ROOM SERVICE ATLANTA: Day 5 (The Reveal!)

On the way home, I began to sing a song that went a little like this

“I never would have made it. I never could have made it without you”

That’s exactly how I feel right now. 

Because of you, I was able to help this family and many more by creating a more inviting space

Because of you, I was able to create a more soothing environment for probably a very stressed mother

 

Because of you

She now has something as simple as a nightstand and lamp

(dang I forgot to take the plastic off)

In the picture frame, that is actually a paper napkin I found at IKEA!

Because of you guys, this mom of four gets to come “home” to a room that’s not jammed pack and cluttered

but to a space that is more organized

(Phyllis, Hiromi, AprilDenise, Me)

Thank you so much to my partners in crime through this experience

 

My sister in law Hiromi and my new reader, Phyllis was AMAZING! They helped out so much.  Like seriously, if it wasn’t for their hands, mine would have had to be thrown away afterwards! Thanks ladies!

Also, just to give you an idea of what I was worried about early in the week, the storage solution was something that I just couldn’t fix

We had storage containers EVERYWHERE!

But at the end of the day, we still had a lot more of the family’s belongings that had to go back into the room…

There’s April again!

But over all, I am beyond happy with how the roomed turned out.  It’s a lot better than how it started

 

       

I hope you guys aren’t tired of hearing about this project.  I have about two more posts to do.  I want to highlight the rest of the AMAZING people who donated to this project and talk about a few of my favorite spaces!

So, what do you think?!

ROOM SERVICE ATLANTA: Thanking my sponsors (part 1)

I want to thank everyone who has donated to my space at the Nicholas House shelter for Room Service Atlanta.  From gift cards to money to encouragement on the blog and twitter.  I appreciate EVERYONE and EVERYTHING that you guys have done!

A special thanks to my blog buddies that donated (click their header to go to their blog)

Thank you so much, Kate!

Thank you so much, Katrina!

Thank you so much, Autumn!

Thank you so much, Janell!

Thank you so much, Tonia!

Thank you so much, Tiffany!

Thank you so much, Myssie

Again, this is only round one! I still have a lot of Thank You’s to go! 

ROOM SERVICE ATLANTA: Day 4

Today was a pretty productive day at Nicholas House.  I had some great volunteers come and help (Thanks Phyllis!)

The painter finished the other side of the room, which by the way, looks great with the bunk beds!

The armoire was primed

And so was this chest that was lucky enough the get for the room

We went through and organized all of the clothes in the bags. Phyllis ( I owe her so much!) and her daughter purchased the clear storage containers.  Although we can’t get rid of anything in the room, the clothes look so much better in the containers!

So tomorrow is the last day and I am super excited! We still have a ways to go in the space ( I even had to bring some of the work home), but I have no doubt that we’ll pull it off!

I’ll be back tomorrow with my sponsor highlight post!

Thanks again for your support!

 

ROOM SERVICE ATLANTA: Day 3

Today’s progress report is courtesy of my sister in law (Deitra).  After reading my last fiew posts, she felt like I was in a little over my head and decided to send painters out to my room this morning…Thanks sis! Oh yeah, thanks to my big bro this morning too! He called to give me some words of encouragement and I tell you this, I feel a lot better! I also want to thank everyone that has encouraged me on this project.  The personal emails, the direct messages on twitter, the phone calls… Thank you so much! I do have a shout post coming soon for everyone

Anyway, so the paint color that I decided on for the room is Nocturnal Sea by Behr paints

Look at how pretty it looks in the can!!!  Below is the first coat on the wall

looks good right?!

Here is a shot of the second coat

 

I am so excited about the color! The thick baseboards make me swoon! There’s April talking about who knows what!

There she is again…still talking and smiling!

Anyway, we had a very productive day.  There is still a lot to do, but we’ve gotten a lot done so far! Also, thank to an unexpected donation, I was able to go to Ikea and purchase duvet inserts for the bunk beds! While there, I had to get a shot of this kitchen

Love the grey and the the brick!

I seriously LOVE this kitchen!

Anyway, thanks again everyone who has given support (regardless of the type) to me throughout this process. 

"For everyone to whom much is given, of him shall much be required." -- Luke 12:48

I’ll be back tomorrow with Day 4!

ROOM SERVICE ATLANTA: Day 2

Okay, so I’m back with another update on the progress of my room at Nicholas House for Room Service Atlanta.

Today I didn’t get any pictures because I was busy doing a lot of running around.  I had to do an hour and half drive (45min there and 45min back) to get the paint.  Then once I got back, I had to do a review for another sponsor that I was I was able to have come out and donate paint sticks (Again, I’m going to do a post for everyone who donated). 

This post is mostly for me to clear my head.  I am completely overwhelmed with this space

I am sure that the other designers are feeling some of the same feelings that I am.  I knew that there was going to be a lot in the room as far as clothes goes (I expected that), but if I knew the amount of stuff that was going to be in my space before last week, I would have seriously not done the room.  I would have first tried to team up with another person to see what they were capable of bringing to the space to see if we could really do it.

No matter what I do to the room, I CAN NOT organize or purchase the needed storage solutions the residents of the space need. I don’t have the funds to bring in help nor do I have the manpower or contacts as far as a contractor is concerned.   I feel bad about what I am able to do, because this family truly needs more than paint and new sheets.  I think what stresses me the most is knowing that I can’t do what’s needed.  So on Friday, I will be able to take pictures of a made over space, but I will have to bring back all of their belongings.  Now tell me, WHAT WILL I HAVE REALLY ACCOMPLISHED? I know that something is better than nothing. I just can’t stop thinking about the main problem.  When I look at what other’s are doing in there room, I can’t help but think that maybe if I had more time, I would be able to accomplish the same.  Or maybe if I had enough time, I could have gotten more help. 

So on Friday when I show you the reveal of my room, know that all of this

will be coming back into the space with nowhere to go….

I’ll be back tomorrow with updates for Day 3

ROOM SERVICE ATLANTA: DAY 1

Hi guys, sorry for such a late post.  I have been catching up with tweets and blogs and home life since I was away most of the day with the RSA project.

Here is where we are so far

here is a pic of how one side of the room looked when I arrived this morning.  Here is the same side of the room when I was leaving out

As you can see, the other bunk has been moved to that side of the room and the mother’s bed has been moved to the other side of the room

The plan is to flank the mother’s bed with two armoires. April plans to build one, and we will be using the one that is currently in the space.  Both will be be painted white and the walls will be painted Nocturnal Sea by Behr Paint

To try and save a little money, I had planned to use a paint from Walmart, but while at the shelter, a rep from Behr paint called and asked for me! I had no idea they even paid that much attention to tweets, especially since I tweeted them weeks ago asking for help! Any way, the rep (Liz), asked me how much and what colors I needed for my space and now I have free paint that will be available on Wednesday to pick up!!! How cool is that?! I always say, you’ll never know until you ask!

Anyway, once both armoires are in place, it will free up the windows which will help bring more light into the space.

It’s funny, I swear that my room has the worse storage problem.  I hate that I got the notice of my new space last minute, but you know, things are working out.  I have adopted this motto

If it’s easy to do, it’s not worth doing!

More updates to come…

Thanks again to everyone who has donated to my room at the Nicholas House.  I truly could not have done as much as I have if it wasn’t for you!  As a matter of fact, I’m going to do a shout out post to all of my sponsors! If you would prefer to remain anonymous,  send me an email

lakeitha_duncan(at)yahoo(dot)com