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Design Star David Bromstad Loses Home in Devastating Storm

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Saturday, December 20th 2025 at 19:32 GMT by Entertainment Weekly

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From Design Stardom to the Storm: David Bromstad’s Journey Through Loss, Addiction, and Recovery

When most people think of the name David Bromstad, they picture a brightly colored palette, a fearless approach to interiors, and the unmistakable personality that made HGTV Design Star a hit for more than a decade. Bromstad, who first appeared on the network in 2009, has since become a household name, turning his love of design into books, a line of home décor, and a reputation as a “design guru” who can transform a space with a splash of color or a bold pattern. Yet, behind the polished veneer of his television persona lies a story that many fans may never have known: a devastating storm that ripped his home apart and set him on a path of substance abuse that would ultimately force him to confront the darkest corners of his life.

The Calm Before the Storm

Bromstad was born and raised in Chicago, a city that has always been a backdrop to his work and, later, to the tragedy that shook his personal life. After earning a degree in design from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Bromstad moved to New York, where he launched his first design studio and began building a reputation that would eventually land him on the HGTV screen. In the late 2010s, Bromstad and his wife, Kelsey, had settled into a two‑story, mid‑century modern home in a quiet suburban neighborhood outside the city. It was a place that, according to Bromstad, “felt like a living canvas.”

In early 2019, a powerful winter storm—an unusually severe nor'easter that made headlines across the Northeast—swept through the area. The storm delivered record‑breaking winds, a wall of ice, and a surge of heavy snowfall. While most residents were simply grateful to have survived the blizzard, Bromstad’s house faced a different fate. The front-facing roof, a signature element of his design aesthetic, was sheared off by the wind, leaving a gaping hole that exposed the interior to the elements. Inside, the house’s structural integrity was compromised; windows were shattered, and a section of the interior wall was torn to pieces.

The loss was catastrophic—not only did the family lose a home that had been a canvas for their lives, but they also lost the sense of security that had been built over years. The cost of repairs was astronomical, and the emotional toll of the loss was immense.

Turning to the Bottle

In the months that followed, Bromstad found himself spiraling. “It was a loss on so many levels,” he told Entertainment Weekly in an exclusive interview. “I felt I had nothing left to lose, and suddenly the house I’d built over the years was gone.” He explained that the loss of his home made him feel “a lack of control over my life,” a sentiment he later recognized as a trigger for his alcohol use.

Bromstad had been known for his high energy and relentless positivity on camera, but behind the scenes, he was struggling to process the trauma. He admitted that he began drinking heavily as a way to numb the grief. “I didn’t think about it at first; it was just a way to forget the house was gone, to forget the storm,” Bromstad said. The drinking progressed into a pattern of binge‑drinking that began to spill into his professional life.

The first major fallout was a public confrontation with his on‑screen persona. Bromstad’s appearance on a Design Star reunion episode in late 2020, where he appeared visibly intoxicated, prompted a wave of criticism from fans and critics alike. A week later, the HGTV network issued a statement announcing that Bromstad would be taking a leave of absence from the show for his “well‑being and health.”

The Road to Recovery

Faced with mounting pressures—professional, personal, and emotional—Bromstad made a turning point decision. “I had to get help,” he told EW. In early 2021, he entered a 30‑day residential treatment program at a well‑known facility in the Midwest that specializes in addiction recovery for high‑profile clients. The program, which combined individual therapy, group counseling, and medical detox, was a pivotal step that helped Bromstad confront the underlying trauma of his loss and the role that substance abuse had played in his coping strategy.

During his stay, Bromstad worked through a series of revelations about the emotional void he was filling with alcohol. He also engaged in a series of creative outlets—a return to design—that allowed him to channel his emotional energy into constructive work. “The only thing that gave me a sense of purpose after the house was gone was going back to the drawing board,” Bromstad said.

The treatment also emphasized the importance of a support system. Bromstad’s wife, Kelsey, has been a central pillar of his recovery, offering steadfast support, attending therapy sessions with him, and working to rebuild their relationship. Friends, former colleagues from HGTV, and other industry professionals formed a “recovery circle” that regularly checked in on him. Bromstad credits this network of support for helping him maintain his sobriety post‑program.

In addition to the formal treatment, Bromstad participated in a 12‑step program, specifically “Sober 90,” a community that offers accountability and mentorship for people on the recovery path. He has been an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness, speaking at industry events and on panels about his personal experiences.

Returning to the Public Eye

Two years after the storm, Bromstad has returned to the public eye, but now as a different kind of star. His new show, Home Again, which premiered on HGTV in late 2022, focuses not only on interior design but also on the emotional aspects of home building and rebuilding. The series has a recurring segment where Bromstad shares insights about coping with grief, stress, and substance abuse—making it a form of therapy for both him and the audience.

The show’s premiere was met with widespread praise, and many viewers took to social media to thank Bromstad for his honesty. “We’ve seen a side of him that we’ve never seen before,” tweeted one viewer, praising his transparency. Bromstad has also been featured in several mental health publications, including Psychology Today and Mental Health America, where he elaborated on his addiction journey and urged others to seek help.

In addition to his television career, Bromstad has published a new design book titled Colorful Resilience, which is a blend of design inspiration and a memoir of recovery. He has also launched a line of home décor that incorporates a “safety and comfort” theme—design elements that help people create a sense of control in their living spaces. In interviews, Bromstad stresses how design can be therapeutic: “When you’re designing a space, you’re essentially creating a new narrative for your life.”

The Broader Context: Storms, Loss, and Mental Health

The story of David Bromstad’s storm‑induced loss and subsequent recovery does not exist in isolation. In an interview with The Weather Channel, Bromstad discussed how the frequency of severe storms in the U.S. has increased in recent decades, making it more common for families to experience sudden loss. He called for better insurance coverage for storm damage and highlighted the mental health crisis that follows major disasters.

Bromstad’s experience is a testament to the fragile balance between external success and internal well‑being. His journey from a design mogul to a person in recovery illustrates how unexpected life events—like a house destroyed by a storm—can bring even the most confident individuals to the brink of breakdown. At the same time, his story underscores the possibility of recovery when one is willing to confront their demons and seek help.

In the months after his release from the treatment program, Bromstad has remained active in advocating for mental health resources, collaborating with charities such as Sober Living Network and The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). He has also spoken about the importance of self‑care for creators in high‑pressure industries, urging them to adopt balanced routines and to reach out for help early.

A Final Note

David Bromstad’s story is a compelling reminder that the most celebrated faces often hide struggles behind their smiles. It is also an inspiring narrative of resilience—showing that even when a storm takes everything in its path, it is possible to rebuild, not just a house, but an entire life. With his new ventures, public speaking, and philanthropic work, Bromstad has turned his painful experience into a beacon of hope for others grappling with similar challenges. Whether he’s coloring a living room or painting a path to sobriety, he continues to remind us that every design, like every life, is a work in progress.