DIY Network

Creative Culinary Options for Bonnie Hough From "Enable Your Home" episode DEYH-101

Bonnie Hough's inaccessible kitchen is a daily source of frustration. Bonnie, who is physically-challenged (as the result of an accident at 29), finds creative expression and spiritual nourishment in cooking the food she raises at her California home. With 30 different fruit trees, Bonnie spends a great deal of time preserving food -- time that is increased because of the kitchen's poor design.

Bonnie feels safer in her garden than in her kitchen.

With such an extensive garden, Bonnie must store food that cannot be immediately consumed. A new kitchen design will increase her enjoyment of cooking, her independence and efficiency.

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The small size of the kitchen means there is only room for Bonnie or a guest--not both. The gas stove is dangerous; the cabinets and sink are too high; and for Bonnie, the contents of the upper cabinets are often unknown.

Bonnie will work with environmental designer Anita Green to ensure that her environment is not only functional and accessible to everyone, but is also aesthetically pleasing.

Together, the two plan to gut the kitchen's interior and extend one wall into the garage to increase the space.

Before the redesign: Bonnie's kitchen is full of hazards and hindrances.

Bonnie and Anita work together to design a kitchen that will meet Bonnie's needs and welcome friends and family members.

Also on Bonnie's wish list:

• Replacement of her existing window with a garden window. Once the old window is removed, the space will be reframed before the new window is added. Additional supports will be added for reinforcement, and controls will be added within Bonnie's reach.

• Kitchen cabinets and the sink will include mechanisms for adjustable height. This change will allow Bonnie--as well as friends and family of any height or physical ability--to use the kitchen comfortably. (If you'd like instructions for installing an approach mechanism on your cabinet, DIY has the step-by-step instructions.)

• The inclusion of a stove top faucet that allows cookware to be filled with water at the stove. A safer stove will be added -- and one easily accessible to Bonnie.

• A non-slip flooring surface. While this item isn't as crucial for Bonnie, she wanted the space to be safe for all family members.
  

GUESTS :

Anita Green
Environmental Designer
E-mail: greengardner@earthlink.net
Website: Meadow Designs