Camden Grace Interiors worked with Journey Home and various businesses to complete a ‘Merry Makeover’ of a local family’s apartment.

By Ronni Newton

A local family had recently moved into an apartment of their own, thanks to the services of local nonprofit Journey Home in partnership with Mercy Housing – but now the space has been transformed from just functionally furnished rooms to a truly beautiful home after receiving this year’s “Merry Makeover” from Camden Grace Interiors.

Each year during the holiday season, West Hartford-based Camden Grace spreads joy, selecting an individual or organization as recipient of a Merry Makeover, and this year’s selection was made with the assistance of Journey Home.

“Each year, my firm selects a deserving individual or organization within our community for our annual Merry Makeover, where we donate our time, resources, and design expertise to transform a space, all at no cost to the recipient,” said Jeanne Barber, owner of Camden Grace Interiors. “This year, we’re so proud to partner with Journey Home to make a wonderful family’s new house in Hartford truly feel like home. We’re also grateful to our community of clients and partners, especially Robert Farina of The Renaissance Man Interior Remodeling, whose generous support is helping us bring joy to this family this holiday season,” she added.

The apartment has now been tastefully updated with new beds and bedding, couches, chairs, tables, lamps, and wall decor. There was even a Christmas tree in the living room to great the family when the makeover was revealed on Dec. 19.

This is the fifth year in a row Camden Grace has undertaken a makeover. Last year “The Base” – the teen center at the Elmwood Community Center operated by The Bridge Family Center – received an update, while prior to that individual families facing some type of adversity, including a family battling brain cancer, have been the recipients.

J0urney Home’s mission is to “end homelessness in the Capital Region of Connecticut.” They coordinate a variety of services, and through one of their programs – “A Hand Up” – ensure that clients’ new homes have basic furnishings, pots and pans, dishes, and other items needed for daily life.

“Thank you to the incredible team at Camden Grace Interiors for pouring their talent, creativity, and enthusiasm into this ‘Merry Makeover’ home transformation that took place on Friday, Dec. 19 – just in time for the holidays,” said Journey Home Deputy Director Sara Salomons Wilson. “What they accomplished for this family goes far beyond beautiful design. They helped turn a new apartment into a true home, filled with comfort, dignity, and joy. We are so grateful for the care they brought to every detail.”

Wilson said that initially Journey Home partnered with Mercy Housing to secure the apartment. “Their innovative housing programs and services make it possible for folks to thrive in ways that used to seem impossible,” Wilson said of Mercy Housing.

But the Merry Makeover brought so much more joy into the family’s lives. “This transformation is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when community comes together with generous hearts and shared purpose,” Wilson said.

The installation of the makeover was completed by Robert Farina of The Renaissance Man Interior Remodeling (Instagram: @renaissance_man_interior) and Dacor Receiving. Camden Grace Interiors (Instagram: @camdengrace_interiordesign) is also grateful for the assistance of Michele Wolff Photography (Instagram: @michele.wolff.photography) who provided the “after” photos.

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