Trend Alert: Wood Veneer Paneling

In the last few years we saw an increase in the use of wood as a wall covering.  Recently we are seeing a decrease in the distressed reclaimed plank look and a shift towards a seamless mid-century aesthetic with a lot of lighter wood tones being used.

Here are a few examples:

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Here are our designer picks:

Curbless Showers: Practical and Beautiful

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Today's shower designs are making an obvious shift towards curbless showers. A design that once was associated with an institutional feel, because of its use in hospitals and commercial settings, is now beginning to change the standard for the residential walk-in shower. Not only is it the most practical for aging-in-place but, it is beautiful and lends a really nice open and contemporary feel to the ever evolving bathroom design. The features that were once considered a luxury, are now standard practice.

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Here are a few positive points that will make you so in love!

1. Functional for everyone.

Not having a threshold to step over eliminates opportunities for trips and slips. Everyone from the grandparents to the grandchildren can use this shower. It is a CAPS (certified aging in place) standard, so, though you may not be needing to worry now about how to get in-and-out of the shower in your older years, if you are doing the remodel now, and plan on aging in your home, it is a detail that should not be overlooked.

2. The openness.

With a curbless shower you can break down all the barriers, often times just separating your shower with a simple glass partition. This really opens up your bathroom, giving the affect of a larger space, as well as allowing light or a view from a window that might otherwise be covered up.

3. Maximize each square inch.

With the use of a curbless shower you can increase the effective use of space by eliminating a barrier wall and threshold. A bathroom that may not have once been able to house a separate shower and tub can now do so.

Now, check out these curbless showers that will inspire!

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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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