tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post9100640975001933443..comments2024-03-27T05:20:57.996-04:00Comments on Monica Wilkinson: Creating a School AreaMonica Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17235919587298518908noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-44623674579639796892013-05-08T16:23:45.416-04:002013-05-08T16:23:45.416-04:00I'm catching up on your blog; so this is reall...I'm catching up on your blog; so this is really late, but I wanted to chime in that I would do whatever to the table that truly makes your heart sing! Paint can be changed and so can covers; so I would do what looks beautiful to you and makes your living area still look the way you want it to feel. I really like the cover on your porch table; so I'd personally go with a cover for the ease of use and cleaning. I love your school area and all the beautiful ideas on your blog! If you are able to explain, will you tell me what your husband did/used to set up the computer to only go to certain web sites? I want to do that. So far I have only figured out how to block certain sites, but I would like to do what you've done. Angela (buttercup)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-80825091363678132462013-02-26T23:04:07.472-05:002013-02-26T23:04:07.472-05:00Love the new set up. We also have a round table fo...Love the new set up. We also have a round table for school at the end of the living room. Initially I covered it with a really cute (and quite busy) Cath Kidston type oilcloth -- and while it was so easy to keep clean, it was actually too busy a backdrop for the table. When I removed it and just left the white paint exposed it actually calmed down the area so much - and I really believe it's less of a distraction to the children as they now look at their work instead of the pictures on the cloth :)<br />Can't wait to see what you decide.Mrs Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09096564718509246625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-8664618304818866042013-02-26T22:29:39.140-05:002013-02-26T22:29:39.140-05:00How about viewing the table as a neutral backdrop ...How about viewing the table as a neutral backdrop and having the freedom to change its accent with the tablecloths? You could also make oilcloth sit-upons to cushion the chairs. With as much activity as this table will see, I would think that the paint will chip, scratch, and flake off. Normally that would make a nice patina, but not when it rubs off on your kids' hands, etc. Another idea would be to stitch covers that fit over the back of the chairs and have pockets for keeping each child's school supplies or personal reading book. They could be personalized with fabrics of their choice. <br />Lucky you for finding a table so quickly. My dining room table has a leaf to expand, but only 4 chairs. I wish I had 6 matching chairs for one of my tables. <br />Enjoy the birds, sun, and centrally located supplies.angiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00688991209865856563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-56851628642034682682013-02-26T20:38:35.588-05:002013-02-26T20:38:35.588-05:00Such a wonderful area. Streamline. That must be ...Such a wonderful area. Streamline. That must be great! Would love to know how to set a computer to only go to certain pages! Hmmm, could your husband do a post sometime soon? Homeschooling four of our grandchildren & I could sure use that information!!Denisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-30814683049566155502013-02-26T20:07:00.084-05:002013-02-26T20:07:00.084-05:00How exciting, Monica! A beautiful, functional edu...How exciting, Monica! A beautiful, functional educational space all your own ~ love it!! <br /><br />Your oil cloth choices are fun. We are big fans of oak furniture ~ it would be hard for me to paint over oak. However, I know whatever you choose will be amazing!!!<br /><br />Three cheers for a creative homeschool mama!<br /><br />Blessings~<br />Katie~katie~https://www.blogger.com/profile/03098817313603747451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-30900082966915205662013-02-26T14:15:03.006-05:002013-02-26T14:15:03.006-05:00I love this new school area of your living room. I...I love this new school area of your living room. It's great to be able to keep everything together in one area. I definitely would not paint this beautiful oak table.<br />I like both of your oilcloth (vinyl) choices and as you say you could change them out. I also like the idea of using elastic to keep them on and for easy change-about. That' just my opinion.:)<br />Looking forward to talking to you tomorrow evening.<br />Love, GrandmaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-12715765329674284682013-02-26T11:51:20.034-05:002013-02-26T11:51:20.034-05:00I love your new learning space Monica, and I think...I love your new learning space Monica, and I think your new table and chairs are great! I vote paint, but I love painted furniture, so I would almost always vote paint :)! <br />Have you thought about using elastic on your cover instead of taping it? That would make it easier to change it out, or pop it off if you wanted a different look, just a thought.asnipofgoodnesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17044277532211684597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-20118991741497124972013-02-26T10:51:23.468-05:002013-02-26T10:51:23.468-05:00Your school area looks great! And how nice to be ...Your school area looks great! And how nice to be able to leave your schooling stuff out and still eat a meal at your other table. Your post has me thinking of finding a spot to make at computer station for the kids to use for schoolwork. Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11007673123765139732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-15384256126492669112013-02-26T10:21:58.942-05:002013-02-26T10:21:58.942-05:00Our decorating styles aren't the same, but whe...Our decorating styles aren't the same, but when I saw the top photo of the table my first thought was paint the chairs and pedestal and leave the top stained as it is. I wouldn't cover up the top with anything because the oak is beautiful as it is.Michelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00214086326734531300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-14533550921945485452013-02-26T10:16:02.891-05:002013-02-26T10:16:02.891-05:00what a great find! don't paint it though. I li...what a great find! don't paint it though. I like the idea of oil cloth that you could remove, though I am an oak-girl myself and love it as is. Either way, your school area looks great. Love in Him, LynnebeeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-38161266463971593912013-02-26T09:45:14.019-05:002013-02-26T09:45:14.019-05:00Very neat area. One idea instead of painters tape...Very neat area. One idea instead of painters tape is that you could put elastic around the edges of your cover or table cloth which could slip over the table to be easily removed. Or just having a table cloth drapping over the table would be lovely. But, not sure if having that extra padding would be hard for your children to write on. Paint would be nice too and you coud always change it up. I was hoping you would write about your chalk board area in your kitchen(the one with the abc's and what looks like mail boxes around it). Do you wish you had a black board/white board in your new school space or do you find you don't really need it? What do you use the kitchen chalk board for? What do you use the little mail boxes for? Thanks!Kristennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-53864490419966380622013-02-26T09:43:23.839-05:002013-02-26T09:43:23.839-05:00It's terrific. We tend to "school" ...It's terrific. We tend to "school" all over the house. It's quite small and a dedicated area isn't possible. Mrs. Laura Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17334381585683324912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-84455784743887032952013-02-26T09:02:05.428-05:002013-02-26T09:02:05.428-05:00Paint!! And then "vintage" it up a bit ...Paint!! And then "vintage" it up a bit with some sand paper to make it look antiqued. I LOVE the oilcloth idea too! Reminds me of the Waltons! :-) <br />Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12929949460978443085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-54903340468868259012013-02-26T08:43:41.562-05:002013-02-26T08:43:41.562-05:00I love how it's a seperate area but still in t...I love how it's a seperate area but still in the middle of everything! I would paint the base a fun but neutral color and chalk board paint the top since its a school table. It would cut down on paper use! Then if you wanted a cover for when it's not in use for school, just put one on. I love your inspiration and how you always have a project going, much like me! Hollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11777487196431149786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-15177892665286460072013-02-26T08:36:03.148-05:002013-02-26T08:36:03.148-05:00Looks great Monica! My Mother has a similar table ...Looks great Monica! My Mother has a similar table and uses the vinyl tablecloths to protect it. She stitches very inexpensive elastic to the very edge of the cloth and it never moves! Always looks neat and keeps the table looking good!Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08673831016296504795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-55756428410070536092013-02-26T08:22:34.366-05:002013-02-26T08:22:34.366-05:00Great use of space! I love the thought of games i...Great use of space! I love the thought of games in front of the fire. :) I like that when it is time for a meal you won't have to hurry and get everything cleaned up. It is sometimes nice to be able to leave a big project out for the day. <br /><br />I say not to paint. Just because I like wood and that looks like it is a good quality wood. I do like the idea of a table covering that you can change out. Enjoy your new space!Wendihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02547001714523524390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-82484459812553223282013-02-26T08:00:44.058-05:002013-02-26T08:00:44.058-05:00I like the Map tablecloth for a "school"...I like the Map tablecloth for a "school" feel! Great job.LynnMariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00638947118932466226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-82080698919183017872013-02-26T08:00:01.898-05:002013-02-26T08:00:01.898-05:00I know this side of your living room has been a ch...I know this side of your living room has been a challenge so I'm really glad to see you've settled into this functional and attractive solution! :) Love you, MomMomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-36553610670158287492013-02-26T06:39:21.423-05:002013-02-26T06:39:21.423-05:00Oh I love that area you have created, I am a prim ...Oh I love that area you have created, I am a prim lover so I would paint it all black and rough it up, but seeing your home I would say either keep it the way it is and add colorful cushions and maybe some kind of stitched ties on the top of the chairs, tied around the spindles like the stitcheries you've done in the hoops on the wool, maybe something with the kids names and hand prints or just their hand prints stitched on fabric and then add ties and then tie to back of the top of the chairs... you could white wash the whole thing, table, and chairs and do the same... but I wouldn't do any drastic colors.... good luck and keep us posted...<br />Blessings<br />~Rhonda~Simply Quainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522235971037364314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-31562630295437395892013-02-26T06:26:00.178-05:002013-02-26T06:26:00.178-05:00love it! its inspiring :) we are homeschooling nex...love it! its inspiring :) we are homeschooling next year, so I've been trying to come up with a way to keep everything together all the time!Leannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01976256840483823480noreply@blogger.com