Turning empty interiors into homes

Elana Frey awaits the transformation of her empty apartment.

Elana Frey, holding her son Kalani, checks out her newly decorated living room.

Elana Frey, overwhelmed by emotions, kisses her 1 1/2-year-old son Kalani, in his freshly furnished bedroom.

Designer Kelly Wearstler, left, hugs Elana Frey, after decorating Frey’s apartment. Wearstler, a celebrity designer, author and TV personality, is the first designer to participate in A Sense of Home’s new Design Challenge Program.

Designer Kelly Wearstler adds accessories in Kalani’s bedroom.

Designer Kelly Wearstler ponders a picture’s placement as she decorates the apartment of Elana Frey as part of A Sense of Home’s new Design Challenge Program.

Elana Frey stands in her empty apartment before it was transformed by A Sense of Home and Kelly Wearstler.

Elana Frey, overwhelmed by emotions, cuddles her 1 1/2-year-old son, Kalani, on her new bed. Frey had been sleeping on the floor, as she couldn’t afford any furniture. A Sense of Home and its volunteers furnished the bare apartment.

Elana Frey is overcome with emotion at the transformation of her apartment. She holds her 1 1/2-year-old son, Kalani.

Volunteers chat in Elana Frey’s freshly furnished apartment.

Elana Frey, holding her 1 1/2-year-old son Kalani, is all smiles as she relaxes in her freshly furnished bedroom.

Celebrity designer Kelly Wearstler relaxes after helping furnish and decorate the apartment of Elana Frey, a former foster care youth.

Volunteers from A Sense of Home pause for a group photo after furnishing Elana Frey’s, sitting third from right, apartment a day before Mother’s Day in Los Angeles.

Elana Frey, holding her son Kalani, pauses in her child’s newly furnished bedroom.

Elana Frey is all smiles in her son’s bedroom.

Kalani Frey checks out his digs.