Street side: The front of the home faces a very busy street. For privacy, only transom windows, which bring in light, are used. Natural stone veneer gives the impression that the home is part of the rocky cliff it sits upon.
Living room and foyer: Space is defined by partial wall and furniture placement. This minimalist style gives the homeowner many options in how to layout the space, providing versatility and the ability to change the room to meet changing needs.
Bringing the outdoors in: Marvin bi-folding doors slide away to allow access to the back patio and beautiful river views. The stone wall next to the fireplace continues through the glass windows, connecting to the outer patio.
An oversized island defines the kitchen space and provides a place for food preparation and a breakfast bar.
The kitchen pantry is tucked behind the appliance wall. Besides beautiful rift sawn White Oak handcrafted cabinetry for storage, it holds a small sink and the owners’ favorite cooking equipment. The granite counter provides extra space for food preparation.
The primary bedroom features a glass corner for optimum river views. The wrap around transom windows bring more natural light into the room and give the impression of an even higher ceiling.
Left: Transom windows bring in natural light from above, drawing the eye upward. The vanity seems to float above the floor. Right: A zero clearance shower offers an even floor surface, perfect for those with mobility issues.
Handcrafted dual vanity in rift sawn White Oak and mirror with imbedded fluorescent lighting. A television on the back wall, reflected in the mirror, helps the residents catch the early news while they perform their morning ablutions.
Accessibility wrapped in modern elegance: Modern design works well for aging in place or the disabled because it is often open plan and versatile. Here the living room flows right into the kitchen and out to the back deck, all on one level.
"Our satisfaction with Timber Innovations' work is indescribable."
Greater Appleton WI Homeowner
New home construction; Little Chute, Wisconsin: Modern home design is ideal for those wishing to age in place in style. Open plan living works well for those with mobility issues and other medical needs. In this home, the dramatic, elegant design elements, like wide doorways, zero clearance showers and bi-folding doors, will work perfectly should the needs of the homeowners change over time.
The homeowners wanted a house built in town, close to shopping and other services. While the front of the home provides privacy from the street, the back of the home is almost entirely glass, perfect for watching the river slide by, no matter the weather. Besides the view, the windows bring in natural light and passive solar heating.
The main challenge in building this home was having all the structural support headers in the roof system. Most homes have the headers at the top of the exterior walls as part of the frame. Since this home has a large interior expanse without columns and some of the exterior walls are actually windows which can’t bear weight, the structural support is engineered into the roof.
Ultimately, the owners wanted a modern minimalist-style home that would adapt to their changing needs and allow them to age in place gracefully.
Modern Retirement-style Home: Aging in place with panache
An oversized pivot door with zero clearance makes a dramatic statement, yet also allows room for those with mobility issues or disabilities to easily enter the home.
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