In working on our annual Senior Living advertorial (September-October issue of Lancaster County Magazine), we met residents of local retirement communities who have incredible talents, interesting hobbies and creatively designed living spaces. We hated to see all of Nick Gould’s wonderful photographs go unseen, so we are sharing them through online blogs.
I guarantee that the Swarrs’ home at Moravian Manor Communities’ Warwick Woodlands neighborhood will make you want to pack your bags and head for Lititz!
Valerie and Fred, who both grew up in Manheim, definitely have a “meet-cute” story that led to their marriage. One day, a teenaged Valerie happened to look out a window of her family’s home and notice an attractive guy in the driveway. She asked her mother about the young man’s identity. “That’s Fred, Mark’s friend,” she said, referring to Fred Swarr, who was friends with Valerie’s brother, Mark Kauffman. Valerie was smitten. Years later, Valerie, who was now a single parent, was working for a graphic design business, when, one day she was passing through an area of the building and spied a familiar face. It was Fred. The rest, as they say, is history.
The two lived in Mount Gretna for 18 years before moving to Warwick Woodlands. “We loved it there and truly thought we’d spend the rest of our days there,” says Valerie. “But then we heard about Warwick Woodlands. We made an appointment to learn more and before we knew it, we were making preparations to move.”
Packing up 18 years’ worth of furniture, art, keepsakes and memories is not an easy task. In preparing for their move, the Swarrs rented a storage unit close to their new home, where necessities (outdoor items, Fred’s art studio furniture and supplies, personal art, household goods, etc.) were stored. Other items were assigned to a local auctioneer.
While their home was being built, they purchased blueprints of the house so that they could “place” the furnishings they were taking and create spaces for conversation, dining, etc. within the open floor plan. It also helped the move-in process, as the Swarrs were able to direct the movers to where each piece would go.
Valerie reports that the biggest challenge in moving was finding the perfect area for Fred to set up his art studio. Fred has been an active artist since 1969 (visit his website at fredswarr.com). His current focus is on the celebrity portraits he creates using acrylic paint, sheet music and printed posters for backgrounds and then painting very detailed portraits of his subjects, the favorites being musicians, in the foreground. The technique results in two-dimensional, mixed media studies of subjects that have included Mick Jagger, Taylor Swift, Willie Nelson, Jerry Garcia, the Beatles, Bruce Springsteen and many more. He also did a series dedicated to visionary artists that follow a similar format. He’s also a master at capturing the natural world through paint. Fred’s work is included in the private collections of universities, businesses, churches and collectors. His music-artist series was on view at the Lititz Shirt Factory two years ago.
Still thoroughly engaged in his career, it was essential that their new home offered space for a studio. They chose the second bedroom and adjoining bathroom for that purpose. The morning light pouring into the room is perfect for an artist. In designing the studio, the Swarrs made it multifunctional, as the furniture is placed in such a way that Fred’s work table can be replaced by an inflatable bed to accommodate any overnight guests.
When it came to decorating their home, Fred’s artistic talent and Valerie’s interior design capabilities combined to create a colorful and interesting living space. The den, which exhibits a “Mount Gretna” theme, pays homage to the town they will always love. The dining area has a gardenesque ambiance thanks to the floral art that embellishes the chandelier. Valerie saw the floral “arrangement” years ago at Festoon’s Belmont location and told owner Kathy Frey that when she was ready to sell it, to call her.
Art that exudes vivid colors fills the walls. Color also radiates from the furnishings, rugs and window coverings. Everywhere you look, something commands your attention.
The color story and artistic touches continue outdoors, where the cozy front porch is accessorized with colorful art and pillows. In the gardens, plants bloom in vivid colors and items like birdhouses and driftwood qualify as art.
The Swarrs love living in the Woodlands. “We never looked back with any regrets,” notes Valerie. “We only look forward to enjoying our retirement together.”
“Now you know why we chose the Swarrs for our section of this year’s senior living advertorial,” said Nicole Michael, Moravian Manor Communities’ director of sales and marketing. “Their home is so interesting and demonstrates why we say that Moravian Manor Communities enables you to ‘pursue more from life.’”
For more information about Moravian Manor Communities, visit MoravianManorCommunities.org. Moravian Manor Communities will be a stop on this year’s Explore Retirement Living Tour, which is being held October 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For details, visit exploreretirementliving.org.
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