Design duo share tips in new book
Published Monday October 6th, 2008
Colin and Justin's new book expands on the sage advice offered on their show
TORONTO - It's been more than a year since TV viewers first saw Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan reviving and refurbishing Canadian homes stuck in the design doldrums.
With the launch of the second season of their HGTV series, "Colin and Justin's Home Heist," the quick-witted Scottish designers are bringing their humour and insights on the do's and don't of home design with a new companion book to the show.
"Colin and Justin's Home Heist Style Guide" (Penguin Canada) provides a how-to to on home decor from furnishings to how best to incorporate lighting and colour.
McAllister and Ryan, who have been together 22 years and recently tied the knot, got up at 3 a.m. over eight months to squeeze in time to work on the book while juggling other projects.
The vivid images showcased, including before-and-after shots of renovated interiors, will be familiar to "Home Heist" viewers: they were photographed during the filming of the series where they tackled 26 homes, including 100 rooms.
"What's nice about that is that you as a viewer, you've watched the program, you know the style of home, maybe you feel it's your style of home ... so it's a bit more personal," McAllister said in an interview Thursday. "Even if you haven't seen any of the programs, it's a guide of how to create the perfect home."
With concerns swirling about the economy, homeowners considering renovation are likely looking for how best to stretch their dollar while beautifying their space.
McAllister and Ryan encourage people to visit sale rooms, auctions, garage sales and discount stores to hunt for bargains.
It's advice they also take to heart as Ryan spoke Thursday of how they scored a $1,000 designer table at HomeSense for only $175. They also detail in their book how they sold the cabinetry and appliances in their Toronto kitchen online and bought a plasma TV with the earnings.
They're also fans of refurbishing new and old finds. In the second season, they visit a clearance store and purchase a dark espresso wooden credenza with scratches all over it for $400. By sanding it, spray-painting it white and adding new handles, which cost about $100, "it looks like we've spent $5,000 on it," McAllister said.
"Don't feel that just because you're making something over that it's a cheap alternative," he said.
"It's something you should be proud of. It's the best form of recycling if you take something that was unwanted and turn it into something that was wanted, or maybe you've got something at home that you want to change."
Any item that could can do double duty is also cost- and space-effective, like stowing kids' toys discreetly in a coffee table with storage centre, Ryan said.
The pair also recommends looking at investing in good pieces that will last as fashions change, such as good-quality hardwood floors, sofas and upholstery fabrics that you can decorate around.
While infusing their style into their surroundings, McAllister said individuals should resist the temptation to take things too literally.
"If you like country style, I don't want you putting wagon wheels on your wall," McAllister. "Be inspired by maybe using the colour palette of the desert . . . or a beautiful timber floor and try to be a bit more intelligent in how you actually translate your loves for your home."
The duo are still filming the second season of their show and are seeking five more homes to renovate.
Individuals interested in having their homes overhauled can visit www.hgtv.ca/castingcall.
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