A New Doorways Apartment

You may remember my previous work with Doorways organizing local interior designers to redecorate their safe house.

When my friends Yuri from Sagatov Designs and Michelle Sagatov asked me to help again, I said... "no".  That's right, I SAID NO.  I said it nicely but I was too busy, feeling overwhelmed by so many things, and just didn't think I could help. I am super cold-hearted like that. Not. Handy Hubby says I never say no to anything so I was super proud of myself for admitting that I don't have time between 2 jobs, 2 kids, a husband, a household, and I might be the PTA president of our new elementary school (how did that happen!?!). Nope, no time.

But... of course, I couldn't help myself so I did end up helping a little. I can't help myself (or I'm an idiot or flat out crazy). Doorways is an amazing organization and I love to help them whenever I can and this was sooooo much less work and stress than the last project. There was no construction to contend with, just a shiny recently remodeled 2 bedroom apartment that could house 6-8 people in need of a home, if necessary. We asked for donations through various local listservs and facebook pages, and we received sooooo many great pieces of donated furniture. We found a couple of designers to help out with the bedrooms, and Yuri's design crew handled the main living area. The only pressure point? We had less than 2 weeks to collect everything and 1 day to get it ready for occupancy.

It was a total blank slate which made it really fun. It was sunny and spacious so that was a huge bonus. So, here are the before and after pictures…

Living and Dining Room Combo

Kitchen

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

This was such a fun project and we can't wait to do it again this summer!  We learned a lot and now have a really complete list of items that an apartment needs to be complete - down to silverware drawer organizers. 

Doorways Safehouse: Washington Business Journal Philanthropy Awards

This morning I attended the Washington Business Journal Corporate Philanthropy Awards ceremony. 

These awards honor partnerships between local businesses and charities.  I am so happy to say that the partnership between Doorways and Sagatov Associates for the safehouse project was a top-4 finalist!  Although we did not win, it really felt like we did because this project was so rewarding and amazing. For more on the project click here - http://www.houseography.net/search/label/Doorways%20Safehouse

Also, today, the United Way of the National Capital Area is sponsoring “Do More 24” - a 24 hour crowd fundraising event intended to promote and support local charities.  The charity with the most donors receives an extra $15,000.  The minimum donation is $12.  There are MANY worthy charities participating but in case you are looking for one to support, please consider donating to Doorways.  More information here.

The website is receiving a tremendous amount of traffic (which is great!) so please be patient if it does not load the first time you try.  

Doorways Safehouse: The Finale {Before & After}

This is the final post about the Doorways Safehouse project!  The interior aspects of the process have been finished for a while but the exterior work will continue for a bit longer.  To see all of the posts about this project, click here.

I wanted to again thank everyone involved in this project, both up front and behind the scenes.  

Yuri Sagatov of Sagatov Design/Build was wonderful to work with. If you are looking for design build work in the Arlington/Falls Church/NOVA area, call them please.  They are amazing.

The designers - 

Heather Cichelli from Casa Mila Design

Anna Kucera from Gracious Living Design

Linda Kosovych from LSK Fine Arts and Design

Nicole Lanteri from On My Agenda

Jessica Centella and Kiera Kushlan Residents Understood

Kate Fallon at Studio K

Also, thank you to Washington Workplace for their work and donations in the large staff office, and Belfort Furniture for their furniture donations.  

Also, thank you to the Container Store for their Elfa closet systems for three bedroom closets.  Finally, a big thanks to my neighbors, Krista and Meghan, for each taking on a bathroom decorating project, and to everyone else who donated time and money to this effort.  It was amazing to see the community come together!

And, the Doorways staff who made this project such a joy to work on.  Caroline, Claudia, Susan, Heather and everyone else who was so supportive and receptive to our sometimes crazy ideas!  Thanks for hanging in there and believing in what we could do.

Finally, my partner in crime, Michelle Sagatov, of Fall Properties.  She is an amazing real estate agent if you are ever in need of one!  There were moments when I was swearing at her under my breath for getting me involved in this... but it was so worth it and I am forever grateful to her.  

And now for one last dose of before and after... including a few not-seen-before spaces.

Living Room - Nicole Lanteri from On My Agenda

Before...

After...

Bedroom 1 - Anna Kucera from Gracious Living Design

Before...

After...

Bedroom 2 - Kate Fallon at Studio K

Before...

After...

Playroom - Linda Kosovych from LSK Fine Arts and Design

Before...

After...

Dorm Room - Jessica Centella and Kiera Kushlan Residents Understood

Before...

After...

Bedroom 3 - Heather Cichelli from Casa Mila Design

Before...

After...

Basement Office - Melissa MacGregor (me!) of Spendalla Home Styling

Before...

After...

And some other renovated spaces not previously shown...

Upstairs Bathroom (my neighbor Krista picked and purchased the accessories!) 

Before...

After...

Laundry Room

Before...

After...

You may recognize the art from the original basement office pictures.  Doorways had a lot of nice artwork, many of which we were able to reuse in some of the common spaces, such as in the hallways...

This piece was originally in the living room.  It works just find in the hallway and it's nice to be able to reuse things that others have donated to the house over the years.  

This project was incredibly fun and so rewarding.  Thanks again to everyone!  

Doorways Safehouse: Lower Level Office Reveal

At long last the final room in the Doorways Safehouse project!  Well, that's not really true actually.  I have a bathroom or two and a few random hall pictures, that we haven't shown but I'll try to do those as well in the final before and after post next week.  But, for today - the last actual room.  When I invited designers to take on a room in the house, no one claimed the basement office.  It's not heard to see why...

The office is in the lower level of the house and is used for client meetings and overflow workspace for the staff and volunteers (they have a larger staff office upstairs).  The room felt dark and dingy.  The closet doors were really dominating the space like a black hole and linoleum tiles had long outlived their useful life. 

The staff cleaned out a lot of paper so they were able to lose a filing cabinet.  The art was cute but was too small for the space (it found a new home in the laundry room where it's perfect!).  I kept the funky leather/pleather chairs.  I think they are sort of fun and they were in good shape.  

I was aiming for a cozy, clean feeling room where people would want to work and meet in, as necessary.  A larger rug was a critical ask since this room is often used for play therapy.  The room also needed some art and some pillows for the chairs which could be moved to the floor if necessary.  Everything had to be durable.  

I started with some shopping... lots of shopping!  I was looking for the most bang for the buck.  

At one point this was my dining room.  

I returned a lot of that stuff!  I chose the paint color based on the rug that I found ($59 at Ross!).  It was perfect and ended up being my jumping off point.  I chose Sherwin Williams Hinting Blue (75% strength).  This is the same color we used in Elizabeth's new room this winter and I loved it.  Lightening it slightly ensured that it wouldn't be too overpowering in the space.

Here's what it looked like on a very sunny day with no blinds on the windows.  This was the day that I was supposed to complete my space but it was clearly not ready for me. They were still replacing windows in this part of the house, doing electrical and other work.  I put off my install for another week.  

And then after the installation...

My favorite thing in the room is the table lamp between the chairs.  I was so close to keeping that for myself!  And those painted closet doors and an additional overhead light make the entire room seem 10 times brighter.  Reports are that everyone is willing to work in this space now since it's no longer the dungeon.

And a quick side-by-side before and after...

                    

                   

Sources:

Rug - Ross Dress for Less - $59

Pillows - Ross - $7 each

Art - HomeGoods & Marshalls - $39 and $29 

Clock - Ross - $15

Printer cabinet - Target (ClosetMaid) - $32

Table lamp - Ross - $27

Desk lamp - Target - $18

Small end table - Craigslist - $5

Footstool - Ross - $10

Hooks on door - Ross - $4

Miscellaneous accessories - $10

Total: $262! 

(not including tax)

What do you think?  I think this is proof that paint, a new (inexpensive rug), wall art, and a few accessories can go a long way!  

I'll do a final wrap up post of before and after photos next week!  If you want to donate to Doorways, please click here.

p.s. Woohoo! Today is my 29th birthday...errrrrr.  Well a few anniversaries of my 29th birthday. hehehehe. I seriously love my birthday so feel free to wish me "happy birthday" if you see me today.

Need help styling your home?  Email me at melissa.spendalla@gmail.com