Monday, July 12, 2010

Our first family finally gets their new home!

Many of you have journeyed with me and the Lotus Interiors Team over the past seven months or so as we have rallied together to provide beautiful home wares for Ally* and her four children; Tim*, Fiona*, Emma* and Sam*, who despite significant challenges are rebuilding their family unit after being impacted by domestic violence.  

Well - we did it! A few weeks ago the Lotus Interiors Team packed up a Ute, a luggage trailer and a minibus and headed off to provide this family with a home that might fill their lives with beauty, speak value and inspire hope for their future. The day was truly a privilege as this precious family gave us permission to enter their lives and witness their joy and thankfulness.

The transformation was wonderful as the attached photos demonstrate. Our combined efforts have helped provide this amazing family with a fresh start in a truly beautiful and empowering home that we hope they are proud to share with others.

The transformation took place with the assistance of Tim* and Emma* while Ally* and Sam* headed out for the day in order to be able to enjoy a 'big reveal'. Upon arriving back at the house for the reveal Sam* aged 7 sobbed with her arms over her face, unable to look at what was now hers. I had to keep reassuring her that it was all theirs and that it was all going to stay. Eventually she allowed herself to take it in and proceeded to hug me over and over saying "thank you, thank you, thank you" amongst the tears...obviously I cried too!!!

Lounge - Before (Crisis Housing)                                                                               
Lounge - After
Dinning Room - Before (Crisis Housing)
Dining Room & Study Spaces - After


Ally's* reaction to the reveal was priceless. She was so touched and kept saying that she had never ever lived in a house like this. She felt that she could now have friends come into her home without her feeling ashamed and judged. We also hope that despite still facing significant challenges as a family, that her home will now be a place of refuge and comfort.


Ally's Room - Before (Crisis Housing)                                                                            
Ally's Room - After

Tim's Room - Before (Crisis Housing)                                                         

Tim's Room - After
Tim* followed us around all day in his wheelchair saying "This is the best day ever!" What an amazing privilege it was for our team to be able to give such a simple gift to such an inspirational young man.
Emma and Sam's Room - Before (Crisis Housing)                                           
   
Emma's Room - After

Sam's Room - After


Emma* and Sam* had never had their own room before so both were delighted to have their own room complete with side tables and lamps all of which were also a new experience. Sam* spent much time after the reveal flicking her lamp on and off in wonderment. Man, we take so much for granted.  Thanks to your generosity we able to provide some lovely reading books and clothing as well as little gift boxes with some earrings and jewellery for both girls.


I feel so incredibly privileged to have had the opportunity to have a dream and then see it come to life in such a beautiful and powerful way. So thank you to all of you who donated items and to those who simply encouraged us along the way.......if it weren't for you then this family would not have received a beautiful home that daily speaks value and hope into their lives.

I would like to specifically thank....

  • The wonderful Julia Schofer from SHACK Home wares along with her store manager Samantha Tunbridge for their unconditional support and generosity towards our vision
  • Jeremy Byrne and Anthony Spon-Smith of Coco Republic for their incredible generosity and support
  • Stylist Katherine Holihan for her continuing support and wonderful donations
  • Diana Hagop, Susan Abel, Bronwyn Maynard and Anne Wilson for your kind donations
  • Joy Morgan for her countless hours of free babysitting - I couldn't have done any of this without you!
  • Louise and Richard Scott for your many volunteered hours of practical help
  • Gillian Coutts and Sheridan/Pacific Brands for their wonderful contribution
  • Alex Wilson and Scott McSeveny for their moving skills
  • Tanya Morgan for her creative expertise
  • Rod Minell for his generous furniture donations
And of course to all the individuals who contributed items along the way we are truly thankful.

Last of all a very personal thanks to my team Tammy Scharenguivel, Amanda McSeveny, Georgie Wollaston, Heidi Tombs and Amber Stone, you girls are such an inspiration. With such gigantic hearts, no job is ever too big! I love you guys!


Here's to the next project - bring it on!






Founder
Lotus Interiors............Restoring Beauty!

*Note: names have been changed.