ABOUT Our Kitchen Bath & Home Team

MAKING YOUR RENOVATION DREAMS A REALITY FOR OVER 35 YEARS

Established in 1981, Monarch Kitchen Bath & Home is a full-service residential design firm located in Pickering, Ontario. We cater to homeowners looking for extraordinary custom home renovations that combine beauty and functionality.

Our experienced team of home design and renovation professionals are dedicated to providing unparalleled standards of service. We pride ourselves on our team's extensive knowledge, boundless creativity and in the variety of services we offer. Even though each Monarch client has one lead designer, they benefit from having an entire team of experienced design professionals working together to serve them.

Discover how easy it is to work with Monarch. Contact us today.

About Monarch Kitchen Bath & Home

Our Team

Neil Samson

President

Favourite movie: Top Gun.
Guilty pleasure: Kawartha Dairy ice cream.
Words he lives by: Make the best of it.

Active in the kitchen and bath industry since 1974, Neil's design expertise is international in scope and has taken him from the Caribbean to Eastern Europe. Neil has served on the board of directors of the National Kitchen and Bath Association and is a past president of NKBA's Ontario chapter. As past Chairman of the Environment Task Force for the Ajax/Pickering Board of Trade and Business Outreach Co-ordinator for Durham Sustain Ability, Neil is committed to profiting only in a way that leaves the earth healthy and safe. After over 30 years of designing, Neil now uses his project management experience as Monarch's Construction Manager to keep projects on track and help clients manage what can be a stressful period of upheaval. Neil has widely published in local and national media, was featured on Home and Garden Television and has been the keynote speaker at national home shows and colleges. A great believer in giving back to the community, Neil is involved in a variety of charities and environmental associations. In his leisure time he enjoys skiing, gourmet cooking, scuba diving spending time with his wife, and traveling.

Sharon Samson

Controller

Most-used phone app: Google.
Guilty pleasure: Wine... and there's no guilt about it!
Left on her bucket list: Exploring diverse cultures near and far.

Sharon has spent her entire career in the financial sector. As Monarch's Controller, Sharon manages all of the company's accounting requirements and government reporting. She interacts with clients, government agencies and suppliers. She also holds the position of Office Administrator, ensuring the smooth operation of the company on a daily basis, and overseeing the performance and well-being of all Monarch's staff members. Sharon enjoys traveling, reading, music, yoga and relaxing by the lake, but most importantly spending time with her family and friends.

Melissa Foley

General Manager

Favourite quote: Don't look for happiness...create it!
Most-used phone app: Amazon (Prime is a dangerous thing!)
Favourite/most-used design tip: Mix it up! Don't be afraid to use colour or mix materials.

Melissa returns to Monarch after three years in the new construction field as a Showroom and Design Director, overseeing cabinetry designs for high- and low-rise residential new builds. A design graduate from the International Academy of Design and Technology, Melissa's true passion lies in the world of renovations and loves watching a space transform into something that better suits the client's lifestyle.

Her previous ten years of design and renovation experience at Monarch will be put to good use as she assists president Neil Samson overseeing projects once put into production both at the office and on site. A busy mother of two sons and two step-daughters, Melissa enjoys cooking and baking and spending time with her husband-to-be in their new home in the country.

Scott Smith

Project Co-ordinator

Favourite movie: The Usual Suspects.
Left on his bucket list: Trip to Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Words he lives by: The Five Ps: Perfect Planning Prevents Poor Performance.

Scott joined the Monarch team early in 2016 and has transitioned into the office as our Project Scheduler. With diverse experience in home renovations and general construction, Scott ensures projects are executed as planned and our clients' needs are met in a timely and efficient manner. Scott enjoys giving back to his community and currently volunteers with Community Care Durham's transportation program, where he drives seniors to medical appointments. He also sits on the Executive Committee at the Royal Canadian Legion as their advocate to youth track and field in the GTA. In his spare time, Scott enjoys spending time with his wife and young daughter, playing slo-pitch, and following the Toronto Blue Jays.

Susanne Villeneuve

Receptionist

Favourite movie: Pretty in Pink.
Favourite ice cream flavour: Heavenly Hash.
Left on her bucket list: Visit Paris.

A stay-at-home mom for 11 years, Susanne's background includes part-time work in the food service industry and sales support for a sales manager and senior sales team. Susanne spends most of her summer weekends on the bleachers watching her daughter's rep softball team, and any free weekends at her trailer enjoying family time.

Sarah Holmstrom

Showroom Manager and Design Consultant

Favourite movie: Meet Joe Black.
Guilty pleasure: YouTube.
Left on her bucket list: Alaskan cruise.

Sarah returns to Monarch after three wonderful years in Calgary. An Interior Design graduate from Georgian College School of Design and Visual Arts, she has been working in the kitchen and bath industry since 2007. When she's not creating beautiful spaces for her clients, Sarah enjoys hiking, and spending time with her husband and two young sons.

Marion Cuddie

Design Consultant

Favourite movie: Bull Durham.
Favourite saying: When the going gets tough, the tough get going!
Left on her bucket list: River cruise to southern France.

A design graduate of the International Academy of Design and Technology, Marion began her career in the design and business sectors in 1983. Marion enjoys the challenge of creating kitchens and baths from the "tiny, perfect jewel" to the grand multi-room renovations which reflect both the lifestyles and dreams of her clients. Her professional experience has fine-tuned her organizational and project management skills and she possesses excellent client service techniques and a committed work ethic. Through her affiliations with ARIDO and NKBA, Marion ensures she is on the cutting edge of style and product development. In her leisure time, Marion enjoys gardening and spending time at the cottage.

Chantal Miller

Design Consultant

Most-used phone app: iTunes music.
She can't live without: High heels!
Left on her bucket list: Continuing her adventures travelling the world... Australia, South America, France!

After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Queen's University, Chantal became a Durham College Certified Interior Decorator and has been working in the design field for over 10 years. Actively involved in an extensive range of small and large-scale design and renovation projects, her passion lies in creating spaces her clients love to call home. In her leisure time, Chantal enjoys travelling, painting, music and dancing.

Shelley Herbert

Design Consultant

Favourite movie character: Bridget Jones.
Guilty pleasure: Reading by her pool for days and days...
Left on her bucket list: Hike Macchu Pichu.

A native of England, Shelley moved to Canada in 2005 with her husband and two children. Her love of design has taken many forms, including studying clothing and textile design at England's Nottingham Trent University and product design, where she learned to manipulate wood and metal. A graduate of Durham College's Interior Decorating program, she is always keen to develop her skills further and particularly enjoys all elements of 3D computer-generated design. Shelley is passionate about all aspects of interior decor, and her previous design experience includes home staging, retail sales and residential decor. Her enthusiasm for learning new skills and thinking outside the box has enabled her to not only meet but exceed her clients' expectations. Shelley loves to travel and recently backpacked in Belize and Guatemala.