Director of Development Rachel Buxkamper, Associate Executive Director Lisa Nelson, Vice President
and Director Kim Turner, Founder and President Lisa Robison
It was an Oprah quote about your passion providing happiness that got Lisa Robison thinking. She knew she was passionate about design and passionate about giving back to the community, and thus Dwell with Dignity was born. Believing that the people who can least afford good design actually benefit from it the most, Lisa along with El Centro classmate, friend, and fellow designer Kim Turner, created the non-profit organization to design, provide, and install home interiors for families struggling with homelessness and poverty. With a birthday gift nest egg and the enthusiasm of the North Texas design community all asking what they could do to help, the ladies partnered with agencies like the Interfaith Housing Coalition that provide transitional housing and counseling for the individuals and families in need. Dwell with Dignity provides the furniture, artwork, linens, kitchen supplies, and even fills the pantry and cooks the family their first meal in their new home.
To raise funds for this remarkable endeavor, the bi-annual pop-up Thrift Studio was created. Selling a combination of overstock high-end designer finds and repurposed gently used furniture, housewares, and accessories, the shop is also a showroom of unique vignettes installed by some the top interior designers in the city where everything is for sale. It’s an opportunity to find unique and affordable furnishings where all proceeds benefit the non-profits efforts to help families escape homelessness and poverty.
Erin Lumpkin, Stephanie Pettinati and DJ Lucy Wrubel, Stella Wrubel, Steve Wrubel
The current Thrift Studio opened on April 19th and will run through May 18th the design district. Featured designers include Horchow, DJ Lucy Wrubel for Peacock Alley, IBB Design Furnishings, Square Foot Studio, Studio Ten 25, William Christopher Design, and title sponsor One Kings Lane. At the champagne reception kicking off the one-month event, One Kings Lane co-founder Susan Feldman mingled with the Dwell with Dignity founders and board members, the host committee and featured designers like Shay Geyer, who proudly welcomed attendees into her luxurious space.
Lisa and Kim are hoping to have national chapters and are already getting started in Miami and New York. The business plan is together but funding and inspired individuals taking initiative around the country are needed. Events like Thrift Studio are helping them to reach their goals, raising money for operating costs, gaining exposure for their mission, and helping more families to dwell with dignity.
Abbe Fenimore in her vignette
The Thrift Studio Pop-Up Shop remains open to the public through May 18, 2013 Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sundays noon to 5:30 p.m. It is located in the Dallas Design Center at 1100 Slocum Street, Suite 590. Visit www.dwellwithdignity.org/thrift-studio or call 214-599-7974 for more information about Thrift Studio.
About the author: Jayne Chobot Herring
