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October 27, 2016

Maintain the Beauty of Your TORLYS Smart Floor with Bulldog


What's the best way to keep your TORLYS smart floor looking like new? 

Replace damaged planks quickly and easily with the Bulldog Easy Plank Replacer. No glue or nails required. No sanding or refinishing necessary.

Originally developed for installing Uniclic floors without the added chore of removing the existing baseboards, this handy tool has transformed into a homeowner's best friend.

TORLYS Bulldog Easy Plank Replacer allows users to replace individual Uniclic planks in the centre of a room without any cutting.

Florence Premier Cork from TORLYS
"This tool is a fantastic invention," says Monarch designer Jackie Schagen. "With more and more smart floors being installed, it's great to have a solution to replace damaged boards. Gone are the days when you had to rip out or disassemble half your room to reach a central plank. I think this solution is so useful, it might be a reason to consider smart floors instead of conventional hardwood flooring."

To learn more about TORLYS or other flooring options for your new kitchen or bath design, contact Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre at 905-686-2001.

Photos courtesy of torlys.com

October 20, 2016

Introducing the Self-Cleaning Toilet from American Standard

For over 50 years, homeowners have enjoyed the convenience of self-cleaning ovens. In 2016, we can banish one more dreaded chore from our to-do list with the ActiClean Self-Cleaning Toilet from American Standard.

Featuring a fully integrated self-cleaning system, the ActiClean Self-Cleaning Toilet offers two cleaning options: the one-minute Quick Clean or the extended 10-minute Deep Clean.

From American Standard:

ActiClean is the toilet bowl that cleans itself with a simple touch of a button. Using a simple, easily replaceable cartridge of our toilet bowl cleaning solution, and featuring two cleaning cyles for either a Quick Clean or Deep Clean, the ActiClean Toilet is always left with a freshly scented, sparkling bowl. Featuring our innovative Clean Curve Rim and EverClean surface, the ActiClean self-cleaning toilet stays cleaner, longer. This amazing toilet also includes our revolutionary VorMax flushing technology, for a powerful flush and unstoppable performance.
 
Click here to see how the ActiClean Self-Cleaning Toilet works.


October 14, 2016

Sherwin-Williams 2017 Colour of the Year is Poised Taupe -- "The New Neutral"



Sherwin-Williams has chosen its 2017 Colour of the Year: Poised Taupe (SW 6039).

From Sherwin-Williams:
"Poised Taupe SW 6039 creates a cozy lifestyle and brings a sense of sanctuary into our homes. It diffuses the stresses of the world outside our doors — so much so that we feel restored and in balance when we walk across our threshold."

For most homeowners, the decision to renovate a kitchen or bathroom is a big one, and an excellent reason for relying on the expertise and guidance of a professional design firm such as Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre. 


Professional designers understand that the style and colours you select for your home play an instrumental role in ensuring you love your space for years to come.

"The trend to do home renovations that last the test of time is assuredly the reason Sherwin Williams chose Poised Taupe as their 2017 Colour of the Year," says Monarch designer Chantal Miller. "An exciting transitional balance of warmth, modern, cool and classic, Poised Taupe can be paired with almost any palette. Its gorgeous grey-brown tones paired with an intense depth of hue makes this a timeless, rich and incredibly elegant choice for your home."

Whether you prefer a woodsy, conservative, modern, or traditional look, Poised Taupe is sure to be an interior design favourite for many years to come.

Here are some of Chantal's colour pairing suggestions:






Any variation of blue, from light teal blue (like water) to bring the feeling of the outdoors inside, or a variation of navy blue for a truly classic sharp contrasted look.













Wine red would be a bold, modern, "old-is-new-again" compliment. (SW 6314)

 
 




Orange would be a fun, funky look anchored by the solid classic nature of this timeless neutral. (SW 6342)



A derivative of a rich, hearty plum would balance and enrich this gorgeous grey hue, bringing out its intensity and depth.





A soft rose colour would be well-suited in a soft and cozy space. (SW 0001, SW 6042, SW 6044)

A creamy white would be a timeless classic of light/dark contrast with an elegant twist. (SW 7008, SW 6042, SW 7004)






To learn more about incorporating Poised Taupe into your new kitchen or bath design, contact Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre at 905-686-2001.

October 7, 2016

Common-Sense Tips for Keeping Your Custom Cabinetry Beautiful

After months of planning and renovating, your dream kitchen is complete and all that's left to do is sit back, relax and enjoy ... or perhaps start entertaining!

It's no secret that the custom cabinetry you chose for your kitchen makeover ate up a good chunk of your renovation budget. Quality cabinetry is worth the investment but needs care to maintain its beauty for years to come.

Recently, Miralis released an updated maintenance guide for their custom cabinetry. Here are a few of their common-sense tips for caring for your investment.

Protect your cabinetry from extreme heat or moisture

Although quality cabinetry is designed to stand the wear-and-tear of daily life, there are some occasions when extra precaution should be taken. For example, when putting your oven on self-clean mode, it helps to open surrounding cabinet doors and drawers. To protect your cabinetry from excessive heat, bring your oven forward six inches (if possible). Excessive or constant heat coming from appliances such as an oven or dishwasher can damage the sides of the doors and cabinetry.

Appliances such as kettles, coffeemakers, toasters or toasters ovens can also cause damage to cabinetry. Once these appliances are turned on, they should be pulled forward so the heat or steam they generate won't damage the underside of the cabinetry. 

Steer away from hanging damp dish towels or wet rags on your cupboard doors. Over time, the direct moisture can cause the door's edge-banding to peel off, and may even warp or change the colour of the wood. 

Use the right tools for the job

Miralis encourages their clients to treat their wood cabinets "like a quality piece of furniture," maintaining their beauty with products made specifically for varnished woods. Found at your local hardware store, these specialized products remove the grease from your cabinetry without causing any damage. 

For melamine, laminate, polyester, acrylic or lacquer finishes that are matte, wash using soapy water (a soft soap, not dishwashing soap), rinsing with clean water to avoid a soapy residue and drying immediately to avoid streaks. Glossy finishes can be cleaned with Windex or a vinegar-water mixture and wiped dry with a cloth. Caring for glossy finishes is similar to cleaning a mirror. Abrasive products such as Javex, Comet, Ajax or Vim should be avoided.

Make minor repairs as needed

Cabinetry manufacturers understand that as careful as you may be, damage can occur and affect the overall look of your custom cabinetry. While all major repairs should be carried out by a company that specializes in cabinetry, minor repairs often require a simple touch-up that can be performed by the homeowner. Ask your cabinetry manufacturer where you can find a stain touch-up kit, touch-up markers or wax stick suitable for your cabinetry.

Cabinetry hinges take a beating over time and may need to be adjusted. In this easy-to-follow YouTube video, Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre president Neil Samson explains how simple it is to adjust your cabinet door hinges using only a screwdriver.