Dear Eden Associates, Our decorator is drawing a plan for the re-decoration of our main meeting room, Expressions. How do Eden homes decorate their main meeting room to incorporate the use of Learning Circles as well as the need to have a more "boardroom" like use? Our smaller meeting room. Little Expressions, is decorated with a dining room set and the Laurier House meeting room (being larger) has both a table/chair setting and then wing/tub style chairs in the parlor area (currently being used for learning circles).

Expressions is also used by community groups for evening meetings, receptions, etc. and so those groups will want tables/chairs.

I look forward to your responses.
Thanks very much.
Helen (Sherwood Park Alberta Canada

Helen Shea
Administrator
CapitalCare Strathcona
Office (780) 417-4326
Fax (780) 467-4095
Cell (780) 945-1950

Helen - I'm not much of decorator but I would think you would want to pick furnishings that are multifunctional so you do not have lots of chairs and tables to store. For example, the drop leaf style tables that restaurants use. Ones that are square when the leaves are down, and round when the leaves are up. At our office, we have trapazoid style tables (ones where two sides are parallel and the other two sides slant in toward each other). They can be arranged to form a six-sided table, or set side by side to create a large circle or oval, or even a straight line. They are about 2 feet deep, so there is room for people to spread out, but the tables are not so deep they are difficult to move around and rearrange. Whatever you decide to do about chairs, have multiple sized people try them out to check their comfort. Sometimes chairs with arms are nice, but the seats are too narrow. Sometimes cushioned chairs are really not so cushy. Do you want folding or stackable chairs?

Involving the people who will most use the room in describing how they want to use the room and what furnishings best fit those needs should be a great help. What a fun way to engage staff, residents, volunteers and the community in your home's efforts.

Just a couple of thoughts ...

Denise Hyde

Hello!

Does your meeting room have enough space for books? We have many of our meetings in our library. The books are avaiable to elders, staff and family for check out. All of our books were donated. (If you need Danielle Steele books, we have a gazillion.)

Families, elders and staff as well as members churches, civic groups and others have donated. When the room is not being used for meetings, it makes a cozy spot for care partners on break, a quiet place for elders and their families and it is just fun.

I am a bookaholic. But I think that it would be a fun community project.

Best Wishes!!

Amy Vandiver