January 2006
 |
|
|
:: Archives :: Publications :: News Room :: Research :: Intranet :: PDF Version ReSeArCh In her own words Gratitudes What's the scoop? Search |
|
 |
|
Devon Nicole House gets cheerful redesign
A fter months of planning and hundreds of donated hours and dollars, the Devon Nicole House (DNH) has a new, cheerful, and by some standards even luxurious, appearance thanks to efforts of the American Society of Interior Designers' (ASID) New England Chapter. The DNH, a program within the Center for Families, opened in 2004 providing affordable housing for families of patients receiving medical care at Children's Hospital Boston. Although welcoming and comfortable, its 13 bedrooms and shared living areas better resembled converted office space than a home before the project.
Replacing solid white walls, a colorful mural, created by William Hemmerdinger, now welcomes families off the elevator and brightens their day as they enter the fresh yellow kitchen. A local artist and Boston Architecture Center (BAC) professor, Hemmerdinger told organizers he knew "quite a lot about families under stress" as the father of a child who once spent several nights in a pediatric ICU. Hemmerdinger painted the mural and brought in several work study students from the BAC to assist in additional design projects.
Designer Christina Oliver was chair when the board decided to take on the project with Children's. Like many designers, she and her colleague Bethany Souza were personally drawn to the project. Both lost young sisters to leukemia and dedicated their room in memory of Julie Johnson and Jacqueline Pequita.
Oliver says the designers all felt inspired, "The idea that we were doing something for someone in need—in one way or another—made us want to do as much as we can." And just as the designers went above and beyond, so did the people they regularly contract with. When Oliver asked one of her vendors for two comforter covers, she got them, plus a bed skirt and two pillow shams and pillows, at no additional cost.
Although designers were confined to working with carpet-coordinated color palates, each room is unique and welcoming to families. From room to room, cool greens and warm oranges lead to soft pinks and sunny yellows. The designers wanted to create spaces that offered an atmosphere of comfort and hope to families, while they rest away from the main hospital.
The walls and cabinets of the shared living room were faux-finished in warm earth tones of red and gold. Additions include a toy chest with checkers and backgammon boards embellished on the top. Big drawers pull open to reveal a variety of balls, other toys and board games.
Designers in room 8 used a cool green palate, installed a modern mahogany bed frame, added crown molding and even had the towels and comforters monogrammed with an 8.
"This is one of the most innovative, creative, collaborative projects that I have ever been involved in," says Cynthia Levin, director for the Center for Families. "It took a tremendous effort from many resources to make this such a success."
An open house held on Monday, Dec. 12, drew employees from all over the hospital and even a few who'd never ventured to the 5th floor of 21 Autumn Street. During the event, Jennifer Leach, project manager for the DNH, told the Boston Metro she could not wait to reopen the doors to parents. "They spend so much time taking care of their children," she said. "I hope that when they stay here now they can really feel like they are away from it all."
And the very next day, Leach's hopes were realized as families, who occupied the space days prior to the redesign, returned. Their responses were excited, full of admiration and gratitude.
|
Recently in Children's News Dialogue: Avian flu |
In other publications |