Our Story
Design that changes the trajectory of a child's life.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to creating healing environments for children and families by transforming the interior spaces of their homes and classrooms — at no cost to them.
Design With Purpose® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization grounded in the belief that everyone deserves spaces that communicate safety, dignity, and care. We create healing environments for children, families, and communities, bringing thoughtful design to the places where people learn, gather, and grow. Through the WellSpace Initiative, developed in partnership with Rady's Children's Health and the Orange County Department of Education, we have designed and installed more than 80 trauma-informed healing spaces throughout Orange County. These restorative environments offer students and educators opportunities to pause, reconnect, and feel supported throughout their day. Our mission is to install a healing space for every middle school and high school across the country.
ABOUT OUR FOUNDER:
Deana Duffek is an award-winning interior designer, author, founder of Design With Purpose, and owner of Pure Design House. Her work reflects a deep understanding of the relationship between our surroundings and our well-being. For more than 25 years, Deana and her team have designed homes, workplaces, schools, and hospitality environments guided by a shared belief: the spaces we inhabit can support how we feel, connect, and experience our lives. Known for her refined aesthetic and appreciation for Scandinavian design, Deana brings warmth, simplicity, and connection to nature into her work. Her personal experience with mold toxicity and chronic illness deepened her commitment to healthier environments, inspiring a practice that considers materials, sustainability, sensory experiences, and emotional well-being alongside beauty and function. Today, Deana and the Design With Purpose Team draw on trauma-informed design, biophilic principles, and research-informed practices to create spaces that offer comfort, choice, and a sense of belonging. Each environment begins with listening to the people it serves and honoring their needs, experiences, and strengths.
A letter from our founder
Dear Friend,
These are vulnerable times for young people. Many of us can relate to growing up as children who faced multiple facets of early childhood trauma — and now more than ever, it's of the utmost importance that our generation does its part to end this mental health crisis.
What started with reusing and repurposing materials to help kids in need grew into a deeper commitment to trauma-informed design and the people our spaces serve. Today, our work is about creating places where children and families feel welcomed, respected, and supported—spaces that offer room to pause, connect, and simply be. Throughout my 25 year design career, this is the work closest to my heart. Thank you for considering deepening your impact in our community. With sincere gratitude,
Deana D. DuffekFounder, Design-With-Purpose.org
Leadership
Board Members
Deana Duffek
Founder
CEO, Duffek Design / Pure Design House
Pernilla Fridolfsson
Co-Founder
RNC-NIC, VA-BC, Children's Hospital of Orange County
Katherine Davis
Director of Development
CEO, Global Grants Advisory, LLC
Mark Ogren
Treasurer
Vice President, Brookfield Homes
Janice Duffek
Secretary
Retired, American Airlines
Juan-Carlos Ochoa
Board Member
Interior Designer
Rebecca Razo
Board Member
Publisher, Coffee Cup Creative
John Zegowitz
Board Member
CCO, Pilots & Machines
Lindsey Duffek
Board Member
CMO, Modern Merchant Group
Sharni R. Gaskins
Board Member
Businesswoman & Entrepreneur