Designing a Kitchen that Works for Your Family All Year Long

Here at Monarch, we often talk about preparing your home for the next big holiday get-together. Providing a comfortable working and entertainment space is a popular topic when clients walk into our showroom. However, homeowners initially looking for the “wow” factor during holiday season can often lose site of how the space is used the rest of the year.

“So often when we begin the process of designing spaces, we focus on the large events in our lives…the holidays and special occasions…but what we neglect to focus on are the routine comings and goings in our home,” says Monarch designer Jackie Schagen. “Our goal is to help you plan a space so that it best suits your everyday needs, as well as accommodate your special occasion needs.” 

Kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

The kitchen and dining areas are perfect examples of this. “Having your kitchen space work for you and your immediate family is very important,” explains Jackie.

Here are just a few of the factors to consider:

1. Do you have more than one cook, or more than one task being performed in your kitchen at any one time? Perhaps a designated homework area should be given priority, and not worry quite so much about accommodating 14 people for a meal.

2. Will homework be an everyday occurrence in your kitchen? You might want to incorporate a designated storage space for school items.

3. Are you an animal lover? If so, it may make more sense for your kitchen design to include an area designated for pet food storage instead of adding a fifth seat at the island.

When you work with a designer at Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre, we can help you streamline the needs and goals for your space, and refine it to be the most functional space it can be.

Drop by our showroom or call 905-686-2001 to speak with a member of our design team.

Related posts:

Hoping to Celebrate Christmas in a Newly Designed Kitchen?

Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre Designers Discover New and Amazing Things from Blum

Spend Less Time Inside with these Easy-to-Prepare Summertime Recipes from Everyday Food

Looking for a little summer mealtime inspiration? Here are a few recipes that are both delicious and quick and easy to prepare.

See Bryan Baeumler at The GTA Home Show, on this Weekend at The International Centre (February 20th to 23rd)

It’s been a long, cold winter across Southern Ontario! If the slight raise in the temperature has inspired you seek ways to improve your home this spring, you won’t want to miss The GTA Home Show, on this weekend at The International Centre in Toronto.

If you’re visiting the show on Friday, be sure to make time for Bryan Baeumler’s seminar: Save Your Home from Yourself, 7 p.m. at the Casalife Main Stage.



Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre is among a limited number of contractors in the GTA to be “Baeumler Approved.” The brainchild of Bryan Baeumler, host of HGTV's "Disaster DIY" and "House of Bryan," Baeumler Approved screens home renovation companies to ensure that their references check out and they have all the required insurance and licenses necessary to run their business. Not only does Baeumler Approved check with previous customers, but they also check with the tradespeople and companies they employ on a regular basis to ensure a company who they deem "Baeumler Approved" has a solid reputation.

2014 GTA Home Show Hours

Thursday & Friday: 11 am – 9 pm
Saturday: 10 am – 9 pm
Sunday: 10 am – 6 pm


Ticket Prices
Adults: $15
Senior 65+: $13
Students 13-17: $13
Children 12 & Under: Free
Parking: Free


Order online and save!
Order tickets online and save $3 per ticket, or like their Facebook page and receive an online promotion code for 2-for-1 tickets.

For a full list of show times and exhibitors, visit them online or click here for the 2014 GTA Home Show Guide.

Function and Beauty: Making Your Kitchen Island Work For You

In the past few decades, kitchens have transformed from just a place to prepare meals to the social hub of the home. The small closed-off food preparation zones of yesterday have become kitchens that are warm, welcoming spaces that open up into other rooms. Families use their kitchen as project spaces, entertaining centres, dining rooms, and much more.

At the centre of it all? The kitchen island.

If a kitchen island is on your redesign wish list, you’ll want to fully consider what your family’s needs before incorporating it into your new design. Will you be primarily using it to prepare food or will you also need a place for your kids to spread out their homework while you work? If you entertain, do you mind if the guests see what you’re doing? If not, a dual-height island may be for you: it can shield the kitchen mess from an open living area.

Perhaps you’ll want to include a dining bar, or make one end of the island a dining table. Since the island can take up a fair amount of kitchen real estate, it makes sense to take advantage most of every inch. In fact, designers regularly incorporate cooktops, prep sinks, storage and appliances into kitchen island designs.

“You can make your island the focal point of your kitchen by adding legs or turnings to give the warmth of furniture,” says Monarch designer Sarah Holmstrom. “Or choose a different colour for the island cabinetry and countertop, and hanging unique artful lights above.”

To learn more about incorporating an island into your new kitchen design, call Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre at 905-686-2001, or drop by our showroom and speak with one of our designers.

There's Nothing Scary About Choosing Monarch for Your Next Kitchen or Bath Renovation

Happy Halloween from Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre!

While Monarch's kitchen and bath designers are happy to celebrate this spooky holiday, their clients know they don't have to worry about any design or renovation horror stories.

If finding the perfect design firm to meet your needs has become a nightmare, drop by our showroom or call 905-686-2001 to arrange for a no-obligation consultation. Your kitchen or bath renovation doesn't have to be a horror story.

Click here to find out what Monarch's clients are saying.

Welcome Fall with a Bowl of Homemade Soup

Crisp cold air welcomed fall to Southern Ontario yesterday afternoon. It's officially soup weather!

Warm your kitchen and your bellies with help from these fast, easy and delicious recipes from  Everyday Food and Allrecipes.com.

One More Reason to Trust Monarch with Your Kitchen or Bath Renovation: We're BILD Approved!

Building Industry and Land Development Association

Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre is pleased to announce we are now among a limited number of home improvement specialists in the Greater Toronto Area who are BILD Approved.

The Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) encourages innovations and excellence in the planning and building of sustainable communities and in the redevelopment and renovation of existing communities. As the voice of the land development, home building and professional renovation industry in the greater GTA, BILD's goals include improving the communication between the industry and government and protecting the interests of consumers.

Members of BILD must abide by a strict code of ethics and shall:

1. comply with applicable building codes of Canada as a minimum standard for construction and shall work toward its improvement in the interests of structural sufficiency, safety, and health.
2. plan their projects to conform to the principles of good community planning and support for the environment.
3. deal justly with their employees, subcontractors, and suppliers of all goods and services.
4. deal honestly and fairly with their customers and stand behind the quality of their work and service commitments.
5. exchange information and experience, and encourage research on materials, technical advancements and building techniques in order to provide the best value for their customers.
6. avoid all conduct or practice detrimental to the land development and building industry, to the Association, to the good name or reputation of any of its members, or its customers.
7. commit to continuing learning through human resource policies and practices, including employment practices which treat employees as assets.
8. actively promote health and safety principles.
9. treat their competitors, including their property and ideas, with respect.

Are you planning a kitchen or bath redesign this spring? Call Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre today at 905-686-2001 or drop by our showroom. We'd love to help make your renovation dreams a reality.

Addressing the Need for Kitchen and Bathroom Design Solutions for "Aging in Place"

As the "baby boomer" generation approaches the age of retirement, their need to downsize or retrofit their existing homes has become a priority.

Lessons learned from watching their own parents deal with the challenges of getting older and finding a safe place to live has no doubt inspired the "aging in place" movement.

From the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC): Impacts of the Aging of the Canadian Population on Housing and Communities
(2008) [Research Highlight]

“There will be profound changes in the age structure of the Canadian population over the next 25 years. These changes will transform our communities and significantly affect housing. Population aging is taking place in a society that is being reshaped by a range of remarkable demographic and socio-economic trends. These include changes in family size and structure, increasing numbers of immigrants with family traditions very different from those of earlier generations, a growing number of persons living alone and new urban dynamics with increased concern for sustainability in the face of urban sprawl.

Other significant trends include the intent of many of today’s near retirees to continue working beyond the traditional retirement age, the increasing participation by women in the workforce and the tendency of young adults to stay longer in their parents’ homes.

An aging population will change the pattern of housing needs and preferences, alter the nature of the demand for services, change transportation requirements, accentuate the need for making communities more responsive to people with disabilities and challenge existing neighbourhood design and community planning practices.

The increasing desire of seniors to “age in place” (that is, to continue to live in their current home and familiar community for as long as possible, even if their health changes) will have major policy implications for housing and communities. It will create a need for housing adaptations and other supports; for more innovative housing options; and for planning and zoning changes.”

At Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre, we understand the challenges involved in designing a home which allows you to "age in place." Kitchen and bath suppliers such as Kohler do, as well.

Below are two videos which illustrate some of the options available to help you live safely in your home for as long as possible. If you're considering renovating your home as you age in place, drop by our Pickering showroom or make an appointment with a member of our design team by calling 905-686-2001.

Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre's Latest Design Success -- MKBI.com

Visit the Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre website at www.mkbi.com.

As a company whose primary focus is helping our clients' look good, we fell a bit behind in following our own design advice!

This week, we launched our newly "renovated" website at www.mkbi.com. If you haven't stopped by for a while, please take a few minutes to check out our new look and peruse the updated pictures and profiles of our design team.

If you're thinking about a kitchen or bath renovation, you'll want to take some time to go through our image galleries -- their chock full of beautifully transformed spaces.

If you're unsure of how the entire design process works, our FAQ section will help you to understand how your renovation will proceed. And if you have a question that the content on our site doesn't answer, you can fill out our "Ask a Question" form and someone on our design team will get back to you quickly.

Of course, as happy as we are with our new website, there is no substitute for discussing your design needs in person.

To discover how Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre can make your renovation dreams a reality, visit our Pickering showroom at 1020 Brock Road, Unit 6, Pickering; or call us at 905-686-2001.

Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre is Baeumler Approved!

Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre is pleased to announce we are now among a limited number of home improvement specialists in the Greater Toronto Area who have been Baeumler Approved.

The brainchild of Bryan Baeumler, host of HGTV's "Disaster DIY" and "House of Bryan," Baeumler Approved pre-screens home renovation companies to ensure that their references check out and they have all the required insurance and licenses necessary to run their business. Not only does Baeumler Approved check with previous customers, but they also check with the tradespeople and companies they employ on a regular basis to ensure a company who they deem "Baeumler Approved" has a solid reputation.

From Monarch designer Marion Cuddie:

"We are very pleased to add ‘Baeumler Approved Contractor’ to our accreditations. This has required references, application and proof of liability coverages and good work practices. Anyone considering a kitchen or bath renovation who has watched the variety of TV shows covering the subject will know that the process can seem a little overwhelming, especially when entrusting your dreams and a substantial amount of money to the contractor.  We hope this is one more way that we can assure our clients we strive to achieve the best possible results for them, while preserving the safety and security of their homes."

Our Clients Say it Best: For Outstanding Kitchen Design in Durham Region, Choose Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

From Karen and Mike in Whitby, posted February 10, 2012 on HomeStars:

Excellent experience with ALL staff members of MKBC. Timeline was followed and deadlines met. Attention to detail by all workers was impeccable. Designer (Sarah) and owner (Neil) were always available for consultation. Would highly recommend this very professionally run enterprise.

From Kip in Ajax, posted March 15, 2012 on HomeStars:

The service was terrific from the design to the co-ordination of various trades to the final product -- the kitchen looks great and added value to the home plus is very functional -- great job.

"We Love Colour" Cast Iron Sinks for the Kitchen and Bath by KOHLER

KOHLER colours

If you love making bold statements in your kitchen and bath design, KOHLER has what you need to get creative!

KOHLER, in partnership with designer--and colour fanatic--Jonathan Adler, has just introduced four special edition KOHLER colours available on select KOHLER enameled cast iron kitchen and bathroom sinks. 

Not for the faint of heart, these four fabulous colours may not necessarily represent a new kitchen or bath trend, but they certainly provide an interesting option for those daring enough to include bold pops of colour in throughout their home.

Will it be Piccadilly Yellow, Greenwich Green, Palermo Blue or Annapolis Navy? In this video from KOHLER, Jonathan Adler explains his love of colour.

National Denim Day in Support of the CURE Foundation

Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre proudly supports Denim Day for a Cure

The Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre design team donned their denim today in support of the CURE Foundation's 16th annual National Denim Day.

Monarch staff made individual donations with proceeds helping to fund breast cancer research; the addition of state-of-the-art equipment designed for early cancer diagnosis; and community programs to promote breast cancer awareness.

Since its inception in 1996, the CURE Foundation has raised close to $23 million. To learn more, visit www.curefoundation.com.

Monarch Kitchen Supports National Denim Day - May 15, 2012

Monarch Kitchen Supports National Denim Day

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, an estimated 23,400 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in women, 190 new cases in men, and 5,155 persons died from of the disease last year.

Join Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre as we unite in our fight against breast cancer and help the CURE Foundation raise money for:

• state-of-the-art equipment for cancer centres to provide quicker and more precise procedures in the detection and treatment of breast cancer;
• breast cancer research;
• projects and community programs that promote breast cancer awareness and education.

Tuesday, May 15th is National Denim Day. Businesses, organizations and institutions across Canada are encouraged to allow employees, members and/or students to wear denim and receive CURE's "pink flower" ribbon in exchange for a suggested $5 donation.

Monarch's team will be making individual donations and wearing denim to support this worthy cause. To learn more about what you can do, visit www.curefoundation.com.

Six Ways to Say "I Love You" This Mother's Day

Planning to surprise your mom with breakfast in bed on Mother's Day? Forget the toast and coffee...go the extra mile with one of these delicious recipes from marthastewart.com. (All photos courtesy of marthastewart.com.)

Heart-Shaped Egg in the Hole                         Ham and Egg Crêpe Squares                    Chocolate-Hazelnut and Banana Crêpe

Heart Pancakes                                   Bacon, Egg, and Toast Cups                                  Blueberry Blintzes

What Are YOU Willing to Do to Save the Planet?

More than 5,200 cities and towns in 135 countries worldwide switched off their lights for Earth Hour 2011. 

Were you one of them?

An incredible example of how great things can be achieved when people come together for a common cause, Earth Hour 2011 ushered in a new era where participants went beyond an hour to commit to lasting action for our planet.

In support of Earth Hour, Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre will be upping the ante and holding an EARTH WEEKEND at their head office in Pickering. 

At 5 p.m. on Friday, March 30th, Monarch will turn off their lights until 9 a.m on Monday, April 2nd. Only essential lighting will be turned on during business hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) on Saturday, March 31st.

Earth Hour begins at 8:30 p.m. on March 31st.

You CAN make a difference.

To learn more, visit www.earthhour.org.

GROHE: Because Some Like It Hot!

Say goodbye to the kitchen kettle and hello to boiling hot water directly from your kitchen tap. The innovative GROHE Red® boiler system keeps four litres of boiling water ready for immediate use at all times.

The Sensational Simplicity of Shaker Doors: Melissa's Favourite Design Trend for 2012

Simple, functional and well-made, the Shaker door has been a kitchen design staple for decades.

Consisting of a frame overlaid on a simple panel of wood, the Shaker door design originated with the Shakers, a utopian Christian sect which settled in the Northeastern U.S. in the 18th century.

Admired for their simplicity, innovative use of dovetail joints, quality and functionality, Shaker designs continue to provide inspiration for today's furniture and interior designers.

Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre designer Melissa Foley appreciates the versatility and timeless beauty of the Shaker door design and what it offers her clients.

"With such a wide selection of finishes to choose from, the Shaker door's elegant and durable design allows you to create both a modern and a traditional look, all with the same door style," says Melissa.

"Years from now, if you decide to change the look of your kitchen, you can re-stain the cabinets — or leave them as is — and transform your space by changing the cabinet hardware, flooring, back splash and counter top."

Shaker doors -- Kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

Shaker doors -- Kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

Shaker doors -- Kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

Shaker doors -- Kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

Kevin Samson Asks: Is the Kitchen Desk a Thing of the Past?

Has the kitchen desk become extinct?

Countertop Charging Station

"Many clients are asking us to eliminate the desk in their new kitchen plan," says Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre designer Kevin Samson. "Most agree their kitchen desk becomes the unsightly drop zone for mail, keys, newspapers...and the odd time, a missing report card.

"In fact, many clients confess that their kitchen desk has started minor family arguments over who left certain items sitting on the desk for days on end."

So, do we get rid of the desk altogether?

"Yes...and no," says Kevin. "Most families tell us they are lacking adequate storage in their existing kitchen. Replacing the desk's seating area with cabinetry helps solve the storage problem...but what about all of those desk items that need a spot?"

REINVENTING THE KITCHEN DESK AREA

"Today's desk in no longer the seating area of kitchens past. It has evolved into a more modern and updated communication centre. With so many families using wireless Internet and devices in their home, we are now adding power access pods or charging stations to kitchens, instead."

Keys/Device Cabinet

The charging station (see above) allows for three electrical outlets and two USB ports, and can disappear into a courtertop. 

"Since all devices can be charge in one area of the home, it makes life easier for the entire family," adds Kevin.

"As well, we often provide dry erase boards, chalk boards and when space permits, a narrow wall cabinet for storage of electronic devices, pens, paper, keys and such."

Are you considering a kitchen renovation this spring? If so, will your new space include room for a desk or will you move towards the "communication centre" concept? For more information on how Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre designers can help make your renovation dreams a reality, drop by our Pickering showroom at 1020 Brock Rd., Unit 6, or call us at 905-686-2001 to book an appointment.

Monarch Succeeds at Making a Small Kitchen Feel Spacious

Clean lines, stainless steel appliances and a pop of colour make for a winning combination in this stunning small kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre .

Small Kitchen Design Solutions by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

Small Kitchen Design Solutions by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

Small Kitchen Design Solutions by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

Small Kitchen Design Solutions by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre