Vaya con Dios, Jaime!

Today educators across the country mourn the death of a great teacher, Jaime Escalante.

As a teacher educator and former public school teacher, I felt that today's entry should focus on the classroom and the "informal teaching, learning, and decorating" that takes place everyday.

Throughout my years as an educator, I have painted and decorated more classrooms that I care to count.  I have also had the pleasure to visit many and to see the great work going on.

Although classroom the physical room space is different in every classroom, it is up to the teacher to create an environment where all are welcome.  I like to think that every public school classroom is like the Hard Rock Cafe...you know... LOVE ALL, SERVE ALL!

In every inviting classroom, there are several key elements of design--color, books, interesting displays, and realia (objects of the real world that help to motivate, enhance, and intice)!  ... and again...books, books, books..

Here are pictures of one (of two) of my favorite classrooms:

Book display featuring Max!

Organized reading materials.

Focal point of the room--teacher and "author's" chair

On of the best things about teaching is that you get to have the biggest desk!

Interesting reading material and window treatment!

Making the most use of space with organization in mind!

Space dedicated to student work encourages ownership and adds color and authenticity to the room.

You may be wondering why this is one of two of my favorite classrooms...it's because my daughter is the teacher!  I don't have pictures of my other favorite classroom, but...it's my son's A.P. History classroom.

Remembering Jaime Escalante today brought to mind memories of teaching the Introduction to Education class for future teachers.  Many of them are in the classroom now with their own students...hopefully remembering when we talked about Jaime and ganas in FOED 1110 / 111!

...to Jaime and all those who follow in his footsteps...Vaya con Dios!

...collections...The Aviator!

Most of us are collectors of something.  Some collect old books, others collect glassware, yet others collect rare collections of music.

In terms of designing, I think it's genuine and authentic to use "collections" of any type (except all those little figurines that many of our grandparents kept...) in decorating.

Today is part one of "collections!"  As I was decorating my husband's home office, I decided to incorporate his aviation-artifact collection.  My husband is a university professor and pilot.  Over the years he has made many friends (another type of collection) who have flown for U.S. and international airlines since the 1930s!  One such "pilot friend," Mr. Culp, passed on his artifacts to my husband.  The collection includes several items that look as if Howard Hughes may have used them!

Because of the artifacts as well as the "golden age of flight -- you know, Howard Hughes and all that stuff...," I went with British Classics (Ethan Allen) furniture. 

The wood and design of the furniture remind me of the pieces in the movie, Out of Africa, and bi-wings, wing walkers, and silk scarves flying in an open cockpit!

Here is a sampling of how the items were incorporated into the design of the room.

I began with an antique flight bag which was used when Mr. Culp flew for TWA!  I wanted to display it so that it would "set the stage" for the room.  I found a suitcase stand at Restoration Hardware and placed an old case along with the bag in the entryway to the room.

I took the collection of pilot wings (from many airlines) to a local frame gallery and had the collection framed in a "window-box" type of frame.  The wings hang above the flight bag.

A really large barrister (Ethan Allen, British Classics Collection)  case was placed on one of the longer walls in the room.  The case serves as the "collection box" for the remaining artifacts.

Flight gloves (1930s)

Flight Logs 1930 - 1990

Collection of books dealing with some aspect of flight and aviation.

The contrast of new (headsets) and old (Flight Logs)

The assembled display

 ...the desk, the armillary, and more about "The Aviator" to come...

Collect, keep, don't discard!

Laundry Day!

Laundry rooms... you know, the place where things pile up on the floor, on the washer... just about everywhere!

I didn't have a laundry room in my last house, so, I decided that with this one--the room should look quirky.  I began with a yellow wash and originally had white machines.  But, when the 15-year old washer broke for good, I decided to just re-do the entire room.

I thought about what a laundry should look like and decided that I would make mine resemble a "real" laundry... the kind that require quarters (I suppose that they still do!).

I started with looking for a new washer and dryer.  I selected a front loading pair and wanted the washer to have its own heating element.  At the time, the only color the heated washer came in was dove gray... I could live with that!

The color of the washer and dryer influenced the rest of the design.  I had to paint the walls again (of course).  I selected Ralph Lauren River Rock in Swamp Willow so that the room would appear to be made of industrial cinder block.

Next, I changed the florescent light and replaced it with a new fixture that gives the room a soft glow.

I added a table lamp which sits on the washer for additional light.  Between the overhead and table lamp, there is now as much light as the previous florescent light.

You can see the gray "cinder block simulated" walls in this picture.

A folding table (that was in storage) was added to one of the walls along with a framed poster and laundry basket.  I took out all of the builder switchplates and replaced them with stainless steel (additional "industrialization").

On the floor... African slate--which is dark.  To add color--a burnt orange woven rug!

...and the finished laundry!

For more ideas on Laundry Room Design, Organization, and Inspiration, check out the Home-Designing site.  Here are several ideas:

Since we spend so much time in the laundry, might as well put your imprint on it!

Happy washing, drying, folding, etc., etc.,

It's Sunday...time for reading!

Here it is Sunday afternoon again!  Drizzly, cloudy, and a bit windy...hopefully no tornado being that it is tornado weather!

For today's "favorite reads," I'm beginning with The Art of Tile.  This is a wonderful book that outlines several types of tiling techniques and gives a good background on the use of tile in homes!

My next pick for the day is The Surface Designer's Handbook.

After watching a recent episode of Project Runway where the designers made their own printed fabric, I found this book at a local bookstore.

I love the spiral binding and the book is packed with ideas for "textiling!"

Simple Home: Calm Spaces for Comfortable Living is another great Sunday "read!"  I am all for creating calming spaces and love the presentation of simple design in this book.

My last selection for today is, Private Places: Creating a Peaceful Space of Your Own at Home... and who doesn't need that?!

I picked this book up at Hastings Books, which has a great selection of new as well as used titles.  As you can see, this one was in the "used" category and was under $10!

So, there you have it!  Now, I'm off to get my coffee and... READ!