Last week, I was in sunny Atlanta with Homes.com and ForRent.com working on a Crafting for Charity project at the Nicholas House, a homeless shelter for families. I am a Homes.com brand ambassador and write for the Homes.com blog. When they asked me to be their designer for this challenge, I was honored. I knew from looking through the before pictures that the redo was going to be a tough one; however, I had NO IDEA how challenging the planning process was going to be. I’m used to just coming up with designs for homes, having people like them, and moving forward. I’m not at all used to doing commercial design and having to think about federal code, fire retardant materials, etc. There was a lot of back-and-forth and major design changes as we went along, but I am thrilled with how it all came together.
My original plan was to create a space that would stand the test of time. I wanted to replace the tile floor with commercial grade laminate (THANK YOU to Metroflor for the generous offer to donate flooring). I wanted to install board and batten under the chair rail and paint the walls a gorgeous blue-gray. I was hoping to frame out the entire side-wall and create a chalk board to display pictures of residents. I wanted to upgrade the cheap ceiling tiles to something more traditional and clean. My plan was to incorporate color into the room with less expensive elements that could easily be updated—such as paper lanterns, word art, window cornices, and an indoor/outdoor rug. Unfortunately most of these elements were given the no-go, so I regrouped and came up with a few new plans.
When I learned that 35 out of 50 residents at the Nicholas House are children, I decided to go in a completely different design direction. Instead of traditional, I went full-on “ice cream shop”. I wanted the dining room to scream fun, happy, yummy, family, good times, community, and smiles. Have you ever walked into an ice cream shop and noticed any sad faces? Okay, well there is always that one kid who drops his cone, but typically the decor is vibrant and families are gathered together and happy. I wanted that so badly for these families! With Mandi’s daughter’s room as my inspiration, I drew up another plan for the space that incorporated a citrus color palette and a bunch of bold design choices.
The residents at the Nicholas House have some meals provided for them; however, they are responsible for some of their breakfast foods and snack items. Each family is given a kitchen cabinet with their corresponding room number on the front to store their families’ food. From the before pictures I received of the space, I didn’t think the cabinets looked too bad. Once up-close-and-personal, however, I saw that they were in pretty bad shape. I would have planned on gutting and reinstalling new cabinets if I had known beforehand how badly damaged the laminate and hinges were on the cabinets. There was no time for that now, so we headed to Home Depot to track down some cleaner, Bondo, sanding blocks, and new hardware.
We carefully removed all of the cabinet doors, and I asked everyone to label the cabinets and hardware with the corresponding room number using frog tape and a pen. This is such an important tip to remember when painting cabinet doors. Your cabinet doors typically need to go back exactly where they came from in order to have a decent fit and save you from having a nervous breakdown trying to get them rehung. When the doors were removed and free of hardware, we scrubbed them down with an outdoor cleaner and then filled in all of the holes and damaged areas. This was my first time using Bondo, and I have to say that I was impressed! You mix together a tiny amount from a tube of red paste with the Bondo gray stuff and quickly, quickly, quickly patch your holes using a putty knife before the Bondo sets up. It definitely takes an artistic hand to neatly fill larger gaps and we all did our best. Once it is dry, you sand it down and are ready to prime. It took our cabinets from wholly messes to clean looking doors.
Once the cabinets were primed it was time to paint, and I hadn’t exactly pre-planned on where all of the colors would go. Amanda from ForRent.com (who has a natural DIY ability) sketched out the cabinets for me, and I placed sticky notes of the colors on the cabinets to use as a map for our team. We primed the cabinets with two coats of primer and two coats of paint and they turned out gorgeous! Side note: I had Gillian from Homes.com, Amanda from ForRent.com and three PR ladies from Zimmerman helping me on this project the entire time (along with several ForRent.com Atlanta volunteers some of the time). Most on the team said that they had little to no DIY experience. It was fun to teach them some tricks and watch them tackle very difficult projects like pros. I was so proud!!
Staging for the final reveal was definitely my favorite part! I love designing those last minute details which are truly like icing on a cake.
I designed two word art canvases using my Silhouette, and I precut the vinyl to bring with me to Atlanta. Some of the vinyl was 9 inch vinyl, so I had to cut my design in half which caused some glitches for me on install. My knife next to the plate ended up being backwards due to this and drives me bonkers! Just try and look past the bad etiquette please and admire the rest :).
With the help of Katie Healy (who did all of the photography you see in this post on behalf of ForRent.com and has her own photog business), I placed the vinyl on the canvas, painted over it, and carefully lifted each piece with my fingernails. They turned out so cute!
For this piece below, I used my 3M Mobile Projector (which I LOVE by the way—it is so handy for creating art). I had printed out the scrolly font in vinyl but it was way too intricate to place on the board without transfer paper. I projected the words onto the canvas and used white paint to trace them onto the canvas.
My original plan was to stencil the walls using this Moroccan Dream stencil and fill in the colors with something like the following. It quickly became apparent to all of us that we just didn’t have the time for a full wall stencil, so I opted to use my final canvas to create some stencil art.
I should entitle this section The Walls and The Ceilings from Hell. I’ve removed ceiling tiles before so I knew it was going to suck. It’s dirty, dirty work and it’s just no fun. I had no idea that huge chunks of plaster and brick were hiding behind those ceiling tiles waiting to crash all over the floor and break a coffee pot and a brand new iphone screen. It was a MESS! We powered through it all though and put up the new gorgeous tiles.
The walls required filling, sanding, priming, painting, striping, and decorating!
Everyone on the team was amazed that you can paint over cork boards. I assured them that you can paint over just about anything! And we did. We gave every item we could get our hands on a little colorful makeover. The cork boards contain a lot of important information and announcements for the residents, but for the grand reveal I thought it would be fun to turn them into picture collages using scrapbook paper and fun push pins.
I wanted Gerbera Daisies in vases of sliced citrus fruits on the tables and colorful chalkboard frames at the end of each table. The numbers on the mini-chalkboards correspond to the families’ room numbers and are necessary for assigned seating purposes. I wanted a large gallery wall on our chalkboard so that families felt more connected to the space. Amanda did a fantastic job at completing the gallery wall project!
Phew! If you’re feeling like this post is incredibly long, you are right. We worked our butts off on this space with so many projects. Our hard work definitely paid off though. On the last night before the final reveal, our team was spent. We had been working constantly for over 12 hours that last day, and we were just over it. We had taped off the doorways to the dining hall with trash bags so that residents couldn’t see the space until the final reveal. However, we needed some help carrying in the new chairs and some residents offered to help, including a father and his son. The little boy wandered into the dining room, carrying his heavy chair, and gasped. He exclaimed, “Oh WOW!!! This place looks like a REAL home.” I burst into tears. It was so incredibly precious and made every single hard hour worth it. A REAL home is what I wanted for all of them. A REAL home is what every child deserves.
Thank you Homes.com for being an amazing organization who cares about helping everyone achieve the American dream. It was an honor to work with you!
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It looks great, I love all the bright colors!
Looove this! You made it so bright a cheerful.
Thank you!
Such a wonderful job, Beth! Perfect color choice and those cabinets look great.
I enjoyed reading every word of this post. What a wonderful wonderful job and reason for doing this. I have enjoyed reading your blog this past year Beth, but this project stands out as my favorite post from you. AMAZING in both the design and the heart behind it. Sharon
Thanks so much Sharon :). It was a special project to be involved with.
Oh, Beth, it turned out amazing! I know you labored over this for days and weeks and I’m so happy for you with how great it turned out. Wonderful job executing and delivering on this one! Proud of you girl!!
Thank you so much Rhoda! I’m really pleased with how it all came together :).
Beth, what a huge undertaking and it turned out beautifully! Paint can truly work wonders and isn’t it the truth, you really can paint just about anything. 🙂
Thanks so much Susan :)!
Wow Beth!! It turned out SO great!!! I love all of the colors that you used. It really brightened up the space. So awesome!!
xoxox
Thank you sweet Jen :).
Wow! You continue to amaze and inspire me. What a wonderful, wonderful project! The room(s) look terrific and the thought that went into the design (even with the code roadblocks) is terrific.
Bondo is the best! I’ve done a couple of posts on it because it so great in fixing up furniture that looks like it’s beyond saving. Those cabinets look brand new!
David
Awesome Job Beth. Isn’t it so rewarding to give back.
Cheri
Dear Beth,
I feel really inspired by this project of yours! Here, in Portugal, crisis is striking hard, people look sad, preocupied… Many middle class families have become the new poors. They now eat in places like that, live in places like that, when not in their cars or abbandoned houses. What a wonderfull way to give back, to bring color, and joy, and hope back to people’s lifes. I want to do something like that here also. Going to check with my friends if someone wants to do this with me. Thank you for your post. It can be lifechanging.
Wish you the very best, all the hapiness and love and health
Fátima
How wonderful Fatima! I hope you and your friends are able to share your gifts and talents with your community.
Wow!! This looks amazing! What a great project to be a part of. You did a fantastic job in designing it all. I would love to hear more about the families responses.
Thank you Megan! Unfortunately, I had to leave to catch my flight RIGHT when we were done and ready for the big reveal. I went to the airport paint splattered and a total mess. I missed out on the best part of seeing everyone’s reactions :(.
Wow! What an AWESOME project!! It must feel so incredible to use your passion and talent in a way that actually benefits others who are in need… So great!!
Wow! What an AWESOME project!! It must feel so incredible to use your passion and talent in a way that actually benefits others who are in need… So great!!
Oh yes!!! This is so worthwhile!!! I’m glad you took the time to post this. And I’m glad you did use Bondo and reused their cabinets to save $ for these cheerful refurbished cabinets may help them realize all does not have to be new. A lot get back on their feet and get a place and may get a bit of paint and refurbish. We don’t know why sometimes but it may be one person will not despair but feel like their creative side can make humble things turn into a tasteful home.
I’ve headed up redoing five bedrooms for ten girls in the Mission program for a year (instead of jail time) and it was an incredible amount of work for us to do in a week. But the women…one woman dropped to her knees and cried, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. Thank you. For she had never had a bedroom. But my skills God gave me of organizing men, women, tasks, orderly, and that helpers did not come every day all day was a challenge as I look back. But as we gave beautiful rooms (on a budget!) I often think of these women and pray they have stayed clean…that our work touched them as valuable to God to send us to not slap paint on the wall but to create excitement all week for they knew it was going to be special. That black garbage bag? It let your families know that it wasn’t just some paint slapped on the wall. It was something special! And done to show them that they are important enough for you to build this exciting reveal! That had touches of them in the space too!!! Blessings!
Sounds like wonderful work you do Gwen. Blessings to you girl.
Wow Beth, You put your heart and soul into this and it shows. You must be so honored to be asked to do this redo. An amazing difference you made for these folks. Yeah for all of you. What a blessing you are.
WoW!! Words can’t describe how much work it looks like you all put in to it!! I love the results! You did a fantastic jobs. I’m sure the kids will LOVE it! 🙂
Faye
I LOVE all of the colors, it is perfect considering all of the kids, and the contrast with the one black wall. What a beautiful project for so many reasons!!
Thank you Karah!
Awesome! What an uplifting and inspiring atmosphere. Amazing work, B. ~Sarah
Thank you so much Sarah :).
Beautiful job Beth! The colors are fantastic.
Thanks Brandi!
Oh my!! The whole thing is wonderful- love the striped wall, the collection of framed photos, the wall art… everything, but especially the little boy’s reaction. Could he have said anything more perfect??! What a wonderful thing you and Homes.com did. Bravo!
Thank you Natalie!
Kind actions come from kind hearts. Thanks for the great example. You have a great heart and a fabulous amount of creativity to carry out your plans. It looks great.
What a sweet comment :). Thank you so much Chris.
I loved the “The Family that eats together” art. I want to make it, but, when I went to the site, I couldn’t find any of it. Is it an older offering? You all did a great job!!!
Do you mean the Silhouette site? I made the lettering myself within Silhouette using Futura font, but the plate graphic is on there to download.
I thought that you might have done the font, but, I couldn’t find the plate or silverware. Guess I overlooked them. Are they together? Thanks so much for replying.
Here you go Erin: http://www.silhouetteonlinestore.com/?page=view-shape&id=27994
Thanks Beth!!! 🙂
Oh Beth. It looks incredible! I know this was a labor of love for you, and it turned out beautifully!!! They are so lucky to have you make a comfortable and welcoming space for them. It’s wonderful!
Thanks so much Chris!
Beautiful job Beth. It’s easy to see how much of your heart went into this space. Cheers, Kerri
Thank you Kerri ;).
So sweet! The space is so cute. What a great thing to do!
It looks fantastic – great colours that are so cheerful and warm. That little boy’s comment brought tears to my eyes. Way to do go for all your hard work.
Thank you Grace!
Love all the bright colors and perfect for kids 🙂 I’m sure they were so excited to see the change!
Thanks Jess! Yes, they loved the candy colors.
You did amazing, Beth. They are so blessed to have such a beautiful, colorful space to eat in!!
Thanks Melissa!
Oh wow! What a transformation! If the children can see and feel more at home then every bit of stress & hard work was worth it! You all really out did yourselves! Bravo to the Homes.com & Rent.com design team!!!!!
Thanks sis! I think when the team opened the cans of paint and saw how bright the colors were they questioned my design a bit :). Ha! But we really worked great together and I was so proud of what everyone accomplished together.
Amazing transformation – for such a great cause!
Kelly
Thank you Kelly!
You and the team did an amazing job! God bless you. Thanks for giving back to your community. I know they appreciate it.
Thanks Christy!
Fabulous job Beth! Love the colors and the kitchen lockers are simply adorable. Happy Fourth!
Hey girl! Thank you so much for stopping by. We haven’t connected in ages and should do that sometime soon! Happy 4th to you and your fam.
And now we’re all crying along with you!
Bravo to you, Beth, and to everyone who worked with you on this project. What a cheerful, hopeful space you created! May God bless every one of the residents there.
He totally got me with that one sentence :). We all became teary and tried so hard to hide the tears so the boy didn’t freak out that 5 women were now all crying!
Looks amazing! Love the bright colors and all the little touches. Nice job!
Thanks so much Nicole!
Beth, I absolutely LOVE this space! You did an amazing job. What a blessing it is to know those sweet children and families are sitting at those tables together in what now feels like “home.”
Great job!
Thank you Trace!
Aw! That brings tears to my eyes and puts a lump in my throat! Beautiful and wonderful!
Thanks so much Viv :).
What an amazing opportunity! I love, love how everything turned out. So bright, cheery, and homey. Simply beautiful. And what a special blessing to hear that little boy’s reaction. Great job!
Thanks Carrie! It was such a beautiful affirmation of our hard work and we were blessed by that one sentence :).
Cheers! Beautiful job.
Thank you!
Amazing job! I love all of the colors. It looks so bright and cheerful now!
Thank you so much Kristi!