Industry Ed with Richard: Kitchen and Bath Guideline Series

In this post we will discuss the NKBA Kitchen and Bathroom Planning Guidelines, by first stating the guidelines and then pointing out their importance and giving insight on solutions and practices based on my industry experience. Find out more about NKBA here.

Microwaves

NKBA Standards

• Locate the microwave oven after considering the user's height and abilities. The ideal location for the bottom of the microwave is 3" below the principle user's shoulder but no more than 54" above finish floor.
• If the microwave is placed below the countertop, the oven bottom must be at least 15" off the finished floor.

My Experience

• There are many installation possibilities for a microwave:
• Oven Enclosure
• Wall Cabinets
• Over the Range
• Conventional - Under the Counter
• Microwave Drawer - Under the Counter
• Pros and Cons of each:
• Oven Enclosure 
• the most convenient
• perfect height
• unfortunately with open floor plans the wall oven is the first to get axed
• Wall Cabinets
• can be too high
• makes upper cabinet depths awkward due to the added depth for the microwave
• Over the Range
• best space saver
• worst user friendly application
• kids can't use it because its too high
• obstructs cooking overface
• Conventional - Under the Counter
• uncomfortable using controls
• you have to bend down to put your food in/take out your food
• Microwave Drawer - Under the Counter
• with open floor plans this is probably the best application
• controls are more easily accessible
• you don't have to bend down because it is a drawer and you can just set the food inside

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Plants Everywhere: Indoor Plants

No space is complete without a gorgeous, colorful house plant.  But we're seeing a trend towards a use of A LOT of plants.  Indoor plants not only act as a quick decorating tool, but they can also help clean the environment around them by purifying the air. Get ready to spruce up your indoor garden look by taking inspiration from the photos below!

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History Lesson: Tractor Barstool

"Craig Bassam was working on a project in Switzerland when he found a tractor seat on the side of the road. He was impressed by how the seat allowed him to sit in an upright, ergonomic position without the aid of a chair back, but unlike the metal seat that he found, he wanted to create this type of seat in wood. Bassam’s Tractor Stool (2000/2001) is carved out of a massive block of sustainably and locally harvested walnut or ash, the quality of which is in the top 10% of top-grade woods. No stains are ever used, and because of the natural variations in wood, every Tractor Stool is unique. The stools are hand finished with a wipe-on oil and sealer product; by not using spray booths, BassamFellows maintains a healthy work environment for its artisans. Scratches that come with normal use will create a warm, inviting patina on these stools over time. They are used in diverse settings worldwide, from the W Hotel in South Beach to the Herman Miller® showroom in New York to Le Royal Monceau hotel in Paris. Made in U.S.A."

Here are a few photos of the tractor barstool in action:

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Trend Alert: Tile meets Wood

We are seeing an increase in hardwood floors being used throughout entire spaces, including wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens.  Some people are hesitant to do so with concerns of the durability in such an area.  A great alternative to that is to use a combination of both tile and wood and lately we are seeing some interesting transitions.

We LOVE how amazing and organic these feel...

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Here are our designer picks: