Tag Archives: Universal Design

Master Bath: Before & After

New Skirted Toilet

Each remodeling job is so unique!  This story is about a couple who have a lovely home in the Monterey Heights section of San Francisco. A stately, impressive home had a completely old fashioned, dated, poorly designed bath with a non functional shower stall that had molded looked just awful.  But we saw POSSIBILITIES!  A […]

So, you think you’re a hoarder?

by Virginia Maddan, guest blogger A common conversation my new clients initiate when I arrive at our first appointment unfolds as follows: New client: “I just want to warn you that my place is a total mess.” Me: “That’s ok! That’s what I’m here for. I’m sure it’s not that bad, but don’t worry about […]

Aging In Place: Fall Prevention Slip for Aunt G.

environmental hazards in around the home can increase the risk for falls at all ages, those Aging In Place.

Bath Remodeling: Adding the Wellness Principle

Last night I attended our Nor Cal NKBA (National Kitchen + Bath Association) monthly meeting, up at the beautiful showroom DJ Mehler, hosted by the always-elegant Doris Mehler.  The talk by Henry Brunelle, President, Bain Ultra, was brief showed off some extremely high end solutions for creating a spa like experience in the bath. The […]

More on Aging In Place Remodeling

We’re not getting younger. How silly would it be if I had a surgery found myself a prisoner, not being able to use my own bathroom? That is EXACTLY what happened to me a year after we moved into the house we built ourselves. We had wide doors hallways, a barrier free shower with a […]

Aging In Place Remodeling – Boomer Summit

This particular community of thought leaders only considered group housing or building new, Universal Design Green Concept developments, assisted living centers, etc. What interested me was that they did not acknowledge the reality that many people will NOT be moving from their own home, for personal, or in today’s economy, economic, reasons.

Aging Gracefully By Design

Who wants to age in an aging bath?? As a Designer for “Aging In Place,” if people never heard the expression before, you can observe their physical change as they begin to underst the idea. At the same time, it brings out other emotions, like fear, denial, anger, sadness or just plain surprise! The next thing they say is, ”That’s for other people, I’m not getting older!” NO MATTER HOW OLD THEY ARE! Everyone says the same thing. People are funny that way.

Aging In Place: Transgenerational Lifespan Living + Design

This has been on my mind a great deal lately. When I talk to people say something about “Aging In Place,” if they never heard the expression before, you can almost see them going through a physical change as they begin to underst the idea. At the same time, it can also bring out other […]

Aging In Place Step 5: Get The Height Right

In many cases, we are living in homes that were built by contractors for resale. Not many of us have had the luxury to design in all the features we’d like in our homes, features that will suit us as we live our lifespan. Some modifications can help, but also there are purchase decisions for appliances to […]

Aging In Place Step 4: Managing Storage Access

How do you begin making your home ‘Senior-Friendly?’ These tips will get your started with some simple inexpensive things you can do to your storage areas kitchen to prepare for your future.