New Year, New Decor!

I know... It's not exactly the "New Year" for school or the calendar, but I'm a little behind in posts.  😯

This past summer I stumbled upon a wine rack at the thrift store. (Maybe I shouldn't have said "stumbled.") Since I can't have wine in my classroom, I thought I would have the next best thing- COFFEE!  The picture on the right shows the wine rack after I removed the slats that held bottles of wine.  I thought it would make a cute coffee bar for my classroom.

I searched Pinterest for some ideas and inspiration.  I decided I liked the color combination of red and teal.  One of the biggest reasons I used the color combo is because I already had lots of red stuff in my classroom.  I had acquired a primary colored classroom theme by default.  I hadn't planned on changing anything, it just happened that I was inspired.

I had a blast looking for little things to add to my decor at Hobby Lobby, Big Lots, Target, and of course the thrift stores.  I had decided that I really wanted to make my classroom look and feel more "homelike."   We spend SO much of our day in this room, it should be appealing and comfy.

I found some cute wire picture holders on clearance.  The sales lady even reduced the price further because of a missing clip and a small ding on one of them.  I only paid about $15 for the pair.  I sent a letter home to my classroom families asking them to send in family pictures.  I posted them on the clips above the coffee bar.  I also have a cute framed poem about families propped up on the refrigerator.

I bought wire farmhouse baskets to insert in the coffee bar piece.  I keep snacks and other kitchen things like paper plates, napkins, and plastic silverware in the baskets.  I added a red chevron burlap bow to the bottom basket.

I bought the mugs at the thrift store and hung them on a rack.  My son added the lettering that says "The Classy Cafe." (My principal thought of that title.)  I bought the little wire 2 tiered holder at Hobby Lobby.  It's filled with napkins and K-Cups of coffee and tea.  I love when my friends come in to visit and grab a cup!

The little cafe table was something I had in my backyard.  One chair is broken so I only have one.  It was originally black wrought iron, but I spray painted it red.  I think it turned out cute!  I just threw a piece of blue polka dotted cloth on the top.

I recovered my 2 file cabinets with chevron paper in red, teal, and yellow.  I found the yellow curtain that is covering a large book shelf at the thrift store. I liked the little pop of yellow with the red and teal.  I used yellow knobs on my drawers of the coffee bar and desk.

Here's a picture of my desk area:

I painted the desk ($25 from the thrift store).  A friend gave me the little red polka dotted curtain to hang under the sitting area.  I just use the desk as a storage area so I stick things under it.  I found a bulletin board that I covered in red polka dotted fabric too. Then I added some accents of burlap ribbon for border.  The blue flowers came from The Dollar Tree.

My husband made the book shelf that is hanging above my desk.  I wanted an area where I could put some of my professional books.  Most of those books I keep at home.  I have a collection of books that is, according to my mother, just sinful.

I bought the wire 3 tiered hanging file at T.J.Maxx  (not sure if that is how you spell it).  I decorated a small lamp shade and added an accent lamp near my desk.

I wanted to make new book labels for my book bins and try to reorganize a bit.  I got a tall wire spinning book rack from a friend whose store was going out of business.  I found the toy chest bench at the thrift store too.  The accent pillows are made from bandanas.

The chair I had in my reading area was falling apart.  I found this red chair at a home store consignment shop.  I bought a yellow pillow at Target for an accent.

The wire 3 tiered book rack on the left is red.  It doesn't show up well in the picture.  I bought it at Hobby Lobby. The other small wire rack on rollers came from the thrift store.  I painted it and added a ribbon.  I kept the same rug that I already had.

Like I said, it was a blast redecorating this summer!  Here are a couple of other pics that show where we keep our i-pads and classroom supplies.

Thanks for stopping by!  Do you have a classroom theme or color scheme to share?

New Table for Alternative Seating

Thanks to Tara from 4th Grade Frolics for the  "Monday Made It" link up!  This is my first time trying to join a link up and I'm excited to share what I made.




Don't you love getting something new from something old?  I found a small table at the thrift store for $25, and I had a coupon for $10 off. (Woohoo!)  With a little crafting fun,  I got a new table for my classroom, and it only cost $15.



I have decided to try some alternative seating in my classroom this year.  I have already purchased a few rocking seats and some stadium cushions for my classroom.  I needed a low table for students who want to sit on the floor.

I didn't really want a huge table as I am just dipping my toe in this alternative seating thing.  I want to try it out and see how it goes in my classroom.  I was excited to find this table at the thrift store because it was just the right size… sort of.

"Before" table

It was the right width and length, but it was a bit too high for what I wanted.  So I had my husband cut the legs down to a height that would work for students sitting on the floor.

Table with legs cut

Next, I had to decide what I wanted the finished table to look like.  Since my classroom has a paw print theme, I knew I wanted to have that.  Also, most of the colors in my room are primary colors.  I love chevron and polka dots, so I thought I might want to incorporate those.

I have to be careful not to get over zealous with the painting thing.  I'm like the kid who starts painting, creates a pretty and colorful picture, but finishes with a big black blob because she can't stop painting.  I have a hard time remembering that you can't erase paint!  Anyhoo, I decided to add some chevron and leave the polka dots for another project.

In the end, I'm happy with how the table turned out.  I plan to use some stadium cushions as seating for this table.  I can't wait to put it in my classroom!  I love starting the year with something "new."

5 Fab Finds!

Each year, I love to add something new to my class decor.  I spend so much time in my classroom, I think it should be aesthetically pleasing to me and my students.  Plus, it's just fun to shop!

Look what I found at Five Below!

These are stadium seats that I plan to use as alternative seating.  There were a few colors available.  Since my classroom is mostly primary colors these blue and red work for me.



This is a mirror that I found in the clearance section.  I'm not exactly sure where I will hang it, but it was too cute to pass up.  You might not be able to tell in the picture , but it is about 16 inches tall.




I also got these globe lights.  Again, I'm not sure where they will go…maybe around a bulletin board?





This is a light up chalkboard sign.  I haven't tried writing on it yet.  I'm a little nervous about that.  I have a feeling whatever I write on there will need to stay because it doesn't appear that it will erase easily.  Still, it was one of those cutesie things I just wanted to get.

My last Fab Find is not from Five Below but from a thrift store.  I want to use lamps to light parts of the room this year.  I think the soft lighting has a calming effect in the classroom.  I already have one small table lamp in my room, but I found this one.




I think it will look cute in my classroom!  I have considered painting the shade or maybe just adding some accent ribbon on it.  Maybe I will use some fabric paint pens and write a message on there.

I can't wait to get back to my classroom and start arranging and decorating again!