Over 55 Decor-Rethinking Your Space for the Way You Live Now

We keep thinking we will sell this big house and property and get something more manageable that will still accomodate extended family.  In priniciple this sounds like a great idea.  We can get less house for more money and higher taxes. Sounds fabulous, right? I have several current clients who share this same dilemna. Do we downsize or try to make the home we have more workable for how we live now?

Our game room is an awkward room that no longer functions for Steve and I.  The room originally was meant to be larger. When building our home over 30 years ago we decided to put in a bath that would be accessible from the outside for children in dripping wet suits. This simple addition, very practical for many years, left us with a funny L shaped room. It housed a small tv area, and a larger area with a pool table.  The pool table has become a junk collector and the TV area is too small with too little seating. Of course Steve would like a larger TV as well.  I have resisted revamping it because I am not sure how long we will remain in this house. We have finally decided to get rid of the pool table and make the room more functional for us.  A wise realtor friend advises her clients to fix up their home and enjoy it for a couple years.  So many redo their homes only for the new owners to enjoy.

One of the benefits is the large bank of windows that overlook the pool, gardens, and hills. It probably has the best view in the entire house. The view from the french doors..






The view from the bank of windows on the East side when my garden is at it's best.




Right now we have a small sectional along the south wall of the bathrooom and the (small by Steve's standards) tv is in the built in bookcases.  The only other seating we have in the entire room are two small chairs on either side of the console (located where the future tv will be).  When we have family over we are all scrunched up in the corner because the pool table that no one uses takes up the rest of the room. This is what it looked like before we painted the walls white.



Here is the plan.  The pool table is going on Craig's List.  This furniture arrangement is not going to be perfect but it will work.  Here is a poor drawing of the room. 

Since this room is filled with windows and french doors there is very little wall space. We never use the french doors so the loveseat will sit in front of one. One of the doors will still be operable. Over in the corner where the sectional was will be a round table (inherited from my mom) surrounded by four wicker chairs from Artesia Collections.  My upholsterer is building the sofa and loveseat so it will be extra comfortable! They will be covered in a Perennials fabric for practicality.

I inherited two small dog eaten Lee Industries Club Chairs with ottomans.  If they were any bigger they would not work. They will be upholstered in a perennial stripe.  I am not normally a blue girl but the small bath has some blue tile that will remain. I am adding blue accent pillows from Peter Dunham, Etsy, and Wisteria. I am using a RL animal print on pillows and ottomans.  The brown paisley is from Peter Dunham, and the brown and white fabric is from Zak and Fox. The coffee table I ordered from Artesia Collections.  It will house items from my own collection. I have a great twig console that was built by a local artisan that will go below the TV with some Old Hickory Chairs.  The box and basket will echo the colors in the chairs and console. We are removing the pool table light fixture and replacing with a simple fan.  I always purchase the "cheap" Hunter fans from Home Depot.

I have six audubon prints in frames that I really love so I am going to replace the forest creatures with birds to bring in some blue.  I am a firm believer in repurposing what you have.  Steve has a collection of Blue Stoneware that has been in the closet for years.  I am hoping to use some of the larger pieces on top of the built ins that are being painted in an Amy Howard brown paint.  I will share all sources when I post the finished room.

Does your home need a refresh?  Are you considering downsizing?  I would love to hear how you are handling this time in your life and how it affects your lifestyle and home.