Meet Bri Macdonald | Designer, Creator, and Future HGTV Host!

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bri Macdonald and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bri, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve always felt drawn to interior design, and from a young age, I knew I wanted to make an impact in a way that allowed me to express my creativity. Starting my own business and creating design content was definitely a leap of faith, but it felt like the perfect opportunity to combine my passion for design with the freedom to inspire others. It hasn’t always been easy, but building something from the ground up and connecting with people along the way has been incredibly rewarding. I’m excited for what’s to come and feel so grateful for this journey—it’s truly been one of the best decisions I’ve made.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve always known that I wanted to be a designer on TV. There’s something really captivating about sharing the process, the fun, and the knowledge as a story or a show. It’s fascinating how interior design can impact so many aspects of life—how people feel in a space, how they interact with one another, and so much more than you can imagine!

I was one of the first to download TikTok, back when it was mostly kids dancing to catchy songs. But I saw an exciting opportunity with the app. It was the first social media platform where anyone could potentially go viral overnight. I realized it could be a fantastic place to share my knowledge, tips, tricks, and the interior design projects I was working on in my spare time. Honestly, I felt this thrilling sense that I could be really good at it.

I won’t lie and say it was easy; it wasn’t. Most of my classmates made fun of me for posting, and even some friends from school didn’t get it—they thought it was a waste of time. But deep down, I knew I had to keep going. They say to pursue whatever you would do for free as a career, and that’s exactly what I did. For four years, I consistently posted on TikTok without making a dime, eventually gaining over 100,000 followers.

I made the scary decision to go the unconventional route- and try and make a name for myself in the design world.

Branching off on your own can be really scary—it’s a leap of faith fueled by self-belief. After a year of grinding and seizing every opportunity that came my way, I finally feel a bit more settled. Throughout this social media journey, I’ve kept a list of values in my notebook that I refer to daily. I genuinely suggest that anyone stepping into the public eye do the same. It helps keep you grounded and connected to your core beliefs.

It’s so easy to get lost in follower counts and the glitz of being a public figure. I never want that to happen to me. I consciously leave money on the table because I’m in this for the long haul; I refuse to promote any brand that I wouldn’t personally buy. I grew up in the countryside of Canada, and that “designing on a dime” mentality will always be part of who I am.

I firmly believe in teaching yourself to do anything—drive a boat, sew a pillowcase, whip up an amazing dinner, or maintain a beautiful garden. My goal is to be a source of happiness and education for others. No matter what content I create, my hope is that viewers walk away inspired or armed with new design tricks. I want them to feel empowered to make their spaces look “Bri-ified” or designed by a pro.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Growing up in the countryside of Canada was an absolute dream! There’s just an endless list of things to do, all revolving around nature, of course. If you come visit in the summer, I’d definitely take you to my favorite antique market. Picture this: a charming small town filled with rugs, beautifully crafted wooden pieces, and all sorts of special trinkets scattered around. It’s like a treasure hunt!

And then there’s the bay. I’d take you out on my boat to check out my first big design project—a renovation of a cozy cottage on a little remote Canadian island. It’s such a cool spot with stunning views!

But winter? Oh man, that’s a whole different vibe. We’d hit the slopes for some skiing, go hiking through the snow-covered trails, or even scout for fresh maple syrup. There’s always an adventure waiting here; you just have to embrace the beauty in everything around you. Trust me, you’ll fall in love with it!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
It’s crazy to think one person can change the whole trajectory of your life—and for me, that person is Sarah Richardson. The entire reason I am where I am today is because of her. An unbelievably talented TV host, designer, and entrepreneur, I grew up watching her shows. They were my classroom, and I would often sit in front of the TV with a notebook, taking notes on everything she did and all the tips and tricks she shared about interior design.

From pairing colors and textures to understanding the scale of a room, bringing unexpected elements into a space, and appreciating the beauty of antiques, her insights shaped my passion. After looking up to Sarah throughout my childhood, I was incredibly lucky to work in her office as an assistant right after high school. She took me under her wing, showed me the ropes, and truly taught me everything I know.

The biggest lesson she imparted was to trust that I’ve got the design eye and to be confident in my ideas. I honestly don’t know where I would be in my career if it weren’t for Sarah. I hope to be someone’s Sarah one day—someone who inspires and nurtures creativity just like she did for me.

Website: https://www.diybridesign.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brii.macdonald/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bri-macdonald-b15957201/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083382994891

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKvT5x4-yr0xMBkLEKeXz4A

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@brii.macdonald

https://www.businessinsider.com/author/bri-macdonald

Image Credits
ALL IMAGE CREDITS:

Photographer: @bysammismith
Lighting design: @acaciaevans
Assist: @hillarysonline