Aging in Place Kitchen & Bath Remodel Case Study: San Diego

Their Story

Ron and Christine first came to Lars with an ADU idea. They were exploring whether a backyard unit could create more flexibility for the future, but as the team listened, the real priority became clearer: their main home needed to work better for daily life. The kitchen and living room felt dark and divided, and the home’s only small bathroom no longer matched the comfort, access, and long-term usability they wanted. 

Because both Ron and Christine work in healthcare, aging-in-place was a meaningful part of the conversation from the start. They were not looking for a remodel that felt clinical or purely practical. They wanted to age in place gracefully, with a brighter kitchen for gathering, a more connected living area, and a primary bathroom that could support independence, comfort, and ease over time. 

The final direction brought those priorities together: open the heart of the home, improve the flow of the kitchen and living room, and create a primary suite experience with thoughtful accessibility built in. What began as a question about adding space became a more personal answer about living better in the home they already loved. 

The Scope

The remodel focused on the spaces that would most improve everyday life: a brighter, more open kitchen and living area, plus a primary bathroom designed for comfort, access, and aging-in-place gracefully. 

What Was Transformed

• Opened the kitchen to the living room by removing the separating wall, turning a dark, divided area into a brighter shared space.
• Reworked the kitchen layout for better flow, including expanded circulation around the counters so two people can use the space comfortably.
• Created a more welcoming kitchen for everyday cooking and hosting friends, with updated cabinetry, improved lighting, and a dedicated wine-storage moment near the refrigerator.
• Designed a large, no-threshold primary shower with a wide opening to support aging-in-place gracefully and allow easier movement over time.
• Added a French door from the bathroom to the exterior, giving Ron direct access after surfing or biking without tracking through the house.
• Widened key bedroom and bathroom access points and used a pocket door to reduce swing conflicts and improve long-term accessibility.
• Added future-ready blocking for grab bars and reinforced key walls so the bathroom can adapt as needs change.

Together, these changes turned a dark, compartmentalized home into a more connected, accessible, and personal place to live, host, and move through with confidence. 

How They Found Lars

Ron and Christine found Lars through Google Search while researching what was possible for an ADU and larger home improvements. Their search began with a specific idea, but the process quickly became a broader conversation about how their home could support the next stage of life. 

That first search mattered because it connected them with a design-build team that could help them evaluate possibilities instead of forcing a premature decision. From the early consultation through showroom exploration, Lars helped turn a wide-open question into a clear and buildable plan. 

The Journey

The project moved from an initial ADU inquiry into a focused remodel through a structured, step-by-step process that gave Ron and Christine confidence at each decision point. 

What Made This Project Special

Listening Before Designing 

Ron and Christine came to Lars with an ADU idea, but the early conversations revealed a deeper need: they wanted their existing home to work better for the way they live now and the way they expect to live in the future. The discovery process captured the emotional brief beneath the room list: a brighter kitchen and living area, a more functional primary suite, and a bathroom designed for aging-in-place without feeling clinical. 

Clarity and Confidence Before Commitment

Their showroom visit became a turning point. They were considering multiple directions, and Lars helped them slow the decision down, see examples, review possibilities, and understand what each path would mean. Renderings later became another confidence-builder; Christine said they would “really help us decide,” showing how visual tools made the design process less abstract and more reassuring.

One Team Carrying the Complexity

The project required architecture, design, selections, permitting, construction planning, trade coordination, and project management to move together. Lars kept those pieces connected through formal scope review, selections meetings, permit planning, the project manager introduction, and closeout communication. When a missing structural post was discovered during demolition, the team absorbed the complexity, corrected the condition, and kept the project moving safely.

Aging-in-Place, Gracefully

Because both homeowners work in healthcare, long-term accessibility was not an afterthought. The bathroom included a no-threshold shower, a generous opening, wider access, future grab-bar blocking, reinforced wall areas, and a pocket door to reduce swing conflicts. The result supports future mobility needs while still feeling like a warm, custom primary suite.

Designed for How They Actually Live

The finished design responded to everyday routines: a brighter kitchen for cooking and hosting, better flow between kitchen and living room, a special wine-storage solution near the refrigerator, and exterior bathroom access for Ron after surfing or biking. Even small decisions, like preserving room for Shasta and making the shower feel spacious, helped the home feel personal rather than generic.

Conclusion

Ron and Christine first came to Lars wondering whether an ADU was the right next step. What they discovered was something more personal: the home they already loved could be opened, brightened, and reimagined to support the way they live now — and the way they want to live for years to come.

Today, their kitchen and living room feel more connected. Their primary bathroom is spacious, accessible, and designed for aging-in-place gracefully. And the home they built a life in now gives them more comfort, confidence, and ease for the future ahead.

Ready to Start Your Own Story?

If Ron and Christine’s story resonates with you — the idea of making your home work better for the life you’re still building — we’d love to hear yours. Whether you’re planning for aging-in-place, opening up your kitchen, rethinking your bathroom, or simply wondering what’s possible, Lars offers a complimentary in-home Design Consultation with no obligation.

We’ll come to you, listen first, and help you understand the best path forward before you commit to anything. Just like we did for Ron and Christine.