John and I recently had the privilege of designing three new bedrooms for local children currently undergoing cancer treatment. We’ve shared a few sneak peeks on Instagram and our podcast, but here’s the full photo-packed post with details on each room. We’re excited to show you what we created.
Here’s some background: Biringer Builders reached out to collaborate. They’re the custom builder we worked with in 2014 on a charity showhouse for Richmond Homearama. This year Homearama’s charity partner is ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation, which supports kids and families fighting cancer. Instead of designing staged rooms for imaginary kids, Biringer and ASK decided to design real bedrooms for three kids who are currently in treatment.
They asked if we could help with one or two rooms and we jumped at the chance to design all three. Kids’ rooms are among our favorite projects, and we wanted to make each space meaningful for the child who would eventually receive it. Working from each child’s wish list—favorite colors, hobbies, and interests—we sourced furniture, decor, and accessories. Timing was tight, but generous donations from partners and a small contribution from us helped make these rooms special.
The timeline was intense—we received the kids’ preferences only a few weeks before the show opened—so we hustled. The Biringer crew, especially Justin and Taylor, helped pull everything together. To protect privacy, we’ll use only each child’s first initial and limit personal details. Many design choices came directly from the kids’ requests or wish lists.
You might wonder why the rooms debuted in a showhouse rather than being installed immediately in the kids’ homes. Showing the rooms at Homearama raises awareness for ASK and encourages donations and volunteering. After the show, all furniture and decor will be moved into the children’s real bedrooms.
A Full Video Tour
Before the room-by-room breakdown, we filmed a short video walk-through after finishing the rooms. John encouraged me to use the “good camera,” and the video shows all three rooms and how everything flows together. It’s a quick way to get the full feel of the spaces and hear a few commentary bits.
A’s Bedroom
A is the youngest and her top request was a loft bed with a desk underneath. We found a loft bed that became the starting point and built the room around her favorite colors and love of nature and animals, especially stuffed animals. Because A’s actual bedroom is smaller than the showhouse room, the desk-under-loft solution is perfect for saving space at home. We prioritized items that will fit in the kids’ real rooms, even if some pieces look slightly undersized in the larger showhouse space.
We added a playful desk chair, a swirly table lamp donated by Shades of Light, layered textiles, and whimsical art like a framed butterfly print donated by a local artist. A favorite spot is the play nook filled with stuffed animals and a special elephant basket. A will receive all the accessories—storage suitcases in her favorite colors, a kitty basket, and a bicycle painting from a local artist collective—all of which will move to her home after the show.
We also used a tiered capiz chandelier that we designed with Shades of Light, and a rug chosen to suit A’s real room. Many art pieces in the showhouse come from a local artist collective that allows visitors to purchase them; some pieces were donated for these bedrooms. Jenny Komenda generously donated framed prints for each child, and other local partners contributed to make these spaces feel warm and personal.
Small details—a dreamcatcher, woven baskets, layered pillows, and a cozy dresser nook—completed A’s room. We hope to meet A in person soon to show her how much love went into this space.
J’s Bedroom
J is the only boy of the three and he enjoys sports—especially basketball—video games, and the color red. To keep the room feeling calm and restful, we balanced red accents with grounding tones like blue, gray, and white. He wanted a new twin bed, so we chose upholstered twin frames that feel grown-up but approachable. For the show we staged two matching beds to fill the large room, but his actual bedroom will receive just one.
Shades of Light donated adjustable arm sconces we designed, which are plug-in and easy to move when the lighting is rehung in J’s home. Bedding and throws were sourced from a mix of retailers to meet the tight deadline, and handmade shibori pillows donated by Danielle Oakey added texture and a special touch. We also included playful items like a real basketball pillow and a tabletop cornhole game, plus baskets of toys and games to make his room fun and comfortable.
One small styling note: a simple curtain rod tweak across a bay window made the entire side of J’s room feel more cohesive. Little adjustments like that go a long way toward making a room feel finished and cozy. J’s room is intentionally neutral enough that it can grow with him; we avoided overdoing sports-themed decor so changes in interests will be easy to accommodate.
S’s Bedroom
S is the oldest and asked for a laid-back, California-cool vibe. We started with rattan headboards and layered in soft navy, pink accents, and natural textures to create a calm, stylish retreat. Shades of Light donated a boho jute pendant that casts a pretty pattern when lit and helps define the relaxed mood of the room.
We added a blue nightstand, a cozy beanbag for lounging, a durable patterned rug, and framed art that ties the room together. S requested uplifting, empowering messages, so we included encouraging prints and small desktop pieces that reflect confidence and positivity. Everything was chosen to feel mature and comfortable while still being flexible for whatever she loves next.
Many of the larger furniture pieces were sourced through Greenfront Furniture, the Homearama furniture partner, and several local artists and shops donated or discounted items to make these rooms possible. The goal was to design spaces that feel personal and enduring while still being appropriate for the kids’ real bedrooms.
That’s the recap of the three rooms. If you’d like to see the spaces in person, the Richmond Homearama runs Wednesdays through Sundays, and visiting helps raise awareness for ASK. After the show, each bedroom’s furniture and decor will be delivered to the kids’ homes so they can enjoy their new rooms.
We’re grateful to Homearama, Biringer Builders, ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation, Shades of Light, local artists, and everyone who donated time, art, and products to help bring these rooms to life. The people involved were compassionate and generous, and many families have been personally helped by ASK. We hope these rooms bring joy and comfort to the children and their families.
*This post previously included affiliate links; proceeds were donated to ASK.*