Dwell with Dignity
Lisa Robison and I at our Fall Preview Party benefiting Dwell with Dignity
I was doing a book signing at the David Sutherland Showroom in Dallas in 2009 for my first book, Glamorous Rooms. A beautiful young woman came to purchase a book, and as I was signing, she told me about a non-profit she was starting that involved designers. Lisa Robison inspired me immediately. She is an interior designer who had “retired” after having two children. Her vision involved the design community helping families escape poverty through design.
A room transformed by Dwell with Dignity
DWELL WITH DIGNITY is a non-profit group of interior designers and volunteers dedicated to creating soothing, inspiring homes for families struggling with homelessness and poverty. They provide and install interiors working with other non-profits like Exodus Ministries, Family Gateway, Interfaith Housing Coalition, New Friends New Life, Shared Housing Center, TRAC, Legacy Counseling Center, Under 1 Roof, City Square, Genesis Women’s Shelter, The Family Place, and Juliette Fowler House Inc – The Ebby House.
The installation includes furnishings and art, bedding, drapery, kitchen supplies and food in the pantry.
Lisa Robison and Kim Turner
LISA ROBISON AND KIM TURNER lead DwD. They met almost 20 years ago while attending design school at El Centro in Dallas. When Kim heard about Lisa’s vision and newly created foundation, she knew this was something, and someone with which she wanted to be involved.
DWELL WITH DIGNITY’S MISSION STATEMENT To help families escape poverty and homelessness through design. One household at a time.
I love their mission, and I love the fact that on Lisa’s 40th birthday, her husband, Doug asked her what she wanted him to give her. She told him about her vision and her strong belief that good design improves ones’ quality of life. Because of her passion, Doug gave her the seed money to start Dwell with Dignity.
How can one not be inspired by this story and what has happened since?
Example of transformation by DwD
Since 2009, DwD has been able to transform 45 residences from drab to fabulous thanks to the generosity of many, many designers, showrooms and retailers.
THRIFT STUDIO -- In order to raise funds for these endeavors, DWELL WITH DIGNITY has two events each year called THRIFT STUDIO. They are held in April and October in an empty space in the Dallas Design District. These spaces are donated by showroom owners.
Six designers, showrooms and retailers create a vignette. Everything in each vignette is for sale for incredibly low prices. The vignettes are open for 30 days after the evening event, however 60% of the merchandise is sold that night.
JSC Villa Sofa
JAN SHOWERS COLLECTION donated 10+ pieces last year---some pieces are used in the apartments that are re-done and some are available in DwD’s warehouse for the 6 designers to choose from for their vignettes. The VILLA SOFA pictured above is one item that will be for sale in the vignette we are doing, but it will be much less than the normal cost.
Vignettes from previous Thrift Studios
THRIFT STUDIO APRIL 10 --- This year’s THRIFT STUDIO will be held April 10 at The International 150 Turtle Creek Blvd, Suite 204 Dallas, Texas 75207. Go to http://thriftstudio.com/preview-tickets/ for all ticket information.
The designers this year, along with showrooms, who are creating vignettes are:
Jan Showers
Julio Quinones + Culp Associates
Mecox
Sarah Pickard + Robert Allen Design
SWOON, the studio
Tompkins Lloyd Interiors + David Sutherland Showroom
Please join me for a fabulous evening benefitting a great cause!
Best,
