Living Here | Homes With In-Law Suites: Room to Share
05.11.2007
?We?re the sandwich generation, the part of the population that has both children and parents to think about as we ? and as they ? age.?
WHO Angie Wiskocil, 55, an information technology executive, and her husband, John, 55, an insurance executive, from Walnut Creek, Calif.
WHAT 4-bedroom house
WHERE Portola, Calif.
Angie: We’re the sandwich generation, the part of the population that has both children and parents to think about as we — and as they — age. When we built a large house, it was in part because of my awareness of this. I wanted there to be room to share, and I wanted a house that could adapt as our lives, and the lives of those we love, changed. So from the beginning, our house plans included an in-law suite.
Grizzly Ranch, the community in which we built, is in the mountains. It gets cold, and in winter the stairs can get slippery. So we designed a carriage-house-style in-law suite, which is over the garage. The d?cor is country cozy with a natural cedar pitched ceiling and arched windows. And it’s entirely self-contained. I didn’t want my mother to have to leave to have a meal if she didn’t want to. She was very independent. I wanted her to have her own entrance so she could come and go. People wonder why we built such a big house, especially since it’s not our primary residence, but I know we did the right thing.
My mother has since passed away, but the suite remains a comfort. My mother-in-law has her own place when she visits, and our friends do, too. They can step outdoors to enjoy the stars at night or wake up slowly, enjoying their privacy. It’s funny, actually. We have full guest quarters in the house, but given the choice, people always opt for a cozy place of their own.
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