Downsizing doesn’t mean less luxury

Homes at Somerset, a Cherokee County community geared to buyers 55 and older, have standard features such as granite countertops, custom cabinets, hardwood floors, crown molding and built-ins often found in larger upscale homes.

“People who are downsizing love these homes because they can move from a 6,000-square-foot home to a much smaller one and still have all the luxuries they are accustomed to,” said Dena Carruth of Loren Designs.

With that in mind, Carruth decorated the Drayton model home with elegant furnishings and a sophisticated color palette of neutrals with touches of greens and gold.

She used rich wood and leather furniture along with luxurious silken bedding and draperies throughout the home.

The Drayton plan has three bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths on the main floor with an optional sunroom and optional finished bonus room upstairs, which Carruth furnished as a craft room with a play area for the grandchildren.

The floor plan features a private courtyard that opens onto the great room and an optional atrium in the master suite.

Located in Woodstock near Towne Lake Parkway, Somerset is a gated community of 59 ranch courtyard homes built to energy-efficient EarthCraft and EnergyStar standards. The homes are built to EasyLiving standards with no-step access, wide hallways, lever door handles and other handicapped-adaptable features.

Somerset

Builder: Windsong Properties

Price range: From the mid-$300,000s

Sales agents: Barbara Johnson and Diane Mann

Information: 770-516-3678

Model home hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 1-6 p.m.

Directions: Take I-75 north to I-575 and take Exit 8 (Town Lake Parkway). Continue straight onto Eagle Drive and turn left onto Putnam Ford Road. Somerset is 1/2 mile on the left.