Life Styles and Stages Reflected in Idea Center

Anticipating and understanding the needs of clients – sometimes before the clients themselves know what they want – is an art that kitchen and bath designers often need to master before they can taste success. Those needs can be based on lifestyles, habits, age, physical abilities – any number or combination of factors.

The 2008 Design Idea Center, featured at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in Chicago in April, examined design options, technology and tastes based on the needs and interests of a wide range of consumers. A joint venture presented by the National Kitchen & Bath Association and Meredith Corporation, this third annual presentation of the DIC was meant to spark the imaginations of kitchen and bath designers and provide options when servicing specific clientele.

Five vignettes, which featured kitchens, baths, laundry areas and mudrooms, were presented by five of Meredith Corporation’s leading publications: Kitchen and Bath Ideas, Better Homes and Gardens, Traditional Home, Midwest Living and Country Home.

Teen Central

The “Hostess Extraordinaire” vignette, presented by Kitchen and Bath Ideas, serves a dual role for today’s busy household. The design serves well the household with teenagers, but also takes on the role of gathering and entertaining space for the adults living there. Created by Janice Pattee, CKD, CMG, along with Greg Kayko, editorial director, and Linda Eggerss, editor, the 600-sq.-ft. space includes a kitchen, mudroom/laundry room and butler’s pantry.

In the kitchen, a central island with 36" gas cooktop with vent hood from Wolf Appliance places mom at the core of the activity. The island, as well as the integrated Sub-Zero refrigerator, features the Courtney door style in cherry with Kaffe finish from KraftMaid Cabinetry. DuPont Corian in Raffia tops the island.

Along the perimeter wall, a 30" Double Wall Oven and warming drawer from Wolf are built into maple cabinetry with Westboro door style in Praline finish from KraftMaid. DuPont Corian in Rice Paper runs the perimeter. Under the window, Undertone stainless steel side-by-side double bowl sinks from Kohler are teamed with HiRise wall-mount bridge faucets. Integrated dishwashers from Asko are located on each side of the sinks.

A banquette with Corian table in Granola serves as both the eating area and gathering space, with wireless Internet access included. A tall cabinet at one end of the banquette that sits on top of a desk acts as a storage spot for electronic games and other gadgets. Around the banquette’s perimeter, glass-front maple cabinets in Putnam door style finished in Canvas from KraftMaid provide additional storage. Clever storage is also incorporated under the banquette seats.

Located just off of the kitchen, the pantry features open shelving and glass-front Courtney cabinets in cherry finished in Kaffe from KraftMaid. A Sub-Zero undercounter wine refrigerator and pair of dishwasher drawers from Asko are included here.

DuPont Zodiaq in Marrone Emperador hosts a Porto Fino sink and HiRise two-handle bar faucet from Kohler.

Organization Central

The “Organizer-in-Chief” space, designed by Mary Jo Peterson, CKD, CBD in conjunction with Better Homes and Gardens staff members Gayle Goodson Butler, editor in chief, Oma Blaise Ford, senior deputy editor and Joseph Boehm, senior interior designer, is a picture of organization. The 500-sq.-ft. space also includes a multitude of eco-friendly products.

Around the perimeter of the kitchen, the Lustra collection with Capri door style from Venicia by KraftMaid in Cherry Satin finish gives the room a contemporary feel. Glass doors with Fresco aluminum frames and Satina glass inserts add to the clean look.

Topping the perimeter, DuPont Zodiaq quartz surfaces in Warm Taupe incorporate recycled glass. Kohler provides the Deerfield Smart Divide sink with Coralais faucet.

A Wolf vent hood, oven and microwave, integrated Sub-Zero refrigerator and Fisher & Paykel dishwasher are also featured.