Interior decoration alumna is Canada's next designer

Header image for Interrobang article CREDIT: BELL MEDIA'S GUSTO TV
Fanshawe alumna, Marcy Mussari, bottom second from the right, was crowned Canada's next designer in an IKEA-sponsored reality TV competition, The Search For Canada's Next Designer.

The next time you look through an IKEA catalogue, make sure to pay attention to the name of the designer.

Fanshawe alumna Marcy Mussari has been crowned Canada's next designer in an IKEA-sponsored reality TV competition.

The interior decoration graduate beat out five other contestants on Gusto TV's show The Search For Canada's Next Designer.

Although Mussari was up against some fierce competition, at 24 she was the youngest competitor, her passion for telling stories through the rooms she decorates helped her claim the victory and the prize that goes along with it: a year-long contract with Swedish furniture outlet IKEA.

The position will help Mussari grow her career as she creates inspiring experiences for IKEA customers.

Mussari will be a design consultant for IKEA Canada, helping create the style and designs for next year's catalogue and advertisements. The one-year contract is valued at a minimum of $35,000 and could give her career a huge jump-start.

The contract will be added to her growing pile of experience as an interior designer.

She does contract interior decorating work under her own name, as well as colour consulting, space planning and other services.

She also produced and hosted her own YouTube channel, in which she promoted do-it-yourself (DIY) projects relating to interior decoration.

Her video topics range from creative DIY gift wrapping ideas to preparing décor for a New Year's Eve party.

Although the designer will be experiencing many new things with IKEA, her experience has allowed her to discover her own preferences for interior decoration.

“I love things to look classic, elegant and very inviting. I've always loved white and rooms that look effortless and beautiful,” Mussari said.

Along with the contract, Mussari won a trip to Sweden, where she will attend the Democratic Design Day.

The annual event takes place in Älmhult and is a showcase of IKEA's upcoming collections, products and design collaborations.

IKEA distinguishes itself from other furniture companies with its modern design and affordable price points.

They typically get both designers and manufacturers to work together to make more efficient and environmentally sustainable products.

The trip will be an inspiring one for Mussari, who gets ideas for her designs from many places, including travel.

“I recently travelled to Europe and was really inspired by all the details, carved doorways and colours. Everything is so stunning. Traveling in general always inspires me,” Mussari said.

The show's finale premiered on Sunday, Nov. 20 on Bell Media's Gusto TV, though filming took place earlier on in the year. A partnership between CTV's talk show host Marilyn Denis and IKEA created the show.

Michelle Crespi, executive producer for Bell Media's in-house productions said that excitement was high for the new show.

“We've executed successful design challenges on some of Bell Media's daytime series, so to be given that opportunity to take that concept and turn it into a series is exciting.” Although the show has finished airing, episodes can be viewed on the show's website.