Later Living Season Of Life - Editing Your Space

**Photo: Upscaling a home? A decluttered space including luxury elements, such as, real wood, fine fabrics, and other elegant items.**

In the world of later living, there’s a lot of talk about ‘downsizing.’ But what if this is actually the best time to consider ‘upscaling?’

Interior designer Theresa Martorana of TIM Interiors advises that this is the perfect season of life to let go of trends and invest in a high-quality home that embodies your personal story.

“We spend 98% of our day in the built environment,” Theresa says. “[Our surroundings] shape how we feel and move and use the space. So it’s not at the forefront of most people’s minds, but it is a huge factor in how we feel every day.

“To have a space that is edited and tailored to you where you can put your head down at night is an amazing gift everyone should have.”

Achieving such a space might mean adapting your current home to add more functional luxury, taking into account changes needed to age in place.

**Photo: A clutter free space with special possessions, like original artwork and simple, elegant furniture.**

A tailored and edited space

For those who enjoy their current home but want to make some upgrades, Theresa advocates for a process of editing and tailoring: A Marie Kondo-style decluttering where you clear out the things that don’t bring you joy, and then bringing that top-10% of your special possessions into the spotlight. Hang up that artwork you bought on that trip. Bring your family heirlooms into everyday use. It’s a slow process that requires a long-term outlook — and no shortcuts.

“That is how you make your home ‘you,’” Theresa says. “I can make a house pretty for resale in one afternoon. But there is no way to cultivate a home to have that authentic, intimate, tailored-to-you feel in an afternoon.”

Theresa also advises putting your money toward investment pieces and quality materials rather than cheaper, trendier options. You might have to do it slowly over time, but to make a home feel luxurious, there’s no substitute for real woods, soapstones, limestones, leather, and wool. “The real materials make it look so much richer,” Theresa says.

If you’re waiting for a sign to invest in your space, making it a place of peace and personality, consider this to be it.

“If they haven’t yet, it is the time to invest in themselves and their home to bite the bullet and do what they want to do,” Theresa says.

By Jessica Alyea

P.S. If you missed it, check out the first part of this article here.