Houzz Tours
My Houzz: A Portland Couple Builds Their Dream Retirement Home
An Oregon couple emphasizes indoor-outdoor living and accessible design in their energy-efficient, visitor-friendly house
As Mike and Marsha Strooband approached retirement, they were looking to build their dream home in Portland, Oregon. They had lived in the same house for 30 years and learned a few things along the way about what they wanted as they entered the next phase of their lives. "We had a large house in Eugene that had a formal living room and a formal dining room," says Mike. "Nobody ever used those rooms."
They found the ideal lot in Portland's friendly Sellwood neighborhood. After tearing down the dilapidated house on the property, they bought a contemporary house plan from Alan Mascord Design Associates. Working with contractors from OsterCraft Homes and Macadam Floor and Design, they modified the plan to carry out their vision for a house celebrating open spaces.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Mike and Marsha Strooband
Location: Sellwood district of Portland
Size: 2,100 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
They found the ideal lot in Portland's friendly Sellwood neighborhood. After tearing down the dilapidated house on the property, they bought a contemporary house plan from Alan Mascord Design Associates. Working with contractors from OsterCraft Homes and Macadam Floor and Design, they modified the plan to carry out their vision for a house celebrating open spaces.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Mike and Marsha Strooband
Location: Sellwood district of Portland
Size: 2,100 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
The couple made their family room the focal point of the main floor, imbuing this space with high ceilings and plenty of sun-grabbing windows to create an inviting refuge. "We purposefully wanted a lot with southern exposure so we could get the light in the winter time," explains Mike.
Interior designer Lacy Keller, of Macadam Floor and Design, used Vijay slate and Parc tile from Pental to create the beautiful floor-to-ceiling fireplace. Keller and Lori Nussbaum also helped the couple design their interior.
Couch: Sofas By Design; teak chairs: Scan Design
Interior designer Lacy Keller, of Macadam Floor and Design, used Vijay slate and Parc tile from Pental to create the beautiful floor-to-ceiling fireplace. Keller and Lori Nussbaum also helped the couple design their interior.
Couch: Sofas By Design; teak chairs: Scan Design
The Stroobands chose two different colors of quartz for the kitchen. The main countertop is Cosmo quartz in Toffee, and the island is a Zodiac quartz.
Mike and Marsha read several articles about the life span of appliances, which caused them to change the style of refrigerator they put in. Instead of installing a built-in model, they used a standard counter-depth stainless steel refrigerator, and had the rift-cut oak cabinets built around it. The floors are also oak.
Floors: T&A Supply Company; pendant lights: Globe Lighting; bar stools: Design Within Reach; backsplash: Bamboo Glass Strip Mosaic by Pental; kitchen cabinets: Cutting Edge
Mike and Marsha read several articles about the life span of appliances, which caused them to change the style of refrigerator they put in. Instead of installing a built-in model, they used a standard counter-depth stainless steel refrigerator, and had the rift-cut oak cabinets built around it. The floors are also oak.
Floors: T&A Supply Company; pendant lights: Globe Lighting; bar stools: Design Within Reach; backsplash: Bamboo Glass Strip Mosaic by Pental; kitchen cabinets: Cutting Edge
Mike and Marsha wanted to keep the dining area casual, so they made it easily accessible to the concrete patio out back. A palm tree and banana tree enhance the home's resort-like ambience. "We both like to putter outside," notes Mike.
Table: Ethan Allen; chairs: Costco; pendant light: Kirigami, Hubbardton Forge Lighting
Table: Ethan Allen; chairs: Costco; pendant light: Kirigami, Hubbardton Forge Lighting
Mike and Marsha wanted a master bedroom and bath on the first floor. No step or ledge was used for the shower, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing, modern design that will accommodate the Stroobands as they age.
Shower tiles: Angora Series in Olive, Tierra Sol; counter tiles: American Olean
Shower tiles: Angora Series in Olive, Tierra Sol; counter tiles: American Olean
The floor plan originally had three bedrooms, but the Stroobands modified it by having one of the two upstairs bedrooms converted into a lounge-like loft. "When we have guests, it's like they have their own suite," says Marsha.
"Building our home gave Mike a lot to do during his first year of retirement!" laughs Marsha. Mike did research on everything from appliances to plumbing to electrical to thermostats.
"We are very happy here," Marsha adds. "It's exactly what we wanted."
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"We are very happy here," Marsha adds. "It's exactly what we wanted."
Show us your home
Browse more homes by style:
Small Homes | Colorful Homes| Eclectic Homes | Modern Homes | Contemporary Homes
Midcentury Homes | Ranch Homes|Traditional Homes | Barn Homes
Townhouses | Apartments | Lofts |Vacation Homes
Marsha tends to the lettuce, strawberries, broccoli, tomatoes and nasturtiums in the raised beds out front. A feathery Japanese maple filters the light.