John Bleasby
Christopher Hyndman (1966 –2015)
Canadian ContractorThe sudden death of the popular co-host of CBC's 'Steve and Chris' has saddened his many fans and left a hole in the television design family.
Popular co-host of the nationally broadcast television show Stephen and Chris, Chris Hyndman died suddenly in Toronto this past week at the age of 49. Known for his sharp wit, warmth and humour, Maclean’s magazine commented that Mr. Hyndman “joked, mugged and charmed his way into the hearts of millions.”
Born in Ottawa and raised in Newfoundland, Chris was influenced by his mother’s sense of style and was often was involved in her design projects. According to the CBC, “even at a young age, he understood that colour was often the lifeblood of a room, bringing a vital energy to everyone who entered.”
Mr. Hyndman and his husband Steven Sabados launched the interior design firm Sabados Group in 1992. The pair soon became part of the initial wave of television home improvement personalities in the early 2000’s. Although initially reluctant to go on-air, Mr. Hyndman agreed to join Mr. Sabados when a television producer was impressed by their unique and telegenic chemistry. Maclean’s noted that Mr. Hyndman knew his role as one half of the duo: “Sabados was the focused, practical, hard-working one, Hyndman, the self-deprecating, avowed scatterbrain who emanated joy and delight with every breath he took.”
As co-hosts of the original HGTV Designer Guys series from 2001 to 2004, the original series evolved into Design Rivals in 2003 and later So Chic with Stephen and Chris. They also published a popular coffee-table book in 2003 titled ‘Designer Guys: Finding Your Personal Style’. In January 2008, the pair moved to CBC with the nationally broadcast Steve and Chris, making them household names from coast to coast and beyond. They were featured with Oprah Winfrey on U.S. television and their shows have been broadcast in over 80 countries.
In 2007 the couple launched their own S&C furniture line which was popular in both Canada and the United States, which has since expanded into lighting, sleep systems, décor accents, bed and bath products, even their own wine.
Chris Hyndman’s passion and enthusiasm for design will be missed by his many fans and followers.
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