Year in Review: A Look Back at Some of Monarch's Most Popular Posts of 2016

As another year comes to a close, we thought we'd look back at some of our most-popular blog posts of 2016.

We kicked off the year with "Home Sweet Condo," a three-part series detailing the stunning redesign of two baths and a kitchen.

White condo kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

Condo bath design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

In February, we helped homeowners make the most of their small space with a functional white kitchen design.

White kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

White kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

In March, BILD awarded Monarch with the Best Renovation Under $75,000.

Award-winning kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

Award-winning kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

In April, Monarch designer Kevin Samson showed us how he helped homeowners "keep the party in the kitchen."

White kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

White kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

In May, we helped add some luxury to a homeowner's laundry room.

Laundry room design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

Laundry room design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

 In June, we shared the transformation of a 1950s kitchen nightmare into an entertainer's dream.

Kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

Kitchen design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

In July, we took a look at the three layers involved in lighting your kitchen.

Lighting your new kitchen design

In August, we examined seven bold and innovative tile products that could change the way you decorate your home.

Slide from irisceramic.com - floor and wall coverings inspired by glass
Photo courtesy of residentialproductsonline.com

Luminescence from marazziusa.com - highly reflective poured glass tiles available in eight colours
Photo courtesy of residentialproductsonline.com

In September, we showed you seven new products we love for your new kitchen or bath design.

PAREO - the telescoping island hood from faberonline.com
Photo courtesy of residentialproductsonline.com

This handle-free wine storage cabinet from liebherr-appliances.com opens with a tap and features beechwood telescoping shelves, a LCD control screen and storage for up to 18 bottles.
Photo courtesy of residentialproductsonline.com

In October, we revealed Poised Taupe as Sherwin-Williams 2017 Colour of the Year.

And then in November, we introduced you to Benjamin Moore's 2017 Colour of the Year, Shadow.

What a year! As fun as it is to look back, our job as designers is to continually look forward to find new and innovative ways to serve our clients best.

Is 2017 your year to renovate?

Call Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre today at 905-686-2001 or drop by our showroom, located just 15 minutes east of the Don Valley Parkway in Toronto, off the 401.

Home Sweet Condo Part 3: Sleek Styling in the Main Bathroom

Condo bath design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

Condo bath design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

 

In this last instalment of Amanda Willson-Suppa’s condo makeover, we look at the design details involved in the transformation of the main bathroom.

“As the bathroom that will get used most by guests – our clients plan on having lots of company over – we wanted the space to have a slightly more masculine feel while keeping the design modern and light,” says Amanda.

The vanity is a beautiful, dark, stained maple with a Cambria quartz counter top.

“And have a look at the tile in the shower! Beautiful and interesting while still being subtle,” says Amanda. “Can you believe there was a light out there to match a shower tile more perfectly than this combination?”

Your condo can look this good, too! Call us today to learn more, or drop by our showroom and speak with a member of our design team. 

Related posts:

Home Sweet Condo: Seamless Style and Storage in the Master Bath

Home Sweet Condo Part 2: Stylish Storage Makes the Transition from Home to Condo a Breeze

Home Sweet Condo: Seamless Style and Storage in the Master Bath

Condo bath design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

 Downsizing from a large home into a condominium can be a very stressful experience. While the end goal may be to streamline and simplify, there’s no need to give up all the comforts of big-home living.

In this condo renovation, the master bathroom was completely overhauled to create an elegant and beautiful space.

“Moving from a large home with a big kitchen and multiple bathrooms into a two-bedroom condo was quite a life change for our clients,” says Monarch designer Amanda Willson-Suppa. “The goal of this renovation was not only to make it as seamless as possible, but also make condo living enjoyable. A master bathroom that didn’t feel like it was part of a condo was the first item on the to-do list.”

Condo bath design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

Amanda used light finishes to make the space seem larger. “The storage in this room was increased, and lighting was added so that our clients could feel as though the space was as light and bright as possible,” says Amanda. “The storage is second-to-none. The sizable vanity includes many drawers, and the big cabinet next to the shower allows for more storage than bathrooms in most homes have.”

The Cambria counter tops, porcelain tile, glass shower enclosure and stylish one-piece toilet create an elegant and luxurious space with all the comforts of “home.”

Up next: The Condo Kitchen

New at Monarch: Nuheat Floor Heating Systems – An Energy Efficient Way to Heat Rooms in Your Home

If adding warmth to the rooms in your home is a priority this winter, Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre may have the answer you’re looking for. Perfect for your home, cottage or
condominium, Nuheat is a clean, soundless floor heating system that brings warmth to any space.

The applications for Nuheat can go beyond simply the bathroom or kitchen, and can serve as more than just a luxury. If rooms in your home comply with modern insulation requirements for your region, Nuheat can act as an effective and efficient heat source. This means less dependence on additional heat sources, as well as reduced energy costs associated with heating.

Nuheat’s standard mats (squares and rectangles) are ideal for most room layouts. Nuheat Mats are 1/8″ thick, easy to install, energy efficient, and can be controlled using a variety of programmable and non-programmable thermostat options. Our electric floor heating system can use one or a combination of in floor heating mats to deliver under floor heat for the entire room. Nuheat in floor heating mats come in over 60 different standard sizes and are available in both 120 & 240 volt formats.

If you’re tired of paying for heating rooms in your home that you rarely use, Nuheat’s zone heating feature can help save you money.

Zone heating using a programmable thermostat, means heating room-by-room, use-by-use – heat only where you want, when you want it. Electric radiant heat allows homeowners to lower their central heating system while still being comfortable. It offers an energy saving alternative to keeping the forced air heating system running throughout the entire house and can help reduce a home’s overall energy consumption. And because Nuheat has no moving parts and once installed is safely encased in thinset/mortar, Nuheat is 100% maintenance free and will last the lifetime of your floors.

Visit the Monarch showroom to learn more about incorporating Nuheat into your upcoming renovation. If you’d prefer to install the flooring yourself, Monarch sells standard mat sizes and thermostats to D-I-Y-ers, too! Our lead times for ordering non-custom mats are now shorter! Call 905-686-2001 for more information.

What's Open and Closed on the Civic Holiday

Happy Civic Holiday Long Weekend from Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

Are you considering a kitchen or bath renovation in your home, condo or cottage? Drop by the Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre showroom this weekend-- our designers would be happy to discuss your design plans with you.

Here are our Civic Holiday long weekend hours:

Friday, August 1 - 9am to 5pm
Saturday, August 2nd - 9am to 5pm
Sunday, August 3rd - closed
Monday, August 4th - closed
Tuesday, August 5th - regular business hours resume

Below is a list of what's open -- and what's not -- around Toronto on Monday.

OPEN

• Tourist attractions (ROM, Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Zoo, Ripley’s Aquarium)
• Major malls (Eaton Centre, Yorkville, Fairview, Sherway Gardens, Square One, Vaughan Mills)
• Select Beer Store locations
• LCBO
• Movie theaters

CLOSED

• Tourist attractions (AGO, TIFF Bell Lightbox)
• Banks
• Government offices
• Post offices and mail delivery

For a full list of what's open and closed, click here.

We hope you enjoy a safe and happy Civic Holiday long weekend!

Luxury Meets Relaxation in this Black and White Bath Design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

Black and white bath design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre.

Black and white bath design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre.

Black and white bath design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre.

Black and white bath design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre.

Black and white bath design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre.

Why You Should Hire Monarch to Renovate Your Condominium

When introducing new products or services on this blog, we often reference renovations we’ve performed in the houses of our clients. The truth is, a substantial number of our clientele are condo owners, as well.

In fact last fall, condo owner Donna Young was the winner of our Win Your Granite or Quartz Countertop contest. Earlier in the year, Monarch transformed Mrs. Young’s traditional condominium kitchen into a sleek, contemporary space. This year, the National Kitchen and Bath Association honoured Monarch designer Melissa Foley for a major "medium kitchen" condominium redesign.

Renovating a condo is different than renovating a home. Condominium corporations typically have rules that regulate renovations and the condo board outlines what can and cannot be touched during a renovation (ie. windows, corridors, mechanical systems, plumbing, electrical, bearing walls etc.). You may be considering relocating a toilet or sink in your condo’s bath renovation, for instance, but the drains and supply lines are common elements between units and cannot be touched. If they were to be moved, it may disrupt the plumbing and drainage for the entire building!

Melissa Foley's NKBA award-winning "medium kitchen" design

Condo renovations require a great deal of planning and coordination between the designer, the tradespeople, the condo corporation and the owner. A well-executed renovation involves:

• a design that not only pleases the owner, but adheres to all building permits;
• the use of experienced, licensed tradespeople;
• managing noise levels and working only during designated hours so as not to disturb the neighbours;
• finding proper parking and booking elevator time for the transport of supplies and materials;
• effectively managing the removal of waste and construction debris.

Condo redesign by Melissa Foley, Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre

With so many additional considerations involved, some contractors avoid working on condo units. Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre is not one of them. Our design team is experienced with the challenges of designing and renovating condo units and is committed to your complete satisfaction. Call us today at 905-686-2001 or drop by our showroom and meet with one of our designers.