Hardwood Installation Services

Many folks are surprised to find out that we also do hardwoood installation services, whether you are looking to remove your existing flooring and replace with hardwood flooring, or for new home builds or additions, Toronto Custom Concepts can handle the job from start to finish....

Many of our kitchen, basement, closet upgrade project require flooring replacement, so with TCC, you can look at us as your one stop shop!

TCC Best Wishes

Toronto Custom Concepts would like to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays!

Laundry Room Organization

First step to laundry room organization is to figure out the future placement of your washer and dryer units (side by side, stacked, recessed etc) while working within your available laundry room real estate .....and then assessing the associated plumbing needs such as faucets,sinks, drains...throw in some electrical work and dryer ventilation and you have more that a just a quick Saturday afternoon project.

Here is a job that we did some custom cabinets under the sink that also offers tonnes of new countertop space and plus hideaway storage for dirty laundry while building in the machines to flow with the organizational layout of the laundry room.

Dining Room Entryway

This Dining Room Entryway uses an amazing collection of colour and style all wrapped together into a single theme.  We came in to the client to replace the existing wood columns with new custom individual black slats on both sides of the dining room entryway.


With embedded potlights hidden behind double custom slats towers, it provides a wonderful lighting effect to the dining room entrance.


Terrific accents and accessories by the homeowner bring this room together very nicely

Built-ins For Angled Ceilings and Lofts

When considering a built-in for your angled lofted ceilings, one consider always take into consideration how to best utilized the space.  Accuracy and precision measurements are a must when building a custom built-in unit for your angled spaces.  A degree of mismeasurement can result in a non-fitting bookcase or wallunit that will disappoint the customer and their guests.

Take a look at this built-in we designed and had installed this week.

You can appreciate the importance of exact measurements when building a unit like this....but when it is done right, the end result is simply fantastic! 

Check out more of our work at Toronto Custom Concepts Built-ins - Enjoy!

New Cabinet Styles and Colours

Our new 2013 cabinet styles and colours have arrived, so in addition to our existing selection of various cabinet doors and drawers that we have been offering, we are pleased to introduce over another 20+ style and colour combinations to suit anyone's taste.  Here are a couple of examples of the new styles and colours that we are adding to our line-up...

 

Colours such as Tuxedo, White Chocolate, Aria, Milk Chocolate, Zambukka to name a few...With new shaker, slabs and traditional styles added to the mix....There is something new that everyone will love!

Social and Toronto Custom Concepts

At Toronto Custom Concepts we are launching our social media feeds (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Flickr etc...).  Here are some of the links:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Toronto-Custom-Concepts-Inc/357541211004312
http://www.twitter.com/TorontoCC 
http://www.linkedin.com/company/toronto-custom-concepts
http://www.youtube.com/user/TorontoCustomConcept
http://www.flickr.com/photos/torontocustomconcepts/

So if you like what we make, dont forget to Like, Follow, Link, Watch or Connect with Us :)

Front Door Finishing

When upgrading your front door, finishing it properly is vital to the wow factor when people approach the front of your house.   Here is one we recently completed in Mississauga last week where we stained the front door and applied a clearcoat to give it a great finish.

So when it come to finishing, staining, and painting services, Toronto Custom Concepts has you covered.

Blum Hinges

When upgrading your kitchen or built-in cabinets doors, you may want to consider Blum hinges for your next project.   There product selection contains a wide variety of angled options that offer you great flexibility around how your cabinet doors look and perform. 

Consider the following Blum hinge options:
-15 degree negative angle
-30 degree negative angle
-45 degree negative angle
-15, 20, 30, 45, 95
-110 degree Clip-tops
-Soft Close
-Blind Corner
-Straight arm, Full Cranked arm, Half Cranked arm
-BluMotion just to name a few...

Insist on Blum hinges for your next project, we always do! :)

TCC on Houzz

We wanted to share our Toronto Custom Concepts profile on Houzz...Just in case you havent see enough TCC projects already ;)

Toronto Custom Concepts Featured on Houzz

Houzz- Kitchen Remodel, Bathroom Remodel and More »

Browse Home Office Products on Houzz- For Example:

Bulletin Board · Cable Management · Desk Accessories · Desks · Filing Cabinets And Carts · Task Chairs ·

October is NKBA Kitchen & Bath Month

 

In the spirit of October being NKBA Kitchen and Bath month, we figure we would point you to a useful information source for tips to consider for your next kitchen or bath remodel project.

 

This list provides do's and don'ts if you are planning on undertaking one of these projects in the future.

 

Here is the link:

http://www.nkba.org/Learn/Homeowners/Tips/Remodeling/ManageKitchenOrBathRemodel.aspx 

 

Enjoy!

Closet Hamper Tilt Out

For closet organization, one of the best ideas to try and incorporate into your custom design is a closet hamper.   These units seemlessly blend into your closets, due to the matching cabinet doors that front the hamper.  These closet hampers come in a tilt out or pull out variations.

Here is picture of a hamper system we did recently.

As you can see this neatly hides away any laundry.  One thing to consider is the amount of laundry and how frequently you get your clothes washed....Good thing that these hampers come in a variety of different size ;)

IIDEX Conference

What is IIDEX you ask???

It is Canada's National Design & Architecture Conference...and it is taking place this week in Toronto. It is running from Thursday Sept 20 to Friday Sept 21 from 9:00am - 6:00pm daily.

It is being hosted at the CNE's Direct Energy Center.

Here is the link to their registration page...

http://www.iidexcanada.com/2012/attendee/registration/

This is their seminars page

http://www.iidexcanada.com/2012/conference/seminars/

Enjoy the show...

 

Small Bathroom Vanities

When looking to upgrade your bathroom vanity for a smaller, tighter space, there are a few tips you may want to keep in mind to make a small bathroom seem bigger than it is....

-install white/lighter coloured vanity countertops
-consider purchasing a non-standard sink shape to better fit in tighter spaces (rectangles, long ovals, squares etc...)
-use lighter cabinet drawer shades
-leverage under the countertop space to hide supplies etc...

Here is a picture of one we completed recently...it is only 18" deep, but a more than wide enough sink for the space...Take Care...

Shoe Storage Systems

Shoe Storage Systems are the latest craze for the world of organized closets.
They are GREAT for managing your everyday shoes from your dressy shoes.  You can incorporate longer ones for storaging your boots or smaller ones for the kids shoes instead.

Here are a couple of recent shoe fences that we completed over the past couple of weeks.

Enjoy!

2012 Toronto Fall Home Show

Folks....It is just around the corner, the Fall Home Show in Toronto.

 

Taking place September 20-23, 2012 at the Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place

Here is a link to the website

http://www.fallhomeshow.com/FHS/EventsHome.aspx

See you there!

Closet Wire Basket Accessory

For those of you looking for easy access to your belongings within your builtin closet, consider the following useful closet accessory....the sliding wire basket!

Here is recent install from last week that we did that incorporated five of them.
They are functional and have a stylist finish to them to accent any closet.
 
Enjoy!

Toronto Custom Concepts and NKBA.org

For those of you not familiar with NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association)
The NKBA.org has been around for over 50 years and has over 50,000 members.

 

The mission of the NKBA is to enhance member success and excellence, promote professionalism and ethical business practices, and provide leadership and direction for the kitchen and bath industry worldwide.  They are a leading force in green design within the industry.   They also offer education and courses within Kitchen and Bath design.

Toronto Custom Concepts is proud to be listed within NKBA.org directory.

Toronto Bookcases

When considering a bookcase, there are always a few things you should consider before engaging a contractor to custom build your bookcase.  Lets start off with the following:

1) Booksize - determine the size of your largest book and the average of your existing books collection.  Believe it or not but we have seen some customers with a fully installed custom bookcase and yet some books are sitting on the floor beside the bookcase, as the books are unable to fit or they are awkwardly positioned sitting sideways on a shelf

2) Book Weight - it doesnt appear to seem like a big thing, but the weight of dozens of thick books jammed together, it can have a warping effect on thinner shelves that have wide distances between vertical gables

3) Book Accessibility - for those folks who want higher shelving, make sure you do a high reach test.  If you can't reach the top shelf easily, maybe consider incorporating a sliding rail ladder into your design.  They often come in 3, 5, and 7 step combinations and have a wide range of price points.  They are not only functional, but they also add an element of class to your custom bookcase.

Take care

Kitchen Faucet Trends for 2012

One of the hottest kitchen faucet trends is the gooseneck faucet.   The gooseneck faucet easily extends to your necessary length in seconds and retracts smoothly due to its solid construction.

We recommend the Richilieu line of gooseneck faucets to our clients due to their reliability and solid state brass construction.  The spray option also offers a controlled spray environment without unnecessary random spraying messes to clean-up afterwards. 

Click here for more information on Richilieu Faucets

Top 10 Bathroom Upgrade Ideas

We get asked about the top bathroom renovation ideas, so here is our latest top 10 list of the most popular bathroom upgrades for your renovation project:

10 Custom Mirrors & Framing
9 Decorative Columns
8 Seamless Showers
7 Jacuzzi Tubs
6 Rain Shower Heads
5 Upgraded Toilets
4 Upgraded Marble Floors and Tiles
3 Upgraded Cabinets
2 Faucets
1 Marble Countertops

Let us know your thoughts about our Top 10 lists.
Dennis

Closet Pant Racks

One of the most common feature recently that many of our clients are asking for is closet pant racks.

Some of the reasons folks like these are:
-easy organization of pants
-quick access to 12 or more pants at a time
-colour options including chrome, copper, bronze to name a few
-space savers compared to traditional pant organization systems

Here is a picture of one we completed this week...

These closet pant racks pull out for easy access and putaway and they also are available with soft close hinches as well.  Enjoy!

Wood vs. Steel Studs Debate

Wood vs. Steel Studs has been almost a religous debate among contractors and homeowners alike for years now.  Instead of taking one side or another, we believe both wood and steel studs are appropriate in the certain situations.

Consider the following:
-Steel studs are lighter than their wood counterparts
-Steel studs are much cleaner than wood studs considering the sawdust factor alone
-Steel studs are cheaper than the wood studs option
-Opinions vary on ease of use between the two...We have built with both depending on the situation...Wood is easier to cut with your mitre saw, but using tin snips on steel studs is also pretty straight forward once you get used to it (albeit the potential to cut your skin on steel studs is more likely when using snips for the first time)
-Also, look ahead to what you plan to hang on the walls after the studs and drywall are up.  For example, if you are planning on buying and hanging an 80" flat screen TV, go wood studs as many of the TV bracketing systems do not support TV hook-ups into steel stud walls.

Send us a message if you have any additional questions about the pros and cons of both steel and wood studs.

Take care!

Cabinet Wood Types

When considering what type of wood to select for your cabinets, here is a list of common wood types that you should think about:

Pine - a softer wood that it usually considered for a more rustic/cottage look and feel due to the knots within the wood.  Prone to dent easier than other woods due to its soft density. Typically on the lower cost than other woods as well.

Oak - a much harder and denser wood with open grains running through out it.  Typically much more durable and seen in a variety of different colours and shades.

Maple - another hardwood with less grain variation than Oak. 

Hickory - also another option to be considered when looking for a more rustic appearance.

Mahogony - provides more of a richer deep wood appearance, typically highlighted in accents of brownish/redish colour tones. 

Poplar - a common, more plentiful wood commonly used in cabinets.  A more cost effective wood used for many wood construction projects.

Top 10 Accents

Our clients are always ask us to spice up their custom built-in designs with some decorative accents.  So here is our top 10 list:

10-Columns
9-Capitals
8-Pilasters
7-Medallions
6-Corbels
5-Mouldings
4-Chair rails
3-Ornamentals
2-Upgraded Baseboards
1-Crown Moulding

Enjoy!

Wall Unit Designs

When designing a wall unit, there are different considerations that one must take into account before ordering one.

Let's start with dimensions...when measuring out your future wall unit, one must not only take into account the physical size of the wall unit cabinets, but also the additional real estate consumed by any decorative accents that sit on top and around the actual wall unit, such as crown moulding, as it can add a few additional inches to all sides of the structure.   Don't forget to also consider the size of additional furniture moulding, wood trim, decorative accents as well that you plan to add to your dimension drawings.

Next, remember to account for utilities and accessibility.  For example, if you would like a wall unit with potlights/accent lighting, you then need to ensure that you budget for the incremental costs of having your contractor/electrican prepare the area for your electric needs beforehand.  You also need to consider your power outlet needs and accessibility to these locations as well.

Now, depending on your TV, stereo and electronics needs, you will also need to consider how to implement hidden cabling for your TV, electronics, cable box, satellite box, speakers, Bluray/DVD players.

Permenant shelving vs adjustable shelving is also somethere to consider as your needs may change over time, and the flexibility of adjustable shelves allows you to modify as necessary so that you can ensure you enjoy your custom wall unit for a very long time!

Richelieu Handles, Hinges, and Knobs

When looking for beautiful handles, hinges and knobs, Richelieu has got you covered.   Whether it be Richelieu's extensive collection of decorative hardware that showcase a classic, contemporary or eclectic style preference, they have something perfect for everyone's taste. 

Their collection incorporates functionality, aesthetics and ergonomics into all of their designs.

With Richelieu's attention to environmental responsibility, you will be pleased to know they have introduced products which they classify into their 'green' product line (LEED(R) certified).

For over 40 years, they have served their customer base with the highest quality and most innovative hardware designs across North America.

Check out www.richelieu.com for more great product ideas. 

Top 10 Closet Accessories

With so many great closet accessories that are available on the market, we wanted to put together our top 10 list of  'must-have' closet accessories.  Hope you enjoy it!

1. Valet Rods
2. Belt Rods
3. Jewellery Trays / Watch Trays
4. Rolling Pant Racks
5. Shoe Fences
6. Crown/Base Moulding
7. Hampers
8. Ironing Boards
9. Hideaway Mirrors
10. Wardrobe Lifts

Kitchen and Bath Industry Show - April 24-26, 2012

Once again the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) will be taking place April 24-26, 2012 in Chicago at the McCormick Place (2301 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60616).  Showtime hours are from 9:00am – 5:00pm
Being the Kitchen & Bath industry’s main event, it is a fantastic show highlighting new trends and product releases in the kitchens and baths segments.  It is a great opportunity to participate in conference sessions hosted by industry leaders, meet new vendors, and network with industry experts.  The opening keynote is by Candice Olson, star of HGTV’s Divine Design and Candice Tells All.  

The Kitchen and Bath Industry Show consists of  more than 500 supplier and manufacturers at the conference, 75 seminars topics highlighting the latest products for kitchen and bath.

Click here to go to the KBIS website for more information....

Toronto Closet Design Ideas

With the recent population growth in Toronto over the past decade, many people are looking for closet design ideas that maximize space and usability.

So....what should one consider when designing their closet? 

Lets start by looking at how you currently organize your space.  Consider the following:  Are you currently utilizing all the available space in your closet to its full potential? If not, how come?  Most people have enough closet 'real estate' but many do not have the ideal layout for their storage needs, so space is often underutilized or wasted needlessly.

So where to begin?   Lets start by looking at your current clothing needs and take stock of your current clothing inventory....So count the percentage of clothing categories that you use and how you manage them presently...For example, do you wear suits, do you wear sweaters, do you keep a shoe collection in your closet, how do you put-away your ties... etc....etc...

Once you collected your 'closet inventory' and respective percentages, next figure out the ratio of hanging items vs put-away items via shelves and drawers.  Once you figure out those metrics, it will make your closet design project much easier.

If you are in the greater Toronto area, feel free to give us a call to help you by producing a no-obligation 3-D optimized conceptual design for the layout of your closet, so you too can utilize your closet space to its fullest potential!...Good luck!

Closet Islands - Functional and Stylish

Considering a closet island as your centerpiece to your closet upgrade project?  I don't blame you, custom closet islands are one of the hottest requested items that we are hearing from our closet business.

Folks love to be able to layout what they are going to wear on a granite closet island.  Similar to a kitchen island whereby you layout hor dourves and appetizers for a party, you would similarily layout an evening dress or suit, shirt, and tie combo on it for a formal evening dinner.

Islands can also incorporate a seating area to allow space for trying shoes to match up with a selected outfit.  Islands can also incorporate hideaway zones for lockboxes, mini-safes and important document hide-away regions.

The possibilities are endless......

Toronto National Home Show Kicks Off....

Living in Toronto, many of us look forward to the National Home Show.  Once again it is time as it is kicking off its 2012 show tomorrow...

It runs from March 16-25, 2012 at the Direct Energy Centre at the CNE.  With over 800+ retailers/exhibiters/industry experts it will be another massive event.  Whether you are researching for a new home build, renovating your current place, or just checking out the latest trends for the coming year, I am sure that there is some interesting there for everyone.

Highlights this year include Bryan Baeumler, host of HGTVs Leave it to Bryan, House of Bryan, and Disaster DIY, I am sure his presentation is one not to miss!

Here is the Home Show website

Enjoy the show!

Custom Basements - Things To Considers Before Starting a Renovation

When deciding how to design your custom basement, many folks forget to take into account many considerations before having work started on their basements.  Ask yourself, "What should I consider when designing a basement..."

First, determine what is the basement going to be used for...perhaps:
-Secondary family room
-Playroom for the kids
-Additional bedrooms
-Kitchenette
-TV theatre room
-Entertaining wetbar / games room
-Custom bathroom / spa
Or a combination of any/all of these....the possibilities are ENDLESS :)

Now, once you figure your list of what you need/want, next is getting into the layout.  This process is very important to ensure you get the most out of your basement renovation project.  You need to walk around with a tape measure to get accurate dimensions of your potential rooms.  In an unfinished basement, use masking tape on the floor to envision walls, furniture, objects, and walkways (ie:  remember putting in a 4x8 pool table also requires a few feet of clearance around the entire table).  Typically, sketch out your layout with furniture on graph paper to get a better accurate idea of spacing.

Next, once you figure out the layout, you should list/sketch out all of your accessories (lamps, mini-fridge, tv, stereos, computers etc...).  This will help you map out and determine your electrical, heating/venting and lighting needs.  Don't forget to consider where your windows are for bringing in nature light as well into your custom basement design.

Check out our custom basement ideas or our picture gallery to get you started...

Good luck!

Styling Your Custom Built-ins

Large wall to wall, built-in shelves are all the rage now a days. When you have the walls, they can be a smart way to maximize your vertical storage space and organize your things. But sometimes open shelves are an invitation for clutter, disorganization and piles of messes. Large, expansive shelves can be intimidating to fill. Here's some tips on arranging your favourite things and styling the perfect shelf.

- When possible, use a monochromatic colour scheme on the shelf, to create a cohesive, cleaner look. Shelf arrangements look their best when you use one neutral like ivory or black scattered throughout to ground the rest of the your things. Arranged in 3's or 5's in a "Z"-like pattern is a visually interesting merchandising secret.

- Mix up books, magazines, collectibles and personal accessories. Don't be afraid to top artwork or picture frames on stacks of books or magazines.

- Use larger scale objects to fill in space, ensuring that they relate to each other, in terms of size and scale. Group smaller, similar, like objects (eg. a set of small vases) close together on a single shelf. Stand back after placing objects on shelves and do the eye test, or snap a picture, review it and see if anything sticks out as being misplaced or out of scale.

- Repeat, repeat, repeat - a key principle in design is to repeat visual elements, such as line, colour, shape, texture or image. Not only does it unify a space or shelf to give it the designer-look, but it's creates rythm and flow in the space.

- Baskets and storage boxes are not only beautiful but functional. Store smaller items, toys, files, and collectibles inside - using several of the same baskets throughout is another great way to create repition to your overall shelf display.

Play around with the placement of all your accessories and objects. It could take a few days of review until it feels just right. Find a home for everything, and in the end, you'll love the results!

Move or Invest In Your Home

You've contemplated a move, looked over homes on the market, and then re-looked at your current home, and think, maybe it was best to stay put and invest in a home renovation. Before you start,  there are some key considerations you should really sit down and think over before deciding what to renovate in your home. One of the key considerations is resolving functionality issues that need fixing in your current space - do you want to move because your current space doesn't work for you any longer or is it too small? Will a renovation address and resolve the issues? Does your neighbourhood warrant the level of renovation you're planning on investing in? How much should you invest in your home?

Next and probably one of the most important steps is to hire a professional designer or architect. If your renovation is substantial and requires structural changes, hiring a professional or specialist is critical in ensuring you're doing a proper job. Renovation mistakes can be costly, and hiring a designer or architect to properly plan for the entire project from start to finish will save you loads. Carefully research designers and architects you are considering to hire, interview them to ensure your personalities connect well and they hear your wishes and concerns. 

 Next you're ready to hire a contractor. Make sure you check references. Check previous jobs and at least one current project site. Select 2 to 3 contractors that you approve of to be ready for plans to bid on. Once you've nailed down plans for the renovation job, you can ask each to provide their costing.

Now you're ready for the actual design process. Maintain files, samples, and notes for each room you are working on. Insert magazine clippings with specific notes on what you like and dislike. Create your wish lists of likes and dislikes for each room, no matter how small or big the point may be.

Make sure all permits are on hand on site.  Do your homework yourself when it comes to permits, even if the contractor says he will take care of things. Always check with your local building department.

You are now ready for the actual work.  Always ensure you have adequate funds for the renovation and a reserve fund for unforeseen issues or changes in the scope of the project. The larger the project, the more reserve you will need. It does not mean you have to spend it – but you most likely won’t be able to get more once you start the work. 

  

Patience is key when it comes to any reno, no matter how big or small. Just keep the end in mind and before you know it, you will be enjoying the benefits!

Welcome to Toronto Custom Concepts!

Whether it is a custom built-in wall unit or custom shelves that you're looking for, or perhaps it is a custom kitchen or cabinet upgrade that you had in mind, the design team at Toronto Custom concepts will make your dream concept a reality.

Our reputation of top quality work is validated by the majority of our customer referrals being via word of mouth. Our craftsmanship and pride in our work guarantees that the job will be completed to exceed your expectations.

Our operations have expanded to include solutions for custom built-in closets, wall units, kitchens, basements, and bathrooms just to name a few.

Feel free to contact us to discuss and to plan out your new build or renovation project today.
TCC