Why Did HGTV’s ‘Divine Design’ Get Canceled and Where Is Candice Olson Now?
Over the decades a few HGTV shows have cemented their status as true classics. House Hunters, for example, has become a true legend, and Fixer Upper may be off the air but it will never go out of style. But long before Chip and Joanna Gaines informed the entire nation that every house could use a little shiplap, we had Canice Olson enlightening us to the transformative power of crystal chandeliers.
The show Divine Design aired on HGTV from 2003 through 2011, but the legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of fans. So why exactly did the show get canceled?
‘Divine Design’ highlighted truly transformative renovations
One prerequisite of being a successful television show host on HGTV is having a fun personality. That’s why the Property Brothers are so successful and why My Lottery Dream Home host David Bromstad is a beloved favorite.
Divine Design host Olson fit right in with all the other effervescent hosts on the network. Before commercial breaks, she’d often perform funny skits and was constantly cracking jokes with her crew, especially her electrician Chico.
As one of the preeminent designers in Canada, home base for many of HGTV’s shows, she and her team brought enthusiasm, skill, and most importantly, dramatic big reveals to the network. No wonder the show lasted for so many seasons.
Candice Olson delivered upscale yet accessible designs to homeowners
HGTV describes Olson’s approach as, “sophisticated and stylish,” which is a good summary of the look she achieved for each project. The popular designer was known for reupholstering older pieces of furniture to make them look new and absolutely avoiding matching furniture sets no matter what.
She was known for listening to the homeowners and consistently fulfilling their vision exactly how they wanted — or better.
Why was ‘Divine Design’ canceled?
It’s quite impressive that Divine Design lasted almost a decade on HGTV, but as they say, all good things must come to an end. There’s no specific reason given for Divine Design being canceled. However, Olson did host another show on the network shortly after called Candice Tells All, which aired from 2011 – 2015.
The twist on her new show was that Olson gave a more behind-the-scenes look at her process and invited the audience into her process. The official description called the show a, “backstage pass into Olson’s working world — unplugged but never unhinged.”
What is Candice Olson doing now?
Olson is still an interior designer with a thriving business in Canada and used her popularity as a springboard for launching multiple product lines, too. She also published several design books including Candice Olson on Design: Inspiration and Ideas for Your Home and Candice Olson: Kitchen & Bathrooms.
Olson is married to builder Jurij Sennecke and the couple has two children. Fans will remember the host discussing her pregnancies with both Pyper and Beckett during the second and fourth seasons of Divine Design.
Would Olson ever revive Divine Design or Candice Tells All? It’s certainly possible. But with a thriving career and successful product lines, it doesn’t sound like she has to.
