A Slice of the 2018 Kitchen and Bath Show

With each new year comes new industry trade shows featuring the best products, trends, and technologies in the industry. The KBIS, Kitchen & Bath Show, took place last week in Orlando, alongside the IBS, International Building Show. KBIS certainly is one of the largest trade shows in the country hosting 600+ leading brands, as well as, 100 new companies with pristine products for the interior design industry. The exhibits mimic whole houses, each packed with fully built kitchen and baths that allow you to easily experience the full impact of new innovations, design, and technology on display at the show. 

Kitchen and baths are two of the most important rooms in the home. They are the rooms people often remodel, requiring the largest investment, which in general, provides the largest return on investment related to the value of any home. Homeowners often decide to update kitchens and baths when moving into a new home, looking to update their space as part of a larger remodeling project, or when deciding to age in place. These rooms now require modifications to better support a changing lifestyle, and along with it, mobility, accessibility, and safety issues.  

The products and exhibits highlighted the ever evolving design trends, colors, and styles. Whether the style is modern or classic, cabinetry is not only functional but evolving into beautiful home furnishing pieces. Appliances, however, are showing up in vibrant colors and in a variety of styles including historic, retro, and vintage, combined with cutting edge technology. We were in attendance at the show not only to preview some of the latest kitchen and bath trends and products, but also look for those products or manufacturers that specifically addressed the needs of our aging population or anyone with accessibility issues. Here’s just a slice of the show pie, so we hope it gets you hungry for more: 

The Intelligent Toilet

Every toilet manufacturer was highlighting these personal hygiene or bidet-toilets and making the statement: “once you have one, you will never go back.” Often highlighted as an “Aging in Place” toilet, as it promotes bathroom independence, it is now being promoted as “hands-free,” so you can toilet and text while remaining germ free. These toilets sense when you are entering the room, they have heated seats, provide a nightlight, wash and dry you in multiple locations, and offer other anti-bacterial and sterilization features. You can either purchase the toilet or just buy the toilet seat, just make sure you have an electric outlet nearby.  Here’s a link to the new top of the line Toto: https://www.totousa.com/neorest-750h-dual-flush-toilet-10-and-08-gpf-with-actilight. 

A Shower Experience

“It's not a shower. It's an experience.” Kohler’s DTV+ touchscreen interface technology allows you to create a multi-sensory spa experience at home by infusing the shower with water, sound, scented steam, and light. You can select from a variety of mood setting experiences including Relaxation, Well-Being, and Energy. The touch screen interface eliminates multiple knobs and levers, allowing you to pre-program your experiences, become more present in the moment, while increasing overall accessibility.  https://www.us.kohler.com/us/DTV+-Digital-Showering-Experience/content/dtvplus.htm.

Designer Shower Doors

Have you always thought that shower doors are considered to be more function over style? Well think again, as these shower doors are the new bathroom centerpiece. Coastal Showers has collaborated with designers including Bobby Berk and Vanessa Deleon to create an inspiring series of doors, panels, and room dividers. https://www.coastalshowerdoors.com/

Smart Appliances:

One of our favorite exhibits included the Samsung 4 Door Flex Family Hub refrigerator (pictured above). You can shop for food, organize family schedules, listen to music, share calendars, photos, notes, and more between your refrigerator and your family’s smartphones. Create shopping lists, look inside your refrigerator from anywhere and set expiration notifications to keep all your food fresh. In addition to the technology, the 4 Door Flex allows you to easily interchange compartments from refrigerator to freezer, making it incredibly accessible. https://www.samsung.com/us/explore/family-hub-refrigerator/connected-hub/ 

The Kitchen Workstation:

Sounds like an office environment, but the kitchen workstation offers a large counter space that incorporates a variety of functions and culinary tools, to help prep, cook, serve, entertain, and clean up, all in one convenient place. Marketed to be the new all-in-one “cooking triangle,” it may include a double faucet, an extra wide sink, different tiers of sliding boards including cutting boards, grates, drying racks, as well as, an upper deck to create additional work surfaces. Offered by many manufacturers, the one that really caught our attention was The Galley Dresser. http://thegalley.com/galley-dresser/

Steam Ovens:

Steam ovens offer tremendous cooking flexibility and nutritional benefits. These ovens easily cook many different types of foods including vegetables, fish, bread, custards, and so much more. When reheating foods, the steam re-hydrates foods, and as a result, offers superior warming to leftovers over microwaves. The steaming process also allows the food to retain all the vitamins and minerals with using less fats and oils, and is preferred over boiling as the food retains its color, texture, and flavor, as well as, reducing the possibility of burns from boiling water. https://www.mieleusa.com/domestic/steam-ovens-1461.htm

Automated Storage:

Regardless of your range of motion or accessibility issues, the automated pantry, wardrobe, and shoe systems (offered by Storage Motion) will improve your overall storage. It will allow you to access items regardless of storage height, through its automated rolling shelves and wardrobe lifts. The shoe system, called ShoeSelect, maximizes shoe storage by rotating the shoes on a vertical carousel, and can be operated by a wireless remote or wall switch. Any person with a large shoe collection should not be without this luxury! http://storagemotion.com/

All in all, KBIS was a big success for discovering new and improved products not only for our clients but also for our own homes. It certainly left us hungry for more, so we hope this post did the same for you! 

New Year, New Master Bathroom

With a fresh 2018 calendar hanging on your wall and all of its empty boxes yet to be filled with to-dos, the start of a new year is naturally an optimistic time. Resolutions can come in all forms: eat healthier, become more patient, establish an exercise routine, get more sleep, or make changes around your home. For our client, the new year means a new, safe, aging in place home. 

You’ve followed us so far on our journey to making an 82 year olds life at home easier. We’ve shared our remodeling plans and heartwarming personal stories, but this week is going to be more technical. We are going to discuss planning for safety in the bathroom, and how these tips can improve independence and reduce the risk of falls in the bathroom. 

 Most people want to stay in their homes as long as possible. The trouble is, their homes may not be aging as well as they are. So, take your bathroom for example. Due to its hard and slippery surfaces, thousands of people visit the emergency room each year with injuries suffered while bathing, showering, or using the facilities. Despite that, many homeowners resist even small changes that would make the room safer because they fear their beautiful bathroom will end up looking institutional. However, the time has come for that fear to no longer exist. The very things that make your bathroom safer and easier to navigate— walk-in showers; higher toilets; grab bars— are also some of the latest design trends for any home! 

Bathroom modifications to safely age-in-place can be seamlessly integrated into any design plans, and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of an individual, while following general guidelines offered by ADA standards. Here are some practical yet aesthetically pleasing ways we will be transforming her master bathroom into a safe place to keep her independent and loving her new room:

Barrier Free Shower

A curb-less shower provides an accessible approach for anyone, with no tripping hazards. A pitched floor with a linear drain allows the water to drain toward the back of the shower and looks great.  Additional shower safety items include a handheld shower (the hose should be at least 6 feet long), and a seat (whether it’s a built-in, fold up or the most flexible: free standing). Make sure you have good light in the shower, and hang a shelf or install a cubby that keeps toiletries within easy reach.

Double Duty Grab Bars

Properly installed grab bars provide the assistance needed to navigate through the bathroom, to pull yourself up, and to maintain balance. In case you slip, you should place these at the entrance and inside the shower or tub and around the toilet at a comfortable height. Bars are typically hung horizontally, but hanging them vertically or on a diagonal is easier to reach if you’re on the floor after a fall. Grab bars are now showing up undetectable in bathrooms, camouflaged as part of many common bathroom fixtures such as toilet paper holders, towel bars, soap dishes, and as shelves. All of these are available in a variety of styles and finishes to match any decor and color scheme.

Tile Style

Tile shape, color, and size add to the design and personal style of any bathroom. For floor tiles, be sure to check that the coefficient of friction for wetness exceeds .60 as a general indicator of slip safety, and also select a tile rich in texture. Shower floors also benefit from smaller scale tile as increased grout surface will provide more grip. It’s also helpful to include an “orienting” border of tile in the shower so that it’s easy to understand where you are in the space (instances where there is vision or other cognitive impairment). 

Keep It Handy

Open shelves can be attractive if they’re tidy. Putting glass-front doors on your cabinets lets you see what’s inside without opening them. Look for cabinets with easy-close doors, interior pull out drawers, and all drawers using D-shaped pulls instead of knobs.

Re-Think The Sink

Sinks can be wall-mounted, pedestal, or open with a space underneath the cabinet.  Many cabinetry lines now offer standard accessible options to compliment your style, so ask while you are planning your bathroom.  Automatic faucets or ones with lever handles are best for ease of operation.

Toilet Envy

Personal hygiene toilets are all the rage, offering a modern all-in-one toilet/bidet option. These toilet seats go up and down as you approach, are heated, include multi area wash and dry functionality, and even offer a night light. If you are remodeling make sure you have your electrician provide an outlet near the toilet so you can upgrade from your basic toilet at any time. They are offered in a variety of styles and colors, and you can purchase the complete toilet or just the toilet seat, which provides the same functionality at a much lower cost. All toilets should be “comfort” height or 18” height for ease of use.

We are excited to incorporate many of these features in our client’s new first floor Master Bathroom, which will allow her to continue living independently and remain at home.  There’s nothing more rewarding then knowing you’re making a New Years resolution a reality while creating a safe, comfortable, and beautiful environment!

The Holiday Surprise

The Holiday season is in full swing with festive music, twinkling lights, hectic street traffic, but most importantly household traditions that are performed with love. Some people may bake their favorite batch of cookies, or hang important family decorations, while others may be cleaning or decluttering to prepare for a huge home renovation.

We have been following the progression, and sharing stories of our current clients heartwarming home remodeling project over the past few weeks blog posts. For our client, the holiday season has been consumed of floor plans, proposals, and talk of walls being torn down come the new year. He and his 82 year old mother are eagerly awaiting the chaos of construction; however, before any of that can begin the organization of existing furniture, pictures, clothing, etc. needs to take place. The cleaning and decluttering phase can be fun. It can be a time to see old things that may not have been seen in a while, rid your space of things that may not belong there anymore, or even discover things that you completely forgot about or never knew existed. All of the above has occurred with our client, but the last point of discovering something that he never knew existed will be the focus of this post. 

One afternoon while cleaning out the garage, our client stumbled upon a wrapped present that was addressed to his mother, with love from his father. He couldn’t tell how old the present was, but he assumed it was maybe two Christmases ago, since his father could not get out shopping last year before he passed. This will be the first Christmas they both will spend without him. As he looked at the present, a ton of memories from when we was a boy rushed back into his head. He shared with us that he just stood there silent; looking at it, holding it, like he was standing there holding onto his dad. The tenderness at this time of year is present in their household, but there is still so much joy to be seen. It only took one present that was discovered tucked behind a pile of old boxes to bring peace to their hearts. 

What if they weren’t in the process of remodeling there home? Well, we’re certain that they wouldn’t be organizing, decluttering, and cleaning out their garage at this time of year. Which means, that this little present would have sat behind those old boxes collecting dust just waiting to be found. However, their preparation for construction prompted the best holiday surprise ever. They found a message from a loved one just when they needed a little extra TLC! 

We love to be apart of these incredible memories, but we love even more that our clients want us to be apart of them. From the team here at Ellen Farber Strategic Design, we give you the warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful Holiday and a happy New Year!

Communication, Companionship, and Construction

The remodeling process is exciting. It can be a time to start over, get a fresh new look, update what you can’t seem to let go of yet, or for many of our clients, a time of transition. Whichever category you fall under, remodeling is still an adventure and a process that requires communication of your lifestyle and preferences, sharing budgetary constraints while explaining design goals, and sharing your personal stories and information about how you live in your home now, as well as, predicting what you may need in the future. 

Choosing to undergo a remodeling project can be overwhelming at any age, but for seniors, it can be even more overwhelming. Deciding to “live in place,” and objectively look at your home and make changes that can support you now and for the next phase of your life can be a reality check. Talking about your changing needs such as tripping, falling, reaching, adequate lighting, and clutter is not an easy conversation. If you choose to work with an interior designer, contractor or other trained professional, being honest about these changes, both physical, medical, and emotional is an important part of the process. As a result, the relationship between the client and the expert is an intimate one. The client is sharing a very personal side of themselves and the professional is a compassionate listener, advocate, and advisor in order to achieve the best result. 

The remodeling process has many phases,  but we broke it down into 10 general steps: 

 1. Determine scope of project

 2. Research design options

 3. Create a master design plan

 4. Get rough construction estimates

 5. Refine design per budget

 6. Get working drawings and permits if needed

 7. Select all of the finishes and materials

 8. CONSTRUCTION STARTS

 9. Finish detailing

10. Project complete

For seniors these 10 interior design/remodeling steps can be disruptive to daily routines and chaotic at times; however, on the contrary, they can be an activity that gives them purpose. With these steps comes the team to complete them. The team is company that they can look forward to seeing, and sharing information with for an extended period of time; which varies based on the size of the project. 

One of our current clients, is an 82 year old woman living on her own in her home she has occupied for over 50 years. The project has evolved into a complete 1st floor remodeling job, to provide for one level living: a first floor Master Bedroom Suite, a full ADA bathroom, an accessible kitchen, and an open floor plan that is easy to get around. This new construction will provide warmth and light and will serve all of her changing needs. We are somewhere in the midst of #5-#7, selecting all finishes and materials, and we’ve given our client something to look forward to everyday. She loves the comfort of weekly or daily attention, and enjoys making decisions or voicing her opinions when it comes to the changes in her home. So far, she has met with contractors, architects, organizers, and of course us, the designers (all before the daily construction begins, and she will be greeted by an entire crew for a few months).

One of the most important cognitive activities for the elderly is engaging in meaningful conversation. Aside from the actual work of the rehab, we are able to talk and have our client share stories and memories of the time spent in her home. Often as people age, they withdraw from social interaction, giving them fewer opportunities to talk to others about things that are important to them. Therefore, by us asking for her opinions and advice on situations and events, her mind is stimulated, which allows her to experience a feeling of self-worth again. It’s proven that having a new hobby or taking up a craft is an excellent way for elderly individuals to keep their brains active and alert. The construction of our clients home has become an interest that has provided her with enjoyment, a sense of positive self-esteem, companionship, and partnership. 

It’s truly heartwarming; we’re not only helping to make her home beautiful, comfortable, and safe for now and in the future, but we are also providing her with daily attention and companionship that boosts her self-respect and dignity. The result is the same for us though; helping to improve her life, learning from her history, and understanding the true value of communications, relationships, and most importantly her friendship!

Disruption of Construction

The holiday season is upon us, which can be a crazy and hectic time for anyone at any age. Whether it involves traveling to see family members, running around completing errands, or baking and decorating your home, the holidays are always overwhelming. But what if you add renovating your home to the mix? Home renovations can be stressful at any time of year, so it’s safe to say that stress levels could be through the roof, especially for someone who is in their 80’s and considering a major home renovation during the holiday season. 

This week we are excited to share a story about a current wonderful client, and her home renovation project. Our client is an 82 year old woman, who is currently living on her own in the home she has occupied for over 50 years. She purchased the house with her husband shortly after marrying in 1965, raised their son, created memories and a life there. Her husband passed away in the last year, and her son contacted us to design and plan a home for his mom to live in now and for years to come that will not only allow her to age in place safely, but also to create an updated environment that is comfortable, warm and beautiful. It takes courage and energy to consider any home remodeling project, but it takes a very special person to prepare a home in advance for mobility, accessibility, and safety issues which may or may not occur. 

Deciding to take on any project is a big decision at any age, and certainly, it can be more difficult for the elderly to accept needed changes to their home. However, our client is different. She has been open to every discussion, decision, and plan. With the help of our “chief organizer”, she has been decluttering, organizing, and eliminating things from her space in preparation for the work that needs to be done. The work planned will be carried out in two phases. The first phase is to freshen up the second floor so that she can remain upstairs, while the second phase of the renovations focused on the first floor occur. The primary purpose of the renovations are to create a first floor master bedroom level with the rest of the house, to create an accessible bathroom adjacent to the bedroom, create an accessible kitchen and barrier free garage entry, and provide for a living space that creates more light and access to fresh air through the addition of a three season room. 

We have been working on this for a couple of months, and finally getting closer to being able to start the work, which of course, is right at the holidays. Our client has been working so hard to get ready for the changes and are now so excited about the new space, that they were eager to start the renovations and get phase one completed before the holidays begin. However, with the hectic nature of remodeling, plus the added stress of the holiday season, we had to advise our client on how this disruption would effect her daily routine and her general well-being such as:

1. Anxiety. Towards the major changes that will occur in her home, as well as, the new faces of those who will be making those changes. Along with fear of the unknown, since she has not been through this before. What if it last longer than expected? 
2. Change of Routine. The work will require that she be temporarily placed upstairs while the renovations occur to the first floor, and having the house buzzing with activity and people. 
3. Lack of Comfort. Physical pertaining to having to sleep and live in an area of the home that she hasn’t for a few years, and emotional pertaining to the loud noises of construction that will be all around her daily.   
4. Privacy. Having strangers in and out of her home on a daily basis for months.
5. Health. Construction fumes and dust are a major health consideration affecting how she breathes and feels.

After voicing these concerns with her and her son, as well as, describing how the holidays can be an extra emotional time of year, we were able to convince them to begin the construction process at the start of the new year. The end of 2017 is already going to be emotional for our client. It is their first Christmas holiday season, not having her lifelong partner by her side, as she embarks on changing the home she has occupied for a lifetime. 

So, our advice is to think twice before starting a new project in the holiday season. We can see a new year with this new project on the horizon; which means many more memories to be shared and stories to come in 2018!