The Power of Purple

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness month!

As a firm who focuses on senior living design, we see how brain diseases effect the lives of the residents we design for. This month we wanted to share the ‘Power of Purple’ so we can help support the fight to end Alzheimer’s.


Here are 10 ways to love your brain!

  • Hit the books

    Formal education will help reduce risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Take a class at a local college, community center or online.

  • Break a sweat

    Engage in regular cardiovascular exercise that elevates heart rate and increases blood flow. Studies have found that physical activity reduces risk of cognitive decline.

  • Butt out

    Smoking increases risk of cognitive decline. Quitting smoking can reduce risk to levels comparable to those who have not smoked.

  • Stump yourself

    Challenge your mind. Build a piece of furniture. Play games of strategy, like bridge.

  • Buddy up

    Staying socially engaged may support brain health. Find ways to be part of your local community or share activities with friends and family.

  • Follow your heart

    Risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke – obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes – negatively impact your cognitive health.

  • Heads up!

    Brain injury can raise risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Wear a seat belt and use a helmet when playing contact sports or riding a bike.

  • Fuel up right

    Eat a balanced diet that is higher in vegetables and fruit to help reduce the risk of cognitive decline

  • Take care of your mental health

    Some studies link depression with cognitive decline, so seek treatment if you have depression, anxiety or stress.

  • Catch some Zzz’s

    Not getting enough sleep may result in problems with memory and thinking.


For more information on Alzheimer’s and Brain awareness visit www.alz.org

Going Green: How the I.D. industry can create change

In a world where everyone is trying to be more eco-conscious, we couldn’t help but wonder what our industry is doing to support environmental change. As interior designers, we hold the possibility to design more eco-friendly spaces, as well as to change spaces so that they can have a more positive impact on the residents who live there.

Here are a 10 ways interior design can Go Green:

  1. using more efficient lighting like LED’s

  2. using products with low chemical emissions

  3. using more synthetic materials or recycled materials

  4. adding more biophilia into spaces to help air quality

  5. eliminating waste

  6. working with local companies to eliminate some of the transport emissions

  7. shopping locally or thrifting for accessories, art etc.

  8. using products that fall within the LEED category

  9. creating more spaces that connect people with nature

  10. designing with sustainability and durability in mind

SPRING 2022: 5 trends we are seeing in senior living design

Spring is here! Which means we can look toward warmer weather and to new spring trends in senior living design.

Here are our top 5 trends we are seeing for this coming season!

Fleet Landing
 


holistic wellness

We are seeing a switch in focus for designers and architects to create more structures and spaces specifically made for holistic wellness. From indoor pools and spas to smaller exercise rooms made for group or individual classes. These spaces give residents more control so they can foster more independent health-related routines. We’ve also seen that creating environments where groups can come together, especially during times of wellness, we see more organic relationships formed. That in turn relates back to the residents direct quality of life.

 

biophilia

Biophilic design simply means creating a connection between people and nature. This type of new design has been proven to have a positive impact on seniors, especially during times of Covid outbreaks, where residents can socialize safely outdoors or in areas with more air circulation. Gardens, walking trails (on site), water and plant feature walls and even windowed doors are all examples of biophilia.

 

sustainability

Sustainability doesn’t always mean using “natural” or “green” products, we are seeing the rise of high-quality and high performance products, that can stand the test of time. Tile, for one example is being created to last decades, not just to be replaced after a couple of years. With more long lasting materials, this is allowing for products to become environmentally responsible. You will also see more designers leaning towards using alternative products that may be inspired by less sustainable products like limestone and marble.

 

color of the year

Pantone’s new color of the year is making headlines since it is the first new hue ever created. It is a new blue to violet color with electric red undertones. Look for it this year as it transcends throughout the interior design world!

 

evolving resident design

“Age in place” is something that is not new to the design world, but has grown in popularity over the past few years. However, we are seeing more of a switch in design features that allows independent seniors to continue to live in their current units but are able to change certain features in order to fit their changing lifestyle. Adjustable counters and cabinets and wall reinforcements that can adapt to grab bars are examples of opportunities designers can use when creating spaces for seniors at CCRCs, (continuing care retirement communities).

Here's to 2022...

As we look toward the coming holidays and wrapping up this year, our team reflects upon the past 20 months on how the commercial and senior living design community has changed. While the pandemic is still affecting all of us, we are grateful for the lessons learned and the people we have met along the way.

2021 has thrown our industry many curveballs from shipping delays, inclement weather affecting supplies from foam to lumber, to travel restrictions, to constantly changing deadlines. We are all grateful for continued support, patience and trust to design and install for communities around the U.S.

As we look to 2022, our team is eager for what's to come but are all prepared knowing that in times like these, flexibility and willingness to adapt can all make a difference while designing and creating communities to improve the lives of others.

We want to extend our gratitude and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!



New in Nashville

The view from our office faces the gorgeous and ever changing Nashville skyline, so we wanted to share a few of the new restaurants and hotels! Some hotels are planning on opening as early as next year some as early as 2025. We are excited to see Nashville grow and develop and can’t wait for these new additions to come to our city.

Hotels:


Park MGM Hotel

9th Ave N & Commerce

This full-service hotel plans to open in the Downtown area in the winter of 2022 with 315 rooms.


St. Louis architect firm, HOK, is the designer for this entertainment space & hotel


Edition Hotel

1101 Grundy St.

The Edition is a 280-room, full-service hotel located in North Gulch. Expected to open in the spring of 2023.


New York-based architecture and real estate firm Flank has partnered with Marriott to develop the hotel

 

Ritz-Carlton Hotel & Apartments

401 7th Avenue S

Ritz-Carlton is a 238-room hotel coming to Nashville in 2025.


The Ritz-Carlton is Nashville’s third 5 star hotel & will be located in the SoBro district.

 

Restaurants:

The Hart

The Hart will feature Hawaiian and Peruvian dishes and will open October 2022 at 321 Hart St.

https://www.instagram.com/thehartnashville/

The Liege Waffle Co.

Featuring Belgian style artisan waffles and Belgian street food.

501 Commerce Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37203

https://www.theliegewaffleco.com/

Hall’s Chophouse

The South Carolina family chophouse is set to open in Spring 2022.

1600 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203

https://www.hallschophouse.com/halls-chophouse-nashville/

Mel’s Overlord Bar

European-style bar featuring 1940’s bohemian style and ambiance

2503 Gallatin Avenue, Nashville, TN 37206

https://www.overlordnashville.com/

Threads 2021 Fashion Show

It's been a few weeks since the “Greatest Show”, and we are still beaming with excitement from watching our team strut the runway. The costumes and the atmosphere were absolutely amazing. IIDA of Tennessee did a fabulous job of making the “big top” come alive for the night! The show was at the Nashville Zoo, with carnival games, carousel rides and circus acrobatic performances. Our team worked on this project since June, so seeing the vision come to life on stage was magical. Each team involved was matched with a sponsor to create a garment using only the materials from the sponsor’s company. Our team’s theme was “snake charmer” and our sponsors were Tiffany McKinney and Hannah Whalen from Kimball International, (Kimball, Etc., Poppin’, Interwoven and National Furniture). The team started meeting once a week, creating the design of the garment and overall story concept.

1.jpg
group1.png

The team took influences from the early 20th century circus snake charmers and from Dior and Alexander McQueen. They wanted something Avant Garde and couture looking. They came up with a mesh-like wrap skirt with a corset that had a bright green leather snake wrapped around it.  Both the bodice and the skirt would be covered in “scales” made from sample pieces of upholstery and laminate furniture. They hand stitched beaded ball and chain linked pieces onto leather and used fabric snaps to create a winged look that would remind you of something Elizabeth Taylor wore in “Cleopatra”. 

Picture3.jpg
Picture4.jpg

The team continued working on the lining of the skirt; they used an ombre green and gold glitter fabric and a grade 3 vinyl Silvertex for the construction of the snake. They were given the idea from a family member who told them about using a plastic tubing hose, (used in cars), and a wire hanger to create a snake like structure inside the vinyl material. They also began the hand stitching process of the small rectangle scales, which took over two weeks to complete. The team divided up and worked outside of work hours to hand stitch and sew the garment together.

Picture8.jpg
Picture7.jpg

Not only was the team to prepare a garment, but also prepared an audio and visual presentation and hair and makeup concepts. The team used Hope Tala’s “All My Girl’s Like To Fight” as the song for their video and runway performance, and they took images of varying snake scenes from famous movies and videos. The song had a lot of “charmer” elements and rattlesnake noises to tie into their theme. 

Some last minute additions to the skirt were added a few days before the show when the team realized the bottom of the skirt needed some weight to it and a little more detail on the hips. The team used laminate samples in the lining to keep the skirt from scrunching up when the model walked, it also added bonus snake-like sound effects! The team added in ball and chain pieces to the skirt’s sides for a more edgy detail, giving it that 1920-30’s charmer vibe.

Picture9.jpg
Picture12.jpg

The team’s overall idea really came to life from that initial sketch. They really tried to methodically think out every part of how they were going to make it work. They are definitely proud that they only had to change minor parts and for the most part went exactly as planned. 

We are so proud of our Threads team for really dedicating their time and creativity to this project. Working in a group of eight people, especially all with creative minds, could have been challenging, but the whole team valued each other's opinions and gave an homage to each person’s vision.

Congratulations to Charmed & Dangerous! We look forward to working with IIDA TN and Threads in the future.

Credits: 

Team: Kat Sharkey, Ashley King, Taylor Puckett, Morgan Ridgely, Emily Allman, Sydney Blackman, Hannah Whalen and Tiffany McKinney

Model: Sydney Blackman

Sponsors: Tiffany McKinney (Kimball International) & Hannah Whalen (National Furniture)

Jewelry Sponsor: Kendra Scott, Hill Center/Nashville



Model Apartments: A sneak peek of your brand

Model apartments are a wonderful opportunity to show a prospective resident what a new lifestyle can be in a senior living community. Or it may show off what a future apartment can look like, and how functional it can work at a multifamily complex. Our team designs different models to give a glimpse into the aesthetic of the overall design. Although this may sound like a normal part of every project, it does truly come with its sets of challenges when we are trying to present this side of the project to our clients.

HCblogLR2.jpg

Some common hurdles that arise are that models are not the standard norm, some clients want them and some do not. We also work nationally, and often with developers who separate marketing deliverables out of the proposals. This can not only be a challenge for us but also for prospective residents who may not see their future home until after the transformation. Sometimes clients use local designers, who may have a beautiful concept and design but overall it doesn’t align with our visual for the entirety of the project. So when we heard from a present client about the model apartment opportunity, we were thrilled.

Our design team began the process, taking elements from the overall project and adding in small details to give the model the right aesthetic based on the community, something residents can relate to. Details like artwork, cookbooks, beautiful colors and floral features. These subtle touches add to our design and elevate the model. We also had exciting feedback from the client, (see below), since model apartments are not always on our agenda, we are delighted to know how much they are appreciated and for adding a special element to a community.


“I would like to congratulate all of you for an outstanding job and to let you know it is one of the best I have seen. Thank you for all your time and effort on it” -Ron Kollar 





Design Highlight: Memory Care

Senior Living Design | Memory Care

Senior living design has become a primary focus for the work we do at Studio 1-2-1. So much intentionality and thoughtfulness goes into designing interiors for senior residents and our team is passionate about it. One of our resident designers, Morgan Ridgley, gives us an inside look at the details involved when designing for our senior living clients — especially as it relates to memory care.

Header Image.png

Deep Dive

Memory Care is specialized care for those living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. It is a type of care that is featured in many of the senior living communities that our team has the opportunity to design for. Memory Care is a thoughtful approach that utilizes interior design elements to nurture residents who may have memory loss or cognitive decline.

Redstone Village (2015)

Redstone Village (2015)

Wayfinding

Morgan iterates that the most important part of interior design in these environments is wayfinding and safety. Wayfinding “refers to information systems that guide people through a physical environment and enhance their understanding and experience of the space.” Designing wayfinding paths for residents may look like incorporating familiar symbology to direct them to their room or a common area. 

Dark patterns or too much contrast in the flooring can often trick the eye and become disorienting for the residents. Certain types of busy patterns that are used in various design elements can be disruptive to memory-impaired residents.

A successfully designed memory care space is one where a resident can navigate their environment safely, maintain dignity, and interact with their surroundings in a positive way.
— Morgan Ridgley, Studio 1-2-1

In Color

Similar to designing with certain patterns in mind, we’ve discovered a trend in color palettes that are used in these spaces…

The Preserve (2020)

The Preserve (2020)

We’ve found success using cooler tones of blue and green in designing for common areas. They are a subtle reminder for subconscious serenity.


It’s All in the Details

Our team is thoughtful in our approach in order to make sure that memory care designs are functional, thoughtful, and have a strong point of view.

Often in memory care, we will provide life skill stations for the residents. These are spaces which are often themed around tasks or hobbies that the residents would have done in the past. These spaces include items for the residents to interact with that help to create meaningful activities for engagement and to support long-term memory.

The Preserve (2020): a dressing station, complete with sun hats, sunglasses, scarves and bags

The Preserve (2020): a dressing station, complete with sun hats, sunglasses, scarves and bags

Redstone Village (2015)

Redstone Village (2015)

These can be simple household tasks such as cooking or laundry, or as involved as career-focused stations. At The Preserve in Fort Myers, we utilized the wall space in the corridors to create vignettes which read like artwork, but are designed to be engaged with.

The Preserve (2020): a fishing station which features rods and reels, tackle, and books about local waterways

The Preserve (2020): a fishing station which features rods and reels, tackle, and books about local waterways

The Preserve (2020)

The Preserve (2020)

We utilized built-in shelving in this great room to house items which appear at first glance as decorative accessories, but are actually designed for interactions. Residents can interact with thoughtfully curated items on the shelves that are themed around cooking, laundry, sewing, and gardening. We designed this space with room to grow. Baskets are ready to be filled with additional items that can be tailored to the specific interests of the residents once the staff has had time to learn their individual stories.

Designer Spotlight: Feng Shui

We are so excited to share some tips with you from our resident Feng Shui expert: Veronica Loreto!

We sat down with her to discuss helpful, digestible tips for incorporating Feng Shui practices into home design, daily principles, office setups, and senior living design.


ORIGIN

Feng Shui is “an ancient Chinese belief that the way your house is built, or the way that you arrange objects affects your success, health, and happiness.” A trademark of the ancient practice is incorporating the five elements (earth, fire, wind, metal, and wood) into a space.

Blog + Portfolio + Full Size IG Images 2500 x 1667.png

Whether you’re a firm believer in harnessing your qi (pronounced CHEE), or the closest you’ve come to energy work is drinking a Redbull, Veronica will have a morsel for you to enjoy. Let’s dive in!


AT A GLANCE

While the art of Feng Shui (pronounced “fung SHWAY” or “fang SHOO-ee”) is vast and worth an internet deep-dive, we are going to focus on beginner tips, and ways we’ve gotten our feet wet when incorporating it into senior living design.

Blog + Portfolio + Full Size IG Images 2500 x 1667-7.png

YIN AND YANG

Every space requires balance. Yin represents passive energy (evening) while yang represents active energy (daytime). According to the room, there will either be a sense of urgency or relaxation. Incorporating high vibrational colors (reds, oranges, yellows) in a room that sees more traffic is embracing the yang in the space. While using water elements or colors that soothe the eye (greys, blues, purples) in a space that requires rest is leaning on yin principles.

Energetic, bold patterns and textures pictured here at Immanuel Lutheran Communities (2012) using high frequency yang design.

Energetic, bold patterns and textures pictured here at Immanuel Lutheran Communities (2012) using high frequency yang design.

Leaning in to yin with soothing, tranquil blues and grays for this relaxed sitting room at Tamarisk NorthShore (2020).

Leaning in to yin with soothing, tranquil blues and grays for this relaxed sitting room at Tamarisk NorthShore (2020).


RIPPLE EFFECT

Veronica recounts a story of reaping immediate prosperity after incorporating accents of green into her kitchen! “If you do it right, it really benefits you as a person. It can be so detailed: in your relationships, in your work — so many things. I like how it could change your life!”

Blog + Portfolio + Full Size IG Images 2500 x 1667-2.png

BAGUA MAP

If her story has you rushing to add green decor into your kitchen, that’s what we thought, too! However, Feng Shui is more nuanced than providing a universal fix for every dwelling. In fact, there is a literal map, a bagua map, that changes the location of prosperity, good fortune, and general living for every household.

Blog + Portfolio + Full Size IG Images 2500 x 1667-8.png

According to practitioners, the bagua map is a tool that divides a space into nine different areas:

  • Career and life journey

  • Wisdom, spirituality, and knowledge

  • Family

  • Wealth

  • Fame and reputation

  • Health

  • Marriage and relationships

  • Children and creativity

  • Helpful people and travel

Depending on the layout of a space, the bagua map tells where each of these energies thrive.

BITE-SIZE MORSELS

Clearly the art of Feng Shui is a complex and effervescent pool of information. But what about taking small steps towards embracing these principles? 

Instinctively, we already know one of the cornerstones of Feng Shui: decluttering!

IG Quotes.png

If we’ve heard it once, we’ve heard it a thousand times: getting rid of clutter is the fastest way to cleanse a room. Specifically looking at clutter near doorways: the entryway for energy. 

Blog + Portfolio + Full Size IG Images 2500 x 1667-9.png

IN SHORT

Let’s end with three easy ways to invite Feng Shui into your space:

  • Clear out the clutter (especially near your front door)

  • If you don’t already, start using your front door to enter your dwelling (it promotes positive energy flow)

  • Choose one of the five elements (earth, fire, wind, metal, or wood) to bring in to the space you’re hoping to update

Blog + Portfolio + Full Size IG Images 2500 x 1667-5.png

Design Diaries 2021: Fleet Landing

We have been waiting with anticipation for this week: the Fleet Landing Install! It’s finally time to share some onsite sneak peaks of stunning design details from this expansion in Atlantic Beach, Florida.

1.png

While onsite this week, our wonderful design team took photos to give an interior sneak peak of the new additions to this senior living community.

Blog + Portfolio + Full Size IG Images 2500 x 1667.png

SCULPTURAL STATEMENTS

Built-in shelves are being ornamented with pieces so special, we hope residents will feel they have stepped into a luxury hotel -- one they can call home!

3.png

DREAMING IN PATTERN

Statement walls. These deserve a feature all on their own! Our inspired team has given us dreamy patterns of European blues and softened golds. Color us delighted!

4.png

RADIANT FURNISHINGS

Let there be lighting design! Illuminating the larger common areas and accenting the cozier nooks of Fleet Landing will be these lighting vignettes.

Blog + Portfolio + Full Size IG Images 2500 x 1667 (1).png

Stay tuned for more Fleet Landing updates!

Wall Coverings Feature

We’re so excited for this round-up of color, pattern, texture, and design! These vendors + designs continually inspire us to create spaces that tell our clients’ stories! This luxe design element offers refreshing color, statement walls, tactile renderings, and a touch of whimsy.

What comes to mind when you hear “wall coverings”? Are you immediately thrust into hues of mustard wallpaper and brownish floral patterns circa 1976? Then it’s these modern designs to the rescue! These wall coverings offer so much more than a backdrop to the best spaces - they are a staple.

Let’s dig a little deeper…


Visual Texture You Can Feel

Koroseal doesn’t stop at lavish visuals. They are creating wall coverings that deliver luxury you can feel.

Konmari Approved

The collections from Romo have delivered calm and meditative patterns that Marie Kondo herself would welcome. Their aesthetic is rainforest meets serenity garden. Just what our walls need!

Nyiri

Silver Blue

Areca

Hummingbird

W396-04-arbor-wallcovering-silver-birch_02.jpg

Arbor

Silver Birch


Go For Gold

Innovation meets art deco in these templates, courtesy of Arte. Their designs are explosively metallic and luxurious. Flawlessly being complimented by soft designs, they have given wall coverings boldness tempered with classic finesse.

Arte Quadra

Arte Quadra

Arte Forum

Arte Forum

Arte Natura

Arte Natura


Make a statement

We have fallen into a visual feast for the eyes with the statement coverings designed at Wolf Gordon. These are bold, stand-alone, masterpieces!

Wolf Gordon Fresh

Wolf Gordon Fresh

Wolf Gordon Spectrum

Wolf Gordon Spectrum

If your 2021 vision board doesn’t already include some of these gorgeous designs, it’s not too late. Start pinning!

2020 Round-Up: It's all in the details

As 2020 comes to a close, we want to highlight some of our favorite design details that our team has loved using this year. 

It’s all in the details!


Memory Support

Our team designed interactive activity walls for Memory Support residents to engage with at The Preserve. These are the details that encourage residents to interact with familiar, stimulating, and memory-sparking activities. We are in love with the way this tactile design turned out at The Preserve (Fort Myers, FL).

Curated Collections

Fun design details like these built-in shelves make the The Cape at Savona Point clubhouse come to life! Trendy and dynamic, these metallic tones and cool blues paired with contemporary finishes and coastal accessories make a statement in this clubhouse.

The Cape at Savona Point

The Cape at Savona Point

Luxury Amenities

Senior Living Design is about creating spaces that prioritize luxury amenities for residents. This year, we have designed expansive spa and wellness and lifestyle amenities. We especially love the way that the Beauty Salon, Theatre, and Library all turned out at Tamarisk NorthShore!

We have loved adding all of these finishing touches that make each space worthy of sharing with the ones you love. We will be bringing more of this inspiration into our designs in 2021 and can’t wait to share them with you. Happy New Year!

House of Blues: Color Inspiration

Earlier this year, Pantone announced Classic Blue as the color of the year. From cool blue to deep navy tones, we’ve been so inspired by these shades in 2020, and our designs echo Pantone’s sentiment.

Read More

Project Reveal: Tamarisk NorthShore

Tamarisk NorthShore is a six-story, luxury independent living community which includes 240 elegant residents and exceptional amenity spaces. The community is built on 5-plus acres and designed to seamlessly complement CJE SeniorLife’s existing Weinberg Community which has been recognized for 20 years as a premier destination for assisted living and memory care. 

Living Room | Tamarisk NorthShore

Living Room | Tamarisk NorthShore

The Studio 1∙2∙1 team was tasked with creating a safe and inviting community for the active senior with multiple elevated amenities, dining venues, and modern apartments, all with exceptional aesthetics. Our team found an effective balance between traditional and contemporary design by incorporating classic elements with an edge and toning the dramatic details to provide warm, inviting spaces with a residential flair.

The color palette of navy, copper, and cerulean was inspired by a morning journey down Lakeshore Drive - viewing the blue waters of Lake Michigan and the summer sunrise reflecting off the mirrored faces of Chicago’s skyscrapers. The design team blended these vivid colors with urban metallics of silver, gold, and bronze softened with rich wood veneers and plush furnishings to create the perfect environment. 

The excellent amenities, convenient location, and thoughtful design makes Tamarisk NorthShore a wonderful home for its residents.

 

Are you ready for the one-to-one approach?

Project Highlight: The Cape at Savona Point

Our design team found the perfect blend of casual sophistication for this amenities clubhouse and pool at The Cape at Savona Point apartment homes.

Metallic tones and cool blues paired with contemporary finishes bring this project to life! Personalized details and beach-inspired textures complete this refined modern coastal design and make it a great place to grab a drink, read, hang out with friends, or just relax.

 
 

From conception to installation and styling, we are in love with the modern finishes and unique details that complete this sophisticated + casual communal space!