Design Dispatch: Project Spotlight: Aging Gracefully in a Beloved Craftsman

There’s something deeply satisfying about working on homes with history, and this recent remodel of a sweet little Craftsman-style primary suite reminded me why.

The homeowners, an active, vibrant, empty nest couple, asked us to reimagine their bedroom and bath with long-term comfort in mind. The goal? A space that honors the charm of their home and evolves with them as they age in place.

Here’s how we married beauty with function:

– Zero-entry shower: with a linear drain for smooth transitions
– Shower configuration: designed to accommodate future mobility. The door can be removed without reworking layout.
– Custom tile: arranged in a cross pattern at the back wall. It gives an artful visual cue to support aging eyes
– Built-in bench with grab bar: and reinforced walls for future add-ons
– Classic handrail: added for the three stairs leading to the bedroom
– Smart fallback: a main-level secondary bedroom available if stairs ever become a challenge (still adjacent to the bathroom)

Construction kicked off in January, but planning began in August—giving us time to finesse every detail, source custom materials, and line up trusted trades before the New Year rush. Most clients want things wrapped before the holidays (understandably!), but this reverse timeline has become a new favorite. It’s like vacationing off-season: fewer delays, better availability, and a more relaxed rhythm that benefits everyone.
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In the Mix: Craft Meets Care: Handmade Tile from Pasadena

During the design phase, I visited Pasadena Craftsman Tile, the home studio of an architect-turned-ceramicist in Pasadena whose work is featured in this bath. The owner, Cha Rei, was kind enough to give me a tour complete with her kilns and hundreds of custom molds she’s made for clients over the years. My client envisioned an oversized Tree of Life as the focal point, and we leaned into tones of green, blue, and rust to connect it with the rest of the home’s palette.

Her hand-formed tiles—slightly irregular, watercolor-finished, and full of soul—became the shower’s signature element.

We laid them out in a subtle cross shape at eye level—a soft, subliminal guidepost that doubles as art and accessibility. These small visual anchors matter more over time and serve as a reminder that good design isn't just aesthetic—it anticipates needs beautifully.

Videos from my tile studio visit will be on Instagram this week—keep your eyes out for them if you're following me!

Off the Clock: The $35 Skincare Hack I’m Telling Everyone About

Random? Sure. Worth it? Absolutely.

Sharing skincare tips isn’t usually my thing, but this one’s too good to keep to myself. A few months ago, my dermatologist handed me an 8oz bottle of retinol body lotion that made my skin glow—but the $93 refill price was a hard no if I am truly going to use it regularly.

Then came the hack:

🧴 Mix 15g of retinol gel (like this one) with a 16oz tub of Cetaphil cream.

That’s it. Gentle, effective, and it works. My skin hasn’t looked this good in years (ok, maybe 20 years ago—but let’s just say I’m very happy with where we’re at now). And for about 35 bucks, it’s more than double the product, with better texture and no compromise.

You could go back to the $93 version. But now that you know better… why would you?

Lastly...

I just got back from a quick trip with my twins to Idaho—and I finally understand what all the Couer d’Alene buzz is about. The lake, the energy, the full-on summer vibes—it honestly felt like the Tahoe of the Northwest.

Anyone else who’s been there feel that way?

The boys were in full summer mode, and the town was alive in the best way. I even (quietly) met with a Realtor—shhh, don’t tell! Let’s just say... who wouldn’t want a view like this?

Quote of the week:

“The details are not the details. They make the design.”
​ — Charles Eames

🤍 Lisa

Design secrets this good deserve to be shared...but only with the right people. Know someone who'd love this? Go ahead- hit forward 😉