Upward Bound House puts roof over heads of homeless families

A former Culver City motel recently reopened as the Upward Bound House Family Shelter, providing temporary emergency housing for homeless families with children. In preparation for the opening, 18 interior designers shared paint, swapped rugs and otherwise volunteered their services to decorate the units before residents moved in.

“These people are sleeping in their cars,” volunteer coordinator Dara Lasky said. “They need the extra three months to get their lives together.”

Beyond the good deeds, the volunteerism resulted in good ideas — design inspiration that just might translate to do-it-yourself projects for budget-minded families.

To create a durable, low-cost headboard, Vanessa De Vargas of Turquoise Interior Design in Los Angeles took Madison & Grow wallpaper and laminated it at Staples. Then she framed it with wood molding.

Kelly LaPlante of Organic Interior Design in Venice nailed circular pieces of cork to the wall above a bunk bed so kids can personalize their space, tacking photos or anything else to the wall.

A room designed by Nadia Geller proved just how far paint can go in creating visual impact — and that stripes aren’t the only option. Geller worked with Jill Crawford to create a graphic links pattern using Benjamin Moore’s odorless Natura paint. Vargas added butterflies fluttering toward the ceiling thanks to decals from ferm-living.com.

For more on the Upward Bound House program: upwardboundhouse.org.

Lisa Boone