Eighty-year-old Mary Diem, a former hotelier from Concord, Massachusetts, recently completed a transformation of a garden-level condominium into a stylish, functional downsized residence designed to suit her needs. After deciding to move from her single-family home, Diem selected a nearby 1,150-square-foot unit in a brick-clad concrete building originally constructed as a school in the 1920s. She enlisted architect Doug Jack, founder of Nidify Studio, to renovate the space into a bright, accessible home with an open floor plan and ample storage.
Diem drew particular inspiration from a wood-lined guest studio owned by her daughter, Pam Diem Willis, and son-in-law, Chris Willis, who operate Pammy’s restaurant in Cambridge and maintain a retreat on Martha’s Vineyard. While Diem desired a similar warm, wood-infused atmosphere, Jack assessed that replicating the extensive salvaged hemlock paneling from the studio would be neither budget-friendly nor appropriate for the building’s concrete structure.
Instead, Jack introduced a curved accent wall clad in white oak tongue-and-groove planks with varied widths to create a flowing, organic element that guides visitors from the entry through to the living area. This wall not only adds texture and visual interest but also helps humanize the unit’s otherwise institutional feel marked by high ceilings and exposed ductwork.
A significant focus of the redesign was rearranging the original layout to maximize natural light and improve functionality. The kitchen, formerly tucked in a dark corner distant from the patio’s sliding door, was relocated to a more central open-plan area adjacent to the entry. Here, a seven-foot island with white quartz countertops and white oak cabinetry serves as the room’s focal point, complemented by a built-in bar incorporated into the accent wall and concealed pantry space behind a hidden door. The existing soffit, initially seen as a drawback, was intentionally extended to create a lowered ceiling above the kitchen, echoing the curve of the wood feature and offering a more intimate scale.
The adjacent dining area benefits from a restored built-in bookcase, refinished to coordinate with the kitchen cabinetry and pared down to provide a modern, airy backdrop for a Blu Dot table and Hay chairs. Additional storage and space optimization were achieved by reallocating two feet from the oversized bedroom.
In the living room, the white oak accent wall continues to envelop the seating area, which includes a midcentury modern leather sofa positioned to face the patio and its natural light, fresh air, and outdoor soundscape. To address the bedroom’s cavernous and impersonal character, Jack extended the soffit around the perimeter, effectively lowering the height, and introduced vertical louvers that create a semi-private dressing zone and workspace while maintaining light flow.
The bathroom integrates accessibility features subtly, with white oak paneling behind the vanity and halfway up two walls, and a tiled shower with a bench and grab bars designed as part of the aesthetic. The overall design prioritizes both comfort and functionality without overtly signaling modifications for mobility.
Diem expressed satisfaction with the completed condo, recommending timely downsizing to others. “Think about downsizing at 65, seriously consider it at 70, and move while you’re healthy,” she advised. “Small is all you need.”