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| Kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre |
Her goal: to order new kitchen cabinets, a granite countertop, sink and fan hood.
How did she fare? After numerous calls to her contractor, she eventually got what she was looking for, but not without a great deal of angst and frustration:
“We pass a series of sample kitchens and finally arrive at kitchen central, where I had envisioned some kindly person sitting down with me, mano a mano, mapping out my kitchen for me. Not so.”
Instead, Zekas is told to sit down at a computer and sign in, then select items on the screen and place them on IKEA’s 3-D planner. Not exactly the helpful design collaboration she was looking for.
If you’re planning to redesign your kitchen, you may be contemplating the do-it-yourself route, as well. Before you hop in the car and head to your local big box store, consider the benefits of working with a kitchen designer.
“As professional kitchen designers, we are able to translate our client's needs into a functional kitchen design that reflects both their needs and wants,” says Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre president Neil Samson. “Monarch’s team of graduate designers have comprehensive knowledge in both kitchen and bath design, as well as construction, plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems.”
Using a kitchen designer to help with your kitchen renovation is crucial for your project’s success. Kitchen designers are trained professionals with extensive knowledge about a variety of products and know how to properly construct and install the materials in your home.
From cabinetry, countertops and storage space to sinks, plumbing and appliances, there are a tremendous number of decisions involved in a kitchen renovation.
“With little or no technical knowledge to base their decisions on, homeowners quickly become overwhelmed and frustrated,” says Neil. "A kitchen designer has years of design training and experience and can offer you their professional perspective, sharing the tricks of the trade to maximize your space and get the kitchen you want.”
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| Kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre |
We're interested in having Monarch design our new kitchen. Where do we begin?
The design process starts with a visit to our showroom. Here, you have the opportunity to interview your designer, tour our showroom and obtain an overview of the products and services that we offer.
What happens after our first meeting?
Regardless of whether you are renovating an existing property or in the process of building a new house, our next meeting is at your home. The primary focus of this meeting is to develop a clear picture of your personal tastes, preferences and develop a comprehensive "wish list" for your project. Your designer will take detailed measurements of your home and the information from this meeting will be used to formulate a custom design personalized for you.
How much say will I have in the overall design?
Monarch's goal is to create a kitchen you can enjoy for years to come. While we do offer advice and guidance throughout the design and renovation process, the finished design is a true reflection of your ideas and dreams for that particular space. Your designer will use your feedback from their design survey to fine-tune each element of the design.
What happens after the design is finalized?
With the help of your designer, you will make selections such as wood species, door style, door finish, hardware, accessories and countertop colour and material. You can also ask your designer for advice on flooring, lighting, back splash treatments and paint colours.
This sounds like a lot of information to keep track of. How can I be sure we all understand who is doing what?
Monarch strives to make your renovation as seamless and stress-free as possible. You will receive a detailed description of all work that Monarch and our associated contractors will undertake on your behalf.
How will I know what is happening on a day-to-day basis?
Monarch will coordinate your project with follow-up from your designer and our production office so that no detail is overlooked. You can expect project updates on a daily basis. As an added convenience, Monarch clients can login to Monarch's website to view the progress of their project in "real time".
How can I be sure that Monarch is committed to my renovation project?
We want you to be our client for life and are committed to your complete satisfaction. We will be there to answer your questions or help with additional renovations long after your project is finished. To learn why Monarch clients keep coming back, please view our testimonials page or ask a member of our team for a list of references.
