In 2017, 66-year-old Meredith Stannard was approaching retirement.
Many others her age would have sold their homes and moved to a retirement facility.
But she and her partner had a different plan. They knew they wanted to downsize, and they did it in the best way possible: by living in a „Granny-Pod“ in her daughter’s garden.
Her daughter Drew lived with her husband in Seattle, and they had a large enough garden for a small house.
„They were all curious,“ says Meredith about her former colleagues.
„I hosted these happy hours, inviting one or two people at a time.
There was a lot to discuss, as many wondered if they could do it too.“
Drew shared the idea with her friends, and they received mixed reactions to the situation.
„When I told my friends, their reaction was either ‚It’s wonderful, I wish I could do it with my family too‘ or ‚Oh my God, you’re crazy, I could never do that with my parents,'“ she says.
„One knows if it would work for oneself and for the family.“
The family had already considered the idea of building a Granny-Pod in 2014 when Drew and Jacob bought a house.
The couple eventually found a plot with a garden large enough to accommodate a small house.
The situation was not a problem for Meredith and her daughter. Drew was an only child, and she said they were „very close“ and „very straightforward“ with each other.
But, of course, Meredith and her partner made sure beforehand that Jacob was on board before taking any steps.
Once they ensured his agreement, they contacted the architect and began the planning phase.
Since then, the retiree has moved into the 57-square-meter small house in her daughter’s garden.
There is no doubt that it was the perfect choice for downsizing!
The family collaborated with various contractors to realize their Granny-Pod dream.
They also furnished the small house with furniture from stores specializing in producing furniture for smaller spaces.
And the end result was stunning.
Meredith and her partner also sought the help of Bruce Parker, owner of Microhouse, a company specializing in designing smaller homes and custom garden cottages.
With Bruce and his team’s assistance, they managed to build a two-story small house that blends in with Drew and Jacob’s home.
As small as it may seem, the Pod has all the essential parts of a house: a bedroom, two bathrooms, a living room, and a fully equipped kitchen.
The interior stands out for its clean and minimalist style.
Transitioning from a 121-square-meter house to a small Granny-Pod required significant adjustments for Meredith and her partner.
It wasn’t easy, but it ultimately proved to be one of the best decisions they ever made.
The couple is happy to live close to their family, especially now that Drew is about to become a mother for the first time.
It would be fantastic for their child to have grandparents nearby.
The Granny-Pod trend has gained popularity in recent years among baby boomers, as housing costs in large cities continue to rise.
It wouldn’t be surprising if it became the standard accommodation for retirees in the coming years!