Sitting Pretty

Downsizing doesn’t mean downgrading, as Peter and Gretchen proved when they swapped their empty nest for this penthouse perch.

Realising they weren’t so keen on gardening in their retirement as they’d thought, Peter and Gretchen heard about a new apartment complex opposite the local golf course, and went for a look.

“We liked what we saw,” Gretchen says.
“It's sophisticated, but not so heavily stylised that it's going to go out of fashion in a couple of years,” agrees Peter.

With Sorrento travertine floors, Miele kitchen appliances and contrasting limestone around the fireplace, their inspection of one of the penthouse apartments delivered on the promise of the facade.

“It was important to us that although we might lose space, we didn't lose quality,” Gretchen reflects.
The biggest selling point for Peter was the views across the adjoining golf course from the kitchen, the living area – even the bedrooms.

Gretchen recalls that she found him on the balcony just staring out. “He looked at me and said 'I could live here'.”
“I'm afraid we didn't put up much of a fight!,” smiles Peter.

Though nosy neighbours can be a problem with apartment living, the couple’s privacy is ensured by wide eaves, overhangs and planter boxes on the balcony, which also gives them room to indulge in their horticultural hobby.

The display apartment was also fully furnished which helped Peter and Gretchen to see how the open-plan areas could work.
“In some ways it felt very naughty to consider apartment living – to give up the house and all those memories,” Peter admits. “But it was also tremendously liberating.”

They ended up buying much of the furniture on display, giving away many of their family favourites to their children.

“Our daughter complains that she's supposed to have the modern apartment in the city and we're supposed to retire to the coast,” Gretchen laughs. “I tell her to stop being so ‘last-century’!”

Page printed from Home Ideas online: 8th September 2010
http://www.simplyhomeideas.com/p/dream_homes/sitting_pretty
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