Design for All

I had attended a lecture a month ago that focused on Universal Design. For those of you that do not know the concept of Universal Design, I will give a brief description. The purpose of Universal Design is for a product or design to be versatile and adaptable to a whole population, young or old, disabled or not and regardless of the life cycle. The aim of universal design is to provide both flexibility in use as well as aesthetically pleasing solutions that targets everyone no matter one's physical limitations.

You see, the Baby Boomer population is a huge market. A person turns 50 years of age every 7 seconds. This population is savy, healthier and more active than the previous generation. In addition, they are the wealthiest group among the total population. What that means for designers is that we need to focus more on creative solutions that are flexible in use for all ages but does not sacrifice style. The products we specify should minimize hazards, require little physical effort, and very importantly be stylish. What stylish Univeral products do is provide the safety ramification for an aging or disabled population without screaming, the "I'm different" stigma that we are all resistant to.

Take a look at the following Kohler tub. It is called the Parity Tub and was recently featured at the Kitchen and Bath Conference and Show. What looks like a stylish wooden reading shelf is actually a transfer seat making it easy for a user to get in and out of the tub. But you'd never know it. That's the beauty of it.

http://www.kohler.com

And just for fun take a look at this little number. Offered by TOTO USA and new to the market and also featured in the Kitchen and Bath Show. It is called the Neorest Luminist II Soaker Tub and it is lit up from underneath with LED lighting. They also feature a lavatory. Stunning I might say.

www.totousa.com

When You Add, You Take Away

I recently had an associate take a look a some pics of my spruced up 1950's home and tell me that considering it is a small space, it does not looked cramped. I've been asked how I manage to make a space feel cozy without making it look cluttered or over-furnished. At one point my husband and I lived in a one bedroom condo that totaled no more than 550 sqft living space. My real estate agent said, it is comfortable and furnished well but it doesn't look crowded. She asked, "How do you do it?" Here is a big hint, when you add something to a small space that is already fully furnished and accessorized, you take something away.

Here's a more specific idea, if you have a bookcase with a TV console and a chair all along one side of a furniture arrangement for example, you minimize the accessories on the bookcase and the surrounding area. Therefore you are left with functional furniture and hopefully with enough seating and end tables for a minimum of two guests, but without feeling cluttered. Maintaining a minimalistic approach in the accessory department and keeping the color palette to a minimum can add alot. One more hint for small spaces, plants and indoor trees tend to make a space feel less cluttered. I don't know why. They just do.

Below is an illustration of a small living room I staged with minimal accessories and a not-so-fussy color palette:

M Cornish Photography

I will close with a fab looking drink:




White-Grape Spritzer

Mix equal parts white grape juice and lemon-lime soda; serve over ice with sliced fruit. Enjoy.

Ciao for now!