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The Oscars. The Super Bowl. Comic-Con.
What do all of these iconic events have in common? Each one is a celebration of a particular world, whether it’s film, sports, or pop culture. These events bring together people with shared passions to honour innovation, creativity, and standout achievements in their field.
Believe it or not, the furniture industry has a similar tradition. Twice a year, La-Z-Boy attends a major convention where top furniture companies from across North America gather to debut new designs, share ideas, and celebrate excellence in the industry.
In 2024, Ottawa-based interior designer Zeina Badawi, of La-Z-Boy, made headlines by winning the award for the number one La-Z-Boy designer in Canada for the second consecutive year. And that’s just one of her many accomplishments.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to Zeina, explore her design philosophy, highlight some of her most impressive projects, and give you a glimpse of what the future holds for La-Z-Boy Ottawa’s growing design team.
In This Article...
Zeina Badawi has been part of the La-Z-Boy Ottawa team for over 11 years, and her journey is nothing short of inspiring.
With a certificate in Green Architecture from Algonquin College and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Damascus University, Zeina brought a unique blend of creativity and technical expertise to La-Z-Boy. She began as a sales consultant in 2013 and quickly transitioned to an interior designer by 2014, the same year she won her first design award and welcomed her first child.
Since then, Zeina has earned eight Pinnacle Awards. She has held the title of the number one La-Z-Boy Interior Designer in Canada three times and is currently recognized as the number two designer in North America.
“It’s funny when people know your name before you meet them. I’ve never had that happen before.”
Zeina's success is built on much more than talent. It’s rooted in empathy, communication, and collaboration. Her philosophy is simple: every room should reflect the person living in it.
“Interior design is about stepping into the client’s shoes. It’s not just about what I would do with the space. It’s about understanding their vision and elevating it.”
She emphasizes clear communication, especially when helping clients move past ideas that might not work.
“You have to explain why. When clients understand the reason behind a suggestion, they’re much more open to change.”
Zeina also knows when to step back and listen. She believes every client brings something valuable to the table. Her role is to enhance, not override, their vision.
“If I wanted to make every room look like mine, I could. But that’s not the point. I want to help people create their dream space.”
Her ability to problem-solve creatively, build trust, and respect client individuality has earned her both accolades and returning clients. And for Zeina, that’s the ultimate measure of success.
Though Zeina has worked on countless interiors over the years, two standout projects from the past year showcase her range, versatility, and design leadership.
The client wanted an open-concept home that combined the comfort of country living with a clean, modern feel.
Drawing inspiration from the home’s green kitchen cabinetry and natural surroundings, Zeina created an “Urban Country” aesthetic using neutral tones, natural textures, and subtle modern accents. Layout planning played a key role in maintaining flow between the living, dining, and kitchen areas.
The final design delivered a space that felt warm, cohesive, and functional, striking a balance between relaxed country charm and modern refinement while reflecting Carole’s lifestyle.
To see more of Zeina’s Carp design project, check out the full feature here.
While fellow La-Z-Boy designer Michelle MacLellan led the charge, Zeina played a key supporting role, lending her expertise to create a relaxing, modern lounge space where guests could unwind before going on air.
You can check out the full Bell Media Green Room transformation in this article.
The client asked for a cohesive, open-concept look across the entire first floor, which included two living spaces and two dining areas.
“I couldn’t have done it without the strong relationship I built with my client. Listening was everything in this project.”
With thoughtful layout planning and elegant, functional pieces, Zeina delivered a home that was both welcoming and stylish, just as the client envisioned.
To see more of Zeina’s Manotick design project, check out the full feature here.
She continues to welcome new clients, but perhaps more importantly, she also sees many returning clients.
“It’s nice to have old clients return. It shows they trust you and believe in the service.”
Zeina hopes to mentor the next generation of La-Z-Boy designers and envisions a future where the Ottawa, Gatineau and Kingston team dominates the company’s top ten list.
“One day, I hope the entire team floods the La-Z-Boy top ten list for all of Canada.”
She also believes in the growing importance of in-home design consultations. “In-homes have become more and more important. That’s how we make dream homes come to life.”
And while La-Z-Boy is known for recliners, Zeina wants people to see the broader potential of the brand. “I want to show everyone that La-Z-Boy isn’t just recliners. It’s quality, stylish furniture for any room.”
As 2025 continues to push forward, Zeina hopes that her promising year is this one and that she wins consecutively for the third year in a row. “Third time’s the charm,” she jokingly says.
After reading this article, you might be thinking, I want to work with Zeina. Well, if you live in Kanata, she is much closer than you think!
La-Z-Boy Kanata is where you can find her. Make sure to visit her, or any of our local furniture stores in Ottawa, Gatineau or Kingston for the chance to qualify for our complimentary interior design services today! You can also schedule a visit online before coming in.
Our sales consultants are always eager to lend a helping hand. They will be able to answer all your questions and see if you’re fit for our design services.
We hope to see you soon!
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