Raintree Interior

I’ve had the great privilege of being part of the Wellspring Sunnybrook Expansion Campaign.  Decorating the executive office for Program Co-ordinator Barb Riley was my sincere pleasure.

Why it’s important to me?

Wellspring is a network of community-based centres that provide a wide range of programs and services to individuals and families living with cancer.  All programs are offered free of charge and without medical referral.  Since opening it doors 10 years ago, Wellspring Sunnybrook has consistently been the busiest centre in the Wellspring network.  Now serving over 2,300 active members, the Centre is at capacity.  With cancer rates increasing, Wellspring has set out to expand this facility and the programs offered within it in order to keep the growing needs of people and families living with cancer.  A $5 million dollar expansion campaign to nearly triple the size of Wellspring Sunnybrook was launched.

Wellspring receives no core or government funding and therefore relies on contributions from donors in order to provide high-quality care free of charge. Having received charitable status in 1991, the expanded and refurbished facility re-opened at an on site launch party October 7th 2010.

The project was the beneficiary of an army of volunteers; among them were 28 of Toronto’s top interior designers and decorators. The design committee co-chaired by Kimberley Seldon and Robin Siegerman worked as a team to create a cohesive interior which would provide soothing spaces and comfortable rooms for nutrition programs, physical and art therapy, exercise, lectures, contemplation and rest as well as offices.

My fellow designer David McPhee asked the group to donate their time, expertise, product and installation services to make Wellspring a haven for people living through an extremely stressful period of their lives. The result was a group of 28 of us who didn’t hesitate to answer the call. We brought on board vendors, suppliers, and trades, and each designer was responsible for the décor of one or more rooms including case goods, and soft furnishings, window treatments, decorative lighting, art and accessories.

“Working with such a large, talented group of creative people all working toward the same end has been an amazing experience,” said Dawn Wasylow,

Manager of Wellspring Sunnybrook and the main liaison between the designers, and the Wellspring staff. “Along with Ellis Don, our builder, and Robin Tharin, our architect, the design team has been an integral part of the renovation process.”

For more information about Wellspring contact Dawn Wasylow, Manager, Wellspring Sunnybrook at 416-480-4440 or dawn@wellspring.ca.

Starting back in March with a get acquainted meeting I have truly enjoyed the comradeship of a talented and generous group of my peers. If I needed help with anything the group would step forward to assist. The outstanding facility that now is fully operational is the very real interpretation of our earliest commitments. My sincere thanks to everyone involved and to those who used Wellspring services through the final stages of the project for your patience and understanding.

The facility as it looks today.

Barb’s office before the makeover.

Barb’s Office Today

Hello Tim,
Thank you again for all of the work you did to make my office such a special space for me. I appreciate that you took the time to listen to me, to understand what I wanted, and then you made it happen. You also worked within my schedule, and that was much appreciated. The furniture and fabrics you chose are perfect. It was a pleasure working with you.
Sincerely,
Barb

Barb Riley
Program Coordinator
Wellspring Sunnybrook