Designer Steven Southgate’s Favourite Room

By Laura Bickle | 2 minute read

What and where is your favourite room?

My living/dining room space in my one-bedroom 640-square-foot apartment in Toronto.

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What was the inspiration behind creating the room?

My previous style was mid-century Mad Men. I decided to change my space entirely mid-pandemic. I had been working on an HGTV Canada show, Scott’s Vacation House Rules. Seeing all the bright, open cottage spaces with light furniture and welcoming textures inspired me. I wanted comfort and a soft space to lean into. 

Steven transformed his living room by incorporating art and objects that are meaningful to him.  Photo: Terry Edward Briceland

What were the challenges in creating the room and how did you overcome them?

Almost everything I owned needed to be sold, given away or changed. This was particularly challenging because we were in the middle of a global pandemic. My new mantra is “Everything old is new again.” I had my vintage dining chairs reupholstered, took what was once my television stand and transformed it into a banquette seat in my dining room. I painted pieces and changed the top on my coffee table. I reframed art and objects that I loved. 

For a fresh look, Steven reupholstered his vintage dining chairs and turned his old TV stand into a banquette seating area.  Photo: Terry Edward Briceland

What are your favourite features of the room?

I love how the morning sun streams through my large living room and dining room windows and is reflected off the light walls and surfaces. I’ve never had window treatments, but to soften the view, I installed wall-to-wall sheers in the exact same shade as the walls. 

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What are your favourite pieces and why?

My favourite pieces of art are everything that hangs on my gallery wall. I have a childhood toy car on a shelf alongside a piece of art painted by my favourite Canadian singer, Jann Arden. I added a flamingo sculpture and photos of my pets. I used my parents’ wedding bands as an accent with their wedding photo. I have a single piece of confetti that landed directly in the palm of my hand at an Adele concert along with a very timely message mounted in a shadow box. All of the objects on the wall work regardless of theme or colour because they have special meaning and significance to me personally. 

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In terms of furniture, a friend spotted a sectional on the Instagram page of one of our favourite Toronto stores. It is vintage and coordinated with the soft cream shade of paint I had selected. 

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Describe a favourite moment in this room.

I can vividly remember a day, in yet another lockdown, standing in the room and feeling like I had created a space where I was able to breathe. Instead of having my memories packed away in boxes, I now have them out on display for me to enjoy every day ⸺ and that made all the difference.