Downsizing Done Right!

SUMMER 2025 Newsletter

🕊️ Downsizing Done Right
Helping “Free Birds” Soar in Their New Nest

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of working with a wonderful couple I affectionately nicknamed the “Free Birds.” They were in the midst of a major lifestyle shift—selling the home where they had raised their son and transitioning into a more manageable, yet still spacious, home in a 50+ community.

Their new house, though smaller in square footage, boasted soaring 10-foot ceilings, large windows, and an open-concept floor plan that promised fresh beginnings. But as they settled in, they quickly realized that the space presented some unexpected challenges. The lack of entryway storage, paired with the all-white kitchen cabinetry and expansive layout, made the home feel stark and less inviting than they'd hoped.

Fortunately, their trusted realtor, Nicole Esposito of Keller Williams, saw the potential and suggested they reach out to me for design guidance.

Since this was their first time working with an interior designer, we began with a comprehensive design consultation. Together, we explored key elements:

How to select and place furniture appropriately for scale and flow
Their preferred aesthetic, finishes, and color palette
Creative solutions for storage limitations
And most importantly—how to make all of this work within their budget

Downsizing doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort, style, or functionality. With a clear plan and thoughtful design, it can be a beautiful beginning….

🪶 Design in Full Flight
From Blank Slate to Beautifully Lived-In

After establishing a vision with our Free Birds, we got to work bringing their new home to life—starting with the foyer.

We began by painting the entire open-concept first floor in Sherwin Williams’ Agreeable Gray, a warm and versatile neutral that created an inviting foundation for the home’s style. Next up was tackling the lack of entry storage—a common issue in newer builds without dedicated coat closets.

In the front foyer, we placed a refurbished classic wood armoire, repurposing it to serve as a stylish and functional coat closet. Thanks to Karin at “The Shabby Attic” for upcycling this piece!

The adjacent long hallway leading into the main living area offered the perfect gallery opportunity. We reframed the clients’ extensive art collection in black for consistency, and installed the pieces in a striking gallery-style arrangement.

A Pottery Barn 84" Reed Console Table added a welcoming touch, enhanced by Surya’s Reina area rugs that added softness and visual warmth. The mirror, another “upcycled” treasure from “The Shabby Attic” finished to match hardware throughout first floor.

A side hallway (mudroom area) off the garage provided space for a more utilitarian yet attractive built-in: bench seating with hooks and overhead cabinetry -perfect for everyday comings and goings.

The Heart of the Home

The open-plan kitchen, dining, and living areas were the next focus. Once we finalized a functional layout and furniture sizing, our Free Birds selected Bassett’s 60" Dandridge dining table with an 18" leaf—a choice that became the foundation for all wood finishes throughout the home.

We paired it with a mix of Pottery Barn Layton Swivel Chairs in Performance Heather Basketweave at the 117" island, and dining chairs in both the Basketweave and Aviator Fawn Leather for visual interest. Their existing wine cabinet was updated with a light gray finish to match the island, topped with the same granite used on the kitchen countertops for a cohesive look.

Floating shelves, custom-built and stained to match the dining table (thank you, Bauer Construction), added storage and character. Overhead, lighting from Quoizel’s Prescott collection in an iron finish kept sightlines open while adding subtle industrial elegance.

Layered Comfort

In the living area, we created a cozy yet refined seating zone with an L-shaped sectional, upholstered ottoman, and a swivel chair in a mix of taupe, blue, and creamy white tones.

Surya Reina rugs anchored the spaces and helped define each zone within the open layout.

And then came one of my favorite elements—the windows. To draw attention to the stunning wall of windows, we partnered with Avant-Garde Designs to craft custom window treatments that dressed the room in sophistication without overpowering it.

The Finishing Flourish

To tie everything together, we styled the home with custom greenery in pots that coordinated with other finishes throughout the space and a floral centerpiece created personally through my design studio, La Bella Casa. These finishing touches added texture, warmth, and life to every corner.

A kind note of approval from our “Free Birds”

“We recently had the pleasure of working with Lisa Griffiths of La Bella Casa Interior Designs to decorate our new open concept living space, and we couldn't be happier with the results!
Lisa has a talent for color, texture, and layout, and blended these elements into a cohesive and comfortable atmosphere.
She listened to our ideas, and preferences and incorporated our suggestions into her wonderful design while working within our budget. It felt seamless from start to finish. Lisa was always available to answer our questions and provided helpful guidance throughout the project.
Thank you Lisa!

“Slow Decorating is the Key to Authentic Interiors…A beautiful space is always worth the wait.” House Beautiful

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SUMMER 2025 Newsletter