High Point designer leads effort to improve vets' home
Alan Ferguson helps make facility more liveable
Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, October 20, 2010
 A redecorated living room includes new upholstery and other furnishings in a High Point facility operated by Caring Services Inc. Vet Safety Net, a nonprofit that provides housing and support services for veterans in recovery. Designer Alan Ferguson coordinated a makeover of the home. Photography by Mark Peterson of Albion Associates. |
 The veterans facility, in a former mortuary in High Point, was redecorated in an effort that involved many in the furniture and design industries. |
 In addition to new carpet, furnishings and paint, designer Alan Ferguson added wall art in the bedrooms at the home. He says art is “very important” to make spaces livable. |
HIGH POINT — High Point interior and showroom designer Alan Ferguson has used his talents to help add comfort and color to the lives of a group of veterans here recovering from substance abuse problems.
He led an effort earlier this year that brought a transformation to a former mortuary building that now houses Caring Services Inc. Vet Safety Net, a nonprofit agency providing housing and support services for veterans in recovery.
The sturdy red brick building on Chestnut Drive offers meeting space downstairs and two former apartments upstairs where as many as 12 men live for up to two years. There are nine such households in High Point, three of which accommodate women.
Ferguson now plans to direct the renovation of a second vet house as well.
The first project got its start a year ago when Pat Phelps, volunteer project coordinator for the agency, asked Ferguson to select colors for the Chestnut Drive living quarters. But the designer visited the facility and saw its threadbare carpet, dark paneling and old furniture and had a different thought. He decided that the veterans, who have chosen recovery after serving in Vietnam, Iraq or Afghanistan, deserved better.
"Colors will come later," he told Phelps. "First we are going to tear this place apart and do something that will improve their lives."
Over the next several months, Ferguson said he grew obsessed with the project. He secured donations of funds and furnishings and obtained materials and products at or below costs.
He directed the residents in projects including pulling up carpet, laying wood floors and painting newly installed crown moldings, walls and ceilings. Exposed pipes became points of art with each section painted a different color in a palette of orange, sage, blues, greens and chocolate.
The residents learned new skills in the process and became emotionally invested in the project.
"My goal was to build an appreciation for nice things, give them an improved sense of well being and a better quality of life. I also hope the success of this undertaking will inspire others to become involved in these veteran halfway house refurbishing projects elsewhere. The need is great," Ferguson said.
The living and dining rooms are now comfortable and attractive with sofas, chairs, draperies, coffee tables, lamps, dining tables and pieces of art - which Ferguson says is "very important."
Product donations came from Randall Tysinger Antiques; L&S Crown Molding; Elkes Carpet; Kent Crawford, Artistic Quilting; Thayer Coggin; Swaim; Don Hekhuis Designs; Theodore Alexander Outlet; Antiques and Interiors; Tom Martin; Clayton & Co.; Crawford and Becky Currin; John R. Paulin; Richard and Cindy Swaim; Century Furniture; Andrea West; Ron Curlee Studios; Painted Magic; Aaron Sizemore; Randy Hawkins; and J. Alan Ferguson and Associates.
"This project was challenging and rewarding for everyone who participated," Ferguson said. "We were given a rare opportunity to give back to some of those who have given so much to our country."
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