Elgin shelter gets room makeover thanks to Chicago design group
Clients and staff members of the Community Crisis Center in Elgin are loving a makeover of the living and dining room areas, courtesy of the Chicago chapter of the Interior Design Society.
The space is used for a variety of activities at the domestic violence shelter. That includes meals, which clients prepare for themselves and their children, group meetings for clients and activities for the kids, said Lisa S. Winchel, resource development and facility coordinator for the shelter. It's also where clients gather for family time and to watch TV at night.
"The whole intent was to have it feel warmer, welcoming, relaxing - and they absolutely achieved that," Winchel said.
Barbara Lazzara, vice president of the Chicago group, said the pro bono effort included raising money for a year through auctions and raffles, and gathering donations of services and materials.
"We felt that this area looked utilitarian and cold," said Lazzara, an interior decorator and window treatment designer. "We cleaned and painted, hung wall paper, added new furniture and drapery to give it a warm and inviting environment to heal and move on."
The project cost was about $3,000 but the retail value of the new materials and furniture is $10,300, the group said. That includes 30 dining chairs, four dining tables, draperies, cabinets, hardware, paint, wallpaper, a clock, a lamp, garbage and recycling cans and other accessories. The shelter kept its couches, obtained through a grant about a year ago, Winchel said.
The draperies were an especially welcome addition because they give the room, which has tall windows, a more homey feel, Winchel said.
Contributors to the project include OHI in Elk Grove Village, Comfortex, Sherwin Williams in Elgin and Whole Cubes in Addison. Artist Pat Coffman Huss donated her artwork.
The hands-on installation was done over two days by a team of 12 volunteers including Lazzara and Sharon Hodgson, a flooring specialist at DeSitter Flooring, Inc. in Glen Ellyn. Their work was officially unveiled last week. "We would love to have provided more accessories to keep the room dressed, but the budget was maxed," Hodgson said.
The only requirement for the project was to keep the existing inspirational wall decor - 15 words including "friendship," "confidence" and "joy" - which meant the designers worked with the existing aqua color scheme.
The last such project done by the Chicago chapter of the Interior Design Society was two years ago and benefited another nonprofit in Elgin, the Marklund Wasmond Center at Little Angels. The group hasn't determined its next project yet, Lazzara said.