Well, I have a little secret to confess…

Did you know that I can see all of your comments when you pin one of my images?  I bet you didn’t!  Yep…I can see all of them!  I check my pins on a daily basis to see what people are saying about the content I am posting on my blog, what images they are pinning the most and how people feel about my site! 

For the most part, people are saying such nice things!  Seriously warms my heart when I know that all of you like my rooms that I’ve designed!  I also LOVE it when you refer my site to a friend or colleague – THANK YOU SO MUCH!

There are a few comments that some of you have made that I am dying to talk about! 

1.  People question the amount of paper that I used in my classroom.

These are the photos that I usually see pinned when they are making that comment.

The top is a bulletin board, so putting paper there is natural.  The brown paper with “Welcome First Grade Friends” was a NECESSITY!  I would normally never think of adding paper to that area, but I had a problem…

The teacher that had my classroom before had written all over the wood with permanent marker.  She also used an obscene amount of Velcro that couldn’t come off.  You can imagine how upset I was when I walked into the classroom and had an absolute mess!  I tried covering it with cutouts, but it didn’t work.  This was true for my doors and every piece of exposed wood in my classroom.  UGH!!!  Not to mention, all of the permanent shelves were removed from the bathrooms.  Not nice.

The curtain created out of paper and border is used to pin student’s work.  Originally, there was a large bulletin board that could be lifted for storage.  The bulletin board was missing too.  Maybe she took that as well?  Ha!  Just kidding!  My room actually has very little space for displaying student work.

I asked my principal if I could paint the doors to make them look more attractive.  I found a magnetic, non-toxic paint that I was hoping I could use, but it was turned down.  Wouldn’t that have been wonderful to have a ton of magnetic surfaces all over your classroom?!?  The possibilities would have been endless…(sigh).

So, ladies, I do love me some fadeless paper…but NOT that much!  I just came up with a creative solution to make my room presentable!

OKAY…HERE IS THE OTHER COMMENT A FEW PEOPLE HAVE MADE…

I see this image pinned quite a bit.  People LOVE this room.  I do too.  When I created this room, I went back and forth and asked myself if it was too “over the top.”  I wondered if it was too busy.  Ultimately, I thought it was gorgeous and decided to keep it. 

Most of you love it, but I have noticed a few people have written that it was too much for children or that it was too “over the top.”

Well, here is my chance to explain…

First off, these rooms are for INSPIRATION purposes only!  Remember, this is my kid’s playroom and all of their toys are shoved into the other half of the room.  I have a very small space to work with.  This room wouldn’t look nearly as busy if it were staged in a large classroom! 

Next, think of a store display window.  This is staged for a display.  Don’t feel like you need to use EVERYTHING in my photos!  Use what you like.  Get ideas.  Put your own spin on your classroom.  My designs are just ideas.

Are my designs “over the top?”  Absolutely!  I AM “over the top!”  Always have been.  I never do anything half way.  I want my rooms to stand out.  I am a firm believer that your room reflects who you are! 

So, keep those comments coming!  I LOVE to find out what you are thinking!

Happy Decorating!

~Melanie~