GCW Kitchens - Job Posting

GCW is currently seeking a Shop Foreman with solid knowledge of the kitchen manufacturing industry.

Must have minimum 3-5 years experience in a managerial role, as well as a proven track record.

The successful candidate will be required to meet weekly production targets. They must be able to motivate employees, promote efficiency in production, as well as supervise and coordinate the day to day operations on production floor.

People skills are a must and moderate computer skills would be an asset.

As the successful candidate, you will enjoy Monday to Friday daytime shifts and will have the pleasure of working with a knowledgeable and experienced team of shop employees in a well-established manufacturing facility.

Please contact Laurie at 519.631.8373 ext 21 or lvanhelvoort@gcwkitchens.com

Dragon Boat Festival!

This past Saturday, June 16th... GCW took part in our very first Dragon Boat Festival. The Dragon Boat Festival is a fundraiser held every year in support of Rowbust Breast Cancer Survivors.

We had two practices with our team which consisted of talented designers and skilled woodworkers.
We didn't know what to expect as this was our first time ever participating in a sport like this. Most of us have canoed before, but this is nothing like canoeing. It was intense rowing, using your whole body to dig into that water and push yourself forward. A boat filled with 20 of us, it's hard to get your timing to be synchronized.. even when you have a lady at the front of the boat yelling numbers at you.

Although all the odds were against us, we had a fantastic time on Saturday, rowing our Butts off (our Team Name was GCW Row Butts... instead of Rowbust).

We ended up placing SECOND (in our Division) out of 47 teams.
Thank you to all the GCW Team Members for giving it your all, and for supporting this fantastic cause.

47 teams overall, 22 teammates in one boat, three races, a 500 meter dash to the finish line, 2ND PLACE overall by half a second! Go team GCW, Gold Sponsors of the 2012 Fanshawe Dragon Boat Festival!

 

Two (or more) Toned Kitchens

Two-toned kitchens, believe it or not, have been around for quite some time.

Of course, as with everything that "comes back", the two-toned kitchens of today are a modernized version.

For a while, it was very popular to have two upper cabinets a darker colour than the rest of the kitchen. This eventually evolved into a combination of a white (or off-white) painted perimeter, and a darker wood island. This has proven to be a very beloved look, as it's popularity has sky-rocketed.

It's timeless quality is evident, since it incorporates the classic white kitchen appeal, as well as the richness of wood that never really will go out of style. The stain colour is another story - right now, dark is very "in" but we cannot guess the longevity of it's popularity.

As of late, another two-toned combination has made it's way to the spotlight; gray painted base cabinets, with white upper cabinets. A gorgeous look, that definitely provides a beachy, shabby chic, but yet classic sort of look.

Photo courtesy of Greige Design Blogspot

Being the latest trend, one might worry that this is just a fad. With most interior design styles/trends, fads come and go. There are those, though, that seem to remain but evolve throughout the years. For instance, you absolutely cannot go wrong with a timeless white kitchen. Classic.

Before & After Kitchen Reno!

There's nothing better than a "Before and After" Transformation.
Watching all of the Design Shows on HGTV or W Network, the best part is always the reveal at the end of the show!
What's even better, is hearing the true testimonies of our client's home renovations.
Seeing the looks on their faces and hearing them describe what a transformation it has been, is pure joy.
It's like a real life design show for us each and every day!

Here's one of our client's Before and After Stories:

What a transformation! What do you think?

The Backsplash Woes

The Backsplash Woes. Everyone will catch it at least once in their lives, and it can be hard to cure.
Some common symptoms include:
- anxiety
- tension
- frustration

and even:
- slight dizziness due to thousands of options and uncertainty

Photo courtesy of JustBeMagazine.com

But... this is not something that needs to be medically diagnosed by any means.
All we need is a little bit of guidance when it comes to choosing the right backsplash. Yes, it can be a very daunting task, because most of us have come across one of those kitchens that could be so nice, if it weren't for that awful backsplash with little painted roses on every other tile.

There is a right and a wrong in this situation:

1. The wrong backsplash is overpowering and draws attention away from your beautiful, new (or aged) kitchen cabinets.

2. The right backsplash accents and complements your kitchen cabinets, finishing off the look.

But, here's when things get tricky - some of you may despise your cabinets and due to that fact, are on the hunt for some gorgeous tile to steal the show.

Well, when it comes to shopping, there is a large quantity of materials, colours, finishes, sizes, and what have you, that you may have to rummage through.
To ease that pain, we have come up with a few guidelines. 
This should help you discover what backsplash your kitchen is hungry for.

First of all:  Think about your kitchen. Is it traditional? It is clean and contemporary? Are your cabinets dark or light? Do they have a lot of detail or are they sleek? Are they so awful you just want to put up the nicest tile you can find so you can look at something else while cooking? Write down a list of words that describe your kitchen.

Secondly: Before you even open that front door, plop yourself behind the computer and do some research. If you have no idea what you like.. this is your chance to discover something about "you".
Type in some words that you've used to describe your kitchen and add backsplash to the end of it. After doing this, researching "Types of Backsplashes" will allow you to visual different materials, styles, and colours. A great place to do this is: houzz.com

Thirdly: When it comes to materials, there are plenty. But occasionally, at the local tile store, you find yourself in the backsplash section saying, "Is this it?".
Well, yes it is, if you're looking for the standard glass, mosaic, or ceramic tile backsplashes that come in small sizes.
But, there are many more options if you open up your mind: for instance, using floor tile has become very popular, and provides a very sleek, and clean sort of look.
- Stainless Steel backsplashes are stunning, either as your entire backsplash or just behind the range    (easy to clean off grease splatters).
- Glass backsplashes are also very nice, either in one slick piece (which gives a seamless, clean look), or glass tiles which can add interest.
- A newer product is back-painted glass in which one can choose from thousands of automotive finishes... such as BMW Pearlescent, or Ferrari Red! Amazing.  (Note: available at GCW!)
- Some other backsplashes include: stone slabs, granite, quartz, wallpaper, concrete, drystack stone, travertine, marble, beadboard in MDF or Wood, Chalkboard Paint from Benjamin Moore, Whiteboard Paint, mirrors, and the list goes on!

Fourthly: Durability is a huge factor. As much as something can be aesthetically appealing, sometimes there are materials that just shouldn't be used. Wallpaper as a backsplash, for example, can look so unique, but splatters of grease could ruin the paper, as well as the humidity from the stove cause the paper to start peeling off.
Rough Stone, such as a Drystack Stone, also can look very sharp but when it comes to cleaning - can you imagine trying to clean grease off of a brick wall?
It depends who you are, though, and what your lifestyle allows for...

If by now, you are still lost in the world of backsplashes, it doesn't hurt to involve a professional just for some advice!
If you are seeking an expert, take a trip to Scherba's Great Floors in Strathroy, ON. They are the experts and can help you find the perfect backsplash to complement your kitchen!
Here at GCW, we would love to help you with your backsplash questions, and our showroom is always available for inspiration and to give you ideas.
Come by and visit us any time!