A Personal Reflection on the Gifts We Give Although not often emphasized, design is actually about the human experience. A large part of my human experience has been my role as a mother to two wonderful daughters. As a young person, when I thought of “home,” I always pictured my great-grandmother’s house. It was the place I felt safe, loved and...
Aging in Place means “being able to remain in your own home during your later years of life, rather than transitioning to a smaller home, assisted living, or retirement community.” Universal design refers to “design and composition of an environment so that it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their...
With a population of 75+ million homeowners, baby boomers command a strong influence on current home design. Like the millennial generation, they have specific lifestyle needs that can be incorporated in home design by architects, interior designers and builders alike. By analyzing current trends and predicting future needs, home design professionals can create homes for their clients that accommodate their...
What makes Asheville and Western North Carolina so appealing to retirees? Asheville, as well as other Western North Carolina towns, has constantly topped the “Best of” lists, including one of the best places to retire. Our area is ideal for retirees, providing a great atmosphere and community, as well as offering favorable year-round weather, good air quality, low crime rates, easy accessibility to...
Home Design Centered Around Aging in Place and Universal Design Guidelines For years, the topics of aging in place and universal design have become common terminology and best practice when designing homes. These design considerations apply not only for those with disabilities and older generations, but also for a larger slice of the population, the baby boomers, who plan to stay in their homes as...
When venturing out to your local hardware store or retailer in search for lighting, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with all the different types of light bulbs available for your home. From the traditional incandescent light bulbs to the newer LED options, there are a lot of choices when it comes to lighting your home. Light bulb packaging advertises a lot...
Each year the Asheville Home Builder’s Association opens the front doors of many of our area’s newest and most inspirational homes as a part of the Asheville Parade of Homes. This annual event allows you to take part in a self-guided tour of 21 selected homes in the Asheville area and see firsthand the level of quality design and building...
Often defined as the “ability to live in one's own home - wherever that might be - for as long as confidently and comfortably possible,” the term “Aging in Place” will play a significant role in the lives of millions of people over the coming years. According to the US Census, there will be a 71% increase in the 60+...
If you’ve ever driven the Blue Ridge Parkway and dreamt of living in the Smoky Mountains or the Southern Appalachians, we’ve compiled a series of complimentary guides rich with information about designing a mountain home. Informed by our decades of experience as mountain home architects, we share expert advice about topics like building on steep slopes, terrain-specific building costs, and materials suited for withstanding the mountain weather. Our passion for creating personalized and heartfelt homes is apparent in all of our work and it is our pleasure to share our expertise with you in these free and informative guides.
