Candice Olson Designs

Candice Olson Designs

New decoration 2011 designed by Candice Olson

Candice Olson, a leading designer in the United States and Canada, began her career in commercial and residential design after graduating from the School of Interior Design at Ryerson University in Toronto. Candice received accolades and media attention for her distinctive and exceptional work before moving her design career to television. In fact, earlier in her career, the New York Times identified her as “one to watch.”

Candice’s foray into TV began when a Canadian station profiled one of her award-winning design projects. Her unique approach to residential design and engaging personality led to a weekly stint as a design contributor to the show. Today, Candice can be seen as the host and designer on HGTV’s Divine Design and as a judge on HGTV Design Star. She has been featured on the Today show, Live! With Regis and Kelly, The View and The Oprah Winfrey Show. In addition, Candice writes a syndicated biweekly newspaper column that runs in more than 400 U.S. newspapers.

In 2005, Candice launched "The Candice Olson Collection," a successful brand of home decor products, including upholstered furniture, fabrics, wallpaper, lighting, bedding and more. Candice's signature style is one she describes as "a fusion of traditional form, scale and proportions, with the clean, crisp, simplistic beauty of modern design.”

When she’s not in front of the camera, Candice enjoys spending time with her family, whether it’s skiing or relaxing at the beach. Candice resides in Toronto with her husband and two children.

Candice Olson's Kitchen Design Ideas 2011

Create your own divine kitchen with Candice Olson's top 10 kitchen design and decorating tips

Open Up Your Space

Knock out a wall to add space to your kitchen. This kitchen seamlessly integrates with the dining area, using a buffet island to separate the two.

The Necessary Island

If your kitchen is all about family, invest in an island. This long island features a stunning white quartz countertop, white and chrome bar chairs, and a dark wood base to match the mahogany floor.

Durable Solutions

Design your dream kitchen for durability. Three kinds of porcelain tile and carefully planned cabinet storage make this kitchen a stylish workhorse.

Update Cabinets

On a budget? Refinish existing cabinetry. These former maple cabinets look custom with their new finish and same-color painted bulkhead.

Love Your Kitchen

Design your kitchen to cater to what you love. This baker's dream kitchen includes a peninsula for entertaining, a lounge area and comfortable flooring.

Use a Similar Color

Integrate family rooms into the kitchen through color. Dark, espresso-toned cabinets coordinate well with this space's black sofa and warm khaki walls.

Find Inspiration in Your Favorites

Bring the charm of your favorite place to the kitchen. Displaced after Hurricane Katrina, this couple now live in a Big Easy kitchen with French-style accessories.

Unique Flooring

Make a statement with your kitchen flooring. Stripes of light and dark concrete-like material add an unexpected touch to this contemporary kitchen.

Creative Backsplashes

Backsplashes add character to the kitchen. This tin-tile backsplash was painted cream for an antique effect.

Mix It Up

Two-toned kitchens are more interesting than one-toned. A marble island, different cabinet finishes and Art Deco tile make this Candice's favorite Divine Design kitchen makeover

Kitchen Designs Ideas 2011 by Candice Olson

Function meets style when designer Candice Olson creates a gathering place for the whole family in the kitchen.

Open Yet Divided

To create visual separation between the kitchen and family room, Candice designs a light and airy look for the kitchen. The main cabinets are painted cream with a strie finish and topped with cream quartz countertops. A backsplash in handcrafted, multicolored glass tile is the perfect complement and adds a bit of excitement to the space.

Industrial Chic

Candice creates a large open-concept kitchen with a system of wooden posts and beams with steel joinery, which are not only crucial for support, but also give the room an open, loft-like feeling. Shaker-style cabinets, a grey-green glass tiled backsplash and polished quartz countertops that has the appearance of concrete keep with the industrial look.

Practical Style

Rich cabinetry, state-of-the art appliances and a host of contemporary fixtures and finishes create a kitchen that's a mix of style and function. A large, square island is the focal point of the kitchen and can be used for preparation and eating.

Streamlined Elegance

The focal point of this kitchen is the stunning backsplash comprised of chocolate, coffee and cream mosaic glass tiles. Espresso cabinets and white quartz countertops contrast well with the stainless steel appliances and hardware. A 14-foot-long kitchen island serves two functions, a lower section features a built-in sink and storage for a bar area and the higher section functions as the dining area.

Classic Meets Modern

The L-shaped kitchen is a blend of traditional and contemporary, particularly in the island, which is an antique wooden cabinet topped with classic Carrara marble. White shaker-style cabinets and sleek quartz countertops are combined with stainless steel appliances and fixtures, while green glass tiles are used for the backsplash and to add a bit of color above the cabinets.

Mid-Century Charm

To pay homage to the home's mid-century modern design, the kitchen layout maximizes the outdoor view and features streamlined zebra-wood cabinetry with white quartz countertops. Vintage-style pendants and funky barstools add a retro touch.

Blend of Function and Fashion

Cream cabinetry with mushroom countertops is combined with travertine floor tiles for a functional yet stylish kitchen, and bold wallpaper is a stunning focal point behind the workstation. Lit by two crystal chandeliers, a dark wood island with creamy quartz countertop houses a recycling center, a dishwasher and sink, as well as doubles as an eating space.

Serenely Blue

The backsplash is the perfect area to inject personality into your kitchen. Glass tiles that complement the grey-blue walls create a clean, contemporary backdrop between the contrasting black and white cabinets.

Warm and Welcoming

Custom cabinetry in a creamy shade and mushroom-colored quartz countertop set the tone for this functional kitchen, while the island takes center stage with espresso cabinetry and cream countertops. Eco-friendly cork flooring grounds the space and is perfect for a space where you're standing all the time. Brushed bronze finishes add a traditional touch to the kitchen.

Living Rooms Design Ideas 2011 by Candice Olson

Designer Candice Olson mixes comfy furnishings with elegant textiles and color schemes to create family rooms that define the meaning of lived-in luxury.

Rustic Chic

Hand-scraped oak flooring is the perfect contrast to the impressive limestone fireplace, and a wall of cabinetry with custom bookcases and stainless steel dressers provides plenty of storage for the TV and media components. Distressed leather furniture with tufted detail adds vintage elegance to the room with blue linen draperies creating a beautiful backdrop to the space.

Urban Functionality

In this urban loft, a color palette of gray, black and white is paired with shimmery steel and rich wood accents for a cool, contemporary vibe. Modern furnishings, smart track lightings and a dramatic ceiling fan combine for a stylish and functional living space.

Bold and Colorful

Two feature walls, one a brilliant fuchsia and the other covered in teal-and-gold paisley wallpaper, create an instant wow factor is this open plan living room. Low-slung furniture in white and peacock blue create a cool, lounge-like vibe, while natural-stained maple flooring and updated shag carpet ground the space.

Comfy Elegance

A metallic floral-patterned wallpaper provides a luxe backdrop to the cozy living room, which features a silvery linen sectional and a classic writer's desk. Soft, gauzy sheers trimmed in gold satin separate the living and dining rooms, as well as diffuse natural light from the large windows at the end of the rooms.

Muted Sophistication

Finding the right place for a TV is often problematic; however, in this living room, the 46-inch TV takes center stage since it doubles as a mirror when not in use. Carpet tiles in shades of calming blue, green, taupe and beige reflect the fabric used to cover the bench seat and pillows on the sofa. Stainless steel accents add a contemporary flair to the room.

Gender Neutral

For most family rooms, creating a space that appeals to both genders is a must, so Candice chose a mostly neutral palette of deep browns, cool creams and inky charcoals for this living room. The corner is turned into an office with an antique desk flanked by mirror-backed bookcases, and the living room is ideal for relaxing with a large sectional and leather club chairs.

Cottage Casual

Custom cabinetry plays a key role in this living room, providing plenty of storage and a place to display collectibles. The fireplace flows seamlessly into the cabinetry and features a sandy-tone mosaic tile surround. To give the room a more intimate feel, a fan is hung 36 inches below the ceiling, while a color palette of white, sand, pale blue and green keeps the space light and airy.

Romantic and Feminine

Dark wood paneling is painted antique white to brighten up this living room, which features a color palette of pink, green, cream and chocolate. To mimic the fabric used on the chairs, whimsical vinyl graphics of an agapanthus flower are transferred onto the ceiling, giving it the quality of a hand-painted piece of art.

Multi-Functional Living

To create a more functional space, divide a room into different zones. The bay window is the perfect setting for a home office and features custom built-in shelving, while the area next to the back window is the library lounge, an ideal spot for conversations and reading. The main area of the room is used for TV watching and hanging out. Tie the entire space together by using the same color palette, like the combination of chocolate, caramel and oatmeal in this living room.

Effortless Style

To brighten up this attic living space, Candice installs light-toned wood floors, brings in a cream sectional and adds track lighting. A color palette of greens, blues and tans complement the lighter tones, while paisley fabric and wall decals add a feminine, bohemian quality to the space. A reclaimed wood ceiling with faux beams adds architectural interest.

Eclectic Mix

Modernize a living room with a combination of different design styles. Sleek chairs in a classic paisley print are mixed with a traditional tufted ottoman in butterscotch leather and a contemporary sectional in taupe velvet. Rustic meets elegant in a two-layer treatment of woven blinds and silk draperies on the bay windows.

Contemporary yet Rustic

Rustic elements are combined with streamlined contemporary furnishings to create a couple-friendly living room. The tumbled marble fireplace contrasts well with the dark, luxurious wooden hearth and cabinets. For optimal fireplace and TV viewing, a large sectional sofa in creamy chenille and an ottoman in espresso brown are centered in the room.

Candice Olson Decorating Ideas 2011 , Kitchen , Dining room , Bathroom , Bedroom , Living room

Can't you just picture coming downstairs to the smell of coffee in your chic kitchen? Even though it isn't huge the space is really used well. I love the glass door cabinets and dark counter-tops. The fridge gives it a sleek look but the little touches like the green stools and cute lamp keep it more traditional and warm. The great thing about these types of designs is they look beautiful but it's nothing the average person couldn't do with a little elbow grease.

This dining room is a dream! Soft powdered blues and cremes are so serene and calming. It would be lovely to have a fireplace in your dining room to roar while you have your family dinners. The detail on the chairs is phenomenal as well. It's a solid light blue on the seat but the back has a pretty pattern upholstered on it and the rug below matches perfectly with the whole scene. Bon appetite!

I think this bathroom would be like having your very own spa in your house. Lots of dark finishes and stone looking tiles with a large soaker tub make it feel classic and comfortable. I think the floating counter is a really interesting look and the white coral accessory is the perfect touch. Give me my glass of wine and dim the lights because I'm ready for a soak!

This massive bedroom is the size of my entire apartment! It's so warm and inviting and the vaulted ceiling gives it a unique architectural touch that draws the eye. A bedroom is your sanctuary so it should be a representation of you and whatever makes you comfortable. A fireplace in the bedroom is so romantic and a chaise always looks like a luxurious place to flop down with a good book. I would love to retire to this paradise every night.

This is a basement hang out Candice did on a more recent episode and I am digging everything about it. It's such a warm colour pallet but it's practical at the same time. One thing that always drives me crazy is when designers fill a room with white furniture. Of course it looks beautiful but will it after your dark furred kitty has rolled around on it and the kids have spilled their juice or the dust settles and it just looks grubby? A dark couch helps you to feel less neurotic about spills and messes. The recessed lighting really works well here with a few lamps and sconces and the neutral rug ties everything together. Pop in your favorite movie and cuddle up with the ones you love!

For more great designs by Ms Candice Olson check out her show on the Women's Network or at her website at http://www.divinedesign.tv/master.asp

Fireplace Decorating Design Ideas 2011 From Candice Olson

Natural Beauty

A soaring stone fireplace is an impressive and rustic focal point in this living room. To reduce the scale of the stone and add interest, a long mirror is placed above the mantel. Candice also uses the fireplace as a jumping off point for the room's palette, by selecting the hues of sage, stone, taupe and caramel from the fireplace stones.

Raise It Up

A sleek stainless steel gas fireplace is installed at the perfect height to enjoy from anywhere in the space. Surrounded by a beautiful stone facade, the fireplace is the perfect combination of contemporary and natural.

Illusion of Grandeur

Paint the wall over the mantel the same color as the surround to give a fireplace more presence in a room. When a fireplace is flush with the floor, place a beautiful screen in front to provide ambience and safety.

Striking Focal Point

Floor-to-ceiling glass and marble mosaic tiles in brown, gold, cream and grey tones are a spectacular setting for an elevated gas fireplace. The contemporary focal point adds both visual and physical warmth to the room.

Classic Centerpiece

Sophisticated moldings are combined with a marble-tiled surround for a traditional fireplace. To allow the space to be a conversational area as well as a space to watch television, Candice hides a television behind a piece of remote-controlled artwork so it's out of sight when not in use.

Pure Luxury

A simply elegant fireplace surround is painted cream to offset the dark wallpaper in the dining room. Raised off the floor, the visual warmth of the fireplace can be enjoyed from each seat around the table. The fireplace is also flanked with mirrored panels that add depth and dimension, as well as reflect light into the room.

Contemporary and Streamlined

The show-stopping feature wall is a modern arrangement that boasts a long, linear gas fireplace and a massive surround of grey and white marble mosaic tiles. Not only is it eye-catching, but it brings much-needed warmth into the space. The fireplace is flanked with a custom-built cabinetry unit that holds a big-screen television, media equipment, books and some display items.

Crowning Jewel

A true glam centerpiece of the room — the fireplace surround is covered with silver dollar-sized stainless steel tiles and above the mantel is a glittering ebony quartz.

Cozy Gathering Spot

The fireplace, which features a wood mantel and is clad in a beautiful circular glass tiles, anchors the room. Traditional beadboard panels above the fireplace add texture.