Step into the Edmonds Project - A Classic Bellingham Home
A1DesignBuild is a designer and builder of homes in Bellingham and Whatcom County, Washington. We specialize in everything from home remodels to complete high-performance home builds, and our over 70 years of providing excellent service to the community assures that your home project gets done right - each and every time.
When Ann & Pug approached us, their goal was to thoughtfully renovate their 1926 Craftsman home to support aging in place—specifically anticipating the potential need for wheelchair accessibility. At the top of their list: a way for Pug to comfortably enter the home and an updated bathroom designed with ease and dignity in mind.
The dignity part wasn’t too hard. This house is a gem—rich with original 1920s character and layers of meaningful updates. From the start, it was clear that the new spaces needed to feel as though they had always belonged, while elevating the home's function for the present and future. We approached every decision with careful intention, ensuring they honored the home’s timeless charm while seamlessly integrating the comfort, accessibility, and efficiency of modern living.
Our main principle was front and center: Designing for accessibility is never about sacrificing beauty. Our intention with every project - especially those centered on aging in place or shifting mobility - is to create a space that supports how our clients truly live. It should enhance daily routines, reflect personal style, and respect the home’s architectural character.
Our designers and builders believe, wholeheartedly, that good design is therapeutic. Sometimes our clients know what they need, sometimes they don’t—but in every case, it's our responsibility to listen deeply, observe closely, and design with empathy. A well-designed space does more than look good. It reduces stress, supports independence, and fosters joy. It engages the senses, lifts the spirit, and, when paired with functionality that intuitively supports your life—that's where transformation happens.
That’s the power of thoughtful design. And that’s what makes this work so meaningful.
Remodeling a Classic Home in Bellingham
Maintaining the classic integrity of the home was always a priority.
Here’s what we did:
Bathroom: We converted part of the second main floor bedroom and original main bathroom into an ADA bathroom, answering their needs to both age and place, and the possibility of accommodating a wheelchair in the near future.
Mudroom: The remaining portion of the second bathroom became the new wheelchair accessible rear entrance and mudroom.
Back Porch: Previously a landing stoop leading to a tight hallway, we added a concrete porch with a brick facade and all the infrastructure to seamlessly add a wheelchair lift if or when that time comes.
Pantry: The previous narrow hallway entrance now incorporates a recycling center and added pantry space. We had to reuse the opening of the existing pantry to access the mudroom and avoid reengineering a loadbearing wall of a beautiful 1925 craftsman home.
Kitchen: The existing pantry we removed was relocated with a new custom built-in cabinet that matches the existing kitchen cabinetry beautifully -- and there are a LOT of wood details in the kitchen, so either matching perfectly or doing something completely different was important.
One final note about this project that stands out—and speaks volumes about the strength of our design/build process: I went into early labor with my twins just as we were wrapping up the design phase. Fortunately, I had planned to begin maternity leave the following week and had just completed the construction drawings. I was able to hand everything over to Sharon Petker, who seamlessly stepped in to lead the project through implementation while I stepped away for an extended leave.
This project was especially meaningful to me, and while it was hard to walk away at such a pivotal moment, I did so with complete peace of mind. I knew we had built a solid foundation—through careful planning, collaboration, and our internal checks and balances—and I had total trust in Sharon’s leadership and design sensibility. She and the entire team did a phenomenal job executing the vision, staying true to the design intent, and delivering a finished product that reflects the care and thought we poured into every detail.
It’s a powerful reminder that great design isn’t just about one person’s vision—it’s about a process, a team, and a shared commitment to doing thoughtful, meaningful work.
To learn more about our process and how we can help, contact us.