Aging in Place Design
The Clinical Difference
Aging in place should never mean compromising on the home you love. Our aging-in-place design service pairs luxury interiors with the clinical rigor needed to keep you safe, independent, and comfortable for years to come — because accessible home design and beautiful design are not mutually exclusive.
Christie Fleming is both a licensed Occupational Therapist and a CAPS-certified Aging in Place Specialist. She spent years in clinical and home-based settings studying how the human body moves through space, where fall risks hide, and how everyday design decisions impact safety, independence, and quality of life. That training didn't disappear when she became a designer — it became her foundation.
Every recommendation we make is evidence-based and proactive, addressing needs you may not realize you'll have. From wider doorways and zero-threshold showers to strategic lighting and intuitive layouts, each detail is planned to support you now and adapt as your needs evolve.
The result is a home that works as hard as it inspires — thoughtfully designed, beautifully executed, and built to grow with your life. Learn more about Christie's background.
How We Help You Stay Home
Every service is designed to preserve your independence while elevating the beauty and comfort of your home.
Bathroom Safety & Luxury
Zero-threshold showers, integrated grab bars that double as design elements, comfort-height vanities, and slip-resistant surfaces that look anything but clinical.
Kitchen Accessibility
Varied counter heights, pull-out shelving, lever hardware, task lighting, and ergonomic layouts that make cooking comfortable at every stage of life.
First-Floor Living Conversions
Main-level primary suites, laundry relocations, and space reconfigurations that eliminate the need for stairs in daily life.
Lighting & Wayfinding
Layered lighting design, illuminated pathways, high-contrast transitions, and intuitive spatial cues that reduce fall risk and support cognitive ease.
Universal Design Integration
Wider doorways, seamless floor transitions, smart home technology, and barrier-free circulation that serves every generation under one roof.
ADUs & Multi-Generational Design
Accessory dwelling units, in-law suites, and multi-generational floor plans that give everyone independence without sacrificing connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start planning aging-in-place modifications?
The best time to plan is before you need them. Proactive modifications made during a renovation or new build are far less disruptive and more cost-effective than reactive changes after a fall or diagnosis. That said, it's never too late. We work with clients at every stage, from forward-thinking homeowners in their 50s to families adapting a space for an immediate need.
Will aging-in-place features make my home look institutional?
Absolutely not. This is exactly where our design expertise makes the difference. Every accessibility feature we incorporate is selected and detailed to be visually seamless. Grab bars that look like luxury towel bars, curbless showers that read as spa-like, wider doorways that feel grand rather than clinical. Your guests won't notice the accessibility. They'll just notice a beautiful home.
What is CAPS certification and why does it matter?
CAPS stands for Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist, a designation awarded by the National Association of Home Builders. It requires specialized training in design solutions, building codes, and construction techniques specific to aging in place. Combined with Christie's background as a licensed Occupational Therapist, this certification ensures that every recommendation is grounded in both clinical expertise and building science.
Can you work with my existing contractor or builder?
Yes. We regularly collaborate with our clients' preferred contractors, builders, and architects. We provide detailed specifications, drawings, and product selections that any qualified professional can execute. We also have a trusted network of trades experienced in accessibility-focused construction if you need recommendations.
How does an Occupational Therapy background benefit aging-in-place design?
An Occupational Therapist is trained to analyze how people physically and cognitively interact with their environments. Christie spent years in clinical and home-based settings observing how doorway widths, counter heights, floor surfaces, and lighting directly impact safety, independence, and quality of life. This clinical lens means our design recommendations aren't based on general guidelines. They're informed by direct experience with how the body moves, adapts, and ages.
Who This Is For
Proactive Planners
Adults 50+ designing their home for longevity, comfort, and independence before the need becomes urgent.
Caregivers & Multi-Generational Families
Families creating spaces that support aging parents, adult children, or multiple generations living together with dignity.
Post-Injury or Diagnosis Adaptation
Homeowners navigating mobility changes, chronic conditions, or recovery who need their space to work harder for them.
New Construction "Forever Home" Builds
Clients building from the ground up who want universal design woven into the architecture from day one.
We provide aging-in-place design services throughout Philadelphia, the Main Line, Chester County, Bucks County, Montgomery County, Delaware County, and the Jersey Shore. Learn about our design process.
Ready to Design Your Forever Home?
Whether you're planning ahead or adapting to a change, we'd love to discuss how we can help you stay in the home you love. View our project portfolio or get in touch to start the conversation.