Redesigners Turn Temporary Housing Shelters into Homes
The Washington Post

Today the Washington Post features the inspiring, creative work of local volunteers in Falls Church, Virginia, who call themselves "redesigners." These volunteer designers, members of Interior Redesign Industry Specialists (IRIS), donate their time and talent to redecorate local shelters for homeless families. The Post piece includes the touching story of the Patrick Henry Family Shelter in Falls Church and a family that is currently living there. More info and photos below the jump...

apr 30 2.jpg The featured apartment is a basic family apartment, with a living/dining/kitchen area, two bedrooms, and a bath. The place was "furnished with sturdy, beat-up wood furniture," and "institutional-white walls and scuffed linoleum floors." The redesigners found free or inexpensive furniture and home resources by shopping on Craigslist, Freecycle, a Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Pier 1, Wal-Mart, and their own closets. They creatively repurposed objects and materials to turn the shelter housing into a lovely, comfortable family apartment.

Click here to read the full Washington Post article "The Comforts of a Temporary Home; Drab Shelter Apartments Become Welcoming Spaces With the Help of Volunteers."
Click here for more on the Patrick Henry Family Shelter House.

(Images: top two by Len Spoden, Shelter House)

Comments (5)

I love stories like this. Kudos to the designers who volunteered their time and talents to this venture!

Thanks for this post.

I loved reading this story in the paper, and am delighted to see it here.

Finally! Families in transition have taste, too! What a great way to reach out to the community.

What a great idea and story! Maybe we should all try to pull together some friends and see if we could do something similar within our own communities. Just a few decor items would go a long way....and most of us probably have all sorts of stuff stored someplace.