Here is an inside peek into how Project Redesign changes lives. This non-profit, credited with over 100 room makeovers in Nashville since its inception 2008, was forwarded this letter, sent to Ms. Cheap in her “What would you do with $500?” contest:
I’d like to win the $500 to redo my 16 yr. old son’s room. I know that doesn’t sound like much, but my son shared a room with his brother for 7 yrs until his brother’s passing in 2009. His brother was on a ventilator at home and he needed around the clock care, so someone was in the room all the time.
Honestly, my 16 year old never complained about the lack of privacy. Sometimes in the middle of the night there’d be alarms going off, and we’d be working on his brother and he would just roll over to make sure everything was O.K. before going back to sleep.
Since his brother has been gone, he has been having a hard time sleeping, and I wonder if it’s because of the remnants of his brother’s stuff everywhere. Snoopy and Pooh are not really appropriate for a boy of 16. I’ve given a lot of stuff away, and packed away other stuff, but some of it is still there because I don’t want to see the room half empty.
This before and after project below was for a mom who had escaped an abusive situation with her 5 children from another state, landing in Nashville at the James Cayce Homes.
Project Redesign has been fortunate to have had design services donated many times by Interior Design Services in Brentwood (IDS). See IDS working below. They even built and installed a custom homework center! This was done at James Cayce Homes.
Project Redesign has now spread its work beyond the James Cayce homes and was recently recognized by Mending Hearts for fully furnishing six of their apartments that serve as half-way houses for women who are homeless due to a background of addiction. There are plans to furnish two more in the near future.
Not limited to residences, Project Redesign has helped spruce up community gathering spots for the Salvation Army, YWCA’s Domestic Violence Center, Stratford High School’s “Top Floor,” Issac Litton Middle School after-school room and the Martha O’Bryan Center. Local artists and businesses have been strong supporters, as well as corporations such as HCA and many others.
Remarkably, most rooms are redesigned on a budget of just $200-$300. James Caycee Homes average just $200!
Want to get involved? Project Redesign is looking for groups of people to make a difference. Volunteer Groups such as the Mother Daughter Serving Circle and First Presbyterian Youth have helped out. The Ensworth School has already organized several projects for its students and Project Redesign would love to work with other schools, as well. Groups are a great fit for this organization, so if you are looking for a way for you office to make an impact, consider redesigning a room through this great organization. Interior designers and artists, email to introduce your unique ability to help out!
Donations can be sent to: P.O. Box 159276, Nashville, TN 37215. Furniture donations can be arranged by emailing [email protected].
Nashville’s community always amazes us. Suzanne, Karen, Ellie and Alison are no exception. Way to go! You are making wonderful changes in Nashville that will reverberate for years to come.