Practical Innovations in the Kitchen and Bath from Kohler

Fall in Love with Your New Bath Design with Kohler

Leave it to Kohler to find exciting and inspiring ways to ramp up your bath design while creating a spa-like experience in your home.

In this video, learn how Robern's stunning cabinetry can transform the rituals of everyday life.

Kohler's DTV Custom Showering Experience allows you to create a spa-like environment in your home. Using just one simple electronic control, DTV's advanced digital platform wraps water, sound, light and steam together in a seamless and totally customizable system.

Why Spending Money on a High-Efficiency Toilet Makes Sense

If you’re renovating your bathroom, you may be looking at replacing your current toilet. While choosing the right style is important to the overall look of your new bath design, you’ll want to consider its level of water efficiency, as well.

As the main source of water use in the home, toilets account for close to 30 percent of your home's indoor water consumption. If you own an older, inefficient toilet (manufactured prior to 1994), it may use as much as 6 gallons of water per flush – a huge source of wasted water (and money) in your home.

Recent advancements have allowed toilets to use 1.28 gallons per flush or less while still providing equal or superior performance.

To illustrate the difference this new technology makes to your home, Master plumber Ed Del Grande and HGTV's Nicole Facciuto compare new high-efficiency toilets to the traditional 3.5-gpf models in this video:



Here are a few suggestions of the high-efficiency toilets available for your home:

If you're considering a bath renovation, Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre can help. Drop by our showroom today or call us at 905-686-2001 and speak with one of our designers. 

Hot New Trends in Bath Design from KBIS 2013: Kohler's Awaken Showerhead

The 2013 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) took place in New Orleans this past weekend.

As always, Kohler took part in this inspiring, interactive showcase. Here, master plumber Ed Del Grande introduces onlookers to Kohler's Awaken showerhead.



Here, product designer Gregory de Swarte discusses what sets the Awaken line of showering products apart.

Keeping it Clean with Kohler -- Introducing the Sensate Touchless Faucet

Speed through prep, cooking and cleanup without spreading germs -- or the mess -- throughout the kitchen with the Sensate touchless faucet from Kohler.

Simply wave your hand, or even a pan or kitchen utensil, to turn the Sensate faucet on or off. With a state-of-the-art sensor in tune with your every move, Sensate is precision-designed to provide reliable operation every time. 

SHOWER OUT LOUD with the Moxie Showerhead and Wireless Speaker from Kohler

From Kohler:

"The Moxie showerhead + wireless speaker deliver up to 7 hours of music, news and more by pairing wirelessly with your device enabled with Bluetooth® technology. Just you  + water + clean, clear sound.

Not to be upstaged, the spray face features 60 angled nozzles that deliver the full, enveloping spray you've come to expect from a Kohler showerhead. 

Sync your device enabled with Bluetooth® technology with the wireless speaker from up to 32 feet away, and invite your playlist, podcast or live broadcast into the shower. Plus you can take your music with you anywhere. The Moxie speaker plays wirelessly in or out of the shower, so you can charge it up to use in the kitchen or take to the beach." 

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.

Looking for Some Kitchen Design Inspiration? Tour House Beautiful's 2012 Kitchen of the Year

Designer Mick De Giulio takes us on a tour of his winning kitchen design in House Beautiful's Kitchen of the Year, on display in New York City's Rockefeller Center.



While your kitchen may not be this spacious -- or your budget this flexible  -- watching videos like these are the perfect way to find those "can't live without" items or ideas you can incorporate into your new kitchen design.

Mr. De Gioulio's philosophy for creating his winning kitchen design reminded us of our own:

"The thing I want people to take away from this kitchen is the idea of liveablity. If you have  a great space to work in...a great space to live in...that's everything," explains Mr. De Giulio. "Because people, no matter how you try to redirect them to other rooms in the house, they end up in the kitchen. So why not have a great kitchen to live in?"

Drop by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre's Pickering showroom today. Explore our kitchen design displays and speak with one of our experienced designers to learn more about making your kitchen design dreams a reality.

How Can Your New Bath Design Help Save You Money and the Environment?

Choosing a new toilet and faucet is often one of the final design choices you'll have to make in a bath renovation, but potentially the most important.

From Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC):

A high-quality toilet can help you save money, protect the environment and conserve water, all without sacrificing performance or peace of mind. Choose the wrong toilet, and you could wind up flushing your hard-earned dollars down the drain.

In this short video, master plumber Ed Del Grande explains how Kohler's new products have been re-engineered to help you save up to 30% off your water bill.

With so many makes and models to choose from, deciding on which product is right for your home can be a bit overwhelming. If you're considering a bath renovation, Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre can help.

Drop by our Pickering showroom today or call us at 905-686-2001 and speak with one of our designers. Book your bath renovation with Monarch before August 31, 2012, and you could win your new granite or quartz countertop. To learn more, click here.

"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.

Dream Kitchen Design Ideas for Your Cottage

Alison Thomas from Coastal Living magazine explains the inspiration behind her design of this "cottage coastal kitchen" in Kohler's Idea home in South Carolina. Watch the video below to discover how she used simple, common sense design elements to make a small space more functional and appear larger.

        

Kohler Designers on How to Personalize Your Bath Design to Fit Your Needs

Three Kohler designers think outside the box and put their own spin on Kohler's versatile Tresham Collection.

Renovating Your Bathroom in 2012? Kohler Redefines Luxury with the Numi Toilet

When you think of adding a bit of luxury to your bathroom, chances are you're considering a freshly tiled shower with multiple shower heads, rich new cabinetry with updated fixtures and hardware...not a toilet that comes with a remote control.

The designers at Kohler, however, have other ideas, and their latest offering—the Numi toilet/bidet—will have you thinking twice about the true meaning of luxury.

From Kohler.com:

"Introducing Numi, Kohler's most advanced toilet. The Numi toilet combines unmatched design, technology and engineering to bring you the finest in personal comfort and cleansing. From its striking form and features to its unrivaled water efficiency, the Numi toilet marks a new standard of excellence in the bathroom."

Up Your Game in the Kitchen with the Stages™ Kitchen Sink from Kohler

Whether you love to cook or are just searching for ways to make your time in the kitchen more efficient, Kohler's Stages™ kitchen sink is designed specifically with today's chef in mind.

Its features include a selection of accessories designed to accompany each stage of the cooking process:

• an ample basin and wet work surface that are perfect for rinsing and drying foods
• a wood cutting board and sliding trays that fit neatly into the sink
• an angled basin bottom that directs water and waste down the drain

Friday Fun: Kitchen and Bath Design Inspiration from Kohler and GROHE

How do you get people to watch the entire 30 seconds of a cast iron sink commercial? What about a commercial about toilets or shower systems?

Humour is the key ingredient in these simple but effective videos from Kohler and GROHE.

Universal Kitchen and Bath Design Ideas from Kohler

As a large percentage of our population approaches retirement, more and more kitchen and bath suppliers are offering not just practical solutions to staying in your home longer, but stylish ones as well.

In these videos from Kohler, Carol Schalla and Cynthia Leibrock offer suggestions on how to stylishly incorporate universal features into your kitchen and bathroom.

Videos courtesy of Kohler.

Cast Iron Sinks: The Beautiful Alternative

Although the kitchen sink is probably one of the most functional elements in your home, it is often one of the last products homeowners decide upon when designing their new kitchen.

Next to choosing the colour and material of your counter tops, deciding on a style and wood colour for your cabinets and picking out shiny new appliances, shopping for a kitchen sink can't really compare, can it?

After all, how do you excited about a sink?

Well, for starters, you might want step away from the stainless steel aisle and consider the beauty and durability of a Kohler cast iron sink.

Available in over 20 colours, Kohler's extensive line of cast iron sinks will quickly have you pondering how to incorporate their beauty and functionality into your kitchen redesign. And because beauty isn't everything, Kohler's cast iron sinks have an easy-to-clean, durable enamel finish and are guaranteed not to chip, crack or burn. 





Video courtesy of Kohler.

Think SPA not SHOWER when Remodelling Your Bathroom (Part One)

Is remodelling your bathroom on your to-do list for 2011?

Instead of just replacing your existing shower stall and accessories with updated versions of the same products, consider incorporating spa-like fixtures into your shower space.

So instead of just having a place to take your morning shower, you have a spa-like retreat that can help you unwind and relax whenever you need it.



Video courtesy of Kohler.

How to Choose a Kitchen Faucet

Designing a beautiful kitchen is all about paying attention to the details of style and functionality. In this video from Kohler, designer Erinn Valencich provides homeowners with important tips on what to consider when choosing a new faucet for your kitchen.





Video courtesy of Kohler.