From Disaster to Dream Home!! IIDA makes a difference in the lives of the Schullers.

IIDA Northland Chapter does their own "extreme makeover" to help the Schullers rebuild their home after devastating explosion.

Background of the Schuller story:

On September 12th of 2009 approximately at 2:00 pm, the Schuller residence in South Minneapolis suddenly exploded violently from a gas leak while all 5 family members were in the home. Remarkably all of the family members (including an 18 month old infant) survived. Two of the family members sustained critical injuries and where hospitalized but have fully recovered.

The home was a total loss. The city had to bulldoze the site immediately after the explosions and fire. The two neighbor's homes on each side has caught fire from the Schuller's home and survived the fire but both homes needed to be gutted completely.

Although the Schuller's felt very fortunate that they and their three daughters' survived, their entire life was just erased. All identification, paperwork and every single item they owned were gone in a flash. They survived left with the clothes on their back.

It has been a challenging year for the Schullers both working in the direct mail industry and having to deal with pay cuts and reduced schedules. They are a delightful family with such warmth and dedication to their children, and they deserve much better than what they have been dealt.

A New Home Built with Love:

This is where IIDA (International Interior Design Assocation) stepped in to help. 2010 Charity Organizer, AJ Paron-Wildes, helped to design the Schuller's the home of their dreams that replaced their treasured lost one but still fits in with the South Minneapolis character. "We have been able to design a better floorplan and add more space while mazimizing the original footprint" comments Paron-Wildes.

IIDA wanted to build them the nicest home possible. Make them feel comfortable and safe in the new home. As you can imagine the insurance payment doesn't come close to covering all that they lost so finding ways to bring them upgrades and maximizing design for budget was key. "We asked if money was no object, what would you want in your home?" Said Paron-Wildes. "Some of the answers were surprisingly simple and basic: a bigger kitchen, a really nice master shower, each girl to have their own room and a large closet. I thought none of the requests were out of reach with the proper donations. My favorite was Dave Schuller's only request was for a sauna. I thought that was such a great healing aspect to have in their home we made sure we designed a space for it and worked it into the budget! We all thought he deserved it!

The response from the design industry has been amazing! IIDA received more that $45,000 in kind donations and labor for the Schuller home. The end result is an amazing home the Schuller's are excited to come home to everyday. The young girls love their new spaces and feel nurtured and safe. Fieldstone Family Homes Inc. were contracted to build the final design and did an amazing job. Fieldstone went above and beyond all expectations in getting special pricing and donations from their subcontractors. It all made a difference. The Schuller's moved into their new home in April, only 7 months from when their house exploded.

Even some big ticket items were donated that make quite a dramatic difference in the home. "I could not even imagined having a dream kitchen with granite countertops and slate backsplash!" comments Colleen Schuller. "We have been so overwhelmed from the outpouring of generosity. We feel so incredibly thankful for everything the community has done for us. I don't know how we could have survived without it".

Thank you to those who have donated:

Fieldstone Family Homes Inc

Hadley House