Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1420844
SHELLY ROSENBERG ACORN & OAK DALLAS ROOM: Virginia's Sanctuary INSPIRATION: "At the heart of each Acorn & Oak by Shelly Rosenberg design is the idea that all spaces should be adaptive and inclusive beyond being beautiful. While raising my now eight-year- old son, who lives with Down syndrome, I realized that families navigating various disabilities are a vastly underserved community. Utilizing my design knowledge, I create environments that not only inspire but assist and empower those with disabilities. A sublime suite, Virginia's Sanctuary is in honor of the little girl who inspired the design: seven-year-old Virginia, who lives with Rett syndrome and uses a wheelchair to navigate her world and 'speaks' through a retinal device similar to a handheld tablet. Using this smart home technology, Virginia can manipulate many aspects of the room, including the lighting, music, window shade, and shower, offering her support, self-confidence, and dignity. In the bedroom, tones of warm ivory, soft green, and lavender create a psychologically soothing and rejuvenating palette. As an avid student of biophilia — the concept that humans are innately restored by elements that mimic nature — I chose a classic floral print for the wallpaper and furnishings made of sustainable rattan, wool, and cotton. Although the architecture did not allow for a fully ADA-compliant bathroom, I made every effort to implement Adaptive Design techniques, made possible by Kohler's smart- home fixtures that utilize touchless voice control to perform commands such as turning on the shower." — Shelly Rosenberg A SPECIAL ROOM For Resources, see page 118