A Single Dad’s Story: How Home Design Changed Everything After Divorce
Dave — a Denver-area single dad and Petite Design Studio client — describes his home after working with us on a full redesign following his divorce. His story is a good reminder of what intentional design can do for a family in transition. Here it is, in his own words:
As a single dad, my home has to work hard — for me and for my kids. After years of putting off a redesign, I finally took the leap and engaged Denver-based designer Caren Henderson of Petite Design Studio — the difference has been nothing short of remarkable. Better storage and organization means the chaos that used to creep into every corner is finally under control. Finished trim, completed doors, and a kitchen with real shelving and storage have made the whole space feel polished and put-together for the first time. It no longer feels like a work in progress — it feels like a home.
“My kids are actually hanging out here now— the space is calmer,
less cluttered, and genuinely comfortable.”
What surprised me most was how quickly my kids took to the new space. They’re actually hanging out here now, relaxing and spending time at home in a way they didn’t before. I think we all feel it — the space is calmer, less cluttered, and genuinely comfortable. My new leather chair and sofa have become the family’s favorite spots to pile onto for a movie night, the new light over the dining room table gives the room a warmth it was missing, and the finished kitchen makes cooking for the kids feel a lot less like a chore. I went in just wanting to get it done, but what I got was a home we all actually love being in.
Financially, it was the right move — both for our day-to-day quality of life and for the home’s long-term value. If I could do anything differently, I would have finished the stairs and powder room at the same time to carry that cohesive feel throughout the whole house. But the biggest thing I’d tell anyone considering this kind of project is to find someone who really listens. Caren took every abstract idea I had and turned it into something real, was patient through every change, and never made me feel like my input didn’t matter. For a busy single dad navigating life after divorce who needed someone to just get it right — she absolutely nailed it.
— Dave, Littleton, CO
Dave’s story is one we hear often — in different details, but with the same core truth. A thoughtfully designed home after divorce doesn’t just look better. It feels better. And that feeling changes everything about how you and your kids show up in your new chapter.
If you’re a parent setting up a new home after divorce and want your kids to feel as at home with you as anywhere else, we’d love to help.
Book a free discovery call with Petite Design Studio. No pressure — just clarity.
