780 
448 
Recently we completed a rather unique project. It was a little over a year ago that we were approached by the Caritas Hospital Foundation to partner up with them in decorating a couple of rooms. They were putting together recovery rooms in the maternity ward of Grey Nuns and Misercordia hospitals which are decorated up and are rented out to new mothers who want to enjoy their first hours with their newborn in a little more luxurious surrounding than in the standard hospital rooms. We decided that we would be happy to donate a major portion of the furniture and finishing details to help make a room at each hospital more inviting. Both of these rooms were planned to be unveiled on Mother’s Day 2009 so we decided to divide our sales team into 2 and have each of them put together a look for their room. To make it even more fun for our Designers we asked each group to give themselves a team name. They did indeed have fun with it and the ‘Cougars in Training’ and The Cat Kickers’ were formulated. The projects were launched and the wheels were put in motion.
After very uncommon governmental delays, The Cougars in Training, Anne Schellenberg and Kristy Sayers, completed and unveiled their ‘Zen Room’ at the Grey Nuns Hospital, mid January of this year. With the Zen theme in mind, they chose to work with an eggplant and beige colour palette “because it is soothing and inviting”. Using both bedroom furnishings and occasional pieces from Fine Furniture Design’s transitional Loft Collection, a gorgeous walnut panel bed was chosen. Loft features a distinctive custom finish called Slate; a mix of hues including a rich brown undertone with grey and soft white highlights. These inspirational pieces, along with the Precedent chairs in Deer Buff leather, proved to be the perfect palette for the soft texture and warmth the bedding fabrics and draperies bestowed upon the room.
At long last, the ‘Cat Kickers’, Judy Findlay and Bruce Grams, were given the go ahead and, last week, were delighted to see the completion and unveiling of the Misercordia’s ‘Tranquility Room’. “Peace and serenity is our goal” and it was accomplished using a colour palette of rich chocolates and earthy greens. They went with a gorgeous American Leather, button tufted, headboard, which, when placed in the room with the Precedent Ravin Chocolate leather chairs, proved to create the affinity they were going for. For the occasional pieces, they also chose a Fine Furniture Design collection; this one called Tranquilities. How perfect! Tranquilities, a contemporary collection, proved to gracefully imply serenity with its gorgeous burled veneers and antiqued finish. The tranquil feel was achieved and enhanced with the soothing fabrics used in the custom bedding and drapery.
Although a lengthy process the end result, with both rooms, proved to be very rewarding and satisfying for all who contributed. We thank our talented Design Consultants and expert Delivery Team for their hard work and dedication in seeing these projects through to completion. It is very fulfilling to know these rooms will provide a wonderful environment for many new moms and their families.
Let the fundraising begin! With the help of supportive family, friends and local businesses the concept of the “I Want To Sleep With You” fundraising evening was launched. They received the generous cooperation from Whyte Avenue’s fabulous, German style, pub bar, ‘Wunderbar’ providing the venue they needed for the event. An evening of music, munchies and special drinks to raise the money for their sleeper became a reality. Thanks to the Liley’s creative son, Stephen, the eye catching poster, promoting the event, was distributed throughout the city. On November 7th all who attended witnessed, first hand, the generosity and goodness of so many of Edmonton’s kindhearted people. A wonderful evening was enjoyed by all and the event was hailed a success!!
On February 24th, 2010, the Liley’s , finally, saw the fruit of their labors make its way to the University of Alberta Hospital. Jeff McElheran, along with the McElheran’s Delivery Team, met them there and the sleeper made its way to its new home. The appreciation was evident and all left feeling like they had, truly, in some small way, made a difference. 
