steel news: Room Service | United Methodist Children's Home

I am so happy to be participating with the new Room Service Project this fall at the United Methodist Children?s Home in Decatur, Georgia.

Our lounge space, which looks identical to the bedroom we?re also doing

From the Room Service website:

In October 2012, RSA will redesign six apartments for the United Methodist Children?s Home?s Independent Living Program (Decatur). UMCH offers 11 different programs available to children, teens, and families in the North Georgia area including Foster Care, Adoption, Independent Living, Transitional Living, Summer Camp, Family Housing, Family Counseling, After Care, Parenting Classes and Financial Aid. With a mission to provide redemptive healing services that bring change to the lives of children & families, UMCH offer holistic & therapeutic programs focused on identifying new ways of thinking & living to create successful and meaningful lives forever.

Our focus is on the The Independent Living Program, a voluntary program serving youth in the foster care system who are at least 17 and ready for a decreased level of supervision as they prepare for independence. UMCH staff provide 24-hour support to the youth, who are housed in studio-style apartments on the campus. Staff also teach youth to maintain skills of daily living, support and guide youth in obtaining educational, vocational and employment opportunities, assist youth in obtaining medical services and securing mental health services as neededand much more! This project gives hope and inspiration back to our children as they transition into adulthood.

I?m partnering with two talented women, Lori May and Rhoda of Southern Hospitality, to refresh two rooms in the young men?s cottage?a bedroom and the adjoining lounge for the bedroom. ?And, caught up in the excitement of the initial meeting, I signed us up for the entry, too. ? Whoops. ?But it will be fun?and lots of hard work, but fun!

The cottage entry

I?m enjoying collaborating with these two design lovers?pooling ideas, resources, and energy. ?That?s the way to do it!

Planning meeting at the loft

Install is just a few weeks away! ?While the spaces won?t have the same kind of carpentry involved like my room on the last project, there is a lot of painting that needs to be done?furniture, faux paneling? ?I?m working on 3 paintings all 3?4? or larger for each space. ?I?m pulling from my decorative painting experience to make these paintings for a young men?s home since my own painting is, well, unabashedly feminine. ?Lace and pink sheep and ribbons probably won?t work here. ?It has been fun, and I love the excuse to paint for a good cause every available moment I have. ?I?ll share once I have more to show.

I got lucky at Habitat for Humanity Restore: ?a vintage little dresser for the entry, with the prettiest hardware. ?Chris painted it for me since I started having a mini panic attack about ?how am I going to get all this done?? ?Now it?s done and curing in the garage. ?Whew.

If you would like to contribute to our rooms, you can send a check to:

United Methodist Children?s Home
c/o Khalid Battle
500 South Columbia Dr.
Decatur, Georgia 30030
tele: 404/327-5820

Please note ?Room Service?Angela? in the memo section so they can designate the money to our space?and please email me a ?FYI? so I know to ask for it. ?Any donation amount helps! ?We have a range of items on our shopping list, doing our best to stretch the dollar with practicality and beauty in mind. ?Thank you for considering it.

(Oh, and Rhoda snapped some photos on her phone of the loft when she came over last week?want to take a look?)