Shirley Cudabac

When George and Shirley Cudabac decided to move to a smaller home in 2000, it didn’t take long to find the perfect place.

“Shirley walked in the front door straight through the back to the deck and said, ‘We’ll take it,’ ” Mr. Cudabac said of their home in Suck Creek. “She didn’t even ask the price.”

It was the beauty of the Tennessee River Gorge that sealed the deal for her, Mr. Cudabac said. “When the Tennessee River is your back yard, it’s hard to beat.”

The move from a 4,800-square-foot North Chattanooga home to a 1,750-square-foot River Landing condominium took some adjustment, but there’s never been a regret, Mr. Cudabac said.

“We never imagined we’d find a place we love as much as this,” he said.

“It’s so calming to sit in the sun room or on the deck and watch the river,” Mrs. Cudabac said. “It’s like being on vacation.”

CONDO LIVING

Sizing down more than 2,000 square feet of furnishings was a difficult process, Mrs. Cudabac said.

“You have to decide whether or not you love something. However, most of what we did get rid of went to our two children. So when I visit them, I get to visit my ‘things,’ too.”

Their home in Suck Creek has three bedrooms, two full baths, small kitchen and dining room, living room, glassed-in sun room and deck.

“We spend as much time as we can in the sun room or on the deck,” Mrs. Cudabac said. “We eat almost every meal outside. It’s a fun place to be because the scenery changes every minute. In the winter when it snows, you see the snow flying through the canyon. Every season is beautiful.”

THE BEDROOMS

The master bedroom has a window facing the river, and though the scenery is beautiful, it poses problems at night, Mrs. Cudabac said.

“Lights from barges scan the river and shine right into our bedroom. Our dog is terrified of lightning, and he thinks the barge light is lightning and goes nuts,” she said.

“I had a screen that fit perfectly over the window,” she said. “We put it up, added a shelf, and you wouldn’t even know a window is there. It totally blocks out the light, and now we can sleep in peace.”

The guest bedroom is filled with items belonging to their daughter, Amy, who lives in Nashville. The third bedroom has been converted to an office where Mr. Cudabac displays his collections, including vintage Coca-Cola bottles.

KITCHEN/DINING ROOM

Though the kitchen and dining room are small, the Cudabacs are quick to point out that they have had as many as 60 guests for dinner.

“We have many places to eat,” Mr. Cudabac said, noting that the sun room also serves as a dining and living room.

The kitchen, painted red with black appliances, houses Mrs. Cudabac’s prized collection of more than 80 blue plates.

“I love the color blue so my mother started my collection for me right after George and I got married,” she said. “I’ve received them as gifts, I buy them while on vacation, and I’ve found some good ones online.”

THE FAVORITE ROOM

The glass sun room is the Cudabacs’ favorite spot in the house.

“It’s beautiful sitting in here on a snowy day, a rainy day, a fall day, any day,” Mr. Cudabac said. “You look all around you and you see wildlife — ducks, blue herons, all kinds of birds.”

The couple eat most of their meals on the wrought-iron table in the sun room.

An overhead ceiling fan, as well as air-conditioning and tinted windows, keeps the room cool on a hot summer day.

The room also houses a king-sized sleeper sofa, wicker sofa and chairs, and Mrs. Cudabac’s shell collections.

LIFE ON THE WATER

“I have never lived on the water before, and I’ve found that it’s a place where I could live for the rest of my life,” Mrs. Cudabac said.

“George had a boat before we moved here, and he loved to be on the water. Living here is really a dream-come-true for him.”

The condo community shares the green space in between the condos and the river, Mrs. Cudabac said.

“The property goes to a point outside our condo, and we’re going to have a wedding there in August,” she said. “We’ve also entertained our church supper club there. It’s a beautiful place to host an event.”

Mr. Cudabac has perfected his green thumb since moving into the condo eight years ago.

“He’s got beautiful plants, butterfly bushes and hostas in our small gardens,” she said. “It has become a passion of his.”

The plants, the grass, the river exude beauty, Mr. Cudabac said.

“This river will take you anywhere you want to go, but for us, we’re content staying right here.”

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