When 8-year-old Eva Engwall described her dream bedroom, she imagined a vanity for playing dress-up, cozy corners for reading, and a palette of teal, purple, pink and sparkle. Closets by Design didn’t just listen. They brought it to life.
Partnering with the nonprofit Special Spaces, which designs healing bedrooms for children with life-threatening illnesses, the company helped transform Eva’s space into a retreat that reflects her vibrant personality and love of color.
Eva is courageously fighting hepatoblastoma, a rare pediatric liver cancer. Her wish for a “grown-up” room was more than a design request. It was an expression of hope and imagination. Closets by Design built a custom closet suited to her style and storage needs, then worked with Special Spaces to complete the full transformation, ensuring every element—from shimmer to shelving—fit just right.
The generosity extended to her brothers, Ben and Will, who received their own dream closets. It was a thoughtful gesture acknowledging that siblings, too, share in the emotional journey of a serious illness.
The Engwall family’s makeover is part of Illinois Closets by Design’s ongoing commitment to families in need. To date, through its partnership with Special Spaces, the company has donated more than $30,000 in custom closets to families across the state. But it’s not just about materials. On installation day, as many as 10 to 15 team members volunteer—painting, cleaning, assembling furniture, hanging TVs, laying rugs and staging each space until it feels like home.
Eva’s new room glimmers with light and comfort, a sanctuary that holds both joy and resilience. For her, it’s a place to rest, play and dream. For those who helped create it, it’s proof that craftsmanship can build far more than closets—it can build hope.
For more information, visit specialspaces.org and closetsbydesign.com.