Designing the Longevity Home: One Designer's Journey to Help Her Parents Age in Place

When interior designer Michelle Blemel, founder of Amber Leaf Incorporated, realized her parents could no longer safely navigate the stairs of the two-story home they'd loved for 52 years, she faced one of the toughest projects of her 25-year career, this time as a daughter, not just a professional. In this heartfelt episode of The 3rd Phase with host Lori Carpenter, Michelle shares the emotional and practical journey of moving her active, independent parents to a safe, comfortable main-floor living space while honoring their dignity and autonomy. From designing around her mother's macular degeneration and glare-reducing lighting to curbless showers, non-slip flooring, motion-sensor lights, lowered beds, pocket-door handles, and beautiful-yet-functional grab bars, Michelle reveals the small details and the roughly 500 to 1,000 decisions that make aging in place truly work. It's an honest, inspiring conversation about home safety, family, and rethinking how we design homes so our loved ones can live vibrantly, safely, and independently for years to come.Links from this episode:Michelle Blemel: amberleafinc.com | InstagramLori Carpenter: loricarpenterdesigns.com | InstagramPlease join our Facebook Community and sign up for the Weekly Newsletter.