Universal Design Principles for your Final Home Renovation

Universal Design Principles for your Last Home Renovation

---

Today, we’re diving into your final home remodel! This is the last design project you’ll tackle before you settle into the glory of retirement and all its golden days. You’ll want to live long and comfortably in this space, right? These tips are also perfect if you're building an ADU for your parents, so they can enjoy the space comfortably too. And of course, these ideas work for anyone who wants to make their space more universally welcoming and comfortable for everyone. Think of this guide as your secret weapon to avoid costly mistakes or regrets about how the space turns out!

---

Grab Bars

Plan ahead: Add blocking behind shower walls and around the toilet for future grab bar installation. Just because you don’t currently need them doesn’t mean you can’t be prepared for the day you do! Blocking provides necessary support for weight-bearing grab bars and is very difficult to install later. Also, grab bars aren’t those outdated, hospital-style ones you might remember. Modern grab bars are stylish and blend seamlessly with your decor!

---

Doorway & Hallway Clearances 

Let’s talk hallways and doorways! Standard doorway width is 27-30”, but for better accessibility, aim for something wider. Hallways should be at least 36” wide for easy movement. In the kitchen, make sure there’s 40” of space between the island and perimeter cabinetry for smooth mobility. And for the shower, you’ll want at least 32” of clearance when the door is open at 90°. Giving yourself that extra space means you’ll have room for accessibility items to move freely through the space!

---

Faucets & Door Handles 

For faucets, it’s important that they can be turned on and off with one hand and require less than 5 pounds of force—no twisting or straining needed! The same goes for door handles; they should be easy to use with one hand and need minimal effort. Make sure they’re mounted 34”-48” from the floor and have smooth, rounded edges for extra accessibility and comfort!

---

Flooring 

Flooring is a key factor in universal design! The best flooring choice for accessibility? Non-slip tiles! They’ve got just the right texture and grip to help prevent slips. Also, keep your flooring thickness consistent throughout the house—no unexpected bumps or tripping hazards when moving from room to room! Below you can see a seamless transition from tile to hardwood.

---

Future Elevator Planning 

When building a space from scratch, there’s so much you can do to make your home accessible for the long haul! One of our favorite tricks? Stack two large closets in a two-story home—boom, you’ve got the perfect spot for a future elevator. Planning ahead means you can skip the stair chair lift down the road and keep your home both stylish and functional! Below you can see a future elevator spot that is currently being built out as a closet.

---

Adequate & Proper Lighting 

Lighting isn't just important—it’s a game-changer, especially in the spaces where we spend the most time! The right lighting keeps our eyes happy and our spaces functional. Add task lighting where it matters most—like mirrors and glam stations in the bathroom, key countertops in the kitchen, and cozy reading nooks in the living room.

---

Curbless Shower 

Go curbless if you can—it’s sleek, modern, and easy to step into! If a fully curbless shower isn’t an option, aim for the lowest threshold possible (around 3” is as low as it gets). Whether you can go curbless depends on factors like your bathroom’s location, your home’s slope, and other building quirks. But if your shower is tiny, curbless might not be the way to go—it can turn into a splash zone fast! In that case, keep the curb low for the best of both worlds.

---

ADA Height Toilet with Bidet 

Make sure you install an ADA-height toilet! These are taller than standard toilets, making it easier to sit down and stand up. We also recommend adding a bidet to improve accessibility. Honestly, we’re obsessed with having a bidet on every toilet!

Go Big or Go Monochrome: The Bold Magic of Color Drenching!

Go Big or Go Monochrome: The bold magic of color drenching!

---

If you’ve ever walked into a room and felt completely immersed in a single, glorious hue, you’ve witnessed the power of color drenching. This trend is all about commitment—taking one color and saturating the entire space with it. Walls? Painted. Trim? Same color. Ceiling? You bet. Even furniture and accessories get in on the action. It’s bold, it’s dramatic, and it’s the ultimate way to turn a room into a fully immersive vibe.

Now, before you start hyperventilating at the thought of an all-green or all-plum room, let’s get one thing straight—color drenching doesn’t mean drowning in a single, flat shade. The magic happens when you play with tones, textures, and finishes within the same color family. Think matte walls with glossy trim, or a deep teal velvet sofa against slightly lighter teal-painted walls. It’s like monochrome, but with extra oomph.

Why go all in? Well, besides looking ridiculously cool, color drenching creates a sense of cohesion and calm. When everything blends seamlessly, the room feels bigger, more intentional, and effortlessly chic. It also allows your furniture and décor to shine without visual clutter. Plus, if you pick a color you love, you’re basically bathing in your happy place.

If you’re ready to drench but not sure where to start, ease in with a small space—a powder room, a cozy reading nook, or even your hallway.

Rich, moody colors like deep charcoal, midnight blue, or grey can make a room feel luxe and cocoon-like, which was perfect for this media room we created. If you want to go for a airy, dreamy vibe stick with a lighter hues.

In this space we used an accent wall to add texture and interest to this blue primary bedroom. Also make sure you don’t forget the ceiling! Leaving it white can break the spell, so go full send for that enveloping magic.

So, what’s stopping you? Whether you want to make your office feel like a sexy, 007-style office space or turn your bedroom into a serene, sky-blue retreat, color drenching is your ticket to a high-impact, high-style home. Pick a color, grab your paintbrush, and drench away!

Legacy TI Modern Office Space

Modern Office Space

---

Step into a commercial office space where modern design meets functionality. This thoughtfully curated workspace embraces a minimalist aesthetic, blending sleek sophistication with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Every corner has been designed with purpose, ensuring that both employees and visitors feel inspired, productive, and at ease. Whether you're looking for design inspiration or simply appreciate beautiful interiors, we can’t wait for you to take a closer look at this stunning office transformation!

The reception area features a stylish and inviting layout with a plush green velvet sofa, accentuated by two modern armchairs. A sleek, low wooden coffee table with decorative accents adds warmth and functionality, while a large indoor plant introduces a refreshing touch of nature.

The space is anchored by a textured gray feature wall, giving it an upscale and welcoming feel. The neutral color palette, punctuated with green accents, creates a calming ambiance ideal for visitors. 

We added this oversized artwork to the lobby space to fill up the blank wall that felt very void in this space. We love how the organic and clean lines in this artpiece keep the classic look in the room while also adding interest.

When creating a welcoming and beautiful office space we loved how openess in the space helps it to feel light and airy. We used the openness of the windows and legs accient chairs to give more sight lines through the space.

The executive office is a private, focused space with a simple, modern design. We love the grounding of the navy blue plush chairs that make this space feel comfortable. Also these chairs are super comfortable!

This executive office includes a clean-lined wooden desk and a comfortable office chair facing two upholstered armchairs, fostering a collaborative environment. The muted gray wall provides a backdrop that complements the natural wood tones, adding a sense of sophistication.

This room is free of distractions, focusing on functionality while retaining a sense of elegance. Plus when designing for this project we wanted to make a blank slate that someone could move into and customize. This space is focused on work has an organic, modern vibe.

We made a hallway kitchen space for break time! The kitchen includes dark lower cabinetry, a slate gray countertop, and light wood upper cabinets. The space is professional and modern. The countertops are great of hiding employee crumbs from lunches but ground the space in the deep slate gray.

We chose chrome finishes for the Faucet and sink to bring a little shine into the otherwise matte space. The hardware for the cabinetry is black, bringing a sophisticated modern look to the space. We fit this design into the flow of the hallway to maximize the space.

We used matte black hardware for the finishes in the kitchen. We love the calm tones that it brings into the room and the contrast with the chrome faucet and appliances.

The conference room is designed for productivity and inspiration, featuring a long wooden table surrounded by black, leather-upholstered chairs that add a touch of elegance and comfort. We kept a whole wall open with windows on the side for visibility and an open-feeling for employees.

The textured gray walls contribute depth and character, while a large nature-inspired artwork of sunlit trees adds a focal point, bringing an element of calmness. This space is crafted to facilitate focused discussions and brainstorming sessions. 

In this design, we contrasted the light wood tones in the flooring and doors with the black trim. We used grey carpet to bridge the two tones. The cohesive color palette of grays, greens, and natural wood tones unites the spaces, giving the office a polished and modern feel. 

Three Tips for Styling a Coffee Table

Three tips for styling a coffee table

In this blog post, we will talk about styling a coffee table! These can be beautiful, versatile, and functional spaces that set the mood of your living spaces. Here we talk about using the rule of odd numbers, prioritizing functionality, and playing and having fun! We hope you love these ideas and can incorporate them into your own space.

---

First, the rule of odd numbers: things look better when you style them in odd numbers. When we do an odd number group on a coffee table it makes a triangle-like shape that is very pleasing to the eye. These can be groupings or just individual items that are in odd numbers. Below we’ll show some example coffee tables and explain how they fit into this rule.

This shows how you can just place one item on a coffee table amd make a beautiful statement. We love the way it feels clean, fresh, and organic just like the rest of hte design in the space.

For this glam space, we decided to add a little greenery to bring a natural element. We love how it connects with the large windows on the left side of the room. Coffee tables are the perfect space for showcasing greenery and bringing in a natural element to the space. This is also just an example of using one item on a table.

For the grouping of three, we layered items to make this design. This can include any different groups of three you have at home. Here we used a stack of books, a candle, and a tall vase. The heights of these items play together perfectly to add a great amount of visual interest and texture to the table.

This coffee table shows a grouping of three. Although there are more than three items on the table they are in a grouping of three which makes it pleasant and beautiful to look at. We used cocktail table books for height and to highlight interests. We also brought the colors of the furniture into this design through the books and vases we added.

---

Tip number two: Prioritize functionality on your coffee table. These spaces are used by so many different people, are the hub of the home, and often hold important items. Functionality is key in making this a great space for you and your family.

On this coffee table, we used a tray to make it easily movable. This also is helpful to have a storage spot for remotes or other small items that often can be floating around and easily get misplaced. This sitting area is a great spot for chatting in the morning over a cup of coffee and this coffee table decor helps it to feel cozy.

We love this adorable little sitting area! We used a tray here on the cushioned coffee table we used to make it more functional. Now you can set drinks, snacks, or other items on a solid surface without worrying about them falling. This is a perfect way to create more functionality in this space!

---

Finally, our third tip: Play and have fun! Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine on your coffee table. Make it a fun space that reflects your personality. Examples could be popping color, adding books about topics you are interested in, or making bold design choices that you wouldn’t make in other parts of the house.

For this homeowner, we used her favorite color purple to showcase her fun personality! The rest of her house is very clean and organic with light whites and neutrals throughout, so on this coffee table, we decided to make more of a bold choice. The bold purple flowers are just the punch of excitment need to complete the space!

This coffee table and living room are great examples of showcasing personality. They used natural elements that they had picked up from their travels to make the coffee table a conversation starter. We also mixed in plants because the homeowner loves having natural elements in their space.

How to Personalize Your Home

how to personalize your home

---

I have three areas that I'm going to talk about today for personalizing your space. I’ll start with art, move to travel accessories and finish with antiques. Personalizing your space is important because it makes your home feel multi-faceted, personal, and unique. I love it when my clients have a piece they want to include in their design that is meaningful to them. In this blog post, I’ll share some practical ideas for making your space feel like it reflects you!

---

Incorporating Personal Art in Your Home 

Personal art is such a meaningful way to make your space uniquely yours. The first step is to choose the right pieces. Look for artwork that resonates with you—whether it’s a painting from your travels, something a loved one made, or even a favorite family photo. These are pieces that should bring you joy every time you see them. 

Not everything need to perfectly match the artwork. It’s more about complementing the artwork rather than matching it exactly. For example, if your piece has bold colors, keep the surrounding furniture and decor neutral so the art can really pop. Or, pull one or two tones from the artwork into throw pillows or a rug for a cohesive feel. 

If your nervous to make a mistake with art, start small! You don’t need to commit to a huge gallery wall right away. Maybe frame a couple of pieces and try them on a side table or a corner of a room. You can always build from there. And remember, art is personal—there’s no “wrong” way to do it if it makes you happy. 

Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment! Your home should reflect your personality, and incorporating personal art is one of the best ways to do that. So, have fun with it and let your creativity shine. 

This client had a Debbie Harry Art pieced painted by her dad. We loved getting to incorporate it into her bar design to make this space feel personal, and help her feel connected to her dad!

Our client for this project was an artist and created this art piece for this space. It fit perfectly with our design and colors, and is the perfect addtion to add that personal and meaningful touch.

These client’s had these oil painting of their dogs that we reframed to match the space. We also included a shoulder mount from their childhood to bring a nostalgic and playful interest into the living space.

---

Showcasing Accessories from World Travel  

Accessories from world travel are close to my heart, as I spent a year and half traveling the world and brought many mementoes home from my trip!  

I always encourage people to have travel mementos around the house because they bring so much personality and meaning to a space. The first step is to think about what story you want to tell. Your travel accessories often have memories tied to them, so group items by themes, like pieces from a specific country or items that reflect a shared color palette.  

It depends on the item, but shelves are your best friend for styling these items.  You can style a shelf with smaller accessories like pottery, sculptures, or trinkets from your travels. If you have larger pieces, like a rug or a tapestry, use them as focal points—hang them on a wall or drape them over a sofa.  

The key to connecting your travel mementos with other decor is balance. You don’t want the space to feel like a museum. Mix your travel pieces with everyday decor items like books, candles, or plants. This keeps it feeling curated and lived-in.  

Finally, don’t overthink it. The best part about travel accessories is the story behind them. Display what you love, even if it’s unconventional. And if you have something really quirky—like a vintage sign or a market find—embrace it! It’s those unique touches that make your home feel like your home.  

This client had several accesories from their world travel that they wanted to include in their home. We created this open shelving to make space for all the pieces they would like to showcase, and helped them to organize and design this to be a beautiful space.

In this bathroom, we inlcuded an antique rug the family had found in their world travels. We pulled colors from the rug to help make the warmth in the room and create a cohseive design. Plus it is such a fun reminder of travels!

This is another example of using open built-in shelving to showcase travel accesories and decor. We love the funky and personalized look this brings to shelving.

This client had fabric they collected from around the world that they wanted to turn into cutstom pillows. This was such a unique way to memoralize the colors and pattens seen around the world in their personal home.

---

Blending Antiques with Modern Home Decor  

The last way to add personality into your home is to add antiques into your space. They add so much character to a modern space. It’s all about mixing the old with the new!  It all starts with a love of contrast. The beauty of mixing antiques and modern design is in the juxtaposition. For example, a sleek, minimalist living room can feel warmer and more inviting with an antique wood coffee table. The key to all of this is balance. If you’re using an ornate antique, like a gilded mirror or a carved chest, pair it with simpler, modern elements. A clean-lined sofa or neutral walls can help the antique stand out without overwhelming the room.  

Another trick is to choose one statement antique piece per room, like a chandelier or a console table, and let it be the star of the show.  

Using antiques and modern furniture is less about the style and more about the mix. Mid-century modern pieces pair beautifully with contemporary spaces because of their clean lines. But even something as traditional as a Victorian armchair can look amazing when reupholstered in a modern fabric. It’s about creating contrast and celebrating the uniqueness of each piece.  

This client had these two antique pieces that had been pasted down through their family that they wanted to include in their luxurious modern design. We used the table on the left side of the room to create a display space and ground the room, while the chair sits in the corner mixing perfectly with space.

The client wanted to include these vintage Mid-Century Modern chairs into their modern, glam bedroom. We added extra patterns through the pillows to connect the chairs to the pillows on the bed and the rest of the design in the room.

This client had these antique lights they wanted to incorporate into their home, we felt that they were just the right amount of glamour and drama for this freestanding tub space. We love how personal they make this space feel!