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For Immediate ReleaseStudio G4, LLC 218 N Oak Street Colville WA 99114 Tel: 509-936-1527 Contact: Shelly Graham, Designer
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
SHELLY GRAHAM of STUDIO G4 EARNS EXECUTIVE CERTIFICATE IN HOME MODIFICATION DESIGN
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Shelly Kalua Graham, Space Planner and Interior Designer for Studio G4, LLC, a universal design firm, earned her Executive Certificate through the University of Southern California, Ethel Percy Andrus Gerontology Center on July 27, 2009.
The Executive Certificate Program in Home Modification is an intensive course for Designers, Builders, Occupational Therapists and other professionals who work with people wanting to age in their own homes gracefully or those who live with disabilities.
Home owners and builders wanting to remodel, modify or build homes that are friendly to people of all abilities can call Studio G4 for consultation or design services at 509-936-1527.
# # # Shelly Kalua Graham
509-936-1527
Universal Design – it’s just good design Shelly Graham – Studio G4 October 2008 IDEA Newsletter - Interior Design Department - Art Institute of PA
For over thirty years universal design principles have been quietly making their way into our products and environments. Led by Ron Mace, a small group of professionals dedicated to better design contributed seven inclusive principles into design history.
1. Equitable Use: The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities 2. Flexibility in Use: The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities. 3. Simple and Intuitive Use: Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the users experience, knowledge, language skills or current concentration level. 4. Perceptible Information: The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities. 5. Tolerance for Error: The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions 6. Low Physical Effort: The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue. 7. Size and Space for Approach and Use: Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user's body size, posture, or mobility (NC State University).
The impact of these seven principles has been overwhelmingly successful in many areas including some surprising categories such as kitchen utensils. A popular brand, OXO, can be found at retailers such as Target and Linens N Things. These utensils are easier and more comfortable to grip, making them more user friendly but that’s not all. The OXO utensils are very stylish. As a result of their performance and aesthetic OXO’s kitchen utensil sales have increased by 50% every year since 1992. Beautiful, profitable inclusive design, now that’s good design. (Design Council)
But is the time now right for us to pursue such inclusive design principles for interior environments? Is the market ready to adopt a set of principles that guide projects toward the inclusion of a diverse set of abilities?
According to a phone survey taken by the American Institute of Architects in February of 2008, there has been an increase in requests for design of accessibility and adaptability in private residences. Another phone survey conducted in September of 2008 revealed architecture firms are hit by the economy but in spite of the economic downturn features promoting greater levels of accessibility around the home are popular. Some of the features include; ramps, elevators, and easy to use handles and faucets.(AIA)
Where do these market demands come from? In large part it is due to our shifting demographics. Roughly 75 million, close to half of our current population, is either a Baby Boomer (BBHQ) or is living with a disability (US Census Bureau). This brings up the important issue of safety. According to the Center for Disease Control, the leading cause of death due to injury in older adults is falling down. Certainly good design will incorporate fall prevention and home safety measures as integral parts of the design process.
As Baby Boomers retire they need solutions to help them remain in their own homes as they age. Universal design principles embrace the needs for accessibility of these baby boomers and people of all capabilities and functions. The time for these universal design principles is now. It’s time to make sure that Good interior design encompasses form, function, and aesthetics. (Center for Disease Control)
But what becomes the measurement of our success in creating good designs? Eleanor Smith, founder of Concrete Change, suggests we begin with the basics of visitability in homes. The three basic requirements for this growing trend are:
These suggestions provide built-in non-discrimination features. They help create greater access of homes to a wider group of our population while protecting dignity and independence. This is critical for the inclusion of many members of our population who are currently being excluded. You can read about Smith’s important work at: http://www.concretechange.org/. (Concrete Change)
Can this type of thoughtful design be applied to every cubic inch of an interior environment? The California Department of Housing and Development thinks so. They have published a checklist for a builder that is well thought out, easy to use and a great tool when designing as well as when communicating with clients. You can find the checklist at: http://www.hcd.ca.gov/codes/shl/ModelChecklistFinal1-10-07Version.pdf (California Department of Housing and Development)
Susan Duncan, founder of The ABC’s of Accessibility, also agrees. According to Duncan, home environments should be planned around current client abilities as well as future ability levels. This means designing with flexibility in mind. To help designers think in three dimensions Duncan has developed a tool called the Visualizer. This tool is a set of three dimensional models of a person in a wheelchair that can be used on floor plans printed at 1/8”, ¼” and ½”scale. This tool is invaluable for understanding how a plan can support access or create barriers. The Visualizer tool can be found at: http://www.visualizerset.com/visualizer.htm. (Duncan)
As the Universal Design trend grows because of market demand, necessity and responsibility, interior designers will play a critical role in creating solutions. It is time for the inclusive principles of Universal Design to be a core element of every design solution rather than a unique concept to be applied exclusively for special projects. As interior designers and architects implement these seven core principles into every project the quality of each project will improve and the needs of clients will be better served both for today and for the generations to come.
Works Cited
AIArchitect. 29 May 2008. < http://www.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek08/0208/0208b_hdts.cfm angId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100042291>.
BBHQ.com. “The Boomer Stats, A special Feature of Baby Boomer Headquarters: www.bbhq.com.” 2008. bbhq.com. 2 June 2008. < http://www.bbhq.com/bomrstat.htm>.
California Department of Housing and Development. HCD New Home Universal Design Checklist (Revised 2007). 22 October 2008. < http://www.hcd.ca.gov/codes/shl/ModelChecklistFinal1-10-07Version.pdf >
Center for Disease Control Website Preventing Falls Among Older Adults 2 June 2008. <http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/preventadultfalls.htm>.
Concrete change.org. “Visitability.” www.concretechange.org. 2008. concretechange.org 22 October 2008. < http://www.concretechange.org/ >
Design Council. “OXO Good Grips – Design that Everyone Can Use.” www.designcouncil.org.uk. 2008. designcouncil.org.uk. 23 October 2008. < http://www.designcouncil.org.uk/en/Case-Studies/All-Case-Studies/OXO-Good-Grips/
Duncan, Susan. Peter Pan Housing. Personal email correspondence. Attached article to email 21 May 2008.
NC State University. Center for Universal Design. “Universal Design Principals.” 1997. design.ncsu.edu. 3 June 2008. <http://www.design.ncsu.edu>.
U.S. Census Bureau. “U.S. and World Population Clocks – POPClocks.” 2008. census.gov. 2 June 2008. < http://www.census.gov/main/www/popclock.html>.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELASE
Thursday, February 14, 2008
COLVILLE, WA - Professional Interior Design comes to Colville! Shelly Kalua Graham of Studio G4, LLC has opened an interior design & consulting office at 218 N Oak Street, Ste A in Colville. Kalua Graham has worked on/consulted for residential and commercial projects in California, Arizona, British Columbia and now Washington. She has provided her design expertise and marketing savvy to several residential and commercial clients in the Tri-county area.
Kalua Graham’s specialties include: lighting, home theater, weddings, company branding and Green Design.
What Studio G4 can do for your interior home or office:
Shelly explains one of her winning ideas ‘The Chair Affair’, “Scott Sanders, the owner of Talk-n-Coffee in Colville wanted to add some artsy flare to his shop. My idea was to have local artists paint the vintage coffee shop chairs in their own style. The idea took off and the chairs were recently featured on Spokane KHQ’s Saturday morning show. This project is a joint effort between proprietor Sanders, Colville Arts Foundation and local artists.”
Local artists who have participated in the chair affair are: Maggie Delaunay; ‘Peace Chair’, Tina Matney’s ‘Apple Chair’, Gloria de los Santos’ ‘Amoebae’ chair, Sandy Bakken’s ‘Vine and Leaf’ Chair and Tracey Delyea’s ‘Flower Fringe’ Chair. More chairs are being painted and all will be up for auction April 26th for Earth Week.
Shelly is available by phone at 509-936-1527 for consultations and questions M-Thurs. 9:30 A.M. - 5:30 P.M. Studio G4’s office hours: T-Thurs. 9:30 A.M. -2:30 P.M. Or, reach her at: shelly@studioGfour.com Peruse the website at: www.studioGfour.com
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| The North Columbia Monthly - March 2008 | |
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Shelly Kalua Graham – Studio G4 and Much More! By Gloria J. Geary
Shelly Kalua Graham is an interior designer, but that’s only one aspect of her life. Running her interior design business, Studio G4, out of her office in Colville, The words of Danish philosopher and theologian Søren Kierkegaard come to mind: "Once you label me, you negate me." Kalua Graham is a renaissance woman, a wife, mother, and teaching artist (currently, she teaches a weekly art class at Inchelium School District). Relocating to Colville from Napa Valley, California, in search of a healthier lifestyle for her family, she has settled into the community and offers her time and talents to various causes and groups as a volunteer. What she is most passionate about is good design. Kalua Graham explains, “I am passionate about helping people express themselves. I love helping students learn to express themselves through the creation of art pieces. It's similar with Interior Design. When I help someone translate their personality into the expression of a well planned interior through the use of color, form and texture it's always gratifying. When a home functions in a way that supports and protects the lifestyles of those who live in it, the home is well designed. Good design creates an environment where spaces flow well from one to the next, where activities are planned for, creativity is promoted, comfort is provided for and health is supported.”
Recently, we had a conversation that revealed a passion for the arts, and also an abiding interest in travel, family and her business, Studio G4. GG: What are your inspirations as an artist? SKG: As an artist I draw inspiration from my experiences. Sometimes it will be a place which evokes a strong emotional response or people or just a flower. I like to travel and take pictures. I recently visited Europe and am currently working on a series of paintings called “European Impressions.” GG: What are your inspirations as an interior designer? SKG: As a designer I draw inspiration from the clients I am designing for. People have such rich and varied experiences that form their priorities. Often when clients share what is important to them we are able to translate it into texture and color. It gives the environment they occupy a very personalized look and feel. GG: Who or what are your influences in your design work? SKG: I enjoy the art of Georgia O’Keefe and her attention to detail. I am influenced by the architecture of Alvar Aalto because of his attention to the needs of people in the built environment. I admire the wisdom of Hawaii’s last Queen, Liliu'okalani, who embodied the Hawaiian spirit while embracing democracy and the freedom of her people. GG: What is your design philosophy? SKG: Listen to hear. Good design is born from the needs of those it serves. Good design can enhance and simplify life, support creativity and promote healthy living. GG: Where do you see yourself in five years? SKG: Still listening! GG: How does design fit into your own life? SKG: I love good design and despise bad. I am constantly trying to improve things so they serve needs better. Part of that is keeping up to date with environmentally sustainable products and practices. I aspire to drive a vehicle that reverses pollution! Shelly can be contacted at 509-936-1527 for consultations and questions M-Thurs. 9:30 A.M. - 5:30 P.M. Studio G4’s office hours: T-Thurs. 9:30 A.M. -2:30 P.M. Or, reach her at: shelly@studioGfour.com Peruse the website at: www.studioGfour.com
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