By Sandie Knowles, Allied ASID

Baby Boomers are making plans to stay in there existing homes. The eldest of the Baby Boomer generation are now in their early 60s and most have paid for or have a substantial amount of equity in their existing homes. Instead of leaving your homes for expensive assisted-living or nursing homes, your home can be adapted for “Aging in Place.”  While this phrase does not sound welcoming, it simply means you can remain in your home longer with ease, comfort and safety. The designs are universal and adaptations can be made to make staying in your home possible.  These adaptations include updates that are as simple as changing bathroom and kitchen faucets, or changing doorknobs. 

Lever handles can be used for both bathroom and kitchen faucets.  Attractive lever handles can also be installed in place of round traditional handles on doors.  Showers can be easily adapted by changing the single shower head to a shower bar where the shower head is on a handle and is adjustable or removable. More complex adaptation would be to enlarge the opening and lower the ledge to allow for wheelchair or walker access.  A ledge or seat can be installed for comfort and ease of showering.  Fold-down seats are easily installed. The idea of a safety bar creates a vision of old and sterile.  This is no longer the case.  Creative and decorative grab bars are available.  They come in a wide variety of finishes and styles that almost become a piece of artwork in your shower or tub area. The toilet can be an easy adjustment.  Changing the toilet from a standard height of 12-14” off the floor to 17-19” off the floor.

Designers can create an up-to-date and aesthetically pleasing kitchen and bath to allow Baby Boomers to stay and “Age with Style.”  We can help find contractors to make the needed renovations.  If the changes are less complex, we can help make selections and updated products.  You can stay in your home for as long as you like, and we will help create a stylish new environment.

Calculating Wattage Per Room: Calculate the amount of light needed in any room by multiplying the length times the width of the room (in feet). Then multiply that number by 1.5. This gives you the number of watts required to provide ambient lighting for the room. If task lighting is needed, multiply the square footage by 2.5 instead of 1.5 to find the wattage. Ceiling fixtures should be at least 7 feet above the floor.

Bathroom Lighting: To avoid shadows when mounting fixtures on either side of the mirror or sink, mount them no further than 30 inches apart and approximately 65-70 inches above the floor.

Ceiling Fans: Can provide dramatic energy savings. By using a fan with your air conditioning during the summer, you can save approximately 4-8% on your air conditioning bills for each degree you raise your thermostat. By reversing the direction of your fan in the winter, you can save approximately 1-2% on your heating bill for each degree you lower your thermostat.

Task Lighting: When lighting tasks in front of people, such as at a table or in front of a mirror, it is important to locate down-lights in front of the person so as not to cast unnatural and unpleasant shadows. Whenever possible, add complementary fill lighting from a diffuse source such as a wall sconce or chandelier.

Chandeliers: Chandeliers provide a key element in the décor of your dining area, and are functional as well. The minimum diameter of the chandelier should be about half the width of your table. For rooms with an 8-foot ceiling, hang the chandelier so the bottom of the fixture is 30 to 32 inches above the tabletop.

Crystals: 

By Nancy Webster

It is only natural that our current economic crisis has a lot of us focused on our bank accounts.  Small changes can help us gain a sense of control over budgets while at the same time helping the environment.  It just happens that nearly five percent of all energy consumed in the US is lost through the windows of our homes.  Effectively designed window coverings can cut that consumption in half.  Every time we install a new home with blinds or shades, our customers will comment on how quickly it becomes cool in summer or warm in winter. 

The right shades will open to let in solar heat during the day and then close to trap warm air at sunset when days turn chilly.   Conversely, a window treatment that can be closed before the summer sun starts to shine into windows can help keep rooms cool.  Options are endless and many are easy on the budget, while adding interest and drama to our rooms.

Woven shades such as bamboo, reed or grasses offer a way to screen out the strongest glare and heat, yet still allow one to sense the view beyond.  Drapery fabric can be added for more insulation and beauty.

Wood blinds are another effective choice because wood is a natural insulator.  Other choices for vertically drawn shades come in fabric Roman shades and honeycomb shades. The honeycomb or cellular shade traps air in the cells, thereby insulating against winter cold and summer heat.  If you can draw natural light and warmth deeper into your home through the windows, it can help reduce your heating bills.  It will only be a short time before they pay for themselves!

Each layer will add more insulating values.  With the use of beautiful drapery fabrics you can have efficient windows and attractive window treatments that will give your rooms a stylish look you’ll love.

Green living doesn't have to be complicated; below are some simple tips to help you live more sustainably.

1. Conserve energy by purchasing major appliances with an Energy Star rating, and by adding timers and automated thermostats to control usage. Also, consider switching to fluorescent light bulbs and adding more natural lighting with additional windows or skylights.
2. Repair leaky fixtures and install low-flow showerheads and faucets.
3. Use water-based paints, finishes and sealants. Some milk-based paints are available, also.
4. Look for wall coverings that are made of paper or natural fiber, rather than synthetic materials, and printed with natural inks.
5. Choose carpeting, rugs, window treatments and other textiles made from natural fibers, such as cotton or wool, which are untreated and free of toxins, such as pesticides or chemical cleaners.
6. Ask for flooring products made from rapidly renewable resources, such as bamboo or linoleum.
7. Select solid woods, when possible, for furniture or cabinetry, rather than pressed woods or composites that may contain formaldehyde or other chemicals that may be toxic.
8. Reuse materials, such as brick, stone, glass, tile or metal, in new and interesting ways. Old wood also can be safely treated and used for accents.
9. Consider the “lifecycle” of furnishings and accessories before purchasing: Are they made of materials that can be reused or recycled when the item eventually wears out or is not longer needed?
10. Recycle packing and shipping materials from any newly purchased items, and safely dispose of paint cans and other containers whose contents could potentially contaminate the ground or water supply.
11. Install lights with sensors that turn on when they detect movement and automatically turn off after a few minutes.
12. Do not let the water run when brushing your teeth or washing your face.
13. If every household in the US replaced 1 roll of 1000 sheet bathroom tissues with 100% recyclable rolls, we could save 373,000 trees, 1.48 million cubic feet of landfill space, and 155 million gallons of water.
14. Scrape – don’t rinse! When using a dishwasher, pre-rinsing is no longer necessary with today’s technology and detergents. You may be using more water to pre-rinse than the dishwasher uses for a full wash cycle.
15. Check your refrigerator’s seal by closing the door with a lit flashlight inside. If you see light seeping out, the door should be adjusted or the seal replaced to stop energy leaks.
16. Buy locally produced products and materials whenever possible to reduce additional energy use and pollution associated with transportation.
17. Eliminate waste by choosing products that are biodegradable or recyclable.
18. Look for reclaimed wood products salvaged from older structures and certified wood harvested from sustainably managed forests.