“Interior design may seem excessive to some people,” says local designer Kelley Vieregg, “but I believe that creating a comfortable and welcoming space is important for a person’s well-being, which is why I fully support Furnish for Good’s mission and was honored to participate in this event.”

The event, Furnished, was a design challenge to benefit Furnish for Good (FFG), a nonprofit organization that offers affordable furnishings for homeless families transitioning to permanent housing.

Recognizing that they couldn’t host a large charity event during these times of social distancing, FFG’s board of directors created a COVID-friendly competition to raise money for their cause, and they turned to the Charlotte design community to help.


 “We were brainstorming during a meeting, and someone brought up the TV show Chopped, where competing chefs are given the same five ingredients to make their own unique dishes,” explains Priscilla Chapman, FFG cofounder. “We decided we could do something similar with furniture from our showroom.”


The board members asked ten local interior designers to participate. Each designer was given the same five pieces of furniture to incorporate into their own vignettes in the FFG showroom over two days.


Photographer Dustin Peck captured each “room,” and the pictures were posted on the fundraiser website so participants could donate money to vote for their favorites. “The designers were so generous with their time, talents, and donations,” Chapman says. “They all seemed eager to be involved in a project that will directly support our city’s affordable housing crisis.”


The photographs were live for ten days in November, and participants paid a fee of ten dollars per vote. 


The designers also donated furniture and accessories for a silent auction to benefit FFG. “I was thrilled to share my passion for interior design for t his important cause,” shares Cheryl Luckett, one of the participants.


“Creating a home that is functional, comfortable, and beautiful can enrich your life, and I believe we all deserve that.”

To learn more about Furnish for Good and its inaugural fundraiser, visit furnishforgood.org.