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Making it personal

Whether you're a fashionista who considers “Gossip Girl” star Blake Lively your idol, an eco-friendly student who thinks Al Gore is “the man” or a dude who decorates with books, you can find the back-to-dorm decor that reflects your personality and tastes. The choices are more varied than ever in this year's crop of cool stuff to trick out your dorm room and turn it into a sweet space. » More

Greener home furnishings

Take the award-winning installation “Lightshowers” put on by DuPont Corian at this year's International Contemporary Furniture Fair. Egg-like polished rocks and smooth slabs of Corian were underlit, with nature sounds generated from a hypersonic speaker. When a person crossed the sound wave's path, it essentially “woke” the sound.  » More

‘Fantasy’ furniture on sale

By Lori Weisberg

Plain and Fancy Cabinet corners can be put to good use with storage that tucks behind a decorative panel. This pullout holds spices, coffee and jams in a variety of sizes. The classic ionic corbel pillar adds a decorative touch. It's part of the Aristocrat collection from Plain and Fancy. Laurin Trainer Photography An open plan such as this great room, designed by architect Todd Rosenblum of Adaptive Architecture in Coral Springs, Fla., makes it easier to move around in the space, especially for someone in a wheelchair. Rosenblum specializes in designing adaptable homes.

Home design traditionally has been based on standards that address the wants and needs of average people most likely to live in a given type of residence.

But as baby boomers age, and issues such as compromised eyesight and dexterity become apparent, there's a lot more thought given to concepts that make physical tasks easier. Design modifications are being made both in architecture and products that are better suited for multigenerational audiences with varied requirements.

It's much more people-friendly than the older barrier-free concept that was part of the Americans with Disabilities Act package. That resulted in ramps at some entrances of public buildings and bathrooms with wide stalls that called attention to limitations. New universal designs are about eliminating handicapped stigmas while marrying barrier-free function with aesthetics.

An estimated 30 million Americans use wheelchairs or walkers, according to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). But the concepts of universal design are attractive to all generations.

"The point is that this is not just for old people or people with disabilities," says Elinor Ginzler, director of AARP's livable communities program. "It's for people of all ages. A lever door handle, for example, may help somebody with grip problems. It's also a great thing for a little kid or for moms who are carrying loads of laundry in their arms."

Easy to navigate

For people building new homes or remodeling, there's a special group of builders, architects and designers trained in universal design. They're called certified aging-in-place specialists (CAPS), and the Web sites of both the AARP (aarp.org) and the National Association of Home Builders (nahb.org) list these specialists by state.

There may be initial resistance to the concept, says Vince Butler.