Flavours of the Season

Another year is drawing to a close. It is hard to believe, but in just a few days Halloween will have passed and Christmas will be before us.

With the new season comes a whole selection of fresh seasonal trends and colours. Materials, colours, paints, are all going through their regular transformations as trends and tastes change. Here at Coordinated Kitchen and Bath we are projecting more purples in the trends for 2015. Expect to see more magenta, rose, mauve in paint colours and tiles as the year comes to a close.

Happily winter will not last forever, so with the arrival of the new year, expect to see mossy greens and taupes enter the mix. This means a play of these colours in fabrics, carpets, and paints. For those seeking a safer colour palette, greys and whites will once again hold their own; however, they can be beautifully complimented with touches of rose and mossy greens to add sparks of colour.

The only certainty in life is that it will never be constant. Coordinated Kitchen and Bath and Colours by Paula are pleased to help our customers on the North Shore and in Vancouver navigate the complex array of colours, cabinets, fixtures, and materials that are key to creating the perfect kitchen, bath, and home renovation time after time.

Countertop Companies

Here at Coordinated Kitchen & Bath in North Vancouver we have access to, and use numerous counter-top brands to achieve the ideal look in your space. Each brand offers its own unique products in a wide variety of colours and finishes. The different brands we use are:

Artisan Stone Collection: Granite and marble countertop's available in a variety of unique colours.

Atlas Stone Products: Provide customers with a wide-selection of kitchen and bathroom countertop options.

Cambria: Family owned business that produces natural quartz surfaces.

Caesarstone: Craft a wide-range of durable and beautiful quartz surfaces in a plethora of colours and finishes.

DuPont: Corian is a solid surface material engineered to be both visually stunning and long-lasting.

EOS Solid Surface: Bridge the gap between seamless solid surfaces and high-end laminate. Offer unique surfaces that blend recycled glass.

LG Hausys: Offer high performance quartz and acrylic surfaces.

Margranite: Produce high quality granite slabs and tiles.

Quartzform: Design and produce quartz surfaces ideal for countertop's and interior design.

Silestone: One of the world’s leading producers of quartz surfaces, designed for high-quality kitchens and bathrooms.

Vetrazzo: Convert recycled glass into exquisite countertop's.

Vicostone: Transform natural beauty into well crafted quartz surfaces.

Zodiac: High quality quartz surfaces manufactured and designed by DuPont.

Green Renovation Guide

Here at Coordinated Kitchen & Bath we have put together a quick guide to help "green" your home renovation.

When doing a renovation there are numerous ways you can help to “green” your home. From fixtures to insulation, there are many products that can efficiently reduce your environmental impact. When “greening” your space there are three important things you should take into consideration.

• Increasing energy and water efficiency in your space 
• Ensuring that there is clean and circulating air indoors
• Choosing resources that environmentally friendly

Here are some ideas to bring these ideas into practice.

1. Re-do a space using existing materials, whether this means using the structure of a well-built older home or simply re-facing old cabinets, this can help ensure you get the look and functionality that you want without creating excess waste. 
2. Use materials that are manufactured and sourced locally.
3. Use an efficient water heater. This will help you save on you energy bills while reducing your environmental footprint.
4. Bring in more natural light into the space, again this will help reduce your energy bills while improving the ventilation and look of the space. 

Choosing a professional renovator will help insure that the integration of old and new technologies work efficiently in your space.

Vancouver: Kitchen Renovation

Cabinet Installation managed by Mike Williams of Coordinated Kitchen & Bath. Kitchen Cabinets where installed in a Vancouver home. Cabinets where crafted by Columbia Cabinets.

North Vancouver Kitchen Renovation

This beautiful renovation was done in North Vancouver by Allan Wray of Coordinated Kitchen & Bath. The kitchen cabinets where made by Hertco Kitchens. The natural quartz counter-top colour is Capri Limestone and was produced by Silestone. 

North Vancouver Kitchen Renovation

Kitchen renovation in North Vancouver done by Mike Williams of Coordinated Kitchen and Bath. Beautiful french white kitchen cabinets on maple wood produced by Columbia Cabinets. Dynamic natural quartz counter-top created by Cambria. Counter-top colour is Windermere.

Kitchen Cabinets: Materials

Whether you are remodeling or renovating your entire kitchen, the cabinets will play a primary role in the overall mood, look, and feel of your kitchen. There are many different species of wood to choose from for your kitchen cabinets. At Coordinated Kitchen & Bath our design team believes choosing the right wood, finish, and cabinet style for your kitchen is imperative to creating the space and feel you desire. Below is a rough outline of different woods species popular for kitchen cabinets in Vancouver. Different woods, finishes and styles are available through partners Columbia Cabinets and Hertco Kitchens.

Birch: A dark and strong wood. Birch is known for absorbing stains, this allows it to ‘mimic’ other woods, passing itself off as a more expensive wood. Birch is prone to irregular colouring; this makes it a relatively inexpensive choice for kitchen cabinets.

Cherry: A hard wood that can withstand bumps and knocks. Cherry is a versatile wood that can be used for both traditional and contemporary looks. The reddish wood tends to darken over time thereby changing the tone and feel of your kitchen.

Hickory: Hickory is a pale wood that can be stained. However, its natural complexion is often best highlighted through the use of clear or natural finishes. Hickory is typically used to create a rustic or traditional feel in your kitchen.

Maples: Another commonly used wood, Maple is found in a wide variety of species. Maple is a fine-grain and lightly coloured wood. Maple is often finished with a clear or natural glaze, this helps give the kitchen a ‘lighter’ feel.

Oak: One of the most commonly used woods for kitchen cabinets; Oak tends to be the most economical choice. There are numerous species of Oak, the two most popular being Red Oak and White Oak. Red Oak is strong and durable. It comes in a wide variety of finishes, the two dominant being natural and honey. Red Oak is most often used for traditional kitchen cabinet styles. White Oak tends to be stronger and more durable that Red Oak. White Oak tends to have more subtle grains and a more golden hue.

Pine: A popular choice for creating a rustic feel in your kitchen. There are three different types of Pine - ponderosa, yellow, white. Pine is a pale wood that can be easily stained. It is also one of the softest woods available for use and thereby can dent easily.

Kitchen and Bathroom Countertops

A properly selected countertop can define the feel of your kitchen or bathroom and increase the functionality of the space. This post will provide a quick overview of different countertop materials and styles available at Coordinated Kitchen & Bath to assist you with your kitchen renovation and bathroom renovation.

Laminate: The least expensive countertop material. Laminate is made in a wide variety of colours and can easily be cut into different shapes and sizes. Laminate countertops can look like more expensive materials and are generally easier to install. However, it should be noted that laminate countertops are easy to damage and show scratches and dents.

Granite: Natural stone that is sealed before being installed in your kitchen and bathroom. Granite is a durable stone that is resistant to heat and shock. Granite countertops are available in numerous colours, however, because they are made from natural stone, patterns and colours may vary from section to section. In conjunction, being natural stone, granite is porous and can show stains and acidic wear if not properly maintained. Granite counter-tops need to be resealed once a year in order to help prevent staining.

Soapstone: Natural stone that is sealed. Like granite, soapstone is a durable material that will not stain. Soapstone countertops can scratches easily, though damage by scratches can be reduced by sanding.

Quartz: Engineered stone countertop that is made up of 93% quartz crystals and 7% resin. Quartz countertops are designed to resemble the look of natural stone, however, different colours are added to give quartz a unified and polished look. Quartz is one of the most popular countertops in West Vancouver and North Vancouver.

Corian: A solid surface countertop manufactured by DuPont. The primary substances used in Corian countertops are acrylic polymers and various stone derived materials. Corian countertops are available in a wide-range of colours and patterns. Corian is easy to clean and is stain resistant, as the material is non porous. However, while stain-resistant, Corian scratches quite easily and can be damaged by placing hot pans and vessels on the counter-top.

News

We are working away at some new displays in our showroom. These include fresh selections of kitchen and bathroom fixtures from our online partner, www.finestfixtures.com, as well as a selection of kitchen and bathroom cabinets.

We expect that in the next couple of weeks our two new kitchen displays will be complete, so keep an eye out on our showroom! Our window displays by www.coloursbypaula.com also change regularly. Displays include samples of latest trends in materials, interior designs, and colours trends.

Keep in mind that our website www.coordinatedkitchens.com has also undergone a major design, and includes a list with links to our primary suppliers.

New Blog

Coordinated Kitchen and Bath, Vancouver’s leading kitchen, bathroom, and home renovation compnyn on the North Shore, has launched its new website. From now on you can learn more about us by also visiting our website at www.coordinatedkitchens.com, and by connecting to our facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Coordinated-Kitchen-and-Bath/161236567236529.

We will continue to blog here blogger.com; however, gradually more of our blogging focus will shift to the wordpress community and our in-house blog at http://www.coordinatedkitchens.com/testimonials/, where you can visit and learn about the history of our company, and our long-standing presence in North and West Vancouver.

With all of these changes, our objective remains the same: to manage you kitchen, bathroom, or home renovation project from start to finish; just as we have done since 1974!

Changes in Store

Coordinated Kitchen and Bath would like to wish all of its staff, customers, and suppliers a wonderful 2012. Our offices are now open again for 2012, and there lots of changes in store.

We are in the process of changing several displays, which more kitchens and bathrooms for you to look at. Other changes include a brand new sales office, with a light airy design feel and more meeting space. This is part of progessive plan to bring more technology into our business - technology that will help customers better visualize kitchen, bathroom, and home renovations.

Our windown display, a creation of Paula at Colours By Paula is also undergoing a facelift for the start of the year. This will soom be joined by a brand new website, complete with dozens of project pictures, blogs, and points of interest for staff, customers, and suppliers.

Yes, lots in store at Coordinated Kitchen and Bath for 2012!

Allan Wray - New Designer at Coordinated Kitchen and Bath

Coordinated Kitchen and Bath would like to welcome our newest member to the team. Allan Wray will be replacing Morgan Weldrick, who moved to White Rock after two years with us.

Allan has NKBA certifications from the National Kitchen and Bath design and project management program offered through VCC. The NKBA is the international standard for kitchen and bathroom design. Allan also has project management and construction experience in home renovations.

From design to completion, Allan's meticulous attention to detail will transform your space into the perfect marriage of aesthetics and function. His high level of involvement during your renovation ensures the process is smooth and uncomplicated. As an active member of the National Kitchen & Bath Association, Allan continually enhances his education and keeps abreast of innovative products.

Sales/Project Manager - Kitchen and Bathroom Design Studio

Coordinated Kitchen and Bath is looking for a new Sales/Project Manager - Kitchen and Bathroom Design. This position is ideal for an individual with experience in kitchen and bathroom design.

Essential skills:
1. Handling and closing sales with confidence;
2. Excellent people and organizational skills, as well as an ability to function in a team;
3. Computer skills, including knowledge of 20/20 kitchen and bathroom design;
4. Comfortable using a mobile phone or portable device.

Desirable skills include:
1. Experience in home renovations;
2. Understanding of the residential building industry in British Columbia;
3. Experience with Columbia and Hertco product lines.

Education:
Post-secondary education required;

Benefits:
1. Collaboration with an experienced design team;
2. Medical plan;
3. Use of a high-end showroom, business networks, and products to support your sales;
4. Salary + Commission.

Contact: Reply to this posting with your cover letter and CV. Qualified candidates will be contacted to schedule an interview.

Full Home Renovation

A series of pictures of a complete home renovation by Coordinated Kitchen and Bath. The renovation was manged from start to finish by Coordinated Kitchen and Bath, colour and materials selection was from Colours by Paula, and bathroom and kitchen fixtures from Finestfixtures.

This stunning home was entirely renovated.

Thank you Mike and Coordinated Kitchens!

To whom it may concern!

We are please to have the opportunity to tell you about our kitchen renovation project with Coordinated Kitchens, We contracted Mike Williams of Coordinated Kitchens, North Vancouver BC, to consult on our renovation project in spring 2011. Mike did an outstanding job in the initial consultation and it was because of his excellent advise and professionalism that we decided to contract Coordinated Kitchen for our project. Mike helped us translating our design ideas into the best possible options for our new kitchen and provided us with a detailed and very accurate time and cost estimate in full alignment with our budget. The project plan was very detailed and made it easy for us to understand what is involved and what to expect throughout the end to end renovation project. We decided to contract the required construction work ourselves, however, Mike still provided us with excellent references and also assisted us is scheduling all contractors. The project progressed exactly how it was planned, everything started and was completed on time. We experienced an absolutely smooth process and it was a delight to see that in this day and age professionalism and customer service still exist, everything was completed on time and within budget.

All in all we can only say great things about Mike and his crew, he definitely made the difference in the initial selection process, and our first impression of him was confirmed throughout the completion of the project. Despite the fact that kitchen renovations are intrusive and impose certain inconveniences on any household, Mike set the right expectations and made it easy for us to plan it and to live through it!! We appreciated the flexibility of Coordinated Kitchens where our wishes and time lines were concerned and we highly recommend them and especially Mike Williams to anyone who is planning a kitchen or bathroom renovation!

The kitchen looks fantastic and we are happy to be able to look back and remember a flawless renovation project experience! Thank you Mike!

With warm regards

New Video

Coordinated Kitchen and Bath has just released a new video of some of its past and present projects, featuring kitchen renovations, bathroom remodels, and materials selection. These projects are from North Vancouver, West Vancouver, and Vancouver.

New Grand Kitchen Renovation in Vancouver

Here are a series of before and after pictures from a kitchen renovation that Coordinated Kitchen and Bath did with a leading designer in Vancouver.

Letter and slide show

Dear Mike
When we signed the agreement for Coordinated to do our kitchen reno we had already been told that the company performs its work on time and on budget, so when that happened, although we were happy it came as no surprise. But other things did come as surprises, very pleasant ones --
All the workers arrived promptly, worked competently, and took care to minimize the dust and disarray in our apartment. They arrived knowing what they were to do and were all very polite and pleasant.
The materials installed, from floor tiles to wall plugs, from cabinets and drawers to the innovative ceiling lighting were of excellent quality and were installed with great care.
Paula, who was more helpful that anyone we had worked with before, seemed to have a wonderful feel for what would look best in our kitchen. Her recommendations turned out always to be the right ones.
As you can tell from this we are very pleased with the way our reno went, and much of the credit belongs to you. We were enormously impressed with your ability and willingness to take such an active role in making sure the job was done right. You constantly consulted with us and not only kept the workers well informed, you also made sure we always knew who was coming, when they’d arrive and what they were to do. If it was someone we hadn't met before you even arrived with them to introduce them. You made sure every question of ours was answered and when any problem arose you immediately came up with an acceptable solution.
I could go on with details but perhaps it’s enough to say that we’re very grateful to you for keeping the chaos in our lives to the barest minimum, for finishing the job down to the last detail and for giving us a new kitchen that has gotten compliments from all our friends and neighbours.
Sincerely,
Peter and Debra

Excellent Experience with Coordinated Kitchens and Bath

I had an excellent experience with Coordinated Kitchens and Bath. They helped transform my 1970’s, everything original down to the foil wallpaper bathroom, into the perfect space that really represents me and my husband’s tastes. It fits completely into the style of the rest of the house thanks to the time the colour designer and the lead coordinator spent helping us pick the perfect cupboards, counter, tiles, accessories and even paint colour. All the workmen were pleasant and professional and if I ever found a small problem (never encountered one of any significance) they were there the next day righting it. I highly recommend their services.

Lynne

Small Reno - client feedback

Hi Mike,

You definitely have my support. The small reno you accomplished for us was wonderful - and painless.

Your team and your constant diligence in being involved left no questions in the renovation.

I am confident in recommending you and your team.

Once again, we are pleased with the results.

Since we are looking in further renovations, you will be the first we call.

Personal Regards.

Bernice