Members of the American Society of Interior Designers student chapter, part of Daytona Beach Community College's interior design program, recently finished renovating a large room inside a certified domestic violence center for Volusia County.

The drab, mismatched furniture was replaced with a new sofa, loveseat and chair; old vinyl wallpaper was stripped in favor of a pleasant paint hue; and a large area rug now provides a softer floor covering.

Beginning in July, 10 people from the interior design program juggled their busy schedules to facilitate the new look.

Putting in a collective total of 600 volunteer hours, they requested donations from local businesses and provided physical labor to renovate the 30-foot by 26-foot space.

"When we walked in for the first time it was very clear they had a need for this place to be remodeled," said Karen Mitchener of Ormond Beach, student chapter president. "It felt very institutional, so we tried to make it feel more like a family room and a living area."

M.F. Warren, the Domestic Abuse Council's chief executive officer, said the shelter, which last year served 323 women and children, was in dire need of an uplifting change.

"I think the results are absolutely wonderful and inspiring for the residents," Warren said. "The students were excellent in their dedication to this project."

"It's extremely fulfilling to see the before and after," said Gloria Cotroneo, 43, an interior design student who recently moved to Deltona from New York. "The families coming in here will have a very tranquil place to relax and rewind."

Belinda Lovell of Ormond Beach, a full-time college student and mother of two, said she juggled her schedule to fit in volunteer hours for the project, but the results were worth a few hectic days.

"Before, it was so piecemealed together that it looked like a yard sale," said Lovell, 39. "Now it's very cohesive, just so much more updated."

Melissa Mavronas, 39, of Port Orange said she enjoyed making a difference in the community.

"It was a lot of fun getting together outside of school and volunteering for the domestic abuse center," said Mavronas, a part-time college student who plans to go into commercial and residential design.

At the site Oct. 20 to help with finishing touches, Bethany Creamer of Daytona Beach, faculty advisor for the ASID student chapter and assistant chairwoman for DBCC's interior design department, looked around the room and nodded her approval.

"I think this is a testament to a lot of busy women who are working, going to school and have families of their own, but who took the time to come together for a worthy cause," Creamer said.

"This project was a win-win for everyone in that it served as a teaching tool to the students involved and also benefited the guests at the Domestic Abuse Council."

For more information on the DBCC program, call Bethany Creamer at (386) 506-3756.

If You Need Help

The Domestic Abuse Council provides emergency shelter, victim advocacy, transitional housing, support/education groups for victims, information and referrals services, case management, residential and community programs for children, family intervention programs for the abusive partner, legal advocacy, community education and professional training.For more information about the Council, call (386) 255-2102.