From The PR Press Newsline... 
Michael A. Thomas, FASID, CAPS and the Design Collective Group, an interior design firm based in Palm Springs, CA has received a BEST of 2014 Award from Houzz.com, an online resource for residential design.  Michael and his full-service design firm won in the Client Satisfaction category. 


"Each year, our community of homeowners and home design enthusiasts recognizes the home building, remodeling and design professionals who deliver the best customer experience and the most inspiring and innovative designs," said Liza Hausman, vice present of the Houzz community.

" Working with a client to achieve satisfaction is not always easy but we strive to build on-going relationships thru out our work with clients," said Thomas, a thirty year veteran designer with a large portfolio of work that stretches across North America.  "It is an honor that Houzz would select our firm for such an award.  Thank you." 

Making the trip to see all the various trade events is always a source of inspiration, a place to learn and to see the latest in innovation for house and home.  And this year at the National Kitchen and Bath Industry Show ( KBIS ) in Las Vegas, there were many sources of inspiration. But one theme that was trending was accessible design.  And it was evident in products by some of the biggest vendors like Toto and Kohler.

Accessible design is designing interors that are great looking and provide spaces for people of all ages to live comfortably and securely no matter the age or abilities.  Some may call it “aging in place”… but it really is about design that allows for the home to adapt to the changing needs of its occupants, giving them the ability to stay in place.

Toto, a leading maufacturer of plumbing fixtures outdid themselves with a full demonstration bath complete with a shower that was in a word awesome.  The shower featured a European entry, a teak bench, heated floor, off-set controls and balance bars on two walls.  The tile floors and walls had a slight texture to the finish to increase the safety aspect and with a no-stain grout for low maintenance.  

One of the important benefits of creating an accessible home is the resale value.  When you consider that 76 million baby boomers are turning 65 at the rate of 10,000 every single day, having a home that can adapt over time gives the home an edge over residences on the market that have narrow halls and doors, multiple steps and poor lighting. And so many things are so easy to do and cost-effective light changing door knobs to door handles. 

One of the other amazing products was the sliding door access tub by Kohler.  This product was not only beautiful but the front face of the tub featured a door panel that slides up and down to make getting into the tub much easier.  It has several options that can give the user a full spa-bubblier treatment.  And a fast draining mechanism means that you don't have to wait more than two minutes for the water to drain. 

If you have been thinking about ways to make your house a home for a lifetime, think about calling on our team to make that happen.  Our expert designer, Michael Thomas is an expert in creating spaces that are functional and beautiful, easy to keep and safe to live in.  Michael is also the co-author of an important book to the trade, Residential Design For Aging In Place, a book as a guide to "universal design" that is used by other designers, architects, and even in the college classroom.  

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