We caught up with Love It or List It cohosts Jillian Harris & Todd Talbot. Jillian & Todd will be back at the Vancouver Home + Design Show after a two-year hiatus where they will go head to head with each other in combatting different design perspectives. We were given a little treat from them in which they helped shed some light on our design dilemmas by offering their expert advice on style, budget, aesthetic and use of space. —Krystin Tysire
We’re also giving away an exclusive MagGlass from Artcraft Display Graphics Inc. valued at $239 and 4 tickets to the show on October 22-25. MagGlass is magnetic glass (clever right?) which functions just like a white board while doubling as a beautiful work of art. (This beauty can be mounted on the wall too to liven up your space!)
Design Budget
What tips would you give us for staying on our budget?
Todd: "Budget often becomes a dirty word but for almost all of us, it is the single biggest factor when it comes to renovations and design. I believe you need to prioritize the core elements of the home that add value to a space. Get this right and you can have fun with pillows and rugs down the road, get it wrong and it’s lipstick on a pig."
Jillian: "Staying on budget is a huge deal for a designer, but I tend to focus more on the intimate details of the space and try to save money by finding forgotten gems in the back of a antique shop rather than evaluating ROI. Yawn!"
Design Style
What are the best ways to stay true to your style?
Todd: "I’m not a knick knack kinda guy and in our busy house with young kids running around it’s never a good idea. I love practical design elements that are cool and fun but also durable and low maintenance. I love a minimal space, I hate things on counters for the most part. My kryptonite is sexy built-in storage"
Jillian: "Clutter is a no-no in my space, but I LOVE incorporating accessories that add personality to a home. A bare-bones house just seems depressing to me."
Design Aesthetic
What kind of a design aesthetic are you inspired by?
Todd: "I’m inspired by a contemporary west coast aesthetic and gravitate towards unique spaces that reflect the environment around me. Exposed wood, stone, natural light add a certain timelessness and warmth. I designed our home with playful elements so every room has an interesting architectural flare that makes for cool unique experiences. Including a climbing wall in the front entry."
Jillian: "I’m with Todd in that a house should complement the surrounding environment (I swoon over overgrown flower arrangements and tons of natural light), but my style leans more towards clean, romantic and a little bit country."
Man Cave vs. Woman Cave
What would you say are some key pieces to incorporate into your home when thinking about designing a woman/man cave?
Todd: "I like practical storage and I think every house needs a garage and workshop. I’m not a huge fan of the dedicated movie room or the cliché ‘man cave.”"
Jillian: "My workshop is my closet! This is probably the messiest room the house and takes a ton of turnover."
Use of Space
How do you make use of space with your favourite room in the house?
Todd: "An inspirational office, a large shower, a king size bed with hotel bedding, and a view. I don’t need to waste valuable square footage where I sleep, although I wouldn’t mind a little ‘sanctuary time’ with my wife, if Jill is willing to babysit."
Jillian: "A small bedroom would just not work for me – my bedroom is my sanctuary, not just my sleeping space. So I need to have enough room for some treasures."
Enter using the form below, contest ends on October 9th. Good luck! (For Vancouver residents only)
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