For Windsor’s Nicolas Toniolo, life may not always be easy, but going forward, it should at least be more comfortable. The 14-year-old who was born with severe scoliosis opened the door to his new bedroom on Tuesday, fresh off recent renovations. Nicolas was selected for the Urban Angel bedroom makeover from Urbanhome Interior Design. “Obviously, it felt very exciting. I was super happy with the way it looked, and it was over my expectations,” Nicolas told CTV News on Wednesday evening. New digs for the teen come just in time as he prepares for an extensive surgery. While it’s not his first time, next week he’ll undergo a procedure to fuse his back, put a rod in, and hopefully improve his quality of life. “I’ve had two other surgeries before, which is going to make me, like, more like laid back, knowing what the outcomes going to be, and I just hope that everything goes well and that I feel better after it,” he said. Admittedly a little nervous, Nicolas said he’s certain recovery will be easier thanks to his new room. Through work with other local businesses who supply time, materials and furnishings, Urbanhome Interior was able to give Nicolas everything he wanted. His room includes a mini fridge, a couch, a light-up desk where he can play video games, a lower bedframe that’s easier to access, posters of his favourite shows, and a TV he can see from his bed. “Having a TV obviously makes me a lot better because I’m not going to be laying in bed doing nothing the whole time, just laying there and having to sleep,” he said. Of course, Nicolas already has a watchlist prepared. And perhaps his favourite room feature, a light shining images of galaxies and stars onto his ceiling. “I said like, you know, Rolls Royce, how they have stars on the roof, I said that and they went beyond that and added like a whole galaxy and stuff above there, which is obviously very nice,” he added. The extent of the new room could mean Nicolas’ family will see him less often, his mom Helen joked. However, if anyone deserves the opportunity, she said, it’s Nicolas. “He’s gone through a lot in his life in terms of the surgeries, losing his dad the last couple of years. It’s just well deserved, and it just makes me proud,” Helen said, sitting beside her son. On Tuesday, Jodi Mason, the founder of Urban Angel and owner and principal designer of Urbanhome Interior Design, told AM800 News that the room was created as a space for Nicolas to find peace and relax. “We wanted to make a space that he would be comfortable during his recovery, but also a space that would have some longevity for him because he is starting high school,” Mason said. “As a young adult, we wanted a space that he could feel like was his own hangout pad, and he could have his friends over and have his own safe place in a more mature setting.” It’s believed Nicolas’ initial recovery will take about two to three months, which should have him ready to start high school. He’s looking forward to every opportunity to have friends over and show off his new space. - with files from AM800’s Dustin Coffman
