You know the vibe. The infectious laugh. The blindingly bright tattoos. The way he hugs a stranger who just won five million dollars like they’ve been best friends since kindergarten. That’s David Bromstad. Most of us just call him David from Lottery Dream House, and honestly, he’s become the human equivalent of a warm cup of coffee on a rainy Tuesday.
But if you think he just showed up one day in a designer tracksuit to look at mansions, you’re missing the real story. David isn’t just a host. He’s a survivor of the brutal world of early reality TV and a guy who actually knows his way around a paintbrush.
The Disney Dream That Almost Wasn't
Let's go back to the beginning. Before the fame. Before the tattoos. David grew up in Cokato, Minnesota. Small town. Like, 2,600 people small. He was the youngest of four and obsessed with Disney. Not just "I like the movies" obsessed—he wanted to be the guy drawing the movies.
He packed his bags and headed to the Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota. He was ready. He was motivated. Then, two months in, he realized drawing a broomstick moving for five seconds takes weeks of soul-crushing repetitive work. He hated it.
"It was awful," he’s said. He ditched the animation dream but stayed at Ringling to master color theory. That choice basically defined his entire life. He ended up working for Disney anyway, but not in a dark room drawing cells. He was doing window displays and sculptures. He was building the magic, not just sketching it.
Winning the First Ever Design Star
In 2006, HGTV was a different beast. They launched a show called Design Star. David almost didn't go. A friend pushed him. He showed up, competed against nine other designers, and won the whole thing. He didn't just win a show; he won a career.
He moved from Design Star to Color Splash, where he spent 11 seasons proving that beige is a crime. By the time David from Lottery Dream House became his primary title in 2015, he had already put in a decade of work as a legitimate designer.
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The Mystery of the Face Tattoos
If you watch the show religiously, you might notice something. Or rather, you might not notice it. On his Instagram, David is covered. We're talking a full Mickey Mouse sleeve, a "Poppin' Good" scratch-and-sniff sticker from the '80s on his arm, and a dabbing unicorn.
But have you seen the face tattoos?
He has a small heart and a lightning bolt right next to his eye. Fans on Reddit have been losing their minds for years wondering why they never appear on My Lottery Dream House. Is it CGI? Is it heavy foundation?
The truth is usually the simplest explanation: TV lighting and professional makeup. While David embraces his "tattoo addiction" (his words), the network likely prefers the cleaner look for the high-definition cameras. Or maybe he just likes the ritual of covering them for work. Either way, they’re there. He got the heart and lightning bolt around 2020, and they've stayed a part of his off-screen identity ever since.
Is My Lottery Dream House Real?
This is the big one. People always ask: "Are these people actually millionaires?"
The answer is yes. But there’s a catch.
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Television production is a slow process. Sometimes, by the time David and the crew arrive, the winners have already closed on a house. In those cases, the show might feature the house they actually bought alongside two others they could have picked. It’s "produced reality."
- The Winners: They are 100% real people who won 100% real money.
- The Houses: They are actually for sale (usually).
- The Interactions: That's just David being David. He’s known for being exactly the same person when the cameras stop rolling.
Why David Bromstad Stays Relevant in 2026
The TV landscape is messy right now. Shows get canceled after two seasons. Streaming services are purging content. Yet, HGTV recently confirmed that My Lottery Dream Home is returning for the 2025-2026 season. Why?
Because it's escapism. We don't just watch for the granite countertops; we watch because we want to see a regular person from Massachusetts or Florida finally get a win. And we want David to be the one to give them the keys.
He brings a weird, specific expertise. He’s not just showing a kitchen; he’s explaining why the backsplash works with the flooring. He’s been a mentor on Design Star All-Stars and competed on Rock the Block. He knows the "why" behind the "pretty."
His Personal Style Evolution
Have you seen the tracksuits lately? David has traded the button-downs of the Color Splash era for high-end, colorful streetwear. It’s part of his "Living my best life" brand. He’s 52 now, and he seems more comfortable in his skin than he was at 30.
He’s open about his life. He’s a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community—the first HGTV star to make the Out100 list. He’s survived the "starving artist" phase where he was barely rubbing two pennies together before Design Star changed everything.
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What You Can Learn from David’s Approach to Design
If you’re looking to channel some of that David from Lottery Dream House energy in your own home, you don't need a Powerball ticket. You just need to stop being afraid of your own taste.
- Embrace "Farmhouse Chic" with a Twist: David describes his current style as farmhouse with a storybook influence. It’s about being cozy but whimsical.
- Color is a Tool, Not a Threat: You don't have to paint your whole house neon, but a pop of color in a rug or a piece of art (David almost always leaves original art for his clients) changes the vibration of a room.
- Personalize Your Space: If you love Disney or '80s stickers, find a way to let that show. Your house shouldn't look like a hotel; it should look like you.
Honestly, the reason David works is that he doesn't take the "luxury" part too seriously. He knows it’s all a bit ridiculous. Buying a house with a "perfume room" or a 10-car garage is wild. He treats it with the fun it deserves.
If you want to follow his journey, check out his own home renovation specials. He finally bought his own "dream home" in Orlando a few years back, and seeing him play the role of the client for once was a great look at the man behind the tattoos.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Homeowners:
- Watch for the "Where Are They Now" Specials: HGTV frequently airs catch-up episodes. These are the best way to see if the lottery winners actually stayed in those massive houses or if they downsized once the tax bills hit.
- Study the Layouts: Pay attention to how David prioritizes "flow" over square footage. Even with a million-dollar budget, he often steers clients away from houses that feel "choppy."
- Follow the Art: David often posts his original paintings on social media. If you like his design style, looking at his canvas work is the best way to understand his use of color.
The guy is a staple of American TV for a reason. He’s authentic in a medium that usually feels plastic. Whether he's pointing out a "gorgeous" crown molding or laughing at a weirdly placed bathroom, David Bromstad is the guy we'd all want holding our hand if we ever hit the jackpot.