Get Your Design Style Going In-Law Suite

A young-at-heart mom-in-law requested a redo to her open-plan, in-law suite after seeing the beautiful work Interiors by Donna Hoffman did in her daughter’s home.

There were 2 stipulations. She required loads of function from the limited studio space, to include sleeping, light eating, a computer workspace, more clothing storage, and a cozy place to entertain guests or watch TV. Her aesthetic request was very clear: A cheerful space with doses of bold patterns and her favorite colors: red, raspberry and a splash of purple “somewhere.” Our mission: deliver this AND stylish Design for Aging In Place – a specialized design that creates safer living spaces for mature adults.

An optimized furniture space plan enhanced space usage and created safer foot traffic patterns. For safe footing, area rugs and upholstery skirts were omitted, while furniture legs were kept straight and clean. Additionally, strong visual cues were provided through enhanced lighting, vivid color contrasts and deliberate floor-to-wall contrasts. Multi-function and custom lacquered-raspberry cabinetry houses a mini-kitchen and computer printer, while the white built-ins provide storage for shoes, clothes, accessories and jewelry (jewelry is cleverly stored in the pullout columns!) and the doors conceal two full length mirrors.

This “record-breakingly” decisive client lived by the motto: “At my age, why waste time pondering a decision!?” (Our kinda client!!!) The only challenge was finding a bathroom tile. Despite a vast selection in a large showroom, only 1 tile caught her fancy: a large handmade glass tulip. So, it was resized and color modified to work for us and it became an accent border. From that one tile, the bath’s entire design would spring, as did her splash of purple.

Before:

After!