POST PRIDE!

Photo By John McDonnell

Yay! Washington Post   and   Yay! WestBay Interiors!

This just in…..

We are thrilled to announce a feature article in the Washington Post’s  Lifestyle Section ….. ABOUT US !

More specifically, it is about WestBay’s new endeavor, which is design and décor for rooms for Special Needs Kids (in addition to all the other design and decorating services we have always offered).

Photo By John McDonnell

You can find the article in The Washington Post’s Feb 23rd 2012 edition, Lifestyle Section.

Click here to see the article on line or pick up a paper copy. The paper copy has an adorable baby photo of Sean!

Thanks so much to reporter, Terri Sapienza! We were really impressed with her obvious, genuine concern to get this information out to families who need to know! Also thanks to photographer, John McDonnell, of the Post.

Have you heard the big WestBay news? We have a new division now.

In addition to our existing interior design and decoration services, we now also have a division just for Special Rooms for Special Kids. Inspired by “Napoleon’s” special needs due to his heart and lung issues, I have pursued this as a new direction. It’s fascinating, and I learn more with each new Special Needs assignment.

We offer room design and help for any type of special need, but we’re hearing the most requests from families with an autistic child.

Although all autistic children are not alike, my research has taught me that autistic kids often have trouble with sensory integration. They rely heavily on visual input since they often have trouble decoding verbal cues. And their perception of colors often registers input much more intensely.

The image below is adorable, but not a good choice.

Ever been in a room where the colors were just way too wild? How would you like to try to relax in a bedroom that was a mish-mash of outrageous neon greens, electric blues, hot pink, etc.

Well, a normal hue of a color will be seen by many autistic kids, as just that – irritatingly bilious. I am SO glad we know this!

So, we tone it down. Muted colors and, if we use patterns, we want them to be more blended, not sharp delineations of shapes. Textures we keep to a minimum. Fussiness and clutter — totally out! Shades better than voluminous drapes, cupboards with doors over open shelves, smooth better than bumpy, and so on. Soft, pale pink is a very calming color for many autistic kids, as are pale greens and blues.

Easy enough – once you understand!  And we just love that we are making life a little nicer for Special Needs Kids and their families.

What do you use in your home to make your child feel calm?