Creating for a cause
December 1, 2022
10 dazzling designs from Furnished 2022
This fall, nine Charlotte interior designers and one team of interior architecture and design students from Queens University of Charlotte brought their talents to Furnished, the friendly competition that benefits Furnish For Good. The nonprofit provides gently used and new furnishings for individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness and poverty. Since its inception in 2019, FFG has served close to 1,000 people, providing more than 7,000 furnishings and household goods, according to co-founder and Executive Director Priscilla Chapman.
Each designer had two days to complete their vignettes at FFG’s showroom, using the same foundation pieces provided by the nonprofit. They each received a $500 gift card from presenting sponsor Lowe’s to use toward decorating their spaces. The designers incorporated their own accessories, artwork and decorative pieces, many of which were sold in an online auction.
The winning design, announced on Nov. 7, was Carrie Yorker Interiors, whose vignette was inspired by the Montana landscape following a recent anniversary trip with her husband to Glacier National Park.
Carrie Yorker Interiors
But there were no losers, according to event co-chair Amy Foley.
“I remember talking with two designers as they were working on their vignettes,” Foley recalls. “One of them said this fundraiser was ‘community over competition.’ These designers were so supportive of one another and so supportive in raising money for our great mission.”
Yorker, who also works as a weekly volunteer at Furnish For Good, agrees. “The support and camaraderie among the designers both in person and online was inspiring in itself and really illustrated the soul of this event. I’m obviously thrilled to have officially ‘won’ the competition; however, it goes without saying that everyone in this story is a winner — especially the folks in our community who will be uplifted and served thanks to the efforts of all the people involved.”
The event raised more than $200,000 for Furnish For Good, which recently moved to a new showroom more than double the size of its previous one. The expanded space will allow the group to manage more inventory and add volunteers, in turn meeting increased demand for its services in the community. SP
– Cathy Martin
Anne Pearson Hammett, Anne Pearson Design
Marie Cloud, Indigo Pruitt Design Studio
Bari J. Ackerman, Bari J. Designs
Keith Chostner, Meyer Greeson Paullin Benson
Leigh Falkner, Leigh Falkner Interiors
Jacqueline Bowman, Ball and Jacks Design
Denean Jackson, D. Nicole Decor
Sharon Valentin, Valentin Design Co.
Interior Architecture & Design students at Queens University of Charlotte
