Why I created NEST HOME PLANS

WHAT'S BEING BUILT

When my husband and I were shopping for our family home, we wanted it to be the last home we would purchase. 

We became frustrated with the options in our chosen neighborhood. 

We wondered:

• Why aren't homebuilders building homes with zero-step entries?
• Why are there so few main floor master suites?
• Why can't we find a home that would be easy for all our visitors - including those who use wheelchairs?

For such a large investment, this was an equally large disappointment.

THE HOME PLAN MARKETPLACE

I wondered if there were better home plans that our builder could have chosen for our neighborhood. Out of curiosity, I searched the web for "accessible home plans" and quickly discovered that the plans labeled 'accessible'... just weren't.

I found elevators too small to accommodate a wheelchair (much less a wheelchair plus a companion), bathrooms that wouldn't work without a complete overhaul of the floor plan, halls without room for wheeled mobility devices to turn around... the list went on and on. Although most websites advertised that their plans could modified for accessibility, it was obvious to me that it would be difficult and expensive to make such extreme changes. 

I became determined to provide a better option.

ABOUT ME

I've worked with many clients over the past 20+ years to design homes that will work for their unique needs, including many clients with mobility challenges.

Each project has been an opportunity to create individualized environments while also developing design concepts that would work for many people. 

In 2011, I was the recipient of a prestigious national design award from the American Institute of Architects and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

In the announcement letter, the jury wrote, "This award recognizes the excellence of your work and affirms the importance of good housing as a necessity of life, a sanctuary for the human spirit, and a valuable national resource."

INCIDENTAL PLANNING PAYS OFF

I know of a young couple that bought their first home in a neighborhood where all the homes were required to be "visitable." They didn't buy it for that specific feature. They just found a house in a location they liked and bought it. Years later, they had twins, one of them with cerebral palsy. They had no idea how important it would be for their home to be wheelchair accessible when they bought it - and they didn't realize that being in a neighborhood of "visitable" homes would make it possible for their future son to play with all of his friends at their houses, too.

Think about it:

• What if you blow out your knee while skiing? Would you be able to sleep in your own bed? Use your own bathroom?
• What if your friends or relatives need to use wheeled mobility devices?  Will they be able to come visit?

ABOUT NEST HOME PLANS

Everyone needs a comfortable home that works for them, their family, and friends.

I created NEST HOME PLANS as an affordable way for more people to build homes they can live in for a lifetime. Click here to read about the features that make our home plans unique.