Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/133552
A WISE REMODEL A home is one of the few places in a hectic, run-from-here-to-there life that can truly be made one's own. But sometimes we need to breathe new energy into our space or we'll lose interest. While some might ditch their place altogether, others instead opt to create something new and fresh. Ramona Steele decided that as she and her husband grew older, their 45-year-old home could age with them. They knew a second story master bedroom and laundry would not work as they reached into their 80s and 90s, but they loved the neighborhood and location as much as the home they've shared for the last 30 years. So the Steeles converted the first floor to accommodate a future master, laundry room and Universal design features including wider doorways, and lever handles on doors and plumbing fixtures. The couple worked with Dybdahl Design Group to develop the home's architecture and infuse 42 BRAVA Magazine June 2013 their love of Asian design into the remodel. The Steeles had collected fine artwork and artifacts over many years of travel. Jill Dybdahl, owner at Dybdahl Design Group, worked to marry the home's structure with the Steeles' décor. "The cabinet on the back of the kitchen island has several small glass panels reminiscent of Asian furniture,"says Dybdahl. A Shoji screen-style door used as a partition mirrors the concept of this cabinet and melds the Asian influence of the formal dining area with the contemporary feel of the kitchen. As a gourmet cook, Steele took advantage of the newly expanded kitchen to include two sinks, one for prep and one for clean up, and a strategically placed island that "allows guests to enjoy appetizers and beverages from the buffet on the backside while not getting into the cook's work zone," Dybdahl notes. A four-season sunroom addition brightens the entire first floor, and the improved flow makes this previously aging home feel new again and ready to enter the golden years with its owners.