A Divine DIY

“If you want something done, do it yourself” is one of the most common advice phrases. When it comes to home renovating today, with individual tastes and preferences, new homeowners are taking matters into their own hands, literally.

Meet Shanan Kurtz and Chris Roberts. Add one newly renovated, three-bedroom semi-detached home, with 2,000 square feet and a 400-square-foot garage up for sale in Toronto’s Queen West neighborhood. After purchasing the home a few years ago, Kurtz — a graphic designer — and Roberts — an artist — brought in unique vintage pieces and accents, vibrant artwork and woodworking skills, and the result is an elegant, do-it-yourself urban rustic masterpiece.

Shanan did all the painting and wall-pattern work herself, not to mention created the dining room chandelier by hand. Of the many do-it-yourself projects executed by the two new homeowners — including re-upholstering — Roberts’ garage tear-down arguably takes centre stage. By tearing down the aging detached garage out back, and building a fully functional art studio adorned with skylights, Roberts managed to not only salvage the garage’s gorgeous aged barn-board but also effectively reuse it. 

By creating built-in shelves for the dining room, a coat rack, hallway storage and even planters for the garden all with the same barn-board, Roberts — alongside Kurtz — demonstrates that a little work with one’s own two hands goes a very long and sophisticated way.

— Melissa Silva