I love comfortable, purposeful spaces. Considering that part of my personality, I was excited to set up a little area to call home base for our homeschool studies and supplies. Most of the time we do wind up working right from this room, but if the mood strikes, we are not afraid to wander off to a different area within or around of our home. This space is actually quite humble as I look through these photos. It does not hold the latest and greatest from Ikea, nor does it even feel complete according to the (very DIY) vision I have in my head, but is a good start. Allow me to show you around a little bit.
To the right of the main work table you see above...
... you will find built in bookshelves, an area rug for spreading out while working, dry erase board, bulletin board (now totally full with the first projects of the year), and current books from the library (topics mostly connected to current areas of study). This is a greatly used area by all of us. It is an easy, comfortable spot to do lessons. I like how the whiteboard is low to the ground. Keeping lessons on the floor allows for gentle ease of movement which feels less confining than a chair. This actually extends the attention span of children and adults alike! ;)
There is another shelf area to the right of the open doorway that is not quite set up yet. It will holding baskets and trays filled with kitting, art and craft supplies.
The turquoise bureau (must get those drawer pulls on) holds my art supplies and extra craft/school supplies to be pulled out during the year. On top, in a wooden apple box, I keep reference materials and teacher manuals. There is also a "done" box on top of the books where Emily can drop her assignments as she finishes. A few pretty little pieces of pottery and a basket hold assorted supplies that I need to keep within reach - paper clips, scotch tape, flash drive, post it's, Tao Te Ching, Bhagavad Gita... you know, essential mama supplies.
The shelves under the windows Emily is still settling into, but the top shelf holds so many useful things for her. A tray a various sizes and shapes of scrapbook paper (awesome for projects and presentations), glue, markers, colored pencils, pencil sharpener, stapler, tape, paper cutter, three hole punch... and so on.
This is Emily's corner. Here is a better look at the top of those shelves. She will tell you her most essential piece of equipment is by far the swivel chair. It was her first day of homeschool gift and she is truly one happy kid to have it. This chair completely enhances her environment. $39.00, very well spent. ;)
I love all the light in this room, windows beside her, windows behind her, so fantastic.
Behind the beloved swivel chair is her mission control. At arms length - books, planner, paper, backpack for outings, etc - it's all here, just one swivel away.
So that is about it for now. It isn't fancy, but it suits us just fine and we are happy to have plenty of room to continue making it our own as the year goes on.
And when everything is humming along nicely, I like to take advantage of a particular staff benefit we offer here, a little art time at the table for me...
