When it comes to Dwell With Dignity, some folks just think of DWD’s month-long, pop-up Thrift Studio. They don’t realize what is accomplished thanks to the funds raised and the support by folks in the home furnishing industry. On Thursday, June 18, one of those accomplishments was unveiled to a mom and her four kiddos. Here is a report from the field:
Thursday’s reveal was a much anticipated labor of love, that brought together hundreds of hours of dedicated time, along with donated furniture, product and expertise from 36 sponsors to deliver a completely redesigned home for a Dallas mom and her four kids. The home this mom (whose name can’t be used, to protect her identity) and her kids lived in before the reveal could have been described as furnished by necessity. There were mattresses on the floor that served as beds, old dressers to keep clothes in, sheets to serve as curtains and very minimal furnishings to meet the needs of this family of five.
Before – living room*
Before – classroom*
Before – master bedroom*
Before – girls’ bedroom*
Before – boy’s bedroom*
But through the work of Dallas-based Dwell with Dignity, and LA celebrity designer Mark Cutler from nousDECOR, this family’s house could now really be called a home!
As a mom who home-schools her four children, it was very important to her that the front room (which previously was empty) be made into a space where she could properly school them and provide a nice learning environment. The new furnishings also had to accommodate the three daughters who must sleep comfortably in one room, since her son has the third and final bedroom space. In addition, the family really wanted an area they could sit down together and eat as a family, since most meals previously were eaten on the couch in the living room.
After – classroom **
After final touches were made during the day on Thursday, the family finally walked into their redesigned home at 4:30 p.m. On first sight, visitors were treated to squeals of delight when the family saw their new classroom/activity room space. With its new work tables, dry-erase wall, free-standing chalk board, Flor rug tiles and map of the globe on the wall, the family could now be inspired to learn and create, with all the essential materials and tools in place.
Mark Cutler and Lisa Robison*
Mark Cutler and Dwell with Dignity Founder and President Lisa Robison led the family’s tour through the rest of the house. Venturing into the living room space, the shelves for the first time were lined with books, personal trinkets and décor items that brought about the personality of the space. A new sofa grouping, custom designed by Gina Berschneider with Robert Allen fabric, beautifully filled the room, and gave ample seating for the family, while the Loloi rug sported a new World Market coffee table. The mom was especially pleased to have an “L-shaped sofa” in that space.
After – livingy room**
Into the adjoining kitchen – which had been fully stocked, with dinner waiting by the Dwell with Dignity team – the son noticed, “oh my, we have a microwave!” (by Nathan Grace). The dining area also featured a new dining table and table setting by World Market, which provided ample room for the entire family to sit down together (especially with the great bench-seating on one side for the kids).
Everyone was particularly excited to see their bedrooms, so Lisa and Mark took everyone into the girls’ room first, which was a sweet combination of pinks, creams and green pastels. Since it had to accommodate three, the room featured a new bunk bed and separate twin bed by Stacy Furniture. The oldest daughter remarked how “now, every morning I can get out of a durable bed!” She was so excited about this space that visitors heard her say, “it’s awesome, it’s awesome, it’s awesome in there… I had to say it three times because it’s triple awesome!”
After – girls’ bedroom**
The boy’s room brought in a new bed frame from DSI, and enhanced his love of the New York Giants through richly appointed red, white and blue accents such as his bedspread by Garnet Hill.
After – boy’s bedroom**
The mom’s room at once gave a feeling of peace and tranquility – something she has not had a lot of in her life. Through tones of plums and greys and other neutrals, everything from the bedspread and linens from Peacock Alley, to the drapery by Guildery, and the new carpet by Home Depot created a little haven for mom.
After – master bedroom**
The day’s festivities also included guests from the various agencies and companies that were an integral part of this project. Guests included Lisa Robison and the Dwell with Dignity staff; Mark Cutler along with nousDECOR Founder Heather Gillette and Co-Founder Dorothee Fisher and other team members; Ivory Hedger and Kelly Cruse from New Friends New Life – the agency that connected this family with DwD and nousDECOR; Mercy Gary of DFW Painting; local artist LaToya Jones; DHome Editor-at-Large Peggy Levinson; Alex Gonzalez of Air Sea Packing; Regina Bruce; and Danielle Cunningham of BKM Sowan Horan.
From the new wall art by TKO, to the lamps and ceiling lights by Lamps Plus and Lowes, to the paint by Benjamin Moore, to the wallpaper by York Wallcoverings and Kelley Worthington, to the closet and kitchen storage by Container Store – everything came together to provide this family a new home décor – and a fresh start. Guests were especially pleased to hear the joy in the oldest daughter’s voice as she said, “This is our houuuuusse!!!!”
* Photos provided by Dwell With Dignity ** Photos provided by nousDECOR