Sharon Rau's Home

Sharon Rau's new home at 1508 4th St. S.W., Sidney is a study in contrasts, with creamy furniture against dark wood look laminate floors in the dining/media room; and dark knotty cherry cabinets against off white walls in the kitchen. Plum accents pop out everywhere, contrasting beautifully with the various shades of grays and whites. Rau's incredible sense of color, all new furniture, plus professional advice from the ladies at TriFecta Home Center have created an elegant but extremely comfortable and cozy home.

A plaque in the kitchen says this is Sharon's "happy place". When her husband Doug passed away a year ago, Rau had decisions to make including where she wanted to live. Their home in the country had many, many steps and a "humungous" yard. Her daughters encouraged her to move to Billings, but Sharon did not want to give up all her friends and her church in Sidney.

Finding the town house on the edge of town, with trees across the road instead of another house, made Rau's decision easier. Her favorite part of living there is watching the walkers and dogs using the walking path. "I'm really pleased that the path is used so much," she said.

A home owners association takes care of the yard and snow removal. Other retirees in the complex look out for each other and get together periodically for activities. "It's really a fun neighborhood!" Rau exclaimed.

The spacious 1600 sq. ft. town house, which was built by Rauschendorfer Construction, features an open floor plan, lots of storage and closet space, and is handicap accessible.

The U shaped kitchen combines function and beauty with its knotty cherry cabinets, contrasting laminate countertops and glistening black appliances. A microwave cabinet graces one corner and a beautiful dark wood topped, ivory colored island provides comfortable seating as well as abundant storage.

The spacious center room doubles as a sitting and dining room. A large, creamy-white leather sectional is where Rau enjoys relaxing and watching all the walkers on 5th street, catching her favorite show on the wall mounted TV purchased from ElectricLand, or cuddling up with a good book. The French Antique dining room table and hutch in ivory with a chocolate glaze and bright accents of lime green and orange complete the room. Natural finished knotty alder doors with raised panels provide access to other rooms. Family pictures done in black and white grace the wall between the kitchen and sitting room.

Sharon's living room is decorated around a pillow she found at Caring Corner Gift Shop. Shades of charcoal and splashes of plum create a welcoming atmosphere while the electric fireplace from Central Water provides a cozy ambiance. Rau's own ceramic plates complete the room and tulip artwork ties the living room to the dining room.

The master bedroom is roomy and follows the grey and plum colors. Rau's master bath features an open floor plan with a walk-in shower.

Blinds from Sidney Paint and Glass provide privacy while letting in as much sun as Rau wants.

A second bedroom is being put to good use for scrapbooking/crafts, devotionals and an office. Life Span closets from Creative Solutions keep all Rau's many projects beautifully organized.

A double garage not only houses Rau's vehicle but features storage space the entire width of the garage.

Rau was willing to open up her new home to the public in support of the Boys and Girls Club of Richland County. "It's such an important facility," she said. "The children need an after school place that is safe, helps them with school work, and has so many activities for them to enjoy."

As you tour the homes in this year's Parade of Homes, enjoy this great example of independent senior living, made possible with just the little bit of help provided by a home owners' association. Moving was a hard thing to do, but Sharon is truly happy in her new home. Good memories always stay with us wherever we go.