When Charles and Valerie Johnston were nearing retirement, they purchased a home in Wilmington. It was a lovely house, but once they actually moved in, they realized it was too big for their needs. In addition to the upkeep a large home demands, it also had a sizeable yard requiring ongoing maintenance. Realizing that taking care of the house would be a full-time job, the couple had a change of heart.  They decided to relocate to a smaller patio home in an ideal location, which would give them the freedom to pursue their hobbies and passions and enjoy retirement to the fullest.
 
A true Renaissance man, Charles is an avid photographer, writer and lifelong student; he’s been taking college courses for his own personal development for the last 14 years.  His goal was a home that would encourage his passions, not limit them. With the help of Carolina Closet Company, he and his wife now enjoy their own home library, with custom shelving featuring their favorite books, cabinets for their collections, and two comfortable reading chairs.
While the library is a space dedicated to reading and learning, the guest room does double duty. By day, it’s Valerie’s craft room. She’s an avid rug hooker, and the walls are covered in her creations, many of which are inspired by her husband’s photographs. There’s plenty of room to set up and store her rug hooking equipment, thanks to the Murphy bed Carolina Closet Company installed. When the grandkids are visiting, it’s easy to pull the bed down from the wall at night, instantly transforming the room into a comfortable place for guests as needed, without sacrificing space year-round.
 
Speaking of a smart and efficient use of space, the master closet is one of the couple’s favorite features. A compact galley closet, it’s clean and organized, just like the rest of their home. Both his and her wardrobes are within easy reach, thanks to the way it’s organized.

While the smaller house suits their lifestyle and needs, the lack of a large yard means that their neighbors are very close by. To help preserve their privacy, and to create a look Valerie has always loved, Strickland’s Window Coverings installed plantation shutters throughout the home. This allows the couple to control the amount of light that comes into their rooms, while restricting the neighbors’ view into their home. There’s nothing this couple appreciates more than freedom and flexibility, making these shutters a perfect match.

With the help of Strickland’s Window Coverings and Carolina Closet Company, Charles and Valerie are able to follow their hearts and pursue the retired life they’d always wanted – one that honors their eclectic passions and vibrant personalities, and gives them the freedom to truly appreciate their lives as retirees.

Fred Kumpel is the owner of Strickland’s Window Coverings and Carolina Closet Company. Fred has more than 30 years of experience in the industry. Strickland’s Window Coverings is a window treatment design center specializing in custom blinds, shades, shutters and fabric treatments for more than 70 years. Carolina Closet Company provides professionally designed and custom built organization solutions. Our complete line of home organization solutions includes unique solutions to organize closets, pantries, garages, basements, laundry rooms as well as Murphy Beds. To learn more, visit www.stricklandswindowcoverings.com and www.closetsbythesea.com. Fred can be reached at 
[email protected] or by calling 910.762.0944.