Kitchen & Bath Business - November/December 2020 - 33

Janke says a lot of her clients are looking to stay in their homes as long as
possible, and as such, she pays close attention to ADA-compliant fixtures
and lever handles or oversized drawer pulls - items that need to represent
form and function.
TALKING ABOUT TECH

Smart options that focus on security, leak detection, temperature control and
air quality can help provide peace of mind for a homeowner. Touchless and
voice-activated products - especially faucets and lighting - make it easier for
someone with mobility issues to use them.
According to Natalia Pierce, AKBD, CLIPP, of Ontario-based Detail
by Design, creating lighting for wellness involves more than a central room
fixture - you need to think of it by function: general task and accent - to
provide significant impact for your clients. She also touts the efficiency of
LEDs, stating that their benefits include a variety of dimming and color
rendering index options.
" They can easily light small spaces inside cabinets, and there are less limits
with electrical requirements, " she added.
Meredith Weiss, owner of Commack, N.Y.-based Merri Interiors, likes to
incorporate dimmable lighting for different emotional responses throughout
the day. Human-centric lighting, which follows one's circadian rhythm, can
mimic daylight where natural light is scarce.
Smart wellness tech specific to the kitchen and bath includes induction
cooktops - safer to the touch - different cooling zones for a variety of foods
and shower systems that can be programmed for various users.

ABOVE This kitchen by

Seriously Happy Homes
uses Marmoleum flooring, a
linseed-based sheet product
that is both sustainable and
air friendly. According to West,
Injuries from a fall on a softer
surface like linoleum are minimized as compared to slipping
and falling on tile. Photo by
Julie Mannell

EMBRACE UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY

When it comes to the concept of wellness, additional aspects of its description need to be
considered. Some clients love the idea of order
and organization in their homes. According to
Weiss, organized spaces elicit calm and structure
and not chaos. Low-maintenance materials take
away the grunt work of having to spend precious
time cleaning.
The idea of bathrooms as sanctuaries was already taking hold, but the need to ease stress in
light of the current pandemic calls for more steam
therapies, soaking tubs, heated floors and washlets/bidets.
A connection to the outdoors is important now
more than ever (think incorporating as much
natural light and greenery as possible), as more
people are spending time at home. With this also
comes the need and desire to grow food at home
- indoors and out.
" People are starting to be more conscious of
what goes into their bodies, and healthy eating is a
big part of this, " said Pierce. " We need to consider
wellness in the home and how it can foster this
with improved food storage and preservation. "

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Kitchen & Bath Business - November/December 2020

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