Bridge Builders

Universal design providing accessibility for all, and a transition between traditional and contemporary, gives an Atlanta kitchen staying power.

A family of three—an entrepreneur working in environmental sustainability, a journalist/advocate for children with disabilities and their son with special needs—built their new home in the Margaret Mitchell Neighborhood of Atlanta in a traditional style. They asked Karen Ferguson of Harrison Design Associates, Shirley McFarlane of McFarlane Design and architect Dawn Bennett for a transitional kitchen bridged to the more restrained classicism in the rest of the home that would function well for cooking everyday or for large charitable functions, and be safe and appropriate for their son and virtually any visitor or future homeowner.

Wide corridors allow wheel chairs to navigate through with ease. The son's medical and kitchen needs are contained in a tall cabinet inside of the island for easy access. A wall of paneled cherry brings furniture appeal to the space, bridges the traditional to the contemporary, and flawlessly conceals the Sub-Zero Integrated refrigerator. "We wanted to avoid being able to "date" the kitchen through appliances, and integration keeps the look timeless," says Ferguson.

The Wolf induction cooktop provides an element of safety while continuing the clean lines of the kitchen and is also an energy-conscious choice. "Using environmentally-friendly products does not have to be daunting," says Ferguson. "Once you go to induction cooking you feel primitive if you're not using induction. People don't have a lot of time and it's very quick and efficient. I honestly feel it's the way of the future."