Sometimes paint does more than just color a wall — it can also tell a story. At Ryan House, a volunteer-run facility for children with spinal muscular atrophy and other life-limiting conditions, every room is painted in carefully selected colors centered around a fun, yet functional theme.
With names like “Suds ’Yer Duds” (laundry), “Creative U” (art room), “Do Re Mi” (music room), “Swimming Hole” (hydrotherapy pool) and
“S’More Café” (dining room), it’s easy to see why the rooms easily lend themselves to mural art. Because Ryan House was built to celebrate
life, creating an uplifting and child-friendly environment was paramount to the facility’s design. Designer Suzanne Hanson explains,
“I wanted this to be a cheerful house and the best way to accomplish this was with color. Responses to the project are overwhelmingly
positive… most important, of course, are the smiles on the children’s faces!”
Approximately 17 colors were used on the walls and ceilings of the facility, with many receiving glazes, and overpainting for the murals.
Suzanne Hanson Interior Design
602-769-5672
This article reprinted with permission from Specs + Spaces, 2010 Volume 5, Issue 2 published by Dunn-Edwards Paints.