The biggest challenge yet…Before and Afters
November 15th, 2009

It took a “Village” to transform this apartment !
Our latest family needed a pick me up, that’s for sure., and we gave it to them! The transformation was unbelievable, and they are so happy! On Tuesday, I had an fantastic team that worked tirelessly to help whip this tired and depressing apartment into a place this family can be proud of. We scrubbed and cleaned, organized closets and cabinets, hung pictures and curtains and moved furniture until we dropped. The end result was an amazing place to call home for this family of four. I just spoke with the mom and she said the kids love their rooms and spend all there time there now. They are occupied with fun things to do and there isn’t anymore fighting and arguing! Amazing what a bright, clean, pleasant atmosphere can do for children. The mom is enjoying her peace, relaxing in her own tranquil, redecorated room. It is so rewarding to know that we helped this family have a better quality of life, with just a few things–basic things really—that we all have in our own homes–and take for granted. Things like pictures on our walls, curtains on our windows, pillows on our beds and dishes in our cabinets. When we arrived they had donated TV’s in every room, but a television does not make a room inviting, it distracts you from focusing on what else is missing in the room or your life.
We gave the kids warm and inviting rooms, with toys to play with (game boys, balls,legos, books and dolls–all donated) and their names proudly displayed on the walls. The boys got bunk beds and a room filled with spiderman and wrestlers, that they love. The 8 year old girl was treated to a princess’s palace of pink and purple with her own vanity and personalized bulletin board. The kitchen was transformed into a organized, bright sunny space where the family can share meals on their new dishes and the living room is comfy and cozy with a handsome leather chair with lighting–something that was sorely missing before.
So many people came forward with items for this home that it is hard to name them all, but you all know who you are! Friends made curtains and pillows-framed pictures and refinished furniture. My right hand assistant, Amy,-personalized everything for the kids and shopped till she dropped. Personally, I don’t think I’ve ever been more exhausted in my life!
All of you should be proud of your part in helping this family and I thank you for your help from the bottom of my heart, I couldn’t have done this without you!
Many more people want to help families in the future and there will be other opportunities, so keep checking in with me, and watch for the next challenge!
Okay, here are the BEFORE AND AFTERS THAT YOU ARE ALL WAITING FOR…
Living room before…

and After…

after…
kitchen before…


and after…


boys room before…

and after…

Girls room before…

and after…



Mom’s room before…


and After…


Bathrooms before


Bathrooms After…




November 15th, 2009 at 10:07 am
Kathy - this is amazing!
November 15th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
I like the boys’ room the most I think, with the double spider-man masks. I feel like that room made the biggest transformation and I can see how depressing it really was before. Also you can really tell how cleaning and adding the lighting made all the difference.
November 16th, 2009 at 4:21 am
Love how you transform the rooms into such inviting places!
November 16th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Kathy,
I echo those other responses. What an amazing transformation! It just proves what a new look can do for a family’s outlook on life….especially in tough times.