My mom showed me this sofa in Australian Vogue Living a while back, and we both thought it would be a great idea to copy. How easy would it be to buy some old furniture, have it redone in canvas, give some kids some sharpies and let them go crazy on it?
My mom and I both quickly realized this project's potential to be a very fun way to raise money for many different charities.
We immediately got in touch with my aunt, Sidney Aldridge, a pediatritian at Cook Children's Hospital here in Fort Worth, Texas. Dr. Sidney Aldridge initiated the idea that Cook Children's Hospital was in need of a Palliative Care program at the hospital, and now that this program is well under-way, Sidney is very involved with it's fundraising.
We were not aware of what exactly a Palliative Care program was at first, so here is Dr. Sidney Aldridge to tell you in her own words…
There are now many little patients who are living longer and better because of our advances in medical technology but they do live with very complicated medical problems, and many will unfortunately still die at a young age. As you can imagine, this is a very difficult journey for these little children and their families.A new specialty has emerged in Pediatrics to help these most special patients called Palliative Care. The Palliative Care team would like to provide support for a family at the initial diagnosis, then all along the course of that child's life, and finally, help the family prepare for their child's death.The Palliative Care team helps the child with symptom and pain relief, and also provides much needed psychological and spiritual support for the child, their siblings and parents during these very difficult times. The team consists of physicians, nurses, social workers, child life specialists, psychologists, and spiritual leaders, such as ministers, priests, and rabbis. The Palliative Care team wants to help a little child live as well as possible for as long as possible, and then help make the end of that child's life be as pain-free and peaceful as possible.As you can imagine, it takes very special people to be able to practice Palliative Care. This kind of treatment requires hours and hours with each patient and family, and is not adequately funded by insurance companies. We rely on wonderful charity organizations such as the Careity Foundation here in Ft Worth to provide this much needed care. The Careity Foundation has an amazing charity event, a Western-themed Gala called "Branded" here every August to raise money for our new Palliative Care program here at Cook Childrens Medical Center, and they have provided us with immeasurable support.
The project got more exciting for us when we were invited to the hospital to bring our chair to the kids.
The chair in progress!
We even got some unexpected help from a pony on roller skates.
The final product looks great, as you can see!
We put four coats of lacquer on the chair to seal the scribbles.
My mom and I have both been so excited to share this fun project with our readers-my mom has also posted about this on her blog Atlantis Home
The chair will now be auctioned off at the annual Branded event.
For more information, visit their website.
Again, thank you Dr. Sidney Aldridge for helping us get involved in this event!
We look forward to doing more projects like this-in fact, we have three more chairs in the works!
We plan to auction some smaller chairs on eBay in the near future-we'll let you know more as this project develops.
Megan says
Awww that is soo awesome!!!
Good luck with making a lot of money for the charity! Its good to see people doing things for other people :D
Michelle says
That’s really thoughtful of you and your mom!
DUSKIN says
This is a great idea, and looks amazing! Congrats!
carteblanche says
what a great idea! hope it’s auctioned off for a lot! what’s the starting bid?
Andrew Jones says
Awww what a great idea guys! It’s always nice to see when people give back :). Tried looking on the site, but do you have to be present to bid/win?
-Andrew
http://meandmarisa.wordpress.com
Vee says
Great idea. The chair would look good in my appartment :D
Natt says
Wow that turned out really good, great idea
Dominika says
Wonderful action, when I look on this chair’s pictures and colurs I fell … well happy ( this word can’t show my really emotions :p)
You and Your mom must be really great personalities.
:)
alicepleasance says
How great!
Prêt-à-Porter P says
it turned out pretty well.
and it’s great to do anything to help out kids :)
Brooke says
Amazing, both the cause and the chair! Such a fun, creative way to raise some money for charity.
Cris M. says
Wow, this is a beautiful project, great idea, so generous and sweet.. congrats :)
AGNE says
what a wonderful idea, the chair looks amazing!
quelle says
wow it really turned out great! i actually love it more than the sofa! i’m happy to hear that you’ll continue this endeavour. :)
Kelly says
Great idea, Jane! I am in charge of fundraising at a non-profit in Fort Worth, and we so appreciate when people in the community get involved – especially with unique ideas. I love your blog, keep that passion alive…Branded is such a great cause, and maybe I’ll see you there!
Tara says
What an incredible idea — and it turned amazing!!!!
Becca says
This is such a wonderful idea for such a great great cause. Not to mention that that chair looks fabulous!
Romi says
This project is amazing! I really wish you the best of luck with it
Raji says
Thats such a lovelyyy idea and amazing of you and your mum to organizee
Looks great tooo :)
The Lady says
The chair came out absolutely beautiful and what a sweet and thoughtful way to donate to a cause :-D
Leia says
This is fantastic!
Barbro says
This is just awesome! I love it, thank you for sharing it with us!
Hannah says
what a beautiful project! i love the organic nature of childrens artwork. what a whimsical peice, perfect for any playroom or living room!
TR says
I will be thinking about this beautiful chair all day and wondering what you and your mom will come up with next. I love the chair and would like to try this technique sometime!
maria says
This is such an amazing idea.
You and your mom are such beautiful and giving people!!
KatB says
This is so awesome!
I was wondering…
Can you still use the chair to sit in after it is lacquered or would the pressure make the finish on the canvas crackle and peel?
Thanks for sharing!
Kylie says
That’s so cute! It turned out so perfect, and for such a good cause! A really great a idea, I hope it brings in a ton of money for the program. The kids must have a lot of fun too, they’re actually ALLOWED to draw on the furniture!
Brittany says
This is actually Gorgeous. Wow.
There you go, Saving the world.
lipsticklondoner says
omg they’re amazing!
marieta says
I have fallen in love with the chair
kisses
Amalie says
what an amazing job, the chairs looks awesome!
Davina says
What an excellent idea!! I love how creative the chair looks, with added touches from each of the kids. You and your mom have such big hearts! : ) Keep it up, I’m sure the children truly appreciate this!
Annie says
it’s awesome to see you guys doing this! the chair turned out great!
Sarah says
Jane,
This is such a beautiful and unique idea- one that I would love to recreate in my own area! I’m actually a founding member of a fashion club at my school, and although this doesn’t have too much to do with fashion, we are always looking for new, fresh ideas to raise money for organizations and charities. Thanks for sharing, and good luck!
-Sarah
Anna says
What a fantastic idea!! Such a great cause, and I bet the kids had fun doing it too :)
Anna says
That is actually very pretty! Lovely idea!
alison says
what a great idea – i love how you saw something, you were inspired by it, and made it into a great cause!
xox
http://www.froufroufashionista.blogspot.com
Simone says
that’s just brilliant. that chair looks absolutely lovely! the kids and the pony must’ve been so happy to have that chair to decorate.
Brigadeiro says
What an absolutely brilliant idea! And the chair looks magnificent!
xx
melanie says
that chair is 100000x times better than the one in vogue! The kids are so creative and so colorful! I hope it gets auctioned for a ton of money! It would look amazing in a playroom.
kirsty says
Such a great cause. You guys are doing great stuff xoxoox
joe says
how weird, my aunt has a room in her house where the decor is very similar to this! I think she had it “professionally” done though because she only let me put my initials on a canvas stool. :/
xx
Katie says
that is an absolutely outstanding idea and the chair camp out beautiful!!!
xxoo
Isabel says
It looks great! What an amazing job you guys did. I’m really glad to see that apart from being a style icon you’re also a very sweet person. Congratulations!
xx
HarbourMaster says
A thoughtful project and a beautiful result.
Midge says
Sweet! Good cause and fun results! :)
sayin' says
congratulations on finally doing something for other people with yr money, time and privilege.
Cooper Tee says
This is an AMAZING project! I love the chairs and helping a good cause!
bbb says
amazing. i admire you and your mother very much.
trisha says
oh that just breaks my heart :( that was great of you, though, and the chair looks amazing
Elizabeth says
What a beautiful chair. I hope you are able to raise a great amount of money at the auction.
Patricia Ann says
Wow, that chair looks amazing! It’s nice to hear you guys give back! :)
cjh says
What a fantastic way to use your blog/time/artistic talent for good! That chair turned out so well! I work for DWR, please email me if you can…
Alexandra says
What a wonderful project! And such a beautiful result. You’re both very admirable :)
Meagan says
It’s so awesome that you can use your blog’s popularity to help like this :)
The Voguette says
that chair is amazinggg. and it’s an awesome cause! keep up the great work jane!
<3 The Voguette.
fashion roadkill says
This was really touching..I think it was a wonderful idea and very inspiring. The chair looks fabulous :)
Joseph A says
That is absolutely awesome…I have a fraternity based on helping children. This type of thing is so inspiring…great job!!!
kailey says
this chair looks so much better than the one in vogue!
Hannah says
What a great thing to do! And the chair came out great.
Vicki says
It turned out great! what an awesome idea!
Phyllis says
that chair came out beautifully! this is such a great project =)
http://foradelicatefew.blogspot.com
Saskia says
I love it!! The chair is beautiful and I think it’s a great way to raise money for a good cause.
I know your blog is about fashion, but it’s really nice to read posts on things other than buying very expensive shoes.
Libby says
What a great idea, and a super stylish outcome! I most definitley want to fo this!
XOXOX
Libby
http://fashioncnfectionairy.weebly.com
caitie says
that’s amazing. something so simple, yet so fun AND super beneficial/helpful.
GREAT job.
Sister Wolf says
You are a saint.
rocoquirk says
This is a great idea!
Almost everyday I pass this little antique shop with different white chairs and each time I want to go in and buy one in and decorate it with a black sharpie! I think that seeing the beautiful result here I will do it sooner than later!
It is great that you are getting the children to have fun and you fund the hospital!
Wendy Potters says
FINALLY DOING SOMETHING OTHER THAN SPENDING MONEY I SEE
Christine says
Wow, how great of you to get involved! The chair turned out so chic! I hope you raise TONS of money for those kids!
Emma says
wow it looks so good!!
Victoria says
If you would have told me this idea in theory, I wouldn’t have gone for it; but seeing this in person is amazing–and it’s for a great cause! These pieces would definitely bring a boring old living room back to life! Great idea!
xoxo,
Victoria
http://thestylistadiaries.blogspot.com
Sophie says
Wow, this is fantastic! The chair actually looks really attractive.. I want it ( :
I have added your great site to my blogroll.
Stella says
I don’t know if I’ve ever commented here (I think I did, maybe once), but I do keep up with your blog. Honestly, this has been your most inspiring post ever. It’s moved me to tears. It’s great to see that you’ve taken all the attention that you’ve garnered with the blog and channeled it opportunities, particular this one that is something so positive.
All I’m going to say is you go, Jane. Keep this up. I hope all the chairs sell for exorbitant amounts so you can help those children!
Stella says
Oops, Jane & Judy! Keep up the good work.
Emma says
Awesome,well done :)
Your blog is so much fun to read and i love how much you effort you put into it even at the young age you are…you seem way more passionate than most kids your age.
findikkurdu says
The Aldridges are simply angels. I wish I had the cash to bid on these. They are gorgeous and I want my kiddies to do stuff like this when I have them :)
Elsa says
How strange that all the way over in Texas you buy Australian Interior Design magazines! I must admit, however, that I find them a lot more stylish than a lot of American ones.
Anyway, the finished product looks great, are you going to do any more?
Helene says
What a great idea!
That is so sweet of you and your mother to do that.
Rachel says
That is such a pretty chair! I love what you and your mom do. Very thoughtful.
Me and some friends are currently raising money for Duchenne, we’ve already organised some things, and are currently busy organizing a concert.
I really hope people are going to pay some big money for that chair. For not only is it worth every dollar, but the good cause makes it even better.
MJ says
That’s so amazing and thoughful! Really well done for making such an effort, and for such a good cause!
http://dreamingspiresandoldcartyres.blogspot.com/
Skylice says
beautiful result, maybe i should try it sometimes :)
an angel of france says
that a great idea !
you’re a good girl in a bad world !
the chair is beautiful !!
Dominika says
That sofa and the chair looks soo amazing! It’s a really good idea, very creative! Love it <3!
Ines says
I love the chair…really original!
very interesting blog…I add you to my links…
kisses!
A says
What a great idea, and even better to do it for charity. I’m an avid reader of your blog although I’ve never commented before – I love it when style blogs cover more than that.
Thanks for sharing, I hope to see the rest of the chairs!
Florie says
what a wonderful idea! and the result is realy impressive. plus on a symbolique level i think it great that kids can leave somesthing behind considering that because of their illness their future is uncertain. great initiative. hope there will be sequals!
Pearl Westwood says
Hats off to you guys, really what a fun way to not only raise money for charity but to get the kids involved too, Really WELL DONE xx
http://fashionpearlsofwisdom.blogspot.com/
Eloise says
P-H-O-N-Y
Your mom is so pathetic, trying to stay young by linking her blog to yours and having you link your blog to hers. It is getting a bit tiresome clicking on the links you both provide and see it being the exact same post. LAME!
Ally says
I usually wouldn’t bother addressing a “troll” comment but in this case I just felt I had to.
To Eloise: Considering Jane and her mom are obviously linking each other to get more support and awareness for this charity I don’t see how any sensible person could label it “LAME”. Promoting a good cause is not pathetic, but criticising other people who are helping others is just a bad reflection on you. If it is ‘tiresome’ then don’t read their blogs!
Jane: It is so inspiring to see this project! What a fantastic and creative idea, I love it. Keep up the good work!
Lily says
What a lovely thing to do, I really admire you and your mum, you used this wonderful creative idea and turned it into a fundraiser to help little children. The chair looks absolutely fabulous. My dad runs a childrens chairty so I will be definietly showing him this post its such a good idea and I love how you got the children involved in the project.
Leura says
my furniture will never be the same, off to buy markers & invite neighborhood kids for a color party!!! & what an amazing charity its for, brings a tear to my eye
http://snowdropsonmydoorstep.blogspot.com/
Annabel says
good to know you guys are helping sick kids! :)) chair looks awesome
lisa from london says
chair looks great. good job. also a very inspiring idea.
check out my blog at
http://lisa-smalldetails.blogspot.com
Rosie Unknown says
That is wonderful! The chair is amazing!
Le Cocon says
great idea, great chair.
xo Noah (Indie Music Blog)
maria del mar says
…Congratulations for this great idea!!!!! It´s fantastic and really fun for these children!!
I think that you and your mum are great & fashion people!!..are amazings!!! ;-)
Kisses from Spain!!!!!
Little Red says
That is such a great idea! And the chair looks awesome!
Isabel says
Wow! What a beautiful and creative way to raise money for charity! Honestly, I think I’d be tempted to keep it myself. You’re an inspiration, Jane.
Caddie says
Loved! It’s great that you are involved with your community. I’m touched :)
http://curatorofquirks.blogspot.com/
Johanna says
what a great fundraiser! the chair looks fun, kind of like the patchwork ones that have been popping up in the Anthro catalogs!
anne-charlotte says
Bravo, idée fabuleuse…
Vraiment félicitations
Cynthia says
Super nice Jane, isn’t it wonderful doing something for others?
My Mom says, “In an empty heart, there is room for no love, in a full heart there is room for much love.”
P.S. This will also look good on your already extensive list of extra-curricular activities for those college apps!
a frock a day says
That is such a great project! I think you’ll raise a lot of money because the chair looks so amazing. I want one of my own!
That is such a good idea for such a worthy cause and it really is a great way to get the kids involved as well and make them feel like they’re contributing.
Anne says
I would love this even if the results weren’t gorgeous, but, bonus, the chair is beautiful!
xAZD says
that i so fabulous and heart-warming! excellent job, keep it up. :) inspires me to do a project like this!
xo
xazddesign.com
So says
i have been following your blog for a while but never dared posting a comment ! anyway this time i would like to say, Chairity is a wonderful idea… :)
Pru says
That’s so cool! What a great idea.
I also love the pony on rollerskates!
jem says
what a great idea, i love the chair and even more i love that it is going to be auctioned off to help the kids! who ever bids on it and wins is a lucky person, they will know that their money went to a great cause! :) http://framestheworld.blogspot.com/
hanna says
that looks really good!
Aubrey says
That chair is AWE.S.OME!!! I hope it raises a lot of money for the charity. Love it
Rachel Gillory says
What an incredible cause and family! The Gillorys send their love!
rain says
I remember reading a comment from some pretentious idiot on your blog a while back, something along the lines of “what are you doing to help the community, blah blah…” Hmmm – I wonder if she would’ve had the initiative to even think of doing this project! I think it’s so inspiring to see how you acted on an idea and turned it into something that helps such a worthy cause. You’re a rock star Jane!
Much love from Budapest :)
sandra says
congratulations for you great generous idea !! And th chair is very beautiful
japke says
great project and it’s such a good thing to help other people/kids who need it!
catherine_sr. says
What an amazing idea, and the chair looks amazing. I hope it fetches the selling price it deserves.
mr. freddy's mom says
wow!
this is an awesome project, jane!!!
i love the outcome!
http://momfashionworld.blogspot.com/
Kim says
This was an inspired project!!
Heini says
That is so kind of you. I wish I could do something for the little patients of our area. I´m interested in entering med-school, so maybe I´ll be able to make a difference in future.
Marcela says
What a excellent idea.
Love it!
Congrats from Brazil
Marcela
lynne says
It’s very refreshing to see you and your mom doing things for others. As much as I love your blog it can seem a little ‘self obsessed’ at times. Keep up the great charity ideas and work!
-LWK
http://www.laviedewhitney.blogspot.com
Kate says
What a great idea! The chair looks amazing! Best of luck in your fundraising! My sister is sick (luckily not in Palliative Care) and I’m sure those kids had a good time. Little things like getting to scribble on a chair can brighten anyone’s day when you are in and out of hospitals often.
ainee says
Jane,
I would love to do something like this in Houston/San Antonio, TX.
What an innovative way to make a difference!
I will get in touch with you in the future about what it took to put this project together.
Athena says
This is so fabulous! The chair is beautiful, and for such a great cause!
xoxTheens
callmetheens.blogspot.com
beba says
Wow, you and your mom are very good persons!
Peace and love!
luxirare says
I find the chair extremely beautiful- Kids are the best, they’re honest, they have unbridled creativity without any baggage
or resentment.
Good on you for executing this project..
Chelsea Barber says
What a very precious idea! I absolutely adore the finished project. Good luck!
Chelsea
unordinarychic.blogspot.com
Molly Rose says
That is amazing, I love that you got to actually have it happen… the kids must have had a fun time drawing on it.
Stephanie says
Super cool idea and great result! Good for you guys. :)
brittney says
This is SUCH A COOL IDEA! Its SO sweet of you to help the kids and the charity by helping organize this! Thats soo awesome, and I wish you the best of luck in the auction–If I had cash I’d buy it XD hahaha but really, that is awesome.
Anne says
The Dries Sandals are amazing ! Your look is so beautifull!!
becky says
Wow- this is gorgeous and such a smart idea! Its so great to see bloggers channel their powers for good!
geri says
creative and thoughtful!
helena says
it’s a realy good idea, and that chair looks perfect !!
Sarah says
It’s like a life-size coloring book. L.O.V.E.
http://www.stylesnog.blogspot.com
ariana vanderbeels says
i have to comment and say “well done!!!” what a super idea. how bittersweet and tender…
good on you.
xxx
Jen says
Wow, that is such a cool idea! Looks like fun. What a wonderful way to help children in need.
Plus, that chair turned out great!
http://www.jenandaudrey.blogspot.com
lian says
that chair looks so great, wow those kids really should be proud! I think it even looks better than the sofa featured in vogue living :) I think it’s a fun way to re-use old furniture, especially if it’s for a good cause.
Katy says
Gorgeous! The chair looks so amazing. I LOVED that sofa from Australia Vogue too!
Isobel says
You could sell all your fancy shoes, fly to one of the deepest parts of Africa and feed and clothe and medicate fifty starving, kwashiorkor-suffering children and anonymous trolls would still post bitchy comments on your blog about things as trivial as synchronized posting with your mom. Oh, internet.
Laura Jane Kenny says
Wonderful idea, way to go Jane!
Mighty Writers says
This is awesome! I’m going to recommend it to my fundraisers. Thanks Michelle for passing the info along! If any MW volunteers want to lead the project, get in touch with me!
Mighty Writers
Philadelphia, PA
http://www.mightywriters.org
Catalina says
I love how the chair turned out – so beautiful! Obviously a bunch of budding young artists. This is a great idea – good for you and your mom for doing this!
a la mode says
What a cute idea! I really love the outcome
http://girlalamode.blogspot.com/
Little Clementine says
This is such an inspiration. Thank you!
pipied says
cool….awesome jane im ur no.1 fans!!! its so sweet…i hope i can do the same thing as u do…(btw im from Indonesia) just visit sometimes jane…indonesia have many beautiful places to enjoy…
sara says
that is such a great idea!
oh and you kind of look like that girl on wizards on waverly place.. the vampire one
but thats a good thing she is pretty hah :)
Chrisy says
Well done to you all…a fabulous project!
Tamia says
The idea of planning for your child’s death is heartbreaking. My thoughts go out to these families.
Props to you, your mom, and your aunt for coming up with a (very stylish) way to help.
~Tamia
http://www.stylesamplemag.com
Joanne says
So wonderful and the chair is so beautiful! :)
AForestFrolic says
The chair turned out just lovely, what a great idea…and how very sweet of you and your mom!
Jamie :)
malkie says
Beautiful idea, the chair actually looks stunning!
Rita says
The chair turned out gorgeous… :)
I’m sure the kids really enjoyed the project!
Congratulations for your lovely idea.
Style Odyssey says
beautiful post. the chair is simply gorgeous! it’s refreshing to read about your wonderful idea to help this very worthy cause.
the private IBO school where i used to teach does fund-raisers; i’ll pass on your link to the director, in case they want to use this brilliant idea.
Joelle says
woah. I love it.
joelleleung.blogspot.com/
Sasi says
What a great idea. And the chair is adorable:)
Anna says
What an amazing idea! The chair looks amazing and it’s such a good idea doing it for charity :)
rika says
wow..these kids were very talented
its an amazing chair !!
love them =]
eva says
I love it! What a beautiful idea for a great cause.
tivogirl says
Back in the 80s a woman named “nancy drew” drew all over her colonial house and furniture. it was featured in Metropolitan Home. Then she had some gift shops, across the country.
http://www.nancyswandrew.com/Bio/BioSketch.htm
m says
it’s a cactus. just checkin’. i am dyin’ to meet aunt sydney.
ellen says
the chair isn’t exactly beautiful, but it’s cute. And for a great cause.
Sarade says
I am always so thrilled to read about people giving back!
Libby says
omg i used to live in that house!!! the owners have a cute little studio on the first floor that i shared with a friend when i first moved to ny!! the owner has such unique, fabulous taste :) loved that couch idea–her daughter’s class did the ‘decorating.’ had no idea she was in australian vogue, just stumbled across this post!
Shayna says
For a bit more background on the evolution of the doodle trend, check this out:
http://patternpulp.com/2009/02/13/trend-highend-doodles/
Cheers,
Shayna
catherine says
at first i wasnt sure, but then i loved it, thats awesome i bet the kids had so much fun, i did something like that when i was a kid only they gave us these all white plastic plates, and perminant markers and we made wall hangings for our parents :)
Newtonmk says
New Blogger!!!Jane I love your blog,but my is totally going to top yours!!
High fashion rocks
Good thjing by helping the hospital
hope i can do the same
http://Fabwear.yolasite.com
Beki says
I realize that my comment is about three months overdue, but I just wanted to say how great it is to see people engage in such creative ventures in order to raise money and awareness of Palliative Care programs. These are such a necessity in this day and age, and providing support of programs catered toward children is often overlooked. I currently study both children and death at the post-secondary level, and this charity would be a great and relevant cause for me to get involved with, so thank you for shedding light on it!
Ijanaci Gomes says
I found the “Work” of one, the sensitivity amazing!
Gucci Shoes says
Hello, This is a facsinating Blog…as a prospective undertaker this is just the sort of insight I require! One question has me wondering: there is a bit of folklore I hear is that claims the dead are generally buried without shoes…is this true?
Air Jordan 14 says
Brilliant! What a great read. That was a good post – informative but not too heavy. Thanks for taking the time out to write it! I think spirituality is really important too, we certainly agree on that point. A leader without spirituality is missing a key element.
ugg knightsbridge says
I love that drawing! It reminds me of that old TV show (might still be going actually..) in North America called The Big Comfy Couch. Definitely need on of those at home!
Mens Nike Shox Sale says
Do you agree that travel must one day revert to being a luxury
Visvim says
Thus the makers suggest the buyers to make use of it forward of every single meal.
Love says
this is cool and a great idea :D
shoe charity says
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