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Along with cabinets, counters in any kitchen must be both functional and attractive. As counters take up a large surface area, choosing the correct material and hue will be crucial to pulling your space together.

In the past, counters were fairly basic and were made using either butcher block, stainless steel, melamine, concrete or tiles. In more recent years natural stone counters have come to dominate the counter market. Today you can select from amongst granite, quartzite, quartz, marble, limestone and soapstone counters along with the more traditional options.

So, what’s the difference between the natural stone options? While they are all strong and resilient, certain stones are better suited to counters than others. We’ll look at the top options over here.

Quartz

The best choice in counters for those who want the least maintenance is quartz. Engineered using quartz fragments/dust and resin, this extremely hard and durable material is highly resistant to scratches, chips and stains and can be easily cleaned with regular cleaners. It also doesn’t require any sealing to be done. The only drawback is that high heat can occasionally melt the resin in the material and leave a mark – so, using a trivet or hot plate is a must. Quartz comes in a variety of colours and designs, which means that it is very easy to choose the exact colour/pattern that you want for your space – and since they are engineered, they don’t have imperfections like natural stone does. Quartz is similar to granite in cost and can be quite expensive.

Granite

Polished granite continues to be the most popular choice in counters. Not only is granite very strong and resilient, it has a luxurious quality and every slab is unique. Similar to quartz, granite is heat resistant but should not be exposed to high temperatures for extended periods of time as that can remove the sealant from your counter. Granite also needs to be sealed every year since it is a porous rock and can stain if not properly cared for. Along with quartz it is among the more expensive countertop options.

Soapstone

Soapstone was historically used in farmhouses and centuries-old homes, however, it is seeing a resurgence as it is a durable, easily maintained surface for kitchens. Soapstone comes in only one dark grey colour with light veining and tends to darken over time. It also forms an antique-looking patina that will lend itself well to kitchens with an old look/feel. Soapstone is highly durable, fairly heat resistant is resistant to scratches and chips, although these can occur. If/when they do, they can be buffed away to keep the counter looking its best – or if they are allowed to remain, will add to the antique feel of the counter. They do need to be sealed every year with mineral oil.

Marble

Although marble will always be included in the list of most desirable countertop materials, it is the softest, which means that much greater care is needed to keep it looking its best. It chips and scratches fairly easily and due to its highly porous nature it stains far more quickly than other stones – even after sealing. However, marble is still a very luxurious stone and one of the most attractive as well. Of course, it has one of the higher price tags of all the countertop options, but if you are willing to put in the work of keeping it looking its best, then it can be one of the highlights of your home.

While the other stone options are also very desirable in kitchen settings, they tend to be less used than the ones above, but can definitely create a huge impact when chosen well.

The faucet you choose for your Toronto kitchen remodel will make all the difference in the world when it comes to washing up. Along with the sink you choose, the faucet will play an integral role in setting the tone for the style of your kitchen. And, with so many styles to choose from and features to consider, finding the right fit for your needs and budget can take longer than you anticipate.

Gone are the days where your kitchen faucet was a standard tap with two temperature control knobs on either side. Today’s range of faucets include everything from your old fashioned versions to touchless, sensor-controlled taps that require merely a wave of your hand to activate. The faucet you choose will need to fit into your renovation budget and the design tone established for your kitchen.

Gaining in popularity are touchless faucets. There are two versions of touchless taps – those that are powered with triple A batteries and those that are hardwired to the home’s electricity. Both options work just as well, with the battery powered faucets simply requiring battery changes every so often. Depending on the brand installed, regular faucet use will require the batteries to be changed every year. While the hardwired versions won’t require battery changes, they will require an electrician to install.

Although slightly more expensive than their counterparts, touchless faucets have several advantages.

Fighting germs

In our pandemic-driven world, germs are a very real concern. Faucets are a high-concentration area for germs since you must touch the faucet before washing your hands. Having a touchless faucet in such instances is highly convenient and makes it easier to keep germs at bay.

Convenience

When cooking your hands will get dirty – and turning on the tap while your hands have been touching raw meats or kneading dough will mean having to disinfect your fixtures afterwards. However, with a touchless faucet you can wash your hands without worry of having to clean/disinfect your taps.

Conservation

Another advantage of a touchless faucet is water conservation. The water won’t keep running, the sensor will automatically shut off so there is no water wastage. If you pay for water consumption, you will readily see a savings after the installation of a touchless faucet.

There are some cons to consider if you are thinking of a touchless faucet. They are more expensive than a regular faucet. They do need an electrical source and, if it is hard-wired to your home’s electricity, in a power failure you won’t have water. Lastly, you can unintentionally activate it when moving dishes around. Overall, a touchless faucet is considered an upgrade and will add value to your home.

You have chosen your cabinets, your colours, your counters and your sink – you’ve even chosen the lighting for your new Toronto kitchen, but, what about the hardware fixtures for your cabinetry? Although seemingly functional and nothing more, the right fixtures can add tremendous functionality and visual interest to your culinary setting.

IWhen going about choosing the right hardware for your Toronto kitchen, it is best to keep certain two key elements in mind – your theme and your finishes.

Your theme will guide you in deciding on the size, shape and finish of your hardware. For instance, if you have rounded handles on your appliances and curves in your light fixtures, then you might want to keep that theme going with your cabinetry hardware. On the other hand if everything in your home is rectangular then those same curved handles would look odd.

TThe finish of your hardware is also very important. Although it is possible to have your kitchen stand alone, most designers prefer to keep the same finish used in the rest of the home. Brushed nickel is a perennial favorite while copper and bronze add a striking accent to country-style kitchens. Lately, designers have been using brushed gold fixtures as striking accents in more contemporary kitchens.

A good rule of thumb is to match fixtures to the colour of the kitchen cabinets as well as the sink. For instance, if you have a copper sink, then you should probably stay away from chrome fixtures. Making sure that all of your colours meld together is a good way to create a harmonious environment for cooking and entertaining.

Consideration should also be given to whether you install knobs or pulls. If you tend to catch yourself on fixtures, then you are better off using pulls. If you do choose pulls make sure that the family member with the largest hands in the family is able to easily insert their hand into the pull to use it. Pulls should be convenient to use.

On the more premium-end of the scale are copper sinks. These beauties last a very long time and retain their good-looks for generations – however, they are sensitive to acids, heat and harsh cleaning agents and are also susceptible to dings and scratches, which often end-up adding to their cachet. However, be prepared to pay for their elegance and to spend more time maintaining them.

Lastly, be sure to purchase good quality hardware. While it might be tempting to stock up on the cheapest handles you find, those handles might not last as long in such a high-use area. It is better to buy something that has a guarantee and will retain its look and finish long-term.

In any Toronto house, the kitchen is the heart of the home. It is where family and friends automatically gather. Since the kitchen sees so much use – it is only natural to want good finishes and amenities included in it. One of those crucial elements is the sink. A solid, serviceable sink is essential for so many reasons – it must handle temperature extremes, pots and pans, kitchen implements and everything you want to wash in it.

In the past sinks were rather basic and utilitarian – either stainless steel or enameled cast iron. But today, there are a number of very interesting options including granite composite, copper and stone. Your ultimate choice will depend on design, your cabinets and also on how you work. Do you require a double sink, an extra deep bowl, a triple bowl, a drain board? Before rushing out to buy the first sink you see, you should carefully weigh your options and choose based on your lifestyle and needs.

Overmount vs undermount

The first thing to think about is whether you want an undermount or overmount sink. Overmount sinks are easier to install as you simply drop them into the precut hole in your countertop. The lip of the sink forms a seal that prevents water from leaking underneath it. Undermount sinks have become trendy because they expose more of the counter creating a better visual. They can be trickier to install as the edges need to be sealed from underneath to prevent water damage.

Materials

Yes, you can stick with stainless steel, but unless it is a high gauge of steel, these sinks tend to get scratched up easily and will look worn quite quickly. However, they are a tried and true option that have served very well for generations.

Enamel cast-iron sinks are another stable option, however, unless properly cared for, the enamel can wear off, which can leave the coating dull and discoloured.

Granite composite sinks are newer but get very good reviews since they are tough, they don’t scratch easily and they don’t stain. They can also be found in a number of colour variations to suit your design needs.

On the more premium-end of the scale are copper sinks. These beauties last a very long time and retain their good-looks for generations – however, they are sensitive to acids, heat and harsh cleaning agents and are also susceptible to dings and scratches, which often end-up adding to their cachet. However, be prepared to pay for their elegance and to spend more time maintaining them.

Bowls and drainboards

Choosing the correct number of bowls is very important. If you wash a lot of large pans or pots, then one bowl might be more convenient than two because you will be able to fit them in completely. On the other hand, if you wash a lot of dishes, then you might want two sinks so that you can wash in one and rince in the other. The depth of the bowls is also important. They usually range between seven and twelve inches. Although very convenient, the deeper the sink the harder it can be to wash in the corners – unless they are rounded.

Finally do you need a drainboard or not? Drainboards are not as popular in Toronto as they are in Europe but they are convenient no matter where. If you wash your dishes and dry them on a drainboard on the side of your sink, then having an integrated board might be the right option for you. Having them built in means easier clean-up and fewer chances of water spilling over.

With the number of sink options on the market today, it is easier to choose the model that will most suit your needs and design preference.

Summer has hit Toronto. The heat is palpable and perfect for barbecues, swimming and heading to the beach – that’s under normal conditions. Due to the pandemic most people are staying put and sticking close to their home. Keeping cool on hot days doesn’t necessarily have to include air conditioning. For those who don’t have an air conditioner at home, here are some handy ways of staying cool even at the peak of a heat wave.

Close your blinds! Yes, having beautiful sunlight streaming in through your windows can cheer up any room, however that sunlight is increasing the heat in your Toronto home by 30%. One of the simplest ways of keeping the heat down is by closing your blinds – even better, invest in black out blinds. Blackout blinds can actually lower temperatures inside your house by upto 20 degrees.

Open your windows at night. Temperatures naturally drop at night when the sun goes down, making it the best time to get the heat out of your house and let in that fresh night air. It is best to open windows on opposite ends of your home to encourage a crosswind to blow to really get the air circulating. Then just before the heat of the day starts to increase, close your windows and lower your blinds or close your curtains.

Another good way to keep the temperature in your house down is to keep rooms that are rarely used closed. By closing the doors to rooms that aren’t used on a daily basis, the heat from that room doesn’t spread to other areas of the home and conversely, any coolness in the house doesn’t need to be shared with that extra room.

Use your fans wisely! Did you know that ceiling fans have two settings? In the summer, they should be set to turn counterclockwise to create a cooling wind. If you only have pedestal or table-top fans, try setting up a bucket of ice in front of the fan – as the wind blows and the ice melts, it will send a refreshingly cool breeze into the air.

Another good hack to staying cool in the dog days of summer is to cook outside on your grill. Using your grill is fun, easy and will keep the heat outside. If you don’t have a grill, then avoid using your oven. Use the stove top sparingly and avoid the oven altogether. The heat from an oven can dramatically increase the temperature in your home, so keep the cakes on hold until the temperature dips.

Staying cool during a heat wave can be done – by following just a few of these tips, you can control how hot your home gets.