Thursday, May 20, 2010

Learning Spaces/Giveaway: Choices

It started raining again... But much of the roofing DID get done!

I've been researching schoolroom colors. Do you know there are studies to support just about ANY color you want to use?

First, there's the mood-color concept. Bright colors are energizing and inspiring, soft colors are calming and studious, that sort of thing. That seems pretty straightforward - now I just have to decide what type of atmosphere we really want.

But when international studies were done, it was found that this mood association is learned, not universal. Hmmmm... That would explain why schools look different around the world.

And then there are the feng shui color concepts...

And you've got to consider the weather, too. Orange in a warm sunny location will be agitating, while it will be cheerful in a location that rains much of the year.

One study is adamant that almond is the absolute best color. Others suggest that you use different colors in different areas to correspond to the activities there.

(By the way, I did appreciate this article at DesignShare. It supports the concept that "All colors are good." Kids love color - a variety of color.)

What to do?!

So I decided to call in the REAL expert. "Esmé, what color do you want YOUR schoolhouse to be?" 

"PINK!"

So pink it is. Though I'm using my mommy executive powers a little. I want bright white walls (design faux pas according to some, design genius according to others), with bright pink and spring green as theme colors. Nothing is set in stone yet, but that's where we're heading.

And that's what I love about this homeschool space - it is Esmé's!  I want it to be a room she is drawn to, so her input is extremely important...

As much as reasonable, I want the choices to be hers.

---------------
Meet Fuzzle, a recent acquisition to our house...  and the personal choice of Miss Esmé.

Fuzzle is part of a collection of unique Corner Art wooden wall decor designed to sit on corner molding without hooks, hangers, or nails!  Each one has a unique child's rhyme on the back.

Faith was another favorite of Esmé's - isn't she sweet? 

And wouldn't you love to have this verse hidden on your little girl's door frame?


With our African background, I was excited to learn that Corner Art began at a girls' home in South Africa.  It stemmed out of a mission to teach the girls a craft they could sell at the tourist market.  And now the Corner Art business donates 5% of all profits to help children have homes.

Esmé has fallen in love with Fuzzle...  Take a look around at Corner Art's catalog and let your child choose his or her favorite to fall in love with!

GIVEAWAY!

Corner Art is giving away corner art critters to three lucky readers!  To enter to win one of three:
  1. Visit Corner Art.  Then comment here with which design the child in your life would choose if you won.
  2. If you're a follower or subscriber here, leave a second comment for a second entry.
  3. For a third entry, leave a comment telling me what color YOU would paint a learning space, and why.
US entries only.  Entries accepted through 6/3/10. Winners will be randomly chosen.

Thanks to Corner Art for providing the review and giveaway products.

54 comments:

For Their Future said...

I like Fuzzle the elephant! So cute!

hpitts88(at)yahoo(dot)com

Shooting Stars Mag said...

i would like pookie the dog

lauren51990 at aol dot com

Shooting Stars Mag said...

i would paint a learning space yellow or something a little bright

lauren51990 at aol dot com

For Their Future said...

I follow your blog through Google Friend Connect
hpitts88(at)yahoo(dot)com

For Their Future said...

I would paint a learning space a cream color or a very very light yellow. Cool, colors that would make a bright room, but not to bright! I think bright rooms would be best for learning and would stick with one color, so it is not too distracting!

hpitts88(at)yahoo(dot)com

Musical Mama said...

These are so cute! E would love one of the cats. :)

Musical Mama said...

I follow your blog.

Musical Mama said...

I have our learning space painted a nice cream color - calming, and it's a nice backdrop for paintings and other interesting wall hangings.

amunchkinsworld (at) yahoo (dot) com

ShEiLa said...

Fuzzle is very cute... I would love him too... cute critters are always welcome at my house.

ToOdLeS.

Pamela said...

can a grandma say that the monkey is her choice. Yes.. for my bedroom. ha ha ha.

rbph96 said...

"Dreams" angel

Hildner@aol.com
www.name-bracelet.com

mverno said...

Fuzzle the elephant mverno@roadrunner.com

Denise S. said...

I like Slink the snake!

busiemommie said...

My daughter would want Sydney the monkey

busiemommie said...

I subscribe via email.

busiemommie said...

If I were painting a learning space for my children, I would choose pale yellow. I think the color yellow is uplifting, but I would use pale so it's not too "loud".

JACLYN said...

"Pookie" is my fav! They are really cute, never seen anything like them!
firstrosegrrl@yahoo.com

Mozi Esme said...

Leri (facebook):
If we won, I think my daughter would choose Topi, Pookie/Stilz and my son might like Slink.

Mozi Esme said...

Leri (facebook):
I read your blog religiously, so not sure if that classifies as a follower.

Mozi Esme said...

Leri (facebook):
PINK & GREEN: I like your choice, a neutral background with bright designs. I would use light blue (for the sky and because I live in a hot humid country) or cream, and paint nature scenes on it, like spring green and pink for a girls' room, and jungle greens, browns and yellow/orange for a boys'.
Just a note about pink, even girls 'crazy about pink' are prone to outgrow it and suddenly hate everything pink. I know I turned against pink in elementary school. So I wouldn't go ALLL pink, but I think the pink accents you chose will work well. :)
p.s. My parents are in the US, so I'd use their mailing address, as they can bring it when they come to visit.

Shannon said...

Kadoo is the one I would pick! we have a cat...so my kids would love this one!

mummashan@yahoo.com

Shannon said...

I would paint a learning space something bright and fun...like lime green or bright yellow! A learning space would need to attract kids :o)

mummashan@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I would like Sydney the Monkey.
Elizabeth
mrsgerbil@hotmail.com

sweetsue said...

My granddaughter would love the dog "Waffles"!
smchester at gmail dot com

sweetsue said...

I follow you on Google Friend Connect.
smchester at gmail dot com

Benita said...

I would choose Faith. (That bear is an angel!)

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I follow via GFC.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I would paint a learning space a sky blue. It's peaceful, restful, soothing and creates comfort in learning.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Katie R. said...

I would choose Waffles the cow.

Dancehottie1621@aol.com

wwe11 said...

I like the Wisdom angel bear for my son.
erma6323@sbcglobal.net

Valeen said...

My son would love Sydney the Monkey!

Thanks!

sweepyhead at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

My kids looked and said that their favorite was Sydney the Monkey.

hafner611{AT}gmail{DOT}com

Unknown said...

I'm a follower.

hafner611{AT}gmail{DOT}com

Unknown said...

I would paint it blue because the color is soothing and refreshing.

Leslie S. said...

My almost 3 yr old picked Sydney the Monkey.Thanks!

Mommy 2 Monkeys said...

We love Sydney the monkey.

Trisha D said...

i like the elf!

cass said...

I picked cats since we are a cat family.
wombatspurple[at]yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I like the monkey, "Sydney"! Thanks!

fineinsanity at live dot com

Anonymous said...

I follow your blog on GFC (Fine Insanity)

fineinsanity at live dot com

susansmoaks said...

i like the wisdom angel
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

susansmoaks said...

i am a follower
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

susansmoaks said...

i would paint the learning space an off white, egg shell color
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

Jennifer Neal said...

"Stiltz" is adorable for my little cousin!

Kathy P said...

id choose "Faith"

Kathy P said...

following your blog as klp1965

Unknown said...

Sydney the monkey
amy16323(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I like Wisdom the bear
Jesskaufman at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

I follow your blog

Jesskaufman at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

I would paint a learning space a bright color I was thinking yello becuase it seems cheerful
Jesskaufman at hotmail dot com

Melissa B. said...

I would choose Stiltz the Giraffe.

cman said...

Pookie

lilyk said...

The Kadoo design looks very nice!

lilyk said...

I subscribed to your blog.