Young America Surprises Military Families with Nursery Furniture
Young America surprised approximately 30 expectant mothers and new moms whose spouses are deployed members of the U.S. Navy with their own sets of nursery furniture during an Operation Shower® Birdies for the Brave® group baby shower, which was held on Friday, November 30 at the prestigious TPC Sawgrass golf course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Part of the PGA TOUR’s Birdies for the Brave fundraising weekend, the “Babies for the Brave”-themed event was hosted by Amy Mickelson, wife of PGA TOUR player Phil Mickelson, and Cathy Justice, wife of Greenbrier Resort Owner Jim Justice.
“Preparing for the birth of a child is one of the most important times in a couple’s life,” said Neil MacKenzie, director of marketing for Stanley Furniture. “However, for the thousands of military moms-to-be whose spouses are overseas, the experience can be somewhat bittersweet because a key family member is missing. Young America decided to participate in the ‘Babies for the Brave’ event as a way to show our appreciation for the sacrifices these military families make to ensure our nation’s safety. We’re proud to know that our nursery furniture will keep the newest additions to these families safe as they await their parents’ return home.”
Held in the TPC Sawgrass clubhouse, the shower featured a special grand prize raffle of a Young America furniture package, which included a Young America crib and case piece, along with a Colgate crib mattress. Although Operation Shower positioned the prize as a single gift for one lucky mom, the attendees were ecstatic when Young America surprised the moms by announcing that they all would receive the furniture prize.
“The moms who attended the shower had absolutely no idea that they would be getting nursery furniture from Young America, and their reactions to the news were priceless!” said Amy Mickelson (shown above with winning family). “There was an audible gasp as everyone realized they had won, and some attendees were in tears, while others cheered like they had won the lottery. Thankfully, the excitement didn’t cause anyone to go into labor!”
The prizes included selections from across Young America’s stylish furniture collections, which are made in the U.S.A. at Young America’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Robbinsville, N.C. The moms at the shower were impressed to learn that Young America furniture is the safest furniture parents can buy for a child and found the company’s Built to Grow story quite appealing.
In addition to the Young America furniture, each of the moms received Operation Shower’s signature “Shower in a Box,” which contains high-quality, unique mom and baby products, including onesies, crib bedding, clothing, diaper bags and toys. Prior to the “Shower in a Box” presentation, the guests listened to short speeches from shower hosts Amy Mickelson and Cathy Justice. During her address, Mickelson described her grandmother’s experience as a military wife, which was similar to that of the shower honorees. In fact, she relayed that her grandfather had missed the birth of his daughter because he was stationed abroad and was unable to come home until his child was 18 months old. Justice spoke of the important role mothers play in children’s lives and discussed the Greenbrier Resort’s commitment to charity and to the military. She even invited the moms to visit the resort should they ever come to West Virginia.
Following the remarks from Mickelson and Justice, Operation Shower Founder and Chief Shower Officer LeAnn Morrissey explained the organization’s mission and announced that with the completion of the “Babies for the Brave” event, Operation Shower will have “showered” its 1,000th military mom since its founding in 2007. “Military moms are really the unsung heroes of our nation,” Morrissey said after the event. “Although they aren’t serving overseas like their spouses, these women face an array of challenges — everything from the day-to-day stress of running a household alone to the unspoken fear that their loved one might not return home — and they do it with a quiet strength that deserves our utmost respect. It’s rewarding to know that Young America’s gifts will bring joy to these special families, who give up so much for their country.”
Golf Channel viewers can get an inside look at the “Babies for the Brave” event during a special program dedicated to the Birdies for the Brave fundraising weekend that is scheduled to air on Wednesday, December 12 at 7 p.m. EST.
Source: operationshower.org
Young America Accessory Round Up: Lighting ideas for a Child’s Bedroom
Lighting is an important aspect in the design of any room, especially a child’s room. The style of a light fixture will impact the overall look and feel of the space. In addition to a central lighting fixture, accent lighting can add mood and personality to the ambiance. There are so many options… night lights, twinkle lights, colorful lights…the possibilities are endless. Task lighting is also important, in particular, with older children who use their rooms for reading and doing homework.
Let’s take a look at some ideas for lighting…
These paper star lights are a sweet addition to a baby’s nursery. Perfect for singing lullabies and encouraging sweet dreams.
This Stray Dog Designs Aly Sr Floor lamp adds ambient light and visual interest to this charming baby room.
This Arteriors Home Niles Orange Rattan Floor Lamp provides practical lighting for bedtime reading and adds a modern design look with the pop of bright orange.
A beautiful Oilo pendant light complements the bed linens and adds ambient light to this entire room.
Oilo pendant lights add fun pattern and practical lighting to this modern gender-neutral nursery.
Paper lanterns add a touch of light and help create a fun, hip atmosphere. The blue glass table lamp adds a pop of color and provides an important bedside lighting function.
This room features paper lanterns and flowers in bright colors… task lighting on the desk workspace and a bedside lamp as well.
More fun with paper lanterns! A ceramic-based bedside lamp from Slip adds color and practical lighting to this retro kid’s room.
This teen girl room shows another great example of a simple reading light on the nightstand.
This desk vignette shows a perfect example of a good desk light choice for a study space.
Great sources for desk lamps and other lights: Lite Source and Lamps Plus
So, do a little research. Search online and go on a shopping excursion. Take some photos with your phone. Narrow down the type of lighting you would like to have in your child’s bedroom. And please remember to send us a photo! We love knowing how your home projects are going.
And, one last inspirational idea, just in time for the holidays. Why not add a little twinkle to a holiday card display?
Lighting list complied by interior designer and Young America stylist Patti Borrelli.
Source: youngamerica.com
DIY Craft: Button Monogram Art
Ella is an individual, so why not create some artwork for her bedroom to express that? We decided to try buttons in the the shape of an “E”. Buttons are one of those ubiquitous items you find at a flea market, thrift or antique shop. Jars and tins of them in every color, size, material and shape; they can be old and new. If you don’t have buttons and want to try this project, then take a trip to a fabric shop and you’ll discover an ample assortment and supply. Let your daughter choose the ones she likes best and together you can explore your crafty side.
Buttons are essential for this project and so is a good frame. Again, you may choose a frame in the vintage or modern style your daughter likes best. Bring new life to an old frame with spray paint and gloss. We chose something subtle and traditional to suit Ella’s taste. We printed an “E” in the scale and style we liked, then used it as a template to trace and cut for our monogram art. You can get quite fancy and elaborate with art papers beneath the buttons, but it’s not necessary, just a personal choice.
The final steps involve arranging, re-arranging and layering your buttons with hot glue. Let the glue harden, remove your glue “webs”, and there it is! Once it’s dry and solid you can complete the framing and hang it somewhere in full view. An “E” for Ella and which letter is special to you?
Source: youngamerica.com
DIY Craft Projects: Pennant Banner, Dry Erase Message Board
Three Cheers for the Home Team! A banner of handmade paper pennants is an easy-to-make decoration that uniquely personalizes your child’s room. These simple triangular shapes are signs of honor and victory; traditional as souvenirs from a favorite team or special place.
How to Make a Pennant Banner:
1. Pick Your Paper or Fabric: Choices at a fabric or craft store are wonderfully endless—just make sure you’re choosing papers in a heavy weight (ie: poster board or card stock) and fabrics that are relatively thick (ie: felt, fleece or canvas). Choose a single solid color, color theme, patterns, or a mix of solids and prints.
2. Cut Your Shapes: Use scissors, X-acto knife or utility blade to cut your materials into uniform pennant-shaped triangles in the size of your choice with at least an 1” tab of extra material on the straight base of the triangle for wrapping around your line.
Pennant Tip: For extra sturdy pennants that may be suspended and viewed from both sides, cut out two (2) matching triangles. Use a fabric or white glue to adhere the backsides together. Some of you may prefer the hot glue gun, but the extra globs and stringiness can get messy.
3. Build Your Banner
To build a garland (or banner), lay each pennant along a piece of strong ribbon, yarn, twine, clear fishing line (heavy filament) or string, point them down, then fold or wrap the top +1” tab of the pennant end over the line and staple (or hot glue gun) it in place. Alternatively, you can avoid messy glue by punching small holes in the top corners of each, then threading the line through the holes.
4. Decorate with Pennant Banners
When your pennant banner is ready, hang it front and center in a child’s bedroom, play room or other living space. Hang it on a wall or across a room for a festive cruise ship or sporting event-type effect. For an outdoor party, hang them from a tree, trellis, fence, porch or doorway.
Experiment with pennant sizes small to very large. Your child(ren) will LOVE them! They are fun gift ideas too. Shown below in a Young America room featuring our Harbor Town collection.
The other project shown here is the DIY Dry Erase Message Board (above and to the right of the hutch). This is great way to recycle old picture frames. You can use a frame as is, or if you want a fresh, new look, spray paint frame(s) in the color of your choice - white, black or a fun color to coordinate with or complement the room. Insert various scrapbook paper into photo frames and mix patterns, colors for a fun look. Once the glass is put in place you can use the glass surface for writing with dry-erase markers. Write homework reminders or fun weekend plans with friends.
Print versions of our DIYs can be found in Young America Design Guides.
image: Classroom DIY!
Source: youngamerica.com
Sneak Preview: Boardwalk Collection
Another Sneak Preview! This time it is Boardwalk, the second of two new Young America collections to debut at the High Point Market this week.
Beachy in style with a contemporary twist, Boardwalk is full of adventure. It’s boyish at a glance, but don’t be fooled. Boys will love it and girls will too. Think tween and teen girl in just the right color or wood tone, including our new Antique Slate gray. A weathered edge technique creates a relaxed, sophisticated air with hardware so modern the cool factor cannot be ignored.
Stay tuned, the new Boardwalk Collection will be available to order online and through retailers nationwide in the coming months.
Shown clockwise top to bottom: Boardwalk Batten Bed with a Boardwalk 2 Drawer Night Stand in Antique Slate, New Fanfare Crib with a Boardwalk Single Dresser and Changing Station, and a Boardwalk Chest. The crib, changing station and chest are shown in our newest Young America paint color: Sandpiper, a soft and subtle gray.
Boardwalk styles in traditional dark wood tones are a handsome choice and favorite for boys (of all ages) too. The smooth edges and rounded corners of Boardwalk keep the collection informal and easy to live with. Shown: Boardwalk Jetty Bed, Boardwalk 1 Drawer Night Stand and a Boardwalk Chest.
Source: youngamerica.com
Grace Crib Spotted at High Point Market
The new Young America Grace Crib has been spotted! High Point Market’s Style Spotters, like Jason Oliver Nixon of Madcap Cottage, are home fashion trendsetters that showcase their favorite products and top trends at the Market. The Style Spotters post and curate their favorite looks on Pinterest, a website that lets users organize and share photos on virtual pinboards.
Here’s what Jason Oliver Nixon posted on Pinterest: The Abigail Crib from Young America for Stanley. A delicious gray hue, very Christian Dior meets Martha Stewart Bedford Gray. Love the weathered finish on the edges. This glorious crib makes me want to make some babies. Cheminne is probably saying right now, “That Jason Oliver Nixon is a scamp!” Young America at Stanley IHFC 1158
shown: The new Grace Crib is being shown at High Point Market this week as part of our new Abigail Collection in the Stanley Furniture showroom. image: Jason Oliver Nixon via Pinterest
Source: youngamerica.com
DIY Craft Idea: Paper Sailboat Mobile
Drift away to the land of nod. Origami meets the high seas with this Young America DIY craft project. A mobile suspended over a crib can be mesmerizing for a baby. Floating objects with subtle movements catch their eye. Give the mobile a puff of air to send the boats twirling, much to a baby’s delight.
Fold your boats with colorful, quality scrapbook paper, vintage wallpaper, maps or pages from an old falling-apart children’s book (or other weighty paper). Pick, choose and arrange the boats on a plastic, cardboard or willow branch (vine) hoop with fishing line or strong thread. Try 6 or more boats of varying size; shuffle and adjust them until you find the balance and hang them in the sky.
source: Young America Harbor Town Collection Design Guide. Tribute Crib shown in top image with a Harbor Town Single Dresser and Changing Station.
P.S. If you remember Curious George and the Man with The Big Yellow Hat, then you know origami paper boats can also fun to share with older children. Use newspaper like George, then float them in a bath tub or stream. Kids can wear big ones on their heads too!
Visit Pinterest for more paper boat ideas.
Source: youngamerica.com
Sneak Preview: Abigail Collection
Sneak preview! The brand new Young America Abigail Collection is making its big debut this week at the High Point Market, North Carolina.
Our newest look, Abigail, believes there is nothing wrong with living a charmed life — at least in one’s room. Classic forms wedded to timeless architectural flourishes create a feminine presence that has unmistakable substance … useful charms for the modern girl.
The new Abigail Collection will be shown online and at retailers nationwide in the coming months.
shown: Abigail Manor Bed, Abigail Single Dresser, Abigail Mirror and an Abigail 1 Drawer Night Table in French White. Available in 19 Young America colors.
Source: youngamerica.com
DIY Craft Idea: Soccer Ball Hanging Lanterns
We fell in love with this idea! Simple round shapes suspended in the air are playful, sporty and fun to see. Create a traditional soccer ball pattern with colored opaque or translucent hexagons on a white paper lantern. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can try something a little more FIFA World Cup.
Here’s what you need:
1. White paper lanterns: 20”, 18”, 16” or 14” diameter
2. Fade-resistant, stiff opaque paper or tissue paper hexagon and/or pentagons
3. Masking tape for opaque paper and Mod Podge with a glossy finish and a soft paint brush for tissue paper.
3 Steps to a Soccer Ball Hanging Lantern:
1. Create a simple hexagon template to trace and cut out in your favorite team (or room) color. Fade-resistant, somewhat stiff opaque paper is preferable for the look shown above. You can also use translucent tissue paper to allow light through.
Soccer Ball Hexagon-Spacing Tip: for the most “realistic” traditional soccer ball look, cut out a set of 3 pentagons in the same scale as your hexagons. Use these to help with spacing of the hexagon shapes. Each hexagon on a traditional soccer ball touches 3 pentagons. How’s that for a math challenge? Of course, you can just eyeball it!
2. Make small masking tape loops and stick it on the back side of each opaque paper hexagon shape or paint a little spot of Mod Podge on a tissue paper shape and press it gently on with your finger. For opaque paper, you are done. For tissue paper, paint a second lighter coat on top to seal the shapes completely. Repeat around the lantern until you are happy with your composition and the shapes are adhered securely.
3. Make one or more soccer ball lanterns. Let them dry. Hang them in your child’s room or wrap one up for a unique gift. Mix it up with some solid lanterns in complementary colors. Try other balls too: baseballs, tennis balls, softballs, etc. ENJOY!
You’ll find this craft in our new Young America Harbor Town collection Design Guide.
Source: younamerica.com
Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine Buyer’s Guide - September 2012
September 2012 Pregnancy & Newborn magazine cover features a Young America Mix Dresser in their Fall 2012 Buyer’s Guide. Crisp, modern lines exude craftsmanship and grace, especially in Young America wood tone finishes with contrasting accents. Shown here in Cinnamon with Espresso.
Mix Dressers and Chests are made in Robbinsville USA and custom finished in your choice of wonderful wood tones, including (l to r): Walnut with Graphite accents, Natural with Walnut accents and Walnut with Natural accents. Also available in solid paint colors and paint colors with accents.
Best of all, Young America dressers are Built To Grow. Pair one with a Changing Station during the early diaper days for a solid, safe place to change diapers and clothe your wiggly baby. When your baby’s beyond diapers, the Changing Station can be put away and the dresser will continue to be a staple in your child’s bedroom for many years. Shown here in Natural on a Mix Single Dresser in Graphite with Natural accents.
Source: youngamerica.com
