Well, you can stick a candy cane in it, because one of our favorite seasonal projects ever is officially done!
To recap, we were invited to help with a very special project: decorating a family waiting room at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. 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. Here’s what it looked like when we first visited.
We set our sights on giving the space a living-room-like feeling for all of the children, parents, and staff that are spending the holidays at the hospital. One major change was a new paint color (Gargoyle), which was inspired by staff members who requested something enveloping and cozy since so many other rooms there are super bright/clinical. Although it might read as gray, it’s actually a mocha/brown/taupe color in person (it’s the swatch on the right of this image). And adding touches like a cozy armchair next to a big bright tree, some soft window treatments, and a bunch of holiday additions (like a little parade of wooden trees around one side of the room) hopefully brought in more of that homey vibe.
The room will also be getting new hardwood floors, a white door in the place of that blonde wood one, and some updated furnishings in a few months – but they didn’t want to wait when it came to making the room feel festive for those families spending their time in the hospital this season, and we’re so glad they asked us to jump right in.
There’s so much that we want to tell you, but let’s kick things off with a recap video that the hospital put together. It pretty much sums things up (and they thankfully cut out the parts where we got all misty-eyed).
Heather, the Senior Child Life Specialist at the hospital, states it perfectly in the video when she says we want families to feel cared about when they come into the room. Decorating for the holidays is a tradition that lots of us treasure, but when you’ve got a child in the hospital it’s probably the last thing on your mind. So we wanted to incorporate a lot of handmade touches to hopefully make it feel more less corporate or cold and a lot more like home.
We already shared four projects in the room – including the faux fireplace and paper garland which, by the way, has gotten even prettier since we first left them thanks to some of the young artistes on the floor. So let’s dive a bit deeper into some of the things you haven’t seen yet, starting with the Christmas tree. We went with white to not only pop against the freshly painted walls, but also since there were lots of traditional green trees elsewhere in the building. We grabbed our pre-lit tree from Garden Ridge, but most of the ornaments came from Target and JoAnn Fabrics.
Presiding over the tree was Bucky, the big cardboard deer, er, reindeer that was sent over by Cardboard Safari. They’re based nearby in Charlottesville, VA so they were excited to help us holiday-up the space for the hospital. We’re told Bucky was quick to earn admirers as soon as we hung him, so we’re glad he’s making friends. Cardboard Safari also donated a few of their snowflake trees to help spruce up (ha! pun!) some of the tabletops. You’ll start to notice that trees are a theme in this room.
Speaking of trees, one element that was super fun was our metallic tree forest that lined two walls of the room. We knew very quickly that we wanted to line something up along the wall panels, but whatever it was had to be thin and lightweight. The idea of a “forest” popped to mind, but we couldn’t figure out a way to execute it.
Then we remembered a cool local shop called Big Secret who uses a laser cutting/engraving machine to make all sorts of stuff. They were super excited to help out and offered to donate their time and materials to cut us a bunch of trees in varying sizes (we just sent them some free clip art that we found online for them to use as their template). Then we coated them in a variety of metallic spray paints so they’d pop against the painted wall and secured them with 3M removable velcro strips (so they can slip right off the wall without damaging it after the holidays).
Another local company that jumped in to help us pull the room together for these awesome kids and families was U-Fab. They made two custom valances for the two big windows in the room out. We liked how the pattern looked kinda festive and seasonal, yet it can still work in the room year-round.
And since there wasn’t time to have a chair custom upholstered, they kindly offered one up from their showroom floor – and boy was it a hit! People didn’t want to get up once they sat in it, and Santa even paid a visit to the kids and had a nice big armchair waiting for him. There’s also talk of U-Fab recovering it with durable/wipeable vinyl if this fabric doesn’t hold up down the line, but all of the staff and kids seemed really excited to have a cozy place to sit by the tree in the meantime.
You also may have noticed the big chalkboard between the two windows. It was one that we built out a piece of plywood and some leftover chalkboard paint. For a fun twist we mixed up some white chalkboard paint too (by adding a couple teaspoons of light colored non-sanded grout to white paint) and painted a house on a hill along the bottom of the board. We thought it’d be a fun way to spice it up beyond your traditional black square, and that it might encourage people to draw a scene – like a wreath on the house or a kid sledding down the hill.
Once we hung it, Sherry wintered it up by dragging some white chalk down the surface on its side (so the natural wood grain came through). We figured until it got doodled on, it was a nice, almost snowy, texture to start with. And we hear it has already filled up with cute drawings and holiday wishes.
One of our favorite details of the room is something that you guys helped us with: the two cork boards that we filled with cards, letters, and crafts that you mailed to our PO Box full of warm holiday wishes for these awesome families. We were completely overwhelmed by how much care and love showed up, and the families are having so much fun looking through the stacks and stacks of other items that couldn’t even fit on the board (we left a basket full of the other sketches, cards, snowflakes that will be rotated in, but can be read from that basket in the meantime).
We originally planned to pin things up to these cork boards – but after learning that pushpins are a no-no in hospital-land AND realizing the room could use some white on that wall to balance the tree in the opposite corner, we painted them white. They could still be used to hold things up (the hospital is known to staple things in lieu of using pins), but we just taped things up with patterned washi tape to get things started, so they can easily be rotated out and enjoyed.
We got stuff from all over the country (Hawaii! Alaska!) and even the world (Canada! the UK! New Zealand! Australia! Switzerland!). Seriously, you guys blew us away. Even a couple of notes from Google showed up! So thanks to everyone who took a second to make these families’ days a little brighter. We saw them soaking up the love firsthand, and it really was the best part of the entire experience.
Those wood wall hangings between the two boards are a little art project that Sherry made using some wood plaques purchased at JoAnn. She just primed a nice wide oval on each one (to cut any wood bleed), painted those ovals white, and used paint pens to sketch some leafy vines on the top and bottom of each one.
Then she drew one little holiday-ish item or object on each one. As much I liked her mittens and her little house, my favorite was the stick-figure reindeer. I kinda want him on a t-shirt. She even took some step-by-step photos for anyone else who might want to make one at home:
Even though they’re not shaped like trees, they seemed to fit right within our cozy, lodge-like vibe – and it was fun to hear the families talk about which ones they liked best.
There’s also an adjacent kitchen right off of the living room area, so we added a little bit of cheer in there as well. This corner is pretty busy and with limited wall-space and heavily used counters, so we just hung some gold glitter wreaths (from Target) on the upper cabinets. They’re locked, which means they’re rarely opened, so the staff actually recommended that we hang something there since other areas of the kitchen are used so frequently (for example, anything on the counters would just get in the way).
An amazingly sweet reader from Australia named Belinda also sent us this canvas print from her shop Poppy Love to Groove, which has a Peter Pan quote on it. The staff wanted it in a place where they could see it all year round – and what better place than right above the caffeine station?
As pleased as we are with how the room looks, the best part has been witnessing the reaction to it. During the span of days that we worked on-site over the last few weeks, we got to meet lots of patients, parents, nurses, and administrators whose sincere appreciation was so heartwarming to witness. It was really rewarding to hear them echo words like warm, cozy, and soothing – which had guided us through this project.
I think we’re really the ones who are the most thankful in all of this, though. It was a fun assignment and an interesting challenge, but more importantly it just felt good to not be so wrapped up in our own home decor and holiday stress (which frankly seem silly by comparison anyways). And of course there are the kids. They really are The Best. Here’s a little proof, courtesy of a fun holiday video that they made. Really, I dare you to watch this and not have a smile plastered on your face:
So we’re sending out one last thanks to the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU and all the people who helped this come together – especially the folks who donated items to the makeover and all of you who took the time to send a little cheer to Richmond for these sweet families. We certainly have lots of blessings to count this season.
P.S. – You can help the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU spread cheer by texting HEALTH to 50555 to donate $10 to support the children. To learn more you can visit CHoR on Facebook.
Update: You can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15!
Heather says
Congratulations!
This was a post that made me smile and then cry. Those kids are amazing. and Sherry, you look radiant!
Tara says
Oh man, this post was all kinds of awesome. Your bump is crazy cute. And I totally lost it and balled my eyes out at that Roar video at the end… which is super unlike me, haha. So continuously impressed with you guys. :) Thank you!
lisa says
What a wonderful gift! Your project inspired me to contact our local Children’s Hospital and find out what they need. Tomorrow night my Girl Scout troop (7th graders) are getting together to wrap donated toys and make cards for the kiddos at the UCDavis Children’s Hospital! So, thank you for the inspiration…once again.
YoungHouseLove says
I LOVE THAT! That’s such an awesome thing to do, Lisa! Thanks for sharing!
xo
s
Thuy says
Amazing. It’s really beautiful. Thanks for sharing the Roar video too – I cried! And the kid with the eyebrows…PERFECTION
Ashley says
You both restore my faith in humanity just about every day. After living at the Vanderbilt children’s hospital for 5.5 months, I can attest to how big of a deal it is for you to take your time and energy doing this beautiful thing for the parents and children, but also such a credit to the hearts at the hospital that they invited you. Merriest of Christmases to you , Petersiks! You are the best kind of people!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks so much Ashley! Happy holidays to you and your family!
xo
s
Emily @ Life on Food says
I love how it came out. Cozy and warm are great descriptions. I bet it made your day to hear everyone in the area appreciate your hard work. This gift will go on giving for a long time.
Laura B. says
This is awesome. Every single part of it! Great job!
Jennie says
Really inspiring. I love what you did with the space and how you are utilizing your talents in such giving ways. This is a great project, and I am so happy to see the results! Sending hugs for you guys! :)
Dori says
What a wonderful privilege for you to be able to bring joy in such a small way to families who are enduring so much. Thank you for posting that video. It really helped bring perspective to so many of my daily little complaints about my 3 rambunctious boys. Someone will be spending Christmas with their child in the hospital this year, and I have the nerve to complain about little things. This meant more to me than you know. Thanks so much
Terresa says
You guys are so great. I couldn’t imagine how you had time for this with all that you have going on, but you did it, and you did a fabulous job! I love those trees on the rail!!!!
Sherri says
I couldn’t help but have smiles and tears seeing what you’ve done and watching the videos. It’s also great that other companies donated to the project as well. Giving from the heart is what God calls us to do, especially this time of year. What a blessing you are to have blessed others in such a mighty way! You guys are just the best!!
Susan Clark says
Ahh, guys, great job! With the decorating but mostly with the wonderful sweet spirit you brought to the hospital and all the folks there. And all of us who keep up with your journey. God bless and Merry Christmas to you and your sweet family!
Patsy says
What a wonderful contribution. You can tell it was all done from the heart. Love the trees too and the kids were fabulous. Such precious little ones. Bless you all!!!
Sarah says
Absolutely love it, and I adored the video.
Thankful you’re using your notoriety to care well for others.
D says
Now that I’m a Momma, this kind of kindness and these kinds of videos, make me so weepy. Not that they didn’t before, but now so much more.
Jelina says
Such a great space! It’s sure to brighten patients’, families’ and staff’s Holidays! Truly a blessing during this season :)
PeachyKeen says
Oh wow! You guys are the shiz-nizzle!!! The world needs more people like Sherry and John.
I couldn’t help but tear up through both videos *sob*
And the room looks amaz-a-balls!
Salena Santos says
Thank you YHL for sharing this beautiful story. It really puts things in to perspective about what really is important in life.
Candy from Candied Fabrics says
Oh my GOSH it’s BEAUTIFUL! It came together so well, those trees on the molding are the BOMB!!! What a great place to make sick kids feel loved – thanks for doing it for them.
Gaidig says
There are a lot of great, fun commercial fabrics out there which are specifically made for settings like hospitals and have coatings that allow them to be cleaned easily without being vinyl or feeling like they are not fabric (and therefor not warm and comfy). If you end up recovering the chair, you want to pick something with at least 2000 double-rubs so that it will hold up to the extensive use it will get in such an environment.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much for the tip Giadig!
xo
s
Brittany says
Tears over here! I loved everything about this makeover. Especially the wall art with the Peter Pan quote. Do you know what size it is and through what company you got the canvas from? it looks amazing and I would love to make one for my daughter’s room.
Thanks!
Brittany
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Brittany! It’s from Belinda’s shop, which you can see here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/167015341/instant-download-printable-colourful?ref=shop_home_active – although she sent us the canvas version, so I think if you contact her she can provide more details on how you can get one like it (the same size, etc).
xo
s
Katie says
Wow this looks fabulous guys, so glad to see my card made it all that way from NZ :) Well done I am sure all of the kids and families will enjoy it very much. Have a wonderful Christmas, you are both amazing!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for sending it Katie! Everyone had a blast reading them all!
xo
s
Evin says
I’m teary looking at this post and the love you put into this project. Having spent most of my childhood in hospitals with tiny noisy sterile visitor rooms, this warms my heart. Even though I don’t live in Richmond, I want to thank you for doing this. Really the true spirit of the season! THANK YOU!
Stacey zarrelli says
The room looks fantastic but it’s the video that’s amazing. Thanks for doing the room over for the children and their parents. We recently had a love little one get cancer and as our family spent many days in those rooms and at hospitals I know that comfort is everything. So thank you.
YoungHouseLove says
It was really our pleasure! We’re so sorry that anyone has to go through what you went through, and it was amazing to meet these strong families and children – truly it was a gift to us.
xo
s
Theresa says
Well done! What a wonderful project to be part of and to make so many people happy during the holidays…priceless! Merry Christmas!
oldladymac says
Great job! You two are so sweet and wonderful, and I really don’t know how you get it all done. I’m always so surprised when you promote Hobby Lobby, (tree) they are such a racist & nasty company and so don’t fit with the YHL vibe.
YoungHouseLove says
So sorry! Ack, that was a typo! We haven’t been to Hobby Lobby in a really long time (we’ve heard the same things you’ve heard). We got the tree from Garden Ridge and John just typed the wrong thing. It’s all fixed now. Sorry for the trouble. We have a photo of us getting the tree there and everything if you’d like to see it (I realize this sounds like a very convenient typo).
xo
s
Sally says
The room turned out beautiful! The kids and their families will definitely enjoy the space you guys have graciously put together for them. I loved watching it come together:)
I also loved the last video with the kids – it had me in tears, but I loved seeing the kids with their smiling faces and all the doctors, nurses and support staff…very heartwarming!
Rachel says
Hey y’all, been following this blog for some time now. So SO glad that y’all did this! I live in Louisiana now, but went to VCU (2005 grad!) and worked at the blood bank at MCV while in school. This is awesome. SIMPLY AWESOME! I cannot tell you how much it warms my heart to see this. And that video… tears.
Dana@chocolateandsunshine says
Loving how cozy and sweet this space has turned out as I remember commenting on your initial plans. Great paint color and the white tree is awesome. The wood trees are a beautiful idea and of course, very creative and whimsical! I’m a big fan of Washi tape. Won’t it be easy for them to have some seasonal tapes throughout the year to display all of those beautiful cards.
You should feel great about being involved in such a worthy project. I’ve called on Pediatric offices for yrs. as a sales rep. & always was aware of kids joy in discovering pretty things there. Congrats on your great work!
x Dana
Jeanne says
It’s so important to have a warm atmosphere in the waiting rooms. What you’ve done is creative, warm, cozy, and jolly! Bless you both for your time and effort. I think Santa must have you on his Extra Special Nice List this year. :) And that Roar video at the end. Talk about a big ole smile plastered on my face… and a not only a few happy tears too!
Merry Hanukwanzamas to all!!!
Angela says
What about the Festivus Pole? Festivus for the rest of us!
All kidding aside, it looks fantastic! Warm and inviting! The Roar video made me get all teary eyed!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha! We had some really fun festivus chats in there.
xo
s
Shauna says
Bless you both for making those children’s experience a little bit warmer and better. I really have a hard time watching such videos (the kids’ one) because I totally lose it, but I know they were happy, and I know you helped contribute to that. Really worthwhile project.
Sassafras says
Cool beans. Loved the Katy Perry dub! Room is now looking well loved. Merry Christmas Kiddos, Families and Merry Christmas John & Sherry, Clara & Burger! Thanks for giving!!!
P.S. I’m waiting on baited breath and w/my paint claw (I mean brush hand) raised for the new 2014 paint color choices!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, thanks Sassafras! We have to get on that! Haven’t even chatted with them for next year’s roundup yet!
xo
s
Meg says
Absolutely stunning — and what a gift! I keep thinking of a John Wooden quote this holiday season: “You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”
Michelle says
A hospital is no place for a child to be. Especially on Christmas. Your makeover made the waiting room a nice,warm and inviting place for the families. Love all of the DIY’ed projects that makes the space even more special. Love,love,love the video of the kiddos. That put a smile on my face.
Lisa S says
Absolutely gorgeous! You’ve made so many families’ days, I’m sure. What a wonderful gift you’ve given ; )
Jeanine says
The room looks amazing!! I love the “Roar” video. So sweet!
WorthyStyle says
Probably one of my favorite projects you all have ever done. It is just so great to see locals come together to make an incredible place for families and their children! I actually have two friends in that Roar video, that I grew up with in Rockbridge County (over the mountain in VA) and it is thrilling to see how so many different people can work together in different capacities to make children’s lives better.
Thank you John and Sherry, Merry Christmas!
Leslea says
Wow you guys did an awesome job!! I love the cut-out trees along the railing, and the big white Christmas tree just pops so well against the darker walls. It’s beautiful! I did almost cry a couple times during the video – it is just so important to reach out and bless others. The kids and their families will feel the love as they spend time there.
kelsey says
our daughter just had a brief stint in our local children’s hospital so this totally made me tear up since I recently had a taste of what it’s like to spend time in a room like that! Our girl had an MRI and a minor surgery and I was a mess! She did really well thankfully, but it was so humbling to overhear other parents getting updates about the 6+ hour long surgeries their children were having. It was good for my heart to get a glimpse into the world that some families live in so that I don’t so easily take for granted what a blessing it is to have healthy kids. As much as no one wants to have to spend time there, children’s hospitals can be such a gift to families in a really stressful and scary season of life. best wishes and much love and healing to the families who will enjoy that lovely, cozy room while their children get the care they need.
YoungHouseLove says
So glad your daughter is ok! Must have been so scary to go through that.
xo
s
Ortisse says
Congratulations your make-over is great, I love it! But, what I love the most is the kid’s lip dub, they are great as the hospital team.
Michelle says
I have no words, but I do have tears, and plenty of them. Magnificent job…you too kids (and parents and caregivers!) Love from the Bay Area! xoxo
Heather says
Good grief! Cue the waterworks. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that you took on that project…brings a giant smile to my face. Oh, and that video of the kids made me cry like a baby. So sweet and just what I needed to remind myself what is really important during this holiday craziness.
xo
Elisabeth says
It looks SO wonderful! Our second son was born in April with unexpected complex medical issues. At four months he was diagnosed with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) and with Noonan Syndrome at six months. Needless to say, we have made many, many trips to our children’s hospital over the past 8 months. On our last visit to the oncology clinic at the hospital, there was a couple sprucing up the waiting room with cheery holiday decor. Seeing it definitely brought smiles to our faces. There usually isn’t much of anything cheerful about a children’s oncology clinic, but some festive decor certainly helped brighten things up a bit. So glad you were able to help bring some cheer to families like mine :)
YoungHouseLove says
Oh Elisabeth, I’m so sorry you’ve had to spend so much time in the hospital. Hope your son is feeling great and that you guys have a wonderful holiday!
xo
s
Katie says
You guys are amazing :) So what happens with the room and the decorations after the holidays?
YoungHouseLove says
They store the holiday stuff (they’ll break them out each December) and things like the chair, the window treatments, the cork boards, the chalkboard, the Peter Pan quote canvas, and the other non-holiday stuff gets to stay year round.
xo
s
Rebecca Pitt says
Could you share the link to the free tree clip-art? I just love those metallic trees!
YoungHouseLove says
Here ya go (we altered the top to make it more dense before having them laser cut): http://4vector.com/free-vector/tree-silhouettes-clip-art-128632
xo
s
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
It looks wonderful guys you have done such an amazing job! I bet everyone appreciated it more than you can imagine.
On a decorating note.. I love the forest on the wall. Such a great idea.
I hope my little card arrived in time all the way from Australia. Seeing as things have been taking a week within the country I’m not going to get my hopes up.
YoungHouseLove says
It did! We loved getting it and so did the families! Thanks so much for taking the time to send it along all the way from Australia, Claire!
xo
s
Megan @ Two Live Colorfully says
What a wonderful thing you guys have done! Obviously, the space turned out beautiful. I mean, duh, it’s you guys. But, just the fact that families will be able to find some tiny bit of solace from a sad situation in a wonderful space like this is the epitome of the holiday spirit!
donita says
Love everything about that room. Great job John and Sherry. What a rewarding project. Loved the video too! Merry Christmas!!
Shavonda says
How awesome is this!! You guys rock! What an amazing space. This is sure to bring a feeling of warmth and home where hospitals usual feel cold and sterile. Great job Petersik’s:)