Toronto Kitchen Design: Choose Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre for a Renovation That's On Time and On Budget

Kitchen and Laundry Room Renovation

October 28th, 2014
Bruce and Pam from Toronto write:

We LOVE everything about our new kitchen and laundry room, and all of the other main floor renovations Monarch did for us. Everyone who visits is equally impressed with the quality, and even more amazed when we tell them that Monarch delivered the entire project on time and on budget! When finally we decided to renovate much of our main floor early this year, we considered several alternatives: Everyone from a single contractor who would bring in the trades as needed, to designer-contractor

partnerships, to turnkey companies. After meeting with Kevin in Monarch's beautiful showroom, and visiting one of their recent projects just around the corner from us, we felt confident Monarch was our best choice. Now that the project is done, we're convinced we made a great decision! From design to project completion, everyone on their team was great to work with. We especially appreciated the care their installers took to keep our home as tidy as possible during the project. It's never fun to live in a construction site, but they made it as painless as possible for us. We also found their showroom to be incredibly convenient. With Kevin's expert guidance...and patience...we were able to make all of our decisions about tile, cabinet material, colours, fixtures, etc., without having to drive all over the city! That was a major time saver for us. We are very thankful we chose Monarch and have already referred the company to several friends who are thinking about similar renovations. In fact, we'd recommend Monarch to Anyone!

To read all of Monarch's reviews on HomeStars, click here.

Monarch Welcomes Kitchen Designer Jackie Chambers

Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre is excited to welcome Jackie Chambers to their kitchen

and bath design team.

An interior design graduate from Georgian College School of Design and Visual Arts, Jackie has been working in the kitchen and bath industry since 2004. "I am excited to be working at Monarch," says Jackie. "It will be great working with such a friendly and cohesive team."

Jackie believes that form always follows function, and works closely with clients to achieve a delicate balance of practicality and aesthetics.

An active member of the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), Jackie stays close to the pulse of the industry by volunteering on various committees. After serving as executive secretary for NKBA’s Ottawa chapter for two years, Jackie has accepted the position of treasurer for NKBA’s Ontario chapter.

Are you ready to renovate? Call Jackie today at 905-686-2001 and discover how Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre can inspire your kitchen and bath design.

Ready to Renovate? Book with Monarch and Get the Kitchen You Want in Time for Fall!

After a winter spent indoors, you may be ready to say goodbye to your drab, outdated kitchen and ready to embrace a brighter, more efficient living space.

No matter how well you plan for the disruption of a major kitchen renovation, there's nothing that quite prepares you for the daily inconvenience of preparing meals and doing dishes in a temporary kitchen. As the heart of the home, your kitchen is more than a place prepare and eat meals; it's the central gathering place for most families.

Renovating your kitchen during the summer months has its advantages:

You can go on vacation.

If you have young children, it's often easier to leave for a week at the cottage or an extended road trip once they are out of school. You may not be able to avoid living at home during the entire period of upheaval, but you can reduce the amount of stress your family feels by planning to be away during some of the "messier" periods of your renovation.

Weather permitting...you can eat in your outdoor kitchen!

Polish up the patio set, turn on the portable CD player, set the table and VOILA! You've got yourself a temporary kitchen away from the dust and mess of your kitchen renovation.

You can barbecue more and eat take-out less.

Eating at restaurants and bringing take-out food home is not only expensive, it can be tiresome, as well. Fortunately, the Internet offers seemingly endless creative ways to use your barbecue to grill meat, poultry, seafood and vegetables.

You can breathe easier!

With any renovation, there will be dust. Sure, you can close off rooms, shut all the doors...but the dust will follow you everywhere―except outside. Grab a book, your laptop or a deck of cards and head outside for a breath of fresh air.

You can clean less -- nice weather means less mess!

From the time tear down begins to the moment you sit back and enjoy your new kitchen, there is an enormous amount of traffic in and out of your home. When renovating during the summer months, you reduce the amount of dirt tracked through your house. And with any major renovation, a table saw is often a contractor’s best friend. During the warmer months, the saw won’t need to be set up in your garage, porch or basement. That means less dust floating around your home.

Are you considering a kitchen renovation? Monarch has been making homeowner's kitchen renovation dreams a reality for over 30 years. Drop by our showroom or call us at 905-686-2001 to book a consultation with one of our kitchen designers. But hurry, Monarch’s summer schedule is booking up!

What's Monarch's Secret to a Stress-Free Kitchen or Bath Renovation?

At Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre, we understand that major renovations -- particularly those which involve the kitchen area -- involve a large amount of upheaval and stress.

We've found that one of the largest stress factors for homeowners during a renovation is dust management. In other words, finding a way to keep the dust generated during the tear down and rebuilding process confined to the space. 

Our team works hard to alleviate as much of your stress as possible. In the picture below, you'll notice we have completely encapsulated the renovation area: all doorways leading out of the kitchen are closed off and all cold air returns blocked.

If you look at the opening on the left, you will see a zippered door which allows the homeowners access to their living room and temporary kitchen in the dining room.

Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre uses zippered plastic "doors"
to keep renovation dust from spreading throughout your home.

Another zippered door (not pictured) closes off the space and restricts access to the upper level; this ensures dust does not enter the sleeping areas of the home.

This dust management system has proven very effective in keeping the dust particles within the work area, and minimizes the effects on the rest of the home.

“We now do this for every renovation project that we undertake," says Monarch president Neil Samson. "We care about your home and your well being." 

Are you considering a kitchen or bath renovation? Visit our new website at www.mkbi.com to learn more, or call 905-686-2001.

Ready to Renovate? You Could Win Your Granite or Quartz Countertop with Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre!

Book Your Kitchen or Bath Renovation with Monarch and You Could Win Your Granite or Quartz Countertop

Book a kitchen or bath project with Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre before August 31st, 2012, and you could win a granite or quartz countertop (up to a maximum of $5,000).

"Win Your Granite or Quartz Countertop" Rules

1. Any kitchen or bathroom renovation project contracted with Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre will be given one ballot to enter into the draw to win your granite or quartz countertop.
2. There is one prize available valued up to a maximum of $5,000.00.
3. All entries must be entered prior to August 31^st, 2012.
4. Your entry will be valid if your Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre contract and deposit have been signed and collected prior to August 31^st, 2012.
5. The draw is open from June 1^st, 2012 until August 31^st, 2012.
6. The draw will be held on September 5^th, 2012. The winner will be contacted by a representative of Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre.
7. By entering the draw, you consent to Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre, or its representatives,  the right to use the personal information you submitted on your entry form. You also give Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre the right to use your image, drawings, and project images for use in advertising.

Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre is committed to your complete satisfaction. Drop by our Pickering showroom today and let us know how we can make your renovation dreams a reality!

Looking Back: Top Kitchen and Bath Trends for 2011

Last May, The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) revealed the standout design trends gleaned from the 2011 NKBA Design Competition.

"Each year, NKBA member designers exceed expectations and raise the standard we've come to anticipate from their entries in the NKBA Design Competition,” said 2011 NKBA President David Alderman. “NKBA designers continue to find surprising ways to incorporate complex design solutions and the latest technology into incredible kitchen and bathroom designs.”

From the NKBA website, here are the top 10 trends from the 2011 NKBA Design Competition:

1. Commitment to Color
“Clients and designers alike are making strong commitments to color. Vibrant colours are showing up in back splashes, counter tops and exotic wood color that’s smooth and fresh, and also refined enough to pair with the contemporary exotic wood cabinetry."



2. Tactile Appeal through Textures
“The use of actual and implied texture offers a tactile and visual feast. Lines, colors, and patterns can act as either a point of interest in a given space or a mellow background to a more prominent component.”
 

design: Kirsti Wolfe
photo: Paula Watts Photography

3. The Attributes of Glass
"Lighted panels of Mica art glass incorporated into the design of the volcanic stainless steel hood, the window in the door, and a glass tiled backsplash shining from behind granite countertops act as pops of color and light against the warmth of wood. In this example, they also help to provide cohesion, and as glass continues to be used in so many places and spaces, the application appears almost limitless."
 

MAAX Pearl Series Eterne

4. Freestanding and Angled Tubs
“Large freestanding tubs are taking front and center in bathroom design...freestanding tubs could be considered almost the norm, creating a focal point of near sculptural quality. Rounded, rectangular, and angled tubs are specified as an artistic accent that also provides a soothing soak. Whether situated on stones, wood flooring, or a low stage of sorts, the freestanding soaking tub is an integral part of many master or main bathrooms."
 

5. Espresso and Chocolate in Cabinetry
"Silky hues of chocolate and espresso are shimmering from the doors and drawer fronts of distinct cabinetry, incorporated into striking kitchens, ranging from contemporary to traditional. Natural finishes—absent glazing, distressing, and overall pomp and circumstance—are now found in many kitchen designs, as simple chocolate browns act as the smooth and understated partner to brighter accents. Whether black coffee or milk chocolate, the cabinetry foundation in the mid to dark brown family of colors appears rooted in the residential design approach."
 

6. Walk-in Pantries
More wall space means less in the way of wall cabinets and a greater need for a larger separate pantry. Open plan kitchens generally require an alternative pantry or storage solutions.
 

design: Jodi Hook
photo: Digital Arts

7. Detailed Ceilings
“This sophisticated design has a rustic touch that relies on traditional architectural features paired with sleek contemporary finishes and materials. The rough-hewn barn beam ceiling is beautifully detailed, and although the detail was newly created, it appears as if original to a comfort-worn space. The ceiling is highlighted by cable-strung lighting, which lights the textures and natural intricacies of the rough wood, bringing intimacy to the elongated space. This design feature straddles two trends seen strongly in the competition: detailed ceilings and textures."
 

design: Lori Carroll
photo: J. Mancuso

8. Natural Elements
"This refined rustic southwestern powder room is the perfect example of the use of natural elements in design. An agate slab became the foundation for this bathroom space that’s as unique and distinct as the elusively elegant stone itself. Polished stone combined with leather-wrapped cabinetry is at the core of this opulent space. When the beauty of nature can be brought inside a home, the impact is unmatched."
 

9. A Tiered Approach to Proportion
Varying heights of island surfaces, elevated and overlapping dining countertops combined with tall, regal pantry cabinets are used to create asymmetrical proportion.
 

10. Inlaid Flooring
“Variations of inlaid flooring are being incorporated into many new kitchen and bath designs. Designers and installers are being called on to bring innovation, stretching old boundaries as materials are selected and flooring is installed.”

Say Goodbye to Water Spots with Spot Resist™ by Moen

Leave it to Moen to find a way to make cleaning your kitchen and bathroom—often the most used rooms in your home—easier!

"Spot Resist™ does just what it says—resists fingerprints and water spots. This innovative Spot Resist™ finish maintains the brilliance of your faucet or shower head to help you spend more time enjoying your home...and less time cleaning it. And, when it is time for periodic cleaning, Spot Resist™ easily wipes clean."   
— moen.ca

Spot Resist™ brushed nickel and stainless steel surfaces are available on a wide variety of kitchen and bath faucets and shower heads. For a full list of products featuring Spot Resist™, click here.

Happy Halloween! Looking for Scary Kitchen Renovation Stories? You Won't Find Any at Monarch.

www.homestars.com

A review from Laura in Uxbridge, posted March 11, 2011, on HomeStars:

Finally moved into my dream home, and had quite a bit of renovations to do to bring it up to date. I used Monarch Kitchen and Bath for my kitchen and 3 bathrooms. From the start, I felt good about my decisions. I knew exactly what I wanted and they had all the products and the skill. Their staff is fully knowledgeable and they covered all the details, so I didn't have to worry about a thing. They even come back later to give you a complimentary "tune-up". They made sure I was completely satisfied, and now I get tons of compliments on my kitchen and bathrooms and I recommend them to everyone!! Thanks Monarch!

The Waterstone Collection™ by Cambria -- now at Monarch

Drop by the Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre Pickering showroom to view The Waterstone Collection™ -- the latest collection of countertop colours and styles from Cambria.

Visit cambriacanada.com to view The Waterstone Collection™ swatches in detail.

"Influenced by the natural movement of water over stone, these trendsetting looks capture the unpredictability of flowing water. The range of neutral and vibrant tones are reminiscent of granite and marble, yet offer the benefits of Cambria, such as strength greater than granite or marble and its maintenance-free, non-porous surface."     cambriacanada.com

Each new colour is named after locations in Wales and England.

For example, Buckingham™--named after the home of the British monarchy--was chosen because the colour is rich and versatile with spots of brown, gold and gray.

Torquay™ on the other hand, has a posh, continental feel similar to the town it was named after and its pure milky colour is complemented by swirls of gray and tan.

To view the entire collection, visit Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre today.

Praise for the Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre Team

At Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre, our goal isn't to meet our clients' expectations, it's to exceed them.

Recently, we received a kind note from our clients John and Martha. We'd like to thank them both for taking the time to write.

I wanted to take a moment to thank you and your entire team for the wonderful job that you did on our kitchen renovation. It was truly a pleasure from beginning to end working with your staff. We greatly appreciate the detailed planning you went through to convert our outdated kitchen room into a beautiful modern and functional kitchen. To say we are pleased with the finished product would be an understatement. With that in mind, we would highly recommend Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre to anyone.

The Warm Weather Has Arrived: Have You Taken Your Kitchen Outdoors?

Earlier this year, we blogged about the three must-haves Canadians need to include in their outdoor living space if they want to take advantage of the cooler spring and fall weather. They are: a patio heater, an outdoor fireplace and a fully covered patio.

Now that the warm summer weather has arrived--and appears to be sticking around!--you're probably trying to find ways to spend more time cooking, eating and entertaining outside. And, why not? We only get a few months of beautiful warm weather a year. Let's enjoy it while we can!

Picture courtesy of outdoorkitchens.info

Nothing makes dining and entertaining outside easier than a fully equipped kitchen just steps from the house...and more and more homeowners are looking for the same quality of furnishings and appliances they are accustomed to having indoors. Thankfully, the days when eating outside meant a picnic table, a few lawn chairs and a charcoal grill are gone. In addition to a gas grill, today's outdoor kitchens often include a sink, refrigerator, wet bar, fireplace and even a pizza oven.

The barbecue still plays a central role in our outdoor cooking spaces, and most high-end grills come equipped with side burners, a warming shelf, a motorized rotisserie, a smoker box and ceramic briquettes to ensure even heat distribution. But be warned, whether you choose a free-standing unit or have one built-in, quality comes at a price and you can spend anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000 on the barbecue of your dreams.

Outdoor kitchens can be built onto existing patios, decks and pool areas and often tap into the house's gas, electrical and plumbing lines. As with any home design project, the key to getting what you want is in the planning. From the outset, it's important to know what you want and how much you have to spend. Falling in love and splurging on a $10,000 gas grill is fine...but only if you still have room in your budget for the other key features you may want to include, such as:

• lighting for key activity areas and on pathways

• a new deck or outdoor floor surface

• a countertop for food prep

• appliances such as a fridge and/or pizza oven

• a pergola or awning

• chairs, tables, decor items

• an updated landscape plan

Next up: Lighting your outdoor living space.

Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre...SNAP'd!

Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre's 30th anniversary celebration last month continues to make headlines in Durham Region.

A photographer from SNAP Pickering was on hand as Mayor Dave Ryan presented Monarch with an award of achievement and a representative from the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade congratulated them on their continuing success.

For more pictures of the event, visit the SNAP Pickering website.

Monarch's 30th Anniversary Celebration a Huge Success!

Sharon and Neil Samson

What a party!

On Saturday, June 11th, friends, family, past and present clients from across Durham Region and the GTA--even some local politicians--helped Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre celebrate 30 successful years in business.

A tribute from Linda Ruddy

We'd like to thank everyone who joined in the celebration. If your ballot was drawn for one of our many giveaways, Amanda Willson-Suppa will have already contacted you. Congratulations to all the winners!

Linda Ruddy from LMR Consulting with Sharon Samson and Melissa Foley.

The Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre team.

Monarch president Neil Samson is joined by Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan

Monarch Kitchen's Showroom Makeover: Countertop Installed!

Monarch's framed white kitchen display
in their Durham Region showroom

Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre's Pickering showroom makeover is almost finished. If you haven't been into our showroom lately, why not drop by and take a look?

Interstone Marble and Granite has just installed the stunning granite countertops and--after the painting is done this weekend--the white framed kitchen showroom will be complete.

And just in time--Monarch's 30th anniversary celebration is just over a week away. We hope you'll stop by on Saturday, June 11th between 9am and 5pm for some refreshments, live musical entertainment, wine tasting and lots of great product giveaways.

Granite countertop by Interstone Marble & Granite

Achieving Balance Through Rituals: The Secret to this Durham Kitchen Design Firm's Success

While perusing BainUltra's website recently, Monarch designer Marion Cuddie discovered some thought-provoking information on wellness and how best to achieve balance in our lives. One item she found particularly relevant involves rituals--their goals and effects.

From BainUltra's Guide to Your Vedana Experiences:

Rituals can be defined as organized ceremonies that involve predetermined actions, the manipulation of objects, or interior practices designed to effect certain results. During rituals, participants direct their energy toward a defined goal.

"This got me thinking about Monarch's commitment to our weekly production/design meeting," says Marion. "Although we all feed off one another in the creation of the perfect solution to the design challenges we are given--and have an open and ongoing communication with our crews and management--we really do benefit from the set and structured meeting each Wednesday."

And while BainUltra is undoubtedly referring to how the predictable, structured nature of rituals can be used to benefit one's physical and mental well-being, Marion believes Monarch's weekly meetings--their ritual--has played an integral part in Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre's success.

"Through our weekly meetings, we have an opportunity to collectively celebrate our successes and manage the challenges of our business," adds Marion. "We are able to stay on track, all of us with the common goal of creating an organization that services our clients in their homes with professionalism, sensitivity and creativity."

The White Kitchen Cabinetry Has Been Installed as Monarch's Pickering Showroom Takes Shape

Looking at pictures of beautifully designed kitchens online and in magazines is a great way to get ideas, discover the latest trends and figure out what you like--and what you don't. But when it comes to getting truly inspired, there's nothing quite like standing in a kitchen and imagining how the cabinets, countertop, sink etc. would look in your home.

At Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre, we've witnessed some of our clients' biggest "a-ha" moments while standing in one of our showroom kitchens...one of the many reasons why we take such pride in getting our model kitchens "just right." 

Monarch's latest showroom update--a framed white kitchen--is almost complete. The Cuisines Laurier cabinetry is now in place and the granite countertop from Interstone Marble and Granite will soon be installed. We invite you to stop by and view it for yourself.

This Mother's Day, Instead of a Kitchen-Makeover...try a Kitchen "Take Over"

What does your mom really want this Mother's Day? If she's like most run-off-her-feet moms, she probably wants a day to relax and not worry about what culinary delight she has to whip up for dinner.

This year, tell your mom that her kitchen is off limits and treat her to a meal made lovingly by you! These Everyday Food recipes are easy to prepare--she doesn't have to know that--and delicious!

(And remember, if you're planning on using her kitchen to prepare one of these dishes...clean up afterwards!)

The Advantages of Using a Kitchen and Bath Design Firm

Why Summer is the Best Time to Renovate Your Kitchen

No matter how well you plan for the disruption of a major kitchen renovation, there's nothing that quite prepares you for the inconvenience of preparing meals and doing dishes in a temporary kitchen. As the heart of our home, the kitchen is more than the place we eat our meals, it's the central gathering point for most families. 

Booking your kitchen renovation during the summer months has its advantages.

You Can Eat Outside
Polish up the patio set, turn on the portable CD player, set the table and VOILA! You've got yourself a temporary kitchen away from the dust and mess of your kitchen renovation.

You Can BBQ
Eating at restaurants and bringing take-out food home is not only expensive, it can be tiresome as well. With the Internet at your disposal, you can discover numerous creative ways to use your barbecue to grill meat, poultry, seafood and vegetables. 

You Can Grab a Breath of Fresh Air
With any renovation, there will be dust. You can close off rooms, shut doors...but the dust will follow you--except outside. Grab a book, your laptop or a deck of cards and head outside for a breath of fresh air. (Opening your windows to let a fresh breeze in also works better in the warmer months!)

You Can Hit the Road
Why not plan a summer road trip or vacation to coincide with your kitchen renovation? You may not be able to avoid living at home during the entire period of upheaval, but you can reduce the amount of stress your family feels by planning to be away during some of the "messier" periods of your renovation.

Monarch's "More-than-a-Kitchen-Reno" Whole-Home Makeover Continues

For most homeowners, gutting their kitchen prior to renovation can be a bit overwhelming. From a physical standpoint, there is the inconvenience of not being able to use the space for weeks at a time, not to mention the dust that inevitably comes with a tear down. And emotionally—even though you’re excited about transforming and updating your home—it's tough to watch the place you've made so many happy family memories stripped bare.  

For Cindy, whose 1,000 sq. foot Toronto home is being renovated by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre, seeing their entire home gutted was devastating.
 
"When I walked into my house after the first few days of demolition, I was devastated and terrified that we had made a mistake,” admits Cindy. “Seeing a house I love and have built a family in destroyed was hard to take...the realization that places in the house where memories were made were gone."

Monarch president Neil Samson was not surprised. "As much as we crave change and want to improve our surroundings, there's an emotional element to tearing down the walls of our home that often sneaks up on homeowners."

For Neil and his team at Monarch, this emotional turmoil only adds to the incredible sense of responsibility they feel to ensure each step of the renovation process runs smoothly. 

"In this case, we aren't just working on a kitchen or a bathroom, we're renovating an entire home," explains Neil. "We could sense John and Cindy’s stress and tension building during the rip-out and demolition—it really is the first serious test of your relationship with the homeowners.

“From experience, we know things will turn around when reconstruction commences,” adds Neil. “For now, however, we have to deal with demolition, previous building code infractions and any little ‘surprises’ that teardown reveals...anything that will compromise safety. All the while, maintaining a good working relationship with our clients.”