Category Archives: Kitchen

Stylish Products for the Kitchen

Built-In Microwave Drawer by Sharp

Image: Sharp

Image: Sharp

When you hear the brand name Sharp, you probably think first of HD televisions and office equipment. Well surprisingly, they are also in the business of making commercial and residential microwave ovens. One series of their microwave ovens are drawer style ones where the door and tray come straight out. Traditional microwaves have a hinged door which means one side is less accessible than the other because of the door swing. This microwave drawer design can be easier to use and wheelchair accessible.

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UniLift Lower Cabinet Lift

A few months ago I wrote an article on Freedom Lift Systems and their mechanisms that lower upper cabinets. Great products that make upper cabinets accessible and reachable from a wheelchair. Another product they offer is a lift for counter top appliances. UniLift takes these appliances from a lower cabinet and raises them up to counter height level.

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Miscea | Touch Free Faucet

Miscea Touch Free Faucet

Image: Miscea

As I’ve stated before in previous articles, one of the standard design features for an accessible sink is an accessible faucet. Meaning one that can be controlled easily with one fist. So no knobs that require grasping or gripping. Single lever faucets are ideal though dual levers also work. Touch and touch free faucets are other options. All of these solutions allow a person who has difficulty using their hands an easier time using a faucet. Another solution now available is the Miscea. A touch free faucet with sensors that can activate water flow, temperature control, along with soap and disinfectant dispensers.

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Sliding Cabinet Doors by Häfele Frontio

One common design feature of wheelchair accessible homes is the sliding or pocket door. Without a door swing to avoid or worry about, they can make for easier access. The same can be true for kitchen cabinet doors. Sliding cabinet doors have been around for awhile but you always have that layered look. With a track in front and one in back for each door. Architectural hardware company Häfele has solved this problem with their Frontino sliding cabinet doors.

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Hability | Wheelchair Accessible Kitchen

Hability Wheelchair Accessible Kitchen

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Recently I wrote about Whirlpool’s universal design kitchen concept called the Liberty Project. A conceptual design that had a lot of neat features that were meant to accommodate all members of a family with different degrees of accessibility. But unfortunately the Liberty Project is not available for purchase. However another kitchen unit designed for accessibility is available by Italian company Valcucine. Designed in collaboration with architect and designer Marco Miscioscia, Hability is a modern wheelchair accessible kitchen.

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Universal Design Style Store is Now Open

The Universal Design Style Store is now open. To visit just click on the “Store” tab in the menu. Here you can find products that are stylish, helpful, and informative. Everything from books to adaptive equipment with style. Enjoy!

 

Freedom Lifts Systems for the Kitchen

Freedom Lift Systems

Image: {a href="http://www.freedomliftsystems.com" target="_blank"}Freedom Lift Systems{/a}

When making a kitchen wheelchair accessible, one goal is to make upper cabinet storage reachable. This can be done with lower mounted cabinet and shelves that can swing down. For a more dramatic effect, the entire cabinet can also mechanically lowered. Freedom Lift Systems is a North American company that makes cabinet lifting mechanisms and other kitchen lift products.

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Out of the Counter Lift Oven by Caple

Caple Sense C5100 Lift Oven

Image: {a href="http://www.caple.co.uk/default.aspx" target="_blank"}Caple{/a} Via {a href="http://www.bornrich.com/caples-sense-c5100-lift-oven.html" target="_blank"}Bornrich{/a}

Awhile back  I wrote about a lift oven by Gaggenau. That oven mounted underneath an upper cabinet and had a tray that lowered to the counter with the push of a button. Well now we have the opposite of that with an oven that comes up out of the counter, the sleek Sense C5100 Lift oven by British company Caple.

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