A Suite for All Ages, by Jane-Page Crump

Have you ever wanted a bedroom to serve as a beautiful retreat for guests but also felt that you must accommodate the needs of disabled or aging family members?

This was my challenge when designing one of our guest bedrooms. I wanted an elegant bedroom that would be comfortable for my mother who had bad knees at the time. In my “book” an elevator was a must (I explain to my clients, while working on their house plans, that an elevator is a necessity for the resale value of a two story home. With the largest portion of the population being over 50, homeowners are likely to have parents and/or friends that have difficultly climbing stairs. Also, if you have ever lived in a multi story house, the ordeal of taking your luggage up or down is not fun.)

Designing a dramatic bedroom starts with the selection of the bed, making the bed the focal point of the room. Not only should the bed be interesting but the bedding should be inviting and comfortable. The bed covering and decorative pillows can be elaborate or tailored, traditional or contemporary---but whatever the design, it needs to be special for your guests. You should change out your mattress every five years but don’t put your old mattress in the guest bedroom---Would you want to sleep on an old mattress if you were the guest? The same goes for your pillows; make sure your pillows are fresh and have protective zipper covers in addition to the pillow cases.

My guest bedroom suite was designed with a dressing area and bathroom, a closet and an adjoining room. (This adjoining room is currently used as a study, but could be a bedroom for a nurse if necessary. This nurse or nanny would be accessible to an elderly person or for a child). The room features a hand painted Spanish colonial reproduction bed with custom designed silk coverlet, dust ruffle and pillows. Flanking the bed are a draped table and a black Chinoiserie chest. An oversized chair with a gold leaf frame and silk fabric provides a place to read or watch television. Privacy and light control is provided with shutters and a decorative window treatment.

All doorways have 36” clear openings. The double closet doors were selected for their added architectural interest, as well as, giving the guests a more accessible closet.

The elegant sink area features a cabinet with center doors which have an attached toe kick. With an attached toe kick, the doors can be removed to allow for a wheelchair. By covering the walls in an attractive hand painted finish, topping the countertop with granite and finishing with decorative lighting and mirror, the universal design of this bathroom is not evident.

In this suite the shower has double glass doors for easy accessibility. Another feature that replaces a bidet and gives an additional cleansing opportunity is the washlet by Tito. The sink cabinet in this wet area was designed with a slopped front, again to accommodate someone with a wheelchair. Faux art, a solid surface countertop, and interesting accessories make this a sophisticated design which is also accessible.

Tranquility prevails in this guest bedroom suite; with neutral walls and carpeting, peacefulness backdrops the elegant furnishings.

General Comments:

With every new construction client, my firm addresses the value of having a bedroom which meets the requirements for universal design. If there is not a bedroom on the first floor, I feel strongly that including an elevator is important to the resale value of your home. With an aging population, someone in your family may have health issues or, if you plan to stay in your home, designing smart is important.

I am seeing fewer bathtubs and more showers in new homes and for remodeling. Showers are easily accessible by more people. To make the shower more accessible, it needs to be designed with no curb or a collapsible curb, and a bench (optional) where someone can transfer to and from a wheelchair. It should also include a hand held spray located next to the bench.