John and I recently had the honor of designing bedrooms for three incredible local children who are currently undergoing cancer treatment. We shared a few sneak peeks on Instagram and in our podcast, but here’s the full, photo-packed post with details about each room and the thought that went into them. We’re thrilled to finally share the rooms with you.
Here’s some background: a few weeks ago the team at Biringer Builders reached out to ask if we’d help design rooms for Richmond Homearama’s charity partner this year, the ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation. Instead of staging the showhouse bedrooms for fictional children, Biringer and ASK wanted to create real, livable rooms for kids currently in treatment. We immediately said yes — and offered to design all three rooms.
Working with the builder, ASK, and a handful of generous donors, we pulled together each room based on the kids’ wish lists: favorite colors, hobbies, and requests. The timeline was tight — we received details just weeks before the show opened — but Biringer’s crew made the schedule doable and several partners expedited donated items so the rooms could be finished on time. Throughout this post we’re protecting the families’ privacy by using only first initials for the children and sharing only the design details that are appropriate to show.
A’s Bedroom
A is the youngest and wanted a loft bed with a desk underneath, so that became the starting point for her room. From there we layered in her favorite colors and a nature-and-animal theme. The loft bed and desk are smart space savers for her actual bedroom back home, and many of the accessories were chosen with her smaller real-world room in mind — that’s why some rugs or accent pieces look a little undersized in the showhouse space.
We added soft pillows and bedding, a handful of animal-inspired accents, and a cozy play nook stocked with stuffed animals and baskets. A tiered capiz chandelier we designed and a few donated lamps added warmth and a bit of whimsy. A practical desk chair and task lamp make the under-loft workspace functional for school or crafts. Many of the décor pieces and artwork came from local artists and small businesses who donated items for the project, which helped the rooms feel thoughtful and personal.
When the show closes, everything in A’s room — bed, curtains, lights, rugs, and accessories — will be moved into her home so she and her family can enjoy the room long term.
J’s Bedroom
J is the only boy of the three and wanted a sporty, comfortable room. He loves basketball, video games, and the color red. To keep the room calm and restful, we balanced bold red accents with grounding blues, grays, and whites. We selected a gray upholstered twin bed frame that feels grown-up but still cozy, and added layered bedding, textured pillows, and durable rugs that will work in his home.
Small touches — like a basketball accent and a tabletop cornhole game — gave the room personality without turning it into a themed caricature. Practical details included bedside sconces that are easy to install and move, plus simple window curtains and blinds that keep the bay window feeling cohesive. We also gathered toys, games, and sports equipment to fill baskets and make the room feel ready for play.
As with the other rooms, many items were loaned for the showhouse so the space looked complete, but all of the furniture and accessories selected specifically for J will be delivered to his home after the event.
S’s Bedroom
S is the oldest and described herself as laid-back and chill, so we designed a relaxed, California-inspired room with natural textures and a comfortable, layered look. Rattan headboards and a boho jute light fixture set a mellow tone, while navy and soft pink accents added the personalized touches she requested. We chose flexible pieces that will work well in both the generous showhouse room and a smaller bedroom at home.
Artwork donated by local artists and framed prints with encouraging messages helped make S’s room feel confident and uplifting. A cozy beanbag corner, layered rugs, and ambient lamps provide great spots to read, rest, or hang out with friends.
We intentionally kept the overall designs adaptable so the rooms can evolve with each child’s changing interests. That meant choosing a neutral foundation and letting personal items and small accents bring in color and character, rather than locking a space into a single theme.
How the Showhouse Helps
Displaying these rooms in the showhouse first gives ASK and the kids’ stories more visibility, which helps raise awareness and encourage visitors to donate or volunteer. After the show closes, all of the furniture and decor designed specifically for each child will be moved into their homes — beds, curtains, lights, artwork, storage, and accessories will all be delivered so the kids can enjoy their new rooms right away.
If you’d like to learn more about the project, the organizations involved, or the ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation, we encourage you to reach out to the foundation directly. Everyone who helped on this project — the builder, the vendors, local artists, and volunteers — was incredible. Their generosity turned tight deadlines into beautiful, meaningful rooms for three deserving families.
Thanks to the builders, donors, and volunteers who made this possible. Designing these rooms was one of the most rewarding projects we’ve done, and we hope the kids and their families find comfort and joy in their new spaces for years to come.