of Dan's party in Portland and his concession speech.

He needs your vote to win the online show for HGTV.

Watch videos of Dan and Antonio after the winner was chosen, along with the top intense moments of the final challenge: (Look to the right for the video box on the Web page). Also watch the video with extras from the judge. And there's a preview to The Antonio Project that will air next week.

In his exit interview, Antonio tells fans that Dan is "super talented" and "I'll definitely have him on my show, too."

Watch for Antonio's new show in January. In the same interview, Antonio reminds host Clive Pearse what he said when he arrived: "I'm here to win — not to make friends."

HGTV airs a one-hour special, The Antonio Project, on Sunday night in the same time slot as Design Star has aired. During the special, Antonio tackles "his toughest client ever — himself." The Bad Boy of Design makes over his own house in just five days and shows it off to his friends and family. Look for additional unseen footage of his journey to becoming HGTV's newest design star.

David Bromsted welcomes Antonio to the Design Star family and says in the end that Antonio was probably the right choice.

The Oregonian attended Dan's final challenge party in Portland.

Some other news stories and blog posts:

"From the start, I was here to win," said Antonio about the competition. "I want to bring something fresh to the network and live up to the design star title. I hope America will have fun with me on the ride."

A quick run down by Raenovate. The Design File. Reality TV World.

I'll have more pictures and my own thoughts about the final challenge later today.