Citywalk

“I‘m putting my shoes in your room so I don’t mess up MY room.” –daughter to mother

This installation is unusual in that we met the family moving into the two-bedroom unit at CityWalk @ Akard and received a glowing follow-up from the mother. In fact, she invited us all over for a pot-luck to celebrate and thank us for all of our hard work. The poem, “Children Learn What They Live” by Dorothy L. Nolte springs to mind: “If children live with sharing, they learn generosity” and “If children live with kindness and consideration [from others], they learn [to] respect [others]”. Somehow, something as simple as a soothing, beautiful environment can create self-pride and a sense of ownership in children: a respect for their space. Maybe Ms. Nolte will add another line to her famous poem: If children live with good design, they learn aspiration.

Family Gateway

The design project at Family Gateway is the second in a series of back-to-back installations. This whirlwind installation gave us the opportunity to re-carpet, paint and tile… in one-third the time of a typical installation! We sprang into action after the CityWalk installation and outdid ourselves. Not only did a volunteer update the kitchen tile, but an artist applied a decorative faux finish to the cinderblock wall in the living room! And another volunteer made it possible to replace the stained, commercial carpet. It is amazing how one person’s contribution can make such a BIG difference! You can see it in the photos: from the decorative netting above the girl’s bed to the simple table setting. Without our great volunteers, this rapid installation would not be possible. Volunteers: thank you!

For Mom and 17 Year Old Daughter

Not even a snow-laden cold front deterred volunteers and contributors from coming out to work and admire the final results of this last project. This particular apartment at Interfaith Housing was for a mother and teen daughter. Volunteers repainted furniture, sewed pillows, and hung wall art. Contributors donated furniture, accessories, kitchenware, and even custom cushion cores! Local artists designed wall art especially for the new tenants. Thank you, volunteers and contributors, for stepping up during the unseasonably cold weather to complete this project on time and to make it a beautiful and refreshing success!

For mom & 5 year old daughter

This apartment was completed the last week of October for a mother and her 5 year old daughter. The workforce for this project was even larger, with more donations of furniture and services than our previous installations. We also had many more volunteers! We had  friends, contractors, designers, artists, and shopkeepers among us. It is truly amazing what can be done with a little help from lots of people. (also, a lot of help from a lot of people!) Thanks to everyone who made this possible!

For mom and 2 year old son & 11 year
old daughter

We designed this one bedroom apartment for a mom and 2 kids. It was an amazing collaboration that we all enjoyed on a level that is hard to put into words. Our design and installation team has grown so much since our last project. Donations were both trickling in and pouring in during the weeks prior to installation. Not only did the design community come through with donations of time, furniture, expertise, and fabric, but also the Dallas community at large came through to volunteer their help as well. Thanks to everyone involved in making this inspiring home for a family in need! For more details about the project, visit our blog.

For mom and baby

moved in May 4, 2009

This apartment was designed for a mom and her 8 month old child. Many volunteers and donors helped to make this project happen. We collected and re-furbished vintage furniture, made draperies, and even made the headboard in the master bedroom. A local artist donated her lovely artwork, and local retailers donated furniture and accessories. Lots of 11 year olds helped to make this a special place for a family's new start. Mom and baby love their new home, and are concentrating on their efforts to start a fresh life there! For more details about the project, visit our blog.