Originally posted on AARP’s website
Is this the home we will retire in?
Our clients Crystal and Chris K. were facing a difficult decision about whether to remodel or sell their existing home in Silver Spring, MD. If they chose to stay, changes would be needed in order for the house to become more accommodating as they aged. If they moved, a renovation to the existing home would not be worthwhile. When Chris and Crystal ultimately made the decision to stay in their current charming home, they knew it was time to make those changes.
Crystal had noticed that Case Design was often mentioned in articles in The Washington Post, which prompted her to contact us. She was looking for a professional, reliable company that could guide her throughout the universal design process. After thoroughly researching Case, she knew that we were the right firm to help her achieve the remodeling goals she and Chris desired.
Crystal first met with two of Case’s highly experienced team members…Project Developer John Audet and Designer Kwasi Hemeng. Together the two honed in on the homeowners needs, came up with numerous designs, suggested the best building materials, and built a trusting relationship during the process.
Working together with the advice of our team of professionals, Crystal and Chris focused primarily on remodeling their existing master bathroom which included eliminating problem areas such as the undersized shower and small entrance door. A wider door opening would allow someone in a walker or wheelchair to gain access into the bathroom. A larger, curbless shower would afford more space for handicap-friendly details like railings and a bench.
Fortunately for Crystal and Chris, most of the remaining space in their home is already fairly well suited for aging-in-place. The doors and hallways are all wide enough to fit walkers or wheelchairs. And there is only one set of stairs that leads down to the basement, which can easily become more accessible by someday adding an electric stair rider. Though the house was built in 1957, it has a modern feel. To enhance this, Crystal had us add a number of cosmetic updates including installing new marbled flooring in the hallway and foyer to compliment the contemporary elegant theme throughout.
Once the bathroom renovation was finished, Chris and Crystal were ‘deliriously happy’. The new bathroom is safer and much more comfortable. During the most recent exceptionally cold winter, the homeowners were happy they took the advice of our Case team by adding heated floors and installing additional insulation in the space. They are especially fond of the curbless shower and two shower heads – one overhead and one near the bench. Crystal wanted to make sure the bathroom was designed intelligently and would make future homeowners happy, rather than look institutionalized and appear limited to prospective buyers. The new universal design bathroom turned out exactly how she imagined it. Crystal described working with John, Kwasi, their Project Manager Tom Craze, and the entire Case team as a “very pleasant experience” and stated that Case turned their home into a place where she and Chris can relax and enjoy many wonderful years to come.
Click here to read the full post “Remodeling a Bathroom for Aging in Place” on AARP’s website.
Bruce Case is the President of Case Design/Remodeling, Inc., a leading full-service remodeling company headquartered in the Washington DC area. Case has completed over 100,000 renovation projects for more than 60,000 clients since its founding in 1961, and presently has on staff twelve Universal Design Certified Professionals. Visit https://www.casedesign.com/ for more information or to request a consultation for your project.
