Tag Archives: #accessible design

We are a Family of Three Generations Living Under 1 Roof

Let me help you transform your home into a comfortable, safe, accessible and beautiful
space that you can call home for many years. Why not invest in your current residence
instead of paying for a retirement village or assisted living?
Your future begins now! 

As an expert in Universal Design and Living in Place design, I have the education and experience to help you achieve your goals. I am the only Interior Designer in the Wichita area who is a Certified Living Place Professional (CLIPP) and a practitioner of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). My specialties include multi-generational design, and I always anticipate the changes that life may bring to your family when working on your design plan. My ultimate goal is to create a space you and your family will love to call home today and tomorrow.

OUR STORY

After a 30-year career in a retail design company,  I started my own design firm called “Designs for Life.” The tagline “Interiors Designed for the Way You Live … Today and Tomorrow” reflects that a well-designed home should be able to adapt to life’s changes. 

My family should be the Poster Children for the Living in Place design movement. We are a family of three generations living under one roof. My late husband, Jim, and I were in our late 60s with a few health issues; we both enjoyed our work and had no plans to retire. Our son, Bryan, was diagnosed with ALS 20 years ago. He has increasing limitations with mobility and independence. My mother, Dot, who just celebrated her 97th birthday, remains active in helping us care for one another.

It became apparent that we would need to find a home to renovate to help us all live our best lives. Completing our new home was the most daunting and satisfying project of my career. I always prided myself on my ability to meet the needs of my clients. My personal experiences and newfound knowledge allow me to provide so much more.

We are replacing the outdated “Aging in Place” design with a proactive “Living in Place” approach. By discreetly incorporating long-term adaptive features into everyday decor, homes can be prepared for expected and unexpected life changes. The goal is to provide everyone with a comfortable, safe, and accessible home that can support them through any injury, illness, or age challenges. The Living in Place Institute helps eliminate the stigma of “Aging in Place” and allows people to embrace the inevitable life changes while still living independently in their own homes.

Vicki Flores, a Living In Place Pro, has mastered creating homes that exude beauty, safety, and comfort. With her exceptional skills and expertise, she transforms living spaces into havens that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also safe and practical. Give your home the touch of Vicki’s magic and experience the joy of living in a place that is both beautiful and function

On August 31, 2021 Our World Changed Forever.

On August 31 2021 I became a widow. It is not like I didn’t know it was coming . My Jim had been ill for over 3 years this time. Any one who spent time with him spoke about what a positive man he was. Although he was on dialysis 3 days week and undergoing chemotherapy, he was certain he was going to pull through. Or at least he told us he was.

We were two months short of celebrating our 54th anniversary. Yes, we were babies when we married. We grew up together. He was my best friend and we talked about everything.Daily, I think of something that I need to ask him or something that I want to share with him.

Unfortunately, many of you know how empty your heart and life is when you loose a spouse. We used to be Vicki and Jim or Jim and Vicki. Now it’s just Vicki.

I don’t know how you would come home to any empty house. It would be devastating. My care giving  responsibilities did not go away. Gratefully I was not alone. I still have two of the people that I care the most about to love me and be with me. Because we all shared this home Dot, Bryan and I could mourn together and support each other.

We along with Franci our home aid, were all be all able to be with Jim when he was not in treatment.. One of us was always with him. He dozed as he watched Soccer with Bryan.  Most nights he would drop in on Dot to say goodnight as he went to bed. He and I had good talks during our nap times We had planned on this being our “Forever Home” and it was for Jim and will be for the rest of us.

The elevators in the house and garage allowed him to stay here when he was so weak that he couldn’t walk up steps. I was able to help him shower and he did need the lift chairs toward the end. He loved being on the upper deck and could easily use his walker to access his favorite spot.

I am so glad that he and I planned ahead and renovated this house. I really didn’t expect him to go first. I am so grateful that we “finished” our home and were able to enjoy it together.

 

I started writing this blog to share our experiences  of 3 generations living together under 1 roof. I’ve been away for a while and I hope start working (interior deign) and writing more as the months go by. If you get anything positive from reading under1roof.live, please share this with a friend.

\               Vicki

The First Obstical

Five things had to happen before the family could move into our Plum Tree house

  • The Elevator had to be installed.
  • Bryan’s bath had to be revamped for a roll- in shower
  • Dot’s bath needed tub replaced with a walk in shower
  • The master bath needed a lot of love and the shower enlarged.
  •  And of course, we had to find a way to get Bryan and Dot comfortably and safely into the house in the first place.

The front steps were fairly steep and there was no handrail. The back entrance involved about 20 steps with no adequate handrail to grasp and the garage steps were not easily  accessible  for any of us. A fabulous handyman, Mark Lawrence, who was very familiar with accessibility issues came to my rescue and installed  new garage steps with handrails and grab bars.



Accessibility issues were not uncommon when we were searching for homes. It is one of the things that buyers don’t think much about unless faced with an injury or worn out joints. Safety features are not that expensive when you think of the cost of a fall. I hope that builders and remodelers will join the movement to keep our homes safe, comfortable, and accessible for everyone.