Tax Credits Encourage Green Remodeling as part of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Did you know that "spending $10,000 to retrofit a 1960's home with energy efficient features could save 8.5 tons of carbon... by comparison, increasing the energy efficiency of a new home 35% over current state requirements would cost $5,000 and would only reduce emissions by 1.1 tons."* In conclusion, "retrofitting existing homes with energy efficient features is 4-8 times more carbon and cost efficient."* I guess this is due to the waste and pollution caused by new construction as well as the further diminishing of our ever shrinking, precious green spaces.

Well, there is good news for you home owners out there who want to reduce your carbon footprint as well as save dollars on your water and energy bills. If you've been watching or listening the the news lately you've probably heard a lot of talk about the United Nations Climate Change Conference currently under way in Copenhagen. Then adding to that, there's still constant chatter on the economy. To both combat climate change and stimulate the economy, through The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, our states have been given money (our tax dollars) to provide tax incentives for purchasing and installing certain Energy Star appliances. This is being detailed and carried out by each individual state. You can find more information about these rebates by clicking here. North Carolina will begin phasing the rebate initiative in April of next year! If you happen to be in New York City over the holidays you can view Fagor's green kitchen installation at the Wired pop-up store through December 27. So far, the types of appliances that will qualify (that are of a particular interest to me) include Energy Star clothes washers, dishwashers, and refrigerators/freezers (there are of course others).This is Electrolux's front loading washing machine. Not only does it have the Energy Star label for its energy and water efficiency, my favorite feature is its 18 minute wash cycle!! AND it partner drier.... 18 minutes too! "Ready before you are."

All Miele dishwashers qualify for the Energy Star Program. The G 2002 Series uses only 5.1 gallons of water in the normal cycle, and a measly 1.2 gallons in the economy cycle. Above, take a look inside.

GE has a whole slew of Energy Star refrigerators. Above I've pictured there Profile model.

With the new year approaching, now is a good time to begin thinking about ways to decrease your carbon footprint. If you decided to do a complete kitchen or bathroom renovation, here are a few more green products (that do not qualify for the tax rebate) to give you "feel-goods" and maybe even lower some bills...

This is TOTO's Eco Promenade toilet and one of MANY water efficient models out there. The EPA has partnered with WaterSense to develop third party testing for water-efficient products. Toilets with the WaterSense-label use 32% less water and perform as well or better than non-labeled products. These save the average household 11 gallons of water per day!

Faucets can also earn the WaterSense label. This RSVP faucet by Brizo has earned the label due to it's laminar flow.

This beautiful surface is from the ECO line by Cosentino (makers of Silestone). These products incorporate recycled bottles, mirror, cystal ash and ceramic; they are non-porous products that will never need to be sealed; and installing it can contribute to 5 LEED points.

Not only can bamboo add beauty and visual interest, it is a highly renewable (aka. green) resource. Bamboo can be used for countertops, floors, accents, accessories, and much more!

If you are interested in a kitchen or bathroom remodel or addition, please visit our website at thekitchenandbathpeople.com


*Nations Building News Online; Expanded Energy Tax Credit to Boost Demand for Renovation Jobs; February 16, 2009

Not Your Grandma's Clawfoot Tub...

Lately we've been receiving several phone calls for bathroom remodels. Why the sudden appetite for bathroom renovations? Beats me. But we sure are happy to see some potential business!

In light of bathrooms renovations, I thought it might be fun to showcase some beautiful freestanding tubs. Bathtubs have developed from the claw foot into an array of styles, providing something for everyone. Not only are free standing tubs a beautiful focal point in the bathroom, if you actually use the tub, a good soak in a hot bath is beneficial to your health. A hot bath will increase your heart rate - improving circulation, relax muscles, lower blood pressure, and can counteract stress and help you sleep at night. Hydrotherapy incorporates both hot and cold water baths, depending on what aches, to soothe various ailments whether it be a sprained ankle, poor circulation, a cold, hemorrhoids, arthritis, insomina... the list goes on. Water is natures healer.

In this metro-chic, modern meets tradition bathroom the soaking tub was placed smack in the middle of the space. Talk about the center of attention! I love the striking, black and white, mosaic tile backdrop housing the "spa-bar". This is where an otherwise divided "his and her" bathroom comes together... so dramatically romantic!

This image reminds me of the Spinning Teacups ride at Disney World, maybe it's just those little girls... but I love it. The travertine material just glows... so natural and so relaxing.

Japanese were the originators of the healing bath soak; and it is still an integral part of their culture. The shedding of ones clothes symbolically casts-off the cares of the day. They then scrub and cleanse themselves before sinking into the hot bath. To them, the bath is purely for relaxation and their well-being.

Now to the traditional western bath we're all used to. The exaggerated ball in claw foot on this tub is so theatrical!

This clean-lined, contemporary tub is a piece from WS Bath Collections. The headrests are a veneered marine ply wood and the outside can be covered with either a wood or -get this- leather finish! An interesting thought providing a clean, tailored look (the details are quite beautiful) but I'm really curious to know how those materials stand up to the constant humidity. Well, it comes with a quality guarantee certificate so why not go for it? :)

Ah, this modern meets tradition tub is probably my favorite of the pieces I'm showing. The metallic finish & simple, classic shape of this bathtub will fit seamlessly with a variety of bathroom themes. So elegant.

A bath; what a wonderful way to reconnect with nature. 'Tis the Season for indulgences, take time out of your busy schedule to heal your body and soul.

If you are interested in a kitchen or bathroom remodel or addition, please visit our website at thekitchenandbathpeople.com

Photo Credits : Photo 1 - Featured in Traditional Home Magazine, Bathroom Design by Robert Young, Photography by Greg Scheidemann, Tub by Kallista; Photo 2 - Tub by Stone Forest; Photo 3 - Tub by WS Bath Collections; Photo 4 - Tub by Victoria and Albert; Photo 5 - Tub by WS Bath Collections; Photo 6 - Featured in Elle Decor, Design by Jeffery Weisman and Andrew Fisher, Photography by Grey Crawford, Tub by Waterworks; Photo 7 - Featured in Elle Decor, Bathroom Design by George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg, Tub by Agape

Universal Design Ideas to Invest in Your Home

A few posts ago I wrote about various simple ways to incorporate Universal Design in your home; creating a space to allow "Aging in Place" without making your home look like a hospital room. Since then, our office has decided to hold a booth at the North Carolina Assistive Technology Expo on December 3 this year. To prepare for the show, I have put together a presentation with many more ideas to universalize your home. Universal Design is not just for the aging... it helps young & old, short & tall, handicapped and healthy. Browse through, you may be surprised by what you never thought could make life just a little easier!

-To view, click in the image below. Click on the arrows at the end of each page to flip through.-



If you are interested in a kitchen or bathroom remodel or addition, please visit our website at thekitchenandbathpeople.com

Countertops : Cold, Hard Facts

Granite

Being extremely durable, scratch & stain resistant, requiring very little maintenance, and, not to mention, attractive, granite has become a favorite surface for kitchens and baths. There are a multitude of colors & textures and the depth & movement is unmatched with copy-cats. A word of warning, if you decide to install granite in your home, be sure to personally (or have your designer) select the slab of stone to be used. Every slab is different; even of the same variety. You may even go so far as to select the portion of the slab to be used, as the color and movement will change throughout the piece.

Granite should be re-sealed every 3-5 years in a residential application in order to prevent staining. To clean, granite should be wiped free of dust regularly and periodically washed with a soft cloth, fresh water, and a mild detergent.

Marble

There are definitely mixed opinions concerning marble counters in the kitchen. It is beautiful, no doubt... but, if you really use your kitchen, it will never look the same as the day it was installed. Marble is soft and it stains and because of this, many don't recommend marble for kitchen counters. However, I like the positive spin Paul Anater, on his blog, gave concerning marble when asked his opinion, "If you like the idea of your life making a mark on things, marble is for you." It certainly carries nostalgic traits; plus, it is beautiful and timeless (think ancient Rome). But if you want a kitchen to feel "like new" as long as possible it might be a good idea to use marble for only a portion, if any, of your kitchen's surfaces; like for a pastry center. Mixing counter surfaces can add visual interest and define different zones. As far as for bathroom countertops, people across the board seem to feel that marble is an appropriate material for that application.

Maintenance is a delicate issue with marble. Blot-out (try not to wipe-up) spills as soon as they happen to avoid etching in the stone, as anything with an acidic content will begin to break down the stone. Use coasters on marble, beverage glasses will leave a ring so treat your marble like you would a wood surface. Use cleaning products specific for marble both on the counter and on any vertical surface behind the marble (like mirror or tile) to prevent any drips of a harmful cleaning product from landing on your marble surface and staining or damaging the sealer or the stone.

Quartz Surface

Quartz (in regards to countertops) is an engineered stone combining rock (typically quartz) and resins. Now, there are options that integrate recycled content. Cosentino's product ECO is made of 75% post-consumer or post-industrial materials such as glass, mirror, porcelain, and stone scrape. The choices and looks for quartz surfaces are ever growing and evolving to keep up with current trends including concrete looks, stone looks, and styles with flecks of glass or mirror for sparkle. Ina Garten used Caesarstone, one of the many manufacturers of quartz counters, in her barn kitchen (pictured above) for its impervious quality and markings like real stone. Compared to granite, quartz has a much more consistent look but still maintains depth.

Price wise, quartz costs about the same as granite. Manufactures of the product claim it's superiority over granite for it's increased stain, scratch, and mildew resistance. Maintenance is also reduced compared to stone; engineered stone will never need to be sealed and will stand up to harsher cleaning agents. Below is pictured a few of the many looks available with a quartz surface:

Solid Surface

Solid Surface is a completely man-made countertop product. There are many pros to this product including it's nearly seamless appearance and it's flexibility in creating three dimensional shapes. It can be molded into integral sinks, drainboards and back splashes, creating seamless, easy to clean counters with no gaps where bacteria can grow; making solid surface a popular product for health-care, in particular. It is a non-porous material so it is naturally stain resistant with no need for a sealant. Cleaning only requires soap, or an ammonia based cleaner, and water. Be sure the surface is wiped dry to avoid a filmy build-up. Another plus, because it is a "through body" material, scratches can be buffed out and old countertops can be refinished to look good as new. Solid surface is considered a "green" product due to it's durability, repair-ability, and recycled content.
The color possibilities are nearly as endless as quartz surface colors. Solid surface will not give you that same visual depth, however, and you won't find anything with glassy, reflective flecks. It has a softer, more marble like texture to the touch. There are variety of styles including looks to mimic granite or solid styles for a more modern look. Lighter colors are recommended for high-use areas because scratches will show up white.

If you are interested in a kitchen or bathroom remodel or addition, please visit our website at thekitchenandbathpeople.com

Photo Credits : Photo 1 - The Kitchen and Bath People showroom; Photo 3 - courtesy of Cosentino; Photo 4 - design by Susan Serra Associates, Inc.; Photo 5 - design by Robert Stilin, photo by Julian Wass for House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year; Photo 6 - a. caesarstone, b. cambria, c. caesarstone, d. caesarstone, e. cosentino, f. ceasarstone; Photo 7 & 8 - LG HI-MACS

"The Kitchen is the New Living Room" - Ina Garten

Don't you feel like something in the human subconscious motivates us to linger in the kitchen? Even if there isn't a proper place to sit, many people would rather pull up a seat on the counter than make their way over to the living room. It just feels good; to smell the smells, feel the energy, maybe help out with dinner or dishes. It only makes sense that the current trend in home design involves flowing spaces where the kitchen is open to the living room. We are social beings. We want to include the host during cocktail hour as he or she ties up loose ends. We want to help our kids with homework while preparing lunches for the next day. We want to snack while reading a book, the newspaper, or a magazine. So why not bring elements of the living room into the kitchen? Encourage those instincts and create a space that goes out of its way to invite people to get comfortable and stay a while.

Project Team: Greg Kayko, Linda Eggerss, Janice Pattee; Source: NKBA Design Idea Center 2008

This looks so cozy! With the over-stuffed throw pillows and colorful cushions, this banquet feels more like a sofa. The framed family photos and large lamp-shade pendant are also nice touches reminiscent of the living room.

Design: Allison Caccoma; Photography: Jonny Valiant; Source: House Beautiful

This image reminds me on an elegant fireplace. I love the hearth design encasing the hood with the flanking built-in shelving. Just gorgeous! This kitchen looks like the perfect chefs study. Don't you want to just pull up a chair and curl up in front of a fireplace with one of those cook books? :)

Design: Robert Stilin; Photography: Julian Wass; Source: House Beautiful

These images are details from Ina Garten's barn kitchen. Placing a table lamp on your counter is a delightful way to add elements of a living room into your kitchen. The presence of a lamp, plus the warm light filtering through the shade, adds a lovely touch of charm.

And this big basket is so great! In a living room it might be used to store blankets or magazines; but in the kitchen, this deep and wide basket is practical and attractive for storing cookie sheets, cooling racks, and cutting boards.

Design: Susan Serra & Associates

Items like framed art and sculptural pieces, expected in the living room, become an intriguing surprise in the kitchen. These unique touches add personality and calm to a space that can sometimes get hectic as the cook is cranking out the next meal. I love how Susan Serra placed this art in such a place that the person who's actually getting some work done can enjoy it!

If you are interested in a kitchen or bathroom remodel or addition, please visit our website at thekitchenandbathpeople.com

Planning for Your Future with Universal Design : in the Kitchen

Last week I wrote about easy ways to incorporate universal design in your bathrooms. This week I want to expand on the subject and feature ways to make your kitchens more universally friendly. Kitchens have become the hub of our households, a place where members of all generations in the family convene. As such, kitchens should offer a friendly environment to all users. I want to re-emphasize the value added when taking a universal design approach in your remodeling project. Designing for the aging does not have to look geriatric, in fact the best universal design is one that goes unnoticed.

This side-opening oven by Fagor is so cool! (Pictured above are two, side-opening ovens, demonstrating the option for either door swing.) The design was a Merit Award winner in Interior Design Magazine's 2008 Best of the Year Awards. Its ability to install at any height, and the side swing door, keeps users from having to bend over a hot oven, reducing the risk of being burned. When paired with a pull out surface, like this one pictured on the left, moving your heavy casserole dish from the oven to a cooling surface is much easier.

Also, in regards to cooking appliances, consider an induction cooktop in a universal design, for their safety features. Click here to read about the benefits of induction cooking.


Pull down kitchen cabinet shelves are a convenient way to take full advantage of your upper cabinet storage. An accessible handle at the bottom allows you to easily bring those upper shelves down to your level, preventing anyone from having to stand on a chair (or the counter!) to get out the crock-pot, rarely used serving bowls...or whatever else might be storing up there. When the cabinet doors are closed, no one will know there's such a contraption hidden inside. Of course, I would not recommend displaying these behind glass doors.

Anything stored in typical base cabinets is usually going to be difficult to get out. Unless you're about 3' tall, a lot of crouching, bending, and digging is involved when attempting to access items from the depths of those spaces. Drawers are the best solution for the storage below your counters. All things kept inside are easy to find and retrieve. This drawer shown above even utilizes a sort of peg-board and dowel combination to keep things in their places, rather than letting them slide around every time you open the drawer.

Here's one more way to universalize the kitchen; think about integrating a table height surface (28-34" high) with clear space underneath that is at least 18" deep x 24" wide. This creates a useful multi-purpose surface. Not only can it become a place for snacks and homework, it can also function as a countertop where those bound to a wheelchair, or anyone who has trouble standing for an extended period of time, can sit and still help prepare meals.

You can also incorporate this idea under the sink. With a cute curtain draped underneath, you can create a European look and no one will ever recognize the sink to be ADA accessible. Also, notice the lever handle on the faucet (something I brought up when discussing universal bathroom design) and the bar pulls on the drawer. Levers and bars are easier for arthritic hands to grasp, as opposed to a knob shape.

Please feel free to comment on your successes with universal design!

If you are interested in a kitchen or bathroom remodel or addition, please visit our website at thekitchenandbathpeople.com


Photo Credits: Photos 1 & 3 - fagoramerica.com; Photo 6: sachsenkuechen-usa.com; Photo 7: AccessibilityPro.com

Correction!

A few weeks ago I had an entry about Chef-Style Kitchens where I featured this image:
I had claimed this was an image showing Fagor's wall racks and today I realized I had made a mistake. This is actually a detail of a Sachen Kuchen kitchen, showing their wall racks. So as you can see, these innovative wall racks are available through several companies, each with their own spin.

New entry to be posted by this Friday... where I will be showing another Sachen Kuchen kitchen. Enjoy your day!

Planning for Your Future with Universal Design : in the Bathroom

According the the AARP, most Americans prefer living in a familiar place, their home, throughout their later years in life. Certified Aging in Place specialists can help homeowners fold universal design into their home, providing a space that is comfortable and safe and allows elderly to maintain their independence. Universal design is the "green of the future" as it will preserve its value for years to come, adding convenience for all users at any age. Below are some ways to subtly and beautifully incorporate universal design in your bathrooms.

It's a good idea to consider installing a sink in the bathroom that will allow wheelchair access. This wall-mounted sink by Decolav is handicap accessible as well as fashionable and functional with ample counter space and an integral sink basin, making clean-up a breeze.

Here's a more transitional and "homey" look. This custom design uses TOTO's Ryohan sink and looks like a piece of furniture. The open space below conveniently allows for wheelchair access.

Another detail to think about is your faucet's design. The lever handles on these Delta faucets are universally easy to use, for children as well as older individuals with arthritic hands.

It's also smart to consider lever handles for doors, instead of door knobs, throughout your home. This lovely lever handle is manufactured by Rocky Mountain Hardware.

While you may not need grab bars now, if you are remodeling a bathroom, go ahead and have your contractor install blocking needed for the bars to make that addition easier down the road. Now, thank goodness, manufacturers are putting more thought into the design of grab bars, like this one shown above, from Moen.

Check in next week for ideas to "universalize" your kitchen!

If you are interested in a kitchen or bathroom remodel or addition, please visit our website at thekitchenandbathpeople.com


Photo Credit : Photo #2 - Photography by John Ferrarone for Frank Webb Bath Center

What is Induction Heating?

Induction cooking is the latest and greatest technology for your kitchen stove top. Though it's been used in Europe for decades it has made its way to the states within only the past few years. Let me tell you (from a layman's perspective) how it works.

When a pan (of ferrous material, aka. magnetic) is placed on the induction surface, an electromagnetic field is created. ONLY the pan gets hot. Look at this demonstration by Fagor, a pioneer in bringing induction cooking to the United States.

As you can see, it is not the element but the pan that gets hot. When the pan is removed no more heat is generated. This is a great safety feature for parents who's kids enjoy helping in the kitchen. It's also convenient for sloppy chefs... spills won't cook into the glass surface leaving them easy to wipe up :).

Induction cooktops are also energy and time efficient. Because energy is produced only where the pan is in direct contact, induction cooking uses 85-90% of the energy produced where as a gas cooktop is only about 30-40% efficient and electric, about 70% efficient. Because heat is produced instantly, water can be boiling in less than half the time it takes on a gas or electric cooktop and a pan can be ready for sauteing your veggies within seconds. Due to it's speed and even cooking, induction has become a favorite method of cooking for professional chefs and home makers alike.

Several kitchen appliance manufacturers carry induction cooktops. One of the major draw backs to this technology is cost, so now some companies are coming up with ways to make induction more affordable, available, and flexible.

Meile's Combisets are a modular design allowing clients to mix-and-match cooking surfaces to suite their cooking preferences (the induction cooktop is used in the middle of this configuration). You can put together any number of surfaces too which is great for small spaces and/or families where all you may need is two burners for a functional kitchen.

Fagor's portable induction cooktops provide this technology where it wasn't previously available. Now you can cook with induction in a dorm room, on a boat, or in the back yard. With a retail value of $250, Fagor has made induction cooking affordable to most consumers.

If you use induction cooking, let us know what you think!

If you are interested in a kitchen or bathroom remodel or addition, please visit our website at thekitchenandbathpeople.com


Image Credits: Image 1 - Gillian MacLeod for House Beautiful, Image 2 - fagoramerica.com, Image 3 - Meile, Appliances Catalog, Image 4 - macys.com

Sources:
www.housebeautiful.com/shopping/how-to-use/induction-cooking-troubleshooting?click=main_sr
Fagor; www.whatisinductioncooking.com
Meile; Appliances Catalog

A Chef-Style Kitchen

As a new employee at the Kitchen and Bath People I have been flooding myself with images, articles, blogs, websites, and magazines relating to kitchen and bathroom design with the goal to inspire and educate myself so I might share these new discoveries with you. With the guidance of Phyllis and Les to point me in the right direction, so far I have made some exciting discoveries from innovative projects to fabulous designers.

One telling of the times trend is our increased time spent at home. The "economic crisis" has had some positive repercussions if one can think optimistically. More time at home, especially at meal time as we tighten our financial belt, leads to quality time with loved ones as we help in the kitchen and share meals around the table. Cooking for yourself and family is nourishing for the body and soul and allows a real appreciation (and awareness!) for what we are putting into our bodies. Maybe we'll take more time to savor and enjoy, allowing a slower paced and healthier lifestyle.

With a movement leading us to spend more time in the kitchen, kitchen design is leading towards an efficient, "chef-style" space with open shelves, utensils sitting right out on the counter, and keeping everything used often visible and easy to access. I love this style! In a way it seems to add softness and personality to the space. The kitchen is an open book!

Here are some ideas to make your kitchen more user friendly:

Julia Child's peg board wall of cookware is genius! If you have nice pots and pans, why not show them off? And what about this simple idea my husband once pointed out to me in a Crate and Barrel catalog...Don't know where to store those lids to your pots and pans? Just slip the handle for the lid right onto the handle of the pan and voila, problem solved!

A photo from Ina Garten's barn kitchen, designed by Robert Stilin and House Beautiful's "Kitchen of the Year," shows that separating wood and stainless utensils in separate containers keeps them organized and identifiable.

These wall racks by Fagor are fabulous! They keep everything you might need in site but off the counter space. Being ultra flexible, you can easily add and take away what you decide to hang from these racks.Here is an installation shot of a Sachen Kuchen kitchen. As you can see, there are many options out there, including some with integrated under cabinet lighting!

If you are interested in a kitchen or bathroom remodel or addition, please visit our website at thekitchenandbathpeople.com

Photo Credits
Photo 2: Crate and Barrel online, Photo 3: Julian Wass for House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year, Photo 4: Fagor catalog, Photo 5: Sachsen Kuchen-USA website