SPOTLIGHT

KITCHEN & BATH PRODUCTS

Lifter & Drop-Down Systems Offer Quick Access to Large Cabinets

Elevated Toilet Seat Adds Comfort, Safety

Kohler Co.'s Hyten Elevated Toilet Seat adds three inches of height for comfort while sitting, and improves accessibility while lowering to and raising from the seat. The sleek yet functional design provides a solution for those experiencing mobility issues without compromising on asethetic appeal. The Hyten boasts top-mounting hardware for easy installa tion. The seat is available in a round-front and elongated options to fit existing toilets. Grip-Tight bumpers prevent the seat from shifting, increasing security, while Kohler’s QuietClose hinges ensure the seat lid won’t slam. A quick-release button makes removal for cleaning simple.

Grass America has introduced the Kinvaro Series of Lifter Systems, with smooth, quiet action and sleek European design. The series includes a variety of designs — parallel lifters, bi-fold lifters, lift-up systems and dropdown systems — that all provide quick and easy access to the vast amounts of storage space of large wall cabinets.

The Kinvaro L-80 Parallel Lifter system opens a single door that moves in parallel to the cabinet. The Kinvaro F-20 Bi-fold Lifter system moves two horizontal doors together in a smooth, quiet action. The T-series Lifter (T-57, T-65, T-71, T-76) opens a single door, pivoting the door to the top of the wall cabinet. Rounding out the series of wall cabinet systems is the Kinvaro D Flap System, a stylish, modern drop-down flap system that creates a minimalistic look with clean lines.

Kitchen Faucet Combines Beauty, Dependability and Accessibility

The ADA-compliant Renate Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet from American Standard combines beauty and dependability in a sleek, contemporary package. It is available in three finishes, including chrome, stainless and matte black. A dual-function spray head features a toggle control to easily switch from regular stream for filling pots to spray for rinsing vegetables and cleaning the sink. A handy pause button stops waterflow momentarily. Equipped with Re-Trax to ensure smooth extension and retraction of the spray head, the faucet includes matching deck plate for versatile installation.

Sometimes, simple rudimentary design changes can have the biggest impact, and nowhere is this more apparent than the bathroom.

In this same vein, a recent AARP poll2 found that 79% of respondents said they needed to amend their bathroom design to enable easier aging in place — by far the highest concern. This aligns with recent research from NKBA’s 2022 Design Trends report, which found that consumers increasingly want features and functions that provide ease of use and convenience for now and in the future. Also opting for more modern, streamlined features can lead to less clutter, helping to ease the physical stress of maintenance and cleaning.

By choosing more universal designs, older homeowners can create an environment that is both safe and reliable, helping them stay independent for longer in their own homes.

Technology aims to bring health awareness

Design plays a vital role in a home’s overall accessibility and live-ability, but emerging and advanced technology should also be a top consideration when choosing new fixtures and appliances. According to a study3 by the Gerontological Society of America, when technology is co-designed with aging-in-place needs, “healthcare shows improvements in the

Whirlpool Wall Oven with Smart Features, Meets Standards for Accessible Design

The Whirlpool 24” Wall Oven is a small-space oven that provides the flexibility to cook full-size meals on multiple racks at once. With nine different cooking modes, homeowners can make all their family favorites within the 2.9 cu. ft. capacity oven. And, they can tackle their to-do list with smart features built for multitasking. When homeowners are busy elsewhere, they can use their smartphone to get dinner started by remotely preheating the oven or use a compatible voice-enabled device to adjust the cook time or temperature. Plus, this wall oven meets the Standards for Accessible Design specified by the Americans with Disabilities Act to provide equal access to all.

care experience, including improved patient knowledge, ability to cope with the disease, and better access to healthcare, reductions in falls and medical errors, improved patient satisfaction, better disease control, increased disease knowledge, and reductions in cost.”

Manufacturers have unveiled suites of smart bathroom technologies at the last Kitchen and Bath Industry Show that enable owners to remotely or voice control everything in their bathroom — from auto-filling baths and turning heated floors on or off to controlling mirrors and lighting, all of which can help an older homeowner take pressure off their bodies and live a more comfortable, independent lifestyle.

Miele ADA Dishwasher Designed with Hight-Adjustable Upper Basket

Miele G 5051 SCVi Active

Dishwasher is a fully integrated ADA dishwasher in tried-and-tested Miele quality at an affordable price. Key features include topclass results in less than one hour with the QuickIntenseWash. Its DoubleWaterProof system automatically shuts off the water supply in the event a leak is detected. The dishwasher also features a versatile and secure comfort basket design with a height-adjustable upper basket. In addition, the door is extremely easy to open and close, and stays open in any position.

New Color for CleanCut Bathtub Insert Line

CleanCut Convertible, a bathtub insert product, is now available in a beige. The beige design features a darker accent color to off-white or almond tubs. The Step, Ultra-Low and Convertible models are now all available in both white and beige. The Convertible model features a water-tight plug that locks on and off, allowing easy transition from step-in shower to full bath. The DIY kit includes one Convertible unit with water-tight plug, two rosette knobs, two sets of decorative caps, and necessary materials for basic installation.

Vanity Combines ADA Compliance, Minimalist Design

Native Trails’ latest vanity collection includes the Zaca Wall Mount. This ADA-compliant vanity is handcrafted from 304 grade stainless steel and is available in 36 inch and 48 inch sizes, making it suitable for universally designed bathrooms. The Zaca Wall Mount is designed to pair with the NativeStone concrete Trough 4819 sink, made in a sustainable blend of natural material and available in four finishes — Slate, Earth, Ash and Pearl.

Moen Smart Faucet with Motion Control

The Smart Faucet with Motion Control is Moen’s latest advancement in the Moen Smart Water Network. The faucet features new touchless technology that allows the user to control temperature and water flow by using simple hand motions. Homeowners can choose from hot, warm or cold water with a simple swipe of the hand over the sensor. Within the corresponding Moen Smart Water App, homeowners can also set default temperatures for hot, warm and cold for when the sensor is activated. The app also allows users to select the gesture scheme that works best for them to customize the actions.

Additionally, a few brands are developing the next wave of toilets that analyze waste, detecting overall health issues and flagging them to help consumers better manage their well-being. Furthermore, smart bathmats can now track and analyze the owner’s health, measuring things such as weight, BMI, muscle mass and posture — all illustrating the industry’s commitment to helping more Americans futureproof their homes and make the user experience easier, safer and healthier.

Technology gaining traction in kitchens Technology is not only gaining popularity in the bathroom, but in the kitchen, as well. Many

Americans are looking to smart technology to help with everyday tasks. According to a recent NKBA deep dive into technology in the kitchen, over 30% of designers have reported including integrated technology into their kitchen plans.

Simple technology innovations, such as lighted interior cabinets and push-to-open drawers, to more sophisticated equipment, such as smart refrigerators and anti-scald devices to reduce reducing burn injuries, can help ease the physical toll on an older homeowner.

It’s no secret the population in the U.S. is getting older and at a faster rate than ever before. The Administration for Community

Bemis Launches Personal Wash Bidet Attachment

Bemis Manufacturing Company is now offering a nonelectric Personal Wash Bidet attachment available exclusively for use with the Clean Shield raised toilet seat. The bidet is designed with an easy twist function, with each click increasing waterflow. Its Comfort Stream wash features two independent valves that allow users to easily change water stream, while the adjustable t-valve controls the incoming water pressure. The handle also features a user-operated function that cleanses the nozzle after use. The Clean Shield with Personal Wash Bidet is packaged in a bundle that includes support arms.

Living predicts that by 2040, over 21% of the U.S. population will be over 65 years old. As a result, new technology combined with well-thought-out design updates, can make all the difference in ensuring aging homeowners will continue to feel comfortable and safe in their homes.

1https://viejournal.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40327-018-0066-5#citeas

2https://www.aarp.org/home-family/your-home/ info-2021/home-and-community-preferencessurvey.html

3https://academic.oup.com/gerontologist/article/61/7/e395/5854360?login=true