NKBA - National Kitchen & Bath Association

The NKBA, as you may know, is the National Kitchen & Bath Association. I've been a member of the NKBA for many years. I also became a Certified Kitchen Designer in 1993.

It's a good thing for a consumer to use an NKBA member firm, or a Certified Kitchen Designer to design his/her kitchen. A CKD must meet requirements for educational points during continuing 2 year periods.

Being a member of an association, generally speaking, means that the member firm is interested in their industry as a whole, going beyond the narrow focus of their business. The NKBA offers many seminars, multi day conferences, and maintains a nation wide chapter organization. There are monthly NBKA chapter meetings which include a presentation on a different topic every month. The NKBA also co-sponsors the enormous KBIS conference each year, to which I travel to every year. It is a good thing for a kitchen designer to be involved in their industry and aware of new philosophies, products, and design information. Now you know a bit more about my national association!

 

Scandinavian Kitchens - Black & White

I've previously talked before about Scandinavian kitchens being very light in color, and they often are. White seems to be the common theme. When white, neutral woods, and black, come together, it's very exciting. We'll save color for another day, but these kitchens are no less wonderful without punches of color. Look at these beautiful images from Bo Bedre. Notice the floors, aren't they amazing?

Do you want some inspiration for white or neutral accessories? Look at this amazing blog on Scandinavian design. And, for more inspiration, another Scandinavian home design blog. I will try to feature Scandinavian design blogs every time I do this series, to add the "real" look. I also hope to receive comments and design advice on Scandinavian kitchens from those who live in them!

How Low Can Your Kitchen Window Go??

I was reading other blogs and came across this image of a kitchen. There is only the one shot, but I have some thoughts about design and aesthetics that I'd like to share with you.

The image is from Terramia, a great design blog I frequent.

 

I think what first struck me was the feeling of light in this image. I'd like to focus on the windows and where they are situated. They nearly touch the countertop. This is a major factor in the aesthetics in this kitchen. It appears to be a nearly invisible transition to the outdoors in a very effective way. I assume the window just over the eating area is at the same height. It's difficult to see.

To situate the windows as close to the countertop as possible seems relatively easy. Cabinetry is most often 34 1/2" tall, and most countertops are 1 1/2" thick, or 1 1/4", reaching 36" overall in height. So, a thought may be to install the window at 37" of height, or less if one is feeling adventurous. Here are two more images of a low window installation:

What comes next will contribute the C factor into it all: Confusing Calculations. When remodeling the kitchen, you must consider many factors, if you want the window to be as close to the countertop as possible. Here are some, just off the top of my head, and may not be all issues to worry plan for (purposely all jumbled together.)

Will the flooring be changed? Does the subfloor have to be changed? How thick will it be? Will the subflooring be leveled? What flooring material will go in? How thick is it? Will there be any sort of adhesive material below the floor? How thick will that be, for example, a mud or thin set application? Will the mud tile installation be leveled if the subflor will not be? What is the high point of the room? What is the low point of the room? Will the cabinetry have to be shimmed? (answer..always). By how much? Is some sort of sill or casing below the window desired, or none at all? What will that dimension be? How thick is the countertop material? How is the window constructed? Who, all. will be the players in all of this labor and design decisions and are they giving reliable information or communicating maybes?? What if the window is put in too low?This, in all honesty, is why you rarely see this application. It's risky, very risky! To me, it's not just nice, it's fantastic.

 I was glad to have come across this design element in Terramia. It is a design detail that would have been far from my radar screen to discuss here. I'd love to know what you think of this type of installation.