The James Project | A Foster Family Living Room
This past summer, I felt a strong calling to use the creative gifts God has given me to serve others. Around that time, I came across a post from The James Project, a nonprofit Christian ministry in Springfield, IL, that supports and recruits foster families, about their Adopt-a-Room project.
The James Project helps foster parents and the children they serve by providing homes that are owned and maintained by the ministry and leased to foster families for just $1 per year. They were looking for volunteers to “adopt” and refresh rooms in one of their newly acquired homes. I immediately thought, This is perfect.
I roped in my husband to help with the work, hired some additional hands, and shared the project on social media to help raise funds for furnishings and décor. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who donated! Because of your generosity, we were able to purchase so many wonderful pieces for the space—including a brand-new sectional.
The Design
This family room is a long, shotgun-style space—beautiful, but a bit tricky to lay out. I knew the room needed to be visually divided with furniture to create a more functional flow. I also didn’t want the TV placed in a corner or directly across from the large window, which would cause glare, so the far wall became the natural choice. (The two paintings leaning against the wall is where the TV will go.)
We had enough room for a sectional, and I paired it with a lounge chair I found at Goodwill for just $25! Placing it with its back to the sectional helped define the seating area.
I donated a vintage rug from my personal collection. While it wasn’t quite large enough on its own, layering it over a natural jute rug made it work beautifully. The colors add personality and warmth without overpowering the space.
One of my favorite details is this little corner with the antique chess table—it’s such a sweet, quiet moment within the room.
One of the biggest transformations in this room was the addition of the built-ins—there were none here before. Adding them created much-needed storage, visual structure, and a sense of intention that truly anchors the space.
What a blessing it was to bring this room to life. It’s ready to be lived in, and my hope is that it brings joy to the family who will call it home—and that every foster child who enters this space feels a deep sense of love and welcome.
