Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.
Issue link: http://kitchenbathdesign.epubxp.com/i/623962
FLOORING When considering wood foors for a client who has a pet, specify unfnished hardwood, and fnish with a complete top coat fnish (avoid prefnished hardwood fooring) so an occasional wet "accident" cannot penetrate. As dogs age, they can have greater trouble navigating hard foors. Not only are these surfaces slippery, but a slide-and-fall accident can also cause painful injuries. Older pet owners may consider a softer cushioned designer laminate (one piece foor- ing also prevents water damage), or they may incorporate yoga mats or throw rugs in heavily pet-traversed areas. If you live in a hot climate, realize that many dogs will be fond of ceramic tile – because the tile stays cool. Remember, unlike their human counterparts, dogs spend the vast major- ity of their days "on the foor." They not only walk on it, but they sit on it, sleep on it, roll on it, shed on it and happily eat from it in the event a tasty treat drops from the table! One extra thought about tile foors: just like for humans, such a hard surface can put a strain on an older animal's feet, legs and back. A WORD OF CAUTION While I've talked about planning spaces specifcally for the pets to be comfortable in the kitchen – realize that pets can also have an impact on the cook's equipment and sink area. For example, motion-sensor faucets can be set of by the inquisitive cat prancing along the countertop. This can be a disaster if the faucet swings beyond the limits of the sink: a food can occur. How about the possibility of our friendly pooch jumping up and down and potentially hitting touch screen controls for an oven? Be aware of how technology and pets might collide. WOW – a new center of activity we need to accommodate! While at frst we might doubt we can fnd the room for these pet-friendly features, the best designers listen carefully to their prospective clients to clearly understand their priorities. If the pet's comfort is highly valued by the homeowner – fnding the space is a winning strategy! Don't miss this design opportunity! Ellen Cheever, CMKBD, ASID, CAPS, is a well-known author, designer, speaker and marketing specialist. A member of the NKBA Hall of Fame, Cheever gained prominence in the industry early on as the author of two design education textbooks. She manages an award-winning design frm, Ellen Cheever & Associates, and has been part of the management team of several major cabinet companies. BATHING We all know that pets like to bring "the outdoors in." They seem to revel in having dirt-matted hair, muddy feet and odd odors. Installing a well-organized pet shower in the mud room can keep your dog as clean as possible. A pet bath can be created by using an oversized stainless steel sink outftted with a pull-out (not pull-down!) faucet for smaller dogs. I have also seen commercial foor-mounted sinks used for medium sized dogs. If space can be carved out of the laundry/mud room, for a larger pet, a mini-shower is an excellent idea. Elevate the shower base to create a comfortable working zone for the pet's bather. Use a hand-held showerhead to maximize fexibility of the water spray direction. If the pet's bather can reach over and into an enclosed space, fnish the shower with double-hinged shower doors. If not, make sure the shower wet walls are combined with a non-slip foor material and provide nearby towel storage for "doggy dry-of." Just as aging consumers look for wellness products to help ease aches and pains, pet owners may also look for products that can help increase comfort for older pets. Hydrotherapy, so popular with people, has slowly begun to gain traction with pet owners and, as a result, owners of older pets may choose to include a pet whirlpool or pet spa in the pet bathing area. EXERCISING STORAGE If you also plan a neat and organized area by the back door for outdoor items, the client will be ready for the dog's command, "Take me for a walk." A narrow pull-out cabinet, or a base, wall or tall side-entry cabinet can be a perfect spot to keep leashes, plastic bags and scooper, and other dog walking paraphernalia, as well as a coat, orange refective vest, hat and gloves, an umbrella and fashlight for the walker. Place this type of storage center close to the back door. Create a storage area for outdoor activities! A well-organized pet washing station has been created next to the back door. A fip-up/fip-down ledge is planned so the dogs can enter into the bathing area without being lifted. Designed/Built by Four Brothers LLC, Washington, DC, www.fourbrotherscarpentry.com. Photo: Hadley Photography, Fairfax, VA, www.greghadleyphotography.com A builder in Delaware has really rethought the 'laundry room' – transforming it into an activity room. With washer and dryer on a pedestal in the foreground, they are comfortably located for the user. In this activity space, there is a foor-level washing station – it could be for pets or gardening boots! A 'napping' area is attractively placed in the corner, along with the pet bowls. Well done! Photo: Courtesy of Echelon Custom Homes, Rehoboth Beach, DE, www.echeloncustomhomes.com Narrow kitchen base cabinet storage sys- tems, that are designed to pull out and store a multitude of items with various hooks or some type of backerboard system, can be ideal for the 'walking the dog' section of the kitchen. Photo: Courtesy of Rev-A-Shelf, www.rev-a-shelf.com 68 Kitchen & Bath Design News • January 2016 DESIGNER'S NOTEBOOK