Team Lenton - Lenton Company

BestBath walk-in shower enclosure with customized tile inlay.

Six Key Considerations for Living in Place

With so many different stages in life, it’s not surprising that needs change as time progresses. Lifestyles suitable for a 20-something are not quite practical for someone approaching their 50s, 60s, 70s… you get the point. Add to that, aging isn’t always graceful. There could be reduced balance, decreased mobility, injury or illness, reduced mental capabilities, decreased strength and endurance, or reduced vision and hearing just to name a few. The concept of Living in Place is to adapt the home of your choice for as long as you are able to stay.

Getting Into the House

Even the most modest homes have steps to access entryways. Designing ramps — temporary or permanent – is a must to ensure access. Whether a concrete pour, decorative wood slats, or prefabricated metal, ramps for a wheelchair allow homeowners to get in and out. If not already in place, handrails for existing stairs provide support when a ramp is not present.

Moving Around the House

Flooring is an important consideration when inside the home for ease of movement. Smooth surfaces are more desirable than carpeted areas. Special hinges can be added to most doors to increase width by two inches. Sunken rooms can be elevated and leveled to minimize steps inside the home.

Bathroom

Challenges in the bathroom include having sufficient room to move, a place to sit, showering and bathing, safety, and personal care. Surprisingly, the bathroom lends itself to the most opportunity for improvement with thoughtful design. Space can often be reclaimed to provide space for movement; built-in or furniture benches can be added for additional seating. Zero-entry showers provide access without barriers. Vanity counters can be designed for wheelchair roll-up access. Grab bars strategically placed for safety are now available to reflect beautiful design elements.

Kitchen

Kitchen islands and cabinetry offer enormous potential for keeping things in reach. Everything from drawer microwaves to hydraulic appliance shelves, a homeowner can avoid the difficulty of reaching beyond their grasp. Kitchen pullout pantries make storage accessibility a breeze. Varied heights incorporated into an island accommodate a variety of needs.

Laundry

Height is a factor for all things laundry related. Front loading washer and dryer minimize bending; standing height counters aid in sorting and folding.

Lighting & Technology

When it comes to lighting, more is better. LED lights with dimmers offer flexibility and there should be multiple sources for accessing switches. Whether Siri, Alexa, Google or other creative names, technology can easily be added to assist. From emergency calls for help to cameras and television sound bars, let a virtual assistant help. The Amazon Echo creates an intercom type system in every room.

2022.Bathroom-Accessibility-Modifications

Interested in Living in Place?

Lenton Company Hosts Seminar to Address Living in PlaceHome Modifications for Accessibility

Lenton Company will host a seminar to explore the possibilities of adjusting living spaces to be accessible as owners grow older. The complimentary seminar will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2022, starting at 10 a.m. at the Lenton Company Design Studio located at 530 Commerce Ave., Suite C in Palmdale.

According to the National Association of Realtors, 35% of people aged 65 or above upsized their homes by purchasing a 3,000-square-foot or larger home in 2020, compared with only 23% in 2017. Others choose to make modifications to stay in their current home surrounded by neighbors and family and to avoid the prohibitive cost of senior living communities.

“Living in place home modifications often focus on the bathroom, including options to replace a traditional bathtub with a barrier-free shower and to design the overall space to allow for easier access of walkers and wheelchairs if necessary,” said co-owner Rob Lenton. “Design details like stylish handrails strategically placed to provide stability can make a home more aging-friendly.”

“My mother has lived with us for more than 20 years and we’ve made adaptations along the way,” said Evelyn Lenton. “We recently completed a single-story addition to our home with the concept of our own future accessibility needs in mind.”

For property owners interested in exploring the feasibility of living in place in their existing home, the upcoming seminar led by Rob Lenton will provide information on accessibility issues including getting in and out of the home, moving around in the home, bathroom challenges, and kitchen considerations.

Seating is limited; call 661.273.9179 or email carrie@lentoncompany.com to reserve a space.

Upsizing to Your Forever Home

Interior design creates its own energy within a space. Design trends we’ve seen so far in 2022 reflect an attempt to achieve levels of inner peace in the aesthetics and functionality of space. Read about the top five design trends we’ve seen this year.

Interior Design Trends Inspired by Nature and Circumstance

Lenton Company ‘Grows’ Hope and Awareness for World Central Kitchen in their Chefs for Ukraine Humanitarian Effort

Lenton Company announces a local initiative intended to bring awareness and to direct donations to the World Central Kitchen in their “Chefs for Ukraine” efforts to feed refugees of the war in Ukraine. Sunflowers, the national flower of Ukraine, will be distributed as self-contained grow kits. Residents may call 661.273.9179 to reserve a complimentary grow-kit or pick one up at Lenton Company Design Studio located at 530 Commerce Ave., Suite C in Palmdale between 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“As an Antelope Valley family-owned Design-Build-Remodel business for three generations, we know the kitchen is the heart of the home,” said co-owner Rob Lenton. “The kitchen fuels the body, feeds the family, and provides sustenance for all who enter. It creates a gathering place where love, nourishment, and fellowship flourish.”

“Our collective hearts break at the loss of home, life, and security for the people of Ukraine. That’s why we’ve chosen to partner with the World Central Kitchen and their frontline Chefs for Ukraine humanitarian effort to feed refugees of the war in Ukraine.”

As of March 12, 2022, the World Central Kitchen activated operations in over 55 cities, served more than one million meals through more than 330 distribution points since Russia’s invasion, according to a news release. The relief effort continues to grow even supporting restaurants in Ukrainian cities, which remain under active attack.

Lenton Company purchased several hundred sunflower seed kits to distribute to Antelope and Santa Clarita valley neighbors. “We hope residents will join us in donating to the World Central Kitchen to help their frontline efforts,” said Evelyn Lenton. There is no suggested donation for the kits; only for recipients to consider making a direct donation to the nonprofit at a level comfortable for them.

“We hope to spread the hopeful optimism of the sunflower, which also happens to be the Lenton family signature flower,” Evelyn Lenton added. “It may seem a small gesture in a large crisis, but we know our community has empathy for the people of Ukraine and we hope they join us in helping this humanitarian effort to feed refugees.”

ABOUT LENTON COMPANY

Lenton Company has been crafting exceptional spaces since 1984 in the Antelope Valley and surrounding areas, specializing in kitchens, baths, new additions, and overall home remodels. Their design-build-remodel approach has earned them the accolade of “Antelope Valley’s Best” 11 times, a “Homes for Life Award” by the National Association of Home Builders for an accessible primary bathroom remodel, and named “Best of Houzz” award recipient for the last seven consecutive years. Evelyn Lenton was honored with the 2020 IMPACT Award and 2019 MVP Award by Remodelers Advantage. Affiliations include the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), and the Antelope Valley Chambers of Commerce. www.LentonCompany.com

ABOUT WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN

Founded in 2010 by Chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen (WCK) is first to the frontlines, providing meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises while working to build resilient food systems with locally led solutions. WCK has served more than 60 million fresh meals to people impacted by natural disasters and other crises around the world. WCK’s Resilience Programs strengthen food and nutrition security by training chefs and school cooks; advancing clean cooking practices; and awarding grants to farms, fisheries, and small food businesses while also providing educational and networking opportunities. Learn more at wck.org.

What Makes a Great Kitchen Island?

There’s nothing that can make or break a kitchen like an island. Being one of the most requested items on remodels, kitchen islands are something that we have become very familiar with over the years. In our experience, there are a few things that a homeowner should always look out for when considering an island for their home.

Placement and Size:

There is nothing more important than how the kitchen island fits in the kitchen itself. No matter how badly you want an island, if there isn’t room then it will only cramp up your space. As a rule of thumb, there should always be enough room for two people to easily pass alongside one another inside the kitchen along all sides.

Multipurpose Function:

Islands have the power to become a statement piece in your home and kitchen, but that doesn’t mean they can’t also be functional. When considering an island, think about how you can utilize it and what purpose you want it to serve in your home. Islands can include storage space, sinks, dishwashers, seating, and more. Pro tip: drawer microwaves are trending in 2022!

Striking Design:

Islands give you the opportunity to create a striking center piece in your home like no other. With color contrast, unique materials, or interesting shapes, your kitchen can be transformed both aesthetically and functionally. With islands, the sky is the limit!

Location:

Who says you need to put an island inside of your kitchen? With our most recent remodel, we placed the island outside of the kitchen and towards the living room. With this redesign, the kitchen was transformed into a much bigger space with an open, flowing floor plan. If your kitchen is too small for an island, all hope may not be lost!

Design Trends to Look for in 2022

With the new year comes new design trends, both big and small.

We have kept track of what experts are saying about the newest trends and have put together a handful of the ones that we are most excited about.

With everyone spending so much time at home, there’s never been a better time to freshen up your home. We hope some of these ideas inspire you!

Warm Greens:

Olive, jade, eucalyptus, and other warm greens are making a big come back this year. Their earthy, warm colors make for a comforting, relaxing space in your home like no other. This is a shift from the cool blue that has dominated the past year, but we think the change of heart is a welcome one.

Vintage Furniture:

Give your home a unique feel and character by choosing pieces of furniture that have history, be it a family heirloom or an antique shop find. With the supply chain making it difficult to find newer furniture, there has never been a better time to expand your antique collection.

Textured Walls:

Make your space cozier and more welcoming than ever with the addition of plaster textured walls. Harkening back to colonial Spanish styling, the textured wall will make any room feel elegant and full of character. Although it may look like lime wash, plaster makes for a much cheaper and easier finish to apply.

Exciting Fixtures:

No more are the days of subtle, small light fixtures. With 2022, the world is turning to light fixtures that double as art pieces, featuring dramatic designs with large, exciting exteriors. Take a chance with fixtures that pop in your room, it’ll transform your space.

Toys for Tots

Toys for Tots is the Marine Corps non-profit that organizes donations of toys to millions of less fortunate children across the US each Christmas.

It all started in 1947, when Major Bill Hendricks was prompted by his wife to give a few handmade toys to children in hopes of spreading Christmas joy. Unable to find an organization that would distribute the toys, Hendricks formed what would become Toys for Tots with his reserve unit. Over the years, the organization has gone from giving away 5,000 toys in 1947, to 18 million each year, making sure that as many children as possible can have presents under their Christmas tree.

Using the resources of the Marine Corp reserve, Toys for Tots’ community coordinators manage donations across the United States. Local business, like ourselves, host collection boxes, making it easy for anyone to donate a toy.

We appreciate everyone who was able to donate toys this year at Lenton Company, we are always proud of our community and their generosity.

Please feel free to look at the Toys for Tot’s website to find out more.

The Importance of Color

If you’re considering redesigning your home or space, color choices may seem like the least of your worries at the beginning, falling behind things like material choices or budget. Yet, your choice of color palette can completely define your remodel.

Here at Lenton Company, we know the importance of color, and how it can make or break a space. We stay up to date on what colors are trending, keeping in mind how we can make each and every remodel special, down to the gritty details.

Soothing Simplicity:

So, what’s in style today? Color trends are always evolving, and never a sure thing, but they sure are a great way to get ideas. Throughout this year, simple, subtle color palettes have taken the throne in popularity. So, warm pastels might just be the cherry on top for your home. If that’s not your style then no worries, color trends are far from a rule book.

Color of the Year:

We work closely with Dunn Edwards for all our remodel painting needs. As paint pros, we make sure to pay attention to their take on color. Each year they release a color of the year, with this year’s being Art & Craft, a mellow, earthy brown. This calming and subtle color will make any space feel like home.

See the Color Here

Be Prepared:

When considering a remodel, we promote all our clients to create a color splash and brainstorm ideas for a future palette for their space. This way, we can best help point you in the right direction for a design that you’ll love for years to come.

Picking the Right One:

If you’re having trouble picking colors, we get it, there are so many to choose from! Luckily, we’re here to help, with expert designers to guide you on your color and design journey. In the Design phase, we will help you to sort through colors and materials, finding exactly what you’re looking for.

Worldwide Material and Supply Shortages

If you have been to your local hardware store recently, you may have noticed the empty shelves and sky-high prices. With the pandemic, extreme weather, and unprecedented demand for renovations, supplies and materials are becoming more and more difficult to find.

Despite that, Lenton Company is doing everything that we can to ensure our builds go smoothly, all without compromise to quality. Our team is working hard to keep our clients satisfied with their remodels, which is something that we are proud of.

Staying on top of things:

Our team is working tirelessly to prepare for any and all builds ahead, preordering materials as early as we possibly can. Lizsela, our build coordinator, keeps a constant eye on stock and availability to ensure that we get what we need for each project. If any problems appear, like sudden backorders, she alerts us immediately so we can find a solution.

Prioritizing the Client:

We stay in constant contact with our customers and alert them if there are any potential problems with sourcing materials or supplies. If we need to substitute a material, our design team works with them closely to create a solution that stays true to the design and meets the customer’s needs.

Creating new Solutions:

Making our customers dream home into a reality is something we won’t compromise on. With the difficulty in finding supplies, we have looked for new solutions for our customers, prioritizing them and their home before anything else.

Expanding our Horizons:

We have taken every opportunity to find new options and alternative materials for our builds. This includes our recent additions of Ready to Assemble cabinets, a new bathroom vanity line, and expanding our supplier base. Many of these choices are budget friendly, without compromising on quality.

All posts by : Team Lenton