This Home Was Built For Multi-Generational Living

This article presents a comprehensive collection of 18 house plans featuring mother-in-law suites, catering to the growing demand for multigenerational living arrangements. Each plan is designed to balance form, function, and style, offering diverse options for families seeking to live together while maintaining personal space. The listed house plans range in architectural styles, from modern farmhouses and bungalows to classic colonials and Southern coastal homes, ensuring a variety of aesthetic preferences are met. The collection begins with the 'Bellewood Cottage, Plan #2049,' which includes a carriage house separate from the main living space and offers three to four bedrooms and three bathrooms within 2,937 square feet. This flexibility allows the study to be converted into an additional bedroom with a full bath, accommodating various family needs. Following this, the 'Colonial Chase, Plan #1655' is highlighted as a spacious option with six bedrooms and six and a half bathrooms, spanning 5,283 square feet. Its unique feature is a private guest suite above the garage, equipped with its own kitchen, living room, and bath, providing complete autonomy while remaining close to the main residence. The 'Deep River Farmhouse, Plan #2059' is introduced for its dual main suites, promoting personal space within a shared dwelling. This 3,559-square-foot home includes four bedrooms and three and a half baths, with a design that ensures step-free entry. The 'Bayou Bend, Plan #1745,' which was Southern Living's 2010 Georgia Idea House, offers a coastal-inspired design with a studio apartment above the garage, featuring a kitchen, bath, and private entry, alongside a first-level guest suite in the main house. It has four bedrooms and three bathrooms within 3,589 square feet. Another option, 'Summertime Lowcountry C + Apartment, Plan #2013-C,' provides an apartment above the garage with a kitchenette, living room, dining area, and bath, accessible via private entry stairs. This 3,931-square-foot plan includes four bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms and also suggests a walkout basement for additional guest suites. For those preferring a more classic look, the 'Oakland Hall, Plan #2025,' inspired by a historical Nashville home, spans 6,265 square feet with four bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms. It offers the possibility of adding a separate 'Bluebird Cottage Plan 2026' for dedicated guest accommodation. 'The Galloway, Plan #2060' is noted for its multigenerational living features, such as a curbless shower with grab bars, dual primary bedrooms, and a future guest suite over the garage, all within 4,142 square feet, offering four bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms. The 'Captain's Watch, Plan #1426' is a three-story home with a Cape Cod and Southern Coastal influence, allowing for a first-floor study to be converted into a guest suite with a private entrance, complementing its five bedrooms and five and a half bathrooms across 4,920 square feet. The 'New Carolina Island House, Plan #1825' emphasizes expansive porches and a generous first-floor guest suite with easy back entry access, providing four bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms within 3,352 square feet. 'Hilltop Lake, Plan #1897' features a primary bedroom suite with a private covered porch and a lower-level bedroom suite opening to a private terrace. This plan also suggests expanding the daylight basement to include a recreation room, game room, wet bar, and screened porch, encompassing four bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms within 3,630 square feet. 'Harpeth River Farmhouse, Plan #2073' offers an optional in-law suite on the second level, adding 725 square feet with a kitchenette, full bath, living and sleeping spaces, and a second laundry room, accessible via separate stairs from outside the garage but also connected to the main house. This plan provides four bedrooms and five bathrooms within 3,297 square feet. The 'Riverbend, Plan #2066,' Southern Living's 2021 Idea House, was specifically designed for multigenerational living, featuring two first-floor bedroom suites, one being a main suite and the other a guest suite with a private entrance, along with upstairs bedrooms centered around a media room. It has four bedrooms and six bathrooms across 5,155 square feet. 'Cypress Lake, Plan #1940' is a lake house plan with a walkout basement designed for a guest suite and rec room or a full apartment, plus a covered porch. This 2,609-square-foot plan includes four bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms. 'Azalea Hall, Plan #1619,' a classic Greek Revival-style home, features a large first-level in-law suite in the rear with a separate bedroom and entertaining space, alongside five bedrooms and six bathrooms within a substantial 9,510 square feet. The 'Blue Sky, Plan #1900' is a seaside cottage with a flexible design offering multiple spaces for in-laws and guests, including a garage apartment with its own kitchen, full bath, and balcony, and main house bedrooms with private entrances, totaling four bedrooms and five bathrooms within 3,513 square feet. 'The Great Escape 2022 Idea House, Plan #2082' is a coastal home accommodating vacationing guests and multigenerational living, comprising a main house and two additional structures: a carriage house with a bonus suite over the garage and an artist's studio or guesthouse. This expansive setup includes five bedrooms and six bathrooms within 3,312 square feet. 'Legacy Ranch, Plan #2028' is a charming ranch with a full apartment, the Casita suite, connected by a breezeway, complete with separate sleeping and living areas, offering three bedrooms and four bathrooms within 3,165 square feet. Finally, 'Cedar Creek, Plan #1261' is a sprawling ranch with each bedroom in a separate wing, featuring a detached guest house with its own wraparound porch, bedroom, kitchen, living room, and full bath. This plan provides four bedrooms and five and a half bathrooms across 5,422 square feet. #HousePlans #MultigenerationalLiving #MotherInLawSuite #HomeDesign #SouthernLiving #ArchitecturalStyles #CustomBuild #FamilyHomes #GuestSuite

Radio host Ramona Holloway, known for “The Matt & Ramona Show” on 107.9 The Link, moved to Charlotte from Virginia Beach in 2001. In 2003, her mother, Louise “Wheezy” Glover, living in Columbus, Ohio, experienced what was initially thought to be a stroke. This turned out to be an injured disk in her neck, requiring surgery and extensive rehabilitation. As an only child, Holloway managed her mother’s care remotely, coordinating home health services and senior taxi services, and spending her mornings on the phone with doctors and insurance companies. This arrangement involved weekly commutes, with Holloway flying to Columbus on Friday evenings after her show and returning to Charlotte on Monday mornings. This demanding routine continued for four to five months until Holloway persuaded her mother to move to Charlotte. In 2004, Holloway and Glover moved into a house in Indian Land, South Carolina. However, two subsequent back surgeries for Glover in 2008 and 2013 highlighted the unsuitability of the large home, which was difficult to navigate, especially when Glover needed a wheelchair or walker for several months post-surgery. In 2010, they relocated to a smaller house in Belmont with the intention of finding a permanent residence. They chose Belmont because its small-town atmosphere reminded them of Oberlin, Ohio, where Glover grew up and Holloway was born, offering a sense of community and familiarity. Holloway faced challenges in finding a home that met the needs of both herself and her mother, particularly concerning accessibility and comfort for Glover. Traditional floor plans often meant a master bedroom downstairs and less convenient arrangements upstairs. Consequently, Holloway decided to build a custom home rather than buy an existing one. She collaborated with Integrity of the Carolinas to design a house tailored to their specific requirements. The builders incorporated suggestions for enhanced mobility, such as installing hardwood floors throughout the entire downstairs, including closets, to facilitate wheelchair movement. They moved into their 2,700-square-foot, two-story brick home in Belmont Village in March 2014. The design prioritizes accessibility on the first floor, with all doorways, including those for smaller spaces like the laundry room, wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair. The main entrance features three steps, but the back door, used for daily entry from the detached garage, is equipped with an elegant, gradual ramp made of pavers, offering a practical and aesthetically pleasing alternative to bulky metal ramps. Holloway noted that she learned from observing friends who had to modify their homes with temporary ramps for family members. Glover’s bedroom and bathroom on the first floor are designed with a neutral color palette of beige, taupe, and moss green, offering ample space for maneuverability. The bathroom counter lowers to a seated height on one end, allowing Glover to comfortably groom herself from a chair or wheelchair. The tub has a low edge for easy access, and the toilet is elevated. Oil-rubbed bronze grab bars in the shower and by the toilet are integrated seamlessly with the decor. A bulletin board in her room stores medical information for easy access by caregivers. Upstairs, Holloway has her “grown-up” room with a garden tub in her bathroom and a walk-in closet. Her bedroom is decorated in modern red and black colors, with a photograph that serves as a source of perspective and inspiration. A third bedroom serves as a guest room, providing comfortable accommodation for visitors, especially when Holloway needs someone to stay with her mother. Holloway’s aunt created the textile art hanging above the guest bed. A Jack-and-Jill bathroom connects to Holloway’s office. The main living spaces, including Glover’s bedroom and the living room, are areas where they spend most of their leisure time. The large living room features a gas fireplace, built-in bookshelves, family photos, and matching black leather chairs. Notably, there is no television in the living room; Holloway prefers conversation and maintains the serenity of the space. An enlarged black-and-white photograph from 1961 shows Glover and her best friend touring Europe after college. Holloway and Glover share anecdotes and memories, reflecting their close bond. Glover is a dedicated listener of “The Matt & Ramona Show” and even had her own segment, “The World of Wheezy.” This home serves as a testament to their special relationship, providing a comfortable and accessible environment for both. #HomeDesign #AccessibleLiving #MultiGenerationalHome #CustomHomeBuild #AgingInPlace #BelmontNC #RadioPersonality #FamilyCare #MobilitySolutions

This blog post features a unique custom-built home located at 3482 Flamingo Ave. on Siesta Key, currently on the market for $5.8 million. Completed in 2019, the residence seamlessly blends Old World architectural elements with modern design aesthetics. The owner, Gary McDermott, who had no prior experience in architecture or home design, custom-built the four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom house with personal touches that also appeal to a broader market. McDermott is selling the home due to a relocation to Raleigh for work. The exterior of the home showcases more than 24 feet of hand-carved Cantera stone framing the double front doors, which are 10-foot-tall mahogany. These carvings include frangipani, his wife’s favorite flower, and a flamingo, a nod to the home's address. Wall-climbing vines and a water fountain contribute to a regal entrance, while wrought-iron balconies overlook a Roman-style pool. The property sits on an acre of land on the north end of Siesta Key and includes a three-car garage. Inside the 4,152 square-foot residence, the fusion of styles continues. An interior courtyard houses a 45-foot lap pool, surrounded by stone pillars. This five-foot-deep pool not only serves as a focal point but also functions to cool the house, reportedly lowering the temperature by 10-15 degrees and creating a natural draft. The pool area also offers views of a large backyard and canal access to Sarasota Bay. McDermott sourced the hand-carved stone from Mexico, emphasizing his preference for Old World styles while maintaining a clean, modern look. The interior features extensive tiling throughout, with traditional furniture pieces and light fixtures complementing updated bathroom and kitchen cabinetry. The kitchen boasts blue azul granite countertops, a material also used around the pool. The owner noted that delays in finding specific tiles provided ample time to refine their vision for the home. A notable amenity for contemporary living is a one-bedroom, one-bathroom guest house equipped with a full kitchen and a luxury office, catering to remote workers. Looking ahead, the roof was intended for further development, with plans for a greenhouse, a day bed, a putting green, and a bocce ball court, adorned with cacti and bromeliads. These future projects are now available for the next homeowner to undertake. Steve Abbe of the Abbe Ross Team with Coldwell Banker Realty in Florida is the contact for inquiries regarding the property. #SiestaKey #CustomHome #LuxuryRealEstate #MediterraneanArchitecture #OldWorldDesign #ModernDesign #SarasotaHomes #HomeForSale #ArchitecturalFeatures

The demographic shift caused by the aging baby boomer generation, specifically the 75 million Americans born between 1946 and 1964, is significantly influencing home design. Unlike previous generations that often transitioned to retirement communities, a substantial majority of boomers express a strong desire to age in place, preferring to remain in their own homes. A 2000 AARP survey revealed that 71 percent of Americans aged 45 and older strongly desired to stay in their current residences. This preference for "aging in place" is projected to be the second-biggest influence on home design in the coming years, primarily due to the need to adapt homes for decreased mobility and physical capabilities that can accompany older age. To address these evolving needs, baby boomers are increasingly adopting universal design principles. Universal design, a concept developed by a wheelchair-bound architect in the 1970s, advocates for designing environments that are usable by all people, regardless of age, ability, or disability. This approach allows for the harmonious integration of function and aesthetics, ensuring that homes are not only accessible but also visually appealing and indistinguishable from conventionally designed homes. The AARP has become a key proponent of universal design, actively promoting it to its members. This advocacy has led to a noticeable increase in requests for universal design modifications, with 75 percent of contractors surveyed by the National Association of Home Builders reporting a rise in work related to aging in place. Universal design is guided by several core principles: equitable use, flexibility in use, simple and intuitive operation, perceptive information, tolerance for error, low physical effort, and appropriate size and space for approach and use. These principles translate into practical home features such as stepless entryways, lever door handles for easier grip, and at least one bedroom located on the ground floor, often the master bedroom, to allow for single-level living when stairs become challenging. Homes with universal design also typically feature wide hallways to accommodate wheelchairs, hardwood floors instead of restrictive carpeting, and abundant lighting. Light switches, outlets, and thermostats are positioned no higher than 48 inches (1.2 meters) off the floor for easy access. In the kitchen, appliances like microwaves are placed on countertops, and countertops themselves are slightly lower than standard to facilitate use by both seated and standing individuals. Bathrooms often include higher toilets, multi-level countertops, and walk-in or wheel-in showers, with reinforced walls for the future installation of grab bars, which are now available in more stylish designs. Incorporating universal design features from the initial building phase is significantly more cost-effective than retrofitting an existing home. Building a new home with universal design may add only about 5 percent to the total cost, or sometimes incur no additional cost, offering substantial savings compared to the expenses of a retirement community. In contrast, retrofitting can be up to 20 times more expensive for certain features. For example, a wider doorway might cost an additional $6 during new construction but $650 during a remodel. Similarly, installing an elevator in a home with stacked cabinets could cost around $20,000 as part of a renovation, compared to approximately $50,000 for a completely new installation. It is advisable to plan for universal design well in advance, rather than waiting until such features become a necessity. The benefits of universal design extend beyond the elderly, aiding young parents with strollers and children who can reach lower light switches. The integration of these features can also enhance a home's market value, as it broadens its appeal to a wider range of potential buyers. With an estimated 70 million people over 65 by 2030, representing 20 percent of the U.S. population, the demand for universally designed homes is expected to grow. Some regions, like California, have already introduced voluntary universal design codes, and other localities are exploring zoning incentives. For those seeking professional assistance, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), in collaboration with the AARP, offers the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) program, which trains contractors and designers in creating homes that cater to the needs of the aging population. This program emphasizes practical experience, such as navigating a home in a wheelchair or simulating arthritis to understand accessibility challenges. Universal design differs from accessibility guidelines by aiming for usability for all, not just those with disabilities, preferring subtle integrations like stepless entryways over visible ramps. #AgingInPlace #BabyBoomers #UniversalDesign #HomeDesign #Accessibility #HomeImprovement #ResidentialArchitecture #RetirementPlanning #NAHBCAPS

This article highlights a multi-generational family farmhouse located in Ashbourne, VIC, designed to accommodate both a family and their parents in a unique mirrored-house concept. The farmhouse is home to Kate Thornell-Staig, her husband David Staig, and their daughters, Abby Maya and Lotti, as well as Kate's parents. The property, five years in the making, blends privacy with communal living, offering distinct spaces for each family unit while fostering togetherness. Kate Thornell-Staig, who recently launched her clothing and knitwear label Garçonne, has a distinct approach to interior decoration, favoring items that possess a story and character rather than pristine newness. This philosophy is evident throughout the farmhouse, where many pieces have been collected over two decades and bear the marks of time, reflecting a preference for history and personal connection over mere aesthetics. She explains that the 'marks and chips on old things tell their story,' a sentiment she tries to impart to her younger daughter. The interior design of the farmhouse showcases a blend of rustic charm and carefully curated elements. The living area, which opens onto a deck, provides expansive views of the farm. It is adorned with cushions from Matteo in California, contributing to a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. The kitchen is a central feature, designed around an antique wooden beam that serves as a display for Kate’s bread boards. Key kitchen elements include a 'Domsjo' sink from IKEA, a dining table gifted by a friend, handmade Moroccan 'Zellige' splashback tiles from Tiento Tiles, and a French-made Lacanche oven distributed by Manorhouse. An old shop counter repurposed into a kitchen bench further exemplifies the home's unique, collected style, complemented by lighting from Edison Light Globes, Melbourne. The living room features a vignette created with vintage oil paintings, sourced from Etsy and eBay, paired with a 1750s French commode, illustrating Kate’s knack for blending old-world charm with contemporary finds. In the main bedroom, Kate’s personal touch is evident through hand-stencilled paisley designs on the walls. The paintings in this room were found online, while a lamp stand was acquired at an antiques fair in Fryerstown, emphasizing the eclectic and personalized nature of the decor. Lotti’s bedroom features a bed assembled by Dave from separate antique pieces, and a handmade patchwork quilt by Kate, underscoring the family's involvement in creating their living spaces. The bathroom incorporates a 'Rodney' tub and a round concrete basin from Boyd Alternatives, alongside a chair from Found. at Hepburn. An antique vanity is paired with tapware from The English Tapware Company, creating a sophisticated yet aged look. The rear deck, overlooking the garden and paddocks, is a cherished spot where Kate enjoys evenings in her cane chair. Dave constructed the arbour for the crimson glory vine, enhancing the outdoor living space. The property also includes a kitchen garden with sheds and a beehive, integrating practical and aesthetic elements of country living. The overall design narrative is one of creating a comfortable, lived-in home that cherishes history and personal touches while accommodating the dynamics of multi-generational living. #FarmhouseDesign #MultiGenerationalLiving #MacedonRanges #VintageDecor #CountryStyle #InteriorDesign #CustomHome #AntiqueFurniture #RuralLiving