robink's Profile

In our east facing bedroom, we have a light blocking roller blind on the inside of the window, a thick curtain on the outside (which blocks the sides, and helps insulate) and I'm planning to get a double rod so I can hang sheers in between. Everything covered!

I also don't have any of these - this is clearly a baker's list! But I LOVE my toaster oven and rice cooker. It's Zojirushi, bought at the local korean grocery store. It only has one button and somehow it knows the difference between white rice and brown - magic! But my kettle has to be number one. Electric kettles are much faster than stovetop. I'm a convert. Number 4 . . . coffee maker. And while I'd probably keep my blender and electric mixer (not frequently used, but difficult to replace when you want pesto or whipped cream) I also really love the little gadget that froths my milk ;)

We have an exposed brick chimney in our kitchen - we cleaned and sealed it, and have had no problems with dust, bugs or temperature changes. I love the look, but I don't think I would do a whole wall exposed like that, even minus dust/insect problems, just because you can't insulate (unless it's just a veneer, which I have to say I find tempting) and can't soundproof it effectively either. Both very important in a big cold city! We have some walls we gutted and insulated and some we haven't (it's a 100 year old house and had no insulation at all, except a little in the ceiling) and you REALLY can tell the difference. Unless you are somewhere super temperate and detached, I think that's enough of an argument against the full exposed brick look.

I love my Cuisinart electric kettle (http://www.cuisinart.ca/cuisinart_product.php?item_id=152&product_id=135&cat_id=13) - it's classic looking, and more importantly boils water MUCH faster than any stovetop model I've come across. $99 at the Bay here in Toronto. If I went stovetop. it would be for a colourful hit on the stove - I'm surprised there are no pretty enamel choices among the top 10. I had a bright blue one for years, but fast and safe boiling water wins!

these seem more like kids decorations, but they remind me of tibetan prayer flags, which I love (outdoors, ideally) and chinese paper cuts, which can be spectacular with red paper framed in glass on a white wall.

I love the lamp above the table in the second photo - where did it come from? It looks like a potentially doable DIY . . .

My mother's kitchen has had the same cork floor for 30 years. It has darkened with wear but never buckled or dented - it's still a smooth, beautiful surface despite all the efforts of three kids. Cork certainly can wear very well. I'm not sure why some floors do not - maybe the thickness or surface treatment.