Universal Design | Gold
Project name: Universal Design Kitchen Renovation
Location: Houston, Texas
Square footage: 276
Cost: $80,000
Ensuring everyone in the family could use the kitchen was of utmost importance in this remodel. The wife has a neurological disease that limits her forward reach and she uses a scooter; she wanted to be able to cook and clean up independently. The husband wanted to be able to easily access the cabinetry and storage. Because the kitchen and family room share space, tile flooring replaced the old kitchen tile and family room carpet. The fireplace mantel uses the same tile as on the backsplash. Soffits were taken down, a wet bar see-through opening closed and the center island column with electrical was torn down and rerouted. All appliances, cabinetry, finishes, lighting and plumbing were replaced with upgraded products, to include an induction cooktop, under-counter ovens, clever storage solutions and strategically placed prep zones at the island and baking zone at the other side of the kitchen. Retractable base doors at the main sink and cooktop open the knee space below for the scooter to move into. Bottom shelves were routed 3 in. inward to meet the depth of the toe kick indent to allow the scooter to move forward into the knee space as much as possible to reach the forward-set faucet. Other features include a blind corner pullout, trash pullout, switches and outlets in the interior of the knee space at the cooktop and sink, island storage and pullouts on the back side, increased layered lighting, wide maneuverable aisles and lowered 30-in. seating at the island.