Storage and Functionality Are Key in This Beautiful Custom Kitchen Design

When renovating kitchens in older homes, a frequent challenge is finding space for current appliances without sacrificing available storage.

“In this kitchen renovation, our client’s wish list included a double oven, beverage fridge and integrated coffeemaker,” says Monarch designer Marion Cuddie.

Custom kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

“We created additional storage by installing convenient pull-outs and customizing the end unit of the coffee bar unit to house brooms and cleaning materials,” explains Marion. 

Custom kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

Custom kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

Tall cabinets flank the new fireplace in the dining room and provide a perfect storage location for the homeowner’s collection of dinnerware and serving pieces.

“Since they often entertain their large extended family, our clients also wanted to open the kitchen up to the dining room to create more connection between the two rooms.

"The entire space is L-shape, so we removed the wall between the kitchen and dining room, and extended the cabinetry including bar and coffee station into the dining area to service before and after dinner refreshments."

Custom kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

The crowning significant change involved modifying the window wall so the new range and hood position allowed the cook to function without constant traffic at her back,” says Marion. “It also provides extended landing space, and equipment and supplies at her fingertips.” (see below)

COOKING AREA - BEFORE

COOKING AREA - AFTER

Custom kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

Let Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre make your kitchen design dreams a reality. Call us today at 905-686-2001, or drop by our kitchen and bath showroom and chat with a member of our design team. 

More on Monarch's Stunning White Kitchen Makeover

 

White kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

A few weeks ago, we posted a colourful white kitchen by Monarch designer Marion Cuddie.

Below are the before pictures, and Marion's comments on how she met her client's dream kitchen design requirements.

Before

"The homeowner delights in entertaining family and friends and found that the awkward peninsula in her old kitchen cramped movement and food prep," says Marion.

Before

The client's needs included a coffee area, drinks' storage, a sink for clean up and a sink at the prep island.

"They wanted lots of light and a bright open feeling," explains Marion. "To accomplish this, the kitchen window was enlarged to flood the space with light and expand the view to the green space beyond the property." Minimal upper cabinets also contribute to the openness. 

White kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

"With limited upper cabinet space, it became important to maximize storage in remaining cabinetry," says Marion.
 

White kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

(Left) Pantry items in the extra deep wall/counter cabinet are outfitted with roll-out shelves (left of the ovens and in the tall angled cabinet to the right of the fridge) to accommodate the door placement and to house overflow items and pet food.

(Right) Special attention was paid to the coffee/drinks station to keep the flow comfortable for family and guests during breakfast preparation. 

Glassware for adult entertaining is immediately available above the bar storage.

(Below) The island has become the perfect spot for Christmas cookie decorating as well as after school snacks.

White kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

Make Your White Kitchen Design POP with Colour!

This stunning kitchen design by Monarch designer Marion Cuddie is a revelation of colour and customization. Stay tuned in the coming weeks as we uncover the details of this vibrant space.

White Kitchen Design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

White Kitchen Design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

White Kitchen Design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

White Kitchen Design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

White Kitchen Design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

Habitat for Humanity Recognizes Monarch’s Commitment to the Environment and Community

Many thanks to Habitat for Humanity Durham for recognizing Monarch in their Spring 2015 e-newsletter for its ongoing commitment to waste reduction during the home renovation process.

 

Monarch believes companies must conduct sustainable business practices and be responsible stewards of the environment while seeking profit only in a manner that leaves the earth healthy and safe. A proud supporter of Habitat for Humanity for 15 years, Monarch encourages homeowners to think twice before taking old cabinetry, appliances or fixtures to the dump.

“If you are contemplating a renovation and are updating items in your home that are still perfectly functional...think about donating them to Habitat for Humanity," says designer Amanda Willson-Suppa.

A non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to improving the lives of economically disadvantaged individuals through home ownership, Habitat for Humanity is committed to helping low-income families caught in the vicious cycle of poverty. 

If you're planning a kitchen or bathroom renovation, give Habitat for Humanity a call before tear down begins. Their volunteers will remove your old kitchen cabinets, appliances or bathroom fixtures at no-charge and issue you a tax-deductible receipt for the value of your donation.

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.

One Design Trend You May Not Have Seen Coming

Brushed Bronze handshower
by Moen

Brass. It’s showing up in an increasing number of design showrooms and making its way back into your home!

Never completely gone, brass designs have had a rougher, more patinated feel to it in the past few years. For 2013, however, interior designers are embracing the shine. From gleaming chandeliers that incorporate a mixture of metals and hang above your dining tables, to brushed bronze hardware for your kitchen and bath cabinetry, there’s no denying it: brass is back and here to stay.

Icon by Moen
Brushed Bronze

“I love the fact that most of the new finishes are polish-free,” says Monarch design Marion Cuddie. “If you are a traditionalist at heart, brass is a great way to honour the past with all the style and convenience of today.”

Brass Ring Knob
by Berenson

Savvy kitchen and bath manufacturers are fully aware of the stigma attached to the word “brass” and have found ways to ease consumers into including brass décor into their homes.

Ever fearful of furnishing their homes with the shiny polished brass that decorated their parents’ homes, consumers are now purchasing items with such descriptions as “antique bronze” and “brushed bronze.”

What’s old is new again! For more ideas on including brass into your kitchen or bath décor, drop by the Monarch showroom and speak with one of our designers.

Reassurance, Honesty and Authenticity: Dupont Corian's Inspiration for their 2013 New Colour Countertops

In January, Dupont Corian® introduced nine new colour surfaces as part of their 2013 Corian collection. The new colours fall into three main colour trends: Raw, Interference, and Solidify.

“Corian is upping their game in the countertop market with the introduction of nine new colours that are inspired by today’s elemental trends, says Monarch designer Marion Cuddie. “My favourite in this new collection is Seafoam. With its barely there hint of azure under a detail of a frothy wave top, it would be a perfect compliment in a soothing spa en suite.”

From Dupont:

The Corian® Trends: RAW

Raw represents honest luxury, and the fresh hues that follow this trend embody comfort in a down-to-earth aesthetic that offers a respite from daily realities.  Here, organic, yet polished effects are blended to celebrate the natural world and emulate plant materials and other natural fibers that are encased in transparency. 

In the Corian® colors Whipped Cream and Seafoam, soft wheat, butters, lush and heritage greens are highlighted with optic tinted whites, metallic and pearl effects that echo natural surroundings. Colors work together in gradients, reflecting nature’s variation, offering a retreat into the woods, an escape into the environment.

The Corian® Trends: INTERFERENCE

Interference explores the lure of semi-precious stones, with a feeling of sparkle and glamour, yet with an understated opulence that conveys mystical and organic luxury.  Bronze is a key metallic shade and when juxtaposed with subtle finishes and earthy textures, reflects the warm tints of raw sienna and terra cotta. 

In the Corian® colors Pebble and Desert, rich warm browns that lend an aura of comfort to our surroundings are given a subtle shimmer and color variation. Rose marbles, granites with mica, copper and gold flakes are suspended in a semi-transparent focus. 

The Corian® Trends: SOLIDIFY

Solidify was inspired by global climatic changes and how our high-tension atmosphere can create crystallized and frosted solids.  The cool tones of this trend are misted and sensorial, as melded metal and mirrored flecks are set within frosted solids for depth and dimension.  The surfaces are fractured and scattered fragments are fused, creating delicate and ethereal patterns that bring a softly opulent edge to these hard surfaces.   

In the Corian® colors Deep Sea and Luna White, Stardust and Mineral, the smokiest of lilacs and blues allow space to focus after the dust has settled, bringing sophisticated aesthetics to the forefront.  Shadowy ripples with subtle movement enrich the inherent authenticity of Corian®.

To view samples of Corian’s 2013 colour collection, drop by the Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre showroom today -- 1020 Brock Rd., Unit 6, Pickering.  To speak with a member of our design team, call 905-686-2001.

Brighter and More Energetic Colours -- Marion Cuddie's Favourite 2013 Design Trend

Canadian Mint, from the 2013 Simon Chang
Oh Canada! Trend Colour Collection
(photo courtesy of beautitone.ca)

There's nothing like a fresh coat of paint to add new life to an outdated space!

"I'm always excited to see the colour forecasts for the coming year as it encourages our team to explore new cabinetry, counter and accessory combinations in our renovations," says Monarch designer Marion Cuddie. "This year we are seeing a celebration of brighter and more enthusiastic shades for those who like to layer on colour, and neturals that have less muddy tones for the more subdued types."

Last fall, the Beauti-Tone paint division of Home Hardware Stores Ltd. launched its 2013 Simon Chang Oh Canada! Trend Colour Collection and its a colourful tribute to Canada.

The paint collection, which was developed in coordination with designer Simon Chang, includes all the hot colour trends for 2013: corals, teals, raspberries, yellows and browns. The six Oh Canada! colour palettes have charming, easy-to-remember names -- Northern Reflection, Savoir Flair, Beauti and the East, Wheat Till You Try It, Culture Club and Pacific Overture -- and each features two of the hottest trend colours paired with five additional shades that work well together.

Lemon Sorbet: Benjamin Moore's 2013 Colour of the Year
(photo courtesy of benjaminmoore.com)

Benjamin Moore's colour experts have declared Lemon Sorbet their Colour of the Year. The tangy, fresh yellow evokes a mood of optimism for the year ahead. Their carefully curated collection mixes softer hues such as pale blue Sweet Innocence and minty Antiquan Sky with punchier brighter colours like Pink Raspberry, Blue Ice and Dakota Woods Green.

From Sico's 2013 Switching Off colour collection
(photo courtesy of sico.ca)

AkzoNobel (Sico Paint), has named three frontrunners in their 2013 colour themes: Collective Passion, Switching Off and Visual Solace. Their 2013 colour palette balances bright and joyful colours combined with more peaceful, subdued tones. Collective Passion, for example, has a more spontaneous feel and showcases the use of colour on colour, such as Fresco Beige orange with Blackcurrant Tea pink or Effluvium royal blue with Emerald Necklace green. Switching Off, on the other hand, reflects our occasional desire to slow down, clear our minds and create space for new thoughts: it is highlighted by Singing the Blues, Satie White and Arctic Seal. Visual Solace is inspired by gardens in bloom and is infused with floral pink, mauve, dusky violet, bronze and delicate neutrals such as Restrained Brown, A Simpler Time and Rice Flour. 

Looking for the perfect colour palette for your new kitchen or bath design? Feel free to explore your colour options with your Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre designer.