The third item of note is September 11, 2001. The word which comes quickly to mind in regard to this time in our history is “nesting.” Post 9/11 we all nested. More than ever before in our lifetime, our homes became our safe place, our sanctuary and we immediately began entertaining at home more. Our human nature craved the safeness of the familiar. We haven’t completely gotten over that and in new construction we are hearing requests for a room off the kitchen. While everyone seems to want it for a different reason – a home office/homework spot, the combined laundry and craft room, a wine cellar or a walk-in pantry – this added room holds families closer and is impacting the footprint of today’s kitchen and home.
We can’t forget the impact of the relatives! Recently, we’ve noticed more multi-generations living together then we’ve seen in, well, generations, which brings in the need for an aging-in-place layout. While that topic is, again, an article within itself, there are subtle changes we acquiesce for the older person living in our homes. The amount of space between an island and the perimeter kitchen cabinetry needs to be wide enough to possibly accommodate a walker or a wheelchair, while allowing that person to access the cabinetry. Niche dining areas most likely won’t include high top tables, as that is a difficult seat for our older loved ones to access. Most wall cabinet storage will be very difficult for them to get to, so base cabinet space will be at a premium.
That isn’t all we have to say about the relatives, though. My great-great grandparents came over from Norway, with very few belongings to pass down to my great grandparents. My great grandparents had very little to pass down to my grandparents, as there were so many children in that family. But somewhere between the few cherished items of that generation and mine (and the second Industrial Revolution spurring the mass production of stuff) as the eldest grandchild on each side of the family, I feel the need to display, or the responsibility to store, what was handed down from everyone to my great grandparents to my Mom, whom I recently lost. Based on the number of custom dining room hutches being designed these days, I am obviously not alone in this affliction. I think my cousin Lois put it best in a letter she recently wrote to me, “it gives me comfort to open up a cabinet and see something of my Mom’s inside.”
Yes, today we’ve changed our home’s layout to accommodate our loved ones…past and present.
Karla Krengel is a third generation Kitchen & Bath Industry entrepreneur. She represents Greenfield Custom Cabinetry from Indianapolis-based The Corsi Group and is one of 12 people the Jenn-Air Appliance brand brings in from around the country as part of their Design Advisory Council, to help guide the brand as super premium. Feel free to contact Karla with any questions on cabinetry, design or kitchen and bath trends.