Kitchen & Bath Business - September 2018 - 44

BEST

UNIVERSAL
DESIGN

LIFETIME

OF
COMFORT

SOURCES
DESIGNER: Jonas
Carnemark, CR, CKD,
CLIPP, CARNEMARK
design + build;
PHOTOGRAPHER: Anice
Hoachlander
ACCESSORIES: Watermark;
CABINET PULLS: Schwinn;
CABINETRY: DeWils;

COUNTERTOP: Silestone;

FLOORING AND WALL TILE:

Architectural Ceramics;

LIGHTING: WAC Lighting;
MEDICINE CABINETS:

Robern; SHOWER

FIXTURES, SINK & FAUCETS:

FOR SOMEONE DIAGNOSED WITH AN ILLNESS that will gradually limit
mobility, a highly accessible master bath is a must. This homeowner and his
wife wanted a space that would keep both of their needs in mind and look
nothing like the institutional bathrooms often seen in healthcare facilities.
"The former conditions and layout of their home would have been unable to accommodate their changing needs - it was time to create a lasting solution for long-term livability," said designer Jonas Carnemark of
CARNEMARK design + build in Bethesda, Md. "The aim was to create
a space that felt like a luxurious retreat, not an ADA bathroom, and careful
thought was put into the functionality of the layout for both residents and
for possible resale down the road."

ACCESSIBLE DOESN'T HAVE TO BE CLINICAL

Carnemark combined two former bathrooms to create the universally designed, 250-sq.-ft. master bath the couple desired. He chose easy-to-use and
attractive materials for a timeless appeal so that when the clients are in the
bathroom, they see open and easy - not accessible.
"Sleek, chrome grab bars; a luxurious, silky shower curtain; and an overhead
rain showerhead keep this spacious bathroom feeling resort-like instead of
clinical," said the designer.
A wet room in the master bath boasts a sizable curbless shower with a
thermostatic handheld showerhead and a large, accessible soaking tub - a requirement of the husband.The shower is large enough for the homeowner to
turn around in with his walker and will be able to accommodate a wheelchair
if needed in the future. To access the tub, he uses the vertical and horizontal
grab bars to help himself onto the bench, which starts in the shower area and
runs the length of the tub, and slips easily into it. A large wall niche in each
area accommodates various toiletries.
The Oregon pine vanity features a shallow-depth quartz countertop that
he can roll up to in a wheelchair, as well as three sets of drawers for each
homeowner. An extended sink basin in the countertop is easily accessible
from a standing or seated position. Carnemark also incorporated an additional tall mirrored cabinet for the wife hidden behind the bathroom
door. Fifth-generation LEDs on both sides of the mirrors offer excellent
color rendering and dimming capabilities. The designer said his firm is

2018

Hansgrohe; SHOWER TILE:
Architectural Ceramics;
SINK: Alape; TUB:
KOHLER; TOILET: TOTO

ABOVE The new master
bath design incorporates
wider doorways with seamless
thresholds that can be easily
rolled over.

The designer installed nonclinical-looking horizontal and
vertical grab bars all around the
wet room. He says the more,
the better, because you never
know when you will need them.
BELOW "Low-maintenance

LED lighting in and around
the medicine cabinet mirrors
will provide bright lighting
and contrast to aging eyes for
many years to come," said
Carnemark.

An accessible master bath
suits both homeowners
without looking the
least bit clinical

specifying the bidet/washlet toilet combination
in a lot of projects, especially for older clients
looking for the added convenience and hygiene
the units deliver.
Carnemark chose a dark-colored, slip-resistant
porcelain tile for the floors and wet room walls.The
slate look offers the organic and more masculine feel
the homeowners craved.This style is also carried out
with the white sink against the dark countertop and
the chrome fixtures against the white tub.
CHALLENGES OVERCOME

According to the designer, the need for barrierfree entrances to both the bathroom and shower
created a budget-sensitive design challenge.
"Digging into the floor joists to create a recess for
the sloped floor required by a linear drain plane would
have been too costly,"he explained."Our answer was
to place the drain at the entrance of the shower and
ramp up the slip-resistant porcelain tiles from that
point. This allowed us to direct the flow of water
without modifying the original floor system. Using
spray-foam insulation, we were able to move the
plumbing for the sink and toilet to the outside wall of
the house,allowing for better flow within the room."
A short wall with a punch opening separates
the toilet and the sink while hiding a plumbing
stack, which would have gone above budget to
remove. This solution lets light pass through the
space and provides the couple with additional
display shelving.
Carnemark, who was recently recognized as a
Certified Living in Place Professional, said it has
been interesting to learn more about the principles
he uses in his projects.
"We tend to focus on accessible bathrooms for everyone,not just those aging in place or with disabilities," he added. "With thoughtful reconfiguration,
we were able to expand the master bath to accommodate this couple's forthcoming personal needs."
This year's judges said this project has it all regarding universal design and safety features - with
a sleek design to boot.


Kitchen & Bath Business / SEPTEMBER 2018 / KBBONLINE.COM / The official publication of KBIS (KBIS.com)

http://www.KBBONLINE.COM http://www.KBIS.com

Kitchen & Bath Business - September 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Kitchen & Bath Business - September 2018