North Carolina just lost its second shot at having a TV star in the design world. Jerome Scott Miller of Winston-Salem was a finalist on HGTV's "Design Star" this season. Unfortunately for Miller, he was the first designer to be eliminated this season.

Miller, 40, was one of nine finalists chosen from thousands of entrants who submitted tapes. He was eliminated two weeks ago.

Although it was a big deal to be on the show, Miller said, "I had a great life before, and I have a great life now."

"I had a ton of work before, but it's brought [contacts with] people who wouldn't otherwise know me," he said.

"I saw the benefits. ... I can use it to enhance what I'm doing for the community."

That community work includes coordinating, for his fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi, a scholarship and leadership program for African-American male high schoolers.

Miller works in property management for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system, but he also has his own design business, Scott Miller Interiors in Winston-Salem and Charlotte.

Miller, who has a degree in architectural engineering from N.C. A&T University, has designed rooms in homes, dentist offices, churches and more. He is especially proud that "I can take it all the way from A to Z," meaning he can draw the floor plans and then design the rooms. "I'm drawing stuff knowing that I'm also going to trick it out," he said.

Miller describes his design style as a "modern interpretation of traditional lines."

By the way, Miller and Will Smith from last season's "Design Star" have met. Miller has framed some artwork for Smith.