Partnering with IDS DFW and Pathways Youth and Family Services, BDG reimagines home as more than shelter—it becomes a source of hope. A look inside the first From Leadership with Love project and the life-changing impact of design:
Last week marked a milestone moment for our From Leadership with Love initiative: the very first family received their redesigned home. What began as a vision shared between IDS DFW Chapter leaders, Pathways Youth and Family Services, and generous industry partners came to life in a home filled with both beauty and healing.
Meet Charlse: A Dallas Foster Mom Who Has Opened Her Home to 24 Children
For Charlse, fostering has been more than a calling—it has been a life’s mission. Since 2009, she has opened her doors to 24 children, many with complex medical needs. Her days are filled with doctor’s appointments, therapies, and all the quiet acts of care that ensure each child feels loved and dignified.
“When a child comes to me with nothing but a hospital gown, the first thing I do is make sure they have clothes, toys, and comfort items of their own,” Charlse shared. “That’s where my focus and resources go. Home updates always fall to the bottom of the list.”
But after nearly 15 years in the same home, that sacrifice was showing. Furniture went unrepaired. Shelves sat empty. Storage for medical equipment was makeshift at best. And yet, her home was filled with warmth, love, and the kind of stability that no piece of décor can replace.
A Foster Family Home Makeover Powered by Design Leaders
That’s where From Leadership with Love stepped in. Partnering with sponsors such as Surya and Global Views, and powered by countless volunteer hours from design leaders, the project reimagined Charlse’s living spaces with fresh flooring, new paint, furniture, art, lighting, and—perhaps most importantly—functional storage solutions.
“It may look like a coat of paint to someone else, but to me it’s invigorating, vibrant, hopeful,” Charlse said on install day. “Now, not only do we have beauty in our space, but shelves and cabinets for the kids’ equipment. Even little things—like a spot for our current foster son Adrian to grab his own pull-up—help create independence and dignity.”
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How Interior Design Brings Healing and Dignity to Foster Families
Linda Baker, founder and CEO of Baker Design Group, described meeting Charlse for the first time as both humbling and inspiring:
“You could see instantly how much love this family gave their children, and how little had been invested in their own home because of that sacrifice,” Baker said. “To transform three rooms—new flooring, furniture, lighting, art—without them paying a penny… that’s what designing with purpose means.”
For Baker, and for the IDS presidents leading this initiative, the goal has always been more than beauty. It’s about creating spaces that bring healing, connection, and a sense of normalcy.
“I hope the children who come here feel like they deserve to live in a nice home,” Baker added. “That they feel blessed, but more than anything, that they feel normal.”
The Statewide Impact of From Leadership with Love in Texas
This home is just the beginning. From Leadership with Love is a statewide initiative with the potential to impact countless foster families supported by Pathways. For Charlse, the new space is a daily reminder that her sacrifices are seen and valued.
“I’ve lived with broken furniture for years, because what mattered was buying baseball gear or a special pillow for the kids,” she said. “To have someone focus on me and my home—it’s a blessing I never expected.”
As more families are served through this initiative, we’re reminded of the power of design to do more than fill rooms—it can fill hearts.
United in Purpose: Designers, Contractors & Partners
Baker Design Group is proud to have joined a coalition of design leaders, contractors, and industry partners to bring this transformation to life. The project’s success reflects the strength of collaboration across the Dallas design community and the generosity of partners who share a commitment to creating spaces with purpose.
Interior Designers
- Baker Design Group
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Rebekah Nicole Interiors
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ML Interiors Group
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Monica McCaskill Interiors
Contractors & Workrooms
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Bryant General Construction
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NSW Electrical
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Izuan’s Cabinetry
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JC’s Upholstery
Partners
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Sherwin Williams
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Surya
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Global Views
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Curate Floral
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Z Lite
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La Montage
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ProSource
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Universal Furniture
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Hudson Valley Lighting Group
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Covered Creations
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Massoud
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The Interior Design Society
Read More
For additional coverage on the From Leadership with Love initiative, explore these features:
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Designing with Heart: How IDS Leaders Are Transforming Foster Homes Across Texas — Interior Design Society
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IDS DFW Chapter Partners with Pathways Youth & Family to Launch From Leadership with Love — Home Furnishings Business