East Cobb home remodeled to last a lifetime

Home and Garden

After 20 years in their east Cobb neighborhood, Joe and Susan Burrow knew it was time for a change. The retired couple was growing weary of the stairs and the small kitchen in their 26-year-old traditional, but their search for a new one-story house was frustrating. Instead of moving, they decided to renovate their home so they could age in place.

Joel and Susan Burrow have lived in their Marietta home for 26 years. With their golden years ahead of them, the Burrows came up with a renovation plan that allows them full access to the house as they age.

The Burrows stand in the open dining room that was a completely new addition to their home. Originally, the rear portion of the house stopped at the kitchen, but the addition gave them the added space.

By blowing out the back wall of the house, the Burrows had room to create a functional kitchen that can handle the crowds of kids and grandkids. The new room is anchored by a spacious granite island with two architectural columns, one of which is a functional support beam for the ceiling. A two-globe chandelier between the columns provides plenty of light over the five-burner stove with a retractable down-draft vent.

The backsplash on both sides of the kitchen is a mix of large and small decorative tiles.

Just off the kitchen, the Burrows added a key feature to the new addition: A roomy elevator that allows them easy access to the garage and storage area below and the bedrooms upstairs.

The elevator is extremely useful for Susan Burrow, who's had surgery on both knees.

The Burrow home is just one example of how smart design can solve a range of living issues. (We found other houses to show examples of easy navigation.) For example, stepless entries make the transition easier for someone pushing a baby stroller or someone on crutches or in a wheelchair. That's just one item on a list created by the Easy Living Home coalition formed by AARP, the Home Builders' Association of Georgia and others.

Doorways, such as the one in this Easy Living designed model home, should be at least 32 to 36 inches wide to accommodate wheelchairs. Anyone who's ever broken a leg or a hip knows how handy that can be.

Open floor plans create a better line of sight for socializing, watching toddlers and teens and for security.

Multi-height counters in kitchens and laundry areas is another amenity in homes designed for all ages.

Under-cabinet task lighting to aid family members with poor vision; front-mounted oven and stove controls; and cabinets with pullout drawers will become increasingly popular as boomers age.

Low cabinets in home offices and family rooms put belongings within reach from a seated or standing position.

Ideally, to age comfortably in a home, there should be at least one bedroom, a full bathroom, kitchen and entertainment area on the main floor, say Easy Living advocates.

Having a light fixture near the bed instead of the door makes sense for convenience and security.

Bathroom showers with sliding, hand-held shower sprays, grab bars and built-in benches can be operated with arthritic hands. For more ideas about designing a home for a lifetime, visit www.easylivinghome.org or www.universaldesign.org.

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Joel and Susan Burrow have lived in their Marietta home for 26 years. With their golden years ahead of them, the Burrows came up with a renovation plan that allows them full access to the house as they age.

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