Get to Know Designer Ali Budd of House of Ali

Fresh, beautiful, luxe… these are all words Ali Budd uses to describe her home design series House of Ali. In the series, Ali Budd and her all-female team tackle renovations and high-end builds from demanding clients. The results are nothing short of spectacular, whether she’s bringing a century-old farmhouse into this era or adding luxury vibes to a vacation home.

Read on to learn more about HGTV Canada’s newest personality, Ali Budd. Watch new episodes of House of Ali Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HGTV Canada.

She Started Her Business in Her Basement

Ali didn’t plan on becoming a powerhouse designer. She majored in English at Western University and contemplated going to law school. Then, on her father’s advice, she went to the International Academy of Design instead. Post-graduation, she worked for an architecture and then a design firm before launching her business out of her basement in 2010.

She Doesn’t Follow Trends

Ali doesn’t believe in trends. Instead, she believes in doing what you love. Rather than looking for designs that might have a short shelf life, she guides clients into concepts, themes, and inspirations that can last a long time. When it comes to shopping, she also advises clients to devise a plan, like a Pinterest board of inspiration.

She Has Projects Around the Globe

Ali is Canadian, but she has projects all around the world. She works often in the United States and recently expanded into Costa Rica and Antigua. In the future, she plans to take her business even farther across the globe.

She Fights For Causes

When she’s not designing and jet-setting, Ali raises support for causes she believes in. One such cause is Shelter Movers, a Canadian organization that helps domestic abuse survivors find safety across the country.

She’s Excited to Show Authentic Working Women

One thing Ali wants to showcase in her series is her all-female team. She isn’t a fan of the shallow and catty way some reality and lifestyle women are portrayed, and she says her team of women is far from that.

She’s a Working Mom

Ali has three children, but she decided not to feature them on the show. That doesn’t mean viewers won’t get a glimpse of her personal life, though. The designer’s husband, Martin Ware, appears, along with her mother, aunt, and uncle.

She’s Unapologetically Herself

Ali really wants viewers to get a full picture of her design life, whether she’s at home without makeup or getting ready for a red carpet premiere. She feels that’s the only way people will connect with her and her team, which only takes on real-life clients for the show — there’s no casting here!

She Gets Her Entrepreneurial Spirit From Her Parents

When Ali was growing up, her parents leaned into their artistic sides by running an ad agency. She recalls her father travelling around the world to photograph and stage various spaces. Inspired, Ali reorganized rooms at home and brought design ideas into the house from a young age.

Her Work is Widely Recognized

Ali has made a name for herself as a coveted interior designer. In addition to being in demand, she has been featured in major publications, such as Vogue, ELLE, House & Home, Domino, and Architectural Digest.

She’s the Newest HGTV Canada Talent

If House of Ali sounds familiar, that’s because it was first announced in 2022, and was filmed in Canada a while ago. The first season also streamed in the United States. Now, Canadian viewers can check out the show Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HGTV Canada.