Charlotta Sjorlin was a guest speaker at our February meeting. She is a Swedish interior designer who lives in Chapel Hill. She started “A Lotta love” foundation after she visited a Triangle area homeless shelter in 2014 and saw how cold and unwelcoming it was. She immediately set about painting, getting linens and art for the walls, lamps and other home furnishings to give the spaces a homey feel. Thus “A Lotta Love” foundation was born. Charlotta uses her expertise to decorate spaces in a thoughtful, cheery and welcoming way.
The Mission: “to alleviate the trauma of homelessness by making dignified, safe and emotionally-inspired spaces ”
“A Lotta Love” accepts high end donations of furniture from Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, etc., and also donations of gently used items such as lamps, tables and art. The donated linens are all new, and residents get to take these with them as they transition into more permanent housing.
Currently, “A Lotta Love” is serving the triangle area with over 20 shelters being transformed since 2014!
Charlotta introduced Heloisa Bickmore, who was referred to us by Soroptimist sister and interior designer Suzanne Blanke. Heloisa heads up the Raleigh “A lotta Love” chapter, and she is looking to partner with SIR volunteers on a current project at InterAct to create a meditation room. Check out their socials Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or website to learn more.
There is a wonderful short video on their website that shows not only the beautiful spaces that have been created, but women whose lives have been positively impacted by these spaces!