"We can't predict if this makeover will change their lives, but we can certainly say they have never felt this special in a really long time," said Geri Marullo, president and CEO of Child & Family Service.

The two-day makeover, worth nearly $4,000, is among several good deeds the home furnishing and gift store has organized in conjunction with tomorrow's grand opening of its Pearl Highlands Center store.

BEFORE: A common room at Ka Pa Ola used to be furnished with second-hand office furniture and other donated pieces. Dawn Hirai photos

AFTER: Designers from Pier 1 Imports made over the room, providing new furniture, accessories and a splash of tropical-inspired color.

While the makeover involved the talents of two professional designers, the transformation can easily be done by novice decorators, Riordan said.

Company spokesperson and design expert Thom Filicia offered three steps to decorating any room:

• Know your space. Ask yourself: Is the room big or small? How high are the ceilings? Any special architectural elements or perhaps a great view?
• Choose your anchors, which are core pieces around which an entire room is built (sofa, bed, dining table, etc.).
• Personalize it. Express your individuality with colors and textures on accents like drapes, rugs, pillows, lamps and accent furniture.

In addition to the makeover, Pier 1 is donating 10 percent of its weekend net sales at the new store to Child & Family Service, and another 10 percent to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Hawai'i affiliate.

In observance of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Pier 1 also will donate 25 percent from sales of its $14 commemorative Komen Candle to the national Komen foundation, as well as $1 to the foundation's Hawai'i affiliate, for every Komen foundation Race for the Cure registration received on site during the opening weekend. The race is Oct. 24 at Kapi'olani Park.