Monarch Designer Janet Dawson Rediscovers Her Passion for Riding and Finds Success in the Saddle

Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre designer Janet Dawson

It seems design isn't Janet Dawson's only passion. Riding since she was 10, Janet was on McMaster University's equestrian team but took a break from riding for about 25 years to work on her career and raise a family.

"When I turned 50, I knew that with my children finishing high school and soon moving on to university, I'd have more time to pursue my own interests," says Janet. She decided to get back into riding and purchased a quarter horse to ride for pleasure. "As I got 'back in the saddle,' I found I was really enjoying the riding and decided to get back into competing."

Janet purchased another quarter horse more suited to showing and began preparing to show in the American Quarter Horse (AQHA) circuit. She is currently with JS Quarter Horses of Glencoe, Ontario, and her show horse Lopin Guy (aka Tyler) is housed and trained by Suzanne Pickard and Jason Duquette.

"As Tyler is quite far away, I am only able to see him once a week," explains Janet. "I ride my pleasure horse, Rosco, who I keep at a farm near Uxbridge, at least three times a week and often more closer to show season."

From April to November, Janet participates in shows in Michigan, New York, London, Orangeville, Ancaster and Ottawa. Modern technology has allowed her to integrate her busy show season with a busy work schedule. "When I'm at show, I stay onsite in a travel trailer where I can often be found working on designs, responding to email and talking with my clients."

Janet had a successful first year showing in the AQHA. "I showed in the Rookie Division, which is for new riders to the circuit," explains Janet. She placed first in North America in Rookie Hunter Under Saddle and fourth in North America in English Equitation.

For the 2017 show season, Janet will be showing at a higher level in Hunter Under Saddle - Level 1 Novice Amateur, and still qualifies for the Rookie Division in English Equitation. "I have also added some new events for 2017, including Rookie Horsemanship, Rookie Showmanship and Walk/Jog Trail," says Janet.

Reclaimed Barn Board Makes a Statement in This Contemporary Kitchen Design

White kitchen design with reclaimed barn board by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

Homeowners Janis and Steve Wilkes got the inspiration for their recent kitchen renovation from seeing barn board being reused in many kitchen designs.

They searched online and found someone selling off genuine barn board from a barn torn down in Clarington.

"They felt this was an excellent opportunity to breathe new life into material that had a lot of history," says Monarch designer Janet Dawson. "They also appreciated that the demolition crew was working to re-purpose the barn board instead of simply burning it."
 

White kitchen design with reclaimed barn board by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

The Challenge
Incorporate the reclaimed barn board into the new kitchen design without it overwhelming the relatively small space.
 

White kitchen design with reclaimed barn board island by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

The Solution
"We decided to open up the wall between the kitchen and living room and add an island," explains Janet. The repurposed barn board was added to the island's base, making a significant design statement without inundating the space. "Using a fresh, crisp white on most of the cabinetry kept the look light, airy and contemporary."

A sliding "barn door" on the closet provided an additional nod to the barn-inspired design theme.

Allusive and Enigmatic, Benjamin Moore's 2017 Colour of the Year is Shadow!

Benjamin Moore has announced its 2017 Colour of the Year — Shadow (2117-30).

"Shadow is the new black," says Monarch designer Janet Dawson. "It's a neutral basic backdrop that can anchor any colour scheme."

From Benjamin Moore's Creative Director, Ellen O'Neill:

"It ebbs and flows with its surroundings, and light brings it to life. Rich, royal amethyst can fade into the soft lilac-grey of distant mountains or morph into lustrous coal. Indulge your mysterious side. Let Shadow set the mood."

Shadow 2117-30 is integral to Benjamin Moore's Colour Trends 2017, a palette of this year's most influential hues.

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To learn more about incorporating Shadow into your new kitchen or bath design, contact Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre at 905-686-2001.

All photos courtesy of benjaminmoore.com.

Big Style on a Tight Budget: A 1950s Kitchen Transformed

Kitchen Design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

"These first-time Toronto home buyers wanted to transform a 1950s kitchen nightmare into a contemporary entertainer's dream," says Monarch designer Janet Dawson.

Kitchen Design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

Kitchen Design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

"By mixing colours on a simple door style, we were able to achieve big style on a tight budget.

"We focused on a functional design that leaves lots of room for multiple cooks," says Janet. 

The entry level quartz counter tops and over-sized porcelain floor tiles are the 'jewelry' of the design, adding just the right amount of bling to pull the entire design together.

Is your home ready for a makeover?

Drop by the Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre showroom for some design inspiration and chat with a member of our design team.

From our talented kitchen and bath designers, to our experienced, factory-trained installation technicians, Monarch will ensure your entire renovation runs smoothly from start to finish!

Contact us today at 905-686-2001.

Hot Trend Alert: TORLYS Smart EverWood and EverTile Overcomes the Limitations of Wood and Laminate

Introducing the TORLYS EverWood & EverTile Collection: beautiful, durable, waterproof flooring for every room of your home.

From Torlys.com:

Comfortable and beautiful for living rooms and bedrooms.

Your feet will thank you – even when it’s cold, your EverWood or EverTile floor will stay warm to the touch. And don’t worry about waking up the baby: our floors are quiet, in the room and below, thanks to TORLYS CorkPlus™ Underlay.

Your stunning low-gloss floor with realistic wood and tile textures are the perfect match for any decor. EverWood & EverTile floors are hypoallergenic, making it perfect for important allergen-free rooms like bedrooms, family and living rooms.

Built tough for kitchens, bathrooms and basements.

EverWood & EverTile is well-equipped to conquer damp basements, kitchen spills and bathtub run-off. EverWood & EverTile are 100% waterproof from top to bottom.

Maintenance is always easy with an ultra-thick, stain-resistant wear layer. Spills wipe up quicker and easier than hardwood.

Photo: Torlys.com

 

“This is an amazing new floor product that overcomes the limitations of wood and laminate," says Monarch designer Janet Dawson. "It is waterproof, mould resistant and can go in every room of the house. It comes in great colours and emulates both wood and tiles. It is commercially rated so it can definitely stand up to the wear and tear of everyday life.”

Photo: Torlys.com

Elegant and contemporary, TORLYS EverWood and EverTile is the flooring product you've been waiting for. Drop by the Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre showroom to see samples of TORLYS products today.

BILD Awards Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre with "Best Renovation Under $75,000"

Monarch president Neil Samson accepts the BILD award
with designer Janet Dawson.

On March 11, the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) recognized the top renovators and custom home builders in the GTA at the Renovation and Custom Home Awards. 

Created in 1999, this annual program recognizes professional renovators for their professionalism, quality of work and industry leadership.

The Best Renovation Under $75,000 was awarded to Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre. The renovation involved integrating the kitchen into a home's adjacent rooms to facilitate entertaining while maintaining its "eat in" functionality.

"Our clients wanted big things from their kitchen and we delivered," says Monarch designer Janet Dawson.

"We opened up the sight lines to the living and dining rooms, maintained the eat-in kitchen for five people, improved the flow for frequent entertaining of large groups, and improved the kitchen design with more counter space, drawers, storage and innovative accessories."

BILD award-winning kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

BILD award-winning kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

BILD award-winning kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

BILD award-winning kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

BILD award-winning kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

Is this the year you make your kitchen renovation dreams a reality? We can help! Contact us today at 905-686-2001, or drop by our showroom and speak with a member of our design team.

Related posts:
One More Reason to Trust Monarch With Your Kitchen or Bath Renovation: We're BILD Approved!
5 Reasons to Trust Monarch With Your Kitchen and Bath Design Needs
 

Monarch's Design Team Gets in the Holiday Spirit by Building Holiday Homes ... with Gingerbread!

Always eager to flex their design muscles, Monarch's design team took on a holiday-themed design project on a smaller-than-usual scale -- gingerbread houses.

 

With no blueprints in sight, all they needed was some icing and colourful confections! Except for Kevin Samson -- his gingerbread house was held together with green packing tape.

Beautiful Bath Design is All in the Details

Whether you’re choosing a kitchen countertop surface or picking tile for a backsplash or shower, it can be difficult to determine how the finished product will look from the small sample you pick out in a showroom.

It’s similar to how different the paint colour you chose with such care from a small swatch can be a disappointment once it’s applied to the walls of your home. Except when it comes to tile, there are a few more factors at play.

At Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre, we understand that beautiful bath designs don’t just “happen.” They are the result of careful planning and execution.

Design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

“Recently, my clients selected a tile for their new shower based on a sample we had in the showroom,” explains Monarch designer Janet Dawson. “As with most of the marble and granite samples we have on hand, there is a warning from the manufacturer explaining that each tile may have a slightly different shading.”

Making a major design decision based on the appearance of a small sample tile can be difficult. When you book your kitchen or bath design with Monarch, we offer you the ability to pre-order a box of tile to see if it lives up to your expectations -- before placing an order for the entire amount. It might take a little longer in your design process, but it's the best way to see what you're getting before installation.

“When the tile they ordered arrived, we noticed that the veining in the tiles was going in different directions…each tile had either vertical veining or horizontal veining,” says Janet. “Although the tiles had a somewhat different pattern, they were all variations of the same colour palate. Understandably, my clients were not happy with what may have turned out to be a haphazard design and wanted all of the tile veining to be displayed in the same direction.”

“By ordering a box of tiles before the renovation was in full swing, I was able to meet with my clients and lay out the tile so they could better envision the finished product and get exactly what they wanted,” says Janet. (Finished shower pictured above.)

Are you planning a new kitchen or bath design this year? Drop by the Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre showroom today and speak with a member of our design team. We’d love to help make your design dreams a reality.

Your 2014 Dream Kitchen: What Can Your Appliances Do For You?

When is the last time you purchased a major appliance for your home? If it’s been a while since you’ve walked through the doors of your local big box store or appliance retailer, you may notice a few changes.

Competition among appliance manufacturers is as fierce as ever, with each major brand struggling to anticipate upcoming design trends while balancing the wants and needs of today’s consumer.

GE’s Café Series French Door refrigerator

For brands like GE and LG, the goal isn’t to add the latest gadget to an appliance, but to enhance appliance performance and ultimately the user’s way of life. For instance, manufacturers are investigating ways to design laundry products that help preserve your textiles, and cooking appliances that maintain the freshness and nutritional value of food longer. GE’s Café Series French Door refrigerator, for example, offers an improvement over stoves and microwaves with a dispenser that offers water ranging in temperature from 32C to 85C, so users can make cocoa, tea, instant oatmeal or soups in a hurry.

Thanks to product reviews easily accessible online, today’s consumers have often done their share of research before walking into an appliance store. And if they’re redesigning their space like many Monarch clients, they ask for assistance and recommendation from their designers, as well.


“Most clients, to some degree, ask for assistance with their purchase decisions,” says Monarch designer Kevin Samson. “ Often, they will mention wish list priorities, or concerns they have with their existing appliances, and look to their kitchen designer for suitable solutions. Brand choice is all over the board. Typically, clients make choices based on factors such as past ownership experiences, budget, specific features, visual appeal or recommendations.”

Miele dishwasher

“Many of our clients like the Miele dishwasher because of its top cutlery rack and ability to be fully integrated with panels,” says Monarch designer Janet Dawson. “Another popular choice is the Wolf range because of the bold-looking red knobs. However, clients tend to make appliance choices in a broad range based on their tastes and preferences.”

The popularity of open concept kitchens or great rooms has translated into a move toward the transitional and away from the traditional. While stainless steel appliances are still considered the standard, consumers are now open to a broader range of appliance finishes and are opting for a mix of traditional in addition to appliances hidden by cabinetry. Drawer-style dishwashers have started to replace a full-size traditional dishwasher, and smooth-surface and induction cooktops have also gained popularity for their sleek design.

What features are home and condo owners looking for in an appliance now that they couldn't find 5-10 years ago? Our designers weigh in.

Janet Dawson:

“Induction cooking. Smarter appliances that have more automated settings. Smaller sized appliances are becoming more popular as baby boomers downsize and condos become a more popular housing choice. Homeowners are also looking for appliance choices that suit their needs more specifically; they want a broader range of choice than was available in the past.”

Kevin Samson:

“Many of our clients are excited by the prospect of having a second oven in the kitchen. Today, this can be accomplished in a number of ways. A double wall oven is one solution, while some manufacturers offer a stove with two separate ovens. Many microwave ovens are offered with a combination feature allowing the user to cook with the microwave feature, or a full convection oven.”