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This is an exciting project which will be accomplished in 6 stages over 2010. We pitched against other companies to win the project and were rewarded with written confirmation stating, " ...We would like to congratulate you being our successful applicant and look forward to working with you in the coming months. The proposal was well thought out after liaison with our Recreational Team. We were extremely satisfied that you had completed and met the brief discussed."
Essentially, the Parisian or cafe scene was designed to add community feel to the main dining area at the 2 year old Cooinda House Dementia home, which is a security facility, home to a dozen or so residents. Dementia is a crippling disease of the mind, often caused by stroke and rendering people as young as 40 with increasing memory loss, which gradually seems to affect their gross motor skills too.
It was a eye opening week for Sharron who worked behind great freeway barriers so as to prevent residents from getting into her paints and equipment, but also to protect the residents from tripping over drop sheets and ladders as most use mobility aids to get about...and gee, some of them wander tirelessly!
Yet the residents were very friendly and fascinated with Sharron's work, asking similar questions day after day but becoming aware of how much more interesting their home was. Some just wanted hugs and a good chat, especially when Sharron's children came to see her work!
The murals painted for the dining room section consist of a "Parisian" Cafe and Topiary scene which will match a shop scene due to commence in April. The cafe presented a wonderful opportunity for signage and a menu board thus encouraging the residents to read. It provided scope for friendly cats, flowers and adding texture to an otherwise smooth existence, warming the space with an antiqued appearance.
People with Dementia will often talk about memories from long ago, so providing a setting from their era that feels old and friendly and invites community spirit was certainly the right direction. For a little flair, Sharron used an curvy Art Nouveau style font within a large oval for the cafe sign, adding welcome curves to relax the soften the decor, while shutters are another reminder of yesteryear and give depth in their perspective to the scene.
Increasing interactive participation from residents is of vital importance to the center. It helps to keep residents who wander and fiddle with anything in their path at peace while freeing the busy nursing staff. So a list of items was provided to staff that would encourage interaction and accentuate the murals and these were baskets of breads (even plastic bread), serviettes, magazines, dried garlic and plastic salami or fruits hanging from the window cavity, new Red Orange place mats, brightly checked table cloths and vases of flowers all to add more atmosphere and stimulation.
The Cafe Scene Colour Psychology
- Blue Violet relates to a mind out of balance and a problem with letting go of painful memories, manifesting in depression or obsessive behaviour yet when mixed with grey, can give the inner strength necessary to face up to change.
- Blue Green is a great colour to aid communication from the heart, about self and relationships and listening to your intuition, being sensitive and open hearted. For Cooinda House it is relaxing and sentimental.
- Yellow Green ties in with your colours and relates to spring, new growth, hope and peace and self love.
- Yellow Orange (Gold) is the best colour for a sense of optimism and abundance and for positive thinking, action and expression. It's very much about understanding of life, wisdom and enlightenment let alone justice, status which is why everything good in life is usually the colour gold.
- Red Orange is the best colour for stimulating the appetite and will add a warm, rich spark to the décor and some excitement. Though Red is more French, though Red Orange will do the trick in this situation and match the Cooinda House decor.
Having painted for Spiritus Aged Care too! We like this sort of challenge and its' rewarding community effect. If you would like a Trompe L'oeil or mural for your home or business just call us for a friendly chat on 07 3491 6400.
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