Thriving in Place

Owner Art Russo, a former CEO of UMass Memorial Healthcare Center, Chief Medical Officer, and Doctor of Geriatric Medicine for more than 40 years, had the medical knowledge and understanding of the future realities of aging to make this historic home one to live in and grow in comfortably with contemporary updates.  Artful wife Netta decorated in sunny, bright yellow and white. 

Art and Netta chose this well-known High Street home in Newburyport for all that the Seacoast City offered: Railtrail for walking, biking, walking with adult family and grandchild in a stroller, beaches, birding, arts community, and great restaurants and culture. The historic home, however, did not offer as many lifestyle options.

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Aging In Place

The number one priority was for ground floor living, which required the addition of a primary bedroom, adjacent primary bath, and allied closet and laundry for a full primary suite, and renovation of first floor kitchen. 

Set on prominent, busy High Street, Newburyport, this project required a huge amount of Zoning Board approvals and proper permitting. This alone took six to nine months. 

With the house and barn locations on the corner lot, along with exquisite existing landscape features, the floor plan naturally dictated the most suitable placement for the new ground-floor space, adjacent to the bright, open kitchen. This design was approached with a thoughtful and gentle hand, carefully considering the site’s context—an 18th-century home, mature landscaping, and the corner lot’s relationship with adjacent streets. The result is a seamless integration of historic charm and modern functionality, fulfilling the desire for ground-floor living.

“We wanted to age comfortably in our home which for us meant ultimately the option of first floor living. Although we currently still use the entire house, the vast majority of our living is on the first floor. We enjoy the adjacencies that the addition affords us and the custom setup of our primary suite which makes living here very efficient. If living assistance eventually becomes necessary, this first-floor configuration easily allows for it. Thus, the goal of staying in our home has become much more realistic.” – Netta and Art Russo, Homeowners

This primary suite addition also was selected in the quietest part of the property, tucked behind busy High Street “Highway” (as locals call it), with bright daylight and windows overlooking the private courtyard garden area that creates the Russo’s very own oasis. This meant they could basically have as active or as quiet of a lifestyle as they desired.

• Universal designed bathroom that one could use efficiently if a walker or wheelchair were ever needed, including larger doorway widths, and spacing around bedroom to be accommodating as well
• Zero clearance shower just off bedroom 
• Washer and dryer on ground floor
• Quiet oasis inside and out - a bit of a miracle considering closeness to noisy, main street

Today, Art and Netta, couldn’t be happier with their private piece of heaven on High. It should come as no surprise that Art’s basement workshop is as organized and clean as an operating room. A wood crafted hanger organizer built by Art perfectly holds seasonal wreaths beautifully designed by Netta for front door splash. The Russo’s have created the life they want, and their renovation and addition help them to thrive. Their first grandchild only adds to much more happiness in the years ahead!

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Photography

Eric Roth

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