Moving to an independent living community can bring with it a variety of feelings: Excitement about this next phase of retirement. Relief that you’ll no longer be responsible for cooking three meals a day and taking care of your home and yard. Curiosity about what your new neighbors will be like. And maybe even apprehension about sorting through all your furniture and belongings, deciding what to bring and what to “downsize.”
What if you saw moving to a luxury apartment in The Hallmark’s Uptown Oaks expansion as a chance to reimagine your home? Replacing a traditional style with a sleek, contemporary look, choosing an entirely new color palette, rethinking the layout and purpose of favorite furniture, or finding a unique way to showcase cherished art, objects and travel mementos.
For resident Marsha Block, the opportunity to design a new space in retirement was top of mind when she and her husband, Marty, moved to The Hallmark in 2022.
“Our previous home was beautiful. We loved it,” Marsha says. “But when we moved, I wanted a fresh approach.” They lived in their apartment at The Hallmark for a year and a half before deciding to really change it up to create the home they had been envisioning.
For Marsha, that vision had been in the making for some time. An avid reader of design magazines (Architectural Digest and Veranda are her favorites), she collected ideas and inspiration for years before their move.
“I have always loved beautifully designed homes with great flow,” she explains. “If I hadn’t been a teacher, I think I would have been a designer!”
When it came to moving from a 5,000-square-foot house, where they had lived for 30 years, the Blocks were intent on maximizing the rooms in their new apartment at The Hallmark. After enjoying the space for a while, Marsha decided they should create the home they knew they would love for years to come.
“I think when it comes to designing your place, you should make it your own and make it your home,” she says. First order of business for the Blocks was choosing all new floor coverings. The couple chose their own tile, carpeting and woodgrain flooring throughout the apartment. Next up were the walls and a soft blue – “the color of a beautiful spring sky,” Marsha says – was the direction the couple went.
“I had not previously decorated with blue in my home,” she says. “We had brightly colored walls back when that was in style. Then I had a lovely shade of pale greenish teal in our home.”
Blue was a design departure inspired by a gorgeous wallpaper mural the couple chose to install in their apartment. The blue Marsha chose for the walls throughout their Hallmark home was pulled directly from that mural, which depicts a peaceful water scene. The couple says people sometimes mistakenly assume the mural was hand painted.
For the Blocks, designing a home in a smaller space did not mean sacrificing style. Although they spent well over a year downsizing (and are now sorting through photos, papers and files they had in storage for several years), they were intent on making their new space functional, beautiful, and representative of the travels and adventures they have enjoyed.
Their residence features a mix of antiques, art, collectibles and some new furniture pieces they purchased specifically for the apartment. Here are just a few of the design choices the couple made to ensure their apartment reflects their style:
Built-in cabinetry. Working with a professional carpenter, Marsha and Marty had a wall of custom built-ins installed. Housing their beloved treasures and collectibles was important. “I am not a minimalist,” Marsha says with a laugh.
Reupholstered chairs. Marsha selected a new sofa (blue of course) for the space but worked with a designer to have several chairs they already owned covered in new fabric. This is a great way to preserve elements of your style while updating at the same time!
Lighting. The couple brought a large chandelier from a previous house and had it installed over a dining table in their apartment. “Why not?” Marsha says. “We love it.” They also changed existing light fixtures with their own selections.
Small, elegant touches. In the kitchen, traditional cabinet knobs were swapped out for pulls with blue and white porcelain accents.
Wallpaper. Marsha embraced the reemergence of wallpaper and had patterns that align with her “Southern elegance” style installed in the bathrooms, bedrooms and office.
If you’re considering a move to senior living, rather than trying to replicate the exact style of your current space, think about what small changes you can make for big impact in your new space. To make your new residence feel distinct yet comforting, professional interior designers say focusing on certain areas can make all the difference.
A new layout. If you’re struggling with how to design a room layout, grab a pencil and paper and start sketching it out!
Consider functional furniture. Choose multifunctional furniture and discover how space-efficient you can really be! Start your search online for maximum multifunction room setup by using search terms like “double-duty furniture” and “designing a room” with functionality in mind. A few pieces to consider:
Play with color. Select a new color palette, such as fresh coastal blues, modern neutrals or crisp pastels, that differs from your current décor choices.
Go for scale. Sometimes people assume a smaller home means smaller artwork on the walls. Not necessarily. Hanging large-scale artwork, instead of grouping many tiny frames, can create a clean, contemporary gallery look in a smaller space. If you love a piece of art you have had for years, don’t be afraid to hang it in your new space.
Lean into lighting. Add layered lighting with floor lamps and table lamps rather than relying on harsh overhead fixtures. Consider changing existing light fixtures for ones you’ve selected or brought from the house you’re leaving.
Embrace nature. Bring in fresh houseplants or regularly display fresh floral arrangements to give rooms a vibrant, active energy.
For residents of The Hallmark and its Uptown Oaks expansion, designing a new space is part of the exciting process of moving. We welcome you to come for a personal tour of our community and learn more about our brand-new apartment homes, preselling now and opening in 2030.
