Beautiful. Nicest Y I've ever seen.
Great cause. Good Karma.

Such a beautiful job. And for a great cause too. I applaud you!

So peaceful and inviting.

What a beautiful space for deserving women and children. Thank you for donating your time and energy.

I love the inspiration! I have volunteered at a few local domestic violence shelters and always wish the place felt more alive and inviting, not to me, but to the women who are worth a beautiful space to relax and get their lives back together! Bravo to a job well done and thank you for the inspiration.

This space is beautiful, it's nice to know that these women and children have a beautiful place to go when they are in tough times. Bravo!

While it looks lovely, I can't help but wonder what was the driving force behind the GRATITUDE motto on the armoire (or whatever it is). I assume the women in a shelter typically try to escape a past that included physical violence, the term gratitude seems an odd one to use.
Just JMHO, of course.

I could not agree more, CandianMango. I love the space, and as a women's rights advocate I could not appreciate the project more -- such important work, to provide safe haven for women and children escaping violence. But while I don't doubt the motives of the designer were only positive and well-intentioned, it's pretty clear to me that this person doesn't know much about domestic violence (or, about poverty).

I have worked with victims of domestic violence, and have also done low-income women's rights advocacy. One thing I can say for sure: People who find themselves in the position to have to live in a shelter -- even a beautifully decorated one -- do not need to be reminded that they're receiving help, or that they would be lost (and possibly in danger) without it. That is a fact seared into their minds every moment. They often have the literal scars to prove it. To see the word "GRATITUDE" screaming at them in huge, bold letters could feel to some (to many, I fear) like a reminder that they should feel beholden to the shelter. With so much negative cultural baggage associated with both poverty and with battery, it is likely that the word might evoke the same emotional response for some of the residents as if the armoire said, "CHARITY CASE" or "HANDOUT."

I really hope that they rethink that armoire. That word could unintentionally undermine the emotional health of the residents.

My fiancée as a child stayed in a battered women's shelter when her mom fled from her dad. You will never know how amazing this gift will be. My fiancée stayed in a sh*thole but to her at that time it was the Four Seasons, but to do this is simply amazing.

Bravo!!!

Pretty space. I do agree with the comment r.e. gratitude though. Very odd word choice.

Bravo! I love that teak daybed and console. Beautiful job!

Agreed all around. Absolutely beautiful space, just get rid of that armoire.

this space definitely looks like it breathes peace. it is a soothing environment, bravo! i feel like a comfortable and calming place is probably critical to people trying to flee turmoil. great work.

Beautiful use of your time and talents!

It's a beautiful room but I too must question the choice of word for that cupboard. (Reminds me ever so slightly of an "inspirational" banner I saw in a social security medical office: "Yes, you CAN get a job!" - when people tend to go there precisely because they're physically unable to work. Anyway...) I wish all places where people end up in times of serious difficulty could look this pretty, calm and welcoming - it would definitely help.

Glad I'm not the only one that reacted to the Gratitude cupboard. My initial reaction was "yikes, hope the client isn't supposed to feel unworthy".
Otherwise, beautiful room.

The YWCA has nothing but deep appreciation for Mary and all the designers who made our shelter a lovely and welcoming space. While understanding the concerns of others commenting, I can tell you that after 2 months of utilizing this space for our program, the only impact this room and all the others has had on our clients is a positive one! They daily rave about how much they love their spaces and how much they are able to heal in this facility. Bravo to Mary and the whole crew!

Who knew that people could find so much to complain about in a women's shelter.

I don't have a problem with the gratitude signage. It's not asking the residents to be grateful to the shelter but rather a reminder that everyday regardless of circumstances is a lesson in gratitude. Seriously people find something else to complain about.

Chicago has a non-profit organization that does exactly what was done here for all kinds of similar social service agencies/organizations: Their name is Designs for Dignity.

"Who knew that people could find so much to complain about in a women's shelter."

Just because you don't agree doesn't make you right. Nobody has been mean or non-constructive in their comments (except for you).

Bravo on a great project, the room is bright, lovely, and calming. I really love the gorgeous leaf panels concealing the sleeping area. I am glad that the room is being well received, however I would also gently suggest that the "Gratitude" sign be painted over.

The room is beautiful and I think that using design talent for a project of this nature really fits the sub-heading of AT, "saving the world, one room at a time."

This is beautiful! I'm right down the road in Olympia, so this makes me proud. What a relaxing, yet inspiring place, for someone in need of some support to come to. Bravo to you! On many levels.

Good for you!

KarinYWCA: I'm so glad to know that the residents are raving about their space. It's lovely, warm and fun, aside from the "Gratitude" sign screaming from the armoire like a reminder that the shelter has saved them. I'm sure that many of the residents have no problem with that big reminder. However, I would urge you to consider this: if even a few residents do feel bad about the word on the armoire (and its potentially loaded cultural baggage around "handouts," "charity," and shame, etc.) how could they ever feel comfortable sharing that with the Y, precisely because of the gratitude they feel to the Y for providing this crucial safe space for them? They would never really be able to question the word on the wall, because any protest about decor would seem the height of... ingratitude.

I'm not saying that anyone *does* feel uncomfortable; I don't know the individual women living in the space. Perhaps the women currently living there never gave it a second thought. But I do know many people who have grown up in either poverty or domestic violence situations (some both), and a common theme is being made to feel ashamed for needing help, or being assumed to be lazy because they needed help, etc. While the intent of your (extremely talented and generous) designer, and of the Y, to help these women is wonderful, there's a way in which that word -- so big, so bold, especially as the only word used as a design element -- undermines the intent by serving as a reminder that this is not the residents' "real" home. It could make them feel like charity cases.

So while I'm not saying that the women *are* uncomfortable, I'm saying that the *potential* for discomfort exists now -- and since it does, why put your current and future residents in that position? Why not just eliminate the potential for that discomfort?

The resistance to many people on this thread saying that this could cause emotional harm by saying, "Oh, but no one complained," is troubling to me. Everyone on the thread has expressed thanks and praise for the service you're providing, and how the Y has gone the extra mile to make the shelter a comforting and lively environment for residents to thrive in. I would hope that you'd consider our gentle suggestion to remove this one small element that *could* be doing some unintended emotional damage to some of the residents, who would be in no position to honestly express any distaste.

i was actually thinking that the "gratitude" word was used to express Mary's own feelings about being able to participate in the project. that was how i took it, but i could see how it could be taken another way. really nice space though, very pretty.

This is a beautiful room absolutely beautiful and well deserved for the women staying here. As for the word gratitude. I believe everyone is interrupting this wrong. These women, myself included use this word every single day, every single minute. Grateful to be in a safe situation, finally, grateful to be alive, grateful for whatever gave them the courage to get where they are. This word has nothing to do with "things" only to do with their inner peace. Gratitude is a word we all should use more often and should be displayed proudly. AT thanks for bringing this to us.

It's a beautiful space and a wonderful project, but I also find the "gratitude" armoire disturbing. jpozner is exactly right - there's no way a resident would complain, but that certainly does not negate the fact that "gratitude" is a really questionable choice in this context. lac105323, it's great that feel so positively, but not everyone has the same reaction to the word as you.

Who knew that people could find so much to complain about in a women's shelter.

Actually, 7andfive, I'm only detecting one solitary thing that people are "complaining" about. And count me as another person for whom the GRATITUDE graphic jarred.

Other than that, the apartment is lovely. There's a wonderful sense of simple luxury here, despite the fact that there are no expensive fittings or designer objects.

It must also be an interesting project for the designer, to create an apartment knowing that it will only be used by women. It's a fairly unique brief.

It's very lovely! I do also wonder about the word "gratitude". As a therapist it wouldn't really be the direction I would go with a family living in a DV shelter but maybe I am misconstruing something.

Although I didn't take issue with the word "gratitude" being displayed on the armoire, I very much appreciate those who brought it up. It never would have occurred to me that it could be a potentially loaded term.

This was so beautifully done, and it's wonderful that Mary was able to use her considerable talents to help those fleeing a difficult situation.

Great job - it just goes to show that if you're patient and know what to look for you can have a well designed space using craigslist, Restore and flea markets. Bravo!

I believe that when words are used as art in a room, they set the tone for the room. How can they not?? Gratitude is a positive word; however...is that really the tone that should be set for this room?? How about a word like Strength?? Breathe?? There has got to be a better word to display in a Women's Shelter than gratitude. I would not mind seeing the word gratitude painted on the wall at my yoga studio. Gratitude on display at a Women's Shelter makes me think that the designer did not fully consider the feelings it may evoke. Surprising to me since the rest of the space is done so well.

Beautiful... in so many ways.

What an amazing idea :) Also one of my favorite designs that I've seen... so fresh and dramatic at the same time.

Kudos to all the designers who gave their time and hearts to this.

As an advocate who works at DV shelters and within the domestic violence realm, I am at awe of how nicely done the space is. While it is clear that a lot of people are complaining, I am wondering why no one else has brought what I've been thinking up.

The space is clearly beautiful, but I can't help but wonder how the money to furnish this one space could have been used to furnish MORE spaces. As an advocate, we know that the most common problem is unavailability of space for women fleeing their abuser. I just think that having (hypothetically speaking) 15 spaces furnished with less fancy furniture and decor rather than 8 ubber fancy apartments is way more USEFUL of the money. I mean the ultimate goal is to help the most women, not just a few who want to stay in a nice place. While shelters are less then perfect in regards to decor etc., the primary concern here is safety, not how "homey" or "nice" the space is.

Wouldn't you rather have more women be able to be safe, in a less nice apartment, rather than fewer women be incredibly comfortable in a space they're only temporarily staying in?

Just saying..

I volunteered at a similar place in Philadelphia, and I also fantasized about doing something like this there.

I guess I just have to reach out and see if people in town would be interested in helping women and children in similar situations to feel as if there is hope, even if the temporary shelter is simply that shelter and security.

This gives me more motivation to reach out and do something about my idea....thanks!!!

What a beautiful, calming space. Well done.

That is one lovely apartment, I wouldn't mind living there myself! (Not under the necessary circumstances, of cours!)

I do tend to agree with the discussion about the graphic, though. It does strongly suggest that the resident should feel or express gratitude when maybe just NOT feeling fear would be a start. (How about "Happiness" or "Freedom" or something??)

As for the "more rooms, less fancy" question, seems to me that the designers who participated subsidized their own spaces, so it's not like public money was used up. I'm sure, since this was a donation,that most of these generous souls thrifted and did other things to conserve cash. The poster mentioned volunteer help and donated items. So it's not like there was wasted money. And though maybe a no-frills approach would give a cot to more people, I got the impression that all the rooms in the available facility were done, and that the "decorator showhouse" fundraiser was also an aspect of the project. Nobody is likely to pay money to tour a minimalist dorm. This is kind of the "If I had two loaves, I would sell one to buy hyacinths to feed my soul" sort of approach -- it has psychological benefits. So I applaud it!

Wow, up in seattle, just around the corner. This space is BEAUTIFUL, and special and I would find this space extra soothing because of all the love that was clearly put into it for the women (and kids).
I'm one more that doesn't love gratitude, but it could be easily changed and it's clear that the designer put some serious love and good intentions into this room.
I was also under the impression that the majority of this room was thrift/CL/donated and did not in fact cost any MORE than the Y would normally spend.
I would LOVE to be involved in a project of this nature. I often think it would be amazing to start up a non-profit remodeling service to low-income or otherwise struggling residents. Many people who HAVE a home cannot afford to keep it up.
Great room, great project.

Hey all. Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments. I appreciate your candid feedback. I am enthused about how many of you are doing similar projects and community work throughout the country.

The 'Gratitude' print is from a photo I took of a sculpture that inspired me and I hoped it might do the same in others, regardless of their situation. Nothing more.

The design aspects of the shelter project were accomplished completely through private donations from the individual designers, vendors and community members. The YWCA did not pay for any of the furnishings, fixtures or accessories. This renovation allowed the families to move from shared dorm spaces to individual apartments so they could have private space for themselves and their children. The individual room designs were intended to make the women and their families feel safe, valued and hopeful. Read more here if you'd like to learn more http://www.ywcapiercecounty.org/page/57 and here http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/10/23/1393360/miracles-make-shelter-a-thing.html

I've always wanted to get involved with something like this! My dream really.

I just met with the Director of an organization that renovates shelters/transitional homes in the Puget Sound area. Here's the link for any of you interested. www.girlsgivingback.org/index.php (Shout out to DahliaCactus in Seattle).