The Flynn's  Story

In the spring of 2008, Ray, one of Columbia CabinetWorks’ experienced designers, had the pleasure to meet Barbara and John Flynn, a lovely, dynamic couple who have lived and traveled around the world and were now focused on renovating their admittedly outdated kitchen to match the rest of their beautiful and eclectic home in the Capital District. Sounds like a relatively basic undertaking for Ray and Columbia CabinetWorks…an everyday type of project. But this project was special, with very specific challenges and very critical requirements…as Barbara is confined to a wheelchair.

Ray met the Flynn’s’ at their home and still loves to tell about the first time he saw their collection of Indian art and furniture from their years abroad. Sitting together in the kitchen they began to assemble a checklist of all that was wrong with the current kitchen and what Barbara wanted to be able to do in their renovated space. For example, if all the work surfaces are 29" or higher from the floor, Barbara doesn't have the leverage she needs to stir and chop. Or how could Barbara cook an omelet or stir a simmering sauce if there is no room under the cook top for her wheel chair?

Ray returned to his design desk at CCW determined to meet the challenge and create for the Flynn’s a kitchen that would exceed their functionality wish list while at the same time become an oasis of beauty in their stunning home. And so the journey began…

The Island

Wanting to maintain a comfortable eating height but still accommodate Barbara’s desire to be able to chop and stir at an island workstation, Ray designed a dual height island. Keeping in mind the fascinating pieces brought home from India, the shape was designed with interesting angles and finishes to complement the feel of the rest of the home.

The Cook-Top

Ray’s proudest element of the finished kitchen is an adjustable height cook-top. Rigged with a relatively simple lift mechanism, the cook-top can go up and down to allow Barbara to wheel her chair underneath and have access to all the burners. A clever safety hinge immediately stops the lift mechanism should it ever get too low and touch Barbara’s legs. Always paying attention to aesthetic detail as well as functionality, Ray designed, and Wood-Mode built, a panel that conceals the lift mechanism…perfect!

Dozens of Details

What makes the finished project work so beautifully was Ray’s obsessive attention to detail. Ray and Barbara painstakingly measured, tested and re-measured to get the perfect height for the wall-oven. Larger cabinet handles were installed that are easier for Barbara to grab. The door to the Lazy-Suzan cabinet for pots and pans was designed to fold away inside the cabinet. This way Barbara would not have to negotiate around it when accessing the contents of the cabinet. Ray scoured countless suppliers to find the perfect shallow sink that Barbara can use to its full capacity without any assistance.