Cottage Style Hacks from Design Duo Colin & Justin

Bring that snug cottage feeling home with these budget-friendly design tips from Cabin Pressure hosts Colin and Justin.

TV hosts Colin (right) and Justin (left) may be Scottish but they’ve perfected Canadian cabin-chic.Whether a country getaway isn’t in the cards this season or you just can’t get enough of that cottage life, Colin and Justin, the charmingly cheeky hosts of Cottage Life’s Cabin Pressure and resident judges of the W Network’s Game of Homes, have you covered. The design duo are returning to the Vancouver Home and Design Show later this month and we can’t wait to see what they have up their sleeves. We caught up with them to find out a few of their favourite ways to bring the comforts of cottage life home. (Photo: Brandon Barré.)”As far as we see it, anything ‘cottage’ is good, in any application! The days of benign minimalism have gone and now richer, far more indulgent schematics are pushing their way to the fore,” says Colin. “Decor today is so much more liberated: there’s a freedom this year that sees people happily fusing outdoors with in, modern with traditional, and cabin with condo,” explains Justin. “We’re thrilled!” he continues. “Creating the cottage look at home, whether you’re in a condo, back split or town home is easy: it’s all down to layering.”Here are Colin and Justin’s top tips to get the look: Western Living’s picks: chunky hand-knit oversized blankets from Restoration Hardware (left) or popcorn knit throws from West Elm (right).

Texture

Get cozy! “Adding rich textural throws—with colours that are redolent of the forest—is an easy way in which to add country charm,” says Colin. We love these chunky hand-knit oversized blankets from Restoration Hardware or these popcorn knit throws from West Elm.

(Photo: Brandon Barré.)

Artwork and Accessories

To bring that relaxed country vibe to the city, don’t leave your walls bare! The duo recommends scoping out stores like HomeSense, which often brings in large hand-painted canvas pieces. Look for nature scenes to create the feeling of a forest oasis. “We’ve just redesigned a massive penthouse in Toronto and, whilst modernist in its leanings, we added loads of rustic charm with Cedar ceilings and a Birch tree wall mural by JP London Design,” explains Justin. (Birch tree wall mural from JP London.)And what would a cabin be like without that woody scent in the air? Colin says “the Vancouver Candle Company has some amazing waxy lovelies with fresh outdoors aromas—strike a match, sit back and enjoy!” Try the North Shore for hints of spruce, or the Point Grey for it’s earthy cedar and balsam undertones.

Western Living’s picks: we love this Teak Driftwood Lamp and the live edge Suar Freeform Dining Table from Artemano.

Bring the Forest Indoors

Look for wood detailing and rustic pieces reminiscent of the great outdoors. “In Winners the other day we saw gorgeous ceramic vases that looked like tree stumps,” says the pair, who also recommend visiting stores like Artemano for tables cross cut from huge trees and interesting forest-inspired lighting options.

Vancouver Home and Design Show

To get even more inspiration and design hacks on how to create maximum visual return at a minimal cost, be sure to see Colin and Justin live on Friday October 28 at 7 p.m. and Saturday October 29 at 2 p.m. on the Urban Barn Main Stage.For more information and to buy tickets visit vancouverhomeanddesignshow.com.