Kitchen & Bath Business - July/August 2020 - 45

LEFT A beverage station just

outside of the kitchen keeps
the designer's children and
guests from overcrowding the
prep area.

RIGHT A microwave in the base
cabinets, four toe kick drawers, a blind corner swing-out
unit and a double garbage
pullout are accessible to
everyone in the home.

SOURCES
She added a Legrand Plugmold to the top of
the backsplash to conceal electrical outlets and to
create a more calming look and feel to the space.
To avoid the previous issue of cooking odors
reaching the upstairs bedroom, Weiss chose ventilation with a higher CFM rating appropriate for
the kitchen's square footage. She also has a smart
leak-detection system to let her know if a problem
arises immediately.
ADDED ACCESSIBILITY

The designer also added a microwave in the base
cabinet so the children do not have to climb up
to reach something hot. It also makes it easier for
them to heat up leftovers on their own. The storage in the toe kick area is easy for all of them to
reach, as Weiss is on the shorter side as well, and
a step stool in the toe kick helps her access upper

44-45_KBB_0720_DesignWellness.indd 45

DESIGNER: Meredith
Weiss, Merri Interiors
Inc. (NKBA member);
PHOTOGRAPHER: Nicole
Larson Photography
BACKSPLASH: Encore;
BEVERAGE STATION,
COOKTOP, REFRIGERATOR
& WALL OVEN: JennAir;
CABINET HARDWARE:

Hardware Resources
& Top Knobs; CABINET
INTERIORS: Century &
Glideware; CABINETS:
Brighton; DISHWASHER:
Bosch; FAUCETS: Moen &
Waterstone; FLOOR TILE:
Aria Nero; MICROWAVE:
Dacor; PENDANTS:
Eurofase; SINK: Kraus;

UNDERCABINET LIGHTING:

Task Lighting

cabinets.The toe kicks also hold trays and placemats so the kids can take meals
to their room and set the table easily.
A beverage area just outside of the kitchen allows for a separate space for
her children and guests to pour drinks. This keeps them out of the prep area
and provides more room to store fresh food in the main refrigerator.
In addition to the kitchen, Weiss renovated her laundry/utility room to
make it feel more like a room and not just a passthrough. She added a glass
door and reconfigured the plumbing to be encased in the wall, which added
8 inches of depth. The room also features an undermount laundry sink, two
wall cabinets and a full wall of pantry storage.
When asked how she addresses wellness with clients, Weiss admits not a
lot of them have experience with the topic. In the midst of this global pandemic, she anticipates having deeper conversations moving forward.
"I have not yet specifically been asked about wellness elements, but during
the planning stages, I make suggestions,"added the designer."I find out how
my clients are currently functioning - what works and what doesn't - and I
come up with solutions as their 'kitchen interpreter.' Our lives are chaotic,
but our homes don't have to be."


7/13/20 6:57 PM

http://elmirastoveworks.com http://elmirastoveworks.com

Kitchen & Bath Business - July/August 2020

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