Tyla’s Project

Designed by Hutker Architects

The Room to Dream Foundation teamed up with Mark Hutker and his firm, Hutker Architects to help a family with a chronically ill daughter in Falmouth, Massachusetts.

Designers Abby Bart and Courtney Fadness of Hutker Architects met with the family and designed a space to meet her medical needs as well as provide expertise, design creativity and volunteers to make it all happen. Working with Room to Dream board member and project manager Gail O’Rourke, shop foreman of Chestnut Bay Cabinets, the “Dream Team” evaluated the rooms and designed a space that met the wishes of the teenage girl, taking the existing bedroom and an adjacent space and converting them into a bedroom and private sitting/tv room.

Tyla’s room was transformed from boring and uncomfortable to fabulous and sweet; perfect for the young teenager. Tyla was hoping for a space of her own that would be restful as well as a place she could hang out with friends. She was rewarded with both, a pashmina colored bedroom with soft accents, a just-for-her vanity and new furniture as well as a lounge for friends, the perfect place to hang out, have a snack and watch some her favorite shows.

The Sea Crest Beach Resort housed Tyla and her mother for the weekend as the work was done in one huge around-the-clock volunteer blitz effort. “It’s a similar idea to the Extreme Home Makeover show but for a deserving child who is going through a terrible illness,” notes Stefan Nathanson, president and founder of the Room to Dream Foundation. “We’re very excited by the enthusiasm of our supporters and the teenager we helped loved how her room turned out.”

“There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the reaction from the child and his or her family when they see their new room,” states Gail O’Rourke. “If we can put a smile on the face of a chronically ill child, then we’ve done our job.”

The project was installed and completed through the efforts and generosity of the following sponsors:

Chestnut Bay Cabinets, Hutker Architects, Steven J. Bishopric Construction, Sea Crest Beach Resort, Ideal Flooring, Crane Appliance, Sherwin Williams, Tony DaCruz Painting, Patton Electric, Bates Refinishing, Christy Lynch Photography, Maxwell’s Clothing, and Headlines and numerous personal donations.

“Hutker Architects has thoroughly enjoyed being part of the team to help re-create Tyla’s ‘Room to Dream’. We have been very encouraged about the forthcoming support from our friends and colleagues here in Falmouth for Tyla’s Room” states Mark Hutker of Hutker Architects.

Thank you to the amazing team that made this makeover possible:

Design Team:

Hutker Architects

Donors:

Steven J. Bishopric Construction
Tony DaCruz Painting
Chestnut Bay Cabinets
Bates Finishing
Rick Patton
Sherwin Williams, Falmouth
Crane Appliance
Ideal Floor
Sea Crest Beach Resort
Maxwell’s
Headlines Salon and Day Spa
Gail O’Rourke
Mark Hutker
Abby Bart
Jason Clark
Courtney Fadness

Photography:

Christy Lynch Photography