A Week in the Life of Transforming A Classroom

Another classroom makeover in the books AND my heart is FULL! This makeover took place at a school in Chicago, for our dear teacher friend, LaShana. We had actually wanted to give her a makeover last year, but the timing didn’t quite work out. This year however, the stars aligned, all the details fell into place, and quite honestly, it was the perfect timing. LaShana is pure JOY and shines light brightly where ever she goes. She loves design and classroom decor, and always works to make her classroom a haven for her students. To complete this makeover for her was such a gift to me, and I will treasure the memories made this week. For each makeover, I leave a piece of my heart in that room. It forever connects me to the teacher, who in a week, becomes a dear friend.

This post is a fun stroll through the week, highlighting all the details that go into transforming a classroom into a teacher’s dream space! Makeover weeks are always SUCH a fun time for our team. From New Jersey to Michigan to Oregon, we are spread out all over the country and work virtually! So, I cannot tell you how fun, refreshing, and exciting it is to be together, working to bring joy and happiness!

Day 1 | Behind the Scenes of the Little Miss Retro Classroom Makeover

Starbucks to start. Always. My forever order is black tea (with extra ice), and warmed banana bread. Let’s get that energy started!

Typically day one is demo day, but not for us! We have the room painted beforehand and all the furniture moved out, so we can get straight to work. So let’s call it “the unboxing day that it feels like Christmas morning”! From pillows to lamps to desk accessories to furniture to printed decor – there are A LOT of boxes!

We set up shop in another room, lay out all the goodness and I start planning. Generally, I have an idea of the layout and design before we get there, but this is when I fine tune. I rotate walking the room and surveying materials. I stare at blank walls and spaces, and I dream and envision. Blank slates can be so fun!

For this makeover, I decided on the theme Little Miss Retro with a bohemian twist. LaShana loves pink and neutrals (she had a lot of Boho Rainbow classroom decor in her room). She also did not have ANY storage, and boy did we change that narrative! That first day was a furniture assembly line party!

THE highlight of day one was dinner with LaShana and her friend Terese. We went to the dreamiest rooftop Mediterranean restaurant, and had the most delicious meal, with a side of heavenly conversation. We started the tradition of taking our teacher out for dinner at the start of a makeover week, and goodness is it the biggest blessing! When we do these makeovers the teacher becomes a part of the Schoolgirl Style family and I leave a little piece of my heart in their corner of the world.

Day 2

We finished the furniture assembly – YAY! If you are in the market for beautiful and functional classroom furniture, check out our shop!

The makeover moves into the next phase as the furniture moves into place and the room takes shape! I figure out the functionality and organization of the classroom, so it flows well with 28+ kiddos learning within it. 

All the while, with fadeless paper, border, mavalus tape, scissors and his level, bulletin boards are beautified by ‘The Border King’ himself, Chad. If you need some DIY inspiration, in this video Chad demonstrates how to layer borders, OR you can read about how our stylists mix ’n match products and themes to create beautiful boards!

Day 3 | Behind the Scenes of the Little Miss Retro Classroom Makeover

I always feel like day 3 is a big day!! 

Chad and Emily wallpapered sections of the room with THE most beautiful custom stick wallpaper – lovingly named Blushing Hopscotch. Many have already inquired about this darling paper, BUT currently it is not for sale on the shop (maybe someday)! It is available as a digital border so you could definitely DIY wallpaper the back of a bookshelf or section of a wall. 

The mural of beauty that Natalie designed, started to take place! This process of creating murals for makeovers is one that I absolutely LOVE. It elevates the space and instantly gives it that WOW factor, while also giving the teacher a gift completely unique to his or her classroom. 

Lanterns went up with a pop of disco. AND heavenly disco ball planters were hung – pure deliciousness. Check out this DIY video on how we hang our lanterns!

Day 4

Details details details. This is my favorite day. We clean out all the stacks on stacks of paper made from cutting out and hanging lanterns and styling borders. We lay out all the decor in another room and I meander to and from, envisioning, grabbing pieces and adding all the finishing touches. 

The teacher desk gets styled – and this part is always near and dear to my heart. It’s almost always my favorite part of each makeover because I know it becomes a special, personal nook for the teacher.(Read: How to Style a Teacher Desk)

To close the last style day, we go out for a yummy dinner as a team, and always share favorite details from the room – the votes are in for this makeover!

• Emily: “I love all the textures we used (the velvet couch and chairs!!) but specifically the pops of gold and silver together. As you gaze around the room at all the fresh white and calm pink and orange tones, all of a sudden your eye catches a glitter of gold on the cut outs or a sparkle of silver from the disco balls, and it’s dazzling. Like little jewels here and there. It really energizes the space.”
• E’lisa: “My favorite part is the calming corner. What a gift to give kids the tools to cope with their emotions from an early age. To help infuse them with confidence and love and give them a place to grow emotionally. That corner is so much bigger than we realize.” 
• Raissa: “The finishing touches of disco ball planters and pops of greenery added a boldness and grounding to the space, and the dreamy hopscotch wallpaper was such a fun statement.”
• Natalie: “I had two. Front entrance and teacher’s desk! The front entrance is so inviting and makes you feel like you’re about to walk into something dazzling. (And you are!) And the teacher’s desk just feels so glamorous and cozy at the same time.”
• Me: ALL of it 😉

Day 5 | Reveal Day

LaShana runs the summer school program, so we scheduled the reveal before the school day started! Did you catch the Instagram LIVE?! If not, here’s a sneak peek to her reaction! It was sweet and awe-inspiring and full of happy tears! 

LaShana is SO deserving of this makeover and I get chills thinking about the blessing it will be in the years to come. The tranquility and beauty of the room match her beautiful aura of joy and spirit of hospitality. And it will be a haven of happiness not just because of the beautiful decor, but because of how LaShana received this gift with open hands, and how she wants to share the love with all who enter her classroom. 

Thanks for meandering the behind the scenes of the Little Miss Retro Classroom Makeover with me! Stay tuned for more photos, videos and details in the next blog! And in the meantime, let these makeover photos be eye-candy of inspiration!

XOXO

Mel