downsizing: a client's journey into a new home life

"Jennifer produced an individualized plan tailored to my preferences, adding terrific new ideas. After living in my new space for a few weeks, I find it suits me even better than I had hoped." —Assisted Living Resident at Foxdale Village, State College, PA

It’s been a couple months since officially completing a year long downsizing project. I had the pleasure of connecting with this client through a series of referrals. They were preparing to move from a cottage in a retirement community to a room in one of the resident houses. Initially, they simply wanted help organizing the bathroom. The vanity only had a medicine cabinet for storage and the linen closet was so deep everything in it got lost. Once we met and began talking, we quickly identified the bedroom closet as needing assistance, too. I designed a plan for both spaces, and gave them time to review and choose the next step.

For me, awaiting a client’s approval is the hardest part of the process. My typical home guide sessions are 2 hours (this client’s consult was 1 hour), after which I pull all of my intuition and ideas from what we discuss, and combine it with what I see and interpret from their expression and body language. They then have the freedom to choose whether they want to DIY the guide I provide, or partner together to expedite the process, gaining extra hands-on guidance along the way. I always love when they decide to partner because the transformation is a more effective and efficient use of their time and resources (me!). And we have FUN doing it! But collaborating isn’t for everyone, and I can’t convince them it’s the better option. They have to believe it for themselves.

"When the student is ready, the teacher will appear." —Lao Tzu

Three months later, they reached out. They were ready and had some additional requests. With a sizeable collection of art and sentimental decor, as well as 3 custom box/file cabinets on order, they feared their room would feel cluttered and uninviting.

Additionally, lingering items in the cottage had to be decided upon…whether to keep or donate. I asked if this process was something they wanted to do with family, and was told “they’ve done all they can do”.

Their words tugged at my heart.

We arranged a date to deal with the cottage first, as anything kept would be part of the inventory going into their new room. It was an emotional session. A couple times we paused for them to cry and feel what I imagine was deep sadness, perhaps loss of letting go. I sat with them in stillness until they felt ready to continue. I’ll forever remember and reflect on that experience. The most mundane of objects can trigger fond memories, and transport us to another place and time, likely, around someone we love. It’s the bittersweet truth about sentimental things and the fact that everyone’s heart holds them differently. We each have to find our own way to preserve moments that mean the most, and there is absolutely no right or wrong way to do it.

When we’d finished with the cottage, I went home and sketched two furniture plans for their room. They wanted the space to feel cohesive, comfortable, and stylish. My added goal was to repurpose anything they already owned to give their new surroundings familiarity—a feeling of belonging, a sense they were “at home”. While they pondered the plans and we waited for their room to receive a fresh coat of paint, I got to work organizing their bathroom and closet.

Aside from the file cabinets on order, no new furniture was added to either plan. Instead, I proposed replacing the near empty dresser that came with the room with a vintage lateral file cabinet they owned. To improve circulation, I relocated a low storage unit from under the TV to the closet, where it could hold shoes. The remaining furniture was either kept in the original room layout (Option 1)...

...or rearranged (Option 2).

My client described Option 2 as, “a totally new concept”. They hadn’t thought to position the desk to face the window, which would reduce glare and give them a view outside. Doing so meant the 3 file cabinets would sit along the adjacent bed wall. They were to be finished in the same gray wood tone as the desk and existing box/file cabinet. As such, I moved the latter to the right end of the 3 cabinets. This created a cohesive anchor above which we could design a gallery display of their art. With the existing box/file now next to the bed, it would also serve as a nightstand in lieu of the one that came with the room. My client had expressed concern about having too many wood tones in the space. By swapping out the original nightstand and dresser, only two wood tones would remain making the space look and feel intentional. 

The emotional nature of downsizing paired with my client's anxiousness to get it done, made knowing where and how to start overwhelming. Having a tangible layout and my detailed notes about where items we discussed could go, gave them a vision of what was possible and an understanding of how and why it would work. They also had my assurance that nothing was set in stone. In organizing and design, it never is! Knowing they had the freedom and flexibility to find what felt right, gave them confidence in the process and in themself to continue forward together.

"As we worked together, I realized Jennifer's perspectives and talents offered exactly what I needed to help me make my living space both functional and attractive."

We pursued Option 2 and tweaked things when it made sense along the way. My client wasn’t given a firm date as to when their custom cabinets would be complete. So to save time, money, and stress, they cancelled the order and we replaced the trio with the vintage lateral file cabinet. The original nightstand remained, as they found the box/file was needed under the desk. But the dresser was still removed and replaced with a vintage server (same wood tone as the lateral!) from the cottage. Above it, we hung their timeless Willimasburg mirror to make a handsome entry pairing.

Down the TV wall, we created an altar space for devotional items they want to view or use daily. Dedicated space was carved out of the neighboring bookcase to keep other spiritual objects books nearby.

Continuing across the room are two art vignettes above the lateral file and bed. The pieces complement and create an attractive view as you enter the room or turn from the desk.

The low storage unit below has a pull-out middle shelf. So instead of concealing it in the closet, I moved it next to the vintage lateral to store my client’s printer, paper, and working documents. They love having the printer neatly tucked away yet easy to roll out as needed. It freed up desk space, and helped define a work zone for project work and supplies.

Another savvy repurpose was their mobile drop table. Each resident has a similarly sized overbed table, but the warm tone and brass detail of this piece quickly replaces the institutional feel.

Two unique touches helped us complete the design of the room. The bedroom closet and bathroom cabinet originally had heavy swing doors. My client requested they be removed and I enlisted a fantastic seamstress to fabricate curtains to enclose both the closet and cabinet. The neutral fabric blends seamlessly with the walls, while the subtle texture and folds exude a subtle elegance that softens the sleeping space.

At my client’s request, I sourced a cotton scallop quilt for the bed in a queen to drape over the sides and conceal the frame. The velvet gold pillows were saved from the cottage, and their green plaid throw was so on point with the strawberry painting we hung above the bed…it practically belongs here!

Often times, a fresh perspective can help you see that what feels right is already there.

I feel incredibly privileged to have had the opportunity to work with this client. Downsizing is daunting at any stage in life. But their individual journey was especially challenging—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Everyone deserves to feel at home where they are and nobody should feel that they need to figure it all out alone. Reaching out can feel like the hardest step, but I promise you this: it is the simplest way to begin…and beyond worthwhile.

are you in a season to downsize your space?

Or do you know someone who is? If so, I'd love to know where you (or they) are at in the process and how things feel. If you'd like to learn more about how I can help with the transition, inquire here or book a free call to tell me about it. Whatever the age or stage, I'd be honored to partner and support you/them in the journey.

Always,