Today (hoorah!) we're turning our attentions to certain finishing details. After considering various suppliers, we've chosen Armstrong Flooring due to their top quality, realistic pricing and reliability: important factors when renovating anywhere, right? And even better - Armstrong is available at everyone's fave big box store The Home Depot Double bubble!
Skis at the thrift store - or the makings of a headboard in a sport themed bedroom? The latter, obvs! And how about that hockey face grill, again from the thrift? We’d create an MDF back plate, wire it safely to accommodate a filament bulb, and attach the grill to the front. Hey presto a cute wee ‘soft industrial’ wall sconce.
Thanks to the squillons of you who participated in our IKEA BILLY bookcase contest on twitter! #ad #partner
Today we went back to one of our previous Haliburton cottages to show our current contractor some of the special details of the build. And hey: we managed to make light work of the twisty turny cottages roads. We were also MEANT to be picking up a washing machine and a sofa (hence taking the Silverado: its load bearing and carrying space are fantastic) but our supplier suddenly evaporated... so the biggest load we ended up carrying was some Chinese take away food and a bottle of bourbon from the LCBO! But hey - we did it in style.
Last night's viewing: ROMA on Netflix: an astonishingly simply story about a beautiful soul who works in service for a family in 1970's Mexico.
Continuing 'Spruced Up With Colin and Justin' - a fun wee Cottage Life webisode series. Click the link below and watch us make a simple table lamp from an old wine box...
Colin and Justin. Date night. Just the two of us. Aye, and to think it all started SOOOOO well. With four shoes. Two at the end of each designer.
Check out the Cottage Life website for more 'All Spruced Up' projects...
Meanwhile - on the flip side, via our #SUBZERORENO these cottaging superheroes have DESTROYED a DECREPIT fireplace.
Plotting! Aye, it's an important day at www.instagram.com/colinandjustinslongbeach And hey: if we can't be inspired by one of our own projects for our #SUBZERORENO by what can we be inspired? This pic is the bunkie at Plan B - Season 3 "Colin and Justin's Cabin Pressure" - Cottage Life Catch it in reruns - check schedules for times.
The new bunkie may share a few similar lines but it'll be VERY different upon realisation...
Anyhoooo - we're currently honing plans with Nicole Sokol and her team at @luxurydiscoverydreamhomes for a two bed guest wing. Join us via our new insta site for a whisper of what's in store...
Before and After. First things first - we painted out the, ahem, 'flesh' coloured walls. This done, we added ample closet storage, faux hide chairs and mirrored side tables, then floated it all on a sea of dreamy ebony Amtico.
Blimey: we're already at the 'layering' stage at Long Beach...though tomorrow's threatened storm has already jeopardised week 3 of our #SUBZERORENO plans. It doesn't even look like WE can make it to the site. Short of choppering in and landing on the frozen lake, we're kinda locked out. We''ll keep you beauties informed!
Omg - the bowl cut. The brown hair. The impish grin. Who'd have thought this wee scamp would morph into my missing half? When two worlds collide, huh? And unique new energy is born.
When folk enquire as to which Netflix shows we watch, they prolly expect us to mention the big hitters: the awesome streamable series that make for classic water cooler TV.
But the show that currently has our attention is The Kitten Rescuers (it originally aired in the UK on Ch 5 where, in fact, we spend several years) hosted by Jo Brand.
Anyhooo - cue two grown men (us) weeping from the top of the show to credit roll. It's a no brainer - a series about felines being rescued from dreadful situation. Jo Brand is a fantastic host and maintains a sense of levity and comedy throughout even the darkest situations...
Note to the world - if this show ever franchises across the pond - we HAVE to host it. If, that is, Jo didn't want to travel. It's feel good, weepy, cuddly and sometimes shocking (watch through your fingers) telly with tears and laughs in equal measure. The opening ep' where the RSPCA dude goes up a chimney in search of a lost kitten and comes out COVERED in soot had us rolling on the floor.
Today's sartorials. Justin: jeans by @gucci Shirt by @OldNavyCA Jacket by @ZARA High tops by @NikeToronto Glasses by @Prada Colin: joggies by Kyodan at @WINNERS Hoodie by @wingsandhorns Jacket by @welcomeOVO Sneaks by @PUMA
Need a lil' inspo for your chap as Valentines Day looms? Look no further than Indigo, Chapters and Coles Sweet ideas! C&J xx
Taping an episode of Cityline tomorrow with this awesome woman. Aye, Tracy Moore makes taking part a breeze for the entire Cityline fam'.
Today’s ‘high/low’ sartorials. Justin: jeans and trench by ZARA Marshmallow jumper (okay, okay - 'sweater') by @oldnavy and high tops by @niketoronto Colin - boots by Prada Jeans by @boss Puffer by Uniqlo Canada and jacket by @newlook_men Would it shock you if we admitted we're wearing @ginchgonchofficial Long Johns? Gotta stay warm, huh?
Meanwhile - back from the cottage after an epic snowy and rainy drive through melting (and re freezing) conditions. Beamer, it should be reported, was NOT amused as the journey protracted. That said, he's now safely back in his condo with us (NB - not OUR condo with HIM: we know our place) and settled in for the evening. Aye, fed, watered... and chasing his shadows.
KEEP IT LOCAL! Sliding into our second year in partnership with Curry Chevrolet Buick GMC Limited in Haliburton and the convenience of driving a Chevrolet Silverado was seldom more relevant than it is today. We can’t fit ANY furniture into our Rover so the Chevy saved our skin as we moved sofas, beds, wardrobes and case goods between cottages. Yup - we’re currently playing bad ass removal men! And take it from us - snow levels like these call for a SERIOUS pick up truck. Guess we could have found a Chevy in the city but we LOVE the local service our fantastic dealership offers.
For all the bad press it receives, we believe that social media, sometimes, can actually be used for the power of real good. You know, to focus energy. To resonate good thoughts. That type of thing. Which is what this post is all about...
Happy Birthday, Mum Ryan...
Mum is seen here, perhaps four years ago, at Coul House, her favourite afternoon tea haunt. Our best girl may have slipped from this mortal coil some two years past - but she will absolutely NEVER be forgotten. And, just so you know, there's WAY more joy today, on her birthday, than there is sadness.
Just back from @MaryPoppins T'was utterly EPIC. The cast, the story, the score, the fantasy sequences. EVERYTHING. We can't recommend it highly enough. So this is how it went for us: from the opening scenes to the closing credits - we wept.
Aye, t'is almost impossible to find a good mince pie o'er this side of the pond. Any - and all - suggestions (that might draw to a conclusion our search for the British festive staple) would be more than welcome.
Thanks to Janice Thompson from Niagara on The Lake Chamber of Commerce for this awsome bauble!
When you have the world’s largest candy cane...right outside your window....
So a dirty great box of QS somehow made it into our shopping cart, yesterday. It's now sitting on our office desk. And as we pass by, eyes wide, it seems to be calling our names.
Introduced to the concept of raclette gastronomy by our Scottish neighbours Nina+Greg, we've gone on to feature the cooking style on Cityline and tonight our pal Tina Holmes cooked, chez nous, on our Hamilton Beach table top stove.
December 8, 1980: an already grey day in NYC when a bullet rang out and John Lennon's life was cruelly taken. For many, the skies darkened and turned black. He died right outside his home. Tragic.
Living Coral. Yay! A beautiful colour - and one with which we can easily accessorise - from Pantone. Hmm. We STILL can't get over Marsala as a previous year's Pantone choice. Our tummies (P dot S - The McAllister Ryans do NOT say the 'b' word) heaved. That was shocking. It still haunts us. How was the decorating community EVER meant to make sense of that particularly vile shade? Hello gravy browning?
The hand made nature of these products is what makes them so entirely heart felt and beautiful. Whomever receives these beauties as Christmas approaches will think they've bathed and gone to heaven!
Looking forward to this weekend's (as yet top secret!) adventure to Quebec City. These twoboyz are plotting something super exciting! Details, ahem, eventually!
Yesterday, obsessed as we are with The Handmaid’s Tale, we attended The Commander’s House. We honestly can’t remember being so excited to visit a TV location. As there exist so many obvious parallels with today’s - oft’ terrifying - world, it was actually a relief being reminded that what we’re watching is simply a story. A tale. A fantasy. But a frightening observation, nonetheless, of the horrors facing our world. And a salient reminder (not to put too frightening a point on it) of that which we could become if malevolent forces have their way.
Fair to say that Mexico has proved to be the perfect setting for this trip...
We'll unravel more details shortly - save to say that we're already having a fantatstci time. We're at the wonderful Hotel XCaret on The Mayan Riviera...
D'you ever think - "Not up to making dinner: so I'm gonna have cereal"? After an epic day with more work than we've EVER crammed into one stretch, we opted to forgo cooking.
Wednesday morning... still loading. Coffee... still drinking. Medium roast, for the record, Columbian: delicious. With just a dash of cream. In a hand thrown pottery mug. How's your morning shaping up?
Och aye, we’d rather have a mince pie than a mince by. Oh forget it: it’s an auld Scottish joke...
The devastation to human life caused by the Californian fires has been shocking, and our hearts break when we read the updates. It's just so awful. So much loss. So much distress. We pray that somehow - somehow - people will eventually come to terms with what has happened. If there's anything that any of you can do to help - please do. Whether a donation, or an aid package or whatever. Every little counts...
So - when we say we are SOOOO up to something.... can you, by looking at our faces, tell? Heading off into the night... #toronto #design#colinandjustin
It’s seldom we ask you to open your purses and wallets - but on this occasion we’d really like to. We’ve just created a special C+J beer and ALL profits go to help those that SERIOUSLY struggle with bill payment in winter. Might you consider buying a few cans to help? NB - mail order is available.
It's always a pleasure to post of Sue Watson's MANY literary successes. With several books under her belt, mainly in the 'rom com' style, this thriller might be a side step in style... but it has paid of BIG time. We read the kindle version, cover to virtual cover, and it doesn't miss a beat. And OH that twist in the tale!
Seriously. It's 2018: no one should have to choose whether they heat... or whether they eat. And no child should go to bed in winter clothes to fend of the season's icy blasts. It's an utter disgrace that we live in a world where this kind of thing is far from rare.
Doctor Who, episode 3, managed, quite majestically, to recount at least a small part of the story of civil rights activist Rosa Parks... and indeed her pivotal role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. That boycott - ultimately - led to everyone, no matter colour, being accorded equal rights to sit anywhere on bus transport. Rosa became an international icon of resistance to racial segregation and collaborated with civil rights leaders including Martin Luther King. And the rest is history...
The Haunting of Hill House. A slow burn, sure, but, in episodic terms, it finally gets there. Normally we bale if something doesn't grip us by ep 2 or 3 but-on strong recommendation-we stuck with this Netflix series.
3.30pm + we've finished work for the day. Some type of record for us! Heading to the Taste Matters event with Evas Initiatives.
Ah well, it's pretty out; leaves turnin' red, an' all. But clearly someone just turned off the last of that unexpectedly warm patch.
To each of you, today and always: Happy Thanksgiving from your wee Scottish pals.
As Canadian Thanksgiving approaches, we hope you beauties might be able to help us. For there are some people that we - and our pals Carol and Lewis - would dearly like to thank. We'll (try and) keep this short...
Nadia Di Donato - your Legends of Horror experience at Casa Loma is next level world class: truly OUTSTANDING thematic horror. Last year's show was grizzly, terrifying, wondrous and dreamy - all in one horrific package - and this year's spectacle is even more amazing.
This pic features one of our collection, a 1968 Mercedes Benz 280SL. But we have no favourites...
We're doing a C+J own label beer (and it'll be delicious!) in conjunction with one of Ontario's premier brewers. It launches in the next few weeks and we'll report more presently. As winter approaches, we've elected to pump all profits into the community to help those battling heating costs.
Here's one model that just landed...
Our love affair with 'shopping local' continues. You may remember that, at the end of Spring 2018, we chose a Chevrolet Colorado from Currys, Haliburton's premier car dealership. Our plan, back then, was to enjoy the truck for a long time. Well - we did indeed LOVE the truck... but with three new cottage projects about to kick off, and a LOT of fetching and carrying planned, we decided to trade up to the Silverado. Gotta say partnering with Currys has been a dream. We've enjoyed staggeringly good service and all on the doorstep in cottage country. Aye, the 'local' angle is super important to us.
So beautiful to watch the water dancing below the city's famous skyline...
Now, for fear of alienating our Canuck pals, we'll say, sotto voce, that we're not the biggest butter tart fans. But Portuguese tarts? Hell mend us!
SUCH a dated room with that mad swirly caret, but in terms of square footage, it was fantatstic. We saw epic potential...
Aye, we turned this unused bedroom / box room into a much needed second bathroom. Aye, with proper consents, a fully qualified plumber and loads of monochromatic ambition, we flushed out the past and welcomed in a new wave of glam' bathing potential.
Aye, it's before an' after time, again, peeps. We tore away the paper, peeled back the carpet and started afresh. Channeling that literary masterpiece (ahem) within which Dorian Grey resides, provided 50 shades of inspiration.
The Sinner is our latest top tip for your TV viewing pleasure. After getting in late last night from a work dinner, we binge watched three eps and we're already hooked. Clever TV. Who's already on board?
We just carried almost an entire Cityline set! Nine cushions, one large floor rug, two foot stools, several ceramics, a faux cow hide chair, several faux flowers in vases, all manner of ceramics, a Pendleton style X frame foot stool, six macrame dream catchers, three table lamps, four vintage style plane propellers, a wheeled storage system and enough throws and art work to keep the most avid designers happy for a lifetime. See it all on Thursday's Cityline as we create a room inspired by the halcyon days of family cottage resorts. Dreamy!
That's why we've added a large selection of floor rugs to our home line...
Howdie - just wanna thank everyone for letting us know its Friday, every single week... on Friday. It's thoughts like this that keep us here and on Facebook. Tidings to every flipping' one of you.
Are we the only ones who feel the air changing today? But we're not gonna lie - we're kinda diggin' the slowly shifting climate. We're four season boys, after all, so t'is all good. Whether referenced as Fall or Autumn - we actually welcome the mercury's soft decline.
Now don't get us wrong: we love a lil' showbiz gossip like the rest of 'em. But when a mindless piece of crap like this is deemed 'news', it makes us want to curl up under a rock. And malign the written word that was.
Are we really so easily pleased that crap like this is considered the stuff of a good headline? REALLY? For the record, we're actually admirers (to a certain degree) of Kylie's ascent.. and of her make up empire and billionaire status which came as a consequence. And were we required to sit down and eat milky cereal with her, or with ANY of the sisters/mothers/aunts/matriarchs to whom she's attached... we'd still pick Kylie. Guess, after all, she wasn't the author of this milky tale. Merely the subject.
This one is a belter - super easy to do and a project that can be mastered in a matter of minutes...
Who doesn't like spending someone else's money? Aye, we're off to Elte with our client's credit card. Canny spend during the build aspect of a current project means 'showing out' with furniture + schematic layers. Or, in other words, we've got permission to max' out their plastic...
Colin+Justin Home’ spirit tumblers. To add a lil’ extra pizazz to your cocktails...
Been a great weekend and, if truth be known, we're not quite ready to kiss our Frid-Sun goodbye. Looking on the bright side, however, we're reminded that Mondays only happen once a week. So we're dealing with the prospect. Accordingly xx
Who doesn't like spending someone else's money? Aye, we're off to Eltewith our client's credit card. Canny spend during the build aspect of a current project means 'showing out' with furniture + schematic layers. Or, in other words, we've got permission to max' out their plastic...
In other news, we're off to do v/o for another 3 eps of Great Canadian Cottages.
Super sweet respite (home to Richard+Peter) from the new show. See this one+23 others when Great Canadian Cottages airs on Cottage Life in Fall. Just DON’T expect a dull stream of homogenous McMansions: on this show we cover many budgets, all sizes and various styles.
Now fully restored to pristine condition (holy moly: finding specialists for our ancient French baby in Canadashire proved super laborious) our wee ‘tin snail’ marched across Toronto today with aplomb.
A wee quick simple vignette. We used an Ektorp striped chair (previously at IKEA) and a warm toned wood drawer set from The Brick to set the scene.
H2 Rotisserie & Bar at The Westin Bayshore Half a chicken and all the fixings. SUPER delicious! In BC to host Diner En Blanc Vancouver. It’s gonna be an EPIC event! Remember our FREE contest ($9K value) to win flights for two to Paris, hotel and a 3 Michelin Star dinner at the Alain Ducasse restaurant. AND a thousand dollars to spend.
What? It's only day wear. Yup, this morning we're hanging out and cleaning the cars and the condo. You know - chillin' an' stuff..
Lol - if I'm very good he lets me drive this one! These wheels were born in 1968 but this wee baby drives like new Mercedes-Benz Super reliable. Shweeeeeeet! #vintage #pagoda #280sl
Lol - if I'm very good he lets me drive this one! These wheels were born in 1968 but this wee baby drives like new Mercedes-Benz Super reliable. Shweeeeeeet! #vintage #pagoda #280sl
Quick dash to the cottage to prepare it for big sister's arrival. Beds made. Kitchen dressed. Got us thinking about you guys! Time for a kitchen update? Aye, t'is that. Grab a coffee (Coffee? Whaaaaaat - wine?) and peruse our Cottage Life guide to prepping your food prep' zone...
We've used Dollarama products (as styling props) for years on mornining shows, etc - but (until now) never as a source for sartorial matters.
Our products are on shelves now. Our line has been in existence for seven years now and, thanks to your loyal support, it's going from strength to strength.
Because it's Pride Weekend. And because it's SO important to support others, here's our own - very simple - pride story. We met in our first year at college and university and fell head over heels in love. As teenagers, we'd no idea this would be forever. But fate had different plans. 30 years later, we're happier than ever. But we're amongst the lucky ones. We didn't experience barriers (as far as we're aware, certainly) because we're gay. For others, however, it wasn't always - and still isn't - easy: the battle continues.
HUGE respect to the brave men and women currently fighting to save anything, anything, at The Glasgow School of Art. We can hardly comprehend this is happening again, and, by many accounts, it's significantly worse than the fire which destroyed so much just four short years ago.
Quick question - we have a couple of pals who recently moved to Toronto and, having been treated pretty unkindly by a landlord, they're looking for a new apartment so as to better enjoy the city we've promised them will be a fantastic place to live when their accommodation issue is fixed.
When we asked you, some time past, to suggest which marque we should choose for our new pick up, an overwhelming majority suggested Chevrolet, so we promptly marched into Curry Chevrolet Buick GMC Limited in Haliburton (come on: keep it local, right?) where we chose this sexy Colorado in inky black.
With the emphasis on 'ristic modern' our line is out there, just waiting for your stylistic delectation!
You and we are fortunate to have a roof over our heads. And a safe place unto which we can retreat the (sometimes) stresses of life. Homelessness, however, remains a significant problem... and it happens for many reasons. In that regard, we will never judge. For ours is only to rally the forces and do whatever we can. If you'd like to attend, please visit the website. Buy a ticket. Or make a donation. Thank you.
The time was right. Having decided we needed a solid, reliable and stylish pick up truck (to make cottage country fetching and carrying a lil’ easier) we debated - and test drove - various marques. But we kept being drawn back to Chevrolet, via the Curry dealership in Haliburton. Find out more at www.currychevrolet.ca or Curry Chevrolet Buick GMC Limited. Due to the fact we lift and carry so many things between our various cottage renovation projects, a reliable pick up trick was fast becoming top of oru list.
This store ships, has wonderful product - and it's fairly and sqaurely priced....
Find our international home decor collection in stores like Homesense, Winners and Marshalls in Canada and in TK Maxx in the UK and TK Maxx in Australia...
Pizza. Ham 'n' pineapple, just so u know. Day 13 of wine detox. #superproud
Blimey - that was a whistle stop nine day tour of the UK! Fun times in London, and a wicked time in Scotland. Great checking back in to our Scottish lives (our transatlantic existence is never something about which we grumble - but it's often exhausting!) for a while and catching up with friends.
We're presenting to the market, for the first time, a fully modernised one bedrom apartment. Huge double bedroom, large living room, luxuriously appointed kitchen, marble clad bathroom, laundry and storage room. Wooden floors in principal areas. Carpeted bedroom. Fully and luxuriously furnished. Weekly cleaning service included.
Being back in Scotland is already a joy. It's dry, our lovely old house is still standing and we had dinner last night for Justin's birthday at The Rogano.
Happy Birthday to Mr Ryan! Taking the boy up to Scotland today (for his, ahem, 35th!!!) to check out some potential rental property and to chill out at home for a few days.
GREAT meal at The Ivy last night - it's always good checking in to one of our fave retauarants. As an offshoot of the main Ivy, the Chelsea sibling has really done well and garned a loyal customer base. We're sure the Scottish outposts will be similarly well loved.
Seamless flight home to London on Air Canada. And now settled into Chelsea and loving being back on home from home turf.
Super excited - we're heading back to ther UK for ten days. First task? We've sold one of our rental apartments (in London) so we've a hook up with the delivery company who are emptying the space.
We're using @Ikeacanada wardrobe doors to create a chic, panelled bedroom. And we'll be showing you how to create the perfect Insta-worthy B&B space so your guests won't feel, ahem, up in the 'air'. PG's will want to rebook as a matter of critical urgency to enjoy your super lovely hospitality all over again!
To help celebrate IKEA’s iconic IVAR shelving system (the design of which is turning 50!) we've $1000 to give away in this exclusive C&J contest. Yup, we've partnered with @IKEACanada to give TWO winners and a best friend the chance to grab $250 EACH to spend on dreamy, gorgeous things!
WIN! WIN! WIN! We’ve $1000 in gift cards to give away in our exclusive contest - yup, we've partnered with HomeSense to give TWO winners AND one of their best friends the chance to with $250 EACH to spend on dreamy, gorgeous things!
Hope you’ll tune in - at 6.30pm - to today’s ‘City: Live at the Grammys’ and join host @dina.pugliese and her fashion panel (that’ll be uber style Goddess @jessicamulroney and both of us) as we go live as part of the music biz’s biggest party.
Good morning Sunday! Hope you chaps and chapesses are well. We wondered if you'd help us with a little 'profiling', so we can better deliver relevant info, stories, design and decor? Or, in other words, things that pertain to your particular outpost.
Yup - clocking up another year and looking forward to the next twelve months! And, erm, 21 again!
It's a Canadian speciality channel that focusses on hand made and artisinal products and designs. Aye, it's a SUPER cute destination.
Yup, think we've cooked - or devoured - at least a dozen.
Next up, in less than half an hour, our peeps at home in Britain will be kissing goodbye to 2017. Then, in around five and a half hours, parts of Canada and the majority of North America will be bringing in a whole new period.
A few different looks for the bathroom. All relatively simple stuff!
Need a new look for your kitchen? Here's one of our projects which we hope will inspire...
Our promise to showcase a weekly best buy continues - with this beauty... Down from $1200 to $260. Holy moly!
We installed our first hex' tiles perhaps a decade past, although this lil vignette was part of an installation just a couple of years back - during Cabin Pressure on @cottagelife - at the point our hex' momentum was drawing to its (then) conclusion.
It's all balls. An easy way to add a lil festive flair to an existing 'moss in bowls' display. Add a simple bauble to each glass vessel. You're welcome x
Happy St Andrew's Day tae ra lot o' yis! Knees oot. Kilts oan. An' PARTAAAAAAY!
Wreaths have come SUCH a long way over recent years and are now available in many regular high street stores. We picked out a selection from some great value retailers that we thought you'd enjoy...
HOLY CRAP! Been searching for years for a perfect 1986 Beo Center. At last weve found one!
Sometimes - sometimes - all we need is a little feel good. We DEFY anybody NOT to feel just a lil' bit gooey watching this awesome clip from The AMA's: Diana Ross being given The Lifetime Achievement Award.
GUTTED! This is perhaps our favourite bar EVER.
Crafting wildly: with thumb tacks, styrofoam balls, packing crate 'corn' and corrugated cardboard ahead of a Christmas tree segment for Cityline.
As ITV1 juggernaut 'I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here' rocks into the new series, we decided to have a wee browse through some 'Down Under' picture files!
You KNOW we don't like overspending. And you KNOW we love bringing you cash conscious design!
Enjoy this Cityline clip - where we use affordable crates as walls storage, a credenza and as part of a simple office desk. DIY's? We've got your back!
Check our previous post to see the furniture item as we found it...
Here's a clip that sees us arriving at a Cityline viewer's home to grab an item of furniture that SOOOOO needs a makeover!
The evening, it's gotta be said, was a wonderful success, and the result of a huge, dedicated effort by the hardworking event organisers.
Aye, we're DEFINITELY getting our game faces on here!
Just arrived in North America - some Autumn / Winter additions to our 'Colin+Justin Home' line.
We're super stoked to support Furniture Bank with their fund raising endeavours.
Actually it's always fun but today was even more fun than usual...
Great weather and a cleaner environment - what’s not to like?
We've been RR drivers for years and this vehicle is SO on our dance card. One each please. And thank you.
Thought we'd pop this up on line to show how we like to 'HACK' our furniture items...
FREEBIE! Contest time! Courtesy of The Fall Cottage Life Show (at The International Centre) we have 25 pairs of FREE tickets to give away for this weekend's info packed event - use yours on Sunday to attend our stage presentation at 12 noon, then grab a selfie and a hug post show!
Can we recommend Viña Cobos and Paul Hobbs Wines to you guys? We attended a great wine and food pairing last night at Lena in Toronto and learned so much about Argentina and its wine industry. Hosted by Ariel Nunez Porolli, GM at Vina Cobos, and Michelle Schromm, Ambassador at Paul Hobbs Wines, we enjoyed a fantastic evening.
Yup - we're back in Halifornia for the penultimate stage of our external additions at Grey Gardens.
Masking tape is your best friend - apply it carefully!
Another great day of shows at Yas Mall - the biggest and best shopping mall in Abu Dhabi
We've been simmering this exciting project for a while and have been desperate to tell you all what we're up to!
We show you how to create the Mid Mod period courtesy of some super easy DIY projects
Follow our guide to make these simple decor items for you home!
We often think about summery tones and loads of light when we think about summer at the lake...
We tried out F'Amelia for dinner. Pulled the ole jalopy out of the garage and coasted through Cabbagetown and had what must surely rank as the city's best pizza.
You may remember that, last Christmas, we decoratated the principal tree at Casaloma in Toronto. It was around that time we fell in love with the historic buidling, wowed by the way in which Nick Di Donato of Liberty Group and his team, headed up by Holly Stewart, had reignited people's interest in the historic site.
The story of the little bird trying to help humanity is so powerful
So we're down in Grand Cayman again - one of our favourite places in the whole wide world. Having decided to buy up a piece of paradise we've looked at SO many properties during our last two visits. SO SO many. But it's hard to find something that works...
We have such fond memories of this place...
It's not what you've got but what you do with it that counts!
When men and women had shadowy touched up photo sets made in an attempt to titillate onlookers?
So simple, yet so stylish...
Excited to report that we're hosting Dîner en Blanc - Toronto, a dripping deluxe 'all weather event' which will take place no matter the climatic situation. The date is August 17th!
As seen on Cityline, Canada's popular morning show...
As Scots and whisky fans in Canada, it's somewhat satisfying to find an 'amber nectar' brand with such sound, local values... but such a strong, international vision.
Tonight we're spreading the love to Thibaut who've supplied all manner of dreamy wallpaper for our various UK, Canadian and Australian TV shows and client projects during the last decade.
Follow our simple guide and jooooosh up basic items!
Let's embrace the week's fifth day - and 'gie it laldy!' That's Scottish for 'knock its socks off.'
Dreamy new linens! Find our range in stores like Homesense and Winners and Marshalls...
We've only occasionally asked for charitable support from you guys via social media...but this is another charity association about which we feel soooo strongly.
We were about to set of and look at one in Stratford the other day until we realized it was Stratford Quebec and not Stratford Ontario. Dafties!
On this day, April 28th Nineteen Canteen, dinosaurs roamed the earth. Victoria was on the throne. Television was still in black and white... and Henry Ford had just launched the Model T.
We can't stop looking at this image: such fair beauty in our homeland.
Looking forward to an informative evening...
Down came the wicker fixture (we'll spray it white and eventually reemploy it at the beach house) and up went this multi armed giant with its six filament bulbs.
That's why, we imagine, those by whom we're surrounded 'get it', understanding, as they do, that so much of the negativity we encounter can be turned inside out - with a little massage and tweaking - to tempt positive results.
So we have - literally - taken a new 18'x10' storage locker to make way for our blue period.
Just trying to get a handle on your affection for full throttle colour... in a world where 50 shades of grey prevail.
Today, for some reason, we find ourselves singing the lyrics. "Your Matey's a bottle of fun, you put me in the bath, I'm loved by everyone, I'm always good for a laugh. And then I pray to tell, I clean the bath as well."
Aye, it's currently frigid up there. So we're glad to be in the city where it's way warmer.
Fancy a lil' DIY project? Here's an easy breezy wee job to get you started.
Our wolf shaped burnished metal bottle openers (part of a wider animal themed range) are a HOWL!
We fully support each of the good women and the wonderful girls we have the very great fortune to know and love.
Though maybe with a lil' more closed storage too. But this vibe, certainly.
Can't even begin to tell you how much we love this kitchen, as featured in @elledecorationuk
With white painted drywall - and a zillion and one textural layers - between.
Aye - it's a chilly one. With more cold coming....
This Pinot Noir by @meiomiwines was introduced to us by our pal Tina Holmes @tinalovespinot - and we've been hooked ever since.
After years of terracotta avoidance (long story) we're finally ready to consider welcoming the reddish brown tone back into our roster!
Matters cyclical mean that we - just like everyone else - chop and change our schematic affections as time endures...
Currently loving her melancholic, maudlin tones. Aye, we're slowly falling in love with this woman. As we do EVERY time we open a fresh bottle of bourbon...
Here's a simple project which we hope will inspire...
SO - I'll use the book of face to cheer you all in one fell swoop.
Now we're back in chilly Canada, it's sooooo warming to look back at our recent trip to Grand Cayman
This summer shot of us in our old Merc' reminded us just how icy it is in Toronto of late.
Guess we just want to send you love and light and peace.
This vignette is in the foyer of The Kimpton in Grand Cayman. Super sweet, right?
Yup - breakfasts at The Kimpton are deluxe!
Having an Alice in Wonderland moment in these giant spinning top lawn chairs at The Kimpton.
Can we say RELAXED to the power of ten? Look at this view from our room. Out across the manicured Kimpton gardens and on to the sea...
Searching out some cash conscious design? Look no further!
We have 30 pairs of FREE tickets to meet us at The GTA Home and Reno Show. We'll be storming the main stage at 1pm on Saturday the 18th February and YOU could be in our audience with hugs and signed pics immediately after out appearance!
This city is proving to be utterly marvellous. Not sure what we'd expected - but it's even better than we'd hoped it would be...
In Quebec, Christmas street decorations remain for another couple of weeks until the forthcoming winter festival is over.
Jumped THE most convenient Porter flight from Billy Bishop and 90 minutes later we touched down. Just arrived at our hotel. WOW!
And don't worry: we'll be writing about the trip in our columns so we'll fill you in on our exploits - as Europeans, we're super excited to discover that which many have described as a little bit of old Europe... right here in Canada.
Here's a little salon, with a traditional feel, which we created using our trademark C&J panelling, gold accents and sofas which we custom manufactured in this interesting blue shade.
Can you believe it's 2017?
What d'you guys have planned to welcome in 2017?
Yup - the best part of 40 feet high and sporting 1,500 Christmas baubles and 3,000 twinkling lights, our festive arbor will remain in position as the central feature of this years "When You Wish Upon A Star' celebrations at Casa Loma.
It's been a mixed year, for us certainly, but we'd like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas.
I always thought she looked so wonderfully regal in this portrait. She was - and is - Queen Ryan to Colette, Carmel, Damian and me, and Mum Ryan to Colin, Alan, David and Tricia.
Visit the website (www.moen.ca) and see some gorgeous kitchen 'jewellery' - our name for taps and faucets! if you're replacing you entire kitchen, Moen hardwares would be a great finishing touch. Alternatively, if you're enhancing a current scheme to add a few modern updates - try a spot of what we call 'counterscaping' by adding modern touches to existing space.
For our client (who asked us to create the cottage vibe in her tiny city house) we turned serious tricks.
Sometimes everything you need to set a Christmas vibe is already lying around.
After a short illness the revered writer just passed away.
Yup, before you can say Mariah (S)Carey, it'll be Christmas Eve and you'll be panicking about last minute cadeaux whilst loading your drinks cart with enough spirit to take down the most hardened festive boozer. This in mind, we've composed there looks for you style hungry delectation - each snapped in our own condo. Enjoy!
We're major fans of this motif so we're thrilled to see it being enjoyed by an army of new admirers!
So this morning we are pushing, shoving and squeezing ourselves RIGHT out of our comfort zones.
Okay...so this one looks like it requires a LOT of work, even for adept renovators like ourselves! Jeeeeeesh!
We're in seriously healthy mode (no booze for over a month) and a strict (but careful) eating plan, Justin's lost 17.5 pounds and Colin 13 pounds.
So we're heading out in the old jalopy. Normally we 'wrap' our old 280SL by mid November, but the weather has been astounding in Canada so the soft top is still down and the wheels still turning. For the time being, certainly...
Hope you enjoy the wee song. A personal fave...
Sad times indeed... xx
Anyway Nathan Sykes, one of the boys, has this new release and it's sooooooo good (I know, I know, we're far too grown up to go all teeny bop, yada yada) but this boy can sing. No, like REALLY sing.
And it's STILL top down weather. Nearly 17 degrees!
And it's STILL top down weather. Nearly 17 degrees!
Listen. Just listen. And let this haunting rendition of one of our favourite songs (sung by Israel, a gentle, gentle man who's sadly no longer of this mortal coil) soothe you.
Outstanding. Just outstanding. In such a brilliant background as the castle gardens - and the underground corridors that connect everything - the event organisers threw an amazing themed party.
We're doing a dreamy transformation at the moment of a 'last decorated in the 1980's' Bloor West Village bungalow, and we're doing the entire rear wall and floor of the main bathroom with this tile.
Yup - long live the cottage!
Super excited to be appearing at the Vancouver Home and Design Show this coming weekend!
An outsize frameless glass screen partitions wet from dry areas.
Click our link, follow, and join our Insta party!
Having been away working in Canada and Australia for so long it's always lovely when we do media in Britain.
Have a read! Most folk probably don't realise we're such petrol heads. We could take an engine apart and put it back together in a heartbeat. We learned about cars when we were skint and living in Glasgow - and studied what we need to allow us to avoid auto shop costs wherever possible.
We've always loved classic vehicles but the Benz is our fave...
Previously a white Ikea kitchen. But we saw potential...
Today's matinee (get a ticket if you can) will see the curtain pulled on Cirque's Mexican inspired extravaganza, right here in Toronto.
Take one plain white room, chop part of the space off to accommodate a bathroom and go wild with layering!
Today we're filming a fun training video for The Western Red Cedar Association...
Guess it's what we do. Here's the master suite after shot from our principal cottage as featured during Cabin Pressure on @cottagelife.
Will this be where YOU spend Thanksgiving next year?
Thinking out of the box: literally. Taking 'one' object and repeating it many times is a greta way to amplify design...
While restauarants 'in favour' come and go, the Wolseley's popularity endures...
Blimey - it's Autumn again. Here's a wee pic of what it's like at our lakeside bolthole as the temperatures dip...
Many years ago, when living in London, we'd venture in for dinner after filming our BBC show 'Million Pound Property Experiment'. To cut a long story short(er) we got to know a girl called Katie who worked there. Over time she learned we had a cat called Felix, the last of our 2 old boys, who was by this time 18.
Particularly this evening. Finishing the designs for a few eps' of Cityline and then rounding off the afternoon with a Canadian Living shoot.
We've long since loved this clip. Look our for the Bowie's uber shoulder pads, a serious amount of hair lacquer... and a very young Luther Vandross on back up vocals.
This one's from a while back but we're working on a high colour project at the moment so we thought we'd post it again...
The heat in Hali is currently SO intense we're considering cooling. Having avoided it in the past...
Still a baby. Awwww!
That particular aesthetic courses through our veins like a bullet train dashing between cities.
Dirty dawgs - will we EVER learn to hide our pins? Do we REALLY plan to behave like this in polite company? Tisk tisk.
We miss Felix and his brother Winston SOOO much...
Here's a link to the sunroom episode of our Cottage Life show... A massive from the ground up build!
Trumping jet lag (after a nine hour sleep *did someone say red wine?*) and waking up to a stunning morning in Toronto.
Across a remote, craggy shore line the wind blows, relentlessly battering the hills and moving the inky waters.
Here's a wee song by us - a cover of Take That's 'Rule The World'
Jeeesh! Who else in their condo has been TOTALLY caught short by TODAY'S sudden temperature lift?
Stay tuned and see who wins this colossal renovation showdown!
Thrilled to see these guys getting the recognition they deserve...
One of our fave board games at the cottage! Which is where we're heading shortly. Anyways
Dive aboard!
As fans of this mag we were double excited to be asked to appear as cover stars!
This was from ten years past when we hosted The Farm on Ch 5 in The UK!
We kept everything neat and clean with Silver Wave stone cladding using Ciot marble.
If we can avoid overspending - WE WILL!
Here's a little bathroom reno' we did for Cabin Pressure. Wedge cute lived edged lumber vanity, amorphic stone vessel sink and slick marble tile x
Hope you guys enjoyed our arrival on last night's show!
We LOVE the huge ceiling height in this project - but it wasn't always like this!
Sometimes we have huge client budgets to master our reversions - and sometimes we like to show what can be done with a really tight spend...
Then be inspired by our cost clipped kitchen reno!
We'll probably go a wee bit quiet on our blog posts over the next couple of days...
Fact - we have LOVED filming in Australia. It's been EPIC...
So we hired a car and went for a massive ocean side drive to see The Twelve Apostles...
We've had to keep quiet re content because the network are about to do a pro' news release...
We've been to Oz loads of times over the last couple of years and St Kilda remains a fave Melbourne neighbourhood...
Still can't say what it is but we're working with some STELLAR Aussie talent! A couple of faces you already know and love!
Click on the link below to view the changes! Hosting this show on HGTV Canada, our fondness for drama came through loud and clear!
Lots of darkest stone, ample lighting and a trough sink...
SO - we're doubly happy to recommend an awesome company who worked with us on Cabin Pressure 3.
If high drama is your thing...
Langauge dictates that in the UK we say back splash and in Canada splash back...
Our build is now marching at break neck speed because the weather has suddenly turned AWESOME.
Dreamy affordable home wares...
Over the last few weeks (ably assisted by a troop of celebrity guest judges) we've been shooting at a secret location, during which time FOUR couples have been redesigning formerly run down houses. And slowly turning them into homes...
To embrace the sunlight that abounds in Oz, we added a fresh summer palette. Sweet huh?
Sport is SO important here in Canada and it joins people together in so many ways.
Our project at Plan B is proving to be WAY more work than anyone reckoned, and our deck (or at least the prospect of building it on time) was fast becoming an issue....
Our sparky is also a qualified pilot with his own 1961 Piper aircraft! Gentleman that he is, he offered to take us to the skies so we could observe Plan B from a whole new perspective.
Anyhoo - we just found this jumbo, touchy feely, tactile 'thingy' in a thrift store and fell head over heels in love.
We love The Savoy and Claridges - and all those other beautiful Capital outposts whose interiors transcend time - so we set to work.
We hope you can catch the repeats. In the meantime, here are some still and clips to keep you going
FREE kayak dock storage!
From thousands of entries, the team at The Toronto Sun pulled the winners and we all had a fantabulous time.
Neither of us ever had a grandfather. That said, had we been blessed, we imagine they'd have taught us lessons like this.
Here's a whacky scheme for a brave client...
LOTS of changes...
Today, sitting at our drawing boards, initializing plans for a monolithic reworking of a client home in Toronto's Forest Hill, we're drawing inspiration from our own house in Glasvegas.
Ladies and Gentlemen! It gives us GREAT pleasure to introduce you, for the VERY first time, to our new cottage: 'PLAN B'.
Here's the cottage family room we designed for season one of Cabin Pressure. It remains a favourite scheme...
Here's the cottage family room we designed for season one of Cabin Pressure. It remains a favourite scheme...
It's amazing what you can do with a little time and a limited budget...
That's our best advice for 'big ticket' reversions. This project - from our studio - was conduced SEVEN years ago, yet its clean aesthetic transcends time.
Here's a before and after for your stylistic delectation. A simple transformation that owes more to re colouration and propping than it does 'big build'.
Hello? We like to think we can fix any problem, Decoratively speaking at least!
Here's an incredibly easy bedroom makeover: an simple 24 hour fix.
Here's our own wee noshing nook (as featured on Cabin Pressure on Cottage Life ) - part of our bunkie episode.
We still love this chair...
Click our next blog post for our room recipe 'save'...
And so it came to pass that, from the depths of one of the most crammed, lifeless spaces we've EVER encountered, we championed a dramatic purge and a simple redesign. We also LOVES us a bit of 'de hoarding'...
BUT - it's not always about 'washing' the room of all personality.
We renovate, therefore we are. Here's the same down at heels cook zone... but this time re versioned using IKEA Canada cabinetry. And a splash of Scottish magic...
We “wrapped” a Malm Ikea cabinet using kitchen worktop - SUCH an easy project!
Yup, pretty much. With the exception of the IKEA Canada console (which we striped with black satin) all components are from The Big D.
Oh, and a ceiling painted to match.
If your online version doesn't have this image - here it is.
Aye - we think we're through this....
Blimey - we're having SUCH a good time in Australia. And to all of our Oz fans who've sent cards and presses to our hotels - THANK YOU! You are a determined lot and we LOVE how you tracked us down!
Let's see what we can do to turn its fortunes...
Come on - we're realists: we know you won't all like this one.
THIS is what happened when we tackled a warehouse style live/work space. On a STRICT budget.
Featured as part of Cabin Pressure Season One (in Muskoka) we knew we could liberate the two awkward rooms...
In this cottage project, for example, we knocked through the drywall of two side by side bedrooms to reveal this lovely big space.
Lol - when WE upcycle, we truly UPCYCLE! Consider this project where we reused loads of our client's stuff.
But we created maximum visual return for minimal effort...
Sometimes you need only make a small effort to effect BIG decorative change...
Clearly there were storage and order issues...
First we had a massive clear out. Then we added new flooring before striping the walls with navy and white latex.
This one is about balance.
This is a bedroom we created on STRICTLY limited coin.
First things first - a serious gut down of clutter.
ABRACADABRA!
Simply jump to our next post for the detail!
Sometimes, just sometimes, things aren’t exactly as they seem. Now and then a spot of carefully planned artifice, a little caprice and a touch of illusion are the component parts that bring our schemes alive.
Here's how we transformed a late 'Mid Mod' style cabinet into a chic lil' Pinterest bound credenza.
Tomorrow on @cityline we're on the skids! Yup, we've designed a backyard vignette with a sofa made from skids/palettes. Each one cost $5 and we used 13 in total to make a sectional chesterfield and a coffee table on wheels.
This week on the blog - bunkie! BUNKIE!!
Yup - fun to be in such good company and great to see uch an international mix!
Hey lovely people! Early bells. We're filming today with the team at House and Home magazine. As well as their publishing are they also have a fun, informative TV show so we're off to talk about Colin & Justin's Cabin Pressureand to make a cute mirror from driftwood.
We LOVE anything that harvests a little of the past - albeit repackaged for the modern day!
And it couldn't be simpler!
And there's LOADS of fun and design wisdom in store!
And what do YOU do to protect yourself from invasion?
Wherever you are, and in whichever part of the world, may your curtains hang floor length, and may your paint roll on smoothly!
WOW!!!!! Thank you to everyone who came along to see our show!
As much as, in design terms, we do the butch stuff...we can also do the bitch stuff just as well. Butch and bitch? Only one letter difference - I and U. Geddit?
On Cityline this week, we showcased several of our basement projects. In these lower level rooms, our remit is often this: to establish style and function via modest spend. We had great feedback about our downstairs projects so we thought we'd show you another. Fashioned as a secondary living zone for a couple of teenagers, this one is a fun transitional space for the family's younger contingent.
TO THE PIG HEADED, LOATHSOME INTERNET TROLLS WHO DIRECTED ANONYMOUS ATTACKS AT PINK. YOU TOTAL SHIT HEADS. YOU TOTAL, TOTAL SHIT HEADS. MAY THE SPINELESS CRAP THAT POURS FROM YOUR THICK GOBS BE THE VERY VENOM THAT CHOKES YOU.
We added an extra dimension to the Ikea wall shelves by sectioning them with black painted dowel. Next, we added glossy wooden lumber flooring to bounce light, chocolate wallpaper - with golden trellis - to add drama and some sparkly finishes, via accessories, to luxe it all up.
It's a compendium of DIY projects and reclaimed items. Waste not want not, right?
Last season we went grand scale, with our 'condo in the forest' bunkie - but this time we've mastered a somewhat more intimate guest annex.
All these lil' guys bear more than a passing nod to our home from home in Canadaland...
Hope you like this part of our home line. It's always fun to create.
Find our full collection across Canada in stores like Homesense, Marshalls and Winners.
Cheers to the lovely peeps at Electrolux for prize gifting for you guys!
Cheers, Carrie Ann - thanks for posting this pic' on Facebook!
We've come full circle with our love for brown leather sofas!
This is a lil' wee corner of our guest room on the series...
National Home Show selfie today. Our lovely audience weren't shy!!
This scene, as we found it, was like a flippin' horror movie...
We don't tend to do many kids rooms as free standing projects but, when the opportunity arises as an adjunct to a principal living area transformation, we enjoy doing what we can.
If you like the red accent, we're certain you'll love what we did with our 'Slanty Shanty' on Season 2.
Here's a project we prepared earlier...
We're in love with the gentle colour ways...
But underneath the visual bedlam lay potential...
And now we're about to remodel...
We used Jenga style blocks and a glue gun to do this...
Hoep you chaps enjoy!
We created two very different vignettes using product from HomeSense.
House and Garden raid their own stylish back catalogue for this, the first in a series of decade by decade books.
Today's top design tip - a five buck solution to help you shelve tricky angles, nooks and crannies.
But which one do YOU prefer?
After four months of high drama, Cabin Pressure 2 is finally complete!
This is just a small part of our home wares range. Check it out!
We've composed a shopping list and a how to guide. It's actually fairly straight forward.
While sourcing bits and pieces for last minute cottage styling we came across this piece...
Feel free to jump by and take a peek!
We're using lots of them at the moment in our own places and in client spaces...
Here's a simple bathroom reno' which we conducted in the city...
We LOVE this freeform edged dinner ware and it's on SALE at Crate and Barrel.
This season, during Colin & Justin's Cabin Pressure, we've had the awesome pleasure of working with Mike Hart, a fantastic painter and decorator.
As much as we've currently working on a country cottage, we will never let go of our urban inclinations! Here's a basement job to give you a little inspiration...
'We' being both of us - we do all our own social media ourselves...
They're attractive in isolation but especially cool when used en masse...
And a chance to make more dose. Read on...
And better still - they're on sale!!
Many of you will know of our fascination with Detroit. And our hope that this declining city may once again flourish....
Here's a sale bargain that caught our eye...
Yup, plaid shirts rock!
It's actually rather straightforward! Here's how...
Cheers to Laura, our Art Director, for collating these pics. Simply click on the Facebook page as posted here then scroll through the images...
Double excited to meet the SPELLBINDINGLY beautiful Priyanka Chopra on the red carpet tonight.
Great ideas to allay any curtain crisis...
Here's a fun wee blog by Mark and Laura at Fathom...
SUCH a lovely destination...
Just a wee heads up - it's a BRIGHTLY toned project! Popspex at the ready!
Simply click on the next posting for the after 'reveal'...
Okay, so it's still not exactly cheap, but this is actually a good deal...
Now that Cabin Pressure Season TWO is public knowledge, keep checking back on our site for updates and teasers!
Jeeeeeez!
We'd love your involvement - use your Facebook page to take part. Cheers! x
Yup, bad taste is a sin but you CAN be saved. The confessional is open...
We are so touched by this city..
Seriously, your 'engagement' with us, post updates etc, is spell binding.
Watch as we turn chicken poo... into delicious chicken pie...
The local people rallied to effect massive change...
Am I crazy? Now you know i'm really mouse brown haired! And I'd tried SO hard to convince you that I'm a natural peroxide blonde...
As is always the case - our projects are all about careful planning...
Here's a wee clip of a fish gutting challenge undertaken with Hollywood legend George Hamilton...
Note the weight loss - I was NOT built to be 13 stone! 15 stone is much more my territory!
Scan down into our next post to see what we did with this flat pack furniture piece...
Hope you liked the red toned guest room which we featured on last night's show...
But no major spoilers - this is just a wee peek. You'll need to tune into the show for the full reveal! x
An exciting time lies in store. As fond ambassadors of Grand Cayman (and, in fact, all three Cayman Islands), we're thrilled to support this event and wish Matthew Gallagher's all the best for his input to fashion and the Cayman Islands...
Aye - 'Colin and Justin's Home Heist has broadcast in virtually every country we can think of!
Hope you're all well. We've had an influx of new followers these last few days, particularly from Australia, New Zealand and all over Europe. Welcome!
Working on one of our first residential projects in Melbourne and just HAD to tell you about this awesome store which will be a wicked resource for us...
Our website only allows one pic per posting so scroll through the images on each indiv' posting...
If you're on an especially tight budget - here's a little C&J inspiration to get your juices flowing!
SO SO many wonderful things from which to choose...
A very average piece of furniture is given a second chance!
In this week's Huffington Post column, we've turned our attention to what colour can achieve, mood wise, on the home front. Simple mind bending tips...
Check the description and next posting for info...
Here's another wee moment of decorating salvation!
But we have magic in our wands... Magic, we tall ya...
And any other countries where the bells have already tolled...
Informative and somewhat entertaining!!!
Here's a fun yet simple transformation...
Have a wee look at Kelly's website. We've been fans ever since we stayed at The Tides - a gorge hotel on South Beach in Miami...
We have all the answers. Here's a guide we penned which should help you create gorgeous junior domains!
Sofa so good...
Certainly having fun so far! x
We had SO much fun creating these boxes!
Availability as before! In 'super deal' stores like Homesense and Marshalls and Winers
Find it in stores now!
LOVE this company. You'll see loads more from us about them when our new show 'Colin and Justin's Cabin Pressure' launches on The Cottage Life TV network in spring!
Blimey - we really feel for the new intake of camp mates!
This store is awesome! And we double TRIPLE loved these Toronto and Muskoka cushions. LUSH!!
Did you know it's the month to celebrate the sticky oozy sweet tincture? Well it is!
Just to keep you going in the meantime...
Having a load of fun... though the pic suggests we're a pair of gloomy buggers!
Two wee boys from Glasgow are having a wicked time at TIFF. All good!
Drawing inspiration from vintage hand held electric lanterns, this is one seriously cute shade...
Sydney based, these designers have played with form and function.
Cracking wee night!
Nestled in Kent, in the UK, this interesting property caught our attention...
Just HAD to post this. The wall mounted ironing station reminds us of laundry days when we were kids!
Hell mend us we just LOVE this Mid Century ceiling pendant...
As much as we're devoted city boys, it's SOOOOO energising to be at the cottage...
A little bit of twinkle, a wee bit of candle light...
Get ready for a little 'give and take' - Colin and Justin stylee!
Okay, so you KNOW we LOVE wallpaper and that's why we're thrilled to remind you of this sale...
We still adore this chair. Even though it may seem a little over played due to its regular use in restaurants and bars...
Lighting is always hot at this event and here's our fave...
We've long since been Ercol fans and, this in mind, reckoned this paint treatment invigorates an old favourite piece...
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!
Blimey! Are we really back in Toronto already?
Okay, it's now a generic style BUT this is a great buy, nonetheless.
Wow! Really excited after a fun day!
Every one of our projects is put together with love and a warm Scottish smile...
A simple and inexpensive project...
Here's this weeks Toronto Star column, with the power of the petal...
Open up that space, ladles and gentlegerms; you KNOW it makes sense!
Aye, Spring is just around the corner!
No fuss - just good quality product at affordable price points...
We've always been big fans of William Yeoward and this piece, The Paula Console, doesn't dissapiont.
This store has all manner of gorge things so get browsin'!
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....
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...
Anything can be fixed. Anything, we say!
Reading our article should ensure you're sitting comfortably...
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!
One of our simpler projects, but fun nevertheless.
Well priced and boasting more than a hint of retro charm.
Super lovin' the dreamy mustard schematics...
Both black and white top finishes are lush but we're all about the latter...
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!
Sitting in a dreich wet Glasgow, the thought of this camera is really perking us up!
Jeeeeeez. Double, in fact TRIPLE, lovey loverton this soft industrial fitting.
OMG - in another world (while still at Uni) we worked for this company. Hells bells that's going back twenty years!
We really like this type of stuff thought we appreciate it's a specialist and somewhat niche market...
So we thought we'd post details of this set which is available at Marks and Specer...
Life without these little beauties would be a lesser life indeed...
Cheers to this lovely lady for categorising a load of our Home Heist rooms via Pinterest!
We've renovated a zillion homes with genuine tin ceilings so we know this metal product really well...
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'.
GORGEOUS! Super HWP lovin' the French styling of this cute wee laundry basket.
As any of our friends will attest we love the modern aesthetic. BUT...
Hope our virtul scribings inspire you to make your table top tip top perfect!
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!!!
Friends in Chicago have been raving about this store for ages!
For the love of paint charts and wallpaper samples we just can't stay awake...
Really like the slatted nature of this collection...
Super HWP lovin' these solid Black Maple Christmas tree dec's. What's not to like?
Love the clever use of retro maps and such like in the manufacture of these sweet products...
Yay! Just specified this stunning paper for a private client project in London, Great Britain...
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!
Searching for a cat home as a final finishing detail for a private client in London we stumbled across these guys...
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!
Really cute designs. Mid with a little mod. Lovely jubbly.
It's WICKED being home to Glasgow for a while...
With the party season looming, we hope you find our cocktail trays useful! x
This company focus mainly on linens and table wares but they also stock a curated selection from other designers they admire...
This manufacturer hand makes all these gorgeous things in New York's Hudson Valley.
OUCH! Still a wee bit nippy but otherwise healing nicely x
Working on behalf of a private client in LA we stumbled across this store...
We make a point of going to Jonathan's stores wherever we happen to be! HWP!!!
With more than a nod to the classic Danish Loui Poulsen light, this one gets our vote.
Well, there are certainly loads of options from which to choose...
D'you know what? We NEVER cease to be amazed by these guys...
Heids all o'er the place!
Okay, so it's a bit kooky but we love it.
This simple piece of Whitefriars glass. Yumma and UUUZZZAAA. Happy days...
Really lovely ideas to help you enjoy the rest of summer.
Just think of this sitting on a cool set of drawers. Hey presto - instant Welsh Dresser...
Featuring a pop of our beloved yellow we're smitten with this wee table...
Up and at 'em. Gotta feeling that today's gonna be a fun and VERY productive day...
All manner of names apply to this design ...
One for our pals in Oz; a 42 piece silver plated cutlery set.
We always feel excited, even jumpy, when we run into an interesting flooring supplier...
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.
If you only see one show this year, make sure it's this one.
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...
Aye, we're making the most of our time in Glasgow!
Here's a great company and we particularly like this blocky wall fitting.
As fish lovers, we're more than happy to see some inventive new homes for our water bound pals...
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!
If you do only one thing today, visit this awesome company's online resource.
Just imagine being able to tailor your Ikea furniture, thereby affording it a whole new look on a budget?
You already know we are suckers for a cute light fitting and this is a hot current fave.
Further to our New York postings we thought we'd express a bit of love for ABC...
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!
We've had a fab day, with a good pal, helping decorate her downtown condo. Now back home getting ready for glitzy do...
We've long since been admirers of this company but the recent stock is the best yet!
We've long since been suckers for this type of rug, and this guy is a bargain. And NO - it's not an antique...
We're hit and miss with this store but we really like this geometric bedding.
This is a really lovely 'junktique' piece. At a good price, so far...
A truly moving story of a young woman who lost her life raising money.
What's not to like. As fans of useful whimsy, these bunny eared bablies hit the mark!
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!
Trust this missive finds you all well, hale and hearty x
I never under estimate how luck we are to have a lovely family.
Walll mount it or use it desk top. We triple lovey loverton this fella. Cool retro styling that takes you right back.
Just to let you know that all our various candles aromas are now fully re stocked!
The 'classic' Wegner Wishbone chair is now everywhere (in its various reproduction forms) but this Wegner style has always been more up our street...
These beautiful chairs caught our eye - we tend to be much more about wooden construction that pre moulded plastic, etc.
This cute cocktail shaker. Love the retro brass detailing...
LOVE this retro brass ice bucket. A steal at less than £8...
Love this mildly retro shaped sofa. And the colourway is divine!
Great wee weekend in Glasgow with family and friends old and new...
It's £199, but that's actually a fair price for this type of table.
With the big car in for a service we polished up our wee Mini and went for a fun spin East...
We've seen single tulip chairs for nearly a grand a pop, so this is a great deal. $479 for the whole lot? Blimey!
Can't help but like this bowl. A cute wee find at The Conran Store.
Read it wherever you are in the world.
Cute, eh? Impressed by the 'planatarium' nature of this fixture.
Okay, so the mid century / art deco description is bizzare...
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?
Okay, so I mentioned this in a previous posting but I just wanted to tell you a wee bit more!
Spent a chunk of the day sifting through bargains at the Sherway Gardens branch of this store!
At $107 it's a very good deal.
Not just his, but loads of other lovely homes to see in this month's magazine. Property porn at its best!
Here's a project where we inserted a fab work environment under the stairs...
This chair shape would work well in a modern or, for that matter, traditional environment.
We haven't yet joined but we see that some of our work is already been virtually pinned!
Great seeing so many people out in force to help care for this grand old theatre.
We stumbled across this wee set and reckon its a clever little system.
In BC and Alberta we've sourced from these guys on many occasions. They have carried a great stock for many years.
We dodged big costs with this one - hope you like it!
This is a super smart idea, esp' where space is limited, perhaps in a condo hallway.
These guys have some super ranges. Perhaps just what you need for that upcoming upholstery project?
We love this charming trunk. And at 75 bucks it's priced very well too...
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
With red gathering momentum as a big colour for late summer/autumn you'll be well ahead of the pack.
Trends come and go, and wine glass shapes change, but the popularity of this award winning stem ware is sure to endure.
Getting a wild response to our eBay purchases so we'll keep them coming!
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!
We're helping with a wee project in Barcelona and recently stumbled across these guys!
This seahorse ceramic on a shiny chrome base would be a great way to start your collection.
With a thousand pounds off high street price this is a wee cracker!
We had the good fortune to interview Matthew some time ago on our Ch Five UK programme 'The Home Show'.
This is a fab' metal piece that has a multitude of flexible applications.
One of Glasgow's best kept foodie secrets! And that's an actual factual.
Looking forward to getting back to Canada!
It's SO good spending relaxed time with family and this has been a particularly lovely trip...
This phone is a great cord free fella and features pared back no fuss features.
Stick 'em up! Some great deals to be had on slick wallcoverings. We use these guys throughout loads of projects.
OMG - the new 3,000 square feet twin level Adler store in South Kensington is ASTOUNDINGLY gorgeous!
Finding good design solutions with smart design lines can be tricky when the subject is as mundane as a loo roll holder!
Can we just say that life in Chelsea is not ALL like it appears on 'Made In Chelsea', Towie's sister show...
Some more great ideas from last weeks interior decor event!
Oops - we had meant to post this when the show was still on but we've been extra busy these last few days. Sorry!
We've got these in our homes in Canada, England and Scotland and just love 'em!
Fifty two buck will bag you this wee cutie.
We do an online column in Rona Magazine - here's a wee project we recently showcased in their virtual pages.
In response to your requests for good value floor rugs we've tracked down this one from EQ3.
Shit happens and we still malign the ever shrinking Habitat brand.
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
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.
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.
Used this company recently for a wee job uptown and the coverage was excellent.
Just bought some of these BEAUTIFUL wall lamps for a client and now thinking how we can incorporate a couple into our own condo.
OMG - we LOVE this image. Reminds us of our Glasgow drawing room....
This hand made furniture collection is beautifully artisan and VERY well crafted.
One of you HAS to win this fab prize... so go on; get entering!
You've gotta get in to Homesense - we've spotted some great deals on picture frames and artwork...
This guy is is a C&J hero and this paper is particularly cool, esp' on discount!
Just because your paper is monochromatic, it doesn't mean you can't change it... without removing it!
It's not like us to have left so many days without updating our blog - we're truly sorry!
Blimey; in just a matter of hours it'll be 2012
Even though we've only been back half a day we can feel the chills settling into our bones x
With the holidays almost upon us, here are some simple ideas.
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.
We can hardly believe this trip is going so quickly...
It's wonderful to find somewhere where we feel we could spend loads of time. Cayman is SO ticking that box!
Note to self. Open diary; mark out time to revisit Grand Cayman again in 2012 or 2013. End of.
So we thought we'd post some deets...
...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...
SO excited to be heading off to this dreamily gorgeous island.
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!
To uphoster or not reupholster your squashy (less than) lovely? That is the question.
There are NO artificial waxes or synthetic aroma's in our waxy lovelies! Pulease!
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!
Even though the weather is a wee bit on the, ahem, 'cool' side, we're not grumbling!
Here's a wee story to brighten your day on a gloomy evening!
Here are some double takes on some of the questions we're asked...
Hope you find our editorial interesting,
Cheers,
C and J x
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!
Here's a feature from us for Toronto readers that should help you up the ante at home.
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!
Gosh - weren't we subdued ahead of a very UN SUBDUED live appearance! Calm before the storm and all that...
Here's how to determine YOUR decorating style. Having written this editorial we hope it helps you work a gorgeous new scheme!
Hope our editorial helps you achieve top dollar or profitable pound!
We put this editorial together recently and hope it will help you sell your place!
Been home in The UK for a few days and finally feeling alive again after SO much travel!
With another trip to Australia planned for early 2012, we've dedicated today to our Ozzy pals.
And we're feeling surprisingly fresh this morning!
It's good to chill, even if only for a couple of days...
Thought you guys would like to see some footage of our interesting project...
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...
At long last, after three years of planning, they're finally happening!
Yup, at long last, we're having a TRUE holiday. Not a work junket, just a fab' seven day break!
Have a look at these guys; some brill new collections!
Yup, we're housebound, trying to clear work before heading off on a jaunt...
Go check this place out, it has a constantly revolving selection...
Can't even begin to tell you how much fun we had at The Toronto International Film Festival this year!!
Blimey - this one was a close shave!
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!
We can't even begin to tell you how much fun we're having doing this gig!
These aren't in store till early October but here's a sneak peak....
With our Canadian association we couldn't resist blogging this!