The Chrysalis House leveled up with a long list of helping hands from across the industry.
By Nicholas Tamarin
In a remarkable display of community collaboration and generosity, the NKBA Ottawa Chapter has successfully completed a much-needed kitchen renovation for Chrysalis House, a 25-room inclusive women’s shelter that provides a safe haven for women escaping abusive environments in Western Ottawa. The initiative, almost three years in the making, has transformed a worn-out, inefficient kitchen into a highly functional and welcoming space, symbolizing a significant step forward for the residents.
The inspiration for this ambitious project struck Natalia Pierce, CMKBD, and current NKBA Ottawa Chapter President, during a Chapter Star Awards event in Orlando in 2022. “The NKBA BC Chapter had done a community outreach project where they had done some significant renovations for one of the community centers,” Pierce recalled. “It was kind of an inspiration, and I thought, we’d all survived the COVID era, much better than others. We had abundant projects and activity throughout those more difficult years. I just felt it was an inspiring story from the BC chapter that led to the inspiration to do something for our community.”
The Ottawa chapter began its search for a shelter in need of renovation in 2022. After months of outreach, Chrysalis House responded, detailing the challenges posed by their aging and inefficient kitchen, which was over 20 years old and showing signs of extreme use. Recognizing the critical need for an improved space, NKBA Ottawa mobilized a dedicated team of designers, industry professionals, and sponsors.
The design phase was spearheaded by Deborah Gervais, AKBD, Aviva Ben Choreen, CMKBD, and Pierce, who worked closely with the shelter’s staff, including Director Aaron Badick, to create a layout tailored to the needs of its high-use environment. This included adding a second large single-bowl sink, increasing counter depth to accommodate a large sanitizer unit, and maximizing pullout storage with all drawers on the bases. Addressing a significant pain point, the team also relocated an inconvenient commercial grease trap.
After 30 months of dedicated fundraising and planning, the dream became a reality. The project’s total value exceeded $80,000, made possible by significant contributions from various partners. The initial fundraising effort kicked off with a silent auction at the chapter’s Design Excellence gala in May 2022, which raised $4,300 even before a specific shelter was identified. Subsequent fundraising efforts continued through 2023 and 2024.
A pivotal contribution came from the The Canadian Delegation of the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Savoy, which provided a substantial $20,000 donation. This cash contribution was crucial for repairing the shelter’s range and covering additional materials, ensuring the project could be completed without impacting the shelter’s operating budget.
The renovation included brand-new cabinets, granite countertops, upgraded sinks and faucets, interior cabinet accessories, and a new fridge and freezer. The project also enhanced the kitchen’s lighting and refreshed the space with a new coat of paint, improving the adjacent dining area.
The impact on the residents was profound. While the renovation was underway, residents had to adapt to a temporary kitchen setup. Pierce noted, “We were so shocked at the support and the gratitude that was so obvious from the residents while we were doing the project; it was just really heartwarming. You just really felt that we were making such a positive impact.”
“This project is a testament to the power of collaboration and the generosity of our industry partners,” Pierce continues. “The new kitchen will provide a warm, functional space where the women of Chrysalis House can cook, gather, and rebuild their lives with dignity. We are incredibly proud to have played a role in this transformation.”
“We had such a fantastic experience with Natalia and the NKBA Ottawa Chapter,” Chrysalis House Team Manager Erin Baydak says. “We are a Violence Against Women shelter and like any house, the kitchen is the heart of our home, where so many of the residents and children gather daily. After 20 years of heavy use we desperately needed a new kitchen and Natalia and her team made our dream come true. Everyone who worked on the project was so kind and committed to the project. We really felt valued and respected by the volunteers and donors who made sure all of the materials were of excellent quality and the work professionally done. It was truly transformational. Having a beautiful and welcoming space is so important to us, and this new kitchen is the star of our shelter. We feel such pride and gratitude when we use it.”
As Pierce steps down as Chapter President after four years, this project stands as a crowning achievement for her and the NKBA Ottawa Chapter. “It was kind of a nice thing to leave in our legacy,” she reflected. “I know it left me with just an incredible feeling of gratitude, and to have been able to be part of such an impactful project really meant a lot to me.”
Other key contributors whose generosity was indispensable to the project include:
- Laurysen Kitchens – Donated all the cabinetry for both the kitchen and lockers.
- Jeff Picard – Recognized for his exceptional craftsmanship and hours of commitment in installing the entire kitchen renovation.
- Cosentino – Provided the granite for the countertops.
- Urban Quarry – Contributed expert craftsmanship and fabrication.
- Kean Plumbing (K.E.A.N.) – Handled all rough and installation work of the plumbing fixtures, providing significantly discounted services and materials.
- Distinctive Bath and Kitchens – Supplied high-quality sinks and faucets.
- Supreme Paint – Provided paint and labor for painting the kitchen and dining room.
- Lumen – Supplied the pot lights, enabling an upgrade to the kitchen’s lighting.
- Detail by Design – Provided pendants and interior accessories.
- Centura Tile – Donated backsplash tile and installation materials.
- Thompson Electric – Provided invaluable electrical work and gave a huge amount of time, with significantly discounted services and materials.
- Giuseppe Castrucci (formerly of L in Kitchens), Mariano Ranallo, Domenic Ricci, and Claudio Santini were also key trade partners providing expertise and commitment.
The NKBA Ottawa Chapter remains committed to using design to improve lives and looks forward to future opportunities to give back to the community. For more information about this project or how to support future initiatives, please contact the NKBA Ottawa Chapter at nkbaottawa@gmail.com.
