Our Story

Where the Story Began

Generations by Design began with a real family decision: ours.

Martha is my second of four children. She is married to Ryan and, in March 2026, they gave me my first grandchild, Margot.

Martha and I had often talked in the past about eventually living together - perhaps when I retired. It was something we imagined for the future rather than a plan we were actively making.

Then serendipity stepped in. A number of events, fortunately all good ones, made us begin to wonder whether we should bring that future forward.

We could see what living together might offer: more ordinary time as a family, practical support across the generations and the opportunity for me to be closely involved in Margot's life as she grows.

We also knew that love and good intentions would not be enough. We wanted closeness without losing our independence. We wanted to share a property while still having two homes. Most importantly, we wanted to make decisions that felt fair to everyone.

FROM AN IDEA TO A REAL POSSIBILITY

Once we began exploring the possibility seriously, the questions multiplied. How would we divide the property and the costs? What would be shared and what would remain private? How would we manage childcare, visitors, pets, housework and family time? What would happen if someone's health, finances, relationships or plans change?

Even apparently small decisions began to carry more weight.

I did what I have always done when faced with something complicated: I researched, asked questions and wrote things down. There was plenty of information about buying houses, mortgages, tax, planning permission and renovations. There was also plenty written about family relationships.

What was much harder to find was practical UK guidance that brought all those considerations together around one question:

How do we actually make living together work?

That gap became Generations by Design.

LIVING THE QUESTIONS

Our own multigenerational journey is still unfolding. I am not writing from the comfortable position of having every answer neatly tied up. We are having the conversations, making the decisions and working through the practical and emotional realities ourselves.

Some parts have been exciting. Others have required patience, compromise and a willingness to reconsider what each of us thought would happen. We are not a perfect family, and this is not presented as a perfect model for anyone else to follow. Every family, relationship, property and financial situation is different.

What our experience offers is an honest starting point: the questions we have asked, the issues we nearly overlooked and the things we are learning along the way.

FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS

Generations by Design grew from our experience, but it was created for every family trying to decide whether multigenerational living could work for them. Through the books, articles, resources and coaching, I want to make the process less overwhelming and help families explore both the opportunities and the difficult questions before making life-changing commitments.

You can follow our continuing journey through the articles - including the progress, setbacks and the unexpected lessons.

Our story is still being written. Generations by Design will grow with it.

Warmest wishes, Lucy