Ask the Experts: Colin McAllister & Justin Ryan Share Decor Tips

It doesn’t exactly feel like spring quite yet, so all the more reason to imbue the season indoors.

For what to do and where to start, we put our questions to Scottish TV design duo Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan.

Here, five simple tips, including easy updates and the latest trends.

What’s the colour for spring?
“Texture is the new colour for spring. Rattan and woven items in baskets (great to add texture to plastic potted plants) and storage stools are a great trend for this season — especially if they create additional storage to keep home items organized.  Clutter, guys, is so not a trend for 2018.”

“Also, tribal is another key trend for 2018. Bold black and white print fabrics are sure to make a huge style statement wherever employed. To make them really pop, add a splash of colour via a jauntily-toned throw pillow.”

“Or, team with timber [British colloquial for ‘wood’] details for a completely natural look. All these trends can be applied to your home easily by using accessories to seasonally adjust your space. Naturals and two-tone pieces are the ultimate neutrals as they can fit into any home.”

What’s a fresh way to update the dinner table?
“It’s all BBB — bold, burst and bright — especially with accessories. Put the fun and sun into your dining areas with tablewares and cushions in bright colours and ‘escapist’ designs. And come on, you don’t have to have Elton John’s budget to appreciate fresh flowers. From statuesque white lilies to potted crocuses to daffodils and daisies, space them out down the table to bring spring into your home.”

What’s the one thing a person can do to update a tired-looking space?
“A lick of paint is the easiest way to transform a room – it’s a no-brainer if your space is dull and dingy. So lighten up with a soothing neutral; a gentle pastel shade or, if in doubt, white it out! Accessories are the icing on any home cake. The décor, the story and the pleasure factor should all be stylistically delicious. And best of all, you can use them to change mood in conjunction with existing furnishings.

“And a good spring clean costs nothing and will totally transform your space. So reach for the window cleaner and let the sun shine in!”

And, for a healthier home?
“Oxygenate your space with houseplants, such as trendy succulents to add greenery while simultaneously purifying the air.” [Zoomer pick: the Peace Lily which, according to NASA, is one of the best species at filtering toxic chemicals from indoor air. Plus, they’re pretty darn elegant. Just be mindful of little munchers as the plant is toxic to ingest.]

“Showcase the plants in natural woven baskets or ceramic hanging pots. Try placing a series of three in different sized vases or jars with pebbles decorating the surface of the soil, as a living accessory corner.”

Do you have a spring ritual?
“A ritual? We love the idea of a ritual, so yes! We believe our homes should be organic and that they should evolve from month to month. This in mind, as the ‘Ice Age’ finally abates, we like to pack up our fur cushions and chunky knit throws and replace them with lighter fabrics and bright, jaunty prints to signify that Mother Nature’s warmer hugs are ready.

“Aye, the season is changing. So embrace it! Your wardrobe is changing as the mercury’s vertiginous ascent begins, right? So let your home dressing follow suit.”

All items featured available at Walmart.ca.