Judy and Charlie Dollar saw the signs: The kids were gone; the big house was becoming a chore. It was time to downsize.

Last year, the retirees sold their west Cobb County home and scaled back to a one-story, easy-living bungalow in The Seasons at Laurel Canyon, an active adult community in Canton where they can focus on fun instead of housework.

Frank Neimeir / Staff (ENLARGE)

Charlie and Judy Dollar live in a one-story bungalow in an active adult community in Canton.

Frank Niemeir / Staff (ENLARGE)

A black marble fireplace anchors the living area, which features a deep red sofa and floral-covered armchairs. It's overlooked by the large kitchen, equipped with stainless steel appliances and a granite-topped breakfast bar.

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But the Dollars didn't have to discard much of their furniture in the process. Their downsized home is deceptively large.

"We have about 2,800 square feet," said Judy Dollar. "It's really much bigger than it looks from the street."

It's a short stroll from the sidewalk and across the small front porch to the beveled-glass double doors. The square foyer has a tray ceiling with a wrought-iron chandelier and judge's paneling. The room to the right, designated on the plans as a formal living area, was converted to a comfortable den, with a large entertainment center, flat screen TV, comfortable recliners and a sofa bed.

To the left of the entry, the couple had the builder put up a wall to create a more secluded formal dining room, accessed through the main living area. The room has hardwood floors and is big enough for a large china cabinet, buffet and table, lit by a triple window.

The living area is anchored by a black marble fireplace, flanked by bookcases, a deep red sofa and floral-covered armchairs. It's overlooked by the large kitchen, with a built-in wine rack, stainless steel appliances, light wood cabinets and a hanging pot rack of copper-bottom pots. A granite-topped breakfast bar is lit by five ivory pendant lights. Beyond the work area is a casual breakfast area, with a country-style wood table and a red hutch.

"I love my kitchen," said Judy Dollar. "It's what sold me on this model."

The Dollars also expanded a screened porch into a sunroom that better accommodates their wicker sofa, love seat and chairs. The room has a tiled floor, bead board ceiling and French doors to a patio, as well as three windows with rattan roll-up screens below a palm-frond ceiling fan.

"We lost a good bit of our backyard, but we don't miss it," said Judy Dollar. "It's the room we live in."

In the guest room behind the kitchen, there are twin beds with spreads in a shade of celery — just waiting for a visit from one of the couple's six grandchildren. A Jack-and-Jill bath, done in a vivid red print wallpaper, joins a home office with a corner desk. A short hallway from the office leads to the two-car garage and laundry room.

In the master bedroom, Judy Dollar had curtains made to match the pale green bed linens. The long drapes with a fringed valance cover the wall of windows. The room is surrounded by pale green walls and topped with a tray ceiling. Beyond the double walk-in closets is the master bath, with a high ceiling, metal chandelier, tiled floor, spa tub, granite counters and an oversized shower with a bench.

"Charlie allowed me to be very feminine in here," said Judy with a laugh.

"As long as I got my big-screen TV and my den, I was happy," her husband added.

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