Andrew Downward
(Painter) Toronto native, Andrew Downward, joined the Divine Design crew halfway through the show’s second season, and fit in immediately. Andrew answered a newspaper ad seeking a painter for a television series. “What interested me was that it asked for someone with a ‘painterly hand’ – I just had to find out what that meant, so I applied,” he recalls. Andrew started paining with his father when he was 16. “Painting paid my way through university and became a full time occupation in 1994”. Twenty years later, Andrew is still painting, but he also found the time to earn his teaching credentials, and spends as much time painting as he does with his fifth grade students.

Andrew can be found spending time with his two young sons whenever he is not busy painting or teaching.

Candice Olson
(Host) Candice Olson is one of North America’s leading Interior Designers and most recognized media personalities.  As designer and host of Divine Design with Candice Olson, a smash-hit series on W Network in Canada and HGTV in the US, Candice is a favorite with viewers everywhere.  Each week she brings a wealth of design experience and an attitude that is smart, witty and truly unique into over 115 million North American households.

After earning her degree from the School of Interior Design at Ryerson University in Toronto, Candice launched an exciting commercial and residential design business.  Considered “the one to watch” by the New York Times, Candice continued to receive accolades and media attention for her distinctive and exceptional work.  

Candice’s foray into television began when a local TV 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.  Viewer demand for “more Candice!” led to the creation of the hit series, Divine Design with Candice Olson.  Candice and the show quickly won a huge and loyal audience, and the series is now in its eighth season. Divine Design with Candice Olson continues to receive rave reviews and recognition around the world, including the more than 30 countries where the series is now seen.  

In 2005, Candice launched “The Candice Olson Collection”, her own successful brand of licenced product lines, including upholstered furniture, fabrics, wallpaper, lighting, case goods, 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’.  For more information, visit www.candiceolson.com.

The continued demand for “more Candice!” has brought her to wider audiences through guest appearances on television shows such as The Today Show, Regis and Kelly, The View, and The Oprah Winfrey Show.  Candice writes a bi-weekly newspaper column syndicated in over 400 newspapers across North America and is a frequent contributor to design magazines both in Canada and the US.  This year, Candice was featured as a Celebrity Judge for the prime time hit reality show, HGTV Design Star.

Candice spends her free time with her family, skiing in the winter and relaxing at the beach in summer.  A native of Calgary, Alberta, she lives in Toronto with her husband and two children.

Chico Garcia
(Lighting Designer) Chico Garcia brings over 25 years of electrical experience to our crew. Born in Manila, Chico’s father was a builder, his mother a grade school teacher. Chico admits to being a little intimidated at first by Divine Design host Candice Olson (“she’s soooo tall”), but before long, Chico found his groove and learned to rely on the closest step-ladder when dealing with Candice. Chico studied at the Donbosco Technical Institute in Germany on a soccer scholarship for 3 years, and has also studied Electrical Technology at George Brown College in Toronto. Our eclectic electrician worked in Saudi Arabia for 2 years as an Electrical Supervisor and has done lighting design in Los Angeles, California, where he holds an Electrician’s license. Chico runs a successful lighting design and electrical company in Toronto.

This motorcycle-ridin’, jazz-loving husband and father of three boys is a constant source of amusement on set.

Lorne Hogan
(Contractor) Lorne Hogan, a part-time actor/full-time contractor joins Divine Design with a fresh new perspective on the world of contracting. Lorne lives by the motto that “we may affirm absolutely, that nothing great in this world has been accomplished without passion.” And he is truly passionate about contracting, carpentry and acting in television and commercials. Lorne has owned and operated Canadian Classic Contracting for over 10 years and recommends choosing a career that you are passionate about, then you will never have to work a day in your life! Away from work, Lorne enjoys globetrotting. He believes he has obtained his most valuable experiences while traveling the world. Lorne is looking forward to his time on Divine Design and is hopeful that through all of his experience with acting, traveling and contracting, that he will make an exciting new mark on the on the series.

Terry Edward Briceland
(Sewing Specialist) “Sew be it” says Terry Edward Briceland, the new Sewing Specialist for Divine Design, are the words that he lives by. With over fifteen years of experience under his sewing belt, Terry is bringing his high energy and exciting craft to add a bit of razzle-dazzle to homeowners in need of a little change. He wasn’t born with thread and needle in hand; he is a self-taught sewer who began his career accidentally! A new apartment, necessitated a new look, but he couldn’t afford anything that he couldn’t make or do himself! So he started by teaching himself how to sew slipcovers for his down-and-out dining room chairs. The rest is history! In Terry’s spare time he enjoys riding his motorcycle, watching endless amounts of television and spending time with his daughter Bryce, who is starting to share Dad’s love of sewing. Terry’s vibrant, rock-and-roll attitude, and love of tattoos make him a fresh new addition to Divine Design.