As part of a research project about user involvement in textile design we have carried out two Design:Labs (Binder & Brandt 2008) engaging different stakeholders in designing textile products for Danish hospital environments. In this paper we follow a mock-up session done as part of the second Design:Lab, where we meet a group working with the intensive care ward. Looking back at the video recordings from the session it became clear, that the participants continuously drew on elements from reality as they interacted with tangible materials and each other. We therefore claim that reality is an important element engaging in the hypothetical space of the Design:Lab, as it can function as a scaffold for ideas, ease the communication within the group, as well as help communicating ideas to people who have not participated in the Design:Lab.