Well, you can stick a candy cane in it—one of our favorite seasonal projects is officially finished!
We were invited to help transform a family waiting room at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. The goal was to make the space feel warmer and more home-like year-round, and to add festive touches for the holidays. It was a meaningful project we were excited to volunteer for. Here’s what the room looked like when we first arrived.
We aimed to create a living-room vibe for children, parents, and staff spending time in the hospital. One big change was a new paint color called Gargoyle, chosen after staff requested something enveloping and cozy to counterbalance the often-bright, clinical rooms. While it can photograph as gray, in person it reads more mocha-brown-taupe. To build on that warmth we added a cozy armchair beside a bright white tree, soft window treatments, and holiday accents like a parade of wooden trees along one wall.
The room will get new hardwood floors, a white door to replace the blond one, and some updated furnishings in the coming months, but the hospital didn’t want to wait to make the space feel festive this season. We were glad to jump in right away.
Heather, the Senior Child Life Specialist at the hospital, sums it up perfectly: we wanted families to feel cared about when they come into the room. Holiday decorating is something many of us cherish, but it’s often the last thing on the mind of someone with a child in the hospital, so we focused on handmade touches to make the space feel less corporate and more like home.
We previously shared four projects from the room—including a faux fireplace and a paper garland that’s become even lovelier thanks to artwork from kids on the floor. Now here are more details you haven’t seen yet, starting with the Christmas tree. We chose a white tree to stand out against the new paint and to contrast the many traditional green trees elsewhere in the building. The pre-lit tree was sourced locally, while most ornaments came from familiar retail stores.
Overseeing the tree is Bucky, a large cardboard reindeer donated by a local maker. He immediately became a fan favorite. The maker also provided snowflake trees that helped dress up tabletops. Trees quickly became a recurring theme throughout the room.
One standout element was a metallic tree forest that lines two walls. We wanted something thin, lightweight, and visually interesting. A local laser-cutting shop graciously donated their time to cut trees in various sizes from wood, using a simple template we provided. We finished them with metallic spray paints so they would pop against the painted walls, and attached them with removable Velcro so they can be removed without damaging the surface.
A local textile company made custom valances for the two big windows. The pattern reads as festive for the season but is subtle enough to work year-round. They also donated a comfy armchair from their showroom. It immediately became a favorite spot for parents and staff, and even hosted a visit from Santa. The company may recover it in durable, wipeable fabric later if needed, but for now it gives families a cozy place to sit by the tree.
We built a large chalkboard from plywood and leftover chalkboard paint and added a twist: a white-painted house on a hill at the bottom (we mixed a little non-sanded grout into white paint to make a pale chalkboard paint). The subtle illustration invites people to add their own drawings—wreaths, sledding kids, or holiday messages—and staff tell us it’s already filled with cheerful doodles.
One of our favorite features came from your generosity: two cork boards filled with cards, letters, and crafts that readers mailed to our PO Box for these families. The response was overwhelming and deeply moving. Since pushpins aren’t allowed in the hospital, we painted the cork boards white to brighten the wall and taped items up with patterned washi tape so they can be easily changed. A basket holds the overflow so families can flip through even more messages.
Mail came from across the U.S. and around the world—cards and crafts arrived from places as far away as Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, the U.K., New Zealand, Australia, and Switzerland. The families loved reading them, and many items are being rotated through the display so everyone can enjoy them.
Between the cork boards we hung small wood plaques painted with simple oval backgrounds and painted details—a little house, mittens, and a whimsical stick-figure reindeer among them. They’re small, handmade touches that added to the lodge-like, cozy feeling and were fun for families to pick favorites from.
We also added small touches in the adjacent kitchen area—gold glitter wreaths on upper cabinets that are rarely opened, so they won’t interfere with daily use. A reader donated a canvas print with an uplifting quote that now sits above the coffee station as a year-round reminder of hope.
While we’re proud of how the room looks, the most meaningful part has been watching people react. During the days we worked on-site we met patients, parents, nurses, and administrators who shared heartfelt appreciation. Hearing words like warm, cozy, and soothing from the staff and families was deeply rewarding and exactly the outcome we hoped for.
We feel especially grateful. Working on this room was a welcome break from our own holiday bustle and a reminder of what really matters. The kids were the highlight—seeing them smile and enjoy the space made the whole effort worthwhile.
Finally, we send a big thank-you to the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, to the local businesses and readers who donated time, materials, and handmade goodies, and to everyone who sent cards and crafts. Your kindness helped make the season a little brighter for these families.
P.S. — You can support the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU by texting HEALTH to 50555 to donate $10 to their pediatric services. Thank you for helping spread a little extra cheer.