JoAnn M. Emmel

Lifestyle Influences on Housing Preferences

Abstract This paper explores influences on housing choice and proposes a conceptual framework that examines the influence of lifestyle as an intervening factor in housing choice. Influences on lifestyles include age, family type, family size, stage in the life cycle, social class, income, occupation, education, and values. The impact of housing norms on housing choice is also examined. A set of study questions, learning activities, glossary, and resources is provided to assist the instructor, facilitate discussion, and meet the learning objectives.

Determinants of Energy Saving Practices of Limited Income Multifamily Housing Residents

Abstract The purpose of this study was to identify energy cost burdens and energy saving practices of limited income Virginia households, focusing on multifamily housing residents. There were three research objectives: (a) to identify demographic and housing characteristics of limited income multifamily housing residents; (b) to identify perceived energy cost burdens and energy saving efforts of limited income multifamily housing residents; and (c) to identify determinants of perceived energy cost burdens, energy saving efforts, and interest in additional energy saving information of limited income multifamily housing residents. In Spring 2005, a one-page questionnaire was administered to participants of Virginia Extension nutrition programs and 823 usable responses were collected. The major findings were as follows: (a) compared with single-family housing residents, multifamily housing residents tended to perceive fewer energy cost burdens, engage in more daily energy saving behaviors, and inquire less about future energy savings; (b) being headed by a single adult, the existence of a child at home, and dwelling location were significant determinants of perceived energy cost burdens and energy saving efforts; (c) perceived energy cost burdens were found to have significant positive influences on inquiry for future energy savings; and (d) perceived energy cost burdens and inquiry for future energy savings showed significant negative correlations with interest in further energy saving information. The researchers recommended the development and implementation of energy saving education that is applicable for the situations of multifamily housing residents with limited incomes.

Energy Practice Clusters of Virginia Limited-Resource Households

Abstract The purpose of this study was to identify Virginia limited-resource households’ current energy cost burdens and energy saving efforts. There were five research objectives related to this limited-resource sample: (1) To examine energy cost burdens and current energy saving efforts; (2) to group households based on their perceived energy cost burdens and current energy saving efforts; (3) to identify demographic and housing characteristics; (4) to examine changes in energy saving efforts; and (5) to investigate their interests in further energy saving information. In 2005, a questionnaire survey was conducted with limited-resource households in Virginia and 941 usable responses were collected. Based on their perceived energy cost burdens and current energy saving efforts, the respondents were clustered into four different Energy Clusters: Energy-Conscious, Motivated, Achieved, and Help-Needed. Households in different clusters showed distinctive demographic and housing characteristics (household income, presence of children, if headed by a single-adult, tenure and home structure type, and residential location), as well as different levels of changes in their energy saving efforts over the last five years and interest in further energy saving information. Findings indicated that having a large energy cost burden was not necessarily related to substantial energy saving efforts or interest in more information on how to save energy.

Kitchen Remodeling: Exploring the Dream Kitchen Projects

Abstract The faculty of the Center for Real Life Kitchen Design at Virginia Tech responded to a growing interest in kitchen remodeling with the Explore Your Dream Kitchen workshop to educate the consumer on working with a designer and comparing the multitude of products available to the consumer planning a new kitchen. This article reported on a survey of 192 participants in 13 of the workshops who actually remodeled or built a home with a new kitchen (N = 72). Descriptive findings included project cost, reasons for remodeling, professional assistance, choice of design features and products, and satisfaction with the remodeling process and product choices. Analysis of the reasons for product choice showed appearance to be an important factor, while durability and cost were less important.

Comparisons of fabric care performances between conventional and high-efficiency washers and dryers

High-efficiency (HE) washers use 35–50% less water and about 50% less energy per load than conventional washers. However, there has been a consistent debate as to whether HE washers perform better or worse in garment care than conventional washers. Consumers need research-based information that would help them make informed decisions concerning the purchase of a clothes washer. The purpose of this study was to compare fabric hand, appearance retention (strain removal, color change, and fabric smoothness), and dimension stability (dimensional change and skewness change) after the specimens were repeatedly washed and dried for up to 20 cycles in three combinations of washer and dryer used: (a) conventional washer and dryer, (b) HE washer and conventional dryer, and (c) HE washer and dryer. The results showed that the specimens washed in the HE washer had better fabric hand and were smoother (fewer wrinkles) than those washed in the conventional washer. Conventional and HE washers performed similarly in color change, dimensional change, and skewness change. In regard to dryer, all results except those for stain removal showed no significant differences between the specimens dried in the conventional dryer and those dried in the HE dryer. In stain removal, when a softener was not used, the conventional dryer removed more stains from the specimens than the HE dryer. However, when a softener was used, the stains on the specimens dried in the conventional dryer were more difficult to remove than those on the specimens dried in the HE dryer.

Special Issue Introduction Historic and Contemporary Factors Shaping Today’s Kitchens and Bathrooms

Kenneth R. Tremblay, Jr., is Professor and Extension Housing Specialist, Department of Design and Merchandising, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO; Sherylin Doyle is Manager of Academic Relations, National Kitchen and Bath Association, Hackettstown, NJ; Carmen D. Steggell is Associate Professor, Department of Design and Human Environment, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR; JoAnn M. Emmel is Associate Professor, Department of Apparel, Housing, and Resource Management, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA; and Arlena Hines is Professor and Coordinator, Interior Design Program, Lansing Community College, Lansing, MI.

Kitchen Space Planning in Small-Scale Houses

Abstract This article discussed the desirability of small-scale houses and focused on kitchen space planning as critical to well-designed housing. People live in small-scale homes for a variety of reasons; some by necessity and some by choice. Designers and builders of small-scale housing need to offer different options in kitchen design to meet the variety of needs of residents of these households. Kitchens in small-scale housing should not necessarily be just a smaller version of a large kitchen in a large house. A well-designed small-scale house needs to recognize how Americans use, or do not use, their kitchens. Small-scale housing, perhaps more than larger housing, needs well-planned kitchen storage, including pantries, drawers, and interior cabinet storage devices. Recognizing how a kitchen is actually used for food preparation and beyond offers flexibility in designing small-scale housing adapted to different lifestyles. Successful kitchen space planning in small-scale houses is not achieved just by making the room smaller. It needs a rethinking of how residential spaces are conceived.

Special Issue Introduction Trends in Kitchen and Bath Design Research

Kenneth R. Tremblay, Jr., is Professor, Department of Design and Merchandising, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO; Sherylin Doyle is Director of Professional Programs, National Kitchen and Bath Association, Hackettstown, NJ; JoAnn M. Emmel is Associate Professor, Department of Apparel, Housing, and Resource Management, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA; Carmen D. Steggell is Associate Professor, Department of Design and Human Environment, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR; and Andrea Garvin is Head, Interior Design Program, Lakeland College, Vermilion, Alberta, Canada.

Kitchen Activities of Twenty-First Century American Households

Abstract Space standards used today to design kitchens have evolved from analyses of work in the home. Lifestyle and demographic changes, however, suggest that kitchen users and activities have changed since basic research on work centers and workflow was first conducted. A national telephone survey of 630 households assessed kitchen activities by household type and size. Survey results revealed that, in general, households cook meals on a regular and frequent basis and entertain at home despite the perception that Americans regularly eat carryout foods. Fresh produce is widely used. Households with an older adult present perform more basic cooking activities, like scratch cooking and baking. The microwave oven takes a dominant place in the cooking activities of most cooks. Households also have many small appliances in their kitchens. One person usually conducts the meal preparation, but many non-cooking activities take place in the kitchen during meal preparation and throughout the day.

Rethinking Guidelines for Kitchen Storage

Abstract A major re-evaluation of the National Kitchen and Bath Association Kitchen Planning Guidelines led to an investigation of the type and number of items stored in kitchens today, as the basis for new guidelines for kitchen storage requirements. Data were collected through inventory surveys of 87 households in 23 states. Data were sorted by small (150 square feet or less, n = 31), medium (151 to 350 square feet, n = 31), and large (over 350 square feet, n = 24) size kitchens, and by 16 item categories. Every item in more than 25% of kitchens was in the final totals. A sample inventory for each item category was mocked-up in standard spaces 12 inches deep, by needed length, to determine running inches of storage space. Small kitchens had 655 items needing 1,047 running inches, medium kitchens had 820 items, needing 1,377 running inches, and large kitchens had 1,019 items, needing 1,519 running inches. A conversion factor was developed to determine shelf/drawer frontage, a measure more useful to designers. Recommendations, which were adopted by the National Kitchen and Bath Association, included increasing total storage in the kitchen; using shelf/drawer frontage to calculate storage; distribution of storage among types (e.g., wall or base cabinet) of storage, allowing flexibility in achieving the total; and increasing recommended counter space to allow counter storage areas.