March 29, 2011

Aging in Place: Universal Design

 I spoke with my Grandma this past weekend (84yr old ranch wife turned banker, turned quilter, turned husband caretaker). The conversation went something like this:
G: Hello
M: Hey grandma, how are you?
G: Oh hi there. It is so nice to hear your voice. We are doing pretty well.  How about yourself?
M: We are doing great. I wanted to thank you for the birthday gift.
G: Oh you are welcome. Thank you so much for sending the pictures. Your son is getting so big and his school picture was just so precious.  Grandpa really loves looking at his pictures.
M: Speaking of grandpa, how is he doing?
G: Oh he is fine. Sits in his chair and looks at the tv most of the day.
M: Did you get the new hand rail installed? And how is the new walk-in shower working?
G: Yes, the hand rail is installed and the shower is a blessing. It is so nice for grandpa to walk right in without any problems. He still isn’t walking much, but he is getting along.
M: Are you still going up and down the stairs? Have you thought anymore about us moving your bedroom to the main level in July when we are home?
G: Oh I am getting along pretty well. Did you do any more research on the elevator chairs?
This is just a small portion of a long phone conversation about doing minor remodeling projects to a home that was built in the 70’s. Conversations like this are taking place more often and I couldn’t resist sharing my story. 
Like many others, I am a concerned family member that wants to make sure their parents/grandparents are safe in their own home. Pretty soon my grandma and/or grandpa may be in a wheel chair and I know their house will not be accommodating. The hall ways are big enough, but the door ways and kitchen would need to be remodeled.
Here are 5 tips from Signature Kitchens and Baths for creating a universal kitchen space.
1.       Install multileveled base cabinets. A universal kitchen should have 42-45 inch countertops for standing cooks, a 36 inch work surface, and a 30-32 inch surface for seated cooks.

2.       Choose a smooth countertop surface. These surfaces make it easier to move items across the counter to tidy up after cooking.
3.       Select easy-to-use appliances. A side-by-side refrigerator with an ice and water dispenser on the door makes it easier for those in wheelchairs and individuals who have trouble bending. Look for a range with controls in the front, so it isn’t necessary to bend over the burners, and install a pull-out counter under a wall oven to make transferring dishes less dangerous.


4.       Use smart faucets. You can find hands-free, electronic faucets, which will accommodate homeowners with arthritis. Another option is mounting the faucet on the side of the sink for ease of reach. Also, consider mounting a faucet over the cook top, so there’s no need to lug pots back and forth from the sink.
5.       Install nonslip flooring and avoid throw rugs, which can trip-up unsteady walkers and even small children.
For more information, I have attached a helpful article of practical design approaches for universal appeal.




March 24, 2011

Trends In Today's Kitchen by Al Curran

In February of this year, Bella Domicile participated in the NARI Remodeling Expo by hosting a booth and conducting a seminar to expo guests.  Team member Al Curran, CKD, wrote and presented the seminar on “Trends in Today’s Kitchen”.  The presentation covers plumbing, countertops, islands, lighting, layout features, styles and flooring. Follow the link to see what trends are behind us and what is up and coming in the future.

March 22, 2011

Spring Cleaning

   Sunday was the first day of spring and here in Madison it came in with a bang.  We had thunder storms all day and not a bit of sunshine.  Spring was still in the air and coming through every window of my home.   I could looked out in the yard and see the tulips and crocuses popping up through the mulch.  I just love this time of year!
   When spring arrives, the phrase heard around the neighborhood is: “it’s spring cleaning time” and Sunday was the perfect day for it.  First we started upstairs in the bedrooms and then made our way downstairs to the basement.  It was a day of deciding to store or keep toddler clothes, organizing toys, tossing out old papers and taking items too Goodwill.
   Spring cleaning helps me figure out the best way of organizing the new items in the house.  I found out that this year I will need more shelving in the closets.  There tends to be a lot of wasted space above the typical  top shelf in a closet.  I love to maximize every inch possible with stagered shelving for less used items  and folded clothing.  In my young son’s closet where hanging clothes isn’t a must yet, I am installing adjustable shelves on one half for toys and games, while the other half is for clothes and linens. 
 



   Closets are not just the shelf and rod type anymore and in fact some homes  have upgraded their clostets to a room-like status with specialized storage systems.  Installing cabinetry into the closet area  is becoming more and more of the trend with home owner’s wanting to get out of the utilitarian cave-like feel. It is not a place to shove stuff into, but a personal space to spend time in.

March 10, 2011

Welcome!

Bella Domicile is one of the leading kitchen and bath design firms in the greater Madison, WI area. Discerning homeowners in South Central Wisconsin have been turning to Bella Domicile for nearly 50 years for award-winning kitchens and baths, for quality cabinets that provide a multitude of storage solutions, and for remodeling projects that improve function with furniture- grade cabinets in any room.
The thought of remodeling a home can be a scary process. We at Bella Domicile recognize this fact and that it can put a lot of pressure on homeowners.  Taking the pressures and frustrations out of the process and creating a fun journey along the way is the purpose of this blog.
We want to provide information that can help homeowners make sound decisions about their projects and to feel confident about those decisions.  Educating the public about the process of remodeling or building a new kitchen, bath, office or any room, is the number one priority for Bella Domicile.  We want to create trusting relationships with our clients.
We hope this blog will answer questions customers may have and we hope it creates questions to ask.  We want to give ideas and share ideas about what to do with your next project.