Styling the Habitat for Humanity Spring Open House

Aug 12
3 min read

Earlier this year, I had the privilege of collaborating with designer Michael Van Nort on a Habitat for Humanity open house, and it's a project that really meant a lot to me and that I'm very proud of.

There's something different about approaching design work through this lens. It's not about creating a space for a single client with a singular vision- it's about creating a home that feels warm, welcoming, and full of possibility for a family who deserves exactly that.

Styling this showhouse comes with its own set of considerations. The goal isn't to showcase trends or push a particular aesthetic, it's to show what's possible within thoughtful, livable design. Working alongside Michael, we focused on creating spaces that felt intentional and grounded, rooms that told a story of comfort and craftsmanship without losing sight of the families this house was ultimately built for.

Although we had no client restrictions, we did have to source at least 50% (or more) of our furnishings straight from the Ulster Co Habitat for Humanity thrift store, which is such a great source for unique pieces that most retail stores simply can't offer. From vintage furniture to one-of-a-kind finds it can give the home real personality, all while keeping the project sustainable and budget-conscious.

For the primary bedroom, I sourced an amazing MCM bed frame, a comfy vintage leather chair from Giuseppe Nicoletti (such a great find- I almost kept for myself), and a large wall mirror that I promptly painted a dark green (Benjamin Moore's Martha's Vineyard), along with smaller accessories- such as art, all from the thrift store.

One detail I'm especially proud of- Two Pages generously donated all of the window treatments used throughout the home, and the family gets to keep every single one. In the primary bedroom, we used linen blend curtains in a soft lagoon green, and the bathroom was finished with a woven wood shade in Rae natural bamboo, adding warmth and texture to the space- and adding much needed privacy. It's a meaningful reminder that this project was never just about styling a house for a photo, it was about giving a family a true head start in their new home and that means the world to me.

A well-designed space can offer comfort, dignity, and a sense of pride, things that matter just as much (if not more) in a Habitat for Humanity home as they do in any high-end renovation. Being part of a project rooted in that mission is a reminder of why I do this work in the first place. I really believe home is everyones sacred space.

I'm so grateful Habitat reached out to me to help design the home, and thankful to Chronogram for covering the project and helping share it with the community. Thank you as well to Two Pages for their generosity in donating the window treatments, gifts like that make a real difference for the family moving in.

If you're looking for ways to support Habitat for Humanity's mission, whether through their showhouse initiatives or otherwise, I can't recommend it enough. It's some of the most meaningful work I've been part of and I hope the family moving into this house feels right at home!

I also designed the office space as well so stay tuned for that...

Professional Images by: Phil Mansfield

Curtains provided by: Two Pages

Furniture/Art/Accessories- Mix of my own collection and Habitat for Humanty's Thrift Store