C&J Blog
Fresh from New York Design Fair
Lighting is always hot at this event and here's our fave...
Spotted this on the Apartment Therapy blog and HAD to repost!
We've long since been Ercol fans and, this in mind, reckoned this paint treatment invigorates an old favourite piece...
Hammocks
SOOOOO many of you write to us to ask about outdoors styling and products and, for some reason, there has been a wall of enquiries about Hammocks!
New York and Los Angeles. And another chance to visit one of our fave hotels...
Blimey! Are we really back in Toronto already?
This is a GREAT buy for a tap such as this.
Okay, it's now a generic style BUT this is a great buy, nonetheless.
Blimey - it was a bit of a stampede today at The Spring Cottage Life Show!
Wow! Really excited after a fun day!
Another mixed bag of our fave rooms...
Every one of our projects is put together with love and a warm Scottish smile...
Today on eBay we would buy... these dowdy pine bedside cabinets.
A simple and inexpensive project...
Our wee dinner date with Sir David Frost!!
Here's this weeks Toronto Star column, with the power of the petal...
After shot - Lofty lovely
Open up that space, ladles and gentlegerms; you KNOW it makes sense!
Jeeeeeeeez! Does our room make you wanna take a vacation or what!??
Aye, Spring is just around the corner!
Our new crockery. Simple, babies, simple!
No fuss - just good quality product at affordable price points...
Really cute hall table
We've always been big fans of William Yeoward and this piece, The Paula Console, doesn't dissapiont.
Spotted these GORGEOUS white marble plates in Chicago last time we visited...
This store has all manner of gorge things so get browsin'!
Dowdy with a capital D!
Our girl needed a serious kick in the butt - but we were happy to oblige! Look at our after shot in the next post to see what we changed....
The after shot! Hells bells, pull cord and stand WELL BACK!
Yup, this is how we rock. Our girl had gone through a split and this was the room we created for her to help the next stage of her life inravel...
Here's the first half of the dining room before and after...
Anything can be fixed. Anything, we say!
Our definitive sofa guide!
Reading our article should ensure you're sitting comfortably...
Packed day. Just how we like it!
GREAT start to the day having come together with Colette and Alan, to blend, pour and pack zillions of handmade soy wax candles ahead of Valentine's Day!
Here's a wee scheme to keep you going...
One of our simpler projects, but fun nevertheless.
What's not to like about this collection?
Well priced and boasting more than a hint of retro charm.
Here's a slightly more sedate shelving option...
Super lovin' the dreamy mustard schematics...
Really like the lines of this Mid Mod style table...
Both black and white top finishes are lush but we're all about the latter...
OMG - bad joke alert...
WARNING!!!! Exercise a little caution! Should you get a message from us with a link asking you to look at our tinned meat.... PLEASE; don't open it! It's SPAM!
Colour us crazy...
Sitting in a dreich wet Glasgow, the thought of this camera is really perking us up!
The Brixham Light Pendant
Jeeeeeez. Double, in fact TRIPLE, lovey loverton this soft industrial fitting.
Grey striped bedding at Next, UK
OMG - in another world (while still at Uni) we worked for this company. Hells bells that's going back twenty years!
Swoon. Iroko top AND hair pin legs...
We really like this type of stuff thought we appreciate it's a specialist and somewhat niche market...
We're often asked for advice on cookwares and pots and pans....
So we thought we'd post details of this set which is available at Marks and Specer...
Jeeez Louise, these are gorgeous...
Life without these little beauties would be a lesser life indeed...
Home Heist Pinterest blogspot
Cheers to this lovely lady for categorising a load of our Home Heist rooms via Pinterest!
LOVE this sexy wallcovering...
We've renovated a zillion homes with genuine tin ceilings so we know this metal product really well...
Today on eBay we would buy...
This affordable wee shelf cabinet. And what would we do with it? Well, we'd lacquer it black and detail it using antique gold hardwares. Very Wolseley Restaurant, London, UK! Aye, at the moment, we're all about 'The Grand European Style'.
JEEEEEEEEZZ!!
GORGEOUS! Super HWP lovin' the French styling of this cute wee laundry basket.
LOVE these little hand made bowls...
As any of our friends will attest we love the modern aesthetic. BUT...
Table dressing without stressing...
Hope our virtul scribings inspire you to make your table top tip top perfect!
Getting top dollar at sales time...
We're regularly asked to comment on things that help homes sell... and with this in mind we composed this document to answer all your questions! READ IT AND REAP!!!
Got our sale snoopers busy!
Friends in Chicago have been raving about this store for ages!
Subduing, sleep inducing, relaxing Muskoka...
For the love of paint charts and wallpaper samples we just can't stay awake...
Finding good credenzas can be tricky but this DWR range is cool.
Really like the slatted nature of this collection...
Handmade for Branch
Super HWP lovin' these solid Black Maple Christmas tree dec's. What's not to like?
Poppy Talk Detroit based soft furnishings
Love the clever use of retro maps and such like in the manufacture of these sweet products...
Zebra wallpaper
Yay! Just specified this stunning paper for a private client project in London, Great Britain...
Corinthian, Glasgow, Scotland.
As we're heading in there this week for a party, we thought we thought you'd like to have a peek. If you're from outwith Glasgow - this is how it rocks in The Dear Green Place!
Kitty heaven?
Searching for a cat home as a final finishing detail for a private client in London we stumbled across these guys...
The OK store, Los Angeles
We had to scan this company website earlier today for an LA client and we were reminded just how fabulous it is. We've been in more times than we've had hot dinners...
Jump on line and have a look!
HWP - we LOVE this wallpaper company.
Really cute designs. Mid with a little mod. Lovely jubbly.
Just back from Toronto and already into work mode...
It's WICKED being home to Glasgow for a while...
Yet more C&J bargains are arriving in store!
With the party season looming, we hope you find our cocktail trays useful! x
Table mats fit for even the glossiest Thanksgiving dinner...
This company focus mainly on linens and table wares but they also stock a curated selection from other designers they admire...
Michael Robbins
This manufacturer hand makes all these gorgeous things in New York's Hudson Valley.
Catkins tattoo - here's a pic'...
OUCH! Still a wee bit nippy but otherwise healing nicely x
Handy find furniture store - right by our hotel!
Working on behalf of a private client in LA we stumbled across this store...
Jonathan Adler Los Angeles
We make a point of going to Jonathan's stores wherever we happen to be! HWP!!!
Dine ceiling fixture.
With more than a nod to the classic Danish Loui Poulsen light, this one gets our vote.
Our top tip from the current flock of butterfly wallpapers?
Well, there are certainly loads of options from which to choose...
Homesense Spadina branch, Toronto
D'you know what? We NEVER cease to be amazed by these guys...
Great day in Oakville and Burlington. Now heading off to New York City...
Heids all o'er the place!
We love reclamation and repurposing so this lamp caught our eye.
Okay, so it's a bit kooky but we love it.
Today on ebay we would buy...
This simple piece of Whitefriars glass. Yumma and UUUZZZAAA. Happy days...
Some cute finds from our pals at Fathom!
Really lovely ideas to help you enjoy the rest of summer.
Today on ebay we would buy...
Just think of this sitting on a cool set of drawers. Hey presto - instant Welsh Dresser...
Yield coffee table at CB2. So fancy.
Featuring a pop of our beloved yellow we're smitten with this wee table...
Morning troops...
Up and at 'em. Gotta feeling that today's gonna be a fun and VERY productive day...
Today on eBay we would buy.... Muskoka chair? Florida Keys chair?
All manner of names apply to this design ...
Today on eBay we would buy...
One for our pals in Oz; a 42 piece silver plated cutlery set.
SUCH a great range of flooring options...
We always feel excited, even jumpy, when we run into an interesting flooring supplier...
TABLET RECIPE!
Here it is, folks. HWP!! It's GORGEOUS! And NO NO NO this is NOT fudge. It's a totally different confection and, properly mastered, your wee Scottish Granny would be proud.
National Theatre of Scotland production of Macbeth - Glasgow Tramway.
If you only see one show this year, make sure it's this one.
Well, it appears that it took just one girl to save the British royal family...
Isn't this an amazing picture? Hard to believe that, just 15 years past, the family was in turmoil and highly unpopular in the UK and beyond...
We are aff oot and leaving our legwarmers behind...
Aye, we're making the most of our time in Glasgow!
We're forever being asked for good lighting leads in the UK...
Here's a great company and we particularly like this blocky wall fitting.
Fish tanks
As fish lovers, we're more than happy to see some inventive new homes for our water bound pals...
Found this monochromatic paper on Wallpaper Direct
Just decided to use this to paper a basement bathroom and an accent wall in our Glasgow home. The product has wee touches of metallic silver which bring it alive. And, while you're on the company website, check out all their London themed product. Very Jubilee!
Jeeeeez! GO CHECK OUT THIS WEBSITE!!!
If you do only one thing today, visit this awesome company's online resource.
Knesting
Just imagine being able to tailor your Ikea furniture, thereby affording it a whole new look on a budget?
Really beautiful lighting.
You already know we are suckers for a cute light fitting and this is a hot current fave.
ABC Carpet and Home
Further to our New York postings we thought we'd express a bit of love for ABC...
New York - a round up of last weeks New York trip
Excuse the pagination issues with this - due to the length of the article it's doing odd things to layout and leaving gaps etc, especially wherever we position a website. And we've no idea why parts of our text are blue! But you get the drift!
Busy wee day!
We've had a fab day, with a good pal, helping decorate her downtown condo. Now back home getting ready for glitzy do...
Really taken by these ceramics...
We've long since been admirers of this company but the recent stock is the best yet!
Today on eBay we would buy...
We've long since been suckers for this type of rug, and this guy is a bargain. And NO - it's not an antique...
Anthropologie
We're hit and miss with this store but we really like this geometric bedding.
Today on eBay we would buy...
This is a really lovely 'junktique' piece. At a good price, so far...
This has really touched our hearts...
A truly moving story of a young woman who lost her life raising money.
Super HWP for these cute little Lapin food pedestals!
What's not to like. As fans of useful whimsy, these bunny eared bablies hit the mark!
Homesense
Lots going on! We're always VERY careful to associate with brands we really love and Homesense SO fit this bill. We've been propping our TV, magazine and newspaper projects - and our own homes - with Homesense merchandise for years!
Howdie! Is it reallly Tuesday already?
Trust this missive finds you all well, hale and hearty x
What a gorgeous family time near Inverness with family.
I never under estimate how luck we are to have a lovely family.
Digital clock
Walll mount it or use it desk top. We triple lovey loverton this fella. Cool retro styling that takes you right back.
Candles
Just to let you know that all our various candles aromas are now fully re stocked!
Really liking this Hans Wegner style chair.
The 'classic' Wegner Wishbone chair is now everywhere (in its various reproduction forms) but this Wegner style has always been more up our street...
Made In Design Furniture
These beautiful chairs caught our eye - we tend to be much more about wooden construction that pre moulded plastic, etc.
Today on eBay we would ALSO buy...
This cute cocktail shaker. Love the retro brass detailing...
Today on eBay we would buy...
LOVE this retro brass ice bucket. A steal at less than £8...
Made furniture. We can NOT get enough.
Love this mildly retro shaped sofa. And the colourway is divine!
We loves us a good party!
Great wee weekend in Glasgow with family and friends old and new...
Today on eBay we would buy...
It's £199, but that's actually a fair price for this type of table.
A Mini adventure to Edinburgh
With the big car in for a service we polished up our wee Mini and went for a fun spin East...
Today on eBay we would buy... these Tulip chairs and matching table. VERY good value...
We've seen single tulip chairs for nearly a grand a pop, so this is a great deal. $479 for the whole lot? Blimey!
Fish bowl with inbuilt mountains...
Can't help but like this bowl. A cute wee find at The Conran Store.
Wow! A great wee design and decorating info resource...
Read it wherever you are in the world.
Restoration Hardware Ceiling Light
Cute, eh? Impressed by the 'planatarium' nature of this fixture.
Today on eBay we would buy...
Okay, so the mid century / art deco description is bizzare...
Kids rooms.
Not sure why so many people have asked us this week about designing kids rooms - have we missed something in the press or wider media?
Ciggies...
Okay, so I mentioned this in a previous posting but I just wanted to tell you a wee bit more!
Homesense
Spent a chunk of the day sifting through bargains at the Sherway Gardens branch of this store!
Today on eBay we would buy - this industrial shelving unit.
At $107 it's a very good deal.
Adam Levine's home, Architectural Digest
Not just his, but loads of other lovely homes to see in this month's magazine. Property porn at its best!
The PERFECT home office!
Here's a project where we inserted a fab work environment under the stairs...
Today on eBay we would buy...
This chair shape would work well in a modern or, for that matter, traditional environment.
Pinterest Pinnings!
We haven't yet joined but we see that some of our work is already been virtually pinned!
Fascinating showing of Casablanca at The Revue Theatre
Great seeing so many people out in force to help care for this grand old theatre.
Tiffin eating on the go set.
We stumbled across this wee set and reckon its a clever little system.
Nood closing down sale
In BC and Alberta we've sourced from these guys on many occasions. They have carried a great stock for many years.
In response to your requests for affordable projects here's a gallery to one particular whole house client job.
We dodged big costs with this one - hope you like it!
Bike shelf
This is a super smart idea, esp' where space is limited, perhaps in a condo hallway.
Deelish fabrics from Clarke and Clarke
These guys have some super ranges. Perhaps just what you need for that upcoming upholstery project?
Today on eBay we would buy...
We love this charming trunk. And at 75 bucks it's priced very well too...
Today on eBay we would buy... Equine statuery
Today on eBay we would buy - http://www.ebay.com/itm/VTG-MID-CENTURY-MODERN-ART-POTTERY-TABLE-HORSE-ITALIAN-RAYMOR-BITOSSI-EAMES-ERA-/120862977097?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c23feac49 These, perhaps, are the kind of shapes that inspired the wonderful Mr Jonathan Adler. A very good buy for just a few dollars xx
Today on eBay we would buy... these red mid century dining chairs - a very good buy.
With red gathering momentum as a big colour for late summer/autumn you'll be well ahead of the pack.
Love these wine glasses.
Trends come and go, and wine glass shapes change, but the popularity of this award winning stem ware is sure to endure.
Today on eBay we would buy...
Getting a wild response to our eBay purchases so we'll keep them coming!
An inspiration shot we stumbled across on the Rona mag site.
Really like the bold statement here. And we've tracked down something similar for you guys; Ikea have a lime green kitchen so have a peek and create this look for less!
FAB' store in sunny Spain
We're helping with a wee project in Barcelona and recently stumbled across these guys!
Today on eBay we would buy - Jonathan Adler
This seahorse ceramic on a shiny chrome base would be a great way to start your collection.
GREAT sofa buy at MADE.
With a thousand pounds off high street price this is a wee cracker!
Matthew Hilton Profile chair.
We had the good fortune to interview Matthew some time ago on our Ch Five UK programme 'The Home Show'.
Today on eBay we'd buy...
This is a fab' metal piece that has a multitude of flexible applications.
Cafe Salma, Charing Cross.
One of Glasgow's best kept foodie secrets! And that's an actual factual.
Well we can hardly believe it - we're off to Toronto again tomorrow but our time in Scotland has gone more quickly than ever.
Looking forward to getting back to Canada!
Having a great time with my Mum in Inverness.
It's SO good spending relaxed time with family and this has been a particularly lovely trip...
Really like Jasper Morrison and his uncomplicated products.
This phone is a great cord free fella and features pared back no fuss features.
Heads up about last few days of Wallpaper Direct sale
Stick 'em up! Some great deals to be had on slick wallcoverings. We use these guys throughout loads of projects.
Jonathan Adler London
OMG - the new 3,000 square feet twin level Adler store in South Kensington is ASTOUNDINGLY gorgeous!
Loo roll holder
Finding good design solutions with smart design lines can be tricky when the subject is as mundane as a loo roll holder!
Great wee night in Chelsea
Can we just say that life in Chelsea is not ALL like it appears on 'Made In Chelsea', Towie's sister show...
New Toronto Star blog by our pal Gale.
Some more great ideas from last weeks interior decor event!
IDS - Toronto
Oops - we had meant to post this when the show was still on but we've been extra busy these last few days. Sorry!
Part of the Stockholm range...
We've got these in our homes in Canada, England and Scotland and just love 'em!
Great wee spinning top desk organiser from our chums at Alessi
Fifty two buck will bag you this wee cutie.
Rona Mag
We do an online column in Rona Magazine - here's a wee project we recently showcased in their virtual pages.
NOBODY pulls the rug from under our feet...
In response to your requests for good value floor rugs we've tracked down this one from EQ3.
Get your FLAP on. Classic multi analogue clock...
Shit happens and we still malign the ever shrinking Habitat brand.
More Agony Uncle questions have been landing at C&J Towers!
Thanks for all the questions you've been sending - we're trying to cover off as many as possible but due to volume it takes some time! Keep 'em coming! Cheers, C and J x
Cute art work at Strcutube
We don't normally go for mass produced art, and opt instead to support young emerging artists as their careers take off. But this piece is nevertheless fun.
Roger Hazard from Sell This House - this is his cute as you like living room.
Really like this guys style. On his show, due to budget and time span, the make overs are quite basic...but when he has budget and an open diary... this is what he can achieve.
Para Paints
Used this company recently for a wee job uptown and the coverage was excellent.
Restoration Hardware
Just bought some of these BEAUTIFUL wall lamps for a client and now thinking how we can incorporate a couple into our own condo.
Shelter Furniture, Toronto
OMG - we LOVE this image. Reminds us of our Glasgow drawing room....
Great sale at Windsor Workshop, Toronto
This hand made furniture collection is beautifully artisan and VERY well crafted.
Win a design consultation by us and $1000 FREE Rona vouchers!
One of you HAS to win this fab prize... so go on; get entering!
Homesense
You've gotta get in to Homesense - we've spotted some great deals on picture frames and artwork...
Marcel Wanders at Graham and Brown
This guy is is a C&J hero and this paper is particularly cool, esp' on discount!
ADAPT your wallpaper? Aye - we've had a bright idea!
Just because your paper is monochromatic, it doesn't mean you can't change it... without removing it!
Good morning from LA!
It's not like us to have left so many days without updating our blog - we're truly sorry!
Good morning LA on this, the last day of 2011
Blimey; in just a matter of hours it'll be 2012
Heck it is SO chilly in Toronto
Even though we've only been back half a day we can feel the chills settling into our bones x
Some cute wee Christmas 'make' projects as seen in our Toronto Star column.
With the holidays almost upon us, here are some simple ideas.
Fabulous French interior design book
As lovers of French interior design, this book really grabbed our attention when we reviewed it recently for one of our columns. DEF' worth a look! Gorgeous and dreamy schemes, all displayed in a wonderful coffee table tome.
Oh no! Our second last day in Grand Cayman!
We can hardly believe this trip is going so quickly...
More Grand Cayman
It's wonderful to find somewhere where we feel we could spend loads of time. Cayman is SO ticking that box!
Our Cayman journey continues...
Note to self. Open diary; mark out time to revisit Grand Cayman again in 2012 or 2013. End of.
Had a glut of folk in the UK asking us about sofas and where to get them!
So we thought we'd post some deets...
Today if money was no object...
...we'd buy one of these tables for our Toronto condo'! Blimey it would look lush in our dining room! Sadly, it's still a little on the, ahem, 'pricey' side for us! Hey ho; we can dream...
Just one more sleep till Grand Cayman!
SO excited to be heading off to this dreamily gorgeous island.
Miracle soup recipe by our good friend Cherri who has achieved STAGGERING results with this potage potion!!
First things first - remember you are already beautiful. Only try this if your want to lose weight for YOU! This soup is amazing. In just a few days we've lost a few pounds each and the recipe is delicious. As with any diet we'd counsel that you seek medical advice before starting and that you augment the soup with plenty of protein; we enjoyed grilled chicken as we ran the diet and had as much soup as we could eat every time we were hungry. It's worked really well and we haven't felt hungry. If you're fit and well - give it a go! Blimey; we're almost beach ready! And remember to excercise too! Good luck!
Our Toronto Star column, as seen in today's biggest selling Canadian newspaper.
To uphoster or not reupholster your squashy (less than) lovely? That is the question.
Our candles and your questions answered!
There are NO artificial waxes or synthetic aroma's in our waxy lovelies! Pulease!
Here's how to make a mood board.
When we wrote this we tried to be as clear as possible in a step by step way. Hope it helps you plan this important stage of room planning!
Blimey it's good being home!
Even though the weather is a wee bit on the, ahem, 'cool' side, we're not grumbling!
Our close encounter with Prince Philip - LOL!!
Here's a wee story to brighten your day on a gloomy evening!
More of your problems! Hope we can help!
Here are some double takes on some of the questions we're asked...
Styling your home with Indian influences
Hope you find our editorial interesting,
Cheers,
C and J x
More agony uncles questions
Here are some more Q&A's, and this time answered with different perspectives from each of us. Hope they help you guys! Feel free to send us your questions via our forums and we'll try and address your problems WITHOUT publishing your names or details. Cheers!
How to create 'Classic' style at home...
Here's a feature from us for Toronto readers that should help you up the ante at home.
It's question and answer time at C&J Towers! Agony Uncles time!
We're asked all sorts of questions by folk; here are just a few by example. Anonymous, of course! Today we're all about helping couples!
Abbotsford Women's Show promo clip...
Gosh - weren't we subdued ahead of a very UN SUBDUED live appearance! Calm before the storm and all that...
Question - who are you at home?
Here's how to determine YOUR decorating style. Having written this editorial we hope it helps you work a gorgeous new scheme!
Reno'ing for gain - here's how...
Hope our editorial helps you achieve top dollar or profitable pound!
Some tips for selling your home in a tricky market.
We put this editorial together recently and hope it will help you sell your place!
We've finally come through our jet lag...
Been home in The UK for a few days and finally feeling alive again after SO much travel!
Australia
With another trip to Australia planned for early 2012, we've dedicated today to our Ozzy pals.
Great night at Tosca Delfino Fashion Week after event...
And we're feeling surprisingly fresh this morning!
We've been enjoying a relaxed few days!
It's good to chill, even if only for a couple of days...
Intanza flu jabbing!
Thought you guys would like to see some footage of our interesting project...
CB2
Even though we're on the beach on vacay, we're still working. We're working on a private client design for a Toronto home and just stumbled across CB2...
Our new bathrooms!
At long last, after three years of planning, they're finally happening!
Caribbean Vacay!
Yup, at long last, we're having a TRUE holiday. Not a work junket, just a fab' seven day break!
Wallpaper Direct - new ranges and a fab magazine.
Have a look at these guys; some brill new collections!
Working from home in Toronto.
Yup, we're housebound, trying to clear work before heading off on a jaunt...
Museum Of Contemporary Canadian Art - MOCCA!
Go check this place out, it has a constantly revolving selection...
Yowsa!
Can't even begin to tell you how much fun we had at The Toronto International Film Festival this year!!
Success! We landed our interview with Nicholas Cage!!!
Blimey - this one was a close shave!
Working from our condo this morning, then another couple of red carpets!
Peter, Cat and James who are staying with us are off to Niagara with our lovely pal Gale but we've stayed at home as we have a truckload of work thorogh which we have to pile!
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We can't even begin to tell you how much fun we're having doing this gig!
OMG - we WANT these NOW!!!!!
These aren't in store till early October but here's a sneak peak....
Leaf door stopper by Home Garden Living
With our Canadian association we couldn't resist blogging this!
Landed safely in Glasgow!
Blimey - breakfast in Toronto, lunch in mid air and dinner in Glasgow. Busy boys!
Bath towels for $7.97 each.
Finding quality bathing essentials at a good price can be tough, but we've tracked down a good deal at Walmart.
Here are some clips of our radio show for those who haven't yet found it!
Every Sunday - 10am - 1pm - Real Radio Scotland, 100 - 101 FM and online.
Colin and Justin Mini Me!
Well it looks like we've created a monster. Or a pair of monsters to be more accurate!
RUBINET! LUSH taps!!! Lush!
Finding good taps can be a tiresome task but these guys are amongst the best we've ever come across on EITHER side of the pond!
After four weeks we're home from home!
Yup, we are finally back in Toronto afer a whole month in Glasgow...
The hills are alive with the sound of music!!!
This fab snap makes us smile. It was taken at The Glasgow Show last weekend.
A few laughs from The Tall Ships Race at Greenock
We had a great time hosting the main stage!
Us and our posse of gorgeous belly dancers at The Glasgow Show
These girls were SO much fun...
Citizen M Hotel - Glasgow
Great to have this hotel as part of the Scottish hospitality landscape!
Roving reporter strand for The Hour, STV
This is actually a lovely venue - go check it out!
Justin singing Vincent by Don Mclean
Okay, so we haven't yet mastered synching sound to vision but you get the gist!
Today we are planning on doing ZERO!
It's rare for us to have a whole day off but we really need some time to unwind...
So you want to refresh your kitchen without starting from scratch?
Read our Toronto Star column for all you need to know!
Working on our own garden and found these...
By Garden Beet, this interesting honeycomb trellis is a wonderful product.
We're joining Real Radio!
All our usual work stuff continues as normal between here and Canada but we're THRILLED to announce we're joining Real Radio for a thirteen weak season!
Tune into Real Radio tomorrow at 8.40am if you're awake!
Hope you can twist your dial to 100 - 101 fm for some news!
Off to Miss Scotland gala evening.
Still stricken with toothache and sinusitis, but we'll give it our best shot!
How To Choose The Perfect Sofa
Hopefully you'll find our guide useful... BEFORE you invest in your new squashy lovely!
Say, did you EVER see one this HUGE!!!???
While filming recently we revealed this big cracker!
This just caught our eye!
Love the silver colour way and leaf work, and the butterfly detailing is lush!
Some quick ideas for you guys!
Hope these are useful! Three similar items at different prices and some design and household tips. Enjoy! xx
Spotted a great sale bargain...
We actually have this sofa in our office in one of our places and it's a sturdy piece...
Breakfast and lunch in Chelsea, dinner in Glasgow!
Aye, we're heading home to The Dear Green Place!
Woofs To Kittys Mobile Pet Grooming Dog Show.
If you get a chance, please attend and show your support. Cheers. xx
Bedroom bliss!
Hope you like this project! And, with our guide, achieving a similar look should be easy!
Normal looking energy efficient light bulbs! At Last!
Thank goodness the lovely folk at Next have started to stock these bulbs!
Blimey - what a busy week we've had!
And that's why we've been a little quieter than normal on here!
St Lawrence Market
Whatever you're doing, find time for this classic indoors/outdors market in Toronto's east end each weekend.
Happy Easter!
Hope you guys are having a great day... Cute artwork, huh? Courtesy of our pal Michelle R
Celebrity Coach Trip - blast from the past!
Just come across this and thought we'd share the link.
SUCH a productive day! And isn't this a gorgeous pic of Cheryl from our show Home Heist?
Feeling good...
Thought you guys might enjoy this wee story, as featured in our Torstar column.
And we're all about orange sofas...
Working in the final stages of several bedrooms in our house
Most of the preparatory work is done, at last.
So who's up to what today?
We're slowing down a little at the mo and taking things easy this weekend!
Love this tribute clip arranged by one of our lovely twitter gang!
We're always really touched when someone goes to all this effort...
Safely back in Glasgow
Been so long that we appear to have forgotten where everything is on the house!
The Wizard of Oz at The London Palladium
Just thought we'd let you know how it all went...
We actually got on like a house on fire with this fab journo!
Hopefully it'll come across in the interview which we'll post!
A rather sombre message in light of recent events in Japan.
Our sympathies extend to all those affected by the double disaster in Japan.
Could we cram more into a day?
Think we're feeling a little tired but we've got energy in reserve...
Billy Elliot!!!
As a matter of urgency PLEASE go and see this show. It's just wonderful...
John Galliano
We are shocked and disgusted at your behaviour. For an apparently creative man you have shown your hard, ugly side. But it's better we know your true colours...
A great night!
Although we're feeeling a little drowsy today after a little boozy indulgence...
Some ideas, ahead of our appearance at The BC Home and Garden Show, to help get the best from your home!
Hope this all helps. See you in Vancouver!
Sorry to have missed a couple of days on here...
Pride ourselves on keeping our blog up to date but we've been SOOOOOOOOOOO busy...
Happy to have had such a blast on Let's Dance!
OK, so Katie and Russel won, but they were fab' and besides, we're behind all the finalists...
Great on site branding courtesy of The Toronto Star at the National Home Show.
Love this pic and cheers to Gale and the team at The Star for all their hard work!
A new show on ITV1
We're looking at the early viewings and you'll see it all on the box in just a few short weeks...
Hope you like this colour splash!
Sometimes you gotta go big on the colour to get optimum 'pop'!
LOVE this promo pic' for Let's Dance!
Our pal Michelle put it together and it's SUCH an inspired image! GORGEOUS!!
BC Home and Garden Show!!!
For those of you coming to this wonderful show, we thought it might be useful to post some of our style predictions. See you at the show!
Fake fur high drama!
We'd forgotten about this wee drama till someone sent us the clip this morning!
Still feeling a wee bit jaded after a FABULOUS early wrap party for Robin Hood!
What a great time we had last night!
Is it any wonder that we fellt a little tired today?
All that hot tub partying go the better of us!
Keith Barret and us...
A little old clip from six years past but one that still makes us smile...
Thought you gys might like to see some of the visitor reviews from the Pavilion panto in Glasgow!
Cheers for all the these wonderful words of support for us and all our lovely cast members!
Just 12 panto shows left!
We can't believe how quickly the countdown to our last show is happening!
And here's another of our stories to help you define your own personal style...
Yup, knowing who you are is SOOOOOOOOOOOO important...
Some useful advice to help extract the best deal at home sale time!
Here's an article we recently wrote for The Toronto Star. Hope you guys find it useful...
GUTTED!!!!!!!
Just as we were getting ready to leave for the first of our 11am panto's, we learn that, due to the awful weather, today's show has been cancelled.
Thought you gys might like to see some of the costumes, as artists drawings, for this years Pavilion panto
Some really cool garb!
Thuis weeks Ebay bargain
At just £50 (so far) for TWO leather sofa's, this has got to be a good deal!
The call of the cottage...
This is such a dreamy wee project and one that provided a huge amount of relief for our client who was sad to be saying bye bye to the family bolt hole.
X Factor
Well it's Saturday and that can only mean one thing: our favourite sing along is only a few hours away!
West End Life launch - a FAB night in Glasgow...
Look out for this fab' new magazine, launched by our pal Jill!
Nice pic of us with Cheryl from Home Heist...
Just three ladies having a fun night out on Church for Halloween...
Pooped...
As it were. Utterly exhausted. And it's SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO not like us to admit that...
A FREE makeover from Crown!
Here's a great opportunity for you to win a FREE makeover in association with Crown Paint!
We're on a cleaning jag!
Just tidying up our condo before City Line pop round to do a quick tartan themed spot with us.
Lovely bed throws, etc...
Some great kit from this company. Let us know what you think via our forum section?
Up with the larks!
Yup, courtesy of our nagging wee alarm clock, we were jetisoned from our slumbers and sent forth into the day. We had a couple of importnat meetings but when they were in teh bag, we still found time for shopping!
Hope you're all entering our competition!
Glade and we are working together and supporting their lovely range of scented products such as the Glade Plug in Scented Oild Refills!
$15,000 free reno' competition!
Just think - a free $15,000 competition that could beautify your needy room!
Stirling Life sister magazine launches soon in the West End of Glasgow...
Looks like being a really good read!
Beauty Blogging Blonde!!
Some fun from last nights Liz Hurley appearance at Frasers, Glasgow x
SOOOOOOOOOOO sorry to be quiet...
We had some family stuff to look after but we're home now...
Friends round for dinner to watch x Factor...
...so far too squiffy to write more. Sign of a great night is an aching smile from laughing... And a good few glasses of vino...
Thanks for supporting this event. The response has been STAGGERING!
Good news and bad news we guess. Wish we could expand the venue again but it's moved once and is already at capacity...
Erin Mills Paint and Decor Centre event!
Come on by and see us at this fun event. If you wanna create a million dollar look in your home without breaking the bank.... this isthe event for you! xxx
Glasgow? Raining? Of course it is... but who cares? We're home!
Aye, we're settling in perfectly, albeit the weather.
Can we admit to being absolutely knackered?
It's seldom we give in to fatigue... but at this moment we're pooped!
New collection at Zellers!
So our new collection of bedding for Zellers just arrived in Canada and will be in store very shortly to supplement our existing range of Bed in A Bag style products.
So who took the weather?
Just awakened to find that someone appaears to have stolen the lovely weather in Toronto. It had been so warm...
Is it just us or has it gone suddenly chilly in Glasgow?
One minute the sun was out... but now it's suddenly gone cold. And it's chilly!
Our Toronto home...
Thought you guys might be interested to take a peek around our condo in Toronto.
Make time for wine...
Here's a wee blog and a pic from todays grape stomp. Did we mention that we won??
LCBO Celebrity Grape Stomp. We're your winners!!!!
What an insane amount of fun and the media wall was astounding given that TIFF has a stranglehold on this city!!!
Click on this link for some ET Canada party pics of us and others1
Yup, t'was indeed a great night...
Sorry to have been quieter these last few days!
Been deluged with work and play but we'll be back to full tilt tomorrow...
Feeling a wee bit dizzy this morning...
Just coming to after a particularly late dinner party!
Fun way to use decals from the same folk who provide the black birds..
We're going sticker crazy...
Erin Mills Customer Evening (in association with Benjamin Moore Paint) hosted by us!
Hope you guys can make it along to see us! Our event is Wed, Nov 3rd at Erin Mills Paint and Decor Centre...
Think we have finally found a dining table we love. It comes from BoConcept!
Been searching for some time but we think we've tracked down a table from BoConcept, whose product we use loads of on our UK shows. They have branches in Vancouver and Calgary and are, apparently, looking to expand acrsoss Canada. We wish them luck. If they're loved as much as they are in The UK, then they're bound to grow fast!
Some great table top accessories from Dwell Studio
Check out this company - we're impressed by their collections...
Particularly love the rounded triangular pieces...
We've always been fans of fresh blue and white crockery but this guinea fowl design is extra f'hot!
Super loving this shimmering beauty
Available in a host of different colours and finishes...
Manitoba and Winnipeg...
Oh my God we are POOPED! Spent hours walking on a whim trying to find a Thai resto' for lunch...
Eating irons...
Cutt is a cutlery set made of 925 sterling silver. Geometrical correlating areas, accentuated through their folds, describe the design of this product. Neither function nor ergonomic suitability for daily use are in the front. The design of Cutt focuses on the cultural development of european tableware in form and content. It squares up with the axiom of form follows function.
Possibly an alternative to the BEAT light by Tom Dixon?
Cluster a few of these retro lovelies together in a larger room, each hung at a different height, to make a dramatic statement...
Mirrored furniture at Next
These guys have some really well priced kit. We've used it on several TV shows and it's well made and durable.
Settling back in beautifully...
Been home in Toronto for two days and already we feel like we've never been away!
Great resource for mirrored furniture in Canada
These guys are one of the best suppliers in Toronto
Lovely peeps at Air Canada
Just arrived at Heathrow, London and chilling out before leaving for Canada...
Heids nipping...
Not entirely sure why we're blogging about headaches but one of us (Justin) is suffering from a cracker. It's finally being knocked into touch, however, with some Paracetamol... but it's been a right belter. Hhm. Maybe it had something to do with a fab wee night at The Drake? Caught up with a really good friend Faith who we don't get to see nearly often enough and had a few wee shandies in our new favourite Glasgow bolthole. But the hangovers don't normally last until the next evening, eh??
Anyway - it's getting better now.
In other news (hell, you must be on the edge of your seats by now) we're working on packing kilts -hence the pic' of our Bobble Head Dolls-and all manner of travel wares into teeny wee bags ahead of jetting off to Toronto tomorrow. We have an inbuilt aversion to 'hold luggage' so we always try and limit ourselves to carry on bags.
Stone me!
We actually have some of these in our Glasgow home which we bougtht at a trade fair last year. Friends weep when they see them as they're double deluxe comfy! So get up off you asses and go check out this cool website. Gorgeous enough to make a monkey bite its mother in sheer joyful glee! Pass us the smelling salts, we're having a turn...
SUCH gorgeous carpet options...
Beautifully composed and magically conceived floor product.
Great review for Home Heist
Just so you know what to expect, here are some kind words from an independant TV reviewer!
Cheers for the fab comments from this lovely blogger!
Click on the link below for some nice words from a fellow blogger and see a recent dining room project from Home Heist...
Gather round
Really cute round dining table. We spotted this in BoConcept yesterday and reckon it's a good piece...
Moooi horse lamp
Neigh, lad! This would be a fun way to light up the home! Spotted one of these in an airport business lounge, and, while it's a just little over the top, it's certainly a statement piece. Just remeber to bolt the stable door... before buying!
A night on the tiles...
In a world where so much product tends to be utterly homogeonous (did we spell that correctly?) it's fun to come across a sweet little detail like this. Positioned as a deliberate juxtaposition- in perhaps an ultra modern kitchen or bathroom - these little fella's would steal the show.
Gun chandelier...
OMG - don't think we've ever wanted ANYTHING more than we want this pistol packing lovely.
AWESOME night with family
Laughed so hard all night and sorry to have to leave to drive back to Glasgow!
Wood floor yard sale.
This is a very good opportunity to re floor that needy room WITHOUT spending a fortune!
Marlborough Marble
These guys have just finished our Glasgow bathrooms and the results are tremendous. Acres of Italian grey marble and very slick results.
If we only had daughters...
Oh blimey. Like an explosion in a candy floss (cotton candy to our Canadian and US pals) this pink scene took our breath away. Reminded us, in fact, of one of our own Home Heist episodes... '40 Year Old Grannies' was the name of that ep'. Look it up at www.hgtv.ca/homeheist and see how truly before our time we are!
Twiggy bedding!
Super loving this bedding. It's not inexpensive but it'd make a sufficient statement in your bedroom meaning you wouldn't have to spend much on other aspects of your design...
Our Glasgow kitchen...
Thought you might like to see some more rooms in our house. Here's our main kitcehn, for starters...
When we were in Australia on 'I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here' we came across this wonderful artist
We've always been fans of contemporary artists and this one caught our attention big time...
The Real Radio Car Boot Sale
Make a fortune and help hard working charity CHAS into the bargain...
The ultimate piece of avarice
OK, so we won't be buying any of these but they are nonetheless rather gorge...
www.loverslounge.co.uk
This company have some WONDERFUL product. Jump on line and prepare to swoon...
A new brush sweeps clean
Ok, so it's not a brush but, for the love of God, allow us a little poetic license! We didn't want to call it 'The Ultimate Suck'. That would have been FAR to predictable... And we SO deplore double entendre...
Just installed two of these lovely baths in our Glasgow home
Cast iron, heavier than a pregnant elephant and seriously gorgeous!
Visut www.heritagebathrooms.co.uk
Scandanavian fabulousness (apart from the price) at http://dwell.co.uk/lighting
We're suckers for this style of light... so this is a sure fire style winner. BUT (and it's a BIG but) it's WAY over priced at £400 plus. So, we're tipping something on one hand... but taking it away on the other...
Wet our pants gorgeous... www.iconiclights.co.uk
SUPER LOVIN' these!! And at a fraction of the original cost...
We kind of cartwheeled with joy when we stumbled across these guys. £249 is actually a LOAD cheaper than the original price for these interpretations...
Check out the site for a bed wettingly fabulous range of interpretation home accessories.
Queens Garden Party
Really looking forward to tomorrow. We've been invited to Hollyrood to the annual Royal garden party and we're currently caught up in an ironing frenzy and trying on all manner of potential outfits... Will we wear the kilts... or the suits... Who knows? We'll decide in the morning. Last time we were in Royal company we were having dinner with Charles and Camilla and she seemed mesmerised by our kilts! We have an amazing photo in our office of us all screaming with laughter!
Gone With The Wind has nothing on our sweeping staircase!
Again, mid reno, though it's now complete... short of carpet which is being laid today.
Our downstairs living room mid reno...
Mackays flooring installed this super deluxe dreamy herringbone floor and we nearly wept when we saw it finished. SO perfect....
Our drawing room.... ready to be furnished. Enfin!
Sorry, this wouldn't post on teh forum so we've popped it in here.
The classic Windsor chair
We used similar chairs to these, re coloured satin black, in our Toronto condo and, while ours were produced in Toronto, we're often asked for a supplier in the UK. So check out Ercol
At long last we're getting laid...
And so it came to pass that two burly men (bearing a striking resemblance to the Mitchell brothers) arrived at our door this very morning. After a MASSIVE project overhauling our house and preparing for it's final stages, we're finally having carpets fitted as we type. Yay!! We've opted for smokey grey pretty much everywhere, apart, that is, from in one of our guest bedrooms where we've created a heather coloured fantasy with a four poster bed, antler chandeliers and a wall mounted stags head. In there, grey yields to soft almond carpet and natural stripped timbers.
Meanwhile, the Mitchell brothers are speachless. They seldom tackle whole house jobs, and, with 400 plus yards of Brintons carpet to be assigned to the floor, reckon they'll be here for two whole days. So we're on tea duty, and sandwitch prep'...
Later on we have the decidely unpleasant job of taking a whole pile of crap to the local dump. We're VERY glamorous don't you know! It's very satisfying to see our place coming together. Having built a career from beautifying the worlds housing stock, one needy room at at a time, it's fun to see our own place coming alive.
More later...
Dames Colina and Justina xx
Great book on hotels...
This is a well composed book and covers some awesome global hotel design. We read it cover to cover in a day. Very inspiring stuff...
Problems with a large organ...
Hmm. Just where to rehouse that outsized piece while still createing a cool, new space into the bargain? Here's how... xx
You have been asking about our squirrel and his nuts...
So this is a pic of the wee fella who was sadly lost as a consequence of Toronto's earthquake.
If you're looking for floors, go check out this fab' company...
Some great ideas including leather, lumber and laminates...
Lucy Art - some great ideas...
We regularly use these guys on ITV's Sixty Minute Makeover and they offer a great service. Have a scan; you're sure to find something you like!
Cheers,
C and J xx
Success!
Hoorah! Finally found a faux antler chandelier for our Glasgow guest room. Finding these spiky lovelies was easy enough in Toronto (we used CDN Antler Design who are FABULOUS) but tracking one down in Scotland was like finding a needle in a haystack...
And another gorgeous wee find from Rockett St George..
Lumbar cushions - a hugely popluar pillow shape in Canada but not always readily available in the UK. But here's one that caught our eye. And one which would provide useful lower back support on even the most unwelcoming chair...
And meanwhile, ANYTHING with Alice in Wonderland - as far as we're concerned, certainly - can only be a good thing. Now if someone could only package up Mr Depp and send him our way we'd be happy bunnies. We're SURE Helena wouldn't mind. Enjoy!
Country by Jasper Conran
This is a must read title for anyone who enjoys pure country home and garden style...
PLEASE can we have this in Britain or Canada!!!!
This would look so good on our terrace... Glass of Sauvignon Blanc in one hand and a barbied chicken leg in the other. Oooooh, count us in!
Fine Dining!
We hope our dining room tips will make gathering 'a table' that little bit more fabulous!
A Palm Springs Beauty
As a holiday home this one would be pretty much perfect for us! There's SO much for sale in the desert at the mo'...
Super loving this button tufted sofa. Straight from the Milan Furniture Fair
NNICEE!!!!!!!!!!
Tree bed
This is just too gorgeous for words. Check out www.slmetalworks.com for a wonderful array of beds and furniture. We're in love with this one!
Hats off to great lighting!
We're bowled over by these light, designed by Jake Phipps. Hope you like 'em!
Super nice vignette
How cute is this? An accent of graphic wallpaper, some mirror finishes... and a splash of YELLOW, one of our favourite decorating 'pops'. Gorgeous. We found this image on a real estate site in palm Springs. VERY Hollywood!
Checkout www.thibautdesign.com for further wallpaper inspiration...
The Ivy, Sydney.
We're SO loving this look! Was there ever a more OTT hotel lounge? But it's nonetheless gorgeous... x
Some Summer trends for you guys, from us. Enjoy!
Come on - it's time to freshen up the home!
Bathing beauties
Here's a round up we've prepared to help joosh your smallest rooms... Enjoy!
Some new tips!
As a wee change to our regular format, we thought we'd add some simple design tips to assist in adding the glam factor chez vous! Let us know if they're helpful and we can make this a regular feature on this growing site!
Morning all...
Political chaos rolls forward... So here we sit, with the worry of a hung parliament and the doors of Number 10 firmly closed for the moment. Some people couldn't vote and we wonder what might have hapened had they been able to, especially in marginal seats. Coallition talks will now clearly unravel so we're glued to our TV...
On a more mundane note the work is still going smoothly in our house. Window boxes being installed today by Trees R Green and they look wonderful. Outside it's grey and threatening rain and we have so much work to do...
