String Extensions

gistfile1.cs

    public static class TypeExtensions 
    {
        public static Type GetValueTypeIfNullable(this Type type)
        {
            return (type.IsGenericType && typeof(Nullable<>) == type.GetGenericTypeDefinition())
               ? type.GetGenericArguments()[0] : type;
        }    
    }

    public static class StringExtensions
    {
        public static object ToType(this string origin, Type dest)
        {
            var realType = type.GetValueTypeIfNullable();
            if (typeof(IConvertible).IsAssignableFrom(realType))
                return Convert.ChangeType(origin, realType);
            return origin;
        }
    }