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.

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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. Christine says

    This is a wonderful way to use your talents! I could see you doing more of these great projects in the future. Yes, I’d also like a way to donate, if possible.

    Reply

    • Christine says

      Also… what a wonderful example for Clara! It’s fantastic that she is learning and living this kind of generosity.

  2. Maureen S. says

    Love, love, love all your support of our hometown Richmond! What about an upside down tree hanging from the ceiling! Love those, so cute AND it keeps the floor clear for cleaning.

    Reply

  4. Jenny says

    And this is why you guys are a class act. Keep it up! Those kids families are going to have that much more happy in their life because of something that seems so simple. Y’all are awesome, the end.
    P.S. Can’t wait to find out what your little bun is! It’s highly likely I’ll be having a little Thanksgiving turkey (a boy) because I’m 38+ weeks and things seem to be moving along. :-)

    Reply

  5. Danielle says

    So sweet of you for all the work you are doing at the hospital. I can’t imagine what the parents of the children go through. It has to be heartwarming for them to see total strangers going out of their way to help make their stay a little better. Blessings to you and your family!

    Reply

  6. Pam says

    Bless you for doing this. My niece was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 4 and spent lots of time in a children’s hospital. You have no idea how much this will mean to the families. She is now a healthy and happy 11 year old and we are so thankful for everyone who helped on her journey. Thank you for helping others on their journey to health and happiness.

    Reply

  8. Brigette S. says

    What an awesome opportunity to decorate the Children’s hospital waiting room. Yall should include puzzles and a larger table in the room. Great family friends of ours had the daughter in the NICU for an extended period of time and when we would visit we would do puzzles to pass the time.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Love that idea! Unfortunately communal games and puzzles don’t meet their disease control guidelines (they need to be able to sanitize or replace things regularly since so many hands touch things in these community spaces).

      xo
      s

  9. robyn says

    hi guys –
    I am a mom to a micro preemie (now almost 9!) and younger kiddo with spina bifida. To our kids, Childrens is kind of like a relative’s home – when they talk, things like “You know – when we were by the ball machine at Childrens” or “Don’t you remember when the dogs were at Childrens?” crop up with some frequency.

    I know whatever you do to the actual space will be amazing (and probably aspects will be included in memories of the people who pass through “Remember that chalkboard where everyone wrote?!?”) but more amazing is that people like you remember and look after the families whose Christmas season may be spent with a cast replacement, an MRI, an unexpected surgery. . .

    It can get pretty lonely raising kids and managing health issues – it is such a different journey. But just when it seems we are at our worst, someone unexpectedly shovels our walks, drops off some new books to the Childrens waiting room, or spends some time making said wait room a little brighter. And then, we don’t feel quite so alone.

    So thanks! And I am looking forward to seeing the space when you are done!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh Robyn, that’s so sweet! I love that you guys have so many special memories of the Chilren’s hospital, even though it must have been really tough to be there so often. We’re happy to help such an amazing cause!

      xo
      s

  10. Tina says

    You guys are so awesome, I was thinking about the blogs I read daily and how a few of them have turned into look what I got sent or got for free for my home or look at what I made with my line of paint etc. knowing your swag policy really does give you guy so much more credibility to me . Not to mention only a small handful seem to be doing anything selfless for the holidays like the project I see you guys take on all the time. Sorry if I sound like a soapbox about other bloggers but what I was REALLY getting to is I think this project and the time you guys are giving to it is wonderful. I know not all readers are supportive so just thought I would give a shout out to my favorite two bloggers! Now how can your readers help with this wonderful cause, can we mail checks etc?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We’d love to give you guys a way to help (either with donations or with fun little drawings and letters for the kids) so stay tuned and we can hopefully share that info soon!

      xo
      s

  11. jen says

    such an awesome project! Children’s Hospitals are near and dear to my heart as I have spent a lot of time in their waiting rooms first as a kid with my brother who had cancer and then as a Mother with my twins. Can’t wait to see the space when you guys are done!

    Reply

  16. Chelsea from Sap + Sea says

    Holiday and charity are the best combo in my book! A friend of mine is battling Leukemia (at just 23) and is raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I am doing my part by donating 15% of all sales from my jewelry website for the rest of November. So please check it out and consider donating! All the jewelry is USA made, hypoallergenic, has a lifetime warranty AND comes gift wrapped! Perfect for the Holidays :) http://www.chloeandisabel.com/boutique/chelseajean
    Thanks guys!

    Reply

  17. Diana says

    What a great gift to children and their families. I really like the ideas you’ve come up with so far, i.e. reading chair / nook and oversized chalkboard. Have you thought about making a clock similar to the one you just added to Clara’s room. I think something similar (maybe on a slightly larger scale) would be perfect for this area to add some color and a touch of whimsy. Just a thought.

    Reply

  19. Jen says

    What an amazing project, and the hospital asked the perfect people to do it up right!! I can’t wait to see the final product.

    Reply

  20. Pre says

    That’s so awesome. Love that you guys are doing this. I’ve spent way too much time in hospitals and despite the ‘sterile’ environment they always just feel germy and grimy to me – not to mention ugly and often smelly. I’m sure having a space like you’re going to create would have made some of my stays more tolerable. Really great thing you’re doing and so heartwarming that you said yes to this project with everything else you have going right now. To all those who won’t be able to thank you but will be spending time enjoying the space – I’d like to take a moment and say thank you on behalf of them. Can’t wait to see the project results!

    Reply

  21. Pre says

    P.S Not sure if it’s feasible, but it would be cute for the reading corner if a local book store could donate copies of some holiday books for the kids! You might be on that already though… :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      LOVE that idea! We’ll have to check if shared books would be a sanitary issue (they don’t allow shared toys to protect kids from bacteria) so we’ll definitely look into that!

      xo
      s

    • Pre says

      If you can’t have shared books due to hospital restrictions, an alternative idea could be to make simple coloring books out of the night before christmas and the story of chanukah. (You might even find versions online, at the dollar store or just photoshop something quickly with the story text and some free clipart only a few pages long.)

      They can run off photocopies at the hospital. As there’s no binding or glossy pages, they can probably put a few copies by the reading corner, and other copies in the activity area where you make your garland so the kids can color.

      The staff can keep master copies and make photo copies every year so each kid can color their own books. As it seems they can use plain paper and they can likely swap out crayons as they do chalk, that might be a creative way to get around the sanitary issue if they can’t share books.

      Hopefully books work, but if not, this was just a thought on how to possibly incorporate the idea.

    • YoungHouseLove says

      So smart!! They have an arts & crafts room that has items like that, but for the holidays it could be fun to bring them into this room too! Will definitely look into it!

      xo
      s

    • Meredith says

      I wonder about the possibility of some ipads or other readers loaded with books (for the kiddos and for the adults). They could be wiped down like you wipe off gym equipment (maybe). I bet all of us readers would be happy to chip in for a project like that.

    • YoungHouseLove says

      That would be awesome! We’d need a way to chain them down or otherwise make sure they don’t “walk off” or get lost, but that’s a really fun idea!

      xo
      s

    • Meredith says

      Try googling ipad chain locks or mounts. I think something like the chain lock would still allow the reader to get in a comfy position but they also make mounts that are charging stations. Those could be helpful in such a heavily used space.

  23. Ruth says

    Well this just brought tears to my eyes tonight. Our dearest friends’ 4 year old son was diagnosed with leukemia this week, which means they just became one of those families who will be spending the holidays in a children’s hospital waiting room this year. What a wonderful gift for those families in Richmond to be able to spend their days in a room filled with all the love I know the two of you will pour into it. On behalf of families like that everywhere – thank you for how much you care!

    Reply

  24. KathyL says

    I just sent you an email that says idea for Children’s hosp. in the subject line, you might want to take a peek at. I was at a hospital in Billings, Mont. and saw it in their cafeteria as a way to honor their employees. This is an incredible honor, isn’t it?

    Reply

  25. Nichole K says

    This. Is. Awesome. The kids and their families will love it! Hospitals can be such scary places and a cozy room designed by you guys will go a long way to making it more comfortable. Can’t wait to see how it turns out!!

    Reply

  27. Jennie says

    I already commented earlier, and I will reiterate that I think you guys are awesome. Great project. I came back to read the comments, and today, more than usual, I am struck by how many other Jen, Jennie, Jenny, & Jennifers there are commenting here. It makes me feel so … common? Special? Part of the club? 80s baby? I don’t know :) I digress. Rock on, Petersiks.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      So funny! I think it makes you part of the cool 80s crew. I was so jealous of Jennifers and Jessicas in school. They were the cool kids and I was all “Sherry, like cherry but with an s” while they scratched their heads.

      xo
      s

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I wish we would know by then! Can’t find out until early December thanks to the office being closed for Thanksgiving break, so we got bumped back. Can’t wait though!

      xo
      s

  31. Sharee A says

    It’s a blessing to be a blessing to someone else. Can’t wait to see the finished project. In all the hustle bustle, enjoy and be thankful.

    Reply

  32. Elizabeth says

    Love this project! I work at a children’s hospital and know how special and meaningful it is to have a cozy and holiday atmosphere for all the children and families who will be spending this season in the hospital. Paper chain idea: we had kids help make paper chains and write their hopes, dreams, favorites, etc. on them and used them to decorate one year–so fun! Get the child life specialists at the hospital on board to help you get children involved! Thanks for being awesome!

    Reply

  34. Amy A says

    What a beautiful project! I teared up reading about this! I spent last Christmas in the hospital with my newborn who had to be in the NICU for 8 days. I was so grateful to be able to stay there with her, but being away from my family, including my husband and 3 yr old was very difficult. This is so special for those families who will be spending the holidays in that room!

    Reply

  35. Kristin says

    What a great project… Ive always wondered why hospital spaces have to be so plain and austere. Im sure your lovely designs will add some much-needed hope! Best of luck.

    Kristin at Callhomedear.com

    Reply

  38. Gale says

    The gift of your time and talent is so meaningful to anyone who has had to experience a hosptilization over the Holidays. As an OR nurse for over 30 years and in OR nursing infomatics for the past 15, I can assure you that the space will be greatly appreciated by the families. Clara is indeed lucky to have such caring parents to emulate. (Yes, you added those years right. I am indeed one of your older over 65 readers and love your blog!)

    Reply

  40. Michelle says

    I have done clinical rotations at the local children’s hospital and know that the kids and family appreciate bright colors. Check out University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital. It is pretty amazing! I don’t know if you guys have seen their video to the song “Brave”, but it went viral and is very touching.

    Reply

  41. Devorah says

    Hi,
    I love your website and check it daily, I’m a nursing mom and love having such a fun blog to read while nursing ! On another note, I love your ideas for the holiday themed room in the children’s hospital and checked out the link to the menorahs you were looking at. I just want to inform you that a proper most widely accetable kosher menorah will have 8 lights at the same exact height and level, and one 9th light at a different height than the other 8. the 9th light is called the shamesh and is the light that Lights the 8 lights. obviously, in an Electric version its not actually lighting, but the look should remain the same. Just thought you would want to know. Would love to see what you guys come up with! Happy holidays !!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks for the tip Devorah! We have been to a few places looking for one and we haven’t found any (we got a really late start, so it seems most places aren’t selling them anymore). I’m thinking about trying some online searches next – we just need to find someplace that ships super fast!

      xo
      s

    • Devorah says

      if you cant find something online or in the stores you can always DIY something.
      My brother made a menorah out of legos one year, and another year used hot wheels race cars as a base for the candles. the advantage for this menorah is that you don’t even need to worry about it being fire safe!
      im sure you guys will come up with something awesome.
      good luck!

  42. Ali says

    Thanks so much for being a part of this project. Our son Dean has a lot of medical issues and we have spent a lot of time in the waiting rooms at Children’s and other hospitals. I think you’ll bring a great touch to the space. :)

    Reply

  43. Andrea says

    Thank you so much for donating your time and efforts to help out your local children’s hospital. My son spent the first 3 months of his life in the NICU at a children’s hospital in OKC, and I spent many many hours in hospital waiting rooms with him over the past 4 years. You gift of design and creativity will be such a blessing to so many in that waiting room, they will be surrounded by the beauty you create while they wait for news/updates/and to be able to be reunited with their child. From the bottom of my heart thank you for doing this for those families.

    Reply

  44. Teacher T says

    What a wonderful project! I would like to make a suggestion that I use in my special ed classroom. Fluorescent light covers! They instantly calm or warm up a room! They may not work with your holiday decorations but they could be used the rest of the year! I love mine! Educational Insights Classroom Light Filters -Educational Insights blue yellow or white

    Reply

  45. Jennifer S. says

    My 7 year old son spent a week in this hospital in 2012 after having unexpected brain surgery, so even though I spent most of my time in his room, I did visit this waiting room and found it kind of cold and boring. Having something interactive like the snowflakes and ornaments is a good idea, especially for the siblings of the patients. I know my son wasn’t up to cutting or coloring while he was there, but his siblings wanted something to do while they visited him. I will be happy to see the results on your website–but I hope I never have to visit this waiting room again!!

    Reply

  48. Jodi says

    My daughter was born last christmas, and the waiting room in our maternity hospital was decorated with a faux fireplace/fire. The nurses built it themselves, and simply painted cardboard boxes to mimic brick and stacked them up. It looked surprisingly effective, and my three year old son LOVED going to see it every time he came in to visit his new sister.

    Also, we live in Australia where it is usually over 30 degrees (celcius) at Christmas time – so that probably helped with the novelty factor!

    They also had a bunch of ‘letters to santa’ written out by kids and stuck up on a pin board. Gotta tell you, seeing the christmas wishes from sick children make you feel kind of bad about wishing for a new ipad or whatever for christmas :/

    Reply

  49. Parke says

    Are y’all planning on doing another video tour sometime soon? I would love to see how the hardwoods and de-wallpapered rooms look over video!

    Reply

  50. Katie says

    As someone who has spent some serious time in hospital family waiting rooms while my dad has battled cancer 7 times over the past 15 years, I can’t wait to see the video and the final product. Bravo to you both on finding such a special way to share your talents!

    Reply

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