Inspiration

Interior design is a reflection of the personality of the client.  Designers meet with clients to get a sense of who they are and what they want their space to convey through its design.  When you enter the living room of our house, if we have done our job, you should feel comfortable, welcome, at home, relaxed.  We designed the room that way, from the furniture layout to the paint color.  Each aspect of the room was chosen, never mind the large pile of mail that occasionally builds up. (Or the piles of shoes, or the Amazon boxes or... :) )  Nevertheless, there was a point when the feel of the room and all the components of the room were selected to convey a message:  We are warm, social, inviting people who like our guests to feel at home in our home. 

Classrooms are spaces that reflect the educational priorities of the teacher and school.  Walking into a classroom, I believe, a visitor gets an immediate sense of what is important (or what isn't important.)  So, why do so many classrooms, including my own, feel like they lack a clear vision? The classroom and its contents should reflect intentionality.  One should be able to identify not only what the room feels like but what also is meant to be learned in and from the room, because we can learn from the environment purely by participating in it. Right? 

My living room... the inspiration for this whole exploration.  And maybe my desire at times to be in my living room instead of being at work.  But don't tell anyone that part. :)