One of our favorite seasonal projects is officially complete, and yes — you can stick a candy cane in it. We helped refresh and decorate a family waiting room at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, and the results are warm, cozy, and full of holiday spirit.
The hospital invited us to volunteer our time to transform a clinical-feeling space into something more like a home-away-from-home for children, parents, and hospital staff. They wanted the room to feel comfortable year-round, with extra festive touches for the holiday season. We were honored to help and excited to get started. The room needed a softer, more enveloping atmosphere so families spending time at the hospital could feel cared for and relaxed.
One of the first changes we made was a new paint color called Gargoyle. Though it can read as gray in photos, in person it reads more like a warm mocha-taupe — exactly the enveloping tone staff requested to counterbalance the bright, clinical whites typical of hospital rooms. We paired the paint with a cozy armchair beside a bright tree, soft window treatments, and handmade holiday accents, including a small parade of wooden trees along one wall to reinforce the homey, lodge-like vibe.
The room will receive additional updates in the coming months — new hardwood floors, a white door to replace a blonde-wood one, and refreshed furnishings — but the team didn’t want families to wait for holiday cheer. They asked us to move quickly so the space would feel special for those spending the season at the hospital, and we were glad to jump in.
To summarize the makeover, the hospital produced a short recap video that captures the spirit of the project and the reactions from families and staff. The video highlights how important it is that families feel cared about when they enter the room, and shows many of the details we added to make the space feel less corporate and more personal.
[Hospital recap video available on the hospital’s official channels]
We previously shared four of the room’s projects, including a faux fireplace and a paper garland that has become even lovelier thanks to artwork added by young patients. One standout feature is the white Christmas tree we installed: its color pops against the warm paint and stands apart from the traditional green trees found elsewhere in the building. Many ornaments were donated or sourced locally, creating a cheerful focal point.
A charming cardboard deer — the room’s unofficial mascot — quickly became a favorite among visitors. Local makers contributed creative pieces like snowflake trees and tabletop accents, reinforcing the room’s tree motif. Another playful installation was a metallic tree forest along two walls. We worked with a local laser-cutting shop to produce lightweight tree silhouettes in varying sizes, finished with metallic spray paint and mounted with removable velcro so the walls remain undamaged after the holidays.
Window treatments were supplied by a regional textile company that created custom valances. The fabric pattern reads as festive but timeless, so the treatment works throughout the year. The same company also provided a comfortable armchair from their showroom, which quickly became a popular seat for patients, visitors, and even a special holiday guest. The chair may later be recovered in a durable, wipeable fabric to withstand heavy use.
We built a large chalkboard display using plywood and leftover chalkboard paint, then added a playful touch by mixing a light chalkboard finish to paint a snowy house-and-hill vignette along the bottom. Before it filled with cheerful drawings and holiday wishes, we softened the board with a sweep of white chalk to create a textured, snowy background that invited participation.
One of the most meaningful parts of the project was a pair of cork boards filled with cards, letters, and crafts mailed in by readers and supporters. We were overwhelmed by the outpouring of care from across the country and around the world. Because pushpins aren’t allowed in hospital spaces, we painted the cork boards white for balance and used patterned washi tape to display the messages safely. A basket of extra notes allows families to flip through additional wishes and artwork.
We also added small wood plaques decorated with simple painted motifs and vines, created as an easy, heartwarming craft for families to enjoy. The nearby kitchen received subtle holiday accents — glitter wreaths on upper cabinets in an area that’s rarely opened, chosen so the decorations wouldn’t interfere with daily use. A donated canvas print with an uplifting quote now hangs above the staff coffee station, offering a bright spot year-round.
Most importantly, the reactions from children, parents, nurses, and administrators were deeply rewarding. People described the room as warm, cozy, and soothing — exactly the goals we set out to achieve. The project reminded us how meaningful it is to step beyond our own holiday busyness and give back to families who need comfort and care.
We are grateful to the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, to the local businesses and volunteers who donated time and materials, and to everyone who sent cards and crafts. Your generosity helped create a room that makes the hospital experience a little brighter for families during the holidays and beyond.
P.S. — To support children at the hospital this holiday season, please check the hospital’s official channels for current donation and volunteer opportunities.