Custom Interiors Helps Eagle's Trace Residents Personalize Their Apartment Homes

When retirees make the move to Eagle's Trace, the Erickson Senior Living community in West Houston, Tex., they often have a vision of how they'd like their apartment home to look. Some want to emulate the decor and style they had in their former house, while others seek a fresh look to go with their vibrant new lifestyle.

Jan Dallas and her husband David wanted both--to introduce their beloved mid-century furnishings into a new environment with a modern, calming color palette and abundant storage.

With expert help from Jessica Ceballos, coordinator for the Custom Interiors department at Eagle's Trace, the couple was able to bring the vision to life.  

"Working with Custom Interiors--and Jessica, in particular--was very easy," says Jan. "Jessica has a great eye!"

New colors and closets

Custom Interiors offers a wide range of design possibilities to fit any concept, from upgrading flooring and countertops to adding new light fixtures, window treatments, and paint. They can even transform separate rooms into an open-concept floor plan.

Jan knew she wanted to add color to their two-bedroom, two-bath apartment home.

"The original paint was beige, so I had them paint the colors from my former house," she explains. "Partly because that made David and I feel at home, and partly because I like decorating!"

Jan chose contrasting colors--a taupe shade called Neutral Ground on most walls and an eye-catching deep turquoise called Reflecting Pool on a few feature walls in the entryway and in the living room.

To achieve the spacious, airy environment that Jan was aiming for, Jessica found creative ways to maximize storage. The couple had many collections and items they wanted to keep--but out of sight.

"I had them remove a wall between the bathroom and the entryway closet, which ultimately led to the removal of the bathtub. So, we have a bath and a half now, but that's fine. There was no way we were getting into that bathtub anyway!" says Jan, with a laugh. "Plus, I could use the closet space."

Jessica also helped the couple redesign closets and cabinets, adding plenty of shelving and pull-out drawers, to create a place for all of their belongings.

Creative customizations

Custom Interiors' other offerings and upgrades include stainless steel appliances, built-in shelving, crown molding and chair rails, designer wall coverings, custom blinds and drapery, ceramic and vinyl tile, and specialty paint and faux finishes.

Berber and plush carpeting; hardwood, parquet, and Pergo flooring; and premium bath and kitchen fixtures are options, as well.

"Each apartment home is upgraded before a new resident moves in," Ceballos notes. "But residents sometimes want to change the standard design offerings to something completely different. Or, they might want to add on to what is already there, such as a new tile backsplash in the kitchen."

One of the most popular requests Ceballos receives is adding or extending vinyl floors to the living room    and bedrooms.

"Kitchen upgrades are also popular," she says. "Residents request upgrading granite countertops to quartz and adding backsplashes. I have been getting more requests to add upper cabinet lighting too."

Custom closets are another growing trend at the community.  

"Lately, we have been designing a lot of custom built-ins to transform a den or other space into a convenient office space," Ceballos says. "Comfort, flow, beauty, and convenience are just some of the words I keep in mind when collaborating with residents to help fashion their perfect apartment homes."

Home sweet home

With the recent addition of Mockingbird Plaza and Cardinal Run, the community's newest residence buildings, many incoming residents are eager to personalize their new homes.  

For Jan, combining her favorite furniture with pops of color, plenty of storage, and an open floor plan has made her apartment home feel like home.  

"I'm kind of picky about having things not cluttered, so I think it turned out pretty well," Jan says. "I have plenty of space for everything now! And the open-concept floor plan--with the dining room, the breakfast bar, and the living room all in one space--works great for us."

But with top-notch amenities and dozens of clubs right outside their door, Jan and David consider the entire community their home.

"The many activities really attracted us to Eagle's Trace," she says. "I particularly love the organized exercise opportunities, and we have both enjoyed meeting new people!"

To learn more about affordable, independent senior living at Eagle's Trace, request your free brochure to get the scoop on amenities, floor plans, and so much more.