With the 2020-2021 school year getting closer every day, it is time to design The Schoolhouse. In order to keep tuition low, A One-Room Schoolhouse will be located in my basement for the 2020-2021 school year. As my faithful readers, we now get to take a short jaunt into schoolhouse design!
Every Monday, until this project is done, I will be posting here on the progress we have made on transforming my current playroom and guest room into the perfect one-room schoolhouse! Follow along as we design a schoolhouse!
Help!
But… I have no training in interior design. Anyone that has been to my house can vouch for that fact! We are going for a simple feel with echos of a traditional one-room schoolhouse. The design should honor God, nature, and simplicity.
So, I am going to need everyone’s help and encouragement! I hope you all will comment and make suggestions as we go along. I feel like a group effort will be way better than my effort by itself.
To Start
The space has a lot going for it both inside and out. Here is what we have to start with as we design the schoolhouse.
The basement is a full walkout with lots of light and windows. We have a large fenced lot with a significant play structure and patio.
Off the main level, we have a deck but it does not have stairs going down to the yard. The area around and underneath the deck needs a lot of work. I have ripped up the weeds but something needs to go in around the area. Finally, there is a yard and a big empty planter!
Inside, the walls could really use a paint job and all of the furniture and play items need to be taken out. One great thing about the basement is a pretty cool wood burning stove and nice stone hearth. That, of course, will stay.
A while ago I picked up some old school desks and chairs for thirteen dollars each! (Facebook marketplace find!) These, however, need to be refinished. So that project will be next on the list.
So, with that starting place, we start: The Basement Transformation!
The Game Plan for Schoolhouse Design
So here is the game plan. (And I want you all to hold me accountable!)
Week One:
Complete the deck make-over. The area around the deck will get small rocks. It will become a secondary play area for all things trucks, construction, and shady relaxing. Think of something like this, but MUCH larger. Also this week, I will plant flowers in the empty planter. Furthermore, I will start the execution of my deck idea: I will order a slide and ladder that will attach to the deck for a FUN way to get up and down. I am really excited about adding these new play elements to the yard!
Week Two:
Week two is simple. It’s gonna be paint week! I just need to choose a color. I want to go with something light, cool, and maybe gray. Maybe with a hint of purple. Help me out here: What would you pick? Also, this week, since we are painting the majority of the stuff in the rooms will be moved out!
Week Three:
Desk week. This week will be all about refinishing the desks and chairs. I am really excited about this project! These desks are so super cute and I can’t wait to bring them back to life again.
Week Four:
This is the fun week! Okay, I think all of this is going to be fun! Yes, a lot of work, but fun too! Week four is: make it a school week. This is the week the teacher desk goes down, the bulletin boards and chalkboards are hung, bookshelves are placed, student cubbies are set up, and a nature treasures display area is set-up. This is going to be such a fun week!
Week Five:
Finally, the best week of all! This will be the last week of the renovation. This week will be the week that all the school stuff goes to our new schoolhouse room! The curriculum goes into its place, computer and printer get set up, listening stations and typing stations are put together, books get put in the library, and school supplies start being stocked. Oh, what FUN!!! Eek!
Week Six:
Slush week. I feel like it is always good to have slush time when you plan. This will be the week that everything that did not get done in the last few weeks, will get done! Things like setting up the new playroom upstairs and combing the kid’s bedrooms so they can have a playroom. I am sure lots of cleaning and organizing will happen this week too!
Summer
Here is the end goal: start hosting our summer open houses before the start of the 2002-2021 school year! I can’t wait to start welcoming our new students into A One-Room Schoolhouse! Over the summer we will host regular open house nights to help students get comfortable with their surroundings and invite new families into our group.
During the summer, students that are enrolled at A One-Room Schoolhouse will do placement testing for the next school year. Since we use The Good and the Beautiful curriculum, students will use their short placement tests for both math and language arts. This will allow parents ample time to get the curriculum ordered before the first day of the school year!
Follow Our Progress
Watch our progress unfold as the Schoolhouse takes shape. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for daily updates! Do you have any renovation suggestions? Favorite paint color? Desk refinishing tips? Drop them in the comments below!
Looks like fun! Can’t wait to see your progress!
Thanks! So glad to have you along for this journey!