09/22/2026
Aging: the process of growing old
Although aging is a natural, undeniable process of all humans, your home’s design and layout can aid in ensuring that aging is graceful! The entire design of this recently completed home maintained the elusive aging process at the forefront.
Upon entering the home, the living area includes a large, open layout allowing multiple furniture arrangement options along with an inclusive desk space. The entry doors step conveniently into this space from the side porch area and features a storm door, while the covered back porch door includes 3/4 glass and sidelights. These added features along with the large picture window allows ample light to flow into the room and maintaining an open design concept.
The only bedroom of the home encompasses two entry points- one from the living room and one into the kitchen, while still allowing ample space for oversize bedroom furniture. Additionally, a special design feature requested by the homeowner is a reading nook tucked into the corner of the bedroom. The antique hanging double light fixture and large double window provides a picturesque view of the backyard to complete this cozy area of the bedroom.
Continuing the gracefully aging concept, accessible entry doors were installed throughout along with tall toilets in the bathrooms. Custom-stained vanities complete each of the bathrooms and a zero-entry marble shower in the main bath also maintain the requests of the homeowner. Additionally, the main bath's large, cased opening into the closet allows a gracious amount of space for access to clothing, while the two custom built-in cabinets offer drawers and shelves to increase storage. For a custom touch, the antique amber light fixture in the main bath offers a soft ambiance to the area. The second full bath, designed for guests, incorporates a stackable washer and dryer to optimize space.
Moving into the galley-style kitchen, custom stained alder upper and lower cabinetry with soft-close drawer guides and hinges, customer-provided countertops, a single-basin sink and deluxe mini range all customize the area, while maintaining the aging concept requests. The walk-in, U-shaped pantry offers ample storage space with custom shelving, completing the kitchen area.
Other personalized features of the home are the customer-provided reclaimed wood baseboards throughout, two sets of bi-fold doors stained to match the kitchen and bathroom vanity cabinetry and ramped entry ways into the home from the three exterior doors for accessibility purposes.
The concrete, framing and exterior design of the home follows the aging gracefully concept due to requiring minimal maintenance. The depth of the perimeter footing of the home minimizes gopher pe*******on beneath the concrete slab, while the prefabricated metal roof truss and metal stud exterior framing and interior wall framing protect the home from termite infestation. (As an added bonus, the metal trusses and metal studs are built in-house and delivered to the job in sections to speed up the on-site installation process.) A zip system was utilized for airtightness
along with spray foam insulation on both walls and roof. The home's exterior design encompasses a stylish, textured concealed fastened metal board-and-batten wall
panels and concealed fastener roof. Minimal utility pe*******ons through the walls, no
roof pe*******ons and the custom metal trim and soffit panels of the porches ensure
fewer insects gain access to the home's interior. Additionally, other features of the home
include a hot water spigot, along with the typical cold water, on the back porch of the
home and rain gutters with extended downspouts to carry the water away from the
home to complete the worry-free aspect of the entire build.
Although aging is unavoidable, a well-thought-out home design from the outside to the inside is imperative in ensuring graceful aging.
