Kitchen magic

How's this for a condo kitchen? I won't even show you the before picture, it was so hideous. And the reason I know is because this is my kitchen.

What is really amazing, to me at any rate, is that this little gem was created using product from Ikea. Yup, you read that right ... the big blue and yellow shed! The cabinets and the integrated appliances (except the LG fridge) are all from Ikea. The sink and faucet is from Blanco's Silgranit line (and they are Gorgeous with a capital G). Even the light fixtures and the dining table and chairs come from the Swedish manufacturer of all things hip. The floor is slate and backsplash is stainless (from the Tile Shoppe).

I am a very lucky girl, however, to have had a lot of help from my good friends, Colin and Justin, in pulling the look together. Oh, alright, truth be told they are 100 per cent responsible for the look, even pitching in to help me paint following the renovation.

Like I said, I am a very ucky girl!

All photos by Keith Beaty/Toronto Star

Speaking of Colin and Justin ...

In the leadup to the Fall Home Show, which was fabulous BTW, the Boyz and I hit the floor and had a wee peek around. Two exhibits really stood out for all of us; the Habitat for Humanity ReStore's Ultimate Upcycle Challenge, and the Casalife booth, where Leigh-Ann Allaire of CityLine worked her designer magic (above).

Leigh-Ann's use of colour is amazing -- I guess that why she works for Benjamin Moore -- and the hues of some of her vignettes were stunning. But don't take my word for, watch what Colin and Justin had to say on this wee video we created during our tour.

Below, a picture of the fabulous Leigh-Ann, taken by photographer Shaun Mitchell, in front of a stencilled wall. Watch the video, all is explained!

 

 

Is there anything better than tooling around the city in an electric car (in this case, the Chevy Volt)? Yes … tooling around with Star columnists and designers extraordinaire Colin and Justin.

We recently had brunch at the School restaurant in Liberty Village —  Brad Moore’s fabulous new eatery (try the cheesy French toast) — and took the Volt through its paces.

I have to say I really love this little charmer (the car, I mean). It handles wonderfully in city traffic and the electric engine is quick to respond. And, of course, it’s super quiet!

And the Boyz … they just love being chauffeured!