Lotus Interiors and SHACK are making over a Women's Refuge...

To date Lotus Interiors has only made over the private homes of individual families. But Lotus Interiors is about to take on a new and very exciting refuge makeover project. In conjunction with SHACK, who have been one of our greatest supporters we will be endeavouring to restore beauty and hope to the women and children who receive such desperately needed assistance from this Women's refuge.

Shack is a local family owned and operated small business with stores at Chatswood Chase, Home HQ Artarmon and Moore Park SupaCenta. They opened their first store on Sydney’s North Shore in the early 1990’s out of a passion for beautiful things and the desire to share them. Over the last 18 years, Shack has become a leader in the lifestyle industry and has earned an enviable reputation for its dedication to its customers and for sourcing items of beauty from across the globe at affordable prices.  Shack has been there supporting the work of Lotus Interiors since the beginning and all of our families have received some of their beautiful homewares. They have generously given everything from exquisite cushions and linen, gorgeous silk flowers, decorator pieces, artwork and furniture items. For this latest project they have even contributed the passion, dedication and knowledge of some of their fabulous team. Together SHACK and Lotus Interiors are extremely excited about being able to support the work of Erin's Place.

The Women's Refuge that we are assiting provides supported crisis accommodation for women with dependent children who are escaping domestic violence. The facility offers communal type living for up to four families at a time, each occupying one bedroom and sharing all other household facilities and living spaces. The service provides counseling for both women and for children, court support, advocacy, information, brokerage and emergency financial assistance, as well as appropriate referrals to other agencies.

Here in Sydney many women and children fleeing domestic violence end up in refuges just like this one. They are scared, hurt and broken. At present this Women's Refuge is tired and neglected – a lot like the people who land on its doorsteps!

Help us restore hope and beauty for these families as they find rest in the walls of the Women's Refuge. Together we can make it a beautiful sanctuary where families can heal and begin again.

For ways you can help, please see below!

- Lounge -

- Enclosed Verandah -

- Bedroom -

- Bedroom -

- Dining -

What can you do to help!

1. Donate an item:

•  Indoor plants / pots / hanging baskets
• Cane/wicker day bed or outdoor type lounge
• Grass floor mat (must fit within 2.5m x 3m) – for enclosed verandah
• Fairy lights
• Large rectangular wall mirror for dining room
• 3 medium size mirrors for bedrooms
• 8 dining room chairs (easy clean)
• Computer or laptop – for older children to do homework
• WII games for kids to play on
• Stools or Ottomans for kids desk/homework area
• Lounges (leather or vinyl – easy wipe down) – preferably charcoal / grey or chocolate
• Paint – neutral colours & gloss white!!! Lots of it!
• Carpet – would love to be able to re-carpet 2 of the bedrooms if someone can help!
• Cushions &; decorative items
• Matching manchester for (3) 2 x bedrooms – all rooms have doubles and single bunks per room

2. Volunteer your time or skills: 

• House Painters - professional or amateur all welcome! We want to re-paint the bedrooms, living room and dining area.
• Artists - create a painting of hope to be placed a family bedroom. Email us for more details!
• Handy people - to help hang paintings & curtains etc on the makeover days
• Tradesperson - to help “possum proof” an enclosed verandah!
• Carpet Layer
• Beauty Therapists/Massage Therapists/ Hairdressers - to pamper the mums on makeover days. Contact us to find out more.

3. Offer Financial Support:

If you can’t volunteer your time or can’t provide any of the requested items and you would still love to be involved, then we would love your financial support. Your contribution will purchase a required item or provide financial assistance to pay for tradespeople or the necessary hardware to make this project possible.

You can show your interest by emailing us on lotus.interiors.team@gmail.com