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A Room Made for Giving: Ted’s Craft Room Transformation

  • Writer: Brandi Giovanetto
    Brandi Giovanetto
  • Oct 10
  • 3 min read

When I first heard about Brookdale resident Ted and saw his space, it didn’t take long to realize his space needed to serve more than one purpose. It wasn’t just a craft room, it was the heart of his giving.



A lifelong creator, veteran, and community volunteer, Ted spends his days making blankets and stuffed animals for children- a passion project that began after his wife passed away. So when I was invited to design his space for Brookdale Senior Living’s Make It Mine series, I knew this project had to honor both his creativity and his compassion.


Designing for Purpose and Comfort



Design Plans for Ted's craft room

Ted’s original craft area was functional but limited. It lacked the lighting, layout, and accessibility he needed to keep creating comfortably as he moved into his 90s. My goal was to give him a workspace that worked with him, something practical, beautiful, and deeply personal.


We landed on a rustic-industrial design: warm woods, rich textures, and metal accents that balanced masculine charm with cozy functionality. His favorite color, blue, became the anchor of the room, complemented by a brick wallpaper feature wall, butcher-block counters, and pipe shelving for an authentic, handcrafted feel.


The Heart of the Space


Completed craft room with T-shaped desk with 2 chairs for accessibility

The centerpiece of the design is a custom T-shaped workspace, crafted with butcher-block counters to give Ted maximum surface area for cutting fabrics, laying out projects, and working on his computer. At each end, we added cabinet storage for extra patterns, materials, and tools, keeping everything organized, but still within easy reach.


Accessibility was key. Instead of one chair, we gave Ted two desk chairs so he could easily switch sides of the workspace without straining or rolling around the table. A new overhead bar light and rechargeable wall sconces provided bright, focused lighting for detail work, while a light-filtering window treatment lets him adjust brightness throughout the day from near-blackout for focus to full natural light when inspiration hits.


Thoughtful Touches That Tell His Story


One of Ted’s favorite parts of his old workspace were the memories covering his old desk cabinets

with photos, drawings, and notes that told the story of his life and the people he loves. I didn’t want to lose that. Instead, we created a large custom magnetic and photo display board where he can hang keepsakes, cards, and photos without cluttering his workspace. Below it sits a coffee station because every creative mind needs a steady supply of caffeine close by.


Throughout the space, we displayed Ted’s handmade items, from a carved wooden truck to his collection of bolo ties and plush animals (with both the first and last shown in the photo on the right). Each piece adds warmth and reminds everyone who walks in that this is a room built around a life of generosity.


A Team Effort to Remember


This transformation wouldn’t have been possible without the help of some incredible local partners who shared Ted’s heart for giving back:

Together we transformed not just a room, but the way Ted can continue doing what he loves most: creating for others.


Why It This Craft Room Transformation Matters


Brandi Giovanetto with Brookdale Resident Ted in his new craft room

At the end of the day, this wasn’t about just the transformation. It was about preserving purpose. Ted’s craft room is now a reflection of his story filled with history, function, and heart.


Being part of this project reminded me why I do what I do: design isn’t just about beautiful spaces; it’s about improving the way people live, work, and give.


You can still watch Ted’s full transformation in Make It Mine Season 5, Episode 7, now streaming on Brookdale Senior Living’s YouTube channel.



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