Steven Southgate – Designing a divine career When Steven Southgate (Interior Design 95) graduated from Fanshawe College, he set out to climb the decidedly chic ladder of the interior design world. Originally from Woodstock, Ontario, he moved to Toronto and not long after, landed the gig of a lifetime on Divine Design with Candice Olson, a decorating show hosted by Canadian design guru Candice Olson. The show wrapped its last episode in February 2010, after eight great years that Steven thoroughly enjoyed. During its run, the show was broadcast across Canada on W Network and reached another 80 million homes on HGTV-US, burning up the North American airwaves, bringing great design to the masses. Steven served as Design Supervisor for most of that run, but it took some fortunate timing and a lot of talent to land him such a coveted spot.
By: Monica de Wit When Steven Southgate was growing up, he should have had wheels installed on the furniture in his bedroom because he was always moving it around. Just completing a stint as a key player on a wildly successful decorating show, he hasn’t looked back - or stopped decorating - since.
His first job was at a local London furniture design store but when the store closed, he decided to head to Toronto to wave his magic decorating wand over the unsightly, outdated and unwelcoming. At first he worked at an interior design store, and then as a junior designer alongside an established interior designer. Landing a TV gig was not something he had even thought of until a production company announced it was looking for a few savvy designers. Steven initially pitched his resume for another show that was being produced by the same company as Divine Design, and as it happened, one impeccably decorated door closed and another formidable one was flung open. When the producers called him back, it was to audition for the role of the on-camera Design Assistant on Divine Design. “Really you know, I just happened to drop my resume at a time when lots of new design shows were being developed and produced,” recalls Steven modestly. He eagerly accepted the opportunity to revel in design décor working alongside some of Canada’s best. While the rooms on Divine Design were decidedly glamorous, Steven’s days were not exactly spent nibbling bonbons and sipping champagne. He describes the role as being like a Project Manager (but working in TV land), responsible for coordinating all the trades people and design elements for the show. He had to work out all the timing, the orders, deliveries and installations, and be available on site when the show was being shot.
12 Fanshawe College Alumni News • Spring 2010
At left, Steven Southgate and Candice Olson on set.