NBC15
(June 8, 2023) Wisconsin Latino Chamber of Commerce learned they will receive a FLOOR360 Design for a Difference Makeover in a surprise meeting on June 8. Watch Story
INBUSINESS
(June 16, 2023) FLOOR360 announces Wisconsin Latino Chamber of Commerce will receive a free Design for a Difference Makeover in 2023. Read more free interior design makeover
NBC15
(October 15, 2022) FLOOR360, interior designers, businesses and local volunteers came together to donate time, materials, and skills to provide a free interior makeover to Common Threads Family Resource Center in Madison. Watch Story
FLOOR COVERING WEEKLY
(June 9, 2022) FLOOR360 announced that Common Threads in Madison, Wis. and Grand Avenue Club in Milwaukee, Wis. will receive a 2022 Design for a Difference Makeover free of charge. An all-volunteer group of interior designers in each city will work with a group of local businesses, suppliers, installers, painters and other volunteers to plan and provide a much-needed interior design makeover for Common Threads and Grand Avenue Club. Read more about floor covering
FLOOR TRENDS
(June 10, 2022) FLOOR360, a Wisconsin-based provider of high-fashion flooring and designs, announced two local non-profits will receive 2022 Design for a Difference Makeovers free of charge: Common Threads in Madison, Wisconsin, which provides support to families with individuals with autism, mental health, and sensory differences; and Grand Avenue Club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which provides adults who have experienced mental illness with pre-vocational training, paid employment opportunities, supported education and special programming. Read more about free design makeovers awards
NBC15
(May 24, 2022)
MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – Tuesday, one local nonprofit organization was chosen for FLOOR360′s “Design for a Difference” free interior makeover!
Common Threads Family Resource Center was shocked to hear their school program was chosen for the free transformation.
“We’ve been struggling through the pandemic as a nonprofit organization and to have the support and health to be able to make this space, a better space for our students and clients. It’s just, it’s just incredible,” Common Thread’s Executive Director Kate Poppe said. Watch Story
DESIGN FOR A DIFFERENCE
(May 11, 2021)
Design for a Difference relies on many volunteers to help design, create, and execute a variety of projects for well-deserving members of the community. One thing that a lot people don’t know about our volunteers, is that many of them are working moms! Read more about working mom volunteers
NBC15
(September 21, 2020)
There is just under a week left to cast your vote for a Madison-area nominee in the national Design for a Difference: Home is Where the Heart Is contest. Read more national makeover contest ( update: contest is over)
Houzz.com
Written By Gwendolyn Purdom
(December 2019) FLOOR360 became a Design for a Difference sponsor in 2015 in Madison, Wisconsin, where its first showroom is located. After it opened a new location in Milwaukee, it helped launch Design for a Difference there too. This year it sponsored (along with its media partners) charity makeovers in both cities — for Walker’s Point in Milwaukee and for the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center in Madison. Read more about Wisconsin flooring
Floor Covering Weekly
(November 2019) FLOOR360 announced the completion of the interior makeovers of Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center in Madison and Walker’s Point Youth & Family Center in Milwaukee through their sponsorship of Design for a Difference movement. Read more about makeover completion
WISC
Written by Gabriella Bachara
(October 2019) “We are the really fortunate recipients of the Design for a Difference grant, which is a local nonprofit that donates the services and talents of local designers to transform nonprofit spaces,” said Bob Hemauer, president of the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center board of directors.
A total of 50 local designers renovated 11 spaces at the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center, including the food pantry, meeting rooms, the youth area and more. See more
The Capital Times
Written by Nicholas Garton
(October 2019) The results of a renovation at Madison’s Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center left many speechless and others with a firm sense of pride when they were revealed at a grand reopening ceremony Sunday.
“I have no words,” one visitor said. “No words.” Read more about the opening ceremony
NBC15
(October 2019) Designers and volunteers revealed a refreshed and revamped Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center this weekend.
The new center is all part of Design for a Difference, a national program working to makeover spaces at local charities.
FLOOR360 in Madison has sponsored the event for the past five years. NBC15 News is also a proud media sponsor. Watch Story
TVW
(September 2019) FLOOR360 Vice President of Retail & Design and Director of Design for a Difference Angela Skalitzky spoke with TVW about the 2019 charity makeover of Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center. Watch Story
BRAVA
Written and Photographed by Kristen Dvorak
(August 2019) It’s clear that the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center has invested its time and money in the people, not the space. While the local nonprofit located in the Williamson-Marquette neighborhood of near east Madison has got good bones, the obvious wear and tear has taken a toll on the over 100-year-old building, which is used for dance classes, weddings, a food pantry, meetings, summer camps—the list goes on. Read more about Wil-mar neighborhood center
The Capital Times
Written by Lisa Speckhard Pasque
(June 19, 2019) In the 50 years since the center opened in the former Pilgrim Congregational Church, the surrounding Marquette Neighborhood and nearby Williamson Street have radically transformed into one of Madison’s most desirable areas to work, live and play. Throughout that transformation, Wil-Mar has remained committed to its motto: “A place for all people.” Read more about Wil-mar
NBC15
(June 13, 2019) Design for a Difference program is back at the Madison College to allow students a chance at interior design. Seven students get the opportunity to design the youth room, youth director office and computer lab on the lower level at Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center Thursday. Watch Story
Madison Magazine
Written by Andrea Behling
(May 2019 issue) – Top 50 Things that Give Madison Color – #36 Design for a Difference Madison. Every year for the past five years, FLOOR360, a local flooring service, has selected a local nonprofit to receive a free interior makeover. The initiative, called Design for a Difference, has given RISE Wisconsin Inc.’s Respite Center, The Rainbow Project, Centro Hispano and the East Madison Community Center beautifully redesigned spaces — all bursting with color.
BRAVA Magazine
Written by Megan Roessler
(March 2019 issue) DESIGN FOR A DIFFERENCE— MADISON (DFAD) brings change to deserving nonprofits by enlisting the help of professional designers to make over their spaces—pro bono. Read more about the change
NBC15
(April 3, 2019) Watch all the coverage from the day of Spring into Design and the moment it was revealed that Wil Mar Neighborhood Center would receive a free interior makeover from Design for a Difference Madison in 2019. Watch here
NBC15
(February 20, 2019) The Design for a Difference project is where a local non-profit will get a complete transformation. It’s in its fifth year.
Centro Hispano received a makeover in 2017. Design for a Difference with its local sponsor FLOOR360 redesigned the East Madison Community Center in 2018, updating 18 spaces within the center.
The time to get those applications is quickly approaching. Click here for makeover application. Watch full story
BRAVA
Written by Candace Wagener
(January 2019 issue) Thanks to the savvy, determination and design skills of Angela Skalitzky, vice president of retail sales and design at Floor360 and project manager of the Design for a Difference program, these nonprofit organizations have had massive, free makeovers in recent years. Read more about Angela Skalitzky
NBC15
(October 14, 2018) Design for a Difference with its local sponsor FLOOR360 redesigned the East Madison Community Center, updating 18 spaces within the center. NBC15 is also a sponsor and partner of Design for a Difference Madison. Watch Story
The Capital Times
Written by Lisa Speckhard Pasque
(October 14, 2018) When the designers working on the annual “Design for a Difference” charity makeover pick a nonprofit organization to get a free interior redesign, they closely guards the plans. Read more about annual charity
Floor Covering Weekly
(September 21, 2018) FLOOR360 announced that the staff and board of East Madison Community Center will see their ‘new’ facility for the first time on Sunday, Oct. 14 after the Design for a Difference Makeover is complete. Read more about the new facility
NBC15
(September 29, 2018) The East Madison Community Center (EMCC) has been serving families and locals for generations. Now, they are on the receiving end of help.
The national program, “Design for a Difference,” selected EMCC as it’s 2018 receipt. The national program partners with local FLOOR360. Demolition began on Monday. FLOOR360 has been planning this project for months. Watch the story
NORTHSIDE NEWS
Written by Peggy Merrick-Bakken
East Madison Community Center (EMCC) will undergo a complete interior makeover thanks to Design for a Difference-Madison. At the Floor360 Spring Into Design event, EMCC Executive Director Tom Moen and Assistant Director De’Kendrea Stamps received the 2018 honor. Read more about the event
BRAVA
Written by Marni McEntee
(June 2018 issue) In March, De’Kendrea Stamps (Assistant Director, East Madison Community Center) learned the center, established 52 years ago, was the 2018 recipient of a Design for a Difference makeover, in which Madison-area interior designers, remodelers and construction professionals raise money and donate time to adopt a nonprofit each year to renovate. Read more about east madison community center
NBC15
(May 31, 2018) The East Madison Community Center is months away from getting a makeover. The non-profit was selected as this year’s “Design for a Difference” project. This marks the fourth year a Madison non-profit has been chosen for the makeover. Watch story
FLOOR COVERING WEEKLY
Written by Lauren Moore
(March 15 , 2018) FLOOR360 is a member of CCA Global Partner’s International Design Guild, which is the nation’s largest floor covering buying group. Along with celebrity designer and national spokesperson Mark Brunetz, the group initiated the Design for a Difference movement on a national level. Read about how FLOOR360 and other high-end showrooms around the country are finding new ways to give back to their communities. Read more about CCA groups giving back
MADISON ESSENTIALS
Written by Sharyl Kato
(March 2018) The Rainbow Project Executive Director Sharyl Kato wrote an article about the community success of the non-profit and about the experience and the impact the 2016 Design for a Difference interior makeover had on her organization. Read more about interior makeover
LAKESHORE LIVING
Written by Melanie Radzicki McManus
(April 2, 2018) Design for a Difference began in 2013 as a national movement. The brainchild of The International Design Guild, an elite group of designers and showrooms, and Mark Brunetz, former TV host of the Style Network’s Clean House, its concept was simple: Design professionals and students from the U.S. and Canada would compete for $20,000 in goods and services to renovate a space in their favorite charity. Read more about design for a difference
NBC15
(March 21, 2018) The East Madison Community Center (EMCC) was named as the 2018 recipient of Design for a Difference Madison makeover on Wednesday night. The national program partners with FLOOR360. EMCC has been a part of the Madison community for 50 years. It provides a safe place for families in the Truax neighborhood to gather, learn and support one another. See more
FITCHBURG STAR
Written by Amber Levenhagen
(January 12, 2018) In 2015, FLOOR360 sponsored the first Design for a Difference, a national design movement sponsored by flooring stores that are members of the International Design Guild. Participating businesses provide free interior makeovers to nonprofits in its area.
Locally, FLOOR360 led the makeovers for Center for Families, The Rainbow Project and Centro Hispano. Read more about first design
FLOOR COVERING WEEKLY
(October 23, 2017) The Design for a Difference makeover of Centro Hispano has been completed. The reveal event took place on October 15, 2017. According to the company, the value of the makeover came to over $600,000. Almost 100 individuals and businesses donated funds, time, labor, materials, design, painting and installation. See more after photos
WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL
Written by Shelley Mesch
(October 19, 2017) Centro Hispano was drab, worn from years of use, with a floor plan that wasn’t conducive to the community activities held there, says executive director Karen Menendez Coller.
But a two-week demolition and remodel has given Centro Hispano a much-needed face lift and left staff and community members overjoyed. Read more about Centro Hispano
MADISON 365
Written by David Dahmer
(October 18, 2017) Thanks to a $600,000 renovation from Madison-area designers, Centro Hispano of Dane County now has a modern, aesthetically pleasing look to it. Centro Executive Director Karen Menendez Coller could not be more proud and excited. Read more about the Centro Hispano
INBUSINESS MADISON
Written by Jason Busch
(October 17, 2017) It’s the rare nonprofit that can call its offices and facilities palatial. Some are even lucky if they can use the words attractive, modern, or functional when describing their workspace.
Like many nonprofits, Madison’s Centro Hispano has long eschewed cosmetic improvements to its offices so it can instead pour its resources into assisting the community it serves. It’s one of the reasons the charity was selected as this year’s Design for a Difference makeover sponsored by FLOOR360 of Madison, which has been providing these makeovers since 2015. Read more about the Charity
NBC15
October 15, 2017 (WTMV) – Centro Hispano, a Madison area non-profit that provides services to Latino families, was awarded a $600,000 renovation from Madison area designers. WKOW Design for a Difference Madison is a local organization that raises money to renovate non profit spaces annually.
WKOW
October 15, 2017 (WKOW) — Members of a local nonprofit got emotional Sunday as they got their first look at the inside of their new remodeled building. Centro Hispano was treated to a roughly $400,000 renovation, free of charge, by FLOOR360. 38 interior designers from Madison joined in to help give several rooms a facelift Watch more
NBC15
(October 2, 2017) Watch this news story about launching the 2017 Design for a Difference makeover at Centro Hispano with FLOOR360 CEO and Owner Bob Tobe, and Vice President of Retail and Design Angela Skalitzky who also serves as a National Ambassador for Design for a Difference. Watch
WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL
Written by Shelley Mesch
(September 30, 2017) A donated remodeling project will improve access and functionality at Centro Hispano, including easier access to the children’s play area. Staff members of the Rainbow Project get their first glimpse of their new waiting room in October 2016 after Design for a Difference volunteer designers remodeled the space. This year, Centro Hispano will receive a Design for a difference makeover with the renovation beginning Sunday. Read more about the Rainbow Project
FLOOR COVERING WEEKLY
(September 19, 2017) This October 2 through October 15, FLOOR360 announced that it will execute the largest Design for a Difference Makeover of a non-profit organization in the country, valued at $400,000. Read more about the design makeover
News Release: Angela Skalitzky named Design for a Difference National Ambassador
MADISON, WI (May 25, 2017) – FLOOR360, provider of high-fashion flooring and designs is pleased to announce that Angela Skalitzky, Vice President of Retail/Sales at FLOOR360 has been named National Ambassador of Design for a Difference movement. The movement provides much needed interior makeovers for charities free of charge. Angela Skalitzky has served as Lead Project Manager for Design for a Difference interior makeovers of non-profits in the Madison area including Center For Families in 2015, The Rainbow Project in 2016, and Centro Hispano in 2017. Her objective in this role is to advise and inspire her peer group in the flooring industry to organize makeover projects in their own communities. Read more about the new release
NBC15
(May 6, 2017) Design for a Difference 2017 Project Manager Angela Skalitzky talks to Amy Carlson about this year’s interior makeover recipient Centro Hispano. Work has begun on this exciting endeavor, over 30 local design professionals have committed to volunteering their time and talents. Watch the story
News Release: Centro Hispano to Receive Design for a Difference Makeover
MADISON, WI (April 4, 2017) FLOOR360, provider of high-fashion flooring and designs announced that Centro Hispano in Madison, WI will receive the 2017 Design for a Difference Makeover free of charge. Local interior designers work with an army of suppliers, installers, painters, and other volunteers to come together over the course of the year to plan and provide a much needed interior design makeover for Centro Hispano, 810 West Badger Road Madison, WI. Read more about the Center Hispano new release
MADISON365
Written by and Photo by David Dahmer
(March 24, 2017) Centro Hispano is getting a total interior makeover of its building on Madison’s south side. That was the big news that came out of the Spring into Design kickoff event last night at FLOOR360 in Verona.
FLOOR360 is the proud sponsor of Design for a Difference, the only community-driven designer movement in the U.S. and Canada that brings local business owners together with interior designers to makeover much-needed spaces at local charities and non-profits.
“[Centro Hispano Executive Director] Karen [Menendez Coller] was one of the many reasons that [Centro] was nominated – her work and her passion and her professional skills … and organizing that group,” Bob Tobe, owner of FLOOR360, told the crowd at the event. “It was all pretty impressive when we researched it. They are so worthy of this and we can’t wait to get started.” Read more about the interior design makeover
NBC15
(March 23, 2017) On the day of Spring into Design, FLOOR360 CEO Bob Tobe, HGTV ‘Curb Appeal’ host and guest speaker John Gidding, and Mark Brunetz National Spokesperson for Design for a Difference went on NBC15 morning show to talk about the event and Design for a Difference. Watch the video.
BRAVA
(December 2016 issue) Have you ever noticed how a building seems to soak up the energy of all of those who have walked through its doors? For the past 36 years, The Rainbow Project has served over 10,800 children and 10,400 adult caregivers, providing restorative healing through therapeutic services and giving hope to those who have experienced trauma. Although there have been many triumphs and successes at the agency’s East Washington location,there have been plenty of tears and heartache as well. And unfortunately the sadness, instead of the joy, was being reflected in the space’s worn-out interior. Read More
WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL
Photo by and Written by Shelley Mesch
(October 16, 2016) Staff members at The Rainbow Project held their eyes closed as they were led into their office Sunday at 831 E. Washington Ave. When they opened their eyes, they were met by interior designers and a redesigned workplace.
“I didn’t know that angels came in the form of interior designers,” Sharyl Kato said.
Kato is the executive director of The Rainbow Project, a nonprofit where children and families can come for counseling after experiencing abuse or trauma. The organization has been in the same building for decades, and its age was showing. Read more about the redesigned workplace
BRAVA
Written by Marni McEntee
(June 2016 issue) In side an unassuming buildingon busy East Washington Avenue, The Rainbow Project’s staff has created a universe of healing for families affected by abuse, neglect, loss or community violence. The child and family counseling and resource clinic helps over 700 children and 700 adult caregivers every year overcome crippling pain, grief, fear and misunderstanding.
At the helm, and at the project for 36 years, is Director Sharyl Kato, who still carries a caseload in addition to handling fundraising, administrative duties, outreach and other efforts to keep the nonprofit afloat
Imagine Kato and her 20 staff members’ joy when The Rainbow Project was selected by Design for a Difference—Madison, to undergo a complete makeover of its facility. The Rainbow Project was selected from among 20 applicants this year, says Bob Tobe, owner of FLOOR360, which spearheads the Madison movement.
After touring the project offices, Tobe says, “It was obvious that the space at The Rainbow Project was in great need of a makeover and that design could make a difference.” Read more over about healing University
BRAVA
Written by Shelby Deering Photo by Shanna Wolf
(December 17, 2015) A few days after the reveal of the Center for Families’ renovated Respite Center, a family of three checked in. The mother had two black eyes and had spent the previous evening in a domestic fight with her partner— unfortunately, the children had been witnesses. Scared and anxious, the children were at first unwilling to leave their mother. But as they started to explore the new space, their frowns quickly turned into smiles. Seeing her kids absorbed in the toys and activities, their mother could breathe a sigh of relief, watching her children be children.
This family is just one of thousands that will benefit from the redesigned Respite Center, and it’s all thanks to Design for a Difference, a community-driven national movement of the International Design Guild of which FLOOR360 is a member. Bob Tobe, co-founder of design focused flooring retailer FLOOR360, brought Design for a Difference to Madison and rallied a large team of local designers who volunteered to work on the project. It was the largest Design for a Difference project yet and included over 100 individuals and companies contributing over $140,000 of goods and services. Read more about redesigned respite center
FLOOR TRENDS MAGAZINE
(October 26, 2015) A range of Madison, Wis., businesses joined local sponsor FLOOR360 in supporting this year’s Design for a Difference beneficiary, Center for Families, a non-profit organization that offers instruction, support, emergency child care, in-home visits and valuable resources that parents need to meet the challenges of parenting.
To date, FLOOR360 received over $140,000 in goods and services to execute the design makeover for Center for Families, according to the company.
The project, which was led by a team of Madison-area designers including Angela Skalitzky, Dani Frank, Caren King, Katie Merical and Michelle Schildgen, was a complete transformation of the facility in a one-week timeframe. Read more about the makeover project
