Search This Blog

January 30, 2014

Comfort from the Kitchen: Chef John Shows Us How to Make Classic Chicken Noodle Soup

With another big snowstorm in the forecast for this weekend, you may be looking for ways to stay warm ... and eat at home!

Here's a delicious recipe from Chef John at Foodwishes.com for Classic Chicken Noodle Soup. It's simple to make and especially comforting if you're among the many people suffering from a never-ending cold or a bout with the flu.

Bon Apetit!



January 24, 2014

Beautiful Bath Design is All in the Details

Whether you’re choosing a kitchen countertop surface or picking tile for a backsplash or shower, it can be difficult to determine how the finished product will look from the small sample you pick out in a showroom.

It’s similar to how different the paint colour you chose with such care from a small swatch can be a disappointment once it’s applied to the walls of your home. Except when it comes to tile, there are a few more factors at play.

At Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre, we understand that beautiful bath designs don’t just “happen.” They are the result of careful planning and execution.

Design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre
“Recently, my clients selected a tile for their new shower based on a sample we had in the showroom,” explains Monarch designer Janet Dawson. “As with most of the marble and granite samples we have on hand, there is a warning from the manufacturer explaining that each tile may have a slightly different shading.”

Making a major design decision based on the appearance of a small sample tile can be difficult. When you book your kitchen or bath design with Monarch, we offer you the ability to pre-order a box of tile to see if it lives up to your expectations -- before placing an order for the entire amount. It might take a little longer in your design process, but it's the best way to see what you're getting before installation.

“When the tile they ordered arrived, we noticed that the veining in the tiles was going in different directions…each tile had either vertical veining or horizontal veining,” says Janet. “Although the tiles had a somewhat different pattern, they were all variations of the same colour palate. Understandably, my clients were not happy with what may have turned out to be a haphazard design and wanted all of the tile veining to be displayed in the same direction.”

“By ordering a box of tiles before the renovation was in full swing, I was able to meet with my clients and lay out the tile so they could better envision the finished product and get exactly what they wanted,” says Janet. (Finished shower pictured above.)

Are you planning a new kitchen or bath design this year? Drop by the Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre showroom today and speak with a member of our design team. We’d love to help make your design dreams a reality.

January 16, 2014

Sherwin-Williams Colour of the Year for 2014: Exclusive Plum

Sherwin-Williams has chosen its 2014 Colour of the Year and Monarch designer Amanda Willson-Suppa couldn’t agree more. “Exclusive Plum is rich and sophisticated; it brings in a warmth while still being a cool colour. Pairing Exclusive Plumb with white gives a crisp and modern feel to any room, while pairing it with a deep gray gives us a room to relax and feel at home in. Exclusive Plumb is truly a versatile colour that can be used in a multitude of pallets.”

Image courtesy of sherwin-williams.com

From Sherwin-Williams:

Exclusive Plumb (SW 6263), a sophisticated violet, is Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year 2014. The hue, a balance of cool blue and feisty red with a splash of gray, pairs well with a variety of styles to create color schemes suitable for any room.

Exclusive Plum has an amazing quality and can be adapted for nearly any space, whether used as an accent or for an entire room. Here are some design ideas for Exclusive Plum:
  • For a cozy, masculine look, we recommend pairing this color with accents of copper and well-worn leather.
  • Exclusive Plum can also be layered with gold, gray and white for an elegant, dreamy space.
  • It’s great highlighted against white subway tile and chrome fixtures for a statement space.
  • Pops of magenta and chartreuse can liven up Exclusive Plum for a more energetic space and when paired with creamy whites or other neutrals, the mellow yet purposeful purple can turn any space into a refreshing retreat.
Sherwin-Williams suggests the following “inspiration pairings” for Exclusive Plum:

Image courtesy of sherwin-williams.com

January 8, 2014

Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre Helps Feed the Need in Durham Region

After a week of ice storms and power outages, it is our pleasure to say goodbye to 2013 and welcome in a brand new year!

We are pleased to announce that thanks to the generosity of our design team and the thoughtfulness of our clients, Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre was able to drop off a substantial amount of food to Feed the Need in Durham last month.

Feed the Need in Durham is a non-profit charitable organization that delivers food to food banks, soup kitchens, community service centres, shelters, drop-in centres and breakfast feed programs.

Our thanks to everyone who took the time to drop off food at our showroom.