Room for Improvement: Lighthouse

WSVN -- Martin Amado: "For 35 years the Lighthouse of Broward County has been serving the needs of the blind and visually impaired, so today Room for Improvement is helping them kick off 2010 by giving their lobby a brand new look."

Lighthouse of Broward works with people of all ages to help them learn how to live full, independent lives.

Elly du Pre, Executive Director: "There's a tremendous need. We expect that there's going to be over 100,000 people with visual impairments who are going to have some need for the services we provide."

All the Lighthouse clients spend time here in the lobby, not a very cozy space.

Elly du Pre: "So, they're sitting in very stiff chairs. They're uncomfortable. They're not socializing."

Martin Amado: "So, the goal is to make it more like a living room home setting?"

Elly du Pre: "That would be great."

Martin Amado: "That's what I love to do."

Elly du Pre: "Alright!"

Martin Amado: "So, we'll surprise you and your staff at the end OK?"

Elly du Pre: "OK. I trust you."

Martin Amado: "Thank you Elly!"

Martin Amado: "At the moment the lobby looks like a doctor's office, and the goal is to turn it into a more inviting home setting. So, first up let's get rid of this old furniture."

Martin Amado: "We already cleared out the lobby and just in time because the new furniture has just arrived."

Martin Amado: "When designing a room for the visually impaired, color contrast is very important. That's why I chose a light sofa to really pop against the dark carpet, making it much easier to see."

Martin Amado: "Now that we have nice furniture, the verticals are too stark and dated for the space, so let's hang brand new window treatments courtesy of Lowes."

Martin Amado: "The wall behind the desk doesn't have enough presence, it needs some sort of branding with a beautiful new custom made sign that's coming later with the Lighthouse logo."

Martin Amado: "The secret to getting a clean sharp line is to use a medium tack tape, and this green one called the frog works really well."

Martin Amado: "And the final touch is an upholstered ottoman, which we can use as a coffee table and additional seating. With some magazines placed on top it looks perfect in the space. I hope they like it."

Martin Amado: "This morning the reception area looked like a doctor's waiting room, but now with new furniture and accessories and a color scheme that keeps in mind the visually impaired we have a space that's comfortable and inviting."

Elly du Pre: "This is what we were missing and we now have it!"

Martin Amado: "You like the colors?"

Elly du Pre: "Oh yes, I love the look of it the colors, the warmth."

Martin Amado: "Alright, so everyone's happy? Well thank you so much and to all the viewers thank you for watching and we'll see you next time on another Room For Improvement. That's right and Happy New Year!"

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

Special Thanks:
Ellen Schulman
www.ellenschulman.com 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Contact: room@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-576-HOME
Broward: 954-962-HOME
Martin Amado's Website: http://www.martinamado.com