SJI Features Sarah Schwuchow SJI Features Sarah Schwuchow

Junior Job Shadow Day at SJI 2022

SJI hosted a Junior Job Shadow Day where we invited aspiring interior designers to join us for an exciting afternoon designing their dream bedrooms!

 

This summer we hosted a Junior Job Shadow Day where we invited aspiring interior designers to join us for an exciting afternoon designing their dream bedrooms!

Sarah Jacquelyn Interiors partnered with showrooms in theMart for our Junior Designers to select the perfect wallpaper, paint, pillow accent fabric, window treatment fabric, and trim to complete their dream bedroom designs.

A special thank you to all the wonderful vendors who came together to make this day possible for our aspiring designers!

 

 
 

 

Activity 1: Wallpaper

The SJI team and our Junior Designers headed to Zoffany to select the perfect wallpaper that served as a basis for their room designs.

 

 

Activity 2: Paint

Next, the team headed to Benjamin Moore to select wall and trim paint colors!


 
 

Activity 3: Accent Pillow Fabrics

The Junior Designers made a quick stop to learn about Phillip Jefferies wallcoverings and then off to Romo for the perfect accent pillow fabrics!

 

 

Activity 4: Window Treatment Fabric

Pindler was kind enough to host a pizza party for our Junior Designers after we picked out window treatment fabrics!

 

 

Activity 5: Trims

Finally, the SJI team and our Junior Designers headed to Samuel & Sons to pick trims for their bedding, drapes, and pillows!

 

 

The Final Design Boards Are In….

All our Junior Designers presented their dream bedroom designs! See the galley below to see how they did!


 

Need help on your next home project? Schedule a design consultation with the SJI team today!

 
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SJI Features Sarah Schwuchow SJI Features Sarah Schwuchow

Making Effie's Wish Come True

We transformed an unfinished basement into a dance studio for an incredible girl whose love of dancing helped her fight cancer. Now, she’s empowering fellow young cancer fighters to keep going.

 

We transformed an unfinished basement into a dance studio for an incredible girl whose love of dancing helped her fight cancer. Now, she’s empowering fellow young cancer fighters to keep going. 


Meet Effie

Effie Inman was diagnosed with pre B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Lymphoma in March 2019 at the age of 10. Throughout her cancer treatments, she continued to do what she loved, dance! Even when she was not feeling well, she sat on the side and memorized dance routines.

Due to covid, attending practice in large groups was challenging, as she was immune compromised. Her wish was to have a dance studio in her basement where she could practice her dance routines in a safe environment. 

We were contacted by Make A Wish to help with this project as Wish Type Experts. This volunteer position helps Wish Granters and staff research wish feasibility, identify vendors, secure donations, and provide logistical support.


The Unfinished Basement

In partnership with our many wonderful vendors, we transformed this unfinished basement into a dance studio oasis! Our process involved meeting with the Inman family, discussing Effie’s wants and needs, and designing a special space for this incredible 13 year old girl. We measured the basement and got to work organizing the team to make this wish happen. We were blown away by the generosity of our design community wanting to help on this wish.


The Design Process

The Missner Group generously donated their expertise, materials, and construction labor to make this wish come true. Special resilient dance flooring was donated by Harlequin Floors to ensure impact safety along with a ballet bar. A privacy divider curtain was donated by Pindler, Urban Environments, and J Taylor Drapery. A full wall of custom mirrors was donated by S&S Glass. Benjamin Moore/ JC Licht donated paint and Lightology provided new studio lighting and pendant lights. We also created a cozy seating nook, perfect to hang out and watch dance routines. The ambiance wouldn't be complete without color changing lights and a Bluetooth speaker.


Revealing the New Dance Studio

This special space created a major impact on Effie and her family. She was elated with her new dance studio and plans to share the space by offering dance lessons to other kids who are immune compromised that need a safe space to practice. 

Previous to this experience, my home looked like what the inside of mine and Effie’s worlds felt like – all of over the place, messy, and not how we would have wanted. After Sarah and Bianka, and this wish journey, we are beginning to rebuild our homes and it feels like a rebuilding of our lives. I don’t think anyone knows how much of an impact this has had on our family.
— Tina Inman, Effie’s Mom
Make A Wish is incredibly lucky to be represented by Sarah and Bianka and the work they did went above and beyond and beyond and beyond…Effie felt excited, cared for, supported, loved, and celebrated throughout the whole process.
— Tina Inman, Effie’s Mom

Effie’s Wish Day Celebration


Effie Rings the Bell

In September 2021, Effie completed her treatment after 2.5 long years in and out of Lurie Children’s Hospital.

Through this experience she gained perspective and empathy, and now has the desire to give back. She has since started a nonprofit called Effie’s Wish” with the goal to help kids that are hospitalized and battling critical illnesses. She, along with her Junior Board of Directors, raises funds to provide fun activities and enhance quality of life for children during treatment. Last fall, Effie’s Wish raised thousands of dollars to purchase Nintendo Switches that will be donated to hospitalized children. 

We were so grateful to have met and helped the Inman family, and look forward to supporting Effie on her philanthropic journey. 


Thank You to Everyone Who Made This

Make A Wish Project Possible!

Make a Wish Illinois

The Missner Group

Harlequin Floors

Urban Environments

S&S Glass

Pindler

J Taylor Drapery

Lightology

Benjamin Moore / JC Licht

George and Debra - Make a Wish Volunteers

Effie’s Amazing Family

 
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