Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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So Many Holiday Projects

Heads up: this post might be a bit of a smorgasbord. I think it’s because life has been feeling kinda smorgasbordy lately (in a good way) and sometimes it’s hard to organize life into tidy, tightly-themed blog posts when it’s really all over the place behind the scenes…

CHOR Smorgasboard

I say it’s “in a good way” because we feel like we’re really starting to gain momentum around a goal that we mentioned in this post of taking on more “off-campus” projects. In other words, projects that aren’t centered solely around improving our own spaces and, in more than one case, are for a good cause. The Homearama Showhouse that we’re doing for Habitat For Humanity, being the most obvious example of this so far (you can read more about that here and here).

But that’s not the only exciting thing on our plates. We’ve also been invited to help with a very special project: decorating a family waiting room at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU!

CHOR Sign

They contacted us in the hopes that we could volunteer our time to warm up the room so it’s more cozy and homey year-round, as well as to add some festive touches for the holiday season. Not only did it sound like a fun project, it had such a deserving purpose that we couldn’t wait to get started. For many of the children in the hospital’s care, this is the space where their family will spend the holiday season. So as part of a “Spread Cheer” campaign, they’ve handed this entire room over to us. It’s already turning out to be a really fun challenge (some things have to stay, some things can change, and of course there are safety/sanitary/maintenance concerns to take into account since it’s a children’s hospital).

CHOR Waiting Room Before

*One thing to note is that the kids have a playroom and an arts & crafts room along with other colorful spaces where they get to hang out, so this room really is for the entire family. The hospital staff asked for some playful touches that include children, but their overall vision is a soothing and homey room that makes everyone feel comfortable and calm.

Getting it done before the holidays is also part of the challenge, considering that we just had our first meeting last week – but we’re getting a fast and furious education in the sensitivities of decorating in a space where not only function, but cleanliness, is paramount. Cozy touches like plush pillows or a basket full of toys are big no-nos because they’re too tough to keep sanitized (things we don’t think twice about in our own house are critical details in a medical environment).

CHOR Waiting Room Before Alt

So here’s a mood board that Sherry tossed together to share a few of our initial ideas with you guys (all of which will evolve as we go, most likely in hyper-speed since we have such a tight turnaround).

CHORmood Board

1.  We somehow convinced our friends at U-fab to help us cozy up the room by donating an armchair from their showroom so we can create a little story time corner – or maybe even a place for Santa to sit, should he choose to visit. The extra heavy upholstery weight fabric is super durable for high use, so it’s great for a public space (although it looks white in this photo, it’s really wheat & blue, and has held up well in their showroom for a while).

2. After going through a bunch of swatches for the walls, we landed on Gargoyle, which works well with the existing wood paneling (for maintenance purposes that has to stay & can’t be painted).  The room’s so well lit that we don’t worry about going a little darker with the walls, in fact we’re excited about the cozy-factor that a slightly deeper and warmer color will bring.

3. To represent all of the families who might be using this room, we’ve been asked to include a menorah as well as a Christmas tree. This candle one is awesome but for fire code reasons we can’t go that route, so we’re on the lookout for something electric or battery operated. Update: although Hanukkah is earlier this year, the hospital is planning to bring this decor out annually, so it’s nice to have everything they’ll need for future years from this initiative.

4. We’d love a flurry of snowflakes hung en masse in a strategic won’t-be-in-the-way spot. They won’t necessarily be gold, we just saw this and thought it was a good representation of that general idea.

5. We’ll definitely be making some garlands. This one from paper source is great inspiration, but we’re thinking of involving the kids so they can color things that we can then string together to make something really meaningful for them.

6. Three words: twinkle lights. Everywhere.

7. U-Fab has also kindly offered to donate some fabric and their time to make two custom valances for the windows in the room – again just to warm things up and make it feel more homey. Our usual floor-length curtain idea isn’t allowed for a slew of safety/fire reasons, but after finding some cool roman-shade-looking-valance designs, we’re really excited. And this fabric was the big winner (here’s a link to the gray version).

8. This cute campfire is just here to represent the idea of a faux fire. There’s a recessed rectangle under the built-in around the TV, and we thought temporarily inserting a piece of wood with a cozy little fire painted on it would be fun for the kids and families. We’ll add some stockings on the mantel to complete the fireplace-like effect.

9. We want to adapt our leaning chalkboard project to create a large hanging one that will allow the kids and families to write holiday wishes and greetings. Can’t you just picture it all filled up with kid doodles and holiday scribble? The hospital staff thinks the children will love something interactive like that, and chalk is preferred because it’s easier to remove from upholstery than markers (and it’s cheaper & easier to switch out regularly for sanitary reasons).

10. Last but not least, they’ve asked for a tree, and we really want to have fun with it. These guys are real (and it has to be faux for fire code reasons) but we’re leaning towards something full of color that mimics this look. We want this room to feel calming, but we also want to inject a nice heaping dose of holiday cheer.

**************************************

The mood board represents around 50% of the stuff on our to-do list, so there will also be centerpieces, holiday tablecloths, DIY art, and a whole bunch of other things in the mix. Our goal is to have the room ready within the next 2-ish weeks… which, thanks to having Thanksgiving in there, means it’s gonna be fast and furious around here. We’re really looking forward to sharing the process with you guys. And most of all, we can’t wait to see the faces of those deserving families who will be spending their holidays there. The hospital has planned to make a little video of the makeover and the kid and family reactions, so Sherry already has her tissues ready…

Comments

  1. Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says

    What a fun project to work on! I’m sure the families will appreciate all of your hard work. It might be fun of they could have the kids who need to be there do a paper snowflake (like the tissue paper ones you used to do in art class) with their name and holiday message as ornaments or something.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh yes, we’re planning to get their help either making snowflakes or ornaments for a garland or maybe even both! We definitely plan to include them as much as we can since they’ll put the LOVE in that room :)

      xo
      s

    • YoungHouseLove says

      John and I actually came up with that idea while driving around this morning. Maybe we can get you guys (and your kiddos) to send letters and drawings to us and we can hang them up for the kids and families to read/look at… perhaps on a giant bulletin board?

      xo
      s

  3. Laura @ Rather Square says

    Can’t wait to see what you do with this! Especially with such a tight schedule. I love that it’s for a good cause too – around this time of year, people that have to hang out in hospitals for whatever reason really need some cheer.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks Jess! We found awesome ones on amazon that we love (used them for Clara’s daybed) – I just grabbed that image (and then linked to it to credit it) since the photo was better for the mood board than the amazon one. Haha!

      xo
      s

  5. Abbey says

    This is awesome you guys! What a wonderful way to bring holiday cheer to those who need it most. I can’t wait to see what you work up for the room :)

    Reply

  6. Gabby says

    So happy to hear you’re working with the Children’s Hospital! I’m a Kappa Delta, and The Children’s Hospital of Richmond is one of our charities. Best of luck!!

    Reply

    • Debbie says

      I’m a Kappa Delta too and have visited them Children’s Hospital a couple times for their Teddy Bear drives. How cool that you are working with them!

  7. Kelly {the Centsible Life} says

    Sounds like you’ve been very busy!

    What a wonderful way to give back to your local community. I can’t wait to see what you come up with! I love the idea of the chalkboard-but wondered about the chalk dust? I wonder if chalk pens might work better in that environment?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks Kelly! They seemed to think chalk was better since it’s easier to toss out and replace for sanitary concerns (replacing chalk pens seems harder for them to swing). They have special ventilation systems to keep the dust and stuff at bay, and I think if we instruct folks to write a word or phrase that means something to them for the holiday it hopefully won’t be a huge ball of dust in the air. We definitely chatted with them about it and got approval, but we can ask again just to be sure!

      xo
      s

  10. nancy50 says

    Target has an electric menorah (it might be battery)but unless the room is done really quickly – like next week – it might be too late for Chanukah – but it can be used next year.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks for the Target tip Nancy! And we’re sad about possibly missing it this year, but glad they’ll have all of their holiday supplies with a lot of time to spare for future years (they plan to break this “kit” that we’re amassing for them out each year, so we want to be sure it’s in there for future years).

      xo
      s

  11. Rachael Seda says

    Hi John and Sherry! On behalf of Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU I can’t thank you both enough for your time and dedication to something that is near and dear to my heart. Can’t wait to see the room evolve!

    Reply

  12. Elizabeth says

    What an awesome opportunity to give back this year! The patients and families who will benefit I’m sure could use more than a little cheer this season and from now on! I work in a hospital that has the most depressing waiting rooms. Every time I walk by I think that if there was some way to make the rooms look more homey and not so sanitary and hospital like it might make those intense, stressful times waiting in there a tiny but better. So glad you guys are doing this!

    Reply

  14. LOri says

    Im so proud of you guys!! This is such a wonderful remodel to be a part of. Its amazing how much you have grown…and I bet you NEVER would have thought it would come to this when you first started blogging!!! So awesome that you guys are pulling your resources to help your community.

    Reply

  15. Mariela says

    That’s amazing! Will you be revealing the end result? Can’t wait to see it! My brother is a Pediatrician at the Cleveland Clinic and I’ve always loved their waiting area.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Yes, we hope in about 2 weeks (maybe a smidge longer depending how long it takes for certain things to arrive) that we’ll get to share a big reveal with you guys- and we’re also planning to share projects and parts of the process as we go!

      xo
      s

  16. Stefanie says

    My 6 year old son has Aspergers and we go through VCU for our occupational therapy and our developmental pediatrician. We’re used to waiting for longer than our actual appointment takes (which is fine, I know they’re busy!) so things like this are really appreciated! Those waiting rooms can become so boring and monotonous.

    Can’t wait to see the finished product!

    Reply

  17. Megan {The Brick Bungalow} says

    As someone who has spent time in various waiting rooms, any type of personality helps make people feel better. Another idea would be to add some dividers so families can have more of a private feel. My grandmother, who passed away yesterday, was in hospitals for a month and there is a huge difference for family members when you feel some privacy. Our good hospital has small rooms with dividers whereas the other hospital she was at had one open room with no privacy for the families. A fun idea, and maybe a local pet store can help, is to include a fish tank. Our pediatrician’s office has two and kids of all ages love them! Have fun and good luck with everything.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks Megan! So sorry for your loss. There’s a really fun fish tank in the corner as well as a kitchen area! I like the privacy idea, although they have some other smaller meeting rooms for that, so I think they want this one to feel open and sort of like a family room for everyone with a TV and the kitchen and everything!

      xo
      s

    • Hannah H says

      Megan,
      Just dropping in to add my condolences on the loss of your Grandmother. I’m sorry for your loss!

  18. Karyn says

    What a beautiful project to be involved with!! I can’t wait to see what you do to this room that will no doubt put alot of happy smiles on alot of deserving faces!

    Reply

  19. Alicia says

    SO Fun! I work for JMJ Corporation and I am working on supplying the new furniture for that room. Can’t wait to see the final product!

    Reply

  20. Wendy @ New Moms Talk says

    Awesome!

    One of my neighbor’s growing up spent 7 weeks in NICU. He was on the list for heart, liver, lung, and kidney transplants. He was too weak to be transported to a local Children’s Hospital (just 5 blocks away), and fortunately he needed the transplants.

    This was due to a freak reaction that began with an unplanned birth complication. It was made better by the incredible medical community who are in awe of what he’s done since getting out at 7 weeks.

    That young man graduated with honors from high school and will turn 22 4 days after Christmas. So many didn’t think he’d be here, but his parents and family (and neighbors of course) believed in him.

    So from all of the families and staff who will be touched by your brightness and cheer, thank you! Thank you in ways that you’ll never know! Thank you for making the world a bit more compassionate and sparkly!

    Reply

  21. Katie O says

    I’m sure you’re going to get a lot of these types of comments, but this post hits home for me. My neice was born 11 weeks premature a little over a year ago, and we spent Thanksgiving and Christmas in a room very similar to this one that year. At the time, we weren’t sure she was going to make it, so we were soaking up all the time we could with her, even though that really meant just looking at her through one of the NICU bassinets. Having a nice friendly room to be in, that didn’t feel as much like a hospital waiting room, was a great comfort to us, not just on Thanksgiving, but all the time we spent there. I love so much that you guys are doing this.

    And my neice is doing fantastic now. She’s a fiesty red head, just like her aunt!

    Reply

  23. FRECKLES CHICK says

    The mere thought of spending the holiday in a hospital b/c my child is not well makes my eyes well up. So kind of you guys to make the space cozier & homier. Thinking of others, especially around the holidays, is what it’s all about.
    xoxo

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Yes, we’re hoping when we reveal the room to share how people can donate or help in other ways! It’s such an amazing cause, so we hope when people see the room and how those adorable children and families react, it will inspire people at home to get involved!

      xo
      s

    • gk says

      i second this request! let us know if there’s anything readers can do to assist with your project. also, i’ve been looking for a way to give back to my local children’s hospital in memory of what would be my daughter’s 1st birthday, and i just think this is a fantastic, amazing project. might ask the volunteer coordinator at our children’s hospital if they would trust complete strangers who don’t have a hugely popular home design blog do something similar :)

    • YoungHouseLove says

      That’s amazing GK! I bet they would LOVE the help! We’ll definitely share the donate info with the big reveal. We can hardly wait to see how the kids and families like it!

      xo
      s

  27. Connie says

    Can the kids—both the patients and their siblings—contribute artwork to decorate the walls? A revolving display would give everyone something to look at.

    Are plants, even fake ones, allowed? A bit of greenery would help.

    Talking to the families who use the room would undoubtedly give you some good ideas, too.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Yes, our plan is to have the kids and families color ornaments (so we can make paper garlands) and maybe even cut snowflakes that we can hang en masse! So excited to bring their loving touches into the space! As for plants, there are some sanitary/fire code things going on, but the Christmas tree and some small centerpiece ideas will hopefully add that “life” to the room – fingers crossed!

      xo
      s

  28. Karen L. says

    I was just in the hospital with a back issue and so I can relate as to just how much this will mean to families there. Good ideas, y’all! So happy that you were asked to do that—-you’ll do so well.

    Reply

  31. Laura says

    What a wonderful project! And it’s really great that you’re keeping in mind Jewish families. This year, Chanukah comes early with the last night on Dec 4th. So it may not make a lot of sense to put up decor after that, but the hospital can use the supplies next year! I can’t wait to see this space transformed, you guys are great!!!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks Laura! We’d love to make the whole holiday component easy to bring out each year, so it’ll be so nice for them to have everything they need each year (and photos to help them remember where stuff goes, haha!).

      xo
      s

  32. Kristin says

    Love that you’re doing this! I bought dangling fuzzy snow flakes at the $1 store. They came in a six pack so I didn’t have to spend a ton of loot to decorate my ceiling (which happened to be the exact same one as your decorating).

    Can’t wait to see how it comes together!

    Reply

  33. Tabbitha @ Turnip Tootsie says

    Such an incredible opportunity. I know you two will put so much love into this project. The families will greatly appreciate a cozy and pretty space that doesn’t constantly remind them that they are in a hospital.

    <3
    Tabbitha

    Reply

  34. Julia says

    Well, I’m already tearing up now so we will all need tons of tissues!

    It’s great that you take the time to be part of projects like these!

    Reply

  35. Abby says

    Just a fun little thing to note… This year, Hannukah actually overlaps with Thanksgiving. This is the only time in our lifetimes that this will ever happen! To celebrate, we made “Menurkeys” which are menorahs that look like turkeys. I don’t know how to link a picture, but they all turned out really cute – especially because everyone took a different spin with their painting of the feathers. :)

    Reply

  36. amyks says

    Love your ideas, as someone who has spent a fair amount of time at Childrens Hospital in Boston, I think your ideas are perfect. I hope you can find a battery operated menorah, but where will it go? Those colored Christmas trees are so awesome. Looking forward to seeing the finished room.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      There’s an entry area to the room with a big fish tank and they said we could put things on top of the fish tank so we’re thinking it could go there or on the peninsula or one of the side tables in the room! We’ll definitely just bring all of our supplies over for a few days of “loading in” once we have amassed/made/bought/assembled them all, and then we’ll just shift everything around until it hopefully looks right!

      xo
      s

  37. Ellie says

    This sounds like such a cool project!

    Have you guys ever made 3D paper snowflakes? They’re one of the simplest, cheapest little crafts I’ve ever used for winter decorating! You can adjust the paper you use (maybe something sparklier than plain computer paper, or have kids color on the papers first) and they’re easily hangable – even with the arms separated, they make really cool icicle-esque hanging decorations!

    This how-to does a pretty good job explaining how to do it:
    http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-3D-Paper-Snowflake

    Reply

  38. Emily says

    Just got this cool acorn garland project in my PB blog email this morning, may be something the kids could be involved in since they can paint the acorns somehow (paint pens, sharpies,glitter, dots, whatever!) and then adults just need to glue the string and caps on. I thought it was super cute and will be making a gold one out of some larger bur oak acorns. Just a thought! Love you guys and what an awesome project! http://blog.potterybarn.com/thanksgiving-diy-acorn-garland/

    Reply

  39. DavesAnngel says

    As someone who spent a LOT of time in the hospital as a kid, I cannot tell you how excited I am that you are doing this. I had 12 surgeries before the age of 10, so my parents and I spent a lot of time in sterile looking hospitals. A cozy space would have been so welcome!

    Then two years ago, my baby girl showed up 5 weeks early on Christmas Eve, and we spent the holidays in NICU. Our Christmas was turned completely upside down, and we rang in the New Year with monitors, O2 sensors, and cardiac rhythms. The family room at the hospital was functional, but certainly not cozy. We would have loved a little space to retreat to.

    Thank you thank you thank you for doing this.

    I am bawling over here at the kindness and generosity of your hearts.

    Reply

  40. Alisha says

    What a beautiful project to be a part of!! Looking forward to seeing the final product. I’m also counting my blessings that I have a HEALTHY baby boy at HOME. Thanks for doing something great for the kids, family, and staff who can’t be home for the holidays.

    Reply

  42. Stevi Clark says

    Just when I think I couldn’t adore you guys anymore, you go and do something amazing like this. You guys are the best! Can’t wait to see the space once you’ve put your stamp on it.

    Reply

  43. Nicole F. says

    Cheers to you guys! What a wonderful project. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how the community is coming together to spread joy to those in need. Hats off! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

    Reply

  44. Emily says

    You guys are just plain AWESOME! I’m so happy for you and your family and all your successes – it’s such a pleasure to read your blog. It brings a smile to my face always. :)
    Take care and enjoy the holidays and the baking of bun #2 :)

    Reply

  45. Kate says

    What a great thing you guys are doing!
    Might want to check out Party City for the electric Menorah. The one I saw was a plug in one, not battery powered though…I wasn’t necessarily look for one, it was just what I saw in passing by. Just a thought…

    Reply

  48. Nancy says

    What an amazing opportunity for you to touch countless lives. This is a wonderful project and I’m so happy for the families that will enjoy it for years – and holidays of all kinds – to come. Looking forward to seeing the transformation and getting my own tissues out for the reveal video!

    Reply

  49. Alicia says

    I love this! My best friend’s little boy had to spend his first Christmas in a children’s hospital last year. It’s not at all what they had planned, but the special touches that people like you put effort into made it slightly less heartbreaking. Kudos to you for thinking of others- this will make a difference.

    Reply

  50. Jennie says

    The menorah is an interesting addition, since the first day of Hanukkah actually falls on Thanksgiving this year, meaning it will be long over by the time you finish this room!

    Reply

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