Moving to a smaller home means deciding what’s essential. Note: there can be surprises!
A couple in their 70’s—we’ll call them Jill and Gary Hunter—had decided to downsize from their beloved 4,500 square-foot 1930’s home in a leafy setting on the edge of the city. Wanting to be near Gary’s office and the theater and other attractions they love, the couple planned on moving to a smaller home in Center City Philadelphia. They were thrilled to find two adjacent apartments in a high-rise that, joined together, would be less than half the size of their old stone house, but would be sized just right to start this exciting new chapter. Floor-to-ceiling windows in one of the units delivered treetop views of the adjacent park, a connection to nature that made Jill and Gary feel at home.
A lively couple, the Hunters were ready to embrace metropolitan living. Gary is a kind but determined attorney with a law practice to which he wanted to walk each day. Jill is an accomplished, professional-level singer who plays the piano and loves the music offerings of the city. Without question, they planned to bring Jill’s grand piano and art glass collection to their new home, as well as select artwork, books, and furnishings. Plus, they looked forward to having their children and grandchildren for overnight visits in the city. To support this full lifestyle, Jill and Gary planned to break through the wall between the two apartments, to have enough space to accommodate family and essential belongings.
After purchasing the apartments, Jill and Gary reached out to us. Our firm had renovated their original home ten years earlier, with one of our favorite builders, and they had been delighted with the results. They asked the best way forward for combining the two apartments.
An obstacle appears
We have access to the best structural engineers and the know-how to bring out the potential of a space, preserving what’s most delightful and bringing the rest up to modern standards. But upon inspecting the units with a structural engineer, we discovered an unhappy surprise. The apartments were separated by a concrete shear wall—a major support for the high-rise building. There was no way to cut even a doorway into this structural element, meaning the two apartments were permanently separate.
Jill and Gary would have to abandon the idea of connecting the two units. On hearing the sobering news, they felt their dream slipping away. Having to squeeze the richness of their lives—the artwork, the piano, the books, the family visits—into one small apartment seemed impossible. But there was no way they’d have a second chance somewhere else at such a view in combination with the total square footage they needed.
On a deeper level, this wall represented not only a physical barrier, but also the disconnect that this couple so wanted to avoid. The wall was standing between them and their vision of moving forward with their lives.
They were going to have to give up some of what they wanted to hold onto.
Jill and Gary could see that this was about much more than a wall. They had already had the courage to ask themselves, “What might our lives be like as we’re getting older?”
With age, we all fear being cut off from what we love, and especially losing not just cherished possessions, but our abilities. This is natural. But it would have been just plain wrong for the couple not to be able to continue the pursuits that give them such joy and that are such a big part of who they are.
Rallying their determination and courage, Jill and Gary said, “Show us the options for what could be accomplished.”
Smaller home essentials
As a result, we reframed the potential of the two spaces and the couple reframed their own perspective. We began to look at the two units as primary and secondary living spaces. Jill and Gary considered which elements of their lifestyle they most wanted to surround themselves with in the primary space. They would bring their library of books, home office, glass collections, clothes, jewels, and art. And the piano, naturally.
We worked hard to fit everything in the primary apartment without it feeling cramped or cluttered–including that grand piano. Every inch of the space needed to pull its weight. The couple approved our proposal of a banquette, allowing a table and seating for six to fit into a windowed corner. Because diners would be seated with their backs to the park views, the team placed mirrors facing them, under the kitchen counter. Jill and Gary could then give the apartment’s formal dining area to the piano with room enough to gather around it for singing.
Because they love the apartment’s natural daylight, we designed translucent glazing rather than a solid door on their bedroom, to bring light through the apartment while preserving privacy. We also widened the hallway between the living area and the two bedrooms. This brings more daylight deeper into the apartment and adds accessibility in case of future needs.
To make sure the Hunters had a place for everything they would bring to the primary apartment, we built custom storage everywhere. The couple chose a neutral palette for finishes so as not to compete with their artwork. They made their new apartment feel like home.
Jill and Gary had to let go of the idea of a connecting the two spaces but have embraced their next-door apartment as a wonderful guest room. It also has storage for things they don’t need every day.
Good choices and help from experts
The shear wall had initially been a villain stopping the couple from implementing their vision. But by making good choices and bringing in the proper experts, they are now in a small but fit apartment, up on the second floor, with daylight and greenery. To make a big change in their lifestyle, Jill and Gary adapted and are now content in their new smaller home.
Jill and Gary had to decide what was truly important to them, and where they were willing to compromise. Their success means that they still have the elements uniquely essential to them for a happy life. Jill’s essence as a musician is still intact. Gary walks to his office and they have access to all that the city has to offer. They can cook, entertain, use the home office, and enjoy views of greenery from a bright, organized home.
For the couple, failure on this project would have meant living with a poor decision at a critical time in their lives. They would have been unhappy without their essentials or would have had to move again, at great cost.
Even worse, it would have meant surrender, something that Jill and Gary would never accept. This would have struck a blow to who they are; Jill would have resented leaving their original home. For both, it would have meant the sacrifice of a dream.
Jill and Gary had taken steps toward an authentic, exciting future. When their plan ran into challenges they got help from experts—just as Gary provides expert help for others in his profession. They overcame a major obstacle and, as a result, surprised themselves with the dimensions of their new life. What they learned is that they can adapt a little bit and still have what truly matters.
Here you can check out pictures of the finished project. If you’re struggling with decisions on whether or how to renovate, it may help to look at these guidelines.