58 | Oregon Home THERE WAS SO much to recommend the 1960s contemporary in the Southwest hills — three separate floors, 4,275 square feet of living space and beautiful views of Portland from the Southwest Hills. But it was going to need some work before it could be the perfect place for a couple and a parent seeking a shared living space. “Working with them was a lot of fun,” says Tonya Bellusci, interior designer for the Portland design and build company Neil Kelly, of her clients. “They are very stylish people and they really knew what they wanted.” BEFORE More families are choosing to live in multigenerational homes, and converting these spaces poses particular design challenges. First there are the functional needs of those involved and the accommodations necessary for aging in place. Then there is the aspect of combining the design aesthetic of two separate generations. Bellusci’s task was to modernize the space by updating the materials, simplifying the home’s overall appearance, providing efficient storage and making it livable for the family where they were. But she also needed to make it beautiful. “They really were one client together with a range of needs,” Bellusci says. “But they did have similar tastes that meet traditional and modern.” For the couple, Bellusci focused on opening up the space and Removing a peninsula and enlarging the kitchen island created a simple yet dramatic space for shared living. Closed, floor-to-ceiling dark cabinetry expands storage without cluttering the space.
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