Helping Norman and Mildred Age Gracefully in Their Madison, Wisconsin Home!

Here at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel, one of the things we love the most about what we do is our ability to help our clients achieve their goals for their home and lifestyle. A recent aging in place project for our clients Norman and Mildred, both members of the Greatest Generation, was especially fulfilling for us!

Norman and Mildred are gracefully aging in place in the home that they've owned since they purchased it new in the 1950s. They spent their lives in Madison, raised the family in their home, and even created the perfect workshop for Norm in the basement, so they have no intention of leaving.

While Norm's knees have been giving him a bit of trouble in recent years, he's managed to traverse the stairway to his basement workshop as needed. However, stepping over the edge of the bathtub to use the shower was becoming problematic.

The Solution... Aging in Place Design!

After speaking with Norm and Mildred the solution was to remove the tub and create a low-threshold walk-in shower. However, they asked us to work carefully as the wanted to avoid disrupting the elements in the bathroom that they loved like the wallpaper, and tile wainscoting in the room, while still installing a new floor, the walk-in shower, new vanity, and toilet.

Our design team was more than up for the challenge. We achieved our client's goal working with their modest budget by proceeding carefully and precisely. We provided them with beautiful fixtures including an Onyx Cultured Granite Shower Base and Wall System, along with a Moen Custom Shower System Trim Kit. For the new vanity, we used a Delta Faucet, single hole bathroom sink faucet in chrome, and replaced the toilet with a white Kohler 2-piece system.

In spite of the Coronavirus crisis, time was of the essence to Norman and Mildred. We were happy to oblige and were able to complete the work safely, efficiently, quickly, and on budget, all while keeping their home clean and everyone safely isolated.

Updating The Screen Porch...

Norman and Mildred's second project involved updating their screened-in porch. For many years they inserted plexiglass panels into the openings every fall, removing them in the spring to extend the usable time on their porch. In fact, it's still a “working” space in their home as Mildred keeps her Schwinn bicycle connected to a Schwinn trainer out there. Being able to use the porch for the extended season was her secret for staying healthy and spry!

Our solution was to insert PGT Easy Breeze windows into the openings, allowing them to simply raise or lower the windows as needed rather than doing the extensive work of inserting and removing plexiglass panels. We also installed stationary panels into the gently sloping roofline to increase the natural light in the space.

The end result is a home that will continue to be comfortable, and safe, for the couple for as long as they choose to live there. Norm is able to continue to go to the basement carefully and use his workshop to create his beautiful, intricate wood inlay projects, Mildred can keep up her exercise regiment without having to replace the windows each fall, and their ability to stay in their home safely, in this case, is priceless!

About Degnan Design-Build-Remodel

If you're considering a project or would like to learn more about aging in place design and you live in the greater Madison Wisconsin area, why not give the award-winning design team at Degnan Design Build Remodel a call at (608) 846-5963. We're here and always happy to answer your home improvement and remodeling questions. Let us help you to achieve your creative vision for your home!