When Design Meets Dignity: Our First Petite Retreat for a First-Time Homeowner
When we launched SanctuaryIAM’s Petite Retreat Program, our goal was simple but profound: to create moments of home for families stepping out of transition and into possibility.
This fall, we partnered with St. Joseph Housing Initiative (SJHI) — a mission-driven organization offering a ten-month program that helps first-time homebuyers secure education, support, and access to affordable, rehabbed homes. Together, we piloted a single-room makeover for one deserving participant, bringing comfort, beauty, and belonging into their new space.
And that is how we met Ms. Dean.
A Letter That Changed Everything
As part of the application process, recipients were asked to share their story. Ms. Dean, a single mom and first-time homeowner, wrote about her deep gratitude for her new home — and her truth: she had never had the opportunity to make design decisions for herself.
Her hope was for a space that inspired calm in the midst of life’s chaos. A place where she and her children could rest, gather, and reconnect.
Her vulnerability and resilience were undeniable.
Ms. Dean was selected as our first Petite Retreat recipient.
Our Design Priorities: Function, Fit, and Feeling
With a total budget of $3,000 (including materials + labor), every decision had to be thoughtful and intentional. We focused on four core priorities:
1. Function First
They lacked seating, storage, and a place for meals or homework. This single room needed to serve as a living room, dining room, study space, and family lounge.
2. Furniture That Fits
The layout required careful attention to scale and spacing. We chose pieces that wouldn’t overwhelm the room or interrupt natural walkways.
3. Character + Comfort
We added personality with wall moldings, layered textiles, curated art, and warm lighting to make the house feel like home.
4. Stewarding the Budget
Each item had to be durable, multifunctional, and beautifully styled without stretching beyond the budget.
The Transformation
• A deep blue corduroy storage sectional with pullout bed created comfort and function.
• A round dining table with leaf extension offered seating for four without crowding the walkway.
• A soft green credenza provided additional storage and anchored a beautiful focal wall.
• Warm lighting, curated pillows, and layered textures added calm, warmth, and identity to the space.
Privacy Note:
To protect the family’s identity during photography, we intentionally left the template artwork in the picture frames. Ms. Dean will replace them with personal family photos in the coming weeks.
What This Project Was — and Wasn’t
This wasn’t high-end luxury design.
This was real-life, real-family design — done through intention, wellness principles, and the belief that everyone deserves a space that restores them.
This project proves that Sanctuary can be created anywhere, at any budget, with the right heart and approach.
Because everyone deserves Sanctuary.
Because… SanctuaryIAM.
