Have you heard of Humble Design?

As I sit in a coffee shop with the sunlight pouring in, it reminds me of a nonprofit that I have had the opportunity to donate my artwork to. Just like the sunlight is filling this room, this nonprofit works to fill their recipients lives with donated household goods, dignity and hope.

Humble Design is a non profit organization serving “individuals, families, and veterans emerging from homelessness by transforming their empty house into a warm, welcoming and uplifting home with donated furniture and household goods.”

Across the country, Humble Design warehouses are stocked with donated goods that allow design teams to personalize homes by providing a dignified, life changing experience for clients. We believe in restoring dignity to every family that has suffered homelessness.

Meet Laura

I had the opportunity to catch up with Laura Corp - the Operations Coordinator at Humble Design. Before she started working at the nonprofit, Laura had participated in a ‘Day of Service’ which is when an organization sponsors a family, helps put the household goods into the homes, and gets to participate in the reveal. After her experience, she was hooked. She knew she had to be more involved with Humble Design and so she applied for a job. Laura generously took the time to talk me through how Humble Design works. 

Making a Difference with Humble Design

Humble Design has a few big warehouses where they keep donated household goods. Partnering with other nonprofits, Humble Design works with families who are transitioning into their new home. Once they receive a referral from a partnering case worker, a  team of designers will go meet with the family in their home before going back to the warehouse to begin selecting the home goods to be leveraged at lightening speed (about 1.5 days!).  The designers also spend time creating custom artwork for the families after getting to know their interests and what they dream of having their home look and feel like. On the third day, volunteers help put the home goods into the identified home. With 4 locations nationally, Detroit (headquarters), Chicago, San Diego and Seattle, Humble Design completes about 7 homes each week. 

One of the motivations for starting this nonprofit was the idea that often times, when people get back onto their feet and in a home, they don’t have the means for furnishing it. Sometimes people are sleeping on blankets or sleeping bags - there’s no furniture, chairs or tables. A common issue that people run into when furnishing their home is transporting the goods to their home. At Humble Design, they are able to transfer the home goods to the home. 

Check out their videos here:

Before and After Photos of Interior Design

We all love ‘before and after’ photos as it helps us understand the transformation of the space. Here are a few images of the work that Humble Design has done in Detroit, Chicago, San Diego and Seattle. What do you think? I personally love the dining room transformation! 

Which of the before / after photos impress you the most? I love the living room transformation space! We especially love how the designers used a neutral palette and leveraged the existing fireplace.

Lending a helping hand

I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to donate artwork to Humble Design. Not only is the nonprofit mission something I can get behind and believe in but the people there are so kind truly helpful. If you’re an artist looking to get involved or help out with this cause, please check out their volunteer opportunities here: https://www.humbledesign.org/getinvolved