Creating Forever Homes: Aging-in-Place Design Specialist
Last year I began to think about how I wanted to elevate my business, wanting to bring more to my clients through my expertise and to guide them in everything from a simple room re-do to new construction and more. As part of this, I committed to earning my CAPS Certification. What is this you ask? It is a “Certified Aging In Place Specialist” certificate. Now, this doesn’t mean that I only design for seniors, it means that I am focused on RELEVANT design. It’s design that looks no different than any beautiful interior you see in a magazine, it is design that focuses on function, simplicity of living and beauty - I am not going to fill your home with grab bars! It is intuitive design that meets livable basic needs with the goal of helping anyone stay in their own home or age-in-place. Through this certification I have educated myself, and will continue to stay on top of this subject, so that I can work with ANYONE to create a home that is livable and visitable by anyone at any life stage.
“The CAPS designation offers your potential clients what they need most: reassurance that you’ll help them make the choices that will help them stay in their homes safely and securely,” as described by the National Association of Home Builders.
The CAPS certificate brings forward the following basic needs, but really, aren’t these what we all want at every stage of life?
Health
Security (safety)
Accessibility (for us and others)
Functionality
Comfort (Joy!)
Interior Design has sometimes been met with the concept of being “frivolous” or something folks think is just not worth the time or dollar investment. It has always been my passion to share that intuitive, thoughtful design is a basic need, it’s not about your bank account, but it’s more about taking care of your home so it can take care of you. I wholeheartedly believe that your home has to work for you, it should protect, nurture, and support you and your family. With so many of us spending so much of our time in our homes now I believe many more of us are seeing the value of a thoughtfully designed home. Our homes are our sanctuaries they are where we play out our lives, see our children grow, entertain our friends, find comfort, joy, and respite. Aging-in-place means we can continue to embrace our homes as we always have and through thoughtful design stay at home safely and joyfully.
I am so proud to have expanded my skillset and client offerings to include an aging-in-place specialty and I am looking forward to keeping you updated in my pursuit of it (in all stages!) and welcome any questions or thoughts you may have.
Let’s Design for Good,
Kim
