KBB - November/December 2014 - 22

UNIVERSAL DESIGN
Countertops raised to 37.5-inches high make prep work easier, while channel
pulls provide a streamlined profile, an element Bustamante recommends for
those with unsteady movements. Surface-mounted hardware can catch on
clothing or throw users off balance, leading to injury.

"It can really help to increase comfort and eliminate the need to
reach up to pull a door down," he explained. "We used this feature on
two cabinets in this kitchen, one on a wide tip-up cabinet and the other
on a trash cabinet. Just a slight push of the knee and the trash pops out."
In this particular kitchen, an overhead shelf above an appliance garage represents the owner's maximum comfort height. This is the tip-up
cabinet where Bustamante added the servo-drive automatic open/close
mechanism.
"You tap the front of the door to open, and to close you press a button
mounted at the bottom right," he said. "The user never needs to reach up
to close the door, which makes a real difference."
Hardware is another big concern when it comes to accessibility. "For
someone such as our client, who has unsteady movement, one element
that creates streamline usage is a channel pull," explained Bustamante.
Building handles directly into the cabinetry eliminates the need for surface-mount hardware, which can catch on clothing. Bumping into handles can also throw users off balance and lead to falls and other injuries.
The cleverly designed work island is one area where Bustamante injected the family's distinctive personality and love of art and fine design
into the project. With an eclectic overall feel, the island tapers to accommodate wide walkways but also to provide interest in the overall shape.
"So many kitchens have rectangular islands," he said." We wanted to do
something really unique that reflected this couple's sense of style, something that was a work of art itself yet still fully accessible for everyone."
The island's rounded edge is both artistic and functional, as it provides an eye-catching detail while eliminating a sharp corner. A waterfall
butcher block bumps out three inches, creating a focal point that's also
extremely functional. It provides a different elevation and an unexpected
dimension - a bit of a surprise when it comes to a design based primarily

22

	

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K BB

20-22_KBB_1114_UniverDesign.indd 22

on accessibility. The eating area, spacious enough to seat three or four,
is gently angled. Cabinetry underneath follows the angle, tapering back
toward the butcher block.
Bustamante bumped the countertop height up to 37.5-inches to make
prep work easier for his client. Two dishwasher drawers on either side of
the sink make cleaning up easier, and a corner desk helps to transition
between a shallow-depth tall cabinet and the work surface.
Although Bustamante used flat panel, frameless cabinets, the kitchen
has a ton of texture and warmth. Gray shades on both the island and the
perimeter countertops add tone, while a textured foil color with subtle
gray lines throughout - located on perimeter cabinetry - adds texture.
Brown tones on the floor and backsplash complement the subtle richness
of the quartz countertops. To top it off, Bustamante used a walnut butcher
block for dimension.
Although increased accessibility is a concept that most will need to
address as we get older, Bustamante says the majority of his clients, even
baby boomers, aren't necessarily ready to think about future limitations. He
says it's important for kitchen and bath designers to remember our role.
"We're here to discuss the options, but to also design to their comfort level."
On the whole, independence is the key to kitchen design. Along with
physical limitations come very specific needs. But a good kitchen or bath
designer can easily and creatively address these requirements, creating
a space that's efficient, functional and beautiful at the same time. Bustamante points out that it's important to remember that an entire project
functions as a unit.
"It's more than just one single element or feature," he said. "Thinking
of the entire concept as a personalized 'work of art' helps guarantee the
satisfaction of our clients." n
- By Holly Berecz

Drawers are the best solution for
those with limited reach inside lower
cabinets. "Items should pull out to
the user without them needing to
bend or reach," said Bustamante.

sources
Designer: Nar Bustamante, Nar
Fine Carpentry; Photography:
PhotographerLink
Appliances: Miele, Fisher Paykel,
Kobe, GE Monogram; Cabinets:
Crystal Cabinets; Countertops:
Caesarstone; Fixtures: Kohler,
Hansgrohe; Flooring & Backsplash:
Porcelanosa; Lighting: Marset

November/December 2014 / www.kbbonline.com / The Official Sponsor of KBIS www.kbis.com

11/11/14 10:59 AM


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KBB - November/December 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of KBB - November/December 2014

KBB - November/December 2014
Contents
Online Contents
Editor’s Note
Show Director’s Note
People & Places
All Abroad
Universal Design
Business Practice
PRODUCT INNOVATOR AWARDS
KBIS Countdown to Design & Construction Week
Trends
Products What’s hot
Change is Good
Cover Story
Self-Storage
KBB - November/December 2014 - Intro
KBB - November/December 2014 - KBB - November/December 2014
KBB - November/December 2014 - Cover2
KBB - November/December 2014 - 1
KBB - November/December 2014 - 2
KBB - November/December 2014 - 3
KBB - November/December 2014 - Contents
KBB - November/December 2014 - 5
KBB - November/December 2014 - Online Contents
KBB - November/December 2014 - 7
KBB - November/December 2014 - Editor’s Note
KBB - November/December 2014 - 9
KBB - November/December 2014 - Show Director’s Note
KBB - November/December 2014 - 11
KBB - November/December 2014 - People & Places
KBB - November/December 2014 - 13
KBB - November/December 2014 - 14
KBB - November/December 2014 - 15
KBB - November/December 2014 - All Abroad
KBB - November/December 2014 - 17
KBB - November/December 2014 - 18
KBB - November/December 2014 - 19
KBB - November/December 2014 - Universal Design
KBB - November/December 2014 - 21
KBB - November/December 2014 - 22
KBB - November/December 2014 - 23
KBB - November/December 2014 - Business Practice
KBB - November/December 2014 - 25
KBB - November/December 2014 - 26
KBB - November/December 2014 - PRODUCT INNOVATOR AWARDS
KBB - November/December 2014 - 28
KBB - November/December 2014 - 29
KBB - November/December 2014 - 30
KBB - November/December 2014 - 31
KBB - November/December 2014 - 32
KBB - November/December 2014 - 33
KBB - November/December 2014 - 34
KBB - November/December 2014 - KBIS Countdown to Design & Construction Week
KBB - November/December 2014 - 36
KBB - November/December 2014 - 37
KBB - November/December 2014 - 38
KBB - November/December 2014 - 39
KBB - November/December 2014 - 40
KBB - November/December 2014 - 41
KBB - November/December 2014 - 42
KBB - November/December 2014 - 43
KBB - November/December 2014 - Trends
KBB - November/December 2014 - 45
KBB - November/December 2014 - 46
KBB - November/December 2014 - 47
KBB - November/December 2014 - Products What’s hot
KBB - November/December 2014 - 49
KBB - November/December 2014 - 50
KBB - November/December 2014 - 51
KBB - November/December 2014 - 52
KBB - November/December 2014 - 53
KBB - November/December 2014 - 54
KBB - November/December 2014 - 55
KBB - November/December 2014 - 56
KBB - November/December 2014 - 57
KBB - November/December 2014 - 58
KBB - November/December 2014 - 59
KBB - November/December 2014 - 60
KBB - November/December 2014 - 61
KBB - November/December 2014 - Cover Story
KBB - November/December 2014 - 63
KBB - November/December 2014 - 64
KBB - November/December 2014 - 65
KBB - November/December 2014 - 66
KBB - November/December 2014 - 67
KBB - November/December 2014 - Self-Storage
KBB - November/December 2014 - 69
KBB - November/December 2014 - 70
KBB - November/December 2014 - 71
KBB - November/December 2014 - 72
KBB - November/December 2014 - Cover3
KBB - November/December 2014 - Cover4
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