After unpacking the house, I transformed this basement from pink mocha walls to sunshine.
In a couple of weeks new bookcases and file cabinets arrived, enabling me to unpack several boxes full of books and paperwork.
After quite a few weeks of more projects around the house, including new lighting in the basement ceiling, it’s time for a tour.
btw, this blog post explains the impetus for us to name the rooms in our Virginia house. 😉
WELCOME TO THE THOMAS JEFFERSON ROOM
Inspired to name the rooms of our house, I’m naming our homeschool library after Thomas Jefferson.
When the Library of Congress burned down, Jefferson sold his book collection to Congress.
Then he began a new collection of his own, saying: I cannot live without books.
I’d like to make a sign like that to display over the bookcases, which contain all our homeschool books for history and literature, arranged in chronological order.
The globe on top of the file cabinet perfectly reflects the adventures around the world that books take readers.
Then of course Wishbone, the dog with a big imagination, from whom my toddler children were introduced to the classics.
My kids even got to meet one of the actors, Jordan Wall, who portrayed Wishbone’s owner, Joe.
BECOMING HISTORY THEATER CURTAINS
Separating the library portion of the space, from our study area, I hung curtains that we can pull closed for our Becoming History Presentations.
When we do that, the study area becomes the seating area for the audience, while the library section becomes the backstage.
WELCOME TO THE PATRICK HENRY ROOM
Moving further into the basement brings us to our study area, named the Patrick Henry Room, after the 18th century homeschooler who became the firebrand of the American Revolution.
Because it is next to the Thomas Jefferson Room, we might have debates here.
I sewed curtains for the French patio door and picture window, using red for the accent colors to create alertness and focus.
For the patio door, I sewed a similar window shade as I did for the family room, except this one is a red floral on ivory background.
A simple valence of a long strip of fabric, held by ringed clips on the rod, brought a pop of color over the couch.
In this corner is my daughter’s desk, behind which is a giant pillow I sewed in Texas.
This large bookcase was replicated from one of Norm Abram’s carpentry books.
Abrams is known for This Old House and New Yankee Workshop.
This lone bookcase that we brought from Texas is where I store our general homeschool books.
When we moved in this wall niche was empty, so I requested shelving for our board games and homeschool supplies.
At the top is a tension curtain rod for a light brown silk curtain, to pull closed or leave open. For this photo I took the curtain down to showcase all the room storage!
Our microscope and science lab boxes are in easy reach.
My son’s desk is next to the niche.
Then my desk and printer station rounds out this space we use quite extensively.
