Before & After: A Beloved School Library Gets a Rainbow Refresh
When we were kids, there were few places as exciting as the library. We spent hours wandering the stacks and discovering stories that stuck with us into adulthood. And the library at Philadelphia’s Henry H. Houston School has been providing that magical experience since the 1920s!
The K-8 school has long been an inclusive and diverse place for students and their families, with a vibrant academic and social community. But the building is showing its age and, while there are several beautification efforts underway around the school, the library was still dark and drab. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a popular spot for students.
“To build a healthy, productive learning environment, it’s important for the students to believe you love them,” says Principal LeRoy Hall. “When they see nice resources, that’s a sign of care. That’s when you get the most out of them, because they believe they’re in a safe place that loves them.” And there’s a lot of love for these students: In addition to the dedicated staff and teachers, Houston’s Home & School Association stays busy raising money and volunteering to help improve the school environment.
We teamed up with Benjamin Moore on the Paint It Forward project to help give this library a fresh coat of sunshine and a big boost of energy. Benjamin Moore is also invested in community, with independently owned stores staffed with pros who are also neighbors. So you can expect expert advice and local knowledge on every project.
“Having students back in the library will re-invigorate the community to donate books and volunteer time,” Principal Hall says. “The library figuratively and literally connects local residents across generational, racial, and socioeconomic lines.”
To brighten up the library, designer and visual artist Sara Weissler chose a crisp white: Decorator’s White OC-149, which has a cool gray undertone that helps it pop. She made sure to select a scuff-resistant paint — Benjamin Moore SCUFF-X — since the space will get so much traffic.
“A bright, neutral background creates an effective contrast to the medium-tone wood shelves and dividers,” Sara says. “An off-white or light-but-warm color could look dull and blend too much with the wood. This shade of white also makes the eclectic mix of furniture feel more intentional.”
With the backdrop set, it was time to have a little fun: Sara chose to highlight the open space at the top of each bookshelf in 10 different playful hues. Spanning from radiant Ruby Red 2001-10 and mouth-puckering Citrus Blast 2018-30 to juicy Apple Green 2026-40 and the purple undertones of Scandinavian Blue 2068-30, this combo creates a rainbow ombre effect around the room that’s pure delight. Here’s every sunny shade:
“Because this is a children’s library, adding an element of fun is important,” Sara says. “The uppermost level of open shelving is not being used and is not easily accessible, so it’s a perfect place to add some whimsy.”
The kaleidoscopically colorful library is already inspiring new momentum: Before painting began, volunteers arrived in droves to help pack up books and other furnishings. Then they came back to re-shelve them all! Now, it’s time for students and the community — including volunteer reading tutors — to enjoy their newly sparkling space.
“The space has come alive! The new paint job adds character to the room and brightens up the space for our learners and staff members,” Principal Hall says. “It provides a more warm and hospitable learning environment for our students, staff, and community members. The wonderful job will certainly have a positive impact on all that enter.” Here’s to another 100 years of that.