Gold CotY Award Winning Bath Remodel

Last night was the annual EM NARI Contractor of the Year awards. Proud to say we won a gold award for this bath remodel, as part of a larger home remodel we completed in Weston.



Before & after

Hardwood Floor Finishes

Part two of my CEU session on Tuesday was about hardwood floor finishes and given by Chris Zizza of C&R Flooring. I was really amazed at how much there is to know about wood flooring. I'll try to relay as much as I can below.

Laminate vs Engineered vs Hardwood

First off, let's talk about the difference between engineered, laminate and hardwood flooring. Engineered wood floors are a very thin layer of hardwood over plywood or MDF. It your best option for use over radiant heating systems,concrete or in places where moisture may be an issue as the many layers provide greater stability than a hardwood floor. Laminate is literally a photo finish that looks like wood (or tile) that is glued to a HDF (high density fiber). Think Pergo. Laminate floors usually float and, speaking from experience are quite noisy to walk on in heels etc. It is easy to install and the least expensive option of the three. Hardwood is wood throughout and is nailed down.

Pre-finished vs unfinished

So you've decided to go with hardwood - should you buy a pre-finished or unfinished floor? Pre-finished floors are a sure bonus for people in a time crunch. The floor does not need to cure which can take anywhere from 72 hours to 3 weeks depending on staining and finishing. You won't have the dust and cleanup that come with an unfinished floor. That said you can't customize a pre-finished floor in the same way that you can customize an unfinished one. The options for an unfinished floor are limitless. The other downfall is the v-groove that comes on all pre-finished floors (see photo at left)- many of my clients find them distracting and prefer a completely flat surface,. If you're doing a whole house remodel, or new construction, I'd tend to opt for the unfinished. If it's a weekend project, a pre-finished floor is your best option.

Dust-Free

As Chris Zizza pointed out - this is a must. All dust collection should be routed from the sanders to a long hose, out of the house and into a truck. Some companies cut corners and have a small machine,or even worse, a shop-vac. This is NOT dust-free as shop vacs leak dust, and any changing of collection bags etc will release dust into the air. Dust can take quite a while to settle, and so even though your living room has been freshly vacuumed before they applied the finish, the dust is still in the air and will eventually get into your finish as it falls. You want all the dust being collected OUTSIDE your home.

Another Note on Sanding

Most unfinished or refinished floors are sanded several times with different grits (heaviest grit to lightest) before they are finished with stains and polyurethane. Chris pointed out to make sure that corners are not cut by skipping more than 1 grit at a time as the result is ridges in your floor. You may not be able to see these, but the downfall is that when the poly is applied it will sink into the ridges. A second coat will be applied and that will also sink but come closer to evening out the surface. The third coat will be applied and that will barely cover the tops of the ridges. This floor will surely fail as it's not fully receiving the three coats of poly and you'll have to spend money to refinish again in the not-so distant future.

There is a TON more to know about flooring finishes such as the hardness of the wood, different cuts or the wood, lengths, staining, cure times etc. It is very important not to cut corners with the best price but to spend time finding a flooring specialist that you trust. It may cost more upfront, but is a job you want done right and more money now means a floor that should last you a lifetime.

Quartz!!

Alright - so I've been lazy with the blog entries. My apologies. Between trying to move, preparing for the upcoming Em-NARi Contractor of the Year Awards, working an internship on top of full time employment and running the NNE-NKBA Newsletter I've been a little busy.

This past Tuesday I attended half of a day long 6 CEU session at Stone Technologies. I was happy to pick up some new information on Quartz and hardwood floor finishes. (picture courtesy of okite.us)

Let's start with Quartz. Did you know that Quartz is THE hardest counter top (or flooring, or wall paneling) surface out there? Among the other benefits of quartz are:

1. It is impervious to mold and bacteria - this makes it great for showers/bathrooms and of course to kitchen counters.


2. As it is the hardest surface around, it is also scratch free. This was demonstrated live by taking a key and trying to scratch it across a quartz 12x12 tile. No scratch, maybe some damage to the key! So knives, pots and pans etc are not going to hurt this counter top. It also makes it ideal for commercial or high traffic area flooring.


3. Quartz never has to be resealed or re-polished. it is not porous like stone. The surface is actually created while the quartz and resin are pressed together with head, rather than polished by machine after it is formed.


4. As it in not porous it is impervious to acids, wine, etc. It will not stain


5. You don't need to buy expensive stone cleaners for quartz surfaces. Softscrub people! No need to worry that someone may accidentally use a harsh chemical (although we all recommend the most natural cleaners possible for health reasons)


6. Quartz is 10% recycled material.

So what are the negatives? Quartz is not recommended for any exterior use. It is also costly. It compares to a high end marble/granite. Although it comes in several patterns/colors it is not going to compare to the natural beauty of marble. However if you have a client with a maintenance-stain phobia, this may be the product to specify.

Trends in finish..

Wednesday night in Indianapolis I had the pleasure of sitting next to Judd Lord, Director of Industrial Design at Delta Faucet. Judd is not only amazingly talented but also extremely entertaining and inspiring. Judd asked my table-mates about trends that we noticed in our own home markets and sadly, my response was that I felt like I had been designing (or part of the design process) the same very Restoration Hardware bath for the last several years. It begins with a lot of Carrara marble, honed black granite, white subway tile, white painted cabinetry and polished nickel finishes. It's neat and tidy, classic but relevant... and sigh, boring.

I posted a blog entry right after KBIS about how excited I was to see Oil Rubbed Bronze finishes (photo above) appearing in appliances from Jenn Air. I personally think this may have a hard time catching on, at least here in New England, but I'm hoping it starts a revolution. Viking has a ridiculous amount of color choices for their appliance finishes, but apparently they still don't hold a candle in sales to good old stainless steel. I can't say I'd pass up a perfectly gorgeous Sub Zero myself.

Maybe it's just too far of a reach - I can understand wanting something that you won't tire of in say 5 years, so perhaps a fire engine red oven is not the way to go (think Avocado, it made a comeback but how long did we have to wait?). In line with fashion forward thinking, Brizo has introduced a few new finish in 2009: Brilliance Brushed Bronze (shown to the left on the Baliza lavatory, photo courtesy of brizo.com). This finish is warm, but not brassy. It doesn't look outdated. You can pair it with oil rubbed finishes and add a little interest.

So if you're in the midst of selecting finishes for your remodel, perhaps you'll consider adding a little warmth to your bath. I bet you in 5 years Restoration Hardware will be following suit!

Highlights from Delta Faucet, Part 1

On Tuesday Delta Faucet flew 18 bloggers and magazine editors into Indianapolis to get a closer look at the Delta & Brizo brands. I was lucky enough to be invited along!

We arrived at Delta Faucet on Wednesday morning only to be greeted by a round of enthusiastic applause from all of their employees! It was overwhelming, very sweet and gave you a good idea of the very warm and wonderful personalities that make up Delta.

We were at Delta from 8:30 AM to about 6 PM so I'm not going to give you all the details of my day, but here are some of the highlights and things you should know about the company. I'm going to break this up into multiple posts as there is just so much information to pass along!

The Delta family is comprised of three brands: Delta, Brizo and Peerless. Most people are familiar with Delta - their products are available to the DIY crowd as well as plumbers, remodelers and builders and is available in both showrooms and at more retail locations. Peerless is totally DIY and available at your big box stores etc. Brizo was introduced about 6 years ago and is the top of the line, available in showrooms only.

I was introduced to Brizo at KBIS and have found that it is a very unique brand - the idea behind it being 'fashion for your home'. It appeals to people who are interested in being fashion forward, but the designs are extremely well thought out and have an element of timelessness rather than just being trendy (no one wants to invest in a pricier faucet only to have to replace it in a couple of years). Their lines range from traditional to transitional to modern. Brizo's designs are based on fashion and design elements found in travels to shows in many different countries, and from trends that have been seen in art, furniture design and fashion. Their latest (gorgeous!) ad campaign "A License to Dream" brings all of these elements together to show homeowners that their products bring dreams to life.

I've shown you my favorite faucet, the RSVP, in a previous post from KBIS, but wanted to share one of the newer members of the line, the Virage (from the French for "twist"), which is inspired by the wrought iron gates of Europe. You could really sense the pride in the execution of the Virage - when it was first designed and brought to engineering, it proved to be quite a challenge and the designers at Delta really had to push to have it produced they way they wanted it. In the end they got their way and this gorgeous suite was born. (Photo courtesy of Brizo)

Brizo is also an eco-conscious brand labelling itself 'luxury with a conscience'. They employ their patented H2OKinetic technology in all of their Sensori Shower Systems to give the consumer that fantastic shower experience, while adhering to water conservation standards from the EPA (1.5 gal/minute). Less flow, maximum performance. I am not a scientist, but the basic gist of this system is that the water leaves the shower head in larger drops in an oscillating pattern. The pattern itself restricts the flow but still provides maximum coverage when it hits your skin. The larger water droplets retain heat. These principals was proven in a later lab session where we got to feel the spray from several versions of H2OKinetic fixtures. In the picture to the left, a strobe hits the spray so that the viewer can see the oscillating water pattern leaving the shower head. Amazing!

Coming up next, the great minds at Delta come up with technology to take care of those awful 'chicken hands', and pictures of yours truly installing a bath faucet! Stay tuned....

Recreating Sonoma

I recently came back from a week in Northern California, one of the most beautiful places on earth, for sure. While in Sonoma for a few nights we stayed at the Fairmont Sonoma Inn, which is a historic hotel that has recently been remodeled. Having worked for years restoring older homes, I especially love to stay in these kinds of properties. Give me warm history over cold modernism any day of the week.

Anyway, aside from the wine and plush bath robes, what I really wanted to take home with me was the bathroom. I literally could have spent the three days in the hotel room and bathroom. My mission now is to buy a home and recreate the bath, whose color palette reflects the Sonoma surroundings.

The Vanity: a wheat yellow stained poured concrete. As a girl who would apply carrara marble to literally anything and everything it is refreshing to see color! There was a beautiful antique framed mirror hanging above flanked by two shaded sconces. Being a hotel vanity, there was no cabinetry below the counter top, but I think glazed cabinetry, slightly distressed in maybe an antique red would be lovely against the green walls.

The Fixtures: Kohler Pinstripe Suite in Vibrant Polished Nickel. The widespread faucet is shown above It's a very masculine fixture, but I think quite glamorous, and while semi art deco, timeless. The shower had both a fixed shower head as well as a handheld.

The shower: The floor was a tan ceramic 4x8 tile, almost like smooth rounded bricks. The walls were a green apple glass mosaic which was a great contrasting texture against the large paver tiles. The shower itself was glass enclosed and large enough for two to comfortably shower. So heavenly.

Ok so all we need now is the house to put this into..... The condo goes on the market next week. The house I want to buy is having an Open House tomorrow. Is it bad that I am hoping for exceptional beach weather so no one will go?

Exciting news!

Hi y'all-

Sorry it's been a while. I am actually working on a post about man town design, inspired by looking at houses with my husband. I have a networking event tonight with Benjamin Moore, which is exciting as they have just released a new paint base which has the benefits of oil, but properties of latex. More on that tomorrow..

But my super exciting news is that Delta faucet has invited me, and 19 other bloggers, out to Indianapolis to see their home base and learn more about their newest products. Maybe you've seen the Touch faucets that have been featured during Top Chef? Yup, going to check those out.

Can't wait! Thanks Delta!

Smelly Ice and Other Stories in Refrigeration

If you're anything like me you assume refrigerators work much like they did when you were a kid, (maybe minus that giant crust of frost in the freezer that occasionally you had to defrost the refrigerator to get rid of). Major advances that you're aware of include Stainless Steel and bottom mounted freezers (we all know heat rises!). So what is up with these refrigerators that cost upwards of $6,000? Is it just their enormous commerical size?

Two words : Dual cool refrigeration. Most of our everyday-bought-at-Sears refrigerators are single refrigeration systems, meaning that a single compressor and evaporator produces the frozen air in your freezer, and then this cold dry air is pumped into your refrigeration, then circles back into the freezer and the cycle continues. Dry air is not good for your perishables, especially fruit and vegetables, and this is exactly where it goes to find and eat away the moisture, which causes decay. According to Sub Zero, 14% of our purchased groceries are not consumed due to 'improper storage techniques'.

Conversely, onCe the humid air from the refrigerator hits the freezer it causes frost crystals that contain all the odors that come from the food in the fridge. These frozen particles are attracted to the coldest items in your freezer, aka, ice cubes. This is where you get 'smelly ice'

So with *two* compressors, once can be dedicated today freezer air, and one can be dedicated to the humid air that your produce craves (FYI most refrigerators feature 25% humidity, while dual cool gives you the optimum 85%!). No air, odors etc pass between the two. I have seen claims that your food will last 65% longer with dual cool and average savings are about $1,000 a year. So in 6-8 years you have paid off your refrigerator in food/energy savings!

You might think "OK, so I shell out the money up front and my food lasts longer, but won't my energy consumption go up?' Not the case. Because the two compressors have to work less than the single compressor to keep each temperature constant, they are just as efficient. Your coldest air is shut tightly in the freezer which is opened typically less than your refrigerator so your system is working less to bring the temperature back up.

Ready to buy? Beware that some of the descriptions for less expensive refrigerators hint at dual cool refrigeration but don't truly employ the same technology. According to Richie Craig, my salesperson at Yale Appliance & Lighting, the brands that currently feature dual cool are SubZero, Thermador and Miele.

Things can change in a minute....

Part of the reason it's been a while since I've posted anything, is that my father has been having some major health issues. It started last fall, where he had 4 stents put into his heart and has been a roller coaster ever since. He's been home for small periods of time, and the last time he fell and broke his hip. He's recovering from that injury now in a rehabilitation center, and I've been putting a lot of thought into how we're going to get him home.

No one wants to go from being a productive family member to someone that needs waiting on for every basic human need. I want to make sure that we do what we can to give my father independence, while also preparing for the possibility that he may need some aid. (A caregiver requires more space in the bath and therefore some planning)

My parents live in a raised ranch, so the entrance via the garage is on the ground level and the living spaces are on the 'second' floor which requires a set of stairs to get in and out of the house. While there is finished space in our basement, putting a bedroom down there would be cutting my father off from most of the house. So that means that the easiest solution is to have a stair climber put into the house for him.

We just finished remodeling my parents' bathroom last year, complete with curbless shower and several grab bars. So at least in that regard, we are ahead of the game. However, can it fit a wheel chair if necessary? No. We would have to widen the doors, and there is not enough room to wheel a chair into the shower or radius for a wheelchair to turn (required space for this according to the NKBA guidelines is 6o" - consider that space in your typical New England home!). I think the best bet if the wheelchair becomes a necessary aid is to remove the tub from the second bathroom and install another curbless shower in its place (or perhaps a transfer tub). This would also provide space for any assistance if needed.

I know, you're already adding these things up in your head : Stair climber maybe $10k, new bath remodel $30-40K. These are reasons why every person going through a remodel needs to carefully consider all the health possibilities of both aging in place, sports -related injuries or accidents etc. I know it sounds really grim while you're busy at work planning your gorgeous new bath, but think of the savings in the long run. These changes don't have to look like a hospital. It won't affect your chances of resale because ALL of us can benefit from these changes. (Maybe you're thinking, but I thought I needed to have a tub for re-sale? You can still get a child's size temp tub and use a hand held on a slide bar in the shower replacement.)

Other changes you should consider:

• All light switches should be placed at a height where someone in a wheelchair can comfortably reach. Rocker switches are much easier to work for all hands.
• Some light fixtures are quite difficult to switch out and require a short ladder.Replace incandescent lamps (bulbs) with fluorescent or LED diodes. This means that you won't have to change lamps out once a year.
• When remodeling your kitchen, make sure you vary counter heights to accommodate all heights and abilities. Leaving knee space under sinks and range tops will allow a person in a wheelchair, or someone who can't stand very long to be able to sit and cook/wash dishes/help out with cooking rather than be relegated to the sidelines.
• Consider appliances with several sensory functions - dishwashers that light up the floor below while on, control panels that have pictures to reinforce function, refrigerators/microwaves with verbal alarms when left open/done cooking, Smoke alarms with flashing lights etc.
• Think about safety while choosing your kitchen stove. Gas is wonderful to cook with, but potentially dangerous. Your safest option is an induction range - cool to the touch and only works when the burners are in contact with a magnetically charged pan.
• Whenever possible plan a full bath and a room that can function as a bedroom on the first floor so that someone who cannot climb stairs has a place to bathe. This makes the bulky and expensive stair climber unnecessary.

As you can imagine, it's much harder dealing with these items when you're already stressed out and emotionally worn down. If you plan for them while you're remodeling, you take a huge weight off your shoulders when the need arises.

Stunning (but pricey) product of the week!

OK, so this photo does this faucet absolutely no justice whatsoever. It's GORGEOUS in person. I kept going back to it in the showroom today and lovingly petting it. Sadly it did not follow me home.

Lever handles = good universal design.

For Country by Michael S. Smith for Kallista. $2144. Yowza. This grrl's got good taste!

In search of...

I'm still on lighting here for my universal kitchen design. I am using LED recessed lighting on dimmers for most of the kitchen, but it's kind of a snoozer. I have a large two level seating island and am in search of an interesting flush or semi flush mount fixture for over the island. As much as I love pendants, I feel like they may not be the best decision safety-wise with an Autistic child.

Here are some candidates:

Astoria Pendant Rectangle

By Stonegate Designs.

This one is the PERFECT size/shape, but can't be installed flush.

Astoria Pendant (can be installed flush)

By Stonegate Designs.

My hesitation here is the fabric. It won't be so easy to clean.

Artful Designs for Ceiling Light

By Hubbarton Forge

Glass, so easy to clan, Semi flush, available as fluorescent.

Artful Designs for Ceiling Light

By Hubbarton Forge

I think this fixture is extremely elegant and the King Family has no dining room. Practical? Maybe not.

Any suggestions?

I'm in love with LED

Just came from a mini seminar on LED lighting at Lucia Lighting in Lynn (BEST selection of lighting in the Boston area- hands down - not to mention the NICEST people!). I was really not too excited to drive there in rush hour, and to be honest, lighting has been my least favorite part of my design classes- it's complicated and requires a ton of knowledge. So that fact that I am so jazzed about LED is a total surprise to me.

I'm sure this is old hat, but just in case, the benefits of LED lighting are many. LED fixtures are low-watt so therefore they burn a lot less energy which is good for your wallet and the environment. One LED lamp (or diode to be correct) lasts for about 50,000-75,000 hours of use! So LEDs are the best friend to those of us who hate to, or can't, change lamps (light bulbs). They burn cool, unlike say MR16 halogens which add significant heat to your kitchen etc.

Lucy showed us the latest innovations in LED. The first being that LED is now available in warm white colors rather than that very unappealing blue white that first came out on the market. Dreamscape makes cabinet lighting that comes in flexible strips ranging from 2" to 11'. We passed around a small trip and it looks more like computer memory than lighting( the picture below is another brand FYI)

So while this stuff is bright enough to illuminate your cabinetry, you'll want a large size for under counter lighting. Color Kinetics makes a line called the EW Cove Powercore that mimics the color rendering of incandescent lighting almost perfectly (I bet if we give it another year and they will look interchangeable) - no color shift here. These are also DIMMABLE!!!

Lucy mentioned that you do want to be careful about using LED with white and cream colored cabinetry and stone - as it tends to do bad things to the color. She recommends borrowing a fixture and mocking up a kitchen in order to make sure that your LED lighting is working with your stone and cabinetry. Good advice which will save you lots of time and money in the long run.

Now on to my two favorite innovations by CSL Lighting!

First, I present to you the 3" 16 watt downlight! This lamp has a 50-60k hour lamp life with very little heat output. It is GREAT for low ceilings or for older home remodels where you don't have the depth to put in a traditional can. They make a wet version with a lens and it comes in a 5" size as well. Best part? These babies come with three changeable lenses: a spot, a wide flood and a narrow. How is that possible? Again, LED lights are not light bulbs, they are diodes, so the size/shape of the bulb does not determine the beam, the lens does. Even better? It comes in a SQUARE trim!!! How cool is that?

It should be noted here that LED recessed lights should not be used with polished stone surfaces. You will see the reflection which is not pretty. A nice honed surface? No problem.

And the icing on the cake? Gravity by CSL. This gorgeous fixture can be used as a sconce or overhead lighting and is wet rated - so no more boring shower recessed cans. I can't wait to integrate this baby into a tile design!

Still drawing.. and drawing.. and drawing.

Last night I sat down to sketch the entire kitchen/living room in preparation for the final floor plan. I had not done this previously because in 1/2" scale, I could barely get the kitchen to fit, let alone the hallway, garage and stairs (I miss you AutoCad!).

I had woken up in the middle of the night recently and realized that aside from a 30" high desktop area, I didn't have anywhere for somewhere in a wheelchair to sit, should it be needed for a visitor or injured family member. My kitchen was totally accessible otherwise! (those of you who know me know I am always thinking with my stomach - so this was a surprising revelation!)

So, the island was revamped: The "work" section of the island became narrower to accommodate the 36" induction top with ductless downdraft (love it JennAir!!) flanked by 2 24" wide cabinets that have these amazing pullout by Rev-A-Shelf that hold all the pots and lids. Here is a picture - although the one in the catalog is much better!

A 9" tray divider opens to the side of the island as well as a 9" pull out on the opposite side.

Then a seating island long enough to seat 5 extends from the rear of the 36" tall island, but at 30".

I really love my design. As soon as I'm finished drawing I will scan and share. It's odd that it makes me happy to design for a mythical family, but I feel like I've made their hypothetical lives so much easier. Now on to do the same for the living and breathing :)

Multigenerational models

At both my sessions at RDC and at KBIS there has been an emphasis on the resurgence of multi-generational families now living under one roof. This is really driving the need for the implementation of the principals of universal design.

At RDC we had a builder involved in the large scale, extremely expensive independent living facility end of the industry talk about how these mega-facilities are now failing. As the child of two parents who are trying to figure out what the next best step is for themselves as they begin to need simpler lives with less worry and more personal care options, I found this particularly fascinating. The reason for this failure is three fold - one, the cost alone pretty much excludes about 90% of the population. How many of us have the $600,000 deposit along with the monthly $5k for fees? Second, and this especially applies to my geographic area, these facilities require a ton of land to build on and as such are often out in the boonies, which is isolating. Third, is the 'I don't want to live with a bunch of old people' mentality that sort of works hand in hand with the isolation. Just because you're 60+ doesn't necessarily mean that you want to be surrounded solely by the same.

Developers are obviously taking note as interest in these large projects is winding down. So their solution is taken from a European model, where smaller communities are built closer to town. These communities will contain about 12 smaller units of housing, along with some common facilities such as a gym, function pace and outdoor space. They could be a combination of one and two story homes with the idea that it will attract residents of different ages who will want to come together to take care of one another. One neighbor with two children may be able to leave her children with her elderly neighbor in return for taking care of some of her errand and other needs. Perhaps dinner is prepared two or three times a week in the function space so that the community can come together to share a meal.

Much like architectural movements that tend to go from ornate to stark and then back to ornate again, it seems that family and community may be coming back into vogue. Yes, it's a little Utopia-esque but it makes sense to me that people are tired of feeling isolated and yearn for more sense of togetherness.

More KBIS fun...

After a very late night (or early morning) post Blackhawks game at Timmy O'Toole's, we revived a bit with some breakfast at Yolk. My friend Jess (who FYI won second place in the NKBA design competition for her Small Kitchen entry) and I headed back to McCormick for a design panel, Form that Functions, sponsored by Brizo.

On the panel: fashion designer Jason Wu (he designed Michelle Obama's inaugural gown), Brizo/Delta industrial designer Judd Lord and Cheryl Kees Clendenon, FL kitchen designer. Author/designer Johnny Grey unfortunately was grounded in London due to the Icelandic volcano eruption and didn't make it.

I loved that Jason stated that his job was to make things prettier. As an art school student I often struggled in my classes because I generally just wanted to make beautiful things. Instructors would always ask about my thought process or seem to expect some deep inner meaning, and to me, I just wanted things that were beautiful to look at. Often this left me feeling superficial. A fellow student would be praised for his series of photographs of still images of Valley of the Dolls playing on his TV, but my gorgeous pinhole photos not so much.

As a kitchen and bath designer, I don't have to struggle with deep inner meanings anymore, just improving and enhancing the lives of my clients. How many of us have been sucked into wanting a home for its gorgeous kitchen, only to find that the kitchen does not function well for our needs?

Part of my passion for universal design is breaking away from many of the 'molds' that are often instilled in me. A counter does NOT have to be 36" tall, in fact most of the time it shouldn't. A kitchen with varied counter heights is visually so much more interesting and functions so much better for users of all heights. Rather than your typical base and wall cabinet combos in a U or L, some of the most beautiful and interesting kitchens I have seen lately almost use cabinets as furniture pieces, as if they are heirlooms that have been passed down. A 63" tall bank of cabinetry, perhaps holding some appliances on one side, and say bookshelves or interesting glass cabinet on the other can act as a room divider in the large open spaces we are now so accustomed to seeing. This is a way to both create intimacy but still leave a room open to light or flow, and also puts appliances at a height that is user friendly.

Now armed with some great ideas and new product information, I'm excited to go home and start implementing my new knowledge into my work. I absolutely love this faucet that Judd designed and am hoping to work it into a glamorous bath for a new client (would love to use it with some totally fabulous Ann Sacks tile). Must put down the laptop to board my plane out of O'Hare but more thoughts later...

KBIS!

Greetings from KBIS (or Kitchen & Bath Industry Show for those of you not in the know)! What a great excuse to be in one of my favorite cities, Chicago.

But fear not, I have not just been eating hot dogs and hitting Cubs games - I actually spent quite a bit of time at the show this morning, starting with an 8:15 presentation at Delta by Universal Design specialist Mary Jo Peterson (thank you @charliekkendo)

Mary Jo reiterated that universal design is a winning combination of beauty and function that enhances living and benefits all. This is always a good reminder for me - while I'm often concentrating on Steve and trying to aid in his eventual independence, there are 4 other family members living in the household and the design needs to both work and enhance their lives as well.

Delta had some great new products that will be released this year. Here are a few of the highlights:

• The Zero Threshold Shower Bases: available in 63x39" and 39X39, you can still have a gorgeous tiled shower with an easy to maintain, slip resistant base and, as advertised, zero threshold. (For those of us who don't want to clean grout, they also make acrylic shower walls that comes as a 3 piece set along with grab bars and shelving)
• The 60" transfer tub : I had a previous post about parents complaining of back and knee pain while bathing their children (remember the fire truck bath?!) - well here is another solution that also benefits a full spectrum of people. The transfer area can be used by caregivers, or by the bather who wants to access the tub safely or from a wheelchair. There is also a removable bench and built in handles from which the bather can use to hoist themselves out of the tub.

• Handshowers with 8 spray combination, that include a pause button!
• Brizo's Smart Touch Faucets - Almost like a motion sensor, the faucets begin operating by a touch rather than a lever. They also have an auto off should they be activated by mistake or forgotten.

The floor is really vibrant and high energy and little old exhausted me needed to take the afternoon off! Didn't make it back at 5 for Jenn Air cocktails, but did make it to their booth earlier today to see the amazing ductless downdraft ventilation for island cooktops. Sick of stainless? They now make products in an Oiled Bronze finish and it's GORGEOUS!!!

OK nothing to do with my kitchen project but...

Just all around good design - fun!

I introduce to you, the fish condo, for discerning adults who still want a goldfish. Why throw your beta into one of those sad tiny bowls when he can have a penthouse loft?!

Let the drafting begin!

After many bubble diagrams to map out the space, I have a design in mind. The hardest challenge was trying to give the family seating for 6 as well as the large laundry list of other wants/needs. I ended up designing an island with seating on two sides so that they can face one another somewhat. It may end up ovular on one side to provide even more face to face seating(sitting in a single line is not very conducive to conversation). The island will also include the sink and dishwasher. I initially wanted the range there, but realized that then there would be a large range hood over the island. I have to make sure that this would not in fact impede Steve's caretakers from a clear line of sight into the living room. I may end up switching back as I'd like to put in a nice sized window looking out into the yard and if I put the range on the yard side it's going to be tough to also fit windows and some wall cabinets.

In order to give the most room for their bulk storage needs I am fairly certain I'm going to have to scrap the separate wall ovens in favor of a duel fuel range (induction top). This will allow plenty of tall pantry storage where the wall oven/microwave would have gone.

The children will have their own 'prep' area near the door to the garage. An under counter refrigerator and counter top microwave will be within reach so that they will be able to prepare their school lunches at night and not be in Marilyn's way as she's preparing dinner. I want to make the back splash in this area either a chalkboard or cork board so there is a message center to help this busy family without taking way too much wall cabinet space.

All the work aisles are 48" with the exception of the kids prep area, where I hope to have 60" to play with in case someone is in a wheelchair they can at the very least have enough room to turn the chair around.

Head is spinning...

I just spent an hour on the Hafele website. Amazing products, but so many! I like that most of their inserts come with a quiet close feature - so no slamming drawers. They also have amazing cabinet inserts to make reaching and storage easier and more accessible. This one below is a great pull down for wall cabinets for those of us who are vertically challenged (no more stools to trip over!))

The next time you are designing for a client (or yourself) make sure you visit their site for inspiration.

Childproofing for special needs....

I was trying to find the best cabinet locks for the King's kitchen and came across this article. So helpful as it comes from a parent's perspective. I never would have known which ones work best!

It also gives great sources for door alarms, and motion sensor alarms to let parents know when their child is in an area in the house where they need added supervision (Kitchen & Bath).

I'm not a mom yet, but....

I was checking out the featured products for the upcoming Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) and found this really fun bath insert from Safety Tubs. I think it's a great example of really fun Universal Design.

Last night in class, we were going over client surveys for each of our respective families. One of my classmates has a pregnant mother of one and the issue of where to bathe her children came up. Never having given a child a bath, I was not aware (but not surprised) that kneeling by the tub is not exactly a happy experience for your knees. This insert (it just fits over your current bathtub and can be put away should you have ample storage) solves the kneeling issue by raising the seating up to a 'comfortable level'.

Because the actual bathing space is reduced, it saves filling an entire tub with water. It also claims to reduce slips and falls and eliminates hazards such as scalding hot water (I'm honestly not sure how it does that - I'd stick with an anti-scald tub fixture).

I can't find this product on Safety Tubs website, but maybe it's too new. I was hoping to see what the tubs for girls look like!

Peace and quiet - please!

So, I've mentioned that I am thinking of using cork for its sound absorption ability. This got me thinking of other ways to reduce sound in the kitchen, where there is typically a lot of banging, clanking etc. A quick search on the internet has lead me to the following products:

• Sound absorbing artwork (!) - Actually made of recycled cotton, these art panels are useful in both commercial and residential applications.
• Ventilation is super important to your health and to the contents of your home. Many people don't turn oven ventilation on, because oftentimes they inherit super noisy systems. My bath fan, for example, sounds much like a plane taking off. To someone with Autism, this might be unbearable. Make sure that you carefully look at the sones reading on any ventilation apparatus you choose. The lower the number the less noisy (conversation for example is rated at 1-4 sones).
• Appliances - So you've put in softer flooring and a quiet vent hood, but your dishwasher is so noisy you have to yell to talk over it. If I type 'quietest dishwasher' into Google, I get a couple of sites that rate dishwashers (just be sure you're using one that is a third party not trying to sell you something, a la Consumer Reports). Be prepared to spend more for peace and quiet: Bosch claims that their 800 series is the quietest dishwasher in the US and it comes with a $2100 price tag.
• I've mentioned drawer slides that self close and also anti-slam apparatus for doors - no more drawer/door slamming!
• Lastly, dishes in the sink are another big offender. Many sinks by Kohler have 'SilentShield' which claims to reduce the noise from dishes, running water and the disposal.

Please feel free to share any ideas you may have - I'd love to update my library!

Adjustable height counters

While the King family probably does not need this product, I have a classmate who is redesigning the same home for two clients with two very different heights - the husband is 6'2 and the wife is 5'1. You can imagine (as can I since I'm 5'2) that the industry standard counter height of 36" would be a challenge for both of these individuals, and of course for a household where someone is in a wheelchair. Comfortable counter height is based on the individual and exists three inches below the elbow.

So, the obvious choice is to vary the height of the counter tops so each person has a work surface. But what about places like the cook top or a sink?

Voila! Counters on a lift that can accommodate both important stations.

Initial Presentation

My initial presentation about recommendations for the King Family remodel was last night and went well (I think!). A few additional products/concepts were discussed that I should note:

• Anti slam devices for doors: This will prohibit Steve from slamming doors and also lessen the door closing noises that he may have issues with.
• Self-closing door slides should be installed on the cabinets to ensure that they close quietly.
• Shower/bath controls should be set within easy reach of an assistant if Steve needs help bathing.

Next week in class we will interview 'the client' and we have been given some preliminary information on the family and their wants/needs. I am working on additional questions, mostly pertaining to how Steve currently uses the kitchen, how they hope he will be able to use the kitchen and what they might think would help him. I also have questions about his Autism and what challenges in particular he faces.

Two weeks from now we will then present our products the the class so I am already looking at things like :

• Flooring - Most likely a cork or sheet vinyl as they are both softer than stone/wood and easy to clean. The benefit of cork is that it is both antimicrobial and muffled sound. The benefit of a sheet vinyl is that it will be more durable and easy to clean.
• Cabinetry - This family of 5, plus the grandmother as a day time caretaker is going to need a LOT of organization. They are Costco shoppers so storage is key.
• Counter tops - needs to be durable with a matte finish to reduce glare. Normally I'm a little anti Corian, but this may suit the Kings well. I'll be looking at other green options like recycled glass etc as well. The counter top will need a rounded edge for safety.
• Lighting - I'll be looking a a combination of task and ambient lighting, all on dimmers
• Appliances - I've mentioned a lot of the technology I am looking for (safety features, pictures as visual cues, self closing etc) now it's just a matter of finding them. I mentioned in class last night that Miele now has a chip in their Independence refrigerators that when connected to your wi-fi will give you a call on your cell phone to let you know your refrigerator door is ajar! It also diagnoses problems so that instead of an initial diagnostic service call, followed by the actual repair service call when the necessary part is in, all you need is the latter appointment. To someone who worked in the remodeling industry and often had clients waiting three weeks for dryer parts, this is pretty amazing.
• Plumbing - A single lever faucet with clearly labeled hot and cold.

More updates to come!

All Hail the Induction Range

Last night I attended a new product showcase at Yale Appliance. One of the most featured products was the induction cook top. I am particularly drooling over this range model by Viking, but I'm fairly sure that every company that manufactures cook tops has an induction model.

Induction isn't new, it's just recently come back into vogue because of it's energy efficiency. For those of you who are not familiar, induction cooking is fueled by magnetism. Physics was really not my favorite subject in school, so I'll provide you with someone else's explanation (thank you inductionsite.com):

How Induction Cooking Works:

1. The element's electronics power a coil that produces a high-frequency electromagnetic field.

2. That field penetrates the metal of the ferrous (magnetic-material) cooking vessel and sets up a circulating electric current, which generates heat.

3. The heat generated in the cooking vessel is transferred to the vessel's contents.

4. Nothing outside the vessel is affected by the field--as soon as the vessel is removed from the element, or the element turned off, heat generation stops.

Most home-chefs will tell you that they absolutely NEED a gas stove to cook on - electric takes way too much time to heat up and it's tough to regulate the heat. If you're buying a home with an electric stove, and there is no gas hookup, installing an induction cook top may be a money saving option for you to get the same cooking abilities you would have on a gas range, without the expense of having to pay for the gas hookup to your home.

So I've touched on why to buy induction over electric, but if you have a gas range/cook top, why switch to induction? Several reasons:

1. Induction uses about 40% of the energy that gas cooking uses. That's better for the environment and lighter on your wallet.
2. Induction does not create any heat, so your kitchen stays cooler.
3. Safety-wise induction is a clear winner. No chance of burning hands and even better, the 'burners' only work when they sense a magnetic charge. No magnetic charge and they automatically turn off. This is great for clients with memory challenges (My parents and I noted that most assisted living homes only have the dreary microwave as a means to cook!), curious children etc. (This is also great for people like me who have, on occasion, turned the gas down super low and then forgotten it was on, thereby setting off the CO3 detector. Cough.)
4. It was pointed our last night that without the gas burners, clients will be able to reduce the size/power of the ventilation system.

For all of it's benefits, and most especially the safety aspects, I will be recommending an induction cook top for the King family.

Additions!

Thanks go out to twitter friend @HackLaSalle for his helpful suggestions in making the kitchen and bath safer places:

• If a tub is the only bathing option, opt for a tub that has a built in non-slip feature (I'm still looking for one - if you have suggestions, email me!) . If you're not replacing the tub, you have two options: you can buy non-slip material, but you run the risk of it being peeled off, or you can use a treatment such as this one to chemically change the surface of the tub.
• Thermostatic valves are great as you can set the temperature of your bath water to say 72 degrees and you don't have to sit and wait for the water to heat up - it comes out at 72 on demand. This would reduce the risk of scalding, although pretty much all fixtures these days are anti-scald.
• In the kitchen, picture labels for drawers/cabinets are extremely helpful. For example in the King family, if Marilyn wanted to involve Steve in the cooking process, she could ask for a pan and by looking at the pictures, Steve would know where to find it. This concept could also be used in the bath vanity, or on a dresser in the bedroom, etc.

Some sources for design & Autism

Someone sent me this link to a segment on the Today Show after a few posts on twitter looking for help:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The designer, Deborah DiMare has a great website and links to several articles she has written:

http://www.dimaredesign.com/index.html

Although this article is older, I thought it was another great source: http://www.informedesign.umn.edu/_news/apr_v06r-pr.pdf

The Challenge

Me: A third year kitchen & bath design student, currently enrolled in my elective course on Universal Design.

The Challenge: To redesign a kitchen and bath (as well as other necessary areas) on a New England Cape to work better for a (fictional) family of 5.

The Family: The Kings: Fred & Marilyn are in their mid thirties. A banker and a teacher respectively, the seem to only find time for exercise on the weekends. Both are described as 30 lbs overweight. Don is 16 and an avid mountain biker currently nursing a broken leg. Grace, age 16, is the athlete of the family, participating in several sports. The youngest, Steve, is 12 and has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Fred & Marilyn want to age in place, and hope that Steve will be able to live in the house independently when they are gone.

That's all the information I have on the King family so far. The first assignment is to think about their particular design considerations and to form a chart with design concerns and broad solutions (ie, no products, just concepts) to address the concerns.

With Fred & Marilyn, there is not a whole lot of information to pursue a whole lot of concerns/solutions. They are in their 30's, but anytime you take on a remodel, you should plan ahead for the future as well. F&M will probably remodel again in the next 25 years, but simple things like raising the dishwasher 6-9 inches off the floor, makes loading and unloading the dishwasher less of a bending/stretching chore. Separate cooking appliances (range and wall oven) also accomplish this goal. In the bathroom, using a comfort height toilet and installing a 17-19" bench in the shower along with appropriate grab bars will make sure that both appointments will work for them well into their golden years.

For the older teens, I concentrated on accessibility in case of injury. Making sure there is adequate space to maneuver in the kitchen and bath are key. Doorways should be 34" wide to accommodate mobility aids. A wheelchair requires 60" of clear floor space to turn, but many homeowners (especially in New England!) don't have this kind of space to use. In my case, the downstairs bath is quite small, and Don is on crutches, so I am debating whether or not we'll have to take some real estate from an adjoining den. The raised toilet and shower bench will certainly be to his advantage as well.

The most interesting to research and think about is Steve. I have been all over the web looking for tips/strategies on designing for the Autistic client. I know that colors like pale blue, and pink are soothing, minimal patterns/clutter is important for concentration. Lighting should be soft/diffused. A heavy quilt helps soothe to sleep. The biggest concern in a bath and kitchen however is obviously safety. Locking away prescriptions, knives etc. An induction cooktop will prevent touching a hot stove. Anti-scald features on all faucets. Visual cueing will help foster independence - the popcorn button on the microwave for example. A self closing refrigerator and faucets that have electronic sensors to shut off will prevent over-use. Commercial vinyl flooring now comes in a million gorgeous options - it's soft and durable to all kinds of spills etc.

I found this really interesting article on designing a facility for Autism. I especially love that the designers thought to use as many of the senses as possible. Got me thinking about using smell. We were discussing in class a study in, I believe, Japan, where they were building fire alarms that emitted a horribly bitter smell in order to wake deaf homeowners up (currently all that is available is a flashing strobe light - which I imagine the heaviest sleepers may still sleep through). Clearly most parents are not able to provide the intricate light show as seen in the sensory room, but I think that the light patterns on the ceiling can be done on a smaller (less expensive) scale - I know my niece and nephew have a toy that puts on a light show on their ceiling - perhaps if one came in softer colors (theirs is primary)?

Anyway, I would like to start brainstorming ideas to make the kitchen a more inclusive space for Steve. Parents, I could use some of your input, are there any products or ideas you have implemented in your own homes? I'd love to hear them!

Part of the universal design challenge is making the space work for everyone, so I'm realistically not re-designing a home for Steve, but a home that works for everyone in the family.