Looking Back: Top Kitchen and Bath Trends for 2010

Starting next month, Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre designers will weigh in on their favourite new kitchen and bath design trends for 2011.

Before we move forward, let's go back to last May when the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) announced the top 10 Kitchen and Bath Design Trends based on winning entries in the 2010 NKBA Design Competition. They were:

1. Concealed Kitchens
"The incorporation of integrated and concealed appliances allows the kitchen to enhance rather than intrude into other spaces. Clean structural lines coupled with sleek color palettes enable the space to establish a distinctive identity, without overpowering the surrounding rooms."

2. Beverage Stations
This includes undercounter refrigerators and wine refrigeration, coffee/cappuccino makers, and the storage of stemware, coffee cups and silverware.

3. Scaling of Elements
 "An irregularly textured pebbled wall, marbled surface in glass tile, reflective metallic material, or symmetrically hung pendant lighting directs the eye around the room and contributes to a balanced space. Distinctive wall coverings, tin ceilings and the implied texture of a pronounced wood grain are all stand-out details that are being seen as contributors to the balanced scale of current designs." 
 
4. Color with Energy
Vibrant colours such as rich blues, purples, greens, and citric yellow were popular choices for kitchen and bath designs in 2010. "Colors exuding emotion, acting not merely as a passive backdrop for the room, but bringing life through lighting, wall colors, and wood tones, are profoundly impacting the most innovative designs." 
 
5. Soft Geometry
Rounded shapes for the edge of a counter or island top or on an arch over an entryway or cooking hearth allows for a "smooth-flowing traffic pattern throughout the room, while an appropriately placed arch will bring an overall softening to the more angular fixed features that are typical in kitchens and baths."

6. Space Subtleties 
"Floating vanities and wall-mounted toilets allow an unobstructed and spacious feel to a bathroom, while appliances that are stacked and positioned within islands are contributing to functionality in the kitchen by bringing together task space with the right appliances." 
 
7. Design Framing
"A seemingly simple detail, such as the use of a soffit along the ceiling or a width of wall space surrounding inset cabinetry, can call out the item being framed as a focal point while also providing visual balance to the room."

8. Varying Heights
"Pairing lower desk and prep areas with higher breakfast bar surfaces provides convenient task-specific spaces, which fosters a greater level of family interaction within the kitchen. In the bathroom, this design concept not only provides function, but balances the space."

9. Japanese Influences
"The impact of Japanese design can be seen very subtly in clean lines, open spaces, and neutral color palettes with bold splashes of color in select areas...Artwork, Japanese antiques, and the traditional qualities of Japanese culture are at the core of some compelling kitchen and bath designs."

10. Art Integration
Homeowners found a way to keep their kitchen and bath designs personal in 2010 by including a favourite piece of art or an antique sculpture in the overall theme of the room. "This method of integration allows the designer to fold all other aspects of the room around the treasured piece."

For the complete NKBA article, click here. 

Let Corian Help You Plan for a More Hygienic Kitchen

Video courtesy of CorianHome.

What Will Be Your Favourite Thing in Your New Kitchen?

Trying to decide which features to include in your kitchen redesign can be incredibly overwhelming. With so many elements to consider--cabinetry, countertops, flooring, appliances, sinks, faucets, lighting--it's no wonder some homeowners find it difficult to stay focused. Often, the best way to explore what's right for your kitchen is to learn from the experience of others.

www.dreamkitchenrenodiary.wordpress.com

A few years ago, one of Monarch's clients decided to write a blog chronicling her family's kitchen renovation process. Over several months, she recorded the reasons for the renovation, the before pictures, details and pictures of the tear down and wrote an ongoing description of how her family of four coped during that time of upheaval. One of our favourite posts--and one we're sure you'll find very useful--was written almost two years to this to day and, with her permission, we've reprinted it here:

These are a few of my favourite things
December 28, 2008

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things!!

We’ve been singing this song ever since we saw The Sound of Music in November. (It was wonderful, by the way.) And I can’t think of a better way to describe my kitchen than to say that it is chock FULL of my favourite things. We have hosted three dinner parties since the majority of the renovations were completed two weeks ago and I must say that people have been blown away by how incredible our kitchen has turned out. The dust and  disaster of the renovations now seems like a bad dream and in the spirit of the “12 Days of Christmas,” I’m ready to share my 12 favourite things about our new kitchen.

12. A place for everything and everything in its place – There is a ton of storage space in this kitchen and so many opportunities to store things in logical places.

11. Hidden Spice Drawers – I love the two sliding spice drawers underneath my gas cooktop. No more rifling through my cupboards; everything is at my fingertips.

10. More Countertop Space – With the addition of the island, I have a ton of countertop space. This means I can now store my mixer, espresso machine and toaster on the countertop and it doesn’t interfere with my food prep area — the island.

9. Lowered Workspace – Speaking of the island, not only is it HUGE but we had the counterop made lower than usual to accommodate our height deficiencies (translation: we’re short!). Friends, family and even Nick (in the early stages) questioned our decision to do this, but this is definitely one of our favourite features of the entire kitchen.

8. Lowered Cooktop – We also had our cooktop lowered and this makes preparing food so much easier. Instead of grabbing a stool for the final stages of my wok cooking (stop laughing, it’s not easy being short), I can actually stir big pots full of pasta or soup with ease.

7. Gas Stove – Oh, how I love my gas stove! Of course, the fact that I spent the past eight years cooking on a 30-year old almond-coloured stove may contribute to this love…but only slightly. Instant heat is a beautiful thing.

6. Breakfast Bar – This is a family favourite to be sure and a great place for guests to congregate while we mix drinks or prepare dinner. Love, love, LOVE it!

5. Lights – We have gone from three lights (in total) in our kitchen and dining room to over 20 pot lights, four pendant lights, under-cabinet lighting and a chandelier-type light fixture over our table. Needless to say, we see things a little differently now :)

4. Two Sinks – While Nick may have briefly questioned the lowered countertop on the island, I questioned whether I REALLY needed a prep sink on the island. Thank goodness I decided to keep it; I love having a sink specifically for washing fruits and vegetables…right by my food prep area. And the main sink is huge. I can stack a pile of dishes in there and it doesn’t even look full! Having two sinks is an indulgence, but hey…go big or go home!

3. Back Splash - I wanted tumbled marble, but Nick had something else in mind. We took the advice of a good friend and went to Tile Zone in Ajax and found long, narrow porcelain tiles that our pal Christian installed with black grout. The result? An urban feel that makes the cabinetry pop. I love it and I love my husband for having such great taste.

2. Roll out drawers in the pantry cupboards – I had a walk-in pantry in my old kitchen, so space wasn’t really an issue…except for the fact that I could never find anything! I love being able to pull out a drawer and see exactly what I have. It’s really quite basic…but very important.

1. Room to Move, Cook, Party and Enjoy – I had to laugh at one of the electricians that came into our home. He had been there many times since the renovation began, so he had a good feel for the space. But once the cabinets and countertops were installed, he commented that “this isn’t a kitchen, it’s a banquet hall!” Yes, our kitchen is big. One might even say huge. And this is what I love about it most. We had 12 people for dinner on the Sunday before Christmas and as everyone stood around the island and sink and stove, I realized that there was still room to move! Lots and lots of it! One of the things that I hated most about my old kitchen was that, despite its size, it didn’t make sense. The layout didn’t allow for more than two of three people in the prep area at once. I’m starting to realize that our ‘dream’ kitchen isn’t just a room for us to enjoy, but instead, it’s a place we can share with our family and friends for years to come.

To view the entire blog, visit www.dreamkitchenrenodiary.wordpress.com.

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.

Get Back Into the Kitchen with The Fridge Whisperer

So you've got a beautifully designed kitchen...now what?

According to local chef and cookbook author Deb Rankine, it's time to listen to the "whisper, whisper" of your new stainless steel refrigerator and start enjoying more dinners at home.

In addition to being a seasoned national food writer, caterer and personal chef, Durham Region cooking teacher Deb Rankine is also author to two cookbooks aimed at getting families back to the dinner table every night of the week.

Her first cookbook, The Fridge Whisperer: 50 Fast & Fabulous Family Faves, was inspired by her Loblaw Cooking School students, many of whom--as Deb was horrified to discover--really didn't know how to boil water.
"The Fridge Whisperer: 50 Fast & Fabulous Family Faves is chock full of nutritious, budget-friendly and easy-to-follow recipes designed to get people back into their kitchen and families back to their dinner table every night of the week," says Deb. "To make the entire process as painless as possible, I've included a list of pantry must-haves and cooking hints...ideal for students going off to university, newlyweds and parents on-the-go."

Deb's second cookbook, The Fridge Whisperer: Condiment Confidential, celebrates the return to a homemade weeknight supper with recipes the whole family will love. Using nine easy-to-find condiments--curry paste, mango chutney, basil pesto, chicken cubes, roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomato & oregano dressing, pure maple syrup, jerk seasoning paste and olive tapenade--Condiment Confidential contains over 75 recipe ideas that are as easy to prepare as they are delicious.

To learn more about the cookbooks, watch Chef Deb's cooking videos or follow "Deb's Daily Dish," visit www.TheFridgeWhisperer.com.

Five Reasons to Choose a Quartz Countertop for Your Kitchen

Although granite has been the countertop material of choice for many kitchen and bath designers over the years, the undeniable benefits of quartz are making it an increasingly popular choice for homeowners.

Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre is proud to carry quartz countertops from Cambria. Cambria is pure natural quartz, one of the hardest and most common minerals on Earth.
With the natural look and feel of granite, homeowners love Cambria because it's...

Beautiful
Cambria countertops are available in a wide variety of designer colors and offer the natural beauty and variation of quarry-cut stone. Cambria's new line of colours can be found here.

Strong
Because Cambria is pure natural quartz with a small amount of pigment and an epoxy resin, it's stronger than granite and is nonporous.

Easy to Maintain
Unlike granite, a Cambria countertop does not require sealing or polishing and is resistant to stains. Simply wash it with warm water and mild soap.

Food Safe
Cambria countertops are nonporous and have been deemed as being as safe as stainless steel (by NSF International) in commercial food preparation kitchens.

Stain Resistant
Cambria countertops resist stains from such common household items as coffee, tea, and wine.

A Kitchen Design that Keeps Your Pets in Mind (Part Two)

Pepsi's Kitchen BEFORE

While it's important to keep pets safe during your kitchen renovation, you may also want to keep them in mind during the design process. After all, as the heart of the home, your kitchen should be a warm, inviting place for ALL members of your family. This includes your pets.

Pepsi's Kitchen AFTER

Take Pepsi, for example. He's a five-year-old Havanese who lives in Thornhill. Over the past two years, Pepsi has lived through two complete Monarch bathroom makeovers and a main floor redesign...including the installation of a Monarch custom kitchen.

As an important member of the family, Pepsi's needs were taken into consideration and designers Melissa Foley and Neil Samson incorporated a built-in dog bed into the kitchen cabinetry design.

Pepsi's kitchen: A stunning design that meets the needs of the ENTIRE family.

Remembering Your Pets During Renovation (Part One)

Ask any homeowner who has undergone a major renovation and they are sure to tell you how stressful and even traumatic the renovation process can be. No matter how organized or prepared you are, ultimately, you're forced to go about your daily life in a state of upheaval and plan around the presence of workmen in your home.

The mess, the noise, the dust...while we're able to understand that it's all just a temporary price we have to pay to achieve the end result, our our pets aren't able to do the same.

What they see is a home disrupted, and not surprisingly, this can result in a negative change in their behaviour. After all, their house is being invaded by "strangers" who are making a lot of noise and mess as they take it apart. Their owners may even be so distracted they're not giving them the love they deserve!

Monarch president Neil Samson has witnessed first-hand how stressed pets can become during the renovation process. "A few years ago, I was at a client's home doing the final measurements before tear down began," explains Neil. "Because the clients were doing the tear down themselves,I was demonstrating the most effective way to remove the drywall. As I lifted the hammer to the wall, their dog...sensing danger and I imagine, feeling a need to protect his owners...came up behind me and nipped at my leg. While the owners where horrified at their dog's behaviour, his reaction was completely understandable."

What can you do to ease the stress your home renovation will have on your pets? If possible, find them a temporary home during the bulk of the renovation. If this isn't an option, set them up in a quiet room or area not accessible to the many workmen who will be visiting your home. If you do need to change where your pet sleeps and eats while renovating, plan ahead and have your pet adjust to the change a few weeks before renovation begins. This way, they won't have to deal with all the changes at once.

Bathroom Remodeling: Before You Begin

If you're ready to renovate one or more of your bathrooms, it's important to do your homework before any work begins.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) reminds homeowners to avoid surprises:

"Before you start renovating, you’ll want to think about your bathroom, your needs and your budget. Look carefully for signs of deterioration and the possible causes. This will save you money and also help you to be better informed if you’re dealing with contractors. Reflecting on your project will also help you to decide whether you need the services of a professional. Being unsure of what needs to be done, recognizing that the job is very complicated, or that you don’t have the time or energy to do the work, are good reasons to hire a professional renovator."

Photo courtesy of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

While each person's reason for renovating is slightly different, CMHC notes that the majority of reasons fall into the following categories:

1. Size and design
2. Fixtures
3. Structural
4. Moisture
5. Plumbing & Electrical
6. Heating & Ventilation

For CMHC's entire checklist of items to consider before remodelling your bathroom, click here.

For design inspiration, view Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre's bathroom gallery here.

Have Clear Goals for Your Kitchen Renovation

Before you begin renovation on what is probably the most-used room in your house, it's important to envision what you want to accomplish with your kitchen redesign. You'll also need to understand what problems you may be dealing with from the onset so you can budget accordingly.

The clearer your expectations are from the beginning, the happier you'll be throughout the renovation process and, ultimately, with the finished product. At Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre, we encourage you to spend time dreaming BIG and exploring your options.

For a helpful tips on how to plan for and proceed with a successful kitchen renovation, visit the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) website.

Monarch Steps Up Clothing Drive to Help Herizon House

With Southern Ontario's unseasonably warm weather coming to a close, Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre is looking to the community to help clothe the abused women and children who turn to Herizon House for help.

Located in Ajax, Ontario, and serving the Durham/Clarington Regions, Herizon House is a shelter for abused women and their families that provides a place of safety, support and empowerment.

Herizon House Needs Your Help

Women and children fleeing abusive situations often arrive at the shelter with only the clothes on their back. For many, having the courage to leave is just the first step in a long road to independence and healing.

Support the women and children of Herizon House with donations of brand new practical items that will help keep them warm this winter and help get their life back on track.

Some suggestions:

Brand New Practical Items for women, children and teens (girls and boys under 18 years of age) such as:

• Pajamas
• Slippers
• Socks, underwear, bras, etc.
• Hygiene/personal products
• Bed linens, towels, pillows
• Curling irons
• Hot rollers
• Makeup
• Household items
• Teens/kids – electronics, CD players, CD's, games, DVD's, etc.

All donations can be dropped off at the Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre showroom, 1020 Brock Road South, Unit #6, Pickering. For more information, call 905-686-2001.

When Only a Happy Client Will Do

www.homestars.com

While an 8 out of 10 rating on Homestars.com might be enough for some kitchen and bath design companies, a recent review by "Jenni in T.O." left president Neil Samson wondering where Monarch had gone wrong. After reading her 8/10 review, Neil and designer Melissa Foley contacted Jenni immediately and resolved the outstanding issue to her complete satisfaction. Jenni re-posted her review and gave Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre a 10/10 rating.

Bathroom bliss 

Posted by Jenni in T.O. on November 8, 2010

"Monarch did my bathroom renovation and there were a few outstanding issues which initially led me to give a lower rating. However, Neil and Melissa were amazing at following up to ensure that I was completely satisfied and I now am!! Thank you for superior customer service and believing in your product! I will definitely recommend Monarch to others and use them again myself!"

Another 10/10 rating posted last week:

Wow factor!
Posted by Jeff in Pickering on November 15, 2010
"We shopped around a few local kitchen places before we chose Monarch. Melissa was excellent in making us feel special and that we were making the right decision. She presented us with an excellent design that covered all of our 'must haves'. She was thorough, listened to our ideas and suggestions and both her and Neil were always accessible to answer any questions or concerns that we had. Of course as with any renovation, there are glitches, but the ones we had were very minor and handled in a professional and timely manner. We are extremely happy with the end results and have blown away our family and friends with the transformation. See the photos for yourself! We would definitely recommend Monarch Kitchen to anybody." 

 

For a complete list of Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre reviews on Homestars, click here.

 

Save Water and the Environment with GROHE

Gone are the days when homeowners only focused on design and functionality when choosing the products and appliances for their newly designed kitchen or bathroom. Today, they are just as likely to keep the environment in mind, as well.

But is it possible to be good to the environment and save money...all while maintaining high standards for style and efficiency? GROHE thinks you can:

"In a world where water resources are under increasing pressure, GROHE works every day to provide solutions to this serious challenge. All GROHE products combine stylish design, ease-of-use and superior performance with responsible water consumption. Some concepts, however, are exceptionally economical by nature and allow users to save water without giving it another thought."

GROHE has expanded their EcoJoy™ line of established products--thermostats, dual-flush sanitary systems and electronic faucets--to reflect their ongoing commitment to the environment. The smart, sophisticated designs of GROHE's selected single-lever mixers and showers restrict flow rates and allow you to reduce water consumption without sacrificing on performance or design. This means less water needs to be heated to obtain your perfect shower or washbasin temperature. The bottom line? The money you save on water generates energy savings and results in a substantial cost savings for both resources.

GROHE EcoJoy™ hand shower

Choose a Water-Saving Shower Head
Using quality materials, first-class design and advanced engineering, GROHE EcoJoy™ hand showers save water with either an integrated flow limiter, or an "eco" button or spray dimmer which let you to choose when to reduce the water flow.

Save with a GROHE Digital Shower
Designed to save you time and money, GROHE Ondus faucets and showers can be pre-programmed so you can enjoy your preferred combination of water flow rate and shower temperature with a push of a button. The shower control's "pause" button allows you to stop the water mid-shower (e.g. to shampoo your hair) and then re-start it at exactly the same temperature and flow...saving you time and water.

Invest in a GROHE Shower Thermostat
Shower thermostats help you save water by maintaining the desired water temperature for the duration of your shower. This means less time re-adjusting the temperature if the water supply changes. In addition, many of GROHE's models include an "eco" button on the thermostat body to reduce the flow rate by 50 percent.

Visit GROHE online here.

To learn more about incorporating GROHE's energy-efficient products into your kitchen or bath redesign project, contact Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre at 905-686-2001.

Monarch Designer Enters NKBA Kitchen Design Competition

Monarch designer Melissa Foley is hoping a recent kitchen design has what it takes to catch the attention of judges at the National Kitchen & Bath Association's (NKBA) annual design competition. 

Monarch is proud to be a member of the NKBA, an organization that promotes professionalism and ethical business practices and sets industry standards for conduct and construction around the world. With over 40,000 members, winners of NKBA's annual design competition represent the top kitchen and bath designers in North America.

"I decided to enter this kitchen project into the NKBA design competition because it is one of the biggest transformations of a space I have designed so far in my career," explains Melissa. "The client's typical U-shaped kitchen and closed-off dining room has been transformed into an open concept space where they feel comfortable entertaining their guests."

Creating a warm, welcoming and functional environment to entertain friends and family was a priority for Melissa's clients. The wall between their kitchen and dining room was removed, opening up the main floor so it now illuminates with natural light, creating a bright and cheerful feel.

To keep costs down, the structural post was left in and the island became the focal point of this new area. The newly acquired space allowed room for the pantries, refrigerator, microwave and a decorative open-shelf unit, and all tall units were put along one wall, opening up the rest of the room for much needed counter and workspace.

With the back wall now the cooking area, a convenient prep sink under the window and ample workspace on each side of the range, Melissa's happy clients can now easily work side-by-side. A small desk area at the very end of the range wall keeps papers within reach but out of the way. The old dining room—now part of the open-concept kitchen—with double beverage fridges, a wall-mounted TV and wine racks became the ultimate entertainment space and serves as the main eating area, as well.

"The traditional look of the cabinetry, the modern look of the hood fan, tile, faucets and stools, the elegance of the lighting fixtures and the vintage feel of the recycled wood table has transformed this into a unique, inviting dream entertainment space," says Melissa.

Click here to view NKBA's 2010 winning designs.

Help Monarch Support Herizon House

Please join us as we support Herizon House, a shelter for abused women and their families that provides a place of safety, support and empowerment.

Located in Ajax, Ontario, and serving the Durham/Clarington Regions (including Ajax, Bowmanville, Brooklin, Courtice, Oshawa, Newcastle, Pickering and Whitby), Herizon House is committed to ending the cycle of abuse and violence in the community.

How can you help? Drop off new or gently used household items at the Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre showroom and Monarch staff will ensure your donation is transported to Herizon House.

Brand new household and clothing items--and even gift certificates--are given directly to families in need. For a complete list of suggestions, please click here. Gently used items are sold at their New Starts Store, with the proceeds benefiting the women and children served by Herizon House.

For information on dropping off items at the Monarch showroom, contact Amanda Willson-Suppa at 905-686-2001.

To learn more about supporting Herizon House directly, call 905-426-1064, or visit them online.

No Scary Stories at Monarch

Amanda Willson-Suppa from Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre helped staff get into the Halloween spirit last week with an artfully designed pumpkin cake. And while Monarch's kitchen and bath designers were happy to celebrate this spooky holiday with a homemade treat, their clients know they don't have to worry about any design or renovation horror stories.

If finding the perfect design firm to meet your needs has become a nightmare, drop by our Pickering showroom today, or call 905-686-2001 to arrange for a no-obligation consultation. Your kitchen or bath renovation doesn't have to be a horror story. Click here to find out what Monarch's clients are saying.

Monarch welcomes kitchen designer Sarah Overholt

Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre is pleased to welcome Sarah Overholt to their kitchen and bath design team.

Sarah's passion lies in helping clients create their dream home with creative designs that are as beautiful as they are practical.

"I am delighted to be joining the Monarch design team on a full-time basis," says Sarah, an honours graduate of Georgian College's design program.

"My previous duties as production assistant and part-time designer with Monarch have helped me understand how much time and care goes into each project from the initial design consultation until project completion."

Sarah is excited to expand her client base with Monarch and looks forward to creating more spaces that are truly unique for each homeowner.

"I'm incredibly grateful to owners Neil and Sharon Samson for their faith in my abilities," says Sarah. "Their dedication to client satisfaction has been truly inspiring."

Call Sarah today at 905-686-2001 and discover how Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre can inspire your kitchen and bath design.

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.

Hope Flows at Monarch

Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre is pleased to join GROHE in their support of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, where a minimum of 85 cents of every dollar goes toward funding the most advanced and promising breast cancer research across the globe.

Through their 's HopeFlows breast cancer research initiative, GROHE encourages consumers to "tap into a great feeling" and support this worthy cause.

Buy a Ladylux3 Café or Ladylux3 Plus faucet and $25 from your purchase sponsors 30 minutes of hope in the form of vital breast cancer research. GROHE's goal is to raise enough money -- approximately $250,000 US -- to fund a breast cancer research project for one year. To learn more, call Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre today at 905-686-2001 or visit www.grohe.ca.

Monarch Kitchen helps EcoBusiness celebrate its 100th member

As the first business to join the Durham Sustain Ability (DSA) EcoBusiness program in 2007, Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre was on hand recently as DSA welcomed its 100th member--Search Engine People Inc. from Ajax, Ontario.

DSA is a non-profit organization that helps communities, schools, businesses, and individuals throughout Durham Region become more sustainable. By following their cost-free program, local businesses are learning to become greener by supporting initiatives in such areas as transportation and equipment, energy, water, pollution and waste reduction and conservation.

EcoBusiness members are encouraged to carpool to work, install low-flow toilets or automatic water faucets in bathrooms and invest in low-energy appliances or solar-panel roofing.

"There are also many things that businesses can do that involve no cost," explains Neil Samson, president of Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre.

For example, employees can take waste-free lunches to work and turn off lights when they're not needed. If companies don't have a green bin or recycling, they can take their recyclables or organic waste home and dispose of them there.

What are you waiting for? Become an EcoBusiness today! To learn more about becoming a member, click here.