A Whole Home Renovation Designed for Aging in Place

Ever wonder what goes into the design and build of a whole home remodel? Take a look inside this Dublin, Ohio renovation!

When a couple relocating from northern Ohio purchased a late-1980s home in Dublin, Ohio, they envisioned more than simply updating finishes; they wanted to create their forever home. While the house offered solid structural bones, it was dated in design and didn’t reflect their style or long-term needs. Even though much of the project planning took place remotely over Zoom, the homeowners collaborated closely with our team to bring their vision to life from design to build. The result is a light-filled, accessible Dublin, Ohio home inspired by California Casual style: clean, airy, and intentionally calm. We collaborated with the homeowners on every space to make sure it was designed and built with comfort and future functionality in mind.

Whole Home Design Vision

Their Dublin, Ohio home renovation goals included:

Creating a unified, open main level with a strong emphasis on natural light, clean lines, and subtle warmth.
Ensuring longevity of the home without sacrificing aesthetic appeal through aging-in-place modifications.
Repurposing materials when possible, such as reusing nearly 80% of existing cabinetry as part of a broader green initiative.

Aging-in-Place Features with Intentional Design

Rather than retrofitting accessibility features down the line, the remodel incorporated them thoughtfully during home construction, including:

A widened rear entry corridor
The addition of double doors to the primary bedroom
A curbless walk-in shower.

One of the most dramatic updates – and challenges! – involved raising the sunken living room floor to align with the rest of the first level, allowing easy navigation throughout the space. This required not just structural modifications but also lifting exterior doors and windows to match the new floor height, successfully creating a continuous flow through the main living areas.

Kitchen Transformation

The kitchen remodel focused on openness, vertical expansion, and discreet functionality. These initiatives were achieved by:

Full-height cabinetry after removing soffits
A walk-in pantry with dedicated water line for a built-in coffee station
Chevron tile extending to the ceiling to draw the eye upward
Integrated downdraft ventilation for a clean, uncluttered look · Natural, durable countertops by Lang Stone, selected for their timeless appeal

Custom cabinetry, handcrafted by the homeowner’s brother, was also repurposed in the pantry, blending sustainability with meaningful design.

Living Room & Natural Light

The previously sunken living room is now level with the rest of the home, significantly improving safety and accessibility. Large windows and skylights provide ample natural light, enhancing the primary interior aesthetic of California Casual. A driftwood fireplace mantle matches the kitchen island to subtly connect the spaces, while lime-washed stone adds an organic touch. Updated lighting, new hardwood floors, and custom metal stair balusters complete the transformation.

Primary Suite Retreat

Designed as a long-term sanctuary, the primary suite evokes spa-like relaxation with substantial functionality with these updates:

Freestanding tub replaces dated garden style
Spacious, curbless walk-in shower
Soffits removed for vertical expansion
Custom storage and bench seating
Natural light fills the space through reworked windows and skylights

Built for Today and Tomorrow

This California Casual-inspired home now offers a calming energy, abundant natural light, and purposeful flow that aligns perfectly with the homeowners’ lifestyle and future needs. Aging-in-place features were integrated with care, not compromise. Material reuse and green practices reflect a commitment to sustainability and longevity. Every element, down to the driftwood mantle and thoughtfully chosen hardware, was curated to support comfort, connection, and ease.