Dear reader,

In this week’s edition of Curb Appeal: a humongous mansion off Bayview that has caught the eyes of business moguls and members of the Raptors, an inside look at how Etalk’s Chloe Wilde brought some modern flair to a creaky Kawarthas schoolhouse, and a Beaches condo with a hammock for a floor.

This newly built marvel in Silver Hills was designed by architects Lisa and Michael McCann. Nestled on a verdant one-acre lot, the home comes with a commercial-grade wine room, a 72-foot balcony, a tennis court and more than 15 kilometres of high-tech wiring within its walls. 

Etalk’s Chloe Wilde and her partner, Ben, always dreamed of taking on a renovation project. So, over the pandemic, they transformed this old Kawarthas schoolhouse into a Scandi-chic rental. Here’s how.

A $1.5-million unit in the Beaches, featuring a hand-welded catwalk, 20-foot ceilings and views of Lake Ontario. The 1,200-square-foot loft also comes with a bevy of wild furnishings. 

After two years of takeout and home cooking, Toronto diners are keen to splurge on caviar, seafood towers and prime cuts of beef. And this is all happening at a time when chicken breasts are going for $23 a kilogram and we’re price-matching at supermarkets like it’s a blood sport. The message, in short, is that if people choose to dine out, they’re going big. In our June issue, 20 restaurants where we’re more than happy to put our money where our mouths are. Still not receiving Toronto Life at home? Subscribe today.