“[Family Shelter] defies your expectations of what a shelter looks like.”

– David Snow, Executive Director of Upward Bound House

Earlier this year, 18 Los Angeles interior designers offered – pro bono – to revamp 18 units for Upward Bound House’s newest emergency-based facility, Family Shelter (FS) in Culver City. The community of designers jumped at the opportunity to build, not just an ordinary shelter, but a home for deserving families. And a stylish, sustainable home at that.

A community-based, non-profit organization, Upward Bound has provided transitional housing for thousands of families in need throughout the city for nearly 20 years. In addition, Upward Bound operates Family Place and Senior Villa. Both are based in Santa Monica and annually serve 240 families, and 90 low-income elderly, respectively. Notably, 96 percent of Upward Bound families graduate from the social service agency to private apartments.

In a two-week volunteer project that involved 100 percent donations in the form of Benjamin Moore non-toxic paint, eco-friendly wallpaper, vintage chinoiserie panels, organic sheets and Butterfly decals from Ferm Living, each designer was responsible for one of the 200- to 300-square-foot rooms that would house a family up to four. From shabby chic, mid-century to modern Victorian, designers took inspiration from recycled thrift store items and DIY-methods to create a design sense of their own.

With a nod to eco décor that even kids will appreciate, designer Nicole Sassaman enlisted the help of her daughter’ friends to donate toys. Designer Kelly LaPlante of Organic Interior Design used sliced cork pieces as hooks to let kids personalize their space by tacking things onto the wall.

Eco-friendly hardware was not overlooked, either. The toilets are low-flow, the insulation recycled, the lighting energy-efficient, and lumber was taken from the original structure—a former Sunbay Motel.

One notably apropos item? A Wall Appliqué saying, “Happy is a home that shelters a friend.”

Designers included Vanessa De Vargas and Erica Islas, who spearheaded the effort, Bridgid Coulter, Cory Pernicano, Linda Graveline, Kelly LaPlante, Nicole Sassaman, Jessica Brende, Nadia Geller, Rachel Winokur, Carlo Rios, Cozette Coffman, Christy Biberich, Elizabeth Bomberger, Typhanie Peterson, Rhonda Konowalow Angell, Melissa Capehart and Lynnea Schwieters.

“I really wanted to give back to the community by offering my design skills and the talents of other designers to create an amazing space for people in need,” says De Vargas. “The process was fantastic and the outcome was more than I expected.”

For information on how to donate to Upward Bound, contact giving@upwardboundhouse.org or visit them and click on Donate Now.

Upward Bound House, 1104 Washington Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90403-4119 and 12841 West Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90066.

Images Via Inhabitat, nadiageller.com, houzz.com and Etsy