Betty Dabney
As Your Home Haven’s professional interior designer and mother of a child with special needs, Betty Dabney uses her expertise in layout, color schemes, and furnishings to enhance both the functionality and visual appeal of interiors. Her goal is to design spaces that serve a purpose while reflecting what is unique and important to each family.
Betty Dabney is more than a mom, a wife and a talented interior designer. Her life’s journey has been shaped by love, compassion and a new found commitment to making the world a more inclusive place, especially for those with special needs. She truly believes children are extraordinary beings, brought into our lives to teach us something great, whether it is how to play, how to live or how to fight. She is a mom of two rambunctious little boys. Her youngest, has special needs and has taught them that, with the right team and equipment, we can all accomplish great things. Sometimes we just have to take a bit of an unconventional approach. As a mom who has faced her share of challenging times, Betty is eager to make a positive difference for families as they face adversity and challenges adapting to their home environments. Her goal is for every family member to be seen, valued and included.
Born and raised in Goochland, Virginia, Betty grew up surrounded by love, support and a strong sense of belonging. Growing up in this tight-knit community she has always had a strong understanding of the importance of giving back. She shares a mutual love for her hometown with her husband, Matt, who serves on several boards in the community and has given countless hours back to athletics programs over the last 15+ years.
Several years after tying the knot, Betty and Matt set out on their journey into parenthood, welcoming the birth of their first son, Beckett. About a year and half later they found out they were not only expecting another little boy, but also their baby had Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum, a rare brain abnormality. They very quickly found themselves entering into the world of Special Needs, with a lot of uncertainty and challenges ahead. They became the face of determination and resilience, and they set out on their next adventure in unchartered waters to provide Benton with the best care team, love and support he needed to thrive.
As Benton’s developmental delays became apparent, Betty researched equipment and learning tools that cohesively blended Benton’s therapy work and play together. Betty wanted to create a nurturing environment where her boys could live, learn, play and grow together. Combining her experiences as a mom with her design expertise, Betty has set out on a personal mission to transform spaces into havens of functionality and accessibility, while still exemplifying family charm. She continues to explore resources, support networks, and educational opportunities so that her children receive the best possible care.
Together with Matt, Betty remains actively involved in giving back to their hometown volunteering, supporting and fundraising for various local sports and educational organizations. Their small hometown is built on a foundation of compassion and generosity, and their relationship epitomizes it.
Now through her design work and new found mission for advocacy, Betty wants to use her personal experiences and expertise to provide a more comprehensive and welcoming environment for those of all abilities and skill sets