The YWCA’s goal for its new shelter for domestic violence victims was pretty basic: Raise $5 million to buy The Wilsonian apartment building and renovate it into 22 decent apartments for families trying to build lives free from abuse.
Who knew that each of those units would become a showcase for some of the best interior designers from the South Sound? Or that these designers would get to work with original art, elegant daybeds and to-die-for views of Commencement Bay, the Tideflats, Mount Rainier?
Who knew that every room would be a surprise?
For years, families in crisis have found refuge – but lean creature comforts – in the YWCA’s aging landmark at 405 Broadway.
The women who raised the $150,000 to build it in 1927 intended the brick building to be a hostel for women traveling alone. The tiny rooms – 97 square feet – and the two shared baths and kitchens were perfectly adequate for the clientele and the era.
They have been less so for the families who’ve fled to them since the building became an emergency shelter in 1976. The rooms offer little space and minimal privacy for people who need both. A leaky roof and worn-out plumbing made the place even more uncomfortable.
Staff members begged executive director Miriam Barnett in December 2008 to get the families into something better.
That something was The Wilsonian, just up the hill and newly on the market.
While workers replaced the earthquake-unsafe brick cladding and renovated heating, plumbing and wiring, Barnett worked on a plan to furnish the residences.
She was going for what she could afford: spare, plain and matching.
But this is Pierce County, the land of stone soup miracles.
Employees at John Korsmo Construction Inc., which did not win the renovation contract, wanted to help anyway. They volunteered to build bunk beds with supplies donated by Gray Lumber.
The Thompson Family Foundation paid to upgrade metal security bars into works of art resplendent with birds and flowers.
Later, when the Y’s money ran out before Barnett could buy plants for the landscape design donated by Stuart Young of BCRA, Cindy Thompson realized she had some of the mature plants on the list. She dug them out of her yard and trucked them to the shelter.
The ABATE bikers are assembling a gazebo purchased from Lowe’s near the play yard. Mount Cross Lutheran Church is building and planting a vegetable garden.
In late spring, Phyllis Izant, the YWCA’s board president, and Karin White Tautfest, the shelter director, met with interior designer Patty Bruce to see what they could do with the rooms on a limited budget.
Bruce asked the perfect questions: Why not forget about working with what you have? Why not invite designers to bring their talent, and the curtains, daybeds, chairs, rugs and kitchenware to furnish the rooms?
Make the shelter a “Room to Dream” showcase. Before you give the families lovely spaces in which to heal and begin again, open it to the public for tours.
As summer wound down and work on the building wound up, designers from 29 local firms began bumping into each other and the plumbers, painters and electricians in the halls.
They checked out color choices. Deep red and desert tans in one unit, sea blue in another. Beige and gray that echo the urban landscape framed by the huge windows.
They solicited their suppliers and toted in leather chairs, dining sets, handmade quilts. They installed backsplashes, countertops and at least one $1,000 faucet in kitchens, beadboard and designer sinks in baths, California Closet inserts in cupboards.
In their quest for donations, several landed trundle beds that have increased the new shelter’s capacity from 80 to 85 beds. That’s up from the old shelter’s 50.
They thought of the kids, made spaces for homework and bought board games, books and endless art supplies.
They have accounted for most of the $350,000 worth of in-kind donations given to the project, Barnett said.
“I’m struck by how lovely small spaces can be,” said Judy Mladineo, who toured the Wilsonian with Barnett and Sister Peg Murphy.
Barnett added one more touch.
Anyone who donated $10,000 to the project could dedicate an apartment to a loved one and have that person’s story, photo and values framed by the entrance.
There’s a Joy residence, and a Strength apartment, and a space for Compassion. Sondra Purcell’s name, and Audacity, extend the welcome to another. Kathy Hebert’s life inspired Generosity. Barnett’s grandfather, Harry Dalkowitz, who emigrated from Europe and sold cowboy gear in Texas, stands by Justice.
His granddaughter, the 400 donors, and scores of workers and designers from 22 firms have proved that justice can come with peace. And beauty.
Kathleen Merryman: 253-597-8677 kathleen.merryman@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/street
WHAT: Public tour to raise money for new YWCA domestic violence shelter.
WHEN: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today.
WHERE: 401 St. Helens Ave, Tacoma.
COST: $10.
MORE ONLINE
See a list of the design firms that contributed to the project at blog.thenewstribune.com/street.
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