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Designing to Stay:Transitional is not just a style choice

September 19, 2015Terry Kenney - Presenter

Transitional design and Transitional living – to me they seem to go hand in hand.

You can’t really have one without the other in this day and age.

Transitional design is one that is between traditional and modern. It’s between heavily ornamented and really sleek. Transitional design now provides cleaner and simpler lines without a lot of fuss. Transition is a, passage, or change from one position, state, stage, subject, or concept, to another; Transition is in between two spots. Transition can be active as in a movement from one place to another or it can be an adjective that describes how things are slowly changing.

Every Season has a transition – we are transitioning now from summer to fall. We transition in life from infant to toddler, teenager to adult, and so on.

We transition in our jobs – promotions are transitions. Retirement is a transition.

Technology provides us with opportunities to transition from being uninformed to being overInformed.

But, that same technology provides us with opportunities of comfort and safety as well

Manufacturers have been looking at ergonomics and ease of use for years.

Lever and cross handle faucets are just a small result of the ergonomic studies. Further in the transition is the touchless and motion sense faucets.

Office furniture and chairs provide support and ease of use – while not transitional in the sense we are talking today, it is still about ergonomics, universal design and accessibility.

Even the apps for our cell phones provide a larger icon if we can’t see the small icons!

Today we’ll talk about many things that we as designers already use to provide proper accessthroughout the home – these options are kind of a common sense approach to living life now, but with an eye towards the future for everyone.

BENEFITS TO TRANSITIONAL LIVING AND DESIGNING TO STAY:There are many benefits to living in familiar surroundings, for as long as you are able.

There are psychological effects of being uprooted from your community, neighbors, friends, and familiar rituals.

The majority of us will benefit from living in our homes independently as long as steps are taken to make our homes safe, low maintenance and more barrier-free.

There are many modification options that can be made to your home that will make staying put possible, some are easier (ie less expensive ) to achieve than others.

BEFORE STARTING ANY RENOVATION PROJECTS – CONSIDER THE LOCATION AND OVERALL CONSTRUCTION OF YOUR HOME!• IS MY HOME IN A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IS WALKABLE?• DO I HAVE EASY AND CLOSE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE? SHOPPING?• CAN YOU GET SAFELY AND SECURELY INTO AND OUT OF YOUR HOUSE?• IS THERE AN ENTRANCE TO MY HOME THAT HAS ZERO STEPS?• IS THE ENTRANCE WELL LIT?• ARE THE HALLWAYS IN MY HOME WIDE ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE A WALKER OR WHEELCHAIR?• IS THERE AN ACCESSIBLE PATH OF TRAVEL TO MY HOME?• IS THE MAIN LIVING AREA ON A SINGLE STORY INCLUDING A FULL BATH?• ARE THERE FEW OR NO STAIRS BETWEEN ROOMS?• IS YOUR HOMES EXTERIOR AND LANDSCAPING LOW MAINTENANCE?

Some lower cost and relatively quick/easy changes:-Toss out or secure all area rugs

-Arrange furniture to eliminate obstructions

-Put a seat near the entrance for package drop off and to take off your shoes

-Install a motion activated light at your homes entrance

-Add handrails to any stairs

-Install a faucet with lever handles or that is touchless

-Install better, brighter lighting everywhere, as we age we need up to 50% more light than we used to

- Install larger easier to use cabinet pulls, interior and exterior door handles

TouchlessKitchenfaucet

A 2015 Houzz survey found :

The two most popular rooms in the home to remodel are kitchen and baths

IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING A KITCHEN REMODEL AND WANT TO INCLUDE SOME TRANSITIONAL LIVING FEATURES, HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTIONS:

• INSTALLING OVENS WITH FRENCH DOORS OR A SIDE HINGED DOOR

• INSTALLING A MICROWAVE DRAWER BELOW THE COUNTER

• UNDERCOUNTER REFRIGERATOR/FREEZER DOORS OR DRAWERS

• SEATED WORK AREA AT ISLAND • CABINET DRAWERS FOR DISHES

• PULLOUT STORAGE FOR POTS AND PANS AND OTHER HEAVY ITEMS

• WALL CABINETS LOWERED OR BROUGHT DOWN TO THE COUNTER

• REMOTE CONTROLLED HOOD/FAN

• REMOTE OR IPAD CONTROLLED WINDOW BLINDS, ALARM SYSTEMS & LIGHTING

French door ovensAllow better accessTo oven interior

Side hinged ovens make it easy for accessing the interior of the ovenHeight of the oven off the floor adds ergonomic access to wheelchair

UNDER COUNTER ACCESS TO THE MICROWAVE = SAFETY AND EASE OF USE

Space under the sink allows for feet & knees to get closer – easy access for walker or wheel chairLower sink height makes it easy to pull a chair up and sit at the sink as well.

Refrigerator and Freezerlocated under counter is point of use and makessense for everyone whoneeds to get in to the refrigerator or freezer.

Under counter refrigeratorsare easy access for everyoneof any age

Dishwasher drawers

Dish storage in drawers

Wall cabinets on the counter with lift up & out of the way doors.

Pullout pot & pan storage

Pullout pot & pan storage

Pocket doors below sink to allow for Wheelchair access

DRAWERS MAKE CORNERSMORE ACCESSIBLE

Sliding cabinetdoors

Pull down for closets –Easy access in the kids room or the master closet

This pullout pantry makes accessing pots and pans or bowls, canned goods or pantry items like flourand sugar so much easier and it’s beautiful!

There are so many cabinet accessories that can enhance the storage capability of yourkitchen or your bathroom. Plus, there is such a positive effect on accessibility! The key is to identify what makes the most sense for your needs.

Motorized doors and drawers – just touch or push and….TAA DAA!

MOTORIZED LIFT FOR APPLIANCE STORAGEELIMINATES THE NEED TO LIFT HEAVY APPLIANCES IN AND OUT OF CABINETS

JUST REMEMBER - THESE TYPES OF LIFTS REQUIRE A GOODDEAL OF UP-FRONT PLANNING TO INSURETHERE IS CLEARANCE.

MOTORIZED LIFT FOR COFFEE MAKER AND UTENSIL STORAGE

ANOTHER EXAMPLEOF MOTORIZEDSTORAGE SOLUTIONS

WHAT ABOUT DOORWAYS, HALLWAYS, STAIRS, AND ELEVATORS YOU ASK?

* INSTALL HANDRAILINGS ON BOTH SIDES OF ALL STAIRWAYS

* NEW CONSTRUCTION OF A MULTI-STORY HOMES COULD BE DONE TO ALLOW AN ELEVATOR TO BE INSTALLED EITHER IMMEDIATELY OR IN THE FUTURE. HOWEVER, THE COST TO INSTALL AN ELEVATOR CAN RANGE FROM $18,000 - $65,000 DEPENDING ON THE SIZE AND CONSTRUCTION MODIFICATIONS NEEDED

• WHERE POSSIBLE, DOORWAYS CAN BE 36” WIDE - WIDENING EXISTING DOORWAYS CAN BE CHALLENGING IF THERE IS EXISTING ELECTRICAL OR MECHANICAL SYSTEMS IN THE WALLS AROUND THE DOORWAY, I.E. SWITCHES & DUCTWORK

* ENTRYWAYS SHOULD BE WELL LIT, WITH A PEEP HOLE VIEWER FOR SAFETYA COVERED ENTRY IS PREFERABLE

* FOYER FLOORS SHOULD BE OF NON-SLIP MATERIALS AND FREE OF THROW RUGSA SHELF OR BENCH IN THE FOYER FOR DEPOSITING PARCELS IS ALSO HELPFUL

* FLUSH THRESHOLDS ARE IDEAL BETWEEN ROOMS TO REDUCE TRIPPING HAZZARDS

IN THE BATHROOM:

• WHAT ABOUT WALK IN TUBS? WELL, THEY HAVE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES.

A WARM BATH CAN HELP RELIEVE MUSCLE PAIN AND INCREASEBODY TEMPERATURE , AS WELL AS RELAX MUSCLES AND ALLOW YOU TO FALL ASLEEP MORE EASILY.

ENTERING OR EXITING A BATHTUB ARE TIMES WHEN MANY MISHAPS CAN OCCUR.

WALK IN TUBS CAN INCLUDE JETS, HANDRAILS , ADJUSTABLE SHOWER HEADS AND INTUB SEATING.

WALK-IN TUBS REQUIRE PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION AND BECAUSE THEY ARE LARGE, MIGHT REQUIRE A NEW WATER HEATER TO HANDLE THE WATER VOLUME.

ADDITIONALLY, WALK-IN TUBS CANNOT BE OPENED UNTIL THEY ARE BELOW THE DRAIN LINE, SO YOU HAVE TO SIT IN THE TUB WHILE IT DRAINS – BRRRR….

COST OF WALK-IN TUBS CAN RANGE FROM $2,500.00-$10,000.00

WALK-IN TUBS

THE BIGGEST DISADVANTAGE TO THESE TUBS IS THE WAITING TIME FOR THEM TO FILL AND EMPTY. ALSO, THEY HAVE A CURB TO STEPOVER IN ORDER TO ENTER THE TUB, WHICH CAN BE A HAZARD.THE KOHLER RELEVANCE TUB ALLOWS THE BATHER TO SIT AS THEY WOULD IN A STANDARD TUB WITH LEGS FULLY EXTENDED. BUT YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO STEP OVER THE LOWERED DOOR.

REPLACING A TUB WITH A WALK IN SHOWER IS BECOMING A MORE POPULAR OPTION. WALK IN SHOWERS DO NOT LOOK LIKE THEY WERE INSTALLED FOR SOMEONE WITH MOBILITY ISSUES - THEY APPEAL TO EVERYONE AND ARE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL ABILITY AND AGE LEVELS

WITH NEW SHOWER PAN SYSTEMS ALMOST ANY BATHROOM CAN HAVE A CURBLESS OR WALK-IN SHOWER

KOHLER HAS CREATED A NEW LINE OF DECORATIVE GRAB BARS FOR THE SHOWER THAT AREMORE LIKE A DECORATIVE SHELF.

Attractive grab barDesigns – If you don’t want to installa grab bar when you are remodeling, at least let your contractor install thebacking in the shower/tubarea that will allow for thefuture installation of that grab bar without worryingabout where the studs arein the wall.

TOUCHLESS or MOTION SENSE FAUCETS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THE BATH WITH PRESET TEMPERATURE TO AVOID SCALDING

REFRIGERATEDMEDICINE CABINETBY ROBERNFOR MAKEUP,MEDICATIONOR JUST COOL DRINKING WATER

CONSIDER NEW AND BETTER LIGHTING IN SHOWERS, AS WELL AS OTHER AREAS OF THE BATHROOM

ACCESSIBLE STORAGE OPTIONS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THE BATHROOM OR DRESSING ROOM.

SOME OF THESE CAN INCLUDE PLUGS INSIDE THE DRAWER OR PULL OUT SO THERE ARE NO CORDS ON THE COUNTERTOP OR OPEN PLUGS AT THE SINK.

COUNTERTOP STORAGEWHERE HAIR DRYERS, ETC.CAN STAY PLUGGED IN ANDEASILY HIDDEN BEHINDA LIFT UP DOOR

A FLOATING VANITY THAT IS OPEN BELOW HELPS TO MAKEA SMALLER SPACE FEEL LARGER AND PROVIDES A VERY CLEAN LINE AND AN AESTHETICALLYPLEASING SPACE – BUT, IT ALSOMAKES ACCESS EASIER FOR SOMEONE IN A WHEELCHAIR ORWALKER!

BEAUTY AND FUNCTION – THAT’SWHAT I’M TALKIN’ ABOUT!!!!

HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE LOST SOMETHING IN THE WAYBACK OF YOUR SINK CABINET? I CAN’T BE THE ONLY ONE!! HERE WE HAVE USED U-SHAPED DRAWERS THAT WORK AROUND PLUMBING GIVE ACCESSTO OTHERWISE WASTED UNDER SINK STORAGE IN THE BATHROOM

In Conclusion:

Believe it or not, you have probably already started planning for your later yearswithout even realizing it –

The “nice to have” accessories in our kitchens or laundry room or bathroom will eventually become the “need to have’s”!

There are many financial, physical and emotional benefits to remaining in our familiarSurroundings as long as possible. I have already seen this first hand in my own family.

Fortunately, there are many options that provide both the flexibility and beauty that will allow us to transition our lives within the space that we are most comfortable!

Our kitchen and our bath are the two most obvious areas that could require additional accommodations but can also provide the most enjoyment in our homes.

As design and remodel professionals, we are here to help you navigate the changes to necessary forYOUR transitional space.