11 Ways to Give Your Home Schoolhouse Charm
Homes Go Back to School With Chunky Clocks, Chalkboard, Retro Globes and Lockers
I recently read about a couple who wanted to incorporate practical, low maintenance furnishings into their vacation home in the Hamptons. They found the answer to their decorating dilemma by sourcing hardworking items often used in schools. Instantly my thoughts ventured to decor that evoke nostalgia for grade school — without entirely recreating the classroom setting. I immediately searched Houzz for spaces that deserve an A+ for character and schoolhouse charm. Take a look at what I found.
A chalkboard wall makes a surprise appearance in this casual dining room. Scribble a note to welcome dinner guests and give them a hint about what's on tonight's menu.
Give metal lockers a second chance. From the halls of junior high, these lockers have been upgraded to a buffet in this family dining space.
Vinyl compostion tiles (VCT), are the most common flooring materials used in schools. Here, they are laid on a diagonal in a checkered pattern. Throw in a vintage chair, like the one in the foreground, and you instantly create a retro schoolhouse vibe.
Display your love for geography and exploration with an eclectic collection of globes.
A black, chunky clock makes a statement that school is in session. But when using it in your home's decor, I highly recommend disabling the bell function.
Durable, this industrial strength stainless steel kitchen stands up to any experimental meal you concoct. Ikat-printed cafe curtains provide an unexpected whimsical touch.
Grab a partner and pull up a stool. You are just in time for biology lab — I mean dinner. This generous island allows children to participate in meal preparation or just simply nibble on the ingredients while you work.
Do you remember the teacher pulling roller shades at nap time? Me neither, but I imagine them to be a great for room darkening and privacy. Utilitarian in nature, you barely recognize the roller shades in this elegant bedroom.
Create the functionality of a locker room in your mudroom. For an active family, having a designated area for backpacks, shoes, and sporting equipment saves time generally spent looking for a missing soccer cleat.
Only real school house buffs (and those committed to salvage materials) will embellish their home's facade with school crossing signs.
See more of this Scraphouse.
How far will you go to bring school house charm into your home?
See more of this Scraphouse.
How far will you go to bring school house charm into your home?