SANDERSON, Florida – Sisler Johnston Interior Design of Jacksonville recently served on the design team and provided furnishings for a new, wheelchair accessible home for O’Shay Johnson and his family.  The Baker County High School teenager was paralyzed during football practice last year.  The building project was organized by Builders Care and involved more than 150 community volunteers.

“When Bill Wilson and Pastor Chris Simons asked me to attend a meeting for project team members, my goal was to learn as much as possible about the family’s lifestyle and O’Shay’s requirements,” said Judith Sisler Johnston, president of Sisler Johnston Interior Design and ASID Allied Member.  “It was important to design the home’s interior to meet O’Shay’s needs and also provide his family of caregivers comfort and rest, especially his mom, Adrium, who will spend the most time as his primary caregiver.”

In addition to her professional training in interior design, Sisler Johnston has a master’s degree in psychology.  She drew upon both disciplines to develop an interior environment that contributes to the entire Johnson family’s wellness and enhances O’Shay’s self-esteem.

Builders Care and Fred Munson Builders of Macclenny worked with Longobucco Designs Inc. to construct a new home to replace the mobile home the family previously occupied.  Located just a few hundred feet from the mobile home, the new home includes four bedrooms and plenty of open, flowing family interaction space. 

Doorways, cabinetry, bathrooms and bedrooms were designed with wheelchair-sized traffic patterns and counter heights so that O’Shay can easily move around the home in his wheelchair.  A roll-out patio space also was designed adjacent to his bedroom so he can easily enjoy fresh air and sunshine.

Sisler Johnston assisted Adrium Johnson in selecting cabinets, counter tops and paint for the home.  The women agreed the flooring should be practical, easy-to-maintain and easy for O’Shay to maneuver a wheelchair.  Adrium also wanted finishes and furnishings with deep, rich color to showcase her collection of palm tree accessories.

“Not only were the handicap requirements a challenge, but the finishes and furnishings could not be custom designed and ordered.  Like other Builders Care projects, they would come to us through the donations of trade partners,” Sisler Johnston said.  “Many generous hearts contributed time and resources to make this home so special.”
Cain and Bultman supplied heavy-duty vinyl flooring for O’Shay’s room and the home’s main gathering areas.  Sisler Johnston selected a wood strip pattern in a soft
                                                           
pecan to coordinate with the cabinets and provide upscale ambiance to a practical, wheelchair-friendly flooring.  Sheet vinyl is accessible because there are no seams or height transitions to impede movement.

Sisler Johnston selected a low-pile carpet for the three other bedrooms and ceramic tile for the three bathrooms.  All walls were washed in a soft doeskin paint and an accent color was selected for one wall in each bedroom.  O’Shay’s sister received a violet color and his brother an accent wall in blue denim.

Sisler Johnston maintains an inventory of used model home furnishings donated by builder members of the Northeast Florida Builders Association for the Builders Care ministry.  The Sisler Johnston design team selected upholstered furnishings for the family room from that inventory in shades of red, taupe and sage. 

The design team space planned the furniture pieces to float opposite the fireplace in the large family room, making it possible for O’Shay to wheel around all sides and join the family in viewing the large screen television mounted over the fireplace.  The home’s large, country dining room seats six.  It borders the kitchen breakfast island which includes a bar height food preparation area. 

O’Shay requested a camouflage and hunting theme for his bedroom suite.  Sisler Johnston asked Jeffrey Maisonette of Murals & More to design a mural for the entire wall by O’Shay’s computer desk so he can enjoy the wall painting from both his bed and desk locations.  To minimize the institutional appearance of the much-needed motorized
hospital bed donated by the Hill-Rom Company, Sisler Johnston provided a custom camouflage headboard with coordinating dresser and bed chest.  A large roll-in shower
and pull-up sink anchor O’Shay’s all-tile bathroom with ample room for caregiver assistance.  Munson Builders and Builders Care carefully designed blocking into the ceiling of the bedroom and bathroom to allow for a hoist system from the bed to the bathroom.  The system is planned for the future as funds arise.

Sisler Johnston paid special attention to the master bedroom to give O’Shay’s mom a spa-like “retreat” where she can refresh and recharge. A black iron, low-poster bed is dressed in luxurious bedding and pillows in shades of taupe and cranberry to complement a rich taupe accent wall.  A reading chair provides the opportunity for solitude and rest.  The master bathroom has a large soaking tub, walk-in shower and double vanity cabinets.

Sisler Johnston said the most satisfying moment was when O’Shay was wheeled into the home as it was presented to the family by Builders Care and Munson Builders.  He easily wheeled from room-to-room without obstacles preventing him from accessing any part of the home. 

“I believe many of the universal design features, finishes and furnishings used in this home would be a benefit to everyone who desires an open, spacious plan that allows aging-in-place and accommodates special needs that may arise,” Sisler Johnston said.

Builders Care is a nonprofit division of the Northeast Florida Builders Association.  Since 2001, the organization has provided repair services to seriously deteriorated homes and enabled many people, particularly seniors and others living with disabilities on fixed incomes, to continue living in their own homes. 

Sisler Johnston Interior Design offers comprehensive interior design services for
commercial and residential clients.  The company specializes in marketable designs for active adult and continuing care senior lifestyle communities.  Sisler Johnston Interior Design also designs community centers, builder model homes, private residences, hotel guest accommodations and office suites. 

Judith Sisler Johnston, president of Sisler Johnston Interior Design, is an allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), the United States Green Building Council (USGBA), and is a Certified Green Professional (CGP).

She is Florida’s leading authority on designing spectacular environments that are inspiring, functional and contribute to the wellness and self-esteem of their occupants.  Sisler Johnston and the company’s team of licensed, talented designers work with clients to enhance their surroundings with designs that range from traditional elegance to contemporary classic.

Sisler Johnston’s design work has been featured in numerous books, newspapers, magazines and television programs.  The company has worked with clients throughout Florida for over 25 years and received more than 100 industry awards.

For more information about Sisler Johnston Interior Design, call (904) 288-0908 or visit www.sislerjohnston.com.

Photography:

1. A spacious open kitchen with wide traffic patterns boasts Sisler Johnston’s decorative touches.
   
   
2. The family room furnishings “float” so O’Shay can wheel into any desired location.
   
   
3. Jeffrey Maisonette of Murals and More generously donated his time and talent to create a hunting motif.
   
   
4. Sisler Johnston designed the master to be a guest respite for Adrium, O’Shay’s mom and primary caregiver.
   
   
5.  Judith Sisler Johnston and Liz Rhoden of Sisler Johnston Interior Design with O’Shay Johnson.