Iheart.. Sign me up..........your mother's garden home sounds wonderful. Is she in a climate where you can use the pool year round? Like so many others have mentioned I know we're not cut out for an apartment lifestyle. We've lived in this house for 30 years and downsizing will be difficult. Our home is large, private and exceptionally quiet - now that the kids are gone it's downright soundproof. Over the years we've put on a 1000 sq ft addition, added an enclosed porch, a pool and wonderful landscaping. It really is our sanctum. It's a shame none of our adult kids could afford to live here. We're in NJ - tied with NY for the highest taxes in the US. Even if we gave one of them our home they couldn't manage the maintenance and taxes. Which is one of the reasons we're looking to move when DH retires. A townhouse is a possibility but still not that high on our priority list. We'd prefer a rancher or a Cape Cod so that we could live on one level. We might even look for a lot and build. We don't plan on moving soon since the house is paid for and we can take our time to decide our next step. All 3 adult kids live in Philly and are less than 10 miles from us. It's wonderful that they can visit easily and I'm adamant that I don't want to move further away and I now have deep roots and close friends in this little town. We have a home on 100 acres in the mountains and when DH retires we'll be able to split our time between the 2 homes. The kids love spending time there too. I think in a few years we'll know when the time is right to downsize.

Thanks so much. How much do you think a second-story project would cost (there are so many variables, I know, but sq footage about 900 and including a bathroom)? We have thought of paying a contractor to do the 'heavy duty' stuff that we simply CANNOT do, but we *can* do all the finishing work ourselves (or most of it): drywall, painting, trim, flooring, all bathroom fixture installation, etc. And we'd probably pay to get an architect to draft the plans first, then work on saving for 5-10 years so we could pay mostly or all cash. Such a fun thing to be able to plan! For now, too, any advice on how to make a 'modern' house have more vintage charm would be great. I think when we replace the carpeting (ugh) with hardwoods, I'll also install higher baseboards--mine are pretty short. And I'm thinking of handscraped hardwoods or wide planked, perhaps! Thanks so much. As an aside, I'm happy to report that we went to see the 1912 farmhouse we were obsessed with for 3 days and it's a definite NO---a gorgeous, beautiful house with so much potential,and the most beautiful views I have ever, ever seen from a residence, but *too* much potential for us at this point in our lives. I have always lived in older houses (except for the one we're in now) and I walked out of there, turned to my husband and said "run away NOW!" :-) One day perhaps we'll find the right older home for us, but that one needed an extraordinary amount of rehabilitation! I hope and pray the right buyer finds it--it could be fantastic!

Breezy - glad to hear you love the sink - and knowing that you'd now go with offset. Good point about not being able to lay the large items flat to soak - even in my low divide idea, that wouldn't work. I don't love the curvy either, but it is their low divide 1 3/4 option.. Also - interesting to hear about the water line filter idea - perhaps I should consider that - a little more expensive in filters, I suppose? Still_lynnski - which large sink do you have - the offset, or center drain? Thanks ctycdm, and raenjapan, for your comments/ photo. I really appreciate them and knowing your experiences! Mrs Nyef - thanks and also for the tipout thoughts. Bummer that my under sink drainpipe would be at the opposite end vs the sink drain, but at least the disposal would be in the far corner. I did get a sample to take home for a couple days and the truffle worked best with the granite sample. It's either that or stainless... Interesting that I'm not hearing anyone largely in favor of (or even utilizing) the Cascade-type sink that has the small platform off to the side - anyone positive or negative about that - either through personal experience or thinking it through? Thanks!

Hello everyone. I was doing some research on home elevators for an upcoming seminar I am doing for retirees who want to "age in place" or build or buy their "forever home" and came across this thread. It's been very insightful to say the least. One thing that kept coming up is the appearance of an elevator and/or a chairlift for the stairs. Having worked with older adults and mature homeowners for the better part of 2 decades, I can tell you that when someone is faced with relocation to a senior community, assisted living or other such healthcare environment due to mobility issues, how their home looks is the least of their concerns. Before someone is at this point, the focus tends to be on appearances because we are still entertaining and "enjoying" our space. As one ages or health declines, their concern for appearances goes out the window. It's all about what needs to be done to stay here - at all costs. This is also NOT the time you want to be putting in an elevator or doing any major remodeling. People need all the energy they have to simply manage daily activities of daily living and personal care needs. I only say this because as the debate over whether to add or not add an elevator due to the way it looks (and size) tends to be one of younger retirees or empty nesters, if you are truly planning for this to be your forever home, it may be important to fast forward to what life will really be like should you "need" this amenity. My advice, for what it's worth, if you have the means and you are building a multi-level house, DO IT. Don't settle for the small model either - unless it will accommodate a wheelchair and/or full sized walker. That's the point right - mobility regardless of your situation, whether temporary or permanent. All the best. Thanks for letting me join the conversation.