This article is for the grandparents among us, the so-called empty-nesters: Does that phrase still apply? Did it ever really apply? The idea was nice: the children are grown and have moved out, so it's time to 'down size' to a smaller home, smaller yard, smaller responsibilities, leaving more time for extra-curricular activities like travel. But that scenario doesn't always play out in real life. Children grow and leave, and marry and have families, and return to visit - hopefully often.

The down-sized house no longer accommodates not only the children and their spouses, but also their children and all the energy and paraphernalia they bring. Sometimes family considerations mean 'up-sizing' rather than downsizing. And with a new generation of children in the house, one of the most important features of the architectural design becomes the playroom.

The open floorplan so popular over the past couple of decades is wonderful for dynamic communication between the kitchen and living room, but that can be turned into chaos with just a few toddlers and small children running and playing through the area. Have you considered where the grandchildren can go and 'be themselves' while the adults talk?

That's, of course, the playroom and it should be a central consideration in your custom home design, even if you are downsizing. Maybe it's in the basement, maybe above the garage, or maybe a second living room upstairs or even an unused bedroom with a small, finished attic nook as a 'secret hideaway.' A special room with custom bunk beds can become a cherished memory for the grandchildren when they spend the night with their grandparents. Not only will the children have more fun among themselves, but the adults will preserve their sanity. The playroom was a marvelous invention indeed.

We at Designed for Downtown, LLC incorporate our clients' family dynamics - both current and future - into our renovation and custom home designs. Give us a call today to start the conversation about how to make your home both more child-friendly and more peaceful.

Remember the ‘china cabinet’? It was probably the only piece of furniture in the house with glass front doors, intended to show off grandma’s china dinnerware and crystal wineglasses. You usually found the china cabinet in the dining room because its contents were typically used only for special occasions, those rare events when the dining room table was actually used for … dining. The china cabinet was a display case, unlike the rest of the cabinetry, which were used to hide things, not display them.

Well, times have changed. Glass-front cabinets, breadbox cabinets and floating shelves are now common components of cabinetry design. Many people find open shelves to be more convenient than closed cabinets, and the selection of dinnerware now becomes a design decision tied in with the rest of the decor. Done correctly, keeping things out in the open can be very stylish.

Whether to use glass-front cabinets or floating shelves, therefore, becomes part of the overall cabinetry and finish design in the kitchen. Should the open shelves match the cabinets, or complement them with a different color or finish? Do you want plate grooves in the shelving to fully display your dinner plates, or will you stack them for ease of access? If you really want to highlight items on the open shelves or behind the glass-front doors, let’s add integral LED accent lighting or LED strip back-lighting.

The options are, as usual, almost limitless. But the design process requires thinking ahead and determining just what you plan on displaying on the shelves or behind the glass-front cabinet doors. This means more than just your day-to-day dishware; it also means considering your seasonal accents and decorations - the autumn gourds and Christmas nutcrackers that will take their place ‘out in the open.’ We at Designed for Downtown and our sister AJH companies help you think forward to how everything is going to look once the demolition and construction are finished.

Bosch 800 Series Dual Fuel Freestanding Range 30'' Black Stainless Steel

Why we love them? AJH Custom Homes appreciates in 2026 every dollar has to bring maximum value to the home building process. Bosch appliances do exactly that. With precision engineering, quality components and pricing that surprises, we can confidently specify a value-added appliance package from Bosch. These appliances combine streamlined controls with restaurant-grade cooking, baking, refrigeration, and cleaning.

Bosch 500 Series Gas Cooktop 30'' Stainless steel

Cooking, whether on the Bosch Induction line or their Gas line provides the cook both control and space. These cook tops are a great addition to the kitchen, they are designed to provide even heat distribution and a large range of heat control. From simmering to searing you can cook with confidence knowing these appliances do a great job breakfast, lunch, or dinner! And at the end of the day Bosch’s sealed burners and low profile electric cooktops make wiping the appliance down a simple process, with no open burner ports that never get truly cleaned or element liners to run through the dishwasher.

Bosch baking is similarly hot (but really it’s cool)! With enamel interior and ball bearing slides plus convection and rapid heat functions these appliances bring the value of restaurant-quality features while making sure our customers can afford their dream kitchen. AJH also appreciates that the power draw for Bosch ovens is well controlled which translates to energy-efficiency.  Not only do these ovens provide enhanced value but the labor behind the scenes is modest, protecting the all around bottom line for the homeowner!

Bosch Benchmark™ Single Wall Oven 30'' Stainless Steel

Bosch 500 Series French Door Bottom Mount Refrigerator

Bosch 800 Series Dishwasher 24'' Stainless Steel Anti-fingerprint

While never a show stealer, dishwashers by Bosch are the masterclass in quiet efficiency. AJH recommends their dishwashers to all our clients because of their low noise, moderate water usage, and excellent cleaning. And Bosch refrigeration is always a win, with french-door style, bottom freezer, and column refrigeration and column freezing our clients can equip their dream kitchen. Panel ready or stainless, the refrigerator will become part of their well appointed kitchen.

Check out how Bosch Home Appliances can be the value add for your kitchen here.

Landscape design is more than just arranging plants and choosing outdoor furniture; it's a thoughtful process that blends art, science, and environmental stewardship t o create spaces that enrich our lives and surroundings. The importance of landscape design extends far beyond aesthetics, touching on aspects of functionality, ecology, and human well-being.

At its core, landscape design is about beauty. A well-designed landscape can transform an ordinary space into an extraordinary one. Thoughtful placement of plants, hardscaping elements, and outdoor structures creates visual harmony, balance, and interest. This boosts the curb appeal of homes and also creates inviting spaces that people are drawn to.

However, effective landscape design goes beyond looks to address how outdoor spaces are used. Properly designed landscapes can provide functional areas for recreation, relaxation, and social interaction. For example, a well-planned backyard can include a patio for entertaining, a garden for growing vegetables, and shaded areas for relaxation. By incorporating suitable plants, utilizing rain gardens, and implementing efficient irrigation systems, sustainable landscape can significantly reduce water usage and support local ecosystems.

A professionally designed landscape can have a considerable impact on property value. Homes with well-maintained and thoughtfully designed landscapes often have higher market values and sell faster than comparable properties with less attention to exterior design. Investment in landscape design can be a wise financial decision, offering a substantial return in terms of property appreciation. And the design of outdoor spaces can have profound effects on our well-being, too. Access to green spaces and thoughtfully designed landscapes is linked to reduced stress levels, improved mood, and enhanced overall mental health. Gardens and naturalistic settings provide opportunities for physical activity, relaxation, and interaction, all of which contribute to a healthier lifestyle.

The benefits of thoughtful landscape design are far-reaching. Whether designing a personal garden or whole yard, landscape design offers valuable returns by creating spaces that are beautiful, functional, and harmonious with the environment. Investing in landscape design is not just an investment in appearance but a commitment to improving quality of life and fostering a healthier, happy life.