While Nashville, Tennessee, is home, our work has taken us to many different places over the years. Let’s go on an adventure across states to explore how each destination has inspired our senior living designs.
Read MoreDestination Dining Venues in Senior Living
A balanced, nutritious diet is essential for everyone, regardless of age, yet it’s especially important for seniors. Our taste buds change as we age, and our bodies can respond differently to certain ingredients due to health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. As such, dining is a primary focus in senior living communities.
Read MoreA Year to Remember: Key Moments From 2024
Every year brings a set of new opportunities and challenges. From wrapping up projects to welcoming new faces to moving office spaces to attending conferences, this year has been filled with activity. Take a look at all the exciting happenings at studio 121 in 2024!
Read MoreVarying Interior Design Styles in Senior Living
Each community tells a story, a story of the residents, the staff and the surrounding neighborhood. A large part of that story involves the style of interiors and architecture. Interior design styles can range from rustic to coastal to modern to traditional and more. Travel with us down memory lane as we examine different styles we’ve used and our inspiration for each.
Read MoreBeyond the Bulb: Lighting Design for Senior Living and Multi-Family Spaces
Light sets a mood during “spooky season” and even into December. However, as interior designers, we use lighting to do much more, such as aid in specific tasks, highlight objects and even add dimension to a space. Lighting design for senior living and multi-family is complex and must meet unique and various needs. Let’s explore how studio 121 projects have strategically made use of light.
Read MoreRevitalizing Common Areas in Senior Living
Gone are the days of stale activity rooms, and no more dull cafeteria halls with equally bland food options. Common areas in senior living are becoming lavish environments sometimes envied by the younger generation. Upscale dining with chef-inspired cuisine, full-blown spas and outdoor havens are just a taste of what senior living communities feature today.
Read MoreProject Reveal Part I: The Mather Tysons
Studio 121 was approached to help reimagine The Mather Tysons' originally approved mixed-use site into residences where residents could enjoy forward-thinking luxurious lifestyles. The overall design infuses WELL strategies with luxury brands, international talent, and sustainability and biophilic design to support Mather’s commitment to Nextraordinary™ living.
Read MoreDesign for Diverse Lifestyles in Multi-Family Residences
From bustling urban centers to quiet suburban neighborhoods, designing for multi-family living takes great attention to detail because one must accommodate varying needs from different walks of life.
Read MoreIntricacies of Design in Model Units
We aren’t always asked to design model units, but when we are, we’re excited about the challenge. Designing a model means potentially more prospective residents will see and experience the space to get a better idea of what living at the community will be like. Thus, it’s critical to fully understand the client’s target demographic because the model serves as a first look into the community.
Read MoreOlder Americans Month: Support Connection and Aging in Place
Each May, the ACL celebrates Older Americans Month. For 2024, the theme centers around the power of connection and the role social connections and meaningful relationships play in supporting aging in place. Interior design can have a profound impact on how older Americans interact with one another and comfortability as they age.
Read MoreColor for Senior Living Spaces
Today’s senior living communities are evolving to feel increasingly like upscale hotels. Color is a key component when designing these spaces, blending cozy and luxury as the community is more than a hotel but a home. Yet there are many nuances when selecting color for senior living, including functionality, accessibility and mood enhancement.
Read MorePersonalized Spaces in Hospitality Design: A Key to Guest Satisfaction
When you stay in a hotel, resort or country club, do you ever feel it was made just for you? Creating that feeling of familiarity, comfort and personalization in hospitality design is often complicated because designers must cater to a larger audience, but we have a couple tricks for personalizing these particular spaces.
Read MoreImpactful Design Involves Storytelling, Functionality and One-To-One Relationships
How can you make a difference in design? Through renovations, make a point to solve current problems in the space — creatively but with functionality in mind. In new construction, meet the community where they are while pushing past assumptions.
Read MoreTraditions Bloom in Thoughtfully Designed Shared Spaces
Each family has its own set of traditions, with most surfacing over the holidays. Maybe you travel to visit your loved ones, or you rent a cabin where everyone gathers to share stories, or you might cuddle up with your furry companion at home for a restful day. No matter where you are, a common thread with all holiday traditions is space.
Read More1-2-1 Newsletter: Q1 + Designer Spotlight
Welcome to the Studio 121 quarterly newsletter!
Designer Spotlight
This quarter we would like to spotlight our designer Brandi Kelley. She will be embarking on an ambassadorship with Bridge The Gap media. The senior living podcast selects ambassadors from all over the country within different facets of the industry. Ambassadors are to carry out the mission of Inform, Educate and Influence. Help shaping the senior living industry’s culture by being an advocate and a positive voice.
Brandi also was just recently elected by the IIDA-TN chapter as the new Director for Nashville City Center. She will be leading the team for events and give-back missions for Middle Tennessee.
Congratulations Brandi!
Q1 Anniversaries
Projects in Progress…
Women Owned—Nashville
March is Women’s History and Empowerment Month! As a woman-owned company, Studio 1.2.1 wanted to share and celebrate other businesses in the Greater-Nashville community who are also owned by women but also those who continue to empower our community!
Please visit the links below to learn more about their stories…
“Step out of the history that is holding you back. Step into the new story you are willing to create.” – Oprah Winfrey
Amelia’s Flowers (floral): https://ameliasflowertruck.com/
Judith Bright (jewelry): https://judithbright.com/
The Golden Slipper (home goods, gifts): https://www.thegoldenslippernashville.com/
Thistle Farms (home goods, gifts, apparel): https://thistlefarms.org/
Strings For Hope (fashion, apparel, handmade goods): https://stringsforhope.com/
Lemon Laine (beauty): https://lemonlaine.com/
Kim Radford (mural art): https://www.kimradfordart.com/
Luna Record Shop (vinyl records): https://lunarecordshop.com/
Yellow & Lavender (baked goods): https://www.yellowandlavender.com/
Zion Botanical (interior plant design): https://zionbotanical.com/
Apple & Oak (home goods, accessories): https://appleandoaknash.com/
Parnassus Books (books, gifts): https://www.parnassusbooks.net/
2023 Design Trends & Products
New Year, new trends! Here are 10 design trends and products our team is currently loving…
Shades Of Green: our team is loving this green trend right now! Traditions in Tile has come come out with some great options for senior living design! They have a multitude of decorative styles and in vast shades of green!
Natural Beauty: going back to basics by taking neutral inspirations from nature. Our team is loving the calming colors and soft textures.
Earthy Palettes: we are seeing more earth inspired colors and elements this year as we continue to see the shift of incorporating nature back into spaces. Colors like brown, terracotta and orange as well as different muted greens and blues.
Modern Fiber Art: this type of abstract art can be created to show different landscapes or images, using soft textiles and organic shapes, instead of traditional wall art.
Pantone’s Color Of The Year: viva magenta is 2023’s color of the year! This new hybrid-color is both bold and individualistic, however it is still rooted within nature and bringing a sense of strength and vibrancy back into the design world.
Biophilia In Senior Living Design: using natural elements, like plants, trees and flowers, to create more health inspired spaces is carrying into 2023. Again, you can see how nature is being brought inside and incorporated throughout different parts of the community, like its shown below in one of our community's fitness rooms.
Arches & Curves: soft organic shapes for door ways, mirrors and art are on the rise for interiors. Blending comfort and nature into the space.
Retrofitting: recycling older buildings to fit the needs of modern day functions. We are loving how old can be made new again!
Mixing It Up: a trend we have been seeing on the lighting market is the use of mixed metals being paired with different fabrics, fibers or shapes to create new unique textures and designs.
Good As Gold: another trend we have been noticing within the design industry is the use of gold materials. We love the use of gold fitted within a space that still holds a more natural vibe. Gold seems to be staying in 2023!
Recent Awards…
S121 is excited to share that four of our newly completed projects have been recognized nationally over the last several months. Stevenson Oaks was recently selected as a top Finalist for the 2023 EFA Design Showcase. Stevenson Oaks will be featured in the Spring 2023 issue of EFA magazine. Verena at Hilliard was awarded third place for the Senior Housing News: Design & Architecture Awards under the renovation/repositioning category. The Farms at Bailey Station and Fleet Landing projects were both awarded a Silver Award under the Best Service Enriched Senior Community IL/AL/MC category at the 2022 SEBC Aurora Awards back in August.
Where to find us…
Our team is headed to Vegas!
Our design team will be attending the HD Expo & Conference May 1-4! Email office@studio-121.net if you would like to meet up with us at the expo!
Follow us on social media for all the behind the scenes from the expo and beyond!
Happy Holidays from Studio 121!
The holidays are filled with laughter, love, and traditions, just like these communities designed by Studio 121!
Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Verena at Hilliard | Hilliard, Ohio
Honorable Mention:
Verena at Hilliard won 3rd place for the 2022 Senior Housing News Architecture & Design Awards under the renovation/repositioning category.
MRC Stevenson Oaks | Fort Worth, Texas
Honorable Mention:
Stevenson Oaks was named an award finalist for the 2023 Environments for Aging Design Showcase, which will be featured in the Spring 2023 issue of EFA magazine.
The Farms at Bailey Station | Collierville, Tennessee
Honorable Mention:
The Farms at Bailey Station won the Silver Aurora Award for Best Service Enriched Senior Community IL/AL/MC at the 43rd annual SEBC Aurora Awards.
Friendship Village | Waterloo, Iowa
Fleet Landing | Atlantic Beach, Florida
Honorable Mention:
Fleet Landing won the Silver Aurora Award for Best Service Enriched Senior Community IL/AL/MC at the 43rd annual SEBC Aurora Awards.
Support through Design
December 3rd marks the United Nations’ International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a day dedicated to celebrating the achievements and contributions of people with disability, increasing awareness, understanding and acceptance. Since Studio 1-2-1 primarily designs for senior living communities, we wanted to share how our team supports residents with mobility, memory and vision impairments and disabilities.
Mobility
When our design team starts to design a community, they have a lot of variables to think about. From codes to fabric, our team wants to ensure that each resident has the best possible ability to live their lives as freely as they can. The biggest piece to any community is the flooring. From room to room, our design team focuses on making sure the right flooring material and transitions are installed so no one has to worry about mobilizing around their community. Our designers make sure flooring and carpets are not a tripping hazard, that hallways and walkways are compliant for mobility devices and even as simple as making sure dining chairs have casters on the front so residents have the freedom of getting into and out of their chairs while enjoying a meal.
Memory
For some of the communities we design for, dementia, Alzheimer’s or other brain disorders, are often prevalent. Our team vets every fabric and finish to ensure that certain patterns are not presented in a way that could cause confusion or emotional distress. Our team also keeps in mind that falls and accidents can happen within all areas of the community, so making sure moisture barriers are on the backs of fabrics and using finishes that aren’t harsh if a resident were to fall or slip. Our team also understands that while short-term memory may be less present, long-term memory can still be at the forefront. Using areas within memory care levels where art, accessories and materials can stimulate their memory, is something our designers strive for.
Vision
Senior residents who have visual limitations, may worry about keeping steady while navigating their community, or as simple as getting up from a sofa. Our team utilizes their skills to make sure each resident can confidently differentiate the depth from their chair to the floor or from room to room. Wayfinding is key in these communities, using signage with fonts that are able to be read without hesitation and at a level on the wall that all residents can locate. Our team also uses colors to help recognize different floors or wings of the building so residents can use that type of wayfinding instead of traditional signage. Designers want to create communities that allow residents to feel more confident and comfortable. Our goal is to improve each resident’s quality of life through design so they can live happier and healthier lives.
For more information on International Day of Persons with Disabilities please visit www.idpwd.org
Project Reveal: MRC Stevenson Oaks
Stevenson Oaks, a senior life plan community in Fort Worth, Texas opened its doors in May 2022. The community offers Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Support apartment homes, along with common amenities that support a continued passion for growth.
The design reinforces the desired “one big happy family” experience. Amenities, space planning and design details focus on socializing, spirituality, and healthy living—spaces and destinations to keep residents active, mobile and connected. The design team sought to create an upscale residential environment in a modern Texas Hill country style—a décor that evokes the comforting sensations of home and celebrates deep Texas roots.
📸:Gibeon Photography
Project Reveal: The Verena at Hilliard
The Verena at Hilliard—a 55+ luxury senior living community that emphasizes the idea of community and the importance of connectivity to inspire people to live fully and independently. Located in Hilliard, Ohio, this senior living community has direct interior access to the Hilliard branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library.
In addition to the library amenity for volunteering, intergenerational programming and computer access, the existing building commons spaces and the addition of a newly constructed clubhouse add to the marketable amenity mix. The team transformed existing areas and added new spaces to offer desirable amenities for residents. This includes gathering areas, dining options, wellness-focused spaces, attractive outdoor areas, and a unique feature—a juice bar with a hydroponic garden.
📸: Gibeon Photography
Summer Intern Q+A!
At the beginning of this summer we were on the hunt to find an intern who wanted a taste of what being an interior designer, specifically a senior living designer, was like. Meet our intern extraordinaire, Peyton Miller! Peyton has been a huge help this summer and we are so grateful she joined our team back in May.
Peyton is a rising senior at Auburn University where she is involved in the Chi Omega sorority organization and The Societies. She has also been on the Dean’s List multiple semesters and has held a high GPA, (over 3.3), the past three years. She is also learning two languages and is an avid reader!
For #NationalInternDay we wanted to do a Q+A with Peyton, to reflect on her summer with Studio 121.
S121: Tell us a little about yourself.
PM: I’m from Gardendale, AL and I’m an upcoming senior at Auburn University. I’m hoping to go into hospitality or commercial design when I graduate. I’ve had many jobs and a lot of exposure to design, but this is my first interior design job! I love all things outdoors, reading, and being with loved ones!
S121: What are you studying in school?
PM: I’m pursuing my Bachelors in Interior Design with a minor in Business, and I am also getting my LEED certification in the fall!
S121: What made you want to intern in Nashville?
PM: I had visited Nashville a couple of times prior to my internship and I just fell in love with the city. I want to move to Nashville after I graduate, so I thought why not do my internship there if I can! I also had heard really good things about S121, so I had to at least apply and see if I could intern there!
S121: What has been your favorite part of your summer internship so far?
PM: My favorite part has been the learning! I have grown so much in the past couple of months from interning, and I have learned so many things that you can only learn through actual work experience. I have also loved my coworkers, I can say with the utmost confidence that this is the best group of people that I have ever worked with!
S121: What has been something you have learned during your internship that you didn’t know about previously?
PM: I have learned how to successfully communicate within a team and with reps and other professionals in the field.
S121: What part of the design process are you most excited about?
PM: Personally, the conceptual design phase is where I feel like I have the most creativity! I love brainstorming and problem solving during this phase. I feel like a great project has strong foundations and to me, this phase is where you build those foundations.
S121: After your internship do you think you will focus more towards commercial or residential?
PM: I think I will focus on commercial rather than residential. I love residential, but I feel commercial design is more rewarding to both the clients and myself.
S121: What will you take back with you that will help you out most during your senior year?
PM: Real work experience is so valuable and a great insight into your future career as a college student. During my internship I have learned what I like and what I don’t like, and I think learning things like that and seeing how working in a firm compared to what you think your job will be like is what I will be taking back to school with me my senior year.
S121: What have you learned from SL Design?
PM: Senior living design is a different animal from other branches of design. I feel like there is so much more thought and meaning put into SL design. I have also become so much more knowledgeable and learned many technical facts about SL design that I had absolutely no clue about until my internship.
S121: Any advice for future interns?
PM: My advice would be to never be afraid to ask questions, it sounds cheesy I know. Your supervisors or designers love when you ask questions, it makes you seem eager and motivated about design. Another piece of advice would be to try and be as thorough as possible on whatever you are working on, it’s important to make the designer’s jobs as easy as possible as the intern, so do whatever you can to accomplish that.