Kitchen & Bath Business March/April 2023 - 16

WELLNE S S
MO VEMENT
The Sixth Sense of Design
Creating elevated sensory concepts in the kitchen and bath is good for the soul
KITCHEN AND BATH projects should create an
elevated tactile experience that evokes a sense of
comfort, delight and sophistication. When our
senses are pleased, it eases us into a more relaxed
mindset. So, the more pleasing to the senses we
can make a space, the better for our well-being.
But I would argue that beyond the fi ve senses
of our bodily experience, there is a sixth sense
we must consider: ease. Designing for effi ciency,
ease of use and maintenance impacts the
way our senses interact with objects and spaces,
which makes a positive impact on our entire
sensory experience.
ALL THE FEELS IN THE KITCHEN
It's well known that smooth countertops and
backsplashes in materials like marble or quartz
will elevate the look and feel of any kitchen, while
high-quality faucets and fi xtures make for an enjoyable
bathing experience. But this is 2023, and
there are many fascinating, functional, innovative
and beautiful options to improve our sensory design
- many of which are sustainability minded
too - that benefi t our overall sense of well-being.
Induction cooktops are all the rage as a sustainable
alternative to gas. Th ey also bring added
benefi ts like minimal visual footprints and ease
of cleaning thanks to their fl at surfaces. Now,
manufacturers like Bertazzoni are taking induction
innovation a step further, with seamlessly
integrated down-draft hoods (saving you from
smells and smoke while cooking and cutting
out the need for an overhead hood), auto-detecting and responsive heat
footprint sensors and instant heating and cooling of cook zones.
Electric food composters are a wonderful alternative to countertop
compost bins, which can gather odors and attract insects. Th e electric
versions can complete in a small footprint indoors what normally requires
a compost heap outdoors. Th ese handy gadgets turn bulky food waste into
nutrient-dense compost material that can enrich your soil outdoors or
houseplants inside.
Kitchen storage is ever evolving, and more built-in concepts are in high
demand. Large, counter-depth cabinets with built-in outlets and pull-up
or down doors are a great way to store smaller appliances without having to
move them each time you want to use them. Slide-out cabinets with custom
shelving are improving accessibility and space-consciousness. And speaking
of doors, I predict less textured cabinet doors with trim, being traded more
in favor of smooth surfaces and clean lines - which are both easier on the
eyes and easier to clean.
Outdoor kitchens started gaining momentum during and following
the pandemic lockdown of 2020, and I predict this trend will keep expanding.
Th ey make entertaining during warmer months more seamless
and keep smoke and lingering cooking odors out of the house. Th e sensory
experience of spending more time outdoors does wonders for our sense
of well-being.
BELOW Bertazzoni's 36-in.
Induction Downdraft Cooktop
minimizes smoke while
cooking and eliminates the
need for an overhead hood.
SIMPLICITY IN THE BATHROOM
Sensor-based smart showerheads like the Oasense Reva can save water
without sacrifi cing water pressure and fl ow rate. With this technology,
water is automatically reduced once cold water is purged from the pipe and
whenever users take a step out of the stream to lather. Th is way, you don't
have to sacrifi ce comfort or convenience for sustainability.
Anywhere we can introduce warmth in a bathroom elevates the sensory
experience, so I'm happy to see heated fl oors, toilet seats and bidets growing
in popularity. Th ese are quite effi cient and elegant solutions that enhance
comfort and sustainability - they hit all the marks!
Specialty sensory-enhancing features in bathrooms like saunas, coldplunge
tubs, steam showers or pressure jets are all timeless and more accessible
than ever. People are embracing self-care at home in new ways, and
these elements' ties to wellness simply cannot be disputed.
Similarly to the rise in smooth cabinets in the kitchen, smoother surfaces
prevail in the bathroom as well. Th e less grout we use between tile, the easier
the space is to clean, and the more serene it appears and feels.
Good design is the entire sensory experience, and it goes beyond sight,
smell, taste, touch and sound. It's also about effi ciency, accessibility and ease
of maintenance, because those aff ect our sensory experience, too.
By Laurence Carr, CEO and creative director, Laurence Carr Inc.,
laurencecarr.com

16
/ MARCH-APRIL 2023
http://www.laurencecarr.com
Kitchen & Bath Business March/April 2023

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