As you know we have been working on a Dwell with Dignity assignment for weeks preparing to transform a 2 bedroom apartment for a very deserving, formerly homeless, mother of two.  To learn more about this project and the background click HERE!

We spent the day preparing for our portion of the project - a shared bedroom for 2 young girls, ages 3 years and 18 months.   We were told that the girls loved reading, arts and crafts and dress up!  We were very excited to get started!!

Here is the before:

We had a lot of work to do.....

The beautiful bedding and decorative pillows were graciously donated by Serena and Lily and Lacefield Designs.

We had a great DIY group who transformed many of the pieces for us!  Do you remember this?

Many thanks to Dena Stormer of Hearts and Sharts for giving this old dresser new life.  (this was Kelly's husband's childhood dresser).

We got lucky with some great knobs from Hobby Lobby!

Thanks to the wonderful donations of some essentials and arts and craft supplies from Lori Creed Raney of Hedgecock Creed.  If you haven't heard about her new furniture line, click here!!

We received a monetary donation from our client Rebecca and and an amazing gift from Jeanine Harper who cleaned out her daughters old dress up trunk and donated several gorgeous, costumes, tutus and girly outfits, along with a pile of awesome books!

Here is the recipients reaction when she walked into the girl's room:

This room was truly a labor of love.  Many thanks to Woodstock Furniture Outlet for donating the bunk beds and mattresses, Currey and Company for the table lamp and Lamps Plus  for the fun bubble chandelier!

This chic fabric for the window treatment was donated by Steve McKenzies, a wonderful lifestyle store located in the West Midtown District of Atlanta.   While you're there, make it a point to have lunch at Miller Union, a fabulous restaurant right next to their store on Brady Avenue.

Many thanks to SJC Window Designs for fabricating the valance and for always being willing to donate her skill and time even when she is swamped!!

Our industrious and skilled installer Chris Ray of Hangman Installations helped us hang the window treatment, art, lighting and lended a hand to anyone else who needed assistance that day!

The 18 month old is still in  a crib until she is old enough to be in her own bed.  The reason the bunk beds were used was so that once the crib was removed, the two beds could be used side by side and there could be a matching set of twin beds.  In the meantime, we put a baby blanket in the crib donated by Sugarboo Designs that was so soft, I would like an adult version for myself.  The saying makes my heart melt!

"Lord, look down from heaven above and touch this special child with love.  Protect and guide this little one until each and every day is done.  Remind us often that it's true: This little life is a gift from you.  A miracle You've sent our way.  Lord, bless this child today."

One of the most special features in the room was the original art we had commissioned by one of our favorite Atlanta artists, Jason Kopydlowski of  Jay Scott Studios.

Upon viewing this piece, the girl's  mother fell to the floor!!

Here's more of the reveal!

To see the before and afters of the rest of the apartment and more inside information on the project click here!

All of the designers and volunteers unselfishly gave of their time and talents to create a special place.  It was a pleasure to be a part at of this project!

Pictured above:  Brian Pinion of AJW Designs, Kim Turner (co-founder of Dwell with Dignity), me - Kandrac & Kole Interior Designs, Inc., Ann Wisniewski of AJW Designs, Julie Montgomery of juliemontgomeryinteriors.com, Nancy Foster, Terri Hunt, Lathem Gordon of gordondunning.com , Dena Stormer of heartland sharts.com and Cate Dunning of gordondunning.com.

As if this wasn't emotional enough, the recipient has written a book about her life story and we each got a signed copy.  I read it in a day and a half and was so moved by her determination and courage.  You can purchase a copy here!

Thank you Dwell with Dignity for creating this wonderful foundation and allowing us to make a difference in other's lives!!

Their mission:  To help families escape poverty and homelessness through design; one household at a time.

Amen.

Joann

Photography by Tom England Photography and Kandrac & Kole Interior Designs, Inc.