By Stephanie Graham Special to OnMilwaukee.com Published Mar 22, 2017 at 12:00 PM

No matter what stage of life we are in, most of us like our homes to be the best representations of ourselves. As families reach retirement age, it can be hard to downsize. Each piece of furniture and every accessory, no matter how small, has some sort of memory attached to it. This is a common dilemma as the Baby Boomer generation continues to age and move into smaller homes, condos, apartments and assisted living units. However, just because a family downsizes doesn’t mean they can’t live in a beautiful, elegant space.

For this month’s Steinhafels "Before and After" article, we take a look at a local couple who recently downsized and moved into a senior apartment complex. They found Menomonee Falls-based interior decorator Beth Kealy through her Decorating Solutions link on the Steinhafels web page. They knew they needed a designer to create a beautiful, comfortable living space they could both enjoy.  

Beth says, "They let me know they were bringing very little to the new space, and they wanted a fresh start. Furnishings were needed for all rooms. With apartment living, they did not want to paint the walls, but they did want some color … so we choose colorful furniture and accessories to brighten up the rooms."


The apartment had two main living spaces to furnish. The man wanted a comfortable space to watch TV, and the woman wanted a pretty space to have conversations and relax. Check out the gorgeous results!

At 77 x 37 x 34 the Tilly Sofa is a small space solution, customizable in hundreds of fabrics, and is also available as a sleeper. Photo: Sarah Utech.

"My client's favorite color is teal, so in her living space, we choose shades of teals, greens, yellows and reds that compliment each other and work perfectly with the other rooms' schemes. We chose small scale furniture for this room to maximize the seating, while still creating a comfortable, classy and spacious living area."

The Custom Gourmet Table & Chairs were by Canadel. "We chose a two-toned round single pedestal table with side chairs with linen fabric seats. Not pictured matching counter stools. Photo: Sarah Utech.

"The round table and chairs provide a clean and balanced focal point for the dining area. While the antique blue accent cabinet, glass sculptures and wall art carry on the teal theme to compliment the room."

Tromba Leather Sectional and Ottoman: No longer stocked, however we have many other similar looks that are stocked or available by special order. Photo: Sarah Utech.

"The gentleman picked the Tromba for its comfort and style. The rust color of the leather worked well with the teals, and the artwork helped to bring all the colors together, making it a comfortable space that shows his personality while maximizing the seating space."

Chairs and Lamp: Very Limited Supply Remaining. Photo: Sarah Utech.

"These small scale colorful chairs provide additional seating and are in the same room as the rust colored leather sectional. They bring in a pop of color while carrying on the teal color scheme."

Photo: Sarah Utech.

In conclusion, Beth explains, "The color scheme had to work well throughout the apartment for a cohesive look. They loved the result and are enjoying their beautiful new home."

Thank you for checking out the "After" pictures of Beth’s project. All of our designers work with clients to meet their unique needs and wants, in order to create a space that fits their individual style – while keeping their budget in mind. Come in today to get started on your next project!