Welcome to a special tour of a very special home...the CORA safe home I have been remodeling and refurbishing is almost ready to provide refuge for women fleeing abusive partners {see "What is the Color of Safety?"}. My friend, architect Roger Hagman invited me to work with him on this project.
I think you will love the transformation! First, the happy AFTER pictures. You can compare these with the BEFORE at the end of the post.
AFTER
Three Original Paintings for Safe House Living Room
by Kit Golson and Camilla Calder
A Welcoming Mural in Soft Colors in the Hallway
Which is Now a Play Area for Children
The View From the Front Door
A Comfortable "Mother's Chair" Awaits
in One of the Bedrooms
A Completely Remodeled Kitchen with New Appliances,
Cabinets, Bamboo Flooring, Bottlestone Countertop and Backsplash
Additional Storage in the Large Bedroom
A Sunny, Cheerful & Restful Bedroom
A Former Eyesore Center Hall Turned Into
Children's Play Area
A View Towards the Front Door
A Redesigned Dining SpaceIncludes
Sub Zero Refrigerator and Study Area for Teens
A lot of the design plans... transluscent 3-Form cabinet doors on painted green kitchen cabinets, for example, had to be abandoned because of costs. Likewise the art was not donated; an intrepid artist friend visiting from France, Camilla Calder, stepped up to do two of the paintings with me.
I think we've created a lovely, feminine, upbeat and soothing place for these women to call home while they are transforming their own lives. Especially when you consider the BEFORE pictures, below, of the shelter before we began our work.
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BEFORE
A Dreary Dining Area
The View From the Front Door
A Smaller Bedroom...Where's a Mother to Sit and Relax?
A Center Hallway Used for
Closet Storage with Curtain Doors
A Cramped and Dreary Large Bedroom
Storage in the Largest Bedroom
The home is being furnished with donations from kind people in the community, with the help of Agnes Moser, a designer and friend. {If you would like to donate towards nice new furnishings, please do!}
I am very proud of our local community. The amazing bamboo flooring, Neopolitan by Plyboo Strand was donated by Smith & Fong of San Francisco. All the tile and the amazing blue Bottlestone countertops were donated by Fireclay Tile in San Jose. The General Electric kitchen appliances were also donated. These donations were secured by the untiring efforts of great designers and friends, Annie Cronin, Lilley Yee and Peggy Deras.
I like to think this home will uplift the battered spirits of the women and children who will live there. What do you think?
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