“It’s a wonderful piece of engineering and so smooth to use. I’m very lucky.”
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to describe Rosemary as a force of nature. With the energy of someone half her age, she lives independently in her beautiful Edwardian home – a house full of character, history and life. She has no significant mobility issues and manages her stairs with ease. And yet, she made the decision to install a Stiltz Homelift, which she readily admits she doesn’t actually need.
Confused? Read on.
We meet Rosemary at her home in the leafy North London suburb of Mill Hill. It’s effortlessly stylish: artworks line the walls, treasured photographs sit on polished surfaces and a light-filled conservatory opens onto a mature, vibrant garden. The house feels lived-in, loved and full of stories. But it wasn’t always this idyllic.
Rosemary and her late husband bought the property in 1969 and, as she says, “it was a complete wreck. It had been converted into flats and left to deteriorate. Our friends thought we were mad!” Undeterred, and with four young children in tow, they rolled up their sleeves and set about restoring the house to its former glory – much of the work done with their own hands.
More than 45 years later, it remains a lively family hub. Some of Rosemary’s children live nearby, and she now has nine grandchildren. Last Christmas, 25 family members descended on the house, and she loved every minute of it. “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she smiles.
It’s clear Rosemary manages perfectly well on the stairs. So why did she decide to install a Stiltz Homelift?
“I can still walk and drive,” she says candidly, “but who knows what the future holds? A recent knee problem made me think seriously about my mobility in years to come.” It wasn’t a dramatic turning point, but it was enough to make her pause and reflect.
Her children fully embraced this practical, forward-thinking approach. “One of my sons did all the research for me,” Rosemary explains. “He spoke to a few other companies, but I’d already heard of Stiltz through a friend. I just knew that was the one I wanted.” With that decision made, her son set the wheels in motion, ensuring everything progressed smoothly.
A Stiltz surveyor visited to assess the space and talk through the options, after which the plan quickly began to take shape. Rosemary describes the installation as “remarkably smooth,” adding with a laugh, “I was expecting chaos!” Instead, the process was calm, efficient and far less disruptive than she had imagined.
Just three days later, the Stiltz Duo+ was in place. Rosemary is full of praise for both the product and the team who installed it. “They came, they saw, they conquered!” she laughs. “And they tidied up! It was as if they’d never been. The whole thing works beautifully and fits perfectly into the space.”
Today, the lift sits elegantly in her hallway, surrounded by the grandeur of her artworks. “I really love it,” she enthuses. “It’s a wonderful piece of engineering and so smooth to use. I’m very lucky.” Most of the time she parks the lift car upstairs – discreet and unobtrusive, quietly part of the fabric of the house.
That creative instinct has deep roots. Rosemary briefly attended the prestigious Chelsea School of Art before a short stint in advertising. She married her husband in 1962 and devoted herself to raising their family while supporting him in his business.
She speaks warmly of her late husband, she misses him deeply, admitting there are moments when she feels low, yet she radiates positivity and energy. Life remains wonderfully full: family gatherings, tending to the garden, volunteering, theatre trips, concerts and lively evenings playing cards with friends.
Modest about her talents, she adds almost as an aside, “I used to paint, and I also took up sculpting, which I loved.” Her artwork is displayed throughout the house, much of it reflecting her passion for travel and the places she has explored. One of her sons lives in Australia and she’s visited four times, although nowadays the family opts for somewhere a little closer to home. “I don’t really want to do long-haul travel anymore,” she smiles. “Last year we met in Puglia in Italy, and this year I’m planning a trip to Portugal with a friend.” The adventures continue just at a slightly gentler pace.
So, the question we’re all wondering: does the lift actually get used even though it was installed more for reassurance than necessity?
Rosemary smiles. Oh yes, it most certainly does.
“At night, I have what I call my upstairs / downstairs basket,” she explains. “In it goes my water, a newspaper, a book — whatever I might want to take up. It can get quite heavy, so I send that up in the lift. And if I’ve been out all day and I’m feeling tired, I’ll save my knees and avoid the stairs.” It’s a small adjustment, perhaps, but one that makes everyday life just that little bit easier.
It has also proved invaluable when she’s heading off on her travels or returning home. The Stiltz transports her suitcase up and down with the efficiency of a discreet concierge; no lifting, no strain, no fuss. Practical support woven unassumingly into daily life.
Rosemary is part of a growing number of homeowners who are thinking proactively about their future. They’re not facing immediate mobility challenges, but they ARE choosing peace of mind. For them, installing a lift is less about need and more about smart self-care; practical support today, reassurance for tomorrow. It’s about maintaining control, preserving independence and staying in the homes they love.
In the meantime, Rosemary still happily uses the stairs. “It hasn’t dramatically changed my life,” she reflects thoughtfully, “but it has made it easier. And it means I can stay here for as long as possible and that’s what really matters to me and my family.”
Planning ahead while living fully in the present, feels entirely in keeping with the Stiltz Homelift ethos.
