When I launched Schoolgirl Style, the Polka Dot and Daisy Theme was my first “unveiling” of my creations. I nervously awaited the reactions of my followers (which at the time, I had very few!) and to my excitement, everyone seemed to love it!
Since then, this theme has been my most popular, by far. I think that the striking combination of black, white, and yellow is so appealing to many! The colors and polka dots are also very versatile – it would look great in a lower elementary classroom and it would also fit well for older students!
When I created my first post, I was really a novice at blogging. I was learning how to add pictures and figuring out how to size them appropriately for the blog. When I look back, you can tell that I didn’t know what I was doing!!! I left out a ton of pictures because I was struggling with adding them to my blog.
So…now that I am a little more experienced, I am doing the post OVER! Here is the new and improved Polka Dots and Daisies Collection with pictures you have never seen!
ENJOY!
~Melanie
This part of the design has been the most popular! The daisies are a stunning focal point to the room! * Daisies are from Polka Dot Market. www.polkadotmarket.com
What a gorgeous room!
Beautiful daisies!
It’s all in the details…
Cute polka dot boxes from Polka Dot Market. Tags from Schoolgirl Style!
Welcome Banner from Schoolgirl Style
Polka dot wrapping paper for bulletin boards! Letters from Creative Teaching Press.
Polka dot nameplates from Schoolgirl Style
Scalloped tags from Schoolgirl Style
Polka dot book basket labels from Schoolgirl Style
Daily 5 labels from Schoolgirl Style! Cute daisy border from Creative Teaching Press!
Polka dot multipurpose tags from Schoolgirl Style
Polka dot wrapping paper for bulletin boards. Daisy and Dots on Yellow borders from Creative Teaching Press!
What a STUNNING space!
Shopping Guide
Nameplates, tags, signs, Daily 5, banner – Schoolgirl Style
Daisy Border – Creative Teaching Press
Black Dot-to-Dot 4″ Designer Letters – Creative Teaching Press
Ceiling Paper Daisy – Schoolgirl Style Shop
Polka dot treat boxes – Schoolgirl Style Shop
Dottie Canvas Bins – Pottery Barn
Glass Jars – Pottery Barn
Polka dot wrapping paper – Party City
Polka dot tablecloth – Meijer
Yellow Mesh Daisies – Hobby Lobby
Yellow caddy – Target
Yellow and white bucket – Homegoods
Photography by E.C. Campbell Photography
I just love your work and creativity! I am always so inspired to continue making our learning space a second home for my students. This is one of my favorites 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
-Michele
New Adventures in First Grade
Very nice. I like revisiting this theme.
Ms. M
Ms.M’s Blog
A Teacher’s Plan
Oh God it’s so beautiful I can hardly stand it!!! 🙂
❤Teri
A Cupcake for the Teacher
That is a great compliment! Thanks so much, Teri! 🙂
I loved then … and still do. I’ve enjoyed following you, and know, I will always be cheering for you from the sidelines!
Mary! Thank you! I KNOW you are cheering for me! You are the best!
Love, love, love this! I saw some black and white polka dot bean bag chairs at Big Lots a while back….and thought how perfect they would complement your theme. 🙂
I adore these! I just picked up a bunch of your items at TN. I’m already excited about next year’s room thanks to these beautiful resources…thanks a million!
I hope you enjoy it, Michelle! I LOVE this theme too! 🙂
As an adult this is a stunning and creative space, It’s super fun and whimsical. I hope you don’t take this the wrong way but isn’t it overwhelming for some children? I’d really love to hear how some kids react. I’m a big supporter of simple and easy access to all children, it seems a little distracting?
Hi Jeannette,
I am sure it can look that way, but you need to remember that I styled the room in a very, very small space. If you spread everything out in a big classroom, it wouldn’t be overwhelming at all. My rooms are for inspiration purposes only. You don’t need to copy, but use bits and pieces that fit your own personal style. Think of a display window for a large department store…this is what I am doing. Take a look at my bird themed classroom – that is my own classroom, not staged in my family room.
Some people do believe in simple. Simple can still be coordinated and cohesive though. I have taught for a very long time and I am a big believer that children need to be excited about the room that they spend all day in. Think about it…my students are with me in my classroom more than they are in their own home. My teenage son always makes comments about how he dislikes going into boring classrooms and tends to do better in rooms that feel warm and inviting. “Warm and inviting” doesn’t necessarily mean a lot of “stuff,” it means bulletin boards covered, lamps (studies show this is better for children to learn), comfy seating arrangements, pretty colors. We need to get away from sterile environments. As for “overwhelming”…I’ve never seen it. I see more kids affected by the temperature or lighting in my classroom – not because it is colorful.
Hope that answers your questions!
~Melanie
I totally appreciate the response, definitely answered my questions. I totally agree with you about moving away from sterile and boring, I just didn’t take a step back to look at the theme in a larger space 😀 But, this is why I don’t have a decorating blog and you do.
Thanks for taking the time to respond 😀
I love your classroom! My husband teaches elementary music and is always asking me to help him with his classroom decorating. This is just awesome!!! You are so talented!
This WILL be my classroom next year! Love, LOVE, LOVE it!!!
I love it!!! This is your room at home right? 🙂 I love your blog! How do you find time to do it all?! 🙂 I work with infants and have always wanted a more “homey” and “inviting” look! This is definitely it.
I don’t make much money, hee hee! None of us do, so I really do either need to a. get married to get some support with my income to follow these great ideas or b. work two jobs.
Love it!
Your friend in cyber space!
Elizabeth
Melanie! This is beautiful! I have been following you (thanks to Pinterest) for a while and am getting ready to order my supplies for next year’s classroom. I am moving into a brand new building (I can hardly contain my excitement) and I am wanting to do the black and white polka dot theme with maybe purple and lime green thrown in. I am having a hard time finding one site that carries all the different borders. I don’t mind ordering from different sites, it’s just getting a little overwhelming! Anywho, I like your post on decorating and keeping it cohesive. That’s right up my alley because I teach middle school (200 kids) a day and I need to have something that will last for more than one year. Do you have any ideas for throwing in the purple and lime green to go with the black and white polka dots? I’m open to suggestions and want to go ahead and order what I can to get it laminated and ready for our move in May. Thanks so much and keep the wonderful ideas coming!
Hi Brittney!
I am excited for you too! 🙂 Well, the first thing that comes to mind is using lime green and purple ribbon throughout. What about using black bulletin board paper with lime/purple bordette border? You can get lime and purple baskets from Really Good Stuff, then use my black and white polka dot tags on your baskets. Another idea…use lime and purple poms or daisies to tie in the color. I hope that gives you a starting point! If you need anything else, let me know! 🙂 xoxo
The PERFECT room design for my classroom at Daisy Elementary next year! Thank you so very much!
cindi
Oh my gosh!!!! That IS so perfect! I will have the daisies in my shop very soon, so stay tuned! I just LOVE it, Cindi! xoxo
What color rug would you do?!
I don’t know if you have a Meijer by you, but they have the most gorgeous black with white polka dots rug! It is to die for!
I could not find the polka dot tablecovers on the meijer website. Do they only sell them in the store???
I bought them in the store last summer. I haven’t seen them since. 🙁 You could use fabric though!
Oh my goodness I love your blog and all the inspiration!!! Keep up the great work!
Blessings,
Carolee
Where did you find the black plastic book baskets? I know a lot of teacher magazines sell different color baskets, but I’m having a hard time finding them in black.
Thanks!
Dollar General…:)
I LOVE all your ideas……this is right up my ally I love to use bright bold colors and I love all the polk-a-dots. After 23 yrs decorationg a pre-k romm I will be in second grade next year and can’t wait to start with a blank slate….Thanks for sharing all your ideas.
Absolutely beautiful!! So glad I stumbled upon your site, inspiring, beautiful designs!
I just love this theme! I teach elementary music and have been trying to find a way to make my room more colorful and inviting. I love the black and white because I can easily add in black music notes. I was wondering how did you attach the table signs to the paper hanging daisies? I can’t wait to get decorating! My kids are going to be so surprised when they come in my room next fall!
How do you attach the table signs to the hanging daisies?
Where did you get the stripped black and white borader that you used with your daisy border?
It is actually tape from Hallmark.
Is it duct tape from Walmart?
Where did you get the black and strip border that is with the daisy border?
Where do I get the round labels that are on your daisies hanging from the ceiling, they have table 1, ect. on them. Thanks a bunch! So doing this!
Nevermind! I found them! Love your ideas! Please, keep them coming!
I am going from 1st to 5th by choice but the rooms are very, very old. I always paint the bulletin boards. Any ideas on fresh colors?? I love all your ideas and want to incorporate the polka dot theme.
Just came back for another visit and I LOVE this as much as ever!!!!
Hi there! Love this! Are the daisy’s from the Polka Dot Market fans? I was looking for Daisy’s and all I found was fans, and they look similar, but wanted to make sure before I purchase some! Thanks so much!!!
Casey
They are called paper daisies. If you hold off a bit, I will be carrying them in the Schoolgirl Style Shop!
Hi, it’s me again. I’m not sure if you remember, but I am decorating my classroom with the Univ. of Michigan school colors this year. Or, at least I am trying to. I would love a navy blue, yellow, and white themed classroom.
You had asked me to contact you later for some design ideas. Have you had any time to come up with something?
I realize that you have super busy and must take time to spend with your family. So, if you want me to contact you later I can do that.
By the way, your most recent themes are beautiful!
Please add more navy blue and yellow items to your store. I would love navy blue and white polka dot tags, letters, etc.. I will be buying some of the yellow and white polka dot items.
Thanks.
I love this! I’ve needed to get excited about decorating my classroom again! I’ve always loved bee’s for decorating, so thank you!!
Melanie,
I mixed this design with your new happy honeybees! The last two years I have taught 5th grade self contained with a beach design. This year I am moving to a new school and will be teaching 4th grade ELA/SS. I wanted to do a different design that I could incorporate other things later if I wanted. My schools colors are black and gold so I felt this fit right in. I love the classic timeless appeal of the polkadots, gingham and your scalloped designed tag patterns. The options are endless and it has me sooo excited about my classroom next year. Thanks for encouraging teachers and sharing all your ideas and where ya get it all. Beautiful job! Keep it up.. I also love the carnival theme you have out. I just wanted simple this year and less color! It was a very tough choice 🙂
This will be my inspiration this year!!! Thank you SO much for your hard work. I am so excited to get started with this! 🙂 You are truly talented!
Daises are my all time favorite, to the extent that Daisy is my daughter’s name. I’m also a teacher and I’ve always done a black and white theme. I’m moving schools this year, and I think I’m going to step it up…black, white and yellow. Love this!!!! Thank you!!!
I have never seen anything so beautiful. I was getting ready to download it all. I love it all.
I just wanted to say thank you! You have really inspired me. I have taken your creativity and made it my own and I am so excited with how everything is turning out. Your creativity is amazing.
Hi Melanie! I love your classroom decor – especially the polka dots and daisies, but I teach in a dual language kinder classroom where we are required to have a red (Spanish) science and social studies bulletin board and word wall and blue (English) word wall and math bulletin board. Everything in the room is labeled in red for Spanish and blue for English. My carpet is blue with primary accents, I have all primary colors in my furniture and cubbies, baskets, etc. I have two permanently mounted bulletin boards at the front of my room that I use for my calendar and student work display – these bulletin boards are currently covered in yellow, and I’ve used a simple black scalloped boarder on all of my bulletin boards. I’m stuck on how to incorporated all of the blue and red, and then add the yellow! Do you have any suggestions? Should I rethink the yellow and opt for another neutral, say green, and try to do the apples theme? I’m feeling a little overwhelved right now! Can you offer any advice? Thanks so much!!
i am only 12 years old… and i want to become a teacher when i grow up…. i wish you could decorate my future classroom….. but i have a long way to go until i am a teacher 🙂
Planning for next year…my oldest daughter is going to Southern Miss next year and I plan to decorate my room in black and gold. This is perfect!!!
What font did you use for the name tags?? (colored pencils, crayons, and everything else). I LOVE IT!!!
Thanks 🙂
I love this!!
Wow…I just bought the collection and went shopping today to purchase some things. The name tags that are shown are lined?????? How do I put the lines on the tags???
Hi Kelli!
Email us at schoolgirlstyle@gmail.com and we can sort it out with you.
Schoolgirl Style~Kandin
I had to tell you how I used this theme. Our school colors are black and gold, but I like to use yellow because it is prettier. My cooperating teacher retired this year and I decorated for a reception for her using this theme. I made the daisy tags with the names of students that she had taught written in the middle. I them attached them to wooden sticks and arranged them in coordinating containers. These were the centerpieces on the tables. I made a special arrangement for her current class with the center flower saying “The Last Bunch”. This was on the table where people signed a guest book. It looked fantastic and she loved it. When I get some pictures, I will email them to you. Your themes can be used for so much more than just classrooms – parties, nurseries, offices, etc…..you have a winner website here!
WOW!!! I had chills when I read your email – what an awesome idea! Please send me photos! 🙂
Love your designs, especially this one! Already bought a bunch of supplies and repainted my Author’s Chair to match. I am even changing up my alphabet line to black and white, using Jan Brett’s free alphabet and just printing in black and white. My classroom has several ugly burnt orange cabinets (and yellow ones…which is good), so I’m going to see if I can get through the fire code by covering the ugly color with black contact paper, a suggestion from another teacher blog. Thanks for the inspiration!
I love this!!! I am purchasing this week I am so excited!! Where did you purchase the white chair??? It’s perfect for a reading corner :)) thank you for all you do!!! It’s a blessing and I’m excited to put a little love into my room with your designs :))
Where did you get your material for the pillow on the couch/chair? I love the black, white and yellow paisley.