For our just-released Kitchen Planning Guide, I had the pleasure of visiting the beautiful universally-designed kitchen of Bill and Allison Pileggi. The Pileggis, who live just outside Pittsburgh, have managed to pull off a kitchen that’s not only attractive but works for everyone in the family, including Allison, who uses a wheelchair. Accessibility was important to their design process, but so were aesthetics-as you can see in the choices Bill and Allison made throughout the space. From easy-access appliances to a roll-under island, there’s no shortage of functionality here; and with a killer backsplash, well-proportioned cabinetry and soft colors, no lack of visual appeal either.
With help from daughter Lila and Allison’s mom Margie, we decided to roll some cookie-baking into our photo shoot-a great way to put the kitchen’s functionality to the test (and guarantee us all a tasty reward at the end of a long day). You’ll see from the photos here that the space passed with flying colors.
For more on the Pileggi’s kitchen, check out “Universal Appeal” in our 2013 Kitchens & Baths special issue.
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With at least 45 inches of space on each side of the island, the new kitchen has room for everyone.
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The original kitchen was a narrow galley style space with dark, tired cabinets.
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A Fisher-Paykel refrigerated drawer keeps everyday items within reach. The pantry doors to the left are set on tracks that allow them to recess completely when open, but brings them flush with the cabinetry when closed.
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Drawers hidden in the 7-inch toekicks provide a home for plasticware, tea towels and dishes that all members of the family can reach.
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The island's 30-inch height works for Allison and is also well-suited to baking tasks for standing helpers.
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Ordinarily, the mounting hardware for this mixer lift would be mounted to the inside of the cabinet wall, requiring a space-hogging swinging door. But Bill came up with an answer: mount the hardware on a false wall inside the cabinet, which also makes a pocket for a retractable door.
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While a side-opening oven might be considered more accessible, the Pileggis liked the features of this Thermador, including the ball-bearing guides that help racks to move in and out easily.
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The lesson here? Individuality rules, even in accessible design. (Something even Danny the dog can sink his teeth into.)
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Moving the inside wall back four feet made room in the kitchen for a 30-in. high, 84-inch long island. At the far end, a recessed plate rack built by Allison's dad showcases dishware without projecting into the work area.
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Dropping the wall cabinets down to the countertop makes the shelves more accessible at the same time it creates appliance garages that help keep the kitchen cluttter-free.
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Pull-outs for pots and lids vary in depth, but a false front on the bottom drawer gives the appearance of more pleasing proportions.
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Small sections and hydraulic hinges makes bench storage easy to access.
View Comments
beautiful kitchen design for large homes with large mortgages.Try a practical design for homes in the 1300 sqft range.( S.S. the not so big home )
Don't get me wrong,it is very nice. But who has a kitchenspace ca 16'x 20'?
(sitting at home in Delta and getting annoyed that the interest rates are going up)
I am absolutely wowed by the print article, which I've just seen. I have a friend whom I think can benefit from the design elements that the Pileggis' worked so hard to incorporate into the kitchen. As a deaf individual, I would like to see more articles like this one which show how specific needs can be met while still maintaining a general appeal. I think the kitchen is truly a good lesson for the rest of us about the rewards of doing focused, excellent research. The Pileggis did the research and they got it right for their specific needs and interest. More power to them.
Mr. Cochran: Thank you for the kind words, even more so if our efforts and trials can help your friend or another. The editor, Deb Silber has my contact info if there is anything we can do for you.
Mr. Semar- I appreciate your point of view very well. What the article doesn't show is the the 9X9 kitchen we used for 15 years in our previous home nor the very modest, yet highly functional, simple modifications we made there. Simple modifications here and there were more time consuming than a financial burden.
For this kitchen, we designed and built exactly what we had worked for, doing most of the demo myself and quite a bit of the labor along with the contractors crew to cut costs. You are correct that it may be uncommon, but the point of the article is that there are many things that can be done to improve any kithens functionality for someone of limited capability. Of note, our kitchen in the article is six years of overtime, plus some, but worth every penny for the safety and joy it brings our family.
Bill Pileggi
I love how this is such a unique kitchen that caters for Allison to get around! It's so thoughtful and definitely something that needs to be well thought through and considered right from the moving and relocations stage!