Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Family. Where life begins and love never ends. A mother is the glue that holds a family together. And what happens when adversity strikes? Well, Mom needs a little assistance. Each family member pitches in and does their part. But with medical treatments and expenses piling on top of doctor visits and check ups a busy family can be pushed to the brink emotionally, economically and physically. That is why I am so honored and so blessed to be partnering with Raymour & Flanigan and lending a hand to a Mom and family in need with a home makeover. As their new Community Outreach Ambassador I will be giving back and furnishing rooms to help make life a bit more manageable. My first project is for a well deserving mom and dear high school friend Maureen who recently underwent a mastectomy and is receiving radiation for breast cancer.
Before
Initially, I thought that a brand new bedroom set, mattress and bedding would be something Maureen deserved. But unselfishly Maureen opted to furnish a room her whole family could enjoy. Their great room was warm, spacious, filled with love and loads of family pictures but shy on a few key components. They needed a rug, more seating, additional lighting and and a larger dining table to accommodate their family of 6. I took measurements, sketched out my furniture placement and headed straight to the Raymour & Flanigan website. I couldn’t wait to start this home makeover!
After
Soothing Wall Color
Although the soft yellow walls were inviting I wanted to give the Thompson’s a clean fresh look. Maureen loves blue so I chose Lullaby SW 9136. My friends at Sherwin Williams graciously donated all the paint and supplies and Maureen’s husband Thomas painted the whole room in just one afternoon. The transformation was on its way!
Sectional Makeover
Maureen and I met at Raymour and Flanigan one Saturday afternoon and started shopping! I could tell she was excited and nervous at the same time. There were so many choices but I had a plan. The sectional was the first and largest piece of the home makeover we concentrated on. Maureen fell in love with the Anaheim 4-piece leather sectional. “Finally, there will be enough room for everyone to sprawl out and enjoy movie nights” she sighed.
We were attracted to the sectional’s transitional clean lines, rich chocolate color, super soft leather and contrasting light stitching. Maureen texted her son Cooper a picture and he claimed the chaise as “his spot.” And just three days later we were there to say hello to a whole new room of furniture… It was like a TV home makeover show!
The size was perfect and the positioning created an entrance path from the front door. We didn’t even get the room put together and Maureen’s daughter Gracie and their dog Lacey were already loving it. Jim our sales associate assured us that the leather would hold up to pets and it did. It was officially Thompson approved!
Warm Under Feet
I couldn’t wait to give Maureen a rug so that the kids could lay on the floor. I loved the durability of wool and the look of sisal. The Bella sisal Rug anchors the living room area and warms up the dark tile floor. At first Maureen was concerned with choosing a light color with kids and dogs but I promised her that it was a breeze to clean up and soft to lounge on. I ordered one for our cottage and it still looks brand new after 4 years.
Pops of Color
We moved the family heirloom piano from the back door to right near the front door. I surprised Maureen with a Fall inspired acrylic painting of mine and hung it right over the piano. She had no idea. It just felt right giving her an original piece of art. The warm energetic colors greet you at the front door and compliment the the pillow colors and patterns.
Ottomans to Flip Over
Gracie has lots of energy and let’s get real kids and pets jump on and off the furniture. A lot! I opted against a coffee table with hard edges and went with two fabric covered storage ottomans. These Hayden ottomans pack loads of functionality and are easy to move around for family movie nights and sleepovers. In addition to the colorful pattern fabric, they are storage ottomans with flip top lids.
With two The Thompson’s could have the best of both worlds. One soft upholstered top to put their feet up on and another to serve as a coffee table for drinks, candles or TV remotes. The hard wood surface is perfect for doing homework as a lap desk or for eating snacks.
Good things come in small packages
Just like Christmas morning, Gracie couldn’t wait to unwrap them with me to find two matching pillows in each. By far this is one of my favorite purchases. Storage, tabletop, and foot rest all in one. I’m a sucker for multi-functionality!
Maureen’s Chair
Staying on her feet for too long isn’t good for Maureen so when it came to picking out her chair I needed it to be ultra comfortable. After a full day of taking care of kids and chemotherapy Maureen needed a special place to rest, relax, and decompress. I wanted a chair with color and soft inviting upholstered fabric.
Now everyone loves a comfy chair but to find a glider, swivel and recliner all rolled into one is pretty special. As soon as Maureen sat in the Skyler Swivel Recliner she had found her haven. And so did I for that matter. It doesn’t look like other recliners and that’s what I love best about it. Not a big bulky chair taking up oodles of space but a soft, feminine, and attractive light blue with cream piped upholstered chair with its foot lever cleverly hidden just inside the seat cushion. But don’t be fooled she has all the bells and whistles of her masculine counterparts and more.
We all took our turns trying out Maureen’s chair and my assistant Danielle snapped this cute picture of Gracie. I think she likes it too. Is she a doll, or what?
Getting Home Organized
Maureen had a small bookcase tucked under her kitchen island overflowing with Gracie and Molly’s books, toys, craft and school supplies. I wanted to give her an organized spaced that was not only attractive but had ample storage and easy to access. Once we moved the piano to the front of the room we were left with the long wall that ran from the back door to the front. I showed Maureen the Fenwick Buffet which had more than enough room to store all the books and crafts. Maureen even had a drawer for office supplies and important papers.
Rustic Farmhouse Style Furniture
To break up the space I also purchased the matching Fenwick Baker’s Rack. The companion pieces gave us more shelves to display family photos, seasonal decor and movable hooks to hang mugs.
“I love the distressed look. With four kids and two dogs our furniture takes a beating. This will fit in just fine!” -Maureen
Dining in Style
As the furniture was being delivered Maureen asked Gracie what she was most excited for and she quickly replied “A new table!” The Thompson’s previous table was pushed up next to the kitchen island and barely large enough to accommodate all of them for dinner let alone Gracie’s extensive crafting projects. It was time for a proper dining and project space for the Thompsons! We streamlined their family photos and artfully arranged them in a large collage frame. We swapped out the single bulb light fixture with a black iron five arm chandelier multiplying the task light.
In came the Kona Dining Table with built in leaf. Yes this extending table has a built in leaf. No searching the house for the leaf or dragging out of a nearby closet. This leaf artfully folds in half and tucks neatly inside. Now The Thompson’s have room for seating up to 8!
We set the table with a beige plaid table runner, new dinnerware, linen napkins, mums, mini pumpkins, a pumpkin spice candle and fresh pears on each plate. One less thing for Maureen to do tonight.
The Kona dining set has so many seating options. I chose the Kona Dining Bench especially with Gracie in mind knowing that it would be easier for her to sit for dinner and to kneel on when working on craft projects. The space in between the table and the kitchen island is a busy path so when not in use the bench gets pushed underneath. I then purchased 4 Kona Dining Chairs. The leather seats and tufted bench cushion match the sectional and are a breeze to clean up.
There are So Many Reasons to be Happy
Meet Maureen
I wish I could wipe out cancer but my magic wand can only accomplish so much. My goal with this home makeover was to foster an environment of healing for Maureen and to provide a place to sit back and relax after a stressful day. To be able to have a warm comforting living room with blankets and pillows and ample space to store things. I’m hoping coming home to her new space allows her to spend quality time with her family or simply share a meal with love ones.
A Special Thank You
I might have been the leader of this makeover but by no means was I alone in executing this project for Maureen. If It wasn’t for Raymour & Flanigan who cares for their community enough to share products and gave so graciously for this project it would never have come to fruition. At the beginning of the month I shared this project on my Instagram stories and the comments came rolling in. Most in support for the project, some asking how to help and some from cancer survivors telling their stories. I was overwhelmed with all the response and was when we gave a home makeover to a halfway house for women! I knew this project could make an impact and this was my calling.
It takes a village
A group of high school friends all pitched in on the home makeover for Maureen. We purchased Maureen blankets, pillows, curtains, cozy slippers, extra lighting, wall art, new dinnerware, linens, and an essential oil diffuser. Thank you Janice, Kim, Maria, Holly, Patty, Ellen, Kelley, Sue, and Carolyn! These were the finishing touches to the room. Also thank you to Norm the manager at Sherwin Williams for donating all the painting supplies, Cheryl who donated the kids school and art supplies, Ginny from Maple Creek Market for a truckload of pumpkins, Rachel from Agape Candles who donated aromatherapy candles, Kerri who donated holiday decor, dvd’s and so much more and my awesome assistant Danielle of Nineteen and Co. who kept me afloat! THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!
We Love you Maureen now let’s kiss cancer goodbye!
Good people doing good things for the good of the community.
* I have gratefully received products from Raymour & Flanigan in exchange for this post. All expressed opinions are 100% mine.
KELLY ELKO
The smile on Maureen’s face says it all! Great job!
memehillstudio
Yes it does! She feel in love with that chair! SO happy to help her out in any way. xo
Danielle
So so SO beautiful! What an amazing gift for this family! You truly made a difference in their lives. Thanks for letting me be a part of it.
Valerie Burgess
Amie, this is so beautiful and to see the smile on Maureen’s face makes it even more special. What a blessing for my dear high school friend. You are so talented!
memehillstudio
Thank you for taking the time to read the post Val. Yes, hoping to make the road to recovery a bit more comfortable for Maureen. She is a SURVIVOR!
Holly Juliano
Great teaming on this project, Amie. You rock! The love is abundant- within their home and from the community pouring in… Your thoughtfulness and generosity is first class!
memehillstudio
Thank you so much for helping out Holly! Us PSHS girls stick together. xoxo
Susan Giordano
Just beautiful Amie! Such an amazing gift you gave. And so generous of you, Raymour & Flanagan and all at the others who were involved in making this happen!
memehillstudio
Thank you Sue for donating! I know that Maureen is loving her new space. xoxo
Haneen
You should be so proud! What a great project to a deserving family! Looks great!
memehillstudio
oh my gosh Thank you soo much Haneen for taking the time out to read the post. xo
Nancy Baker
Amie- this one is really special. A labor of love and proof that our community cares about its own…..
God bless you, Maureen! We are praying and rooting for you!
P. S. I love the ottomans that flip into tables- and back. I need those!!