Building a new home in a kid-friendly area wasn’t the only priority for Julie Brocklehurst and Andrew Boland. In fact, their whole house had to be custom kid. With their 8-year-old son, Brennen, in a wheelchair, they had to design a practical, comfortable distance that will work well for him for a long time to come.
Working together with Carter Home Designs and an occupational therapist in Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre, the couple produced a smart open-concept home tailored to the household, by a playroom basement that’s available from the exterior to wider hallways and other amenities.
in a Glance
Who lives here: Julie Brocklehurst, Andrew Boland, son Brennen and greyhound Rumble
Location: East End of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Size: principal level: 1,400 square feet, lower level: 800 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Becki Peckham
Brennen, shown here with his parents, has a diagnosis of spastic tetraparetic cerebral palsy, among other developmental disorders, and requires assistance in all parts of his life. “Despite his many struggles, Brennen is a happy little boy,” Brocklehurst states. “He is quite busy in Easter Seals applications, swimming, music therapy and therapeutic horseback riding. He has graduated kindergarten and is now enjoying grade one!”
Becki Peckham
A wheelchair-accesible walk-out basement is the playroom of Brennen. Brocklehurst and Boland chose out a grey laminate flooring for this area and paired it with crisp white walls and a cheerful accent wall (Sunflower Fields, Benjamin Moore). All the doorways on this basement flat are 36 inches wide.
Becki Peckham
A therapeutic Snoezelen room from the playroom is a multisensory environment designed to provide both stimulation and relaxation for children with developmental challenges. It is filled with sights, sounds and motion for Brennan to experience. The Hanging Crow’s Nest by Joki is a great spot for him to relax in.
Bubble tubing, fiber-optic lights, projectors: TFH Special Needs Toys
Becki Peckham
Becki Peckham
Brocklehurst stores loose things and tiny toys in apparent bathtubs. Built-in shelves carry toys and craft materials.
Becki Peckham
An open living area proved to be a top priority. “I need to be able to view Brennen constantly, from wherever I am,” Brocklehurst states. “We find that distance to be open and functional but still comfy.”
Vaulted white ceilings and subdued grays create a soothing, neutral backdrop. The couple chose warm grey flooring throughout the main level to coordinate with the stone fireplace.
The two black and white canvas prints flanking the fireplace were taken from local photographer Greg Locke to get a display named PhotoSensitive: Kids Who Can.
Wall paint: Freezing Rain, Sico
Becki Peckham
Rumble enjoys a bite on the living room carpet.
Cowhide Shade: The Rug Room
Becki Peckham
This green couch is the highlight of the living space, along with Brocklehurst’s DIY art project over, a collage of photographs she took of signs that the family has passed trips around the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Sofa: Portico Sofa at Basil, Sunpan Imports
Becki Peckham
Gas fireplace: Manhattan, Napoleon; stone: Loyalist Grey, StoneRox
Becki Peckham
Flooring: hard maple in Eclipse, Mercier
Becki Peckham
The living room and dining room lead right into the kitchen; the few went with a light grey tile to match the wood floors. The kitchen includes an Granite pub and granite countertops paired with black Shaker-style cabinets. The tones are replicated through the backsplash. Stainless steel and stone tile reflect light.
Becki Peckham
The patio off the kitchen is used frequently for barbecues in the summer and supplies access to the backyard. The patio door is 6 feet round to accommodate a 3-foot opening accessible by wheelchair.
More thoughts for designing an accessible kitchen
Becki Peckham
The puppy portrait in the conclusion of the 4-foot-wide hallway is a digital print of their household dog done by Brocklehurst. Each door is 36 inches wide; a typical door is 30 inches wide.
See 3 more features that boost accessibility
Becki Peckham
Boland and Brocklehurst merged design and performance in the toilet of Brennen. A contemporary bathtub surrounded by custom tilework was raised to accommodate a elevator afterwards. The toilet is approximately 100 square feet.
Wall paint: Grey Drizzle, Sico
Becki Peckham
The main bedroom is straightforward, relaxing and cheerful.
Wall paint: Hailstorm, Sico
Becki Peckham
For the exterior the few chose colors inspired by the weather grays and a yellow mixed together.
More: Universal Design Strategies for 4 Key Home Areas