No stranger to HGTV, Candice Olson remains one of our all-time favorite designers, male or female. In honor of Women’s History Month, we asked her a few questions we’ve been dying to know.
Which female designers influenced you?
Dorothy Draper for her courage and sense of fun and whimsy.
Ellen O’Neill who was an integral part in developing the casual, lived-in look of Ralph Lauren’s Home and Lifestyle Collections.
Sheila Bridges for her fresh take on classic design.
What’s the essential home accessory you use in your designs?
A beautiful area carpet not only grounds the room but often provides the jumping up point for the design of the entire space.
What are your top three favorite places to shop for the home?
Flea Markets and antique shops
Fabric showrooms. I love pattern, texture and color — fabric has it all.
1stdibs.com for truly unusual and unique art and accessories
What’s the best design advice you’ve ever received?
“A room is called a living room because it is made to be lived in not just to look at.”
A client said this to me years ago after she hired me to redesign her living room. She had been swept up in her previous designer’s signature look; very formal, white, uber-elegant, only to find it really wasn’t practical for her rambunctious young family and it really didn’t reflect who they were. It was a bit of a reality check for her and a valuable piece of advice that I’ve carried with me throughout my career.
Candice combines reclaimed wood and modern furniture to create a masculine getaway for NHL star Alex Steen.
What room did you most enjoyed designing? Why do you love it?
Alex Steen’s basement: I love to incorporate natural materials and nature-inspired elements into my work. I think it’s what adds the warmth and comfort to the simple pared down lines of contemporary design.
Natural references are everywhere in this large basement project that incorporates an exercise room, family room and lounge area. Areas are divided with walls of flowing waterfalls, stacked logs become decorative art panels and a unique limestone-clad fireplace provides the perfect relaxing ambiance. The fact that the client was a professional hockey player was a big bonus — it’s the Canadian in me!
Don’t miss our interview with Annette Tatum, author of The Well-Dressed Home and our look back at textile pioneer Lucienne Day.
I love you design, but mostly i watch your show because you are waaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy SEXY, tall and breath taking georgous.
It would be a dream if Candace could come and design my home. You are an excellent designer and it shows in your work. I live so far from where you are you would never to come to Az. How long have you been an designer? I live in northern Az. where it gets very cold and it snows like in Canada. I watch your program as much as I can.
Jan R.
It would be a dream if Candace could come and design my home. You are an excellent designer and it shows in your work. My family room needs your help and love. I like the red, white blue theme.Rachael Dowd
3002 Cumberland Drive, Janesville, Wisconsin 53546
Cancace is one of the greatest designer, she works well with her crew. She is very professional with her show. Her designs are what her customer dream of with their family. I love watching her shows,she makes everything seen so simple. Her finish projects are everything I would like for my home. Continue the great job and I will continue to watch your show. Can't wait to see the next design.
Hi, I admire and respect your work, your laughter and I sense you truly care. I myself do not have the art to decorate .I am still trying to pull all my different styles together….If you ever want to work in Huntsville, Al you will have a blank slate,,,best to you and have fun ,,,,,
I love every room Candice has designed. I try to use the ideas in my home but they never turn out with the same flair and design, but I keep trying. I never miss an episode.
Candice Olsen has an amazing sense of style, design and cool comfort to anything she does. She is the WOW in designers….We all want her to design for us no matter where we live. She is funny, honest, works very hard to please her clients and is also not afraid to spend the money that it will realistically take to make something grand….
what we can learn from her, since she is not in the USA, is that great design comes from the heart and the mind, and she has it all!
Candace,
You do amazing designs. They are sophisticated, elegant, yet homey – that is hard task to accomplish, but I see it in all your designs. Please continue to make shows on HGTV. My dream if we ever won the lottery would be to have you do over my family home.
Thank you for our dreams….keep them coming
I get so excited when there is a new episode of Divine Design. I wish that HGTV aired Divine Design 24hrs a day or at least most of the day. Candace is the BEST designer on HGTV and is truly the only reason I watch HGTV. I would work with you and your crew for free for the experience, the honor and the fun!
Candice is smart witty and the perfect designer.I,like the rest of her fans,loves every room she's ever done!They are so wonderful,they are really too great to discribe!I also wish HGTV would have a contest with the prize being Candice decorating a home for my family and of course the money she needs to do it! Just find her amazing.Thanks Martha Dexter
Candice is the best. Even my 9 year old grandson will yell. Grandma Candice in on.
Of the the HGTV programs, Candice is the best. Always wait for the new episode and contiue to watch reruns, because we always see something new.
I hope HGTV never takes Candice's show off the air. LOVE LOVE LOVE her. I even watch her reruns more than once.
Candace designs are always beautiful. Thanks for sharing!!
This Lady is truly AWESOME I've been watching her from the get go, so blown away with her talent… She is Blessed beyound words… I to wonder how she picks her designs and if the home owner pays … Keep your magic coming its a joy to watch something from everyday to breathtaking …You inspire us everyday MOMs and Wifes to make our home a more beautiful place and I Thank you for that Dear Lady….
she decorates with such ease. We live on a lake in Florida and I have stolen some of her ideas for casual living and having grandkids around and not having to worry about the furniture. Thanks Candace.
I watch HGTV because of Candice Olsen! The rooms that she designs look wonderful! I wish that she could design a dining room for me!
I gazed upon those pictures, and IT,s been quite some timw since I’ve seen such beautiful home pic’s, and the styles are soooo beautiful. Definitely the style I adore!
i love candices desings i know can affor it. god bless you
HELP! We would like Candace to take a look at our kitchen. My husband and I have tried to come up with a way to make our kitchen functional and beautiful. However our home was built in 1918 and there are things we can not move around. We have a unique pair of stairs that go up to our cupboards. These were here when we bought the home. Love that Candace designs no matter what the challenges. We didn't know where else to write this. We hope who ever sees this will take this to Candace and hopefully she would grace us with a look at our kitchen! My mom And I always watch her shows and discuss which rooms we would like her to do.
hello Candace I am really inspired by you and your knowledge of decorating and design my husband bought me a on line design course last year I haven’t had the cofidence 2 do the course just recently I realized that I want 2 do contracting work more than design although I guess it would b beneficial 2 do both it’s very hard 2 get men in particular 2 just let me watch them how do I get started I go 2 some classes at home depot but I feel u really need hands on the course I’m sure is great but I’m a little fearful of measurements and math I’ve been asked to do some painting projects but I want 2 do what u do should I pursue the course and just see where it goes
Candace I have a home that I have tons of ideas I want 2 put into action but really don’t know where to start it’s a big house with a lot of space very open I don’t like clutter I love openess it would b great for you to come 2 my house you have such great style and elegance I know my house can b all that I envision it 2 b. it’s just a blessing 2 b able 2 write to u even if I don’t hear from u I will continue 2 learn from u thanks
would like to know info onthe tv that is mirror? Dorothy Gordon dovyjo@yahoo.com
I LOVE LOVE LOVE CANDICE OLSON, IF I ONLY HAD ONE WISH IT WOULD BE FOR CANDICE OLSON TO COME TO MY HOUSE. IN THE MEAN TIME I WILL CONTINUE TO DREAM ON. NO ONE COMES EVEN CLOSE TO HER GIFTED ABILITY. SHE IS THE BEST BEST BEST IN MY BOOK.
I love to see what Candace does next! Her designs are always fabulous. I have lived in my house for a little over 30 years and still waiting to redo my kitchen. It seems like something always comes up and the kitchen gets put on the back burner. Both of my children are now getting married in 2011, 3 weeks apart so….goes the story. I am not sure how to apply for Candace or HGTV to take a look at my kitchen and see if it's worthy but I would really, really appreciate anything! Thank you.
I love Candice O lson desegners, i would give any thing to see her in person because she is my favorite, i love every thing about her designs.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE SOFA CANDICE HAD IN ONE OF HER SHOWS. IT HAD A BLOW UP MATTRESS. WHERE ARE THEY BEING SOLD? THANK YOU MARY WITTY
Candice's style is simply the best – sophisticated, classy and downright awesome. Every project she assumes has a chic WOW factor . The blend of colors, fabrics, storage and designs are so inspiring. My daughter and I imagine our basement designed by Candice – what a functional showplace it would be. Please Candice come to Pennsylvania and do your design magic on my basement (and any other place you'd like in my house)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Candice you are truly talented! I love to watch your show….I just moved into an older home, your designs give me so many ideas for my little house. My little dog Rosie loves your show to.
How can I hire Candice Olson to help decorate my home. I am handicapped (left with paralized arm from an accident)
I really like your post you done a great jobs . Thanks for sharing valuable information.
bifold doorsstan
Candice decorations are amazing. One day I will have money and I will bring her in my house to make it whooooooo
candice olson, # 1 designer of all time!
Hello I have been trying to get my house done but it has not been succesful .The contractors have been taking our money and the job is not done correct it was supposebly be my dream home and now it has been nothing but a headache i have shade nothing but tears .
do you think wall paper is making a come-back? You are the only designer i would ever trust in my house, thanks for sharing your talents with us.
I just saw your new show last Saturday, "Candice Tells All", Episode: The monochromatic bedroom. This episode and others like it inspired me to create a line of modular upholstered headboards. Candice, you can now go big and still get it up the stairs! I love your designs. Thank you for the inspiration!
Marilyn Wilson
CEO http://www.headybed.com
How can I find out about a particular necklace Candice wore on a TV show – the V-shaped one that looks as though it could be crocheted with beads? If anyone knows where I can get a pattern like that or a suggestion on where I might find that necklace, I would appreciate it.
Our 18 month old 6000 square foot Atlanta suburban home was totaled by a house fire in November. We are finalizing with the insurance company and hope to demo down what remains and start the rebuild begin in march. We would love to have you consider us for your show. We are fun and have come away from this loss of just about everything with thankful hearts, no one was hurt and it's all just stuff. Makes you prioritize what is really important. I hope this note get's to you. Thanks in advance for considering us. If someone from your staff would contact me, I can provide pictures and all of the additional details you might require.
I live in Florida and just bought a new house. I love the Island (tropical furniture), but I also fell in love with the new retro look. My family room, kitchen, dining and living room are open to each other. Is there a way I can combine both styles of furniture, or be able to do Island Tropical in the kitchen/family room and retro (hollywood glam) in the dining and living rooms even though they are open to each other. I would really appreciate it if you can answer my decorating dilemma.
Candise, me encantan tus trabajos son espectaculares! Me encantaría q alguna vez vengan a Argentina a dar una charla para el Público en general y darnos esas hermosas ideas q tienes. Miro siempre tu programa en Discovery Home and Helf. Saludos desde Argentina.
Candice I love watching your show. Although Selma, Al. are not on your list of cities.I been trying to reach you for a long time. I know you dont have time to come to small town Selma, Al.,if only I could get
your imput on how to place the furniture in the rooms,different types of lights in bathrooms,kitchen and
front pouch.I just love your styles. May God continue to bless you.
Candise has the gift to take any design style and add a touch of elegance. Making her room eclectic is a gift on its own. Most designers room look the
Same, Candise's all was is unique. Thanks for inspiring us, you truly are the best.