Residential Kitchen and Bath Interiors Designed for Life

kitchen and bath design for living in place

 

Save money in the long-term by anticipating what you need, before you need it.

 
 
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Whether you want to refresh an outdated look or future-proof your home, we're here to help you create an accessible, aesthetically pleasing, easy-to-navigate space within your home.

Working together, we'll create a luxury design for your bathroom or kitchen that will adapt to your needs as the years go by. We partner with a trusted circle of remodeling trade and health professionals to assess, design and implement your ideal living space based on your lifestyle, physical needs and any potential safety issues.

Adapting to your needs and budget, we can recommend a range of universal design solutions – from simple updates such as the addition of appropriately placed grab bars, to major kitchen updates or bathroom renovations.

With the right measures put in place, you won't age in place, you'll thrive in place - living your life exactly how you want to.

 
 
Amber of AElise Designs has a great eye for design and is full of excellent suggestions on products and design details. We have confidence in her knowledge about the accessible design features needed as well as in her experience in overseeing the work through completion. We were very impressed by her incredibly thorough set of design plans and statement of work both of which made the bidding process much simpler.
— Joan and Len
 

Start your kitchen and bathroom remodel expertly.

  • Design and Accessible Space Planning

  • Technical drawings

  • Pictorial renderings

  • Universal design

  • Project management

  • Color consulting

  • Laundry and mud rooms

  • Closet design

  • Product Sourcing: cabinetry, appliances, lighting, hardware, flooring and tile, fixtures, barrier-free showers, countertops, etc.

Our Design Process

 
 

Step 1: Getting to Know You and How We Work

  • Complimentary Call: 30-minute phone or online Zoom get-acquainted session.

  • Initial Home Visit: We take comprehensive room measurements, discuss your homeowner vision, needs and preferences. This takes approximately 2 hours.

  • Accessibility: If you or your family's needs require accessible design we may ask you to consult with a health professional to determine specific needs and considerations.

  • Build Pre-Plan: Build phase pre-planning is essential at the very beginning in order that all parties get onboard to ensure a successful project for you – the homeowner. As such, consideration for a General Contractor is important. Options include:

    • Option 1: At the project start, initial consultation with your pre-selected general contractor (GC) that involves meeting at your home to discuss any structural, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, etc. considerations that could influence design planning.

    • Option 2: Engagement with our licensed, experienced and trusted GCs. We have established professional relationships with GCs that produce quality results with seasoned and skilled tradespersons on their teams. As with option 1 - initial GC consultation involves an onsite visit to discuss any particular structural, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, etc. considerations that could impact design planning.

  • Written Agreement: You will receive our written agreement, for your review and approval that specifies the design goal for your project, design statement of work details and financial expectations. The GC will provide a separate estimate of build costs based on conceptual drawings (see Step 2 below).

Step 2: Getting Started

  • Design Planning: After the AElise Designs LLC written agreement is finalized and signed, the design planning actively commences including:

    • Creation of existing condition drawings (floorplan and electrical/mechanical).

    • Conceptual drawings (up to two layouts) that include pictorial renderings, proposed floor plans and key elevation views.

  • Statement of Work (SOW): Preliminary build SOW in collaboration with the GC.  The GC will be able to provide a cost estimate for their services for the build phase. Note: the GC’s and homeowner contractual arrangements does not involve AElise Designs LLC.

Step 3: Design Concept and Product Sourcing

  • Design Drawing Updates and/or Modifications: To ensure that your requirements are met prior to the preparation of final design working documents.

  • Product Sourcing: If desired, we can assist with sourcing and ordering products (cabinetry, appliances, fixtures, etc. ) Given present availability issues on many appliances in particular it is important to allow adequate time for selection, ordering & delivery.  As an added bonus we pass all trade product discounts we receive fully to the benefit of our clients.

  • Procurement & Purchasing: Close tabs are kept on orders, deliveries, etc. Your remodeling project will go much smoother if all materials have been purchased and delivered to you prior to the actual build.

Step 4: Final Design and Pre-Build Phase

  • Final Design Working Drawings are Created: Wth details including product specifications, construction (demo & new construction), mechanical/electrical, countertops, reflected ceiling plans (if needed), etc. This set of drawings will be provided to the GC for the build phase.

  • Final Contractor SOW: In conjunction with the final drawing set, the SOW is updated with additional details. In addition, a worksite binder is created for the GC listing all product specifications and installation instructions (as needed).

  • Pre-Build Meeting: We strongly recommended a pre-build meeting with the homeowner, designer and GC to review all drawings and any additional details.

Step 5: Installation

  • Build Phase: While we do not supervise the CG and/or tradespersons, we keep close tabs during the build phase to ensure fidelity with client-approved design plans. This involves periodic site visits as well as being available for any questions and resolutions with the GC as needed.

  • Decor: Details are taken care of, photos are taken, and finally your new kitchen, bathroom or other space is ready for your family!

 
 

Cost FAQ’s

 

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  • Considering remodeling your kitchen or bathroom?

    Most homes can be updated to create living spaces that are safe and comfortable. There are costs with doing so—most of which is upfront investment.

    The average cost in the U.S. for assisted and/or independent living is about $6,000 per month or more depending on locale variables. As an example, the cost to modify a standard sized bathroom in the DC metropolitan market to make it more functional, safe, accessible and comfortable is in the range of $35,000. If one compares the monthly cost of institutional living versus a residential modification within a few months remodeling will pay for itself.

    While your choice in finishes, cabinets and hardware influences how much a remodel costs, we’ve included this information regarding the average cost of remodeling a bathroom or kitchen to help give you a rough idea of what to expect.

  • KITCHEN REMODEL:

    Remodeling Magazine in its 2019 annual Cost vs. Value report, put the regional average for a midrange major kitchen remodel in Northern Virginia, Montgomery County MD & Washington DC Region at $63,378 and an upscale major kitchen remodel at $126,307.

    These averages can however vary depending on size, plan layout, structural change needs, etc. (see list chart). In addition, utilization of luxury stone or marble countertops, high-end faucets and flooring, a commercial grade range and refrigeration, etc. can all increase costs.

    With Same Floor Plan Layout

    · Mid-Range: $50-75,000

    · Upscale: $75-120,000

    New Floor Plan – Without Structural Changes

    · Mid-Range: $65-85,000

    · Upscale: $90 –120,000

    Major Size & Structural Changes

    · Mid-Range: $75,000 +

    · Upscale: $95,000 +

    BATHROOM REMODEL:

    According to the Cost vs Value 2021 Report (Zonda Media), average costs for a bathroom remodel in the DC market region depends on a range of variables – quality and number of fixtures & finishes, space size, and layout change needs requiring plumbing and/or electrical work.

    A best value bathroom that would only be “refreshed” starts between $12-15,000.

    Mid-grade bathroom remodel, with a change of fixtures, flooring and wall tile will typically start at $25,000 on the lower end.

    An upscale5-piece bathroom remodel featuring a new toilet, dual sink vanity, soaker tub, shower with a frameless shower glass enclosure, recessed shelves, the average cost is $75,000 plus.

  • Walk-in tub or shower: $5,000

    Widen an entry door: $800

    Install a ramp at entry door: $1,113

    Install entry handrails: $8,000

    Kitchen countertop height adjustment: $18,000

    Install lever taps on faucets: $220

    Widen hallway (no structural changes): $1,100

    Widen hallway with structural changes: $35,000

    Price Source: Retirement Living

    Please note: prices listed are average costs and may vary for different states across the US

 

 Your home deserves the best, so we prefer reputable brands in our designs such as:

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