Posts by Mark Ashton
Inspired Design, Superior Build: The Four Pillars of Excellence at Ashton Renovations in Toronto
Inspiration: The Seed of Every Great Project At our kitchen and bath design-build firm, we take immense pride in our slogan: “Inspired Design, Superior Build”. This motto encapsulates our approach to creating exceptional spaces that combine aesthetic brilliance with unparalleled craftsmanship. To give you a deeper insight into how we bring this vision to life,…
+ Read MoreAshton Renovations Judges NKBA 2024 Design Awards Gala in Toronto
Mark Ashton Judges 2024 National Kitchen & Bath Association Design Awards The NKBA Design Awards takes place yearly, and it is a wonderful opportunity for us to join our colleagues and honour the Best Kitchen & Bath Designs for the year. Since 2016 Ashton Renovations has attended the Design Awards yearly, and has been awarded…
+ Read MoreCohesive Design Principles for your Toronto Renovation
An excellent strategy to incorporate into your kitchen and bathroom renovation, along with the other rooms in your home, is to create a cohesive design along with bridges. In other words, a theme that connects the different rooms and other parts of the home, and elements that connect them all together. This will help tie…
+ Read MoreAshton Renovations Now Operating in Cottage Country – Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, and Tiny Township
Finding Trades in Cottage Country Can Be Difficult – We Can Help If you’re thinking about renovating your cottage, you can count on Ashton Renovations to get things done with our team of professionals. We use both local trades, as well as our professionals from Toronto so you can be assured that your project is…
+ Read MoreAshton Renovations Plays in Eric Lindros Hockey Charity Tournament for Easter Seals in Toronto
Chris Ashton plays in Eric Lindros Celebrity Hockey Charity Recently I had the opportunity to live out a childhood dream! I became a pro hockey player! Well, not really. I did however step onto the ice with two of my hockey idols at the same time – Wendel Clark of the Toronto Maple Leafs &…
+ Read MoreTop 3 Reasons We Love Shower Niches in Our Toronto Bathroom Renovations
Niche Shelving in Your Shower Here at Ashton Renovations, we love installing niches into our Toronto clients’ showers because they hold a range of aesthetic and functional benefits! A shower niche is an open storage space installed within the wall of your shower, or tub, that can store your shower items very nicely. We especially…
+ Read MoreHow We Use Magic Plan to Build Better Toronto Kitchens & Bathrooms
Why Use Magic Plan At Ashton Renovations we are all about finding ways to make the whole process easier, and more efficient, for homeowners, the trades we work with, and our renovation suppliers. With Magic Plan, the initial planning and design stage benefits highly, as this sets a strong foundation for the rest of the…
+ Read MoreWhy We Like Upgraded Doors and Trim in Our Toronto Renovations
Crowder Pocket Door Systems An upgrade to include a pocket door system vs. a hinged door can make a big difference if really don’t want any door interferences. Ever had a bathroom door where you needed to close it to use the vanity? Consider the installation of a pocket door system, but be careful. The…
+ Read MoreHow We Transformed A Vaughan Condo Kitchen By Raising The Ceiling
There’s a lot of space in your condo ceiling. Why not use it! Before this project was even started and we were in the planning stages of the project, we were thinking about raising the height of the ceiling. We had it as a protected line item in the proposal, and we were thrilled at…
+ Read MoreTop 3 Reasons We Love Curbless Showers in our Toronto Bathrooms
Curbless Shower Systems by Schluter At Ashton Renovations, we have been installing Schluter Kerdi bathroom waterproofing systems for over 25 years. We are ALL certified installers, and experts at this type of system. Incorporating curbless showers has becoming pretty much a standard application in bathrooms as the benefits, along with the aesthetics, are pretty evident.…
+ Read MoreThe Best of the Interior Design Show (IDS)Toronto 2023
Kitchen & Bath Fixtures Vogt is our preferred manufacturer of kitchen & bath fixtures. Why? They are local and located in Mississauga for one, and they provide excellent service and support. We also love their passion for design and quality. This year Peter introduced us to their new lines including Mond, that allows for various…
+ Read More7 East York – Toronto Renovation by Ashton Available for Short Term Rental
Need A Home While You Are Renovating? We recently renovated this property at Pape and Mortimer in 2019 from top to bottom. It’s been recently sold and available as a short term rental preferably to those having their home renovated. It’s currently available for $4200.00 a month. There’s lots of room and parking in the…
+ Read MoreGwillimbury Dr. – How to Renovate an Ensuite Bathroom in Bradford
Add A Curbless Shower & Freestanding Tub To Your Ensuite Bathroom If you live in York Region, or Toronto, you’re ensuite bathroom probably has a built-in tub with a small corner shower, and a double, or single vanity. Pretty basic. And you would like to make it more functional, updated, and warm. You probably don’t…
+ Read MoreKimbourne Ave. – How to Renovate a Small Basement on The Toronto Danforth
Make Your Basement Bigger Than It Actually Is This basement is a pretty typical layout for homes on the Toronto Danforth that need renovations. The space has a narrow steep stairway; the ceilings are very low with interfering ductwork; there’s limited space for rooms; the mechanical areas take up considerable room; the bathroom is tiny;…
+ Read MoreAshton Renovations Featured in Houzz
Why Winning “Best of Houzz” Matters Last November Houzz sat down with Founder Mark Ashton to talk about the companies success, and its Best of Houzz awards – most notably what it meant being awarded Best of Houzz every year since 2014 for its Toronto kitchen and bathrooms. We were surprised to hear that slightly…
+ Read MoreHouzz Pro Review – Why Ashton Renovations uses Houzz
Houzz Pro is a Great Way to Help with Prospective Clients Houzz is probably one of the largest portals for consumers looking for design and renovation ideas all over the World, and definitely in Toronto with Kitchens and Bathrooms. It’s our go to site when seeking new clients for our projects. What we love about…
+ Read MoreWoodrow Ave. – How We Built A Beautiful Small Bathroom On The Toronto Danforth
Make Your Bathroom Bigger Than it Actually Is This bathroom is pretty typical for the Toronto Danforth. It’s very small! Luckily, we always have a few tricks up our sleeve and know how to really make the space bigger than it actually is. You may notice in the photos that there is no casing on…
+ Read MoreTransform Your Toronto Kitchen With a Patio Door
Toronto Beaches Patio Door Installation Often the older homes in Toronto have a combination of a window and door to the back of the house. We remove these units and reframe the opening to accommodate a patio door, which dramatically increases the light coming into the kitchen. In this particular renovation the client added a…
+ Read MoreHow to Choose Paint Colours for Contrast and Safety
Accent Walls Usually paint colours are selected on the basis of personal choice along with how they interact with other elements in the home. Does the paint work well with the flooring, the tiles in the bathroom, or the furniture? Some of our clients here in Toronto also attach a mood to their paint colours.…
+ Read MoreWhat to Expect When Renovating During Covid-19
Significant Changes to Renovations On May 19, 2020 the Province of Ontario will be lifting ALL restrictions on construction. When speaking with CBC Toronto News on May 14, 2020 Ashton Renovations shared 4 major changes you will now see during Covid-19 on most job sites and your renovations. Physical Distancing of Trades In order to…
+ Read MoreAshton Renovatons Covid-19 Update
Our Priority With the current situation we are all living through, the health and safety of our clients, contractors, and employees is our utmost priority. Current Status (Revised November 21, 2020) As of Monday, November 23, 2020 Toronto will once again move to Lockdown in an effort to reduce the spread of Covid-19. Ashton Renovations…
+ Read MoreHow to Renovate Your Condo Bathroom: When you Want to Sell!
Focus on What Your Buyer Will Want Begin with the end in mind, as bathroom design and renovations in Toronto have become a matter of very personal taste. There are so many products and designs to choose from, and by fixing up your bathroom to sell with too many personal elements, you may discourage some…
+ Read MoreToronto IKEA Kitchen Installations
IKEA Kitchen Planning The first step to planning out your IKEA kitchen is to select the style. All that’s required here is to decide on the door/drawer style. After that IKEA has an online planner, where you can design your kitchen, or you can call us. We have over 20 years experience designing and ordering…
+ Read MoreAshton Renovations Wins NKBA 2nd Place for Best Bathroom
Last Saturday, February 8, 2020 the NKBA held its Gala Celebration to honour the 2020 Design Competition Winners in Toronto. This year the theme was “winter wonderland” and guests of over 300 members gathered among colleagues for great food, stories, and music. It’s always a lot of fun to get together with the other designers…
+ Read MoreInterior Design Show Toronto 2020 Best Products
We visited the IDS 2020 in Toronto to connect with some of our suppliers and also seek out other interesting local products and design ideas. This year we discovered 7 awesome products that will help with any home renovation, or improvement project including your kitchen and bathroom. Akustus Sound Panelling We renovate a lot of…
+ Read MoreAshton Renovations Featured in National Post: Ten Things to Consider When Renovating Your Home in Toronto
3D Renderings Help Communicate a Vision of Your Kitchen & Bathroom
Chief Architect/3D Max Using the technology of design software to create a visual interpretation of your kitchen and bathroom helps EVERYBODY, including the trades who require a set of drawings/instructions. Specifications are much needed sources of information, but what better way to communicate your vision that an actual image of the finished product. Almost ANY…
+ Read More5 Tips for Renovating Small Bathrooms in Toronto
1. Install a Stand Alone Tub Some of the bathrooms we encounter are just too small for a shower. A standalone tub with a faucet attached to the deck is a great alternative and looks fantastic. This type of bathing experience can be rejuvenating and certainly luxurious, and the time it will take to fill…
+ Read More4 Tips for Making Things Easier at Home
There are many new products & innovations available on the market that we here at Ashton Renovations again want to share with you. Some of them are brand new, like flo by Moen, and others are fairly recent, like the Kanto TV mounts. They all have been shown to be truly fantastic on our recently renovated projects in Toronto. Please…
+ Read MoreDid You Know the Dishwasher was Invented in 1886?
In Shelbyville, Ohio, Josephine Garis Cochran was the first person to build a working dishwasher. Tired of her chipped china, she began working in her shed putting together a frame to hold dishes, cups, and saucers. These were then placed on a wheel and would circulate using a motor while soapy water squirted up. On…
+ Read MoreAshton Renovations Featured in Reno & Decor Magazine Apr/May 2019
As part of the NKBA Design Competition, Reno & Decor Magazine publishes the winners every spring, and we are again proud to be mentioned along with all the other wonderful fellow design winners. Our Downtown Toronto Condo Bathroom took 2nd place in the small bathroom category, and details of that renovation can be found here.…
+ Read MoreAshton Renovations Wins 2019 NKBA 2nd Place for Small Bathroom, and Nominated for People’s Choice Award for Best Kitchen in Toronto
The yearly NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association) Design Competition Gala was held this past February in Vaughan and was a blast! The best of the best in our industry attended, and it was wonderful to experience all the innovative designs and award wining projects. As always, having an opportunity to talk with other designers…
+ Read MoreAshton Renovations in Toronto Receives 6th Best of Houzz Award 2019
Ashton Renovations is proud to say that this is the 6th straight year we have won Best Of Houzz for Service. We value our clients’ feedback and appreciate all the time they take to visit Houzz and review us for others to see. It’s a fantastic site, and we encourage our clients to search through and get great ideas…
+ Read MoreOpen Concept Kitchen Design On The Toronto Danforth
Over the years we have renovated many kitchens in the Toronto area. This featured kitchen in Parkview Hills, is pretty much a representation of the typical layout seen in the older homes on the Danforth. Original footprints usually have a dividing wall between the kitchen and dining room at the back of the house,…
+ Read MoreAdd An Easy Track Closet Organizer To Your Toronto Renovaton
Having an organized closet is essential to saving time and reducing the daily stress of getting dressed in the morning. When you know where everything is you will start to find the things you want, dress better, and look great. And an organized closet is a wonderful thing to look at. Ashton Renovations…
+ Read MoreAshton Renovations Now Certified Toronto Installer Of Nuheat Heated Floors
Ashton Renovations is now a certified installer of Nuheat heated flooring. With this comes an automatic 25 YEAR WARRANTY with all installed products. This includes Nuheat’s Signature Thermostat that works with NEST, as well as their cable & membrane heated flooring systems with Ditra Heat. With years of countless successful heated flooring installations, Ashton…
+ Read MoreChief Architect 3D Viewer Can Help Visualize Your Renovation In Toronto
Using Chief Architect’s 3D Viewer is part of Ashton Renovations’ planning and design process. This interactive model can be viewed on a phone, tablet, or webpage and is a great way to really see what your finished project will look like. Chief Architect is the leading software designer for the Kitchen & Bath Industry and…
+ Read MoreAshton Renovations In Toronto Receives 5th Best Of Houzz Award 2018
Ashton Renovations is proud to say that this is the 5th straight year we have won Best Of Houzz For Service. We value our clients’ feedback and appreciate all the time they take to visit Houzz and review us for others to see. It’s a fabulous site, and we encourage our clients to search through…
+ Read MoreWhat’s The Best Way To Ensure Your Toronto Renovation Goes Smoothly?
The best way to address this question is to first assess what the most common complaints homeowner’s have regarding their renovations. And they usually fall within the FIVE categories listed below: Faulty Work/Poor Workmanship Unskilled Workers Construction Delays Runaway Costs, or Over Budget Lack of Selections So what do you do? How…
+ Read MoreAshton Renovations Now Certified Pro Wedi Installer For Curbless Showers In Toronto
Ashton Renovations is now certified to install ALL Wedi products for your bathroom needs. Although somewhat new to the North American market, Wedi has been available in Europe, based from Germany, for over 30 years. Its waterproofing is incorporated into its foam properties rather than as an applied membrane, which has advantages. It is also…
+ Read MoreAmazing Legrand Electrical Switches, Outlets, Timers, and Nightlight Upgrades In Toronto To Try Right Now
When renovating your home in Toronto consider upgrading your electrical devices that will both look more beautiful and create more functionality. Legrand offers a wide variety of devices not offered in years past including bettering night lighting, USB outlets, timers and switches. These little details will transform your home and bring enjoyment with each…
+ Read MoreCustomizable Shower Technology. U By Moen For Your Toronto Bathroom
Adding Home Automation elements to your home is pretty important. It can provide a whole set of ease of use solutions. There are the obvious choices such a Nest products and lights controlled by your phone with Apps, but what about your shower? For years digital thermostats have been available. They mostly were quite…
+ Read MoreWood Decorative Wall Panels By Finium For Your Toronto Renovation
Adding elements of nature into your home with light, water, colour, and stone can prove to be calming and reduce stress. This can also be achieved by adding the natural element of wood. Real wood with it’s texture, colour, and real natural feel can have a dramatic impact in any room. …
+ Read MoreBathroom Upgrades That Will Make Your Toronto Renovation Stand Out
It’s great to get a new bathroom with updated fixtures and tiles, but adding a few upscale items can make that space more comfortable and useful. Here are a few to be considered that are quite popular. Legrand Wall Plates, Switches & Plugs – This is a very simple and cost effective…
+ Read MoreRadiant Heating Panels For Your Bathroom Renovation In Toronto
Warmly Yours ember radiant heating panels are an excellent accessory to add to your bathroom. It can also be added to many other renovated spaces. Perhaps the nicest spot is behind, or to the side, of your soaker tub, where the air can be warmed and you may enjoy in greater comfort.
+ Read MoreAshton Renovations Now Offering Concore Kitchen Cabinetry In Toronto
Ashton Renovations is excited to offer exceptionally made cabinetry from Concore in Markham. Concore offers stock cabinetry available in 3 colours at exceptional prices to contractors. As they are a stock item, there are no long order delays usually associated with other types of similar cabinets. Features of this cabinetry line that…
+ Read MoreChief Architect 3D Bathroom Renderings
Ashton Renovations can offer you a full perspective of your new bathroom renovation, beyond your typical floor plan using Chief Architect, the industry standard for 3D Architectural Renderings. Now you can see your dreams realized, in detail. Elevations along with floor plans are also useful documents to visualize height measurements and better assist with…
+ Read MoreGreat Cooking Tools For Your New Kitchen
Every new beautiful kitchen needs a new set of tools. And these two products are recommended after testing by our staff. Misto, and Analon pots and pans. Both are available at any local Toronto Bed, Bath, & Beyond location. Here is why we like them so much: Misto is a gourmet…
+ Read MoreChoosing A Colour The Easier Way For Your Renovation
For many years, the typical way colours have been chosen for you home are as follows: go to the store, look at swatches, imagine what they might look like in your room, and then hope for the best that you like it once your space is painted. If you are lucky, sometimes swatches are…
+ Read MoreA Kitchen Sink That Will Make Your Life A Lot Easier
The Galley Workstation is probably the most versatile kitchen upgrade you can make. What makes this sink so unique are the integrated accessories that allow you set them into the sink and slide them over and under each other without having to remove them. They include a cutting board, colander, bowl, and drying rack, which…
+ Read More