Remodeling The Meadows:
Working on the house was a lot of fun!! What helped us was that it was in remarkably good condition to start with (thanks to the Staffords, the previous owners). The house is 3,300 sq. ft. and it was built about 10 years ago on a beautiful 1 acre lot in a country setting.
Nino & Carla make some last minute touchups
The previous owners built the house with their elderly in-laws in mind so the layout of the house is exactly appropriate for an Adult Family Home. The halls and doorways are wide specifically for the use of wheelchairs and walkers and it has a whole separate wing with its own large living room, dining room, kitchen, full bath and a master suite. Even though it is considered to be a mother-in-law suite, it integrates with the main house and it doesn’t feel like a separate wing. The complete home has two living rooms, both with securely protected wood burning fireplaces, five bedrooms, two being master suites, and four full bathrooms with one handicapped accessible shower that was just installed as part of the remodel.
We painted the walls in a warmer suitable color. The house had brand new carpeting when we purchased it, but because it was a long-fibered carpet, it wouldn’t have worked with wheelchairs and walkers; therefore we replaced it with a commercial grade carpeting to accommodate our residents. In both kitchens we added a tile backsplash and stained the cabinets to give them a fresher, more updated look with a richer color and added knobs. We purchased new appliances for both kitchens and both laundry rooms and also added a large table for the convenience of folding all the laundry. In the bathrooms we added grab bars for the showers and toilets.
We installed two ramps for the two main entrances for ease of entrance and exit by the residents. We installed a security system in the entire house so that when any door is opened, staff will be alerted, and installed a call system in each bedroom so if a resident needs help they just push the button for assistance. Safety locks were added to all cabinets that will house chemicals or medicines.
After the remodel of the house was complete, my favorite part began when we engaged in the home decorating. We set up a theater room with a nice flat screen television and leather reclining chairs. We brought in furniture for both living rooms and dining rooms. The couches and chairs are filled with down, but still firm enough for the comfort of the residents. The dining room chairs are antique and have been reupholstered with beautiful vinyl. We finished the house with accessories such as beautiful old paintings, floor lamps, linen draperies and blinds. On the outside, we’ve added three patio tables with umbrellas and chairs, and we’re now waiting for spring to start working on a garden.
We turned our house into a beautiful welcoming home and we are extremely proud of it!
