The idea of having an elevator in a home is a relatively new one and, wouldn't you know it, there's now a luxury version. Inclinator® recently introduced their model, the Inclinator® LX, which makes your home look more like the Ritz. The elevator boasts "solid wood with raised hardwood marquetry veneer panels" and a gearlesss traction motor guaranteeing a smooth, almost noiseless ride. It can hold up to 950 pounds in case you want to stuff the whole family in there. Each elevator is handcrafted, allowing home builders and homeowners a range of design possibilities.
To me, home means not just the house I live in but who spends time there with me: my family and good friends.
As homeowners, my husband and I have undertaken dozens of remodeling projects. Most of these projects involved updating something (that old wallpaper had to go) or fixing something (like the leaky roof). Some, however, were customized for the inhabitants of our home, like our golden retriever, Bella.
For dog owners across the country, our homes undergo transitions to make our best canine friend feel comfortable. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, more than 36 percent of U.S. households owned dogs as of 2002, which means about 38 million homes. Dogs are adaptable beings. They will not be impressed by your fancy new barbeque (unless you're handing them freshly cooked pieces of grilled steak from it), and they do not notice whether your new bathroom vanity is modern-chic or old-world European. Home remodeling with dogs is more about incorporating their needs into your lifestyle.
Some critical areas of the home to consider when you have a dog are: the yard/relief area (we fenced a large section), relaxation dens (such as a bed or special corner of a room where your dog can get away and rest quietly), pet-friendly floors (we have hardwood throughout, which makes cleanups easy) and safety and access (just as you'd do with childproofing, you should ensure that dangerous items are kept out of your dog's reach). This list is certainly just a starting point; there are many ways in which you'll need to customize your home for your dog.
In a country that now boasts more than 73 percent home ownership, the issue of staying in one's home as we age has become a big topic in America. Many grown children complain that mom and dad should move to an elder community. Many seniors prefer to stay in communities they know in surroundings that are familiar. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the Remodelors Council of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) along with the NAHB Seniors Housing Council are working to educate homeowners and homebuilders about Certified Aging in Place Specialists (CAPS). These housing specialists understand the principles of universal design and how to update a home to make it livable at all stages of life. When certified, a construction company, contractor, or designer can display the CAPS logo, ensuring that they are trained and knowledgeable in aging-in-place construction, products, and issues. With an aging population that is craving independence and mobility, CAPS firms and designers can help homeowners make remodeling decisions to benefit their future lifestyles and make their homes more valuable to a wider market. If you have parents or relatives who want to remain in their homes as they age, consider contacting a CAPS professional for a review of the property and a game plan for increasing safety, comfort, and accessibility.
It’s hard to appreciate the challenges presented by old age and debilitating injuries unless one has experienced them first-hand. What I can appreciate, though, is when a company comes out with a product to make life a little more manageable for those live with such concerns. Accessibility issues will confront us all at some point, and it’s good to know someone cares. Take the MediTub, for example—with its access-conscious “flex-a-door,” the MediTub is essentially a walk-in bathtub, made especially for individuals with mobility challenges. The specially designed door claims to eliminate some of the imperfections of competing walk-in tub products, such as small doors, in-swinging doors that hit one’s legs, and out-swinging doors that are difficult to close once inside the tub. The MediTub features a convenient seat for comfortable soaking, and optional hydrotherapy jets. A no-scald, temperature control valve keeps the water at a safe temperature. The tub sells for as little as $4350, and is available now.
