JENNY’S STORY
Tragedy to Triumph
THE WOMAN BEHIND PIPPIN DESIGN:
HOW IT BEGAN
The Curve Ball
Back when I was just starting my career, life threw me a curveball – a near-fatal car crash that left me with a broken back. I ended up spending a good four months in a full-body cast and then 4 more months in a back brace. To add to the challenge, my home's layout wasn't exactly disability-friendly. It had narrow hallways with a tight 90° turn into my bedroom which made it impossible to get a stretcher through. So, I had to set up a hospital bed in my front living room.
The Dream
Coincidentally, this home was also a passive solar house, though it had a few design hiccups. The thermal mass was way too small, so every summer, my place turned into a full-on sauna. Sweating it out, I couldn’t help but dream that all my future designs would team up with nature, to make indoor comfort a priority.
The Silver Lining
There was a silver lining to this home though – it had lots of natural light! The front room, where my hospital bed ended up, was like a little haven surrounded by windows on three sides, giving me beautiful views of the secluded forest. While I may not have understood the scientific principles behind the healing design at that time, I definitely felt and benefited from its supportive qualities.
The Lessons
Going through this temporary disability sparked a deep interest in Accessible and Universal Design. I wanted to create homes that not only work for people like me in the moment – they also stand the test of time, offering support for homeowners throughout their entire lives.
After getting back on my feet, I couldn’t wait to put those lessons into practice. Armed with a newfound appreciation for how homes should function, every design I crafted from then on was infused with that fresh knowledge. I even went back to school and earned certifications in Green Building, Renewable Energy, and Healthy Home design. Since then, my focus has been all about creating homes that not only boost the well-being of their occupants, they also consider the health of our planet.
The Plunge
Those life experiences lit a fire under me to explore parts of the industry that I felt were overlooked and underutilized. So, in 1987, I took the plunge and launched Pippin Home Designs with a simple belief: homes should be way more than just structures to house our stuff and provide a place to sleep. They should be unwavering support for the lives they shelter, creating a nurturing space for families to thrive, while living in harmony with nature.
The Happy Ending
Over three decades later, Pippin Home Designs continues to enhance the lives of countless homeowners by carefully assessing the individual requirements of each client and the distinct characteristics of their properties. Our fully supportive approach incorporates everything from functional flow, Universal Design, Biophilic Design, enhanced indoor-outdoor connectivity, higher indoor air quality, abundant natural daylight, natural building materials, and places for play, creative expression, rest, and relaxation. We help bring people HOME to themselves – to the most authentic, beautiful, and inspirational lives they can lead.
We Help Bring Your Vision into Focus!
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