The Unmistakable Beauty of Walnut Kitchen Cabinetry

Photo by Miralis

Not for the faint of heart, walnut cabinetry offers a variation in colours that change over time. While a great deal of homeowners opt for cabinetry with a simpler wood pattern, many find walnut's unique wood grain the ideal way to add style to their space.

Walnut

• strong, stable wood that can take intricate carving
• smooth, fine and general straight wood grain
• colours range from deep chocolate to light reddish-gray brown
• warm, rich colours that accept finishes well
• mellows and lightens in colour with age

Photo by Miralis - More Scandinavian home design photos

If you're ready to make your kitchen design dreams a reality, call Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre at 905-686-2001, or drop by our kitchen and bath showroom and chat with a member of our design team.

Related posts:

Keeping it Casual in the Kitchen: The Rustic Beauty of Oak Cabinetry

The Affordable Elegance of High-Density Fibreboard (HDF) for Your New Kitchen Design

Choosing Cherry for Your Kitchen Cabinetry

Which Wood Type is Right for Your New Kitchen Cabinetry?

Keeping it Casual in the Kitchen: The Rustic Beauty of Oak Cabinetry

Deciding on the material for your kitchen cabinetry is one of many important decisions you'll make during your kitchen renovation. To aid in your decision-making, we've spent the past few months examining the specific characteristics of a variety of wood species. This week, we'll review the unique features of oak.

Photo by Miralis - Contemporary Oak Kitchen Design

Oak

• a very hard, heavy wood with a coarse grain
• durable, and best suited to traditional, casual or rustic looks.
• found in both red and white varieties
• has a very strong, open-grain pattern and tawny finish, ranging from red to dark cinnamon
• may include random wormholes, mineral deposits, knots and wild-grain patterns

Photo by Miralis - Contemporary Oak Kitchen Cabinetry

Rift Oak

• cut at an angle to the rings of the tree so that its grain shows off flames, flakes and rays
• has a distinctly artistic look that can be applied to any style and look dramatically modern

Related posts:

The Affordable Elegance of High-Density Fibreboard (HDF) for Your New Kitchen Design

Choosing Cherry for Your Kitchen Cabinetry

Which Wood Type is Right for Your New Kitchen Cabinetry?

The Affordable Elegance of High-Density Fibreboard (HDF) for Your New Kitchen Design

This week, we're examining the advantages of choosing cabinetry made of high-density fibreboard (HDF). Unlike the natural wood species we've discussed in recent weeks, HDF is an engineered wood product made from broken-down wood residuals, wax and resin. More dense than particleboard and plywood, HDF is a strong choice for homeowners wanting durable, long-wearing cabinetry without the price tag of solid wood.

HDF panels and cabinet doors are made from an HDF base and finished with an opaque colour or glaze. Since HDF must be painted, the choices of opaque colours and glazes are the same as for hardwood. Fortunately for homeowners, HDF is more affordable. However, unlike wood which has knots and rings, HDF lacks the natural look of wood, with no underlying grain. While this may be considered a disadvantage to some, HDF is often the perfect choice for more contemporary kitchen designs.

High-Density Fibreboard (HDF):

• flat, smooth surface makes it easy to clean
• wide choice of finishes and door styles
• resists humidity
• doesn't fade easily
• can easily be painted or varnished

If you're ready to make your kitchen design dreams a reality, call Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre at 905-686-2001, or drop by our kitchen and bath showroom and chat with a member of our design team. 

Choosing Cherry for Your Kitchen Cabinetry

A few weeks ago, we began our blog series on the different wood types available to choose from when redesigning your kitchen or bathroom. This week, we examine the distinctive characteristics of cherry.

Often associated with use in more traditional settings, cherry can be paired with modern finishes for a more contemporary look and feel. “There’s a richness and depth that you can only get with cherry," says Monarch designer Jackie Schagen. "The variation in colour and grain gives a very elemental look that can only come from a truly natural material.”

Cherry:

• brings a sense of warmth to any space
• smooth, fine-grained appearance with uniform texture and random markings
• character comes from mineral streaking, fine pinholes and pitch pockets
• ranges from tan blonde to deep brown and darkens naturally as it ages
• hard enough to withstand everyday life

Are you ready to make your kitchen and bath renovation dreams a reality? Call Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre at 905-686-2001, or drop by our kitchen and bath showroom and chat with a member of our design team. 

Photo courtesy of Cuisines Laurier.

Monarch Designers Visit Cuisines Laurier in Quebec City

Last fall, Monarch Kitchen and Bath designers went to Quebec City to learn first hand what makes Cuisines Laurier one of the finest custom cabinetry manufacturers in North America.

"As the person in charge of ordering, It was great to finally put faces to the names I've been dealing with every day over the phone," says designer Melissa Foley. "And after seeing the way their facility is run, I have no doubt that the secret to their exceptional cabinetry is the craftspeople."

"I really enjoyed seeing the entire fabricating process from start to finish," adds Melissa."I had a pretty clear understanding of what was involved, but seeing it for myself made it easier to understand why their cabinets take the time they do...there is an incredible amount of detail work involved and their entire team takes such great care with each and every project."

What was the most interesting part of the trip? "I learned that there are sections in the cabinetry finishing process that only women work on because they are more detail-oriented."

Let a Monarch designer show you why Cuisines Laurier's diversified selection of door styles, wood species, colors and specialty finishes has made them a favourite among designers across North America. To learn more about their products call Monarch today at 905-686-2001, visit Cuisines Laurier online or view their video below.

High-end Kitchen Design for Less

Are you worried about getting the look you want while keeping your kitchen design budget in check?

Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre is pleased to carry the Laurier Lite collection, a line of stunning cabinet designs from Cuisines Laurier. Assembling their most popular cabinet colours and styles, Cuisines Laurier has created a cabinetry collection that puts a spectacular, high-end kitchen design within your reach.

Known as one of the finest custom cabinetry manufacturer in North America, Cuisines Laurier offers an amazingly diversified selection of door styles, wood species, colors and specialty finishes. To learn more, click here or watch Cuisines Laurier's video below.

Visit Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre today and discover why designers from all over North America choose Cuisines Laurier for its extended flexibility and its capacity to deliver the most detailed projects.