Vintage School Desks Go to the Head of Design Class
Sharpen a pencil and take notes on these ideas for working a nostalgic element into your interior designs
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately discovered a new passion. An Atlanta native, I spent several years as an editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine before making the leap to national publications and websites such as Houzz, Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Accents. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, with my husband and son, who’ve gotten used to coming home and finding the furniture rearranged. When I'm not dragging case goods across the floor, I enjoy good food and wine, college football, music of all kinds, and traveling.
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating... More »
During my elementary school days, the last thing on my mind was how cute our classroom desks were. I had more important things to ponder, like who might have the most tradable lunch that day. Not until the ink was dry on my college diploma did it occur to me that the furniture I'd ignored throughout my youth would make a great-looking piece of decor. It's the playground version of industrial chic.
Take a look at the photos below, and just try not to get nostalgic for the days of eraser clapping and spelling bees.
Take a look at the photos below, and just try not to get nostalgic for the days of eraser clapping and spelling bees.
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If your not-so-little one has outgrown his or her magnetic letter set, don't give it away just yet. Use the letters to personalize a vintage metal desk and chair for a homework station in a kitchen or family room.
A word of caution: Before you use old painted pieces in a kids' space, have them tested to be sure the paint contains no lead.
A word of caution: Before you use old painted pieces in a kids' space, have them tested to be sure the paint contains no lead.
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by French Larkspur
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| A sweet vintage wooden desk and folding chair give this boy's bedroom a touch of cottage comfort. The toolbox that sorts school supplies tops it off perfectly. |
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by Chango & Co.
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| The teacher might not have been amused, but the layers of graffiti in this school desk drawer add an endearingly nostalgic note. |
by Rough Linen
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This bench seat-and-desk unit makes smart use of a tight corner in which a standard-size desk might not fit.
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A retro-chic nursery gets a midcentury spin with this mod desk and chair. The tot can use it for finger painting during the toddler years and for homework when it's time for grade school.
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| Who would have thought of adding a school desk to a covered outdoor porch? If you think about it, it makes total sense: School furniture is built to be practically indestructible, so it can withstand the elements fairly well. |
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From the hinge-top desk to the map wall treatment and old-fashioned globe, this bedroom radiates a gentle scholarly charm.
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| A brightly colored school desk gets high marks in this cheeky, cheerful space. Searching for schoolhouse-inspired furniture? Start with the product picks below. |
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| Assuming the eye-popping price doesn't faze you, this desk evokes the flavor of school days gone by. |
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Who knew industrial furniture could look so sculptural? The lines and proportions of this one really stand out in a simple setting.
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by Bluelounge
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| These adult-size desks are like overgrown versions of their kid counterparts. |
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by Pottery Barn
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| Old-school swivel chairs blend retro style and contemporary comfort. Tell us: Nostalgic for school-desk style? Tell us about it in the Comments section below! More guides to vintage style |
Ideabook published on Aug. 8, 2012.
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I have just added an Ikea Frack extending mirror on the side wall, so I can really depress myself with my wrinkles ~
Sends chills up my spine , then I remember, hey
I am 51 years old and darn it ...
I don't have to go ....
But my wife and I sell this big bell for
those churchs and schools that need that ring em back
feel !
http://barscigarsandbrew.com
My mom still has these desks and the other day, my sister and I discussed just how much we hated those desks and still hate those desks to this day.
That's some kind of major dislike.
But if it works for you, go for it.