Creating a home for retirement Comfort and Independence

You've brought up a family, watched them fly the nest and now are planning for a full and happy retirement.

• What are your hopes and dreams for retirement and beyond?
• To live comfortably with a fulfilling social life?
• To fulfil the dreams that you had put on hold when you were raising the family?
• To live in a lifestyle enhancing environment?
• Perhaps travelling to places you've always wanted to go to?
• To remain as independent as possible for as long as possible?

Meet clients Anne and Roger...

Anne and Roger are an extremely sociable, witty and engaging couple and have been together for over 30 years.

They currently live in their old family home, recognise its limitations and grappled with the decision to a) buy a property with character and renovate/extend it or b) find a new site and build a contemporary purpose built home of their dreams.

Roger, (an almost retired) Lawyer, is into stamp collecting, golf and gardening...... and recognises the importance of gardening as he gets older. Anne wants to write a book when she retires. Both are also looking to concentrate their efforts on improving their culinary expertise. Both are well educated and enjoy the written word and cultural pursuits such as the theatre and classical music.

They both also have a highly developed social conscience, are politically aware and recognise the impact of climate change.

Designing a home for retirement

When looking for a professional to design their home ultimately they looked for someone locally that they can trust, who values transparency and a clear process by which they can continue to 'learn'.

Their biggest fears are making the wrong (big) decision, being a burden to their family, and a lack of self reliance or independence as they get older.

After visiting their current home, discussing their requirements, hopes, and sense of style we produced a comprehensive Blueprint for the option of full renovations to their home (they preferred to stay put due to the mass of memories and investment they have in the family home, not to mention the incredible location!), including a loft conversion with large rear facing windows, large rear and side extension and first floor rear terrace with views over the fields to the coast.

Every decision was informed and guided by only their wishes and hopes, every opportunity explored and every choice and every stage explained and agreed upon.