The sight of the eight-person team of DesignWish putting their heads together at three adjoining tables at Cohen’s Bagel Comany last week evokes the words of Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Each tasked with a job, the all-volunteer crew of DesignWish will be transforming two connecting rooms for the Roberts family who are recipients of this year’s home makeover.

The crew of designers, who have been offering free home makeovers for three years, will complete their first Branford one this March for a Stony Creek family, which includes mother Deb Roberts and four sons ranging in ages from 9 to 17-year-old twins.

Mother and grandmother Peggy A. Maier nominated the Roberts family after they lost father and husband Steve Roberts at age 43. Steve was fighting stage IV esophageal cancer when he died suddenly during a procedure. Maier asked DesignWish, who selects one to two families every year, for the complimentary room makeover to help the Roberts out. Maier wrote: “Having a serene redesigned space would give Deb a place to catch her breath and find solitude to rejuvenate each day.”

Of about 15 to 20 entries, DesignWish chose the Roberts and began weekly meetings on Mondays at local places around town to get the ball rolling on the makeover, which will occur in a 24-hour window (some structural and electrical work will be done beforehand).  

At last week’s meeting, the ladies shared ideas and samples working with efficacy to make decisions about details both large and small. The ladies concentrated on the structural removal of a wall to join two rooms as much as they talked about the importance of choosing the perfect window treatments that allowed for privacy and style.

The end goal stated best by Lisa Leonardi, “will address the family’s needs and reflect a little bit if Steve.”

The design, which will include a music room and a living space for the family, is being kept secret so that the recipients will be surprised at the reveal. What the team did divulge is that lots of local effort and materials are being donated to make the space unique and special for the Roberts.

In addition to more than 50 sponsors who have agreed to contribute to the makeover, the team said a local artist would be working on pieces that will become invaluable to the family.

Deb’s sons’ interests are of a high concern to DesignWish who has thought about incorporating the boys’ individual likes in the redesign to truly reflect the family. Group member Robin Reed furthered, “There will be a seamless flow between what we do and what they have done already.”

A few pieces of furniture will stay in the space as well as the kids’ height chart, which is etched on a wall; other than that, Leonardi hopes the redesign will “symbolize a fresh start for the family.”

The group depends highly on the community to make their plans come to fruition and their public meetings draw much appreciated attention according Reed.

While at Cohen’s, Ed Falcigno of E.F. Security Systems approached Reed and asked what she was doing with window treatment samples. Their conversation led to Falcigno offering to donate a sound and alarm system to the Roberts. Leonardi called him an angel.

Though the Roberts do face financial burdens with the cost of education around the corner for both 17-year-olds, Leonardi said that financial situation is not always a determining factor when choosing the recipient family. “We are selecting families who need support and are going through difficult times.”

As DesignWish nears the project phase they have offered a wish list of items they still need to complete the total makeover. If you can help, please contact Lisa Leonardi at 203-464-5318 or email, Lisa@TheRoomDoctor.com.  

DesignWish Wish List

• Curtain rods for 2 windows
• 20" flat screen TV
• Laptop computer
• Lowes or Home Depot gift cards
• Electrical supplies for installation of eight, old works recessed lights (bulbs, trims, Romex wire and dimmers)  
• Food and refreshments for "The Big Reveal" reception.
  

Meet the Team:

DesignWish will sit down with Branford Patch Editor Nicole Ball for an interview on BCTV next week. Stay tuned.

Lisa Leonardi
The Room Doctor/203-464-5318
www.theroomdoctor.com
 
Kristen Wall
Wall to Wall Home Concepts, LLC/203-430-6559
www.walltowallhomeconcepts.com
 
Robin Reed
Robin Reed Ltd., LLC/203-481-6378
 
Patty MacNeil
Madison Furniture Barn/203-314-8928
www.madisonfurniturebarnct.com
 
Olena Murphy
Vesna Interior Redesign LLC/203-676-8084
www.vesnallc.com
 
Julie Cousins
Let's Get Organized!/203-605-1238
 
Jennifer Moore
Public Relations/203-308-3535
 
Ginny McParland
Intern