Adapting a new home design to meet the needs of a handicapped person doesn`t have to make the layout unsuitable for other family members.
When Donna and Chuck Golly selected the Pine, a four-bedroom, two-bath custom ranch with three-car attached garage, they wanted to make it accessible for their 7-year-old daughter, Jacqueline, who is confined to a wheelchair, as well as comfortable for their other children, Jeff, 11, and Mary Therese, 3.
The Gollys built the Pine on a 95-by-141-foot lot at Oak Meadows, a small subdivision of 16 homesites in Downers Grove. It is being developed by Montalbano Builders.
When the family moved into their new 2,500-square-foot home, they were the first residents of this in-fill community that is adjacent to Oak Brook. Other homes are under construction and eight lots are still available.
”At first glance, our house looks the same as any other ranch and anyone could feel comfortable living here,” said Donna Golly. The differences are doors that are 32 inches wide instead of the standard 28 inches lowered light switches, casement windows that Jacqueline can easily open and close and two cement ramps with rails. They also chose hardwood floors in the kitchen and foyer in preference to ceramic tile which can be slippery. Closets have lower- level shelves, and cabinets in the kitchen also have lower shelves that slide out.
The Gollys moved from a modified ranch also in Downers Grove that had not been adapted for Jacqueline`s disability.
”We love the area and wanted to stay close to Christ the King School in Lombard which has a single-story floor plan and is just 10 minutes away,”
said Donna Golly. Oak Meadows is also convenient for Chuck Golly who works for Official Airlines Guide in Oak Brook.
Before choosing their model from blueprints, the couple first visited other Montalbano communities and walked through similar models. ”We feel we made the right move and are very happy with the construction,” said Donna.
The Pine has a truss roof and a brick facade with cedar siding. Standard features include air conditioning, fireplace, a full basement and sodded lawn. The original plan called for four bedrooms, but the Gollys upgraded their bedroom into a master suite with tray ceiling, two-person whirlpool, shower, double-bowl sink and walk-in closet. Both the master bath and hall bath have four-foot-square skylights.
The focal point of the 24-by-14-foot living room is an arched grotto containing a three-foot statue of the Blessed Mother which is built into one corner of the room.
This statue of Mary traveled from home to home for almost 25 years before it was ”retired” by the Ambassadors of Mary, explained Donna. ”We`ve had it for several years, but because it`s so large we decided to build a permanent niche for it when we were designing the home.”
The family room has a tray ceiling, brick fireplace and sliding glass doors leading to a 400-square-foot deck, which they installed after moving in. The kitchen has oak cabinets, a breakfast bar plus eating area and built- in oven and microwave. The laundry room is next to the kitchen.
The price of the Pines with upgrades totaled $339,000. The house is base- priced at $312,000.
The Gollys financed through Banc Plus with an 8.5 percent 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. Taxes are estimated to be 2.5 percent of the total purchase price.
Oak Meadows is located in an established neighborhood at 39th Street and Fairview Avenue. It is next to a park in a serene environment yet is easily accessible to shopping, public and private schools and commuter train service.
