That old two-story home of yours holds a lot of great memories. But you aren’t getting any younger. Looking toward the future, a home elevator is starting to sound like an option with a lot of potential.  ..read more

This was to be a forever home, but now age is catching up. The things that weren’t even thought about when the home was purchased years ago – walking up and down the stairs, taking a few steps up onto the porch, walking through dimly lit spaces – are larger concerns today ..read more

If you are considering having your parents live with you as they age, or have adult children and their family join you in your home, you are not alone. What was the norm in previous eras is quietly becoming more prevalent again. During the pandemic, some families were unable to visit each other. Others found out quickly what it was like to live as multiple generations under one roof. Now we get requests frequently to help families navigate the challenges of creating a space that works for everyone. How realistic is it to consider multigenerational living as a solution for aging in place? It i ..read more

If you are considering having your parents live with you as they age, or have adult children and their family join you in your home, you are not alone. What was the norm in previous eras is quietly becoming more prevalent again. During the pandemic, some families were unable to visit each other. Others found out quickly what it was like to live as multiple generations under one roof. Now we get requests frequently to help families navigate the challenges of creating a space that works for everyone. How realistic is it to consider multigenerational living as a solution for aging in place? It i ..read more

In an ideal world, we all want to remain in our homes and live independently for as long as possible. This has come to be known as “aging in place.” A study from Boston Consulting Group shows that 90 percent of homeowners in the retirement age bracket want to age in place. What many do not realize is the importance of taking steps now, so the decisions around aging in place remain firmly in your hands.  ..read more

It’s morning. It's time to jump (or very slowly and gently roll) out of bed, open the bedroom door, take a few steps into the kitchen, and get that coffee going. Simple! No stairs to navigate in those first few minutes of wakefulness.  That’s one of the many benefits of having a main floor bedroom suite as you age in place. But is it possible in your home (or your children’s home if you are considering an in-law suite)? Maybe there is some first-floor space that could be converted. Or maybe an addition is the way to go, but is there room on your property for a home addition? So many ques ..read more

Aging in place is the ideal for most people. To do so often requires modifications to your home if not significant remodeling. But is it practical in your situation? Are you starting to feel like you have too much square footage in your home? Too many steps to get in and out? Too much of a yard to keep up with?  If you are getting stressed just thinking about these questions, it may be time to start planning for the future. If you enjoy lawn work and gardening or don’t mind paying others for the upkeep, a sprawling yard can be fine for aging in place. But if your home has a lot of steps ..read more

A home addition, how hard can it be? Three walls and a roof and, boom, you have more space. Of course, there is much more to it than that, not least of which is the blending together of old and new.  An addition isn't just a box you stick on the side or back of your house. Especially if you have an older home, you may see evidence of a piecemeal approach to home additions by previous homeowners. The results are a home footprint that may have multiple levels on one floor and confusing circulation from room to room. These issues can be corrected with an understanding of the challenges surr ..read more

There are so many reasons to build an addition: Your family is growing, and you work from home at least a few days a week. Gone are the days when you took the Metro to Adams Morgan or Georgetown into the wee hours of what seems like every other evening. Home truly is where your heart is, but you just need a bit more room ..read more

One of the biggest challenges in designing and building a home addition is the stylistic connection between old and new. The design approach can either match architectural styles to blend seamlessly together, or you can deliberately contrast them. Sometimes a designer must find a way to help a client who may live in a center hall colonial but has the aesthetic sensibility that makes them partial to a more contemporary style. That approach will require some finesse to achieve the right balance. Whatever stylistic approach is taken, it is essential to make a design that will stand the test of t ..read more