I can’t believe it’s been a FULL YEAR since Gadora was approached about guest-designing a small apartment for a young lady named “Sparrow.” I’d been full-time at Bazaarvoice only a handful of months… but already flexed my design prowess in the Marketing Pit and the 2nd floor lounge (shame on me for not posting those too!). Fred Smith, a wiz in sales, asked if I’d like to take on a project for their team-building day. He serves on the board of LifeWorks, an Austin-based non-profit that among many initiatives also helps transition at-risk youth into what might very well be their first apartment. “LifeWorks’ clients are former foster care children, former homeless youth and teen parents who may have never before received the help they need for a fresh start.” Gadora was in! *My apologizes in advance, this is a long post. But keep reading, “The BIG Reveal” pictures are worth it!
The Challenge: We were pitted against 6 bona-fide design firms (oh the self-imposed pressure!) to transform Sparrow’s space in a single day. We’d have a month to conceptualize, prepare, procure and then 7 measly hours to bring it all together.
The Plan.
The Keeper: We met with Sparrow to discern her likes, dislikes and drothers. She didn’t give us much to go on. When you haven’t had much, you’re not sure what you need. You’d like a roof over your head. And a sense of security. But we learned she liked green. And this lamp. It would stay and be incorporated into the final design. Look for it later!
The only keeper...
A quick walk through her apartment revealed she needed A LOT of things to make her place a home. Dishes. A proper sofa. A new bed. New linens. Towels. A desk area for her to continue her studies.
Before: The living room and kitchen spaces. We were lucky enough to get our hands on an apartment who had a small face-lift from last years’ HIC (Home Improvement Challenge) crew. There was laminate flooring and the snazzy glass tile in the kitchen. What had to go? The brown. The dots. The crummy vertical blinds. *You can click on the picture and make it bigger!
BEFORE: Living Room and Kitchen
Before: The bedroom and bathroom. Through no fault of Sparrow’s, the bedroom carpet was d-i-n-g-y and the bath was less than a retreat. We. Had. Work. To. Do.
BEFORE: The Bedroom and Bath
Besides making a new place for Sparrow, each team competed in a number of categories. The Green Challenge. Design on a Dime. And then an overall challenge winner would be announced. Gadora thought we’d go for the “green” challenge because 1) Gadora prides herself of repurposing items that would otherwise end up in a land fill, and B) it was Sparrow’s favorite color.
” Gadora LOVES the way she turned out, too. Here’s Minky, pre-frame:
