“Elsewhere isn’t far away—it’s the place where transformation begins.
Born from the belief that healing starts right where people are, Elsewhere by Design turns everyday spaces into sanctuaries of dignity, vision, and new beginnings. It’s not just a destination—it’s a blueprint for belonging, a design for what’s possible, and a space for becoming.
Purpose by Design
This isn’t just what we do—it’s who we are.
At Elsewhere by Design, every detail matters.
Every color, every conversation, every carefully placed item is rooted in one core belief:
Home has the power to shift everything.
We don’t approach design as decoration.
We approach it as dignity.
As stability.
As strategy.
We’ve seen what happens when a space finally feels like peace—
when a mother walks into a room and exhales for the first time in months.
When a child picks out a color and says, “This feels like me.”
That’s what purpose looks like—by design.
Mission: Elsewhere by Design inspires strong communities by partnering with families to create empowering spaces, thriving futures and genuine connections - one home, one family, one fresh start at a time. Transformation is the strategy and the outcome.
Vision: Strong, connected communities - By Design.
“We’re not just investing in furniture or design—we’re investing in futures, stability, and generational impact.”
— EBD Board Member
“It’s one of the most tangible ways we’ve seen design shift the trajectory of a family’s healing journey.”
— Nonprofit Partner
“My kids call it our ‘forever space.’ That’s how safe it feels now.”
— EBD Parent
Our Core Strategies
Empowerment Through Home
We transform empty spaces into personalized, nurturing homes—giving families a stable foundation to heal, grow, and move forward with confidence.
Community-Centered Partnerships
We collaborate with local agencies and organizations across the Roanoke Valley to strengthen families and the systems that support them—sharing resources, insights, and solutions that multiply impact.
Ongoing Family Support
Our work doesn’t end when the styling is done. We stay connected with families beyond the transformation, helping them build lasting stability and access the tools they need to thrive.
A Legacy of Hope & Possibility
We’re breaking cycles of instability and creating a new narrative—one where every family sees home as the starting point for dignity, progress, and a future designed with purpose.
Cheryl Mosley, Founder/Executive Director
At Elsewhere by Design, our work is guided by four core strategies that focus on transforming homes, empowering families, and strengthening the Roanoke Valley through meaningful partnerships and long-term impact.
Design What’s Next
The Strategy That Moves Families Forward - By Design
The Blueprint
Healing starts with intention. This is how we design it.
Stability by Design
We create spaces that calm chaos, restore order, and give families the chance to rest, reset, and move forward—on their terms.
Dignity by Design
Families aren’t just clients—they’re co-creators. We ask about memories, meaning, culture, and color. The result is a space that reflects not just where they are, but who they’re becoming.
Momentum by Design
Our environments are created to support not just stability, but growth—helping families move forward, stay grounded, and build lives that extend beyond survival.
Community by Design
We build with families—and alongside agencies, case workers, and partners. Our design becomes a bridge between what systems can offer and what people actually need for long-term change.
Our Process At A Glance
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How to Refer or Nominate:
Use our Referral Form
Click the button below to share details about the family’s situation, needs, and current living space. You can be a case manager, service provider, community leader, or simply someone who cares.We’ll Reach Out
Our team will review the referral and connect with the family directly to learn more about their story, goals, and vision for home.Together, We Build
If selected, we’ll begin designing a transformation that helps the family not just feel housed—but truly at home.
👉 [Nominate a Family]
👉 [Partner With Us] (for agencies or organizations) -
From application to affirmation—we listen first, design second.
Once a family is nominated or referred, we begin with a gentle intake process focused on listening, understanding, and trust-building. This is where we learn their story, their needs, and their hopes for what “home” should feel like.
Our intake includes:
A brief conversation or in-person visit
A walk-through of the home or room(s) to be styled
A short family questionnaire to learn preferences, goals, and favorite colors, styles, or themes
A chance for each family member to share what would help their space feel peaceful, safe, and personal
This process isn’t about judgment—it’s about honoring their journey and co-creating a space that reflects where they are now, and where they’re going next.
We don’t assume what a family needs. We ask, listen, and build it with them—by design.
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Design Plan & Prep
Every transformation begins with a vision—and every detail is chosen with care.
Once we understand the family’s story and space, our team begins crafting a personalized design plan that reflects who they are and where they’re headed. This phase is all about intention, preparation, and honoring their voice through every choice.
Our process includes:
Creating a moodboard or visual plan tailored to the family’s preferences, needs, and culture
Selecting colors, textures, furniture, and décor that reflect warmth, dignity, and identity
Gathering donated, thrifted, or sourced items from our partners and community supporters
Scheduling transformation day with clear communication and excitement-building for the family
We keep the family’s input at the center while handling the behind-the-scenes logistics that make the magic happen.
Because design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about creating space for healing, identity, and joy.
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Housewarming Day
The moment everything changes.
This is the day the vision becomes reality—the day a space once marked by stress, transition, or emptiness is filled with warmth, beauty, and belonging.
We arrive early with our team of stylists, volunteers, and heart-driven helpers. Furniture is placed. Art is hung. Beds are made. Every pillow fluffed, every detail aligned with the family’s story and hopes.
When the family walks in for the reveal, it’s more than a surprise—it’s a turning point. We’ve seen tears, laughter, long exhales, and kids running from room to room saying “This is mine!”
But most of all, we hear this:
“It finally feels like home.”We often end the day with a blessing, a small gift, and the reassurance that we’re still here—walking with them beyond this moment, cheering them on as they step into what’s next.
Because this isn’t just about creating a beautiful room.
It’s about restoring a sense of safety, pride, and possibility—by design. -
Follow-Up & Support
Because the real work begins after the room is finished.
At Elsewhere by Design, we don’t believe in one-time fixes—we believe in walking with families as they rise. That’s why our support doesn’t stop once the décor is done or the beds are made.
After Housewarming Day, we stay connected.
We check in. We celebrate milestones. We listen.
And we make sure families know they don’t have to navigate this next chapter alone.Our follow-up includes:
Thoughtful check-ins to see how the space is working for them
Sharing resources, opportunities, and referrals to help with long-term goals
Empowerment conversations—focused on identity, confidence, and next steps
Inviting families into deeper connection with our team, our partners, and others who’ve been through similar transitions
We believe home is the starting line, not the finish.
So we continue offering encouragement, insight, and connection—creating a community where families feel supported, seen, and capable of building what’s next.Because true empowerment isn’t just giving someone a beautiful space—
it’s reminding them they already have what it takes to thrive.
Refer A Family
Founding Leadership
