Reader Question: Dishwasher Dilemma

It's always nice to have someone help out with some content for the blog. Thankfully, there are tons of great blog readers and occasionally I'm able to answer some questions and share some thoughts.

Today's question is one that designers are hearing more and more and appliance companies have stepped up to the plate with some solutions.

"I can't bend over to load the bottom rack of my dishwasher because of chronic back issues. I don't want to give up using the dishwasher altogether but what can I do to prevent running nearly empty loads of dishes? My husband and I are planning to build a house and we need some advice. Help?"

Between homeowners with back or neck issues and those just getting a bit older, the bottom of the dishwasher can be problematic.

Designers are more cognizant of designing spaces that are ADA(Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant and feature spaces and appliances that lend to ease of use and allowing homeowners to gracefully age in their homes without making drastic construction modifications. 

Planning on the front end is key! 

I love dishwasher drawers. Problem is, with a stacked dishwasher drawer that's only 24"(that's standard dishwasher width) wide, you still have that pesky bottom drawer. 

Fisher & Paykel recently released their DishDrawer Wide. It's a magical 36" wide!

Now before you ask why the 36" measurement is magical, it'll hold 9 place settings of dishes!

Tons of adjustable(and folding) racking, accommodations for stemware and only using 3.5 gallons per cycle are just a few of the features. 

Hopefully this helps with your dishwasher dilemma. If you have trouble bending over and want to maintain a large dishwasher, the Fisher & Paykel DishDrawer Wide is an easy choice. 

Friday Find - Dreamfarm Temji

Dreamfarm is easily one of my favorite innovative companies. They're always coming out with something neat and new. The last time that I had Dreamfarm on the blog we were trying to drink from the sink...

This time, the creative folks at Dreamfarm have come up with a unique way to dial up the perfect shower temperature every time you're ready for the bath! This is the Temji!

Initially, I thought these would be awesome for me to have just because I'm half asleep during most morning showers anyway and the shock of a too hot or too cold shower isn't my preferred way to become mentally alert. The more I thought about this, the more I realized how awesome this is for kids and even more important for older people who may be more sensitive to temperature.

via

The cool little wraparound pieces are brightly colored(and in universal red for hot and blue for cold) with easy to read numbers. 

I couldn't be more impressed. Just another product from Dreamfarm to help make life a little bit easier.

Check out this video from Dreamfarm about the Temji!

Life Summed Up!

Some really interesting statistics about daily life... never would have guess that I'd eat 18 tons of food in a lifetime! 

Via: MedicalBillingAndCoding.org

Designer Universal Design - Moen Home Care Grab Bars

One of the many things a good designer should talk with you about is universal design. It's called a lot of things, and we've tried to find a politically correct way to coin "getting older". 

Truth is, if you're not planning now it's likely that you'll be at a disadvantage once you arrive at either your golden years or with some type of limited mobility.

For longer than I can remember, any ADA(Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant products were as utilitarian in style as they were use. I've yet to be approached by a client who asked for their kitchen or bath to resemble a hospital room.

In the past few years, companies have jumped on the bandwagon of not only being more aware of the need for universal design products, but also improving the aesthetic along the way.

Check out this bathroom that features Moen Home Care products.

You may or may not notice the grab bars. You may just see a toilet paper holder and a towel holder in the shower(they're grab bars, too!).

Hey, hey! Good design!

Are we there yet? Not quite, but this is a HUGE step in the right direction. 

photos via Moen

According to the Moen site, you can pick up one of these grab bars for less than $60. The bars are tested to a 250lb weight.

It's a good sign. Universal Design doesn't have to look bad!

Trip-Planning KBIS 2011 - Kohler Elevance

So I'm a bit late to the Elevance party(Kohler showed it last year at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in Atlanta), but I'm anxious to see more innovations in the "aging in place" and accessible but fashionable market.

Kohler Elevance

The Kohler Elevance tub is a a rising wall system that provides an alternative to the walk-in tubs that have become so prevalent in the ADA compliant market. The tub is available with bubble massage jets and certainly makes most accessible tubs look behind the times.

Kohler always puts on a show at KBIS and this year in Las Vegas should be no different.

Kohler will be at booth C4714. See you there!