Kickin’ It Old School
March 4, 2011
It’s no secret that Rachel and I love anything and everything related to the vintage schoolhouse. From maps and globes to the science lab, there’s just something about schoolhouse style that gets us every time. And now, with our upcoming market (aptly named The Old School Market after the heritage schoolhouse it will be held in) we’ve got classroom decor on the brain even more than usual! We made a quick trip to our favourite junk barn yesterday morning and, although we’ve been there dozens of times before, we were suddenly aware of far too many school related finds. From fabulous old school desks to chalkboards to lab stools, we had a tough time restraining ourselves. We’re off on a thrifting trip across the line with some friends next weekend and have high hopes of scoring similar treasures on our journey but if we run out of luck, you can bet we’ll be heading back to the barn!
Recycled Map Bunting by Saratops
I know Rachel’s had her eye out for vintage school desks for her girls for a while now and I saw more than one at the barn that I would love to somehow squeeze into my home. The solid craftsmanship has stood the test of time and they are the perfect size for little students. If you can’t find that perfect vintage desk, Restoration Hardware has some amazing replicas in their catalogue. We have far too many books between our 3 kids and their pre-bedtime reading always ends with piles of books dropped beside each bed. A vintage book caddy like this could very well solve the problem…
1. Found, Now Home via Spearmint Baby 2. Restoration Hardware
My kids love looking at maps and spinning our globe, tracking where friends and family have travelled and I can’t imagine a better way to decorate a playroom or study room than with old atlas pages and maps, like the playroom below. And I absolutely love the idea of hanging old globes! I’ve even seen blow-up beach ball type globes that look adorable when hung in a group.
Land of Nod via ohdeedoh
There’s one lab style stool in particular that I’ve been eying out at the junk barn. I love it and I really want it but I’m a little scared to ask how much it is…our junk man can be a little “funny” and prices depend entirely on his mood! But after seeing some of these amazing spaces and chairs below, I think I’m just going to have to bite the bullet….fingers crossed for a happy junk man! The mix of worn wood, industrial metal, chalkboards and maps give these rooms all such a sense of history and nostalgia, don’t you think? And don’t get us started on our love for vintage letters and numbers…
Joe Schmelzer via Desire to Inspire
1. Du Cote de Chez Vous via Desire to Inspire 2. Hilda Grahnat
vtwonen via The Design Traveller
the New York Times
Cottage Living via Holly Mathis Interiors
Elle via The Kitchn
While putting together a treasury last night, I found so many vintage schoolhouse accessories that could be incorporated into many a home. Old school books abound at local thrift stores so keep your eyes out for them there. Bundled or stacked, they add instant classroom charm to a side table or mantle…
1. High Street Market 2. No Carnations Vintage 3. What’s New On the Mantle 4. 7:BC
1. Our Modern History 2. Etc and More
I think I feel a little smarter after looking at all these finds! What do you think…keep the classroom in the school house or bring it into the home?
