April 2000
Design Idea Center Mixes Nature and Tradition

This year, the Design Idea Center's theme "Into the Future," has inspired two design vignettes which employ elements of nature and tradition into their vision. Each vignette offers its interpretation of the cottage retreat, with eye-catching results. 

Sponsored by the National Kitchen & Bath Association, Woman's Day Special Interest Publications and a host of major kitchen and bath product manufacturers--and on display at this month's K/BIS in Chicago-- the 2000 Design Idea Center encompasses two projects. The first was designed by Cameron Snyder, CKD, in collaboration with New York-based project director Mervyn Kaufman, New York-based interior designer John Buscarello, ASID, and Woman's Day Special Interest Publications, and the other a conceptual design brainstormed by NKBA student Design Competition winner Beverly Leigh Binns.

Inspired by the balance between nature and indoor living, and the traditional needs for convenience and privacy, both retreats offer all the comforts of the great outdoors--and all the amenities of the great indoors--with their All-In-One-Living designs.

Bringing Nature In
By mixing elements of indoor leisure and nature, Snyder, who is president of the Norwell, MA-based Kitchen Concepts, designed the project with the goal of creating "a space that embraced most of the needs of everyday life."

He began with a free-flowing floor plan linking four living areas around a central, circular fire pit. With its built-in hood and adjustable curved-glass screens, the central fire pit unifies the living area and adds a sense of warmth.

To create a living environment that would be warm and inviting, Snyder began by planning a kitchen that would be accessible and convenient. A fan-shaped island at the center of the room draws the eye, while offering functional appeal, as well. The island, complete with dishwasher and Elkay sink, is designed on two levels and topped with both Wilsonart solid surfacing and tempered glass, for added visual appeal.

More tempered glass, this time in a crescent shape, turns one side of the island into a breakfast counter. Pull-up stools allow family members to enjoy a quick meal or a late night snack.

For the culinary minded, a John Boos & Co. butcher block inset into the solid surfacing defines a separate cutting and baking center in the kitchen. With vertical tray storage and large drawers, the design offers recycling potential.

Warm Wood-Mode cabinetry and an Abbaka hood add design appeal, as well.

The choice of flooring continues the nature theme, ranging from solid hardwood and tile to stone and marble-like laminate.

Privacy concerns are addressed by Craftsmaster pocket doors, which provide a flexible barrier between the kitchen and sleeping area and the open bath and its enclosed toilet zone.

A second satellite kitchen is located adjacent to the sleeping area. Complete with Frigidaire refrigerator-freezer, dishwasher and microwave, the satellite kitchen is perfect for socializing or relaxing, allowing users to fix a snack without losing sight of the television.

The bathroom was designed in a "wave pattern," Snyder reports, creating a peaceful ambiance reminiscent of nature. A separate toilet zone offers privacy, while a one-piece tempered glass sink and countertop bring color and sparkle to the room.

The bath area features a TOTO toilet and Moen tub, shower and vanity faucets, while baseboard heating and a wall-hung towel warmer complete the cozy feel.

For a true "escape," the living area provides a Saunatec steam shower and sauna and SANIJET whirlpool.

The design addresses entertaining needs with a large-scale television and DVD player framed into the Wood-Mode cabinetry, creating a built-in look. The cabinetry varies in style and color, according to Snyder, which enhances each separate facet of the design.

The natural buoyancy of the space is retained through the use of three sun space extensions by Four Seasons Sunrooms, which Snyder describes as "at one with nature." Each sun space is faced with multicoat glass, which appropriately fuses heat in the winter and repels it in the summer, symbolically connecting nature with the design.

To further entertainment possibilities, a wine captain was installed adjacent to two of the three sunrooms.

In addition to the natural light the sunrooms provide, additional lighting is provided by Task Lighting.
One of the greatest benefits of this design is its flexibility, according to Snyder, who sees it as having nearly endless possibilities. "It could be a cabin in the wilderness, a desert or a rain forest. Or it could be a guest cottage or a weekend retreat," he notes.

Indeed, the 33'x25' space offers beauty and flexibility, making it truly a "design for all seasons."

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