It’s been a hectic and fun week for the project at Ruby’s Place. Demo has started and products have shipped! I think we may be able to pull this off in the 8 weeks required and I’m so excited! This week, because I love this background information myself, I wanted to delve deeper into how this project is working (and funded) since it’s different than a normal design project or a DIY project. We can then end with some images of the overall design plan and love for a few of the amazing sponsors that are going above and beyond to donate products to this project.
As we discussed at the beginning of the ORC, Joy Street Initiative (JSI) is the non-profit arm of JoyStreet Design and assists in renovating, decorating and supporting other non-profit organizations – primarily shelters for women and children. Joy Street Design provides all the design time (of course) and 10% of our profits to fund the projects for JSI. We also have other generous donors that supplement the budget (feel free to donate here) but the bulk of the cash is provided by the design firm. This allows JSI to use the funds donated to pay skilled labor to create these transformations while relying on the relationships built by JoyStreet Design to work with trusted vendors who provide generous donations. It’s a great partnership in that we value our craftsmen by paying them for their services but also provide amazing products to the shelters. For example, on this project and because of our participation in the ORC, the sponsors (some highlighted below) will likely donate over $25,000 in products for the shelter. Joy Street Initiative will then pay approximately $25,000 to the contractor to complete the bathroom renovation and other details. Accordingly, Ruby’s Place will get a donation of over $50,000 to create their House of Hope from Joy Street Design/Joy Street Initiative. It’s amazing!
Remember from last week, this is our inspiration board:
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In terms of design, this project is a little different than other projects from Joy Street Design in that we have an idea what we want for each room but we’re letting the design evolve as we get more sponsors to assist in implementing these plans. We’re going to show the plans as they are now but know they will continue to develop as we go.
First thing is to focus on the bones of the space.

We wanted to completely start over with the space and make sure it felt refreshed. The plan is to replace all the floors, doors and trim. We will be using a medium tone luxury vinyl plank from the Tile Shop on all the floors. We’ll modernize the space with new trim in a classic white silhouette from Novo Building Products. The rooms will be freshly painted in a variety of colors with Kelly Moore paint. And then the finishing touches will be flat black hardware from Emtek.

For the living room, we’re keeping it relatively simple with lots of black and white with just hints of blue and a few more colors in pillows. Our local furniture maker is creating a modular sectional (meaning each piece can be moved and rearranged as needed) in a light-ish blue fabric from Fabricut. Black and white artwork from Minted for West Elm and a black and white rug from Loloi round out the design. I think this is going to provide a great backdrop for the fun and colorful bedrooms.
Next week, we’ll dive into the bedroom designs and hopefully have more progress pictures to show!
Don’t forget to see check the project of the other featured designers this week!
Albie Knows| At Home with Savvy | Beth Diana Smith | Eclectic Twist| Erika Ward Interiors| From House to Home| G. Lebron Interiors | Goldalamode | Home Made by Carmona| Impeccable Nest | Jeweled Interiors| Joyful Designs Studio| Joy Street Design | Our Fifth House| Peony & Honey| Pinch Plate Party | Rebecca Propes | Reem’s Design | Saudah Saleem Interiors | Whitney J Decor