Think about leaving home one night in an ambulance, to return home 8 months later; locked-in. You have your thoughts, your memory, you feel everything, but can’t move or communicate. Would you want to return to the same space? Would you like something fresh and unique?
We chose the latter.
When we arrived onto the rehab floor, we were immediately introduced to someone who would become or guardian angel. By chance, her name is Dr. Angela Riccobono and she is the department psychologist. Angela had taken an immediate interest in Lou and our unique situation. I’m sure she is like that with all her patients, but she made us feel special. After getting to know us more, she identified Lou’s deficit’s, wanted to prepare us for life after rehab and knew who to go to for a solution. She introduced us to David Putrino, founder of Putrino Labs. After various experimental treatments provided by David, while in the hospital and rehab and our time in rehab coming to an end shortly, we were introduced to an amazing young lady, who is the founder of a business called StudioElsewhere. Mirelle Phillips is her name.
With Lou’s diagnosis, we needed to create a hospital room at home, however, we did not want it to look nor feel like a hospital room. This is where Mirelle steps in.
Mirelle met with us in Lou’s room at rehab. By her side were the dynamic duo, Angela and David. She gave us a presentation of previous jobs she had done for large companies and restaurant interiors; creating one-of-a-kind spaces, that brought the spaces to life. Bringing this idea into a patient’s room at home was never done before and so brilliant.
Discussions occurred pertaining to Lou; his hobbies, loves, likes and dislikes. Having a home in Barcelona, the element that stuck out the most was Sitges, Spain. Sitges is a coastal community just south of Barcelona, where we spent many Sunday’s over the years having brunch. Known for its small beaches within the cliffs, it was a no brainer this would be the setting.
Cliffs in Sitges, Spain
Mirelle and her team got to work. The project became known as L’Ermita (a.k.a. Club Lou-sers) L’Ermita is a play on the Spanish word ‘ermita.’ Translated to English, it means hermitage or private sanctuary. Collectively, they designed a custom rock evocative of the cliffs in Sitges and had a set design company fabricate it. In Mirelle’s words, “it’s not just A rock, it’s a F*CKING ROCK!” And THAT it is. Combined with LED lighting, which was programmed for different times of the day, moods and activities is synced with music playlists for each setting. In addition, plants and florals indigenous to the Sitges region, were strategically placed around the room and on the pergola to give it a natural, outdoor and purposeful aesthetic. The lighting can reflect the sunrise, sunset, or just an escape based on Lou’s mood. Having been avid travelers prior to Lou falling ill, each setting was named after a city or country we have traveled; Hong Kong, South Beach, Sitges, etc.
All of the features of this room are controlled either by iPad or Alexa. Once Lou is able to use his eyegaze communication device, he will be able to control every feature on his own. This means that this experience has a physical therapy component to it as well. There are additional features that will be added as Lou is able to accomplish more in terms of movement.
We cannot thank Angela enough for introducing us to David. We cannot thank David enough for introducing us to Mirelle. We cannot thank Mirelle and her entire team enough for the work that they have done to change Lou’s life……OUR lives. They have all become and remain family.
Click on the short time-lapse video to see the construction of the room.
Since building Lou’s room, Mirelle has gone on to do some amazing projects including ‘Recharge Rooms’ for frontline workers and staff within the hospitals around NYC. These recharge rooms were for staff to visit and sit in for an escape, while on their breaks. Some staff members have been seen walking out of the rooms in tears; tears of happiness that let them forget about the pandemic and recharge before heading back to their duties.
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