If only I had access to fun blogs, ikea, and the knowledge of consignment stores when I was in college.. my dorm room would have had a whole new look.. Fortunately for you, my readers, this advice helps not only the freshman but any woman living in an apartment or townhouse. Enjoy!
WALL DECOR
1. Bulletin Board is essential. You can use it for photos and your calendar. It is an easy way to keep things organized without spending a lot of money. You can have one framed at a local framer or buy one at container store.
http://www.containerstore.com/welcome.htm
I use mine in my kitchen for wedding invitations, save the dates, and photos from my husband and I's honeymoon.
2. Mirror: Ikea has a great mini mirror It is called the "Honefoss". They are low priced and look really cool when you arrange them properly. You can display them like the below photo or line them up vertically or horizontally. These mirrors remind me of organic chemistry and or a disco ball.. either way its a partay!
If you are looking for a floor length mirror this one is perfect and has a pop of color!
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90181973
LIGHTING
1. Side Table Lamps: I love this double gourd lamp because its clean and simple but has a shape to it. The shape is similar to one of my favorite lamps by Christopher Spitzmiller (the photo below the west elm).
http://www.westelm.com/products/gourd-table-lamp-w482/?pkey=ctable-lamps
http://mecoxgardens.com/pageCatalogItems.asp?CATEGORY=54
http://www.christopherspitzmiller.com/
2. Floor Lamps: This is the adjustable floor lamp from Ikea is perfect and comes in several colors!
BEDDING
**Most importantly don't overdue it! You want to enjoy it for as long as you can and the best way to do that is not go beyond what your comfortable. Some advice that I received from, the beautiful and talented antiques collector and fabric connoisseur Rebecca Flannery of the Regency Group, is that your taste comes from inside your closet. In other words, look at the colors you wear and feel best in and those are the colors in which you would most likely enjoy living in.
1. Quilt: A beautiful quilt is very nice to have on any size bed. You can do simple pillows with a plain blanket and a beautiful folded quilt at the base of the bed. I love this hand blocked bedding from west elm. It is very similar to one of my favorite designers John Robshaw (http://www.johnrobshaw.com/shop.htm)
2. Duvet Cover: I love this bright colored Ikat (so chic) printed duvet cover. I would do basic bedding with the duvet folded at the half way point of your bed.
3. Blanket: Always simple cotton or wool, never chenille. You always want to be able to clean it.
4. Sheeting: I love this sheeting from Pottery Barn. Its feminine and goes with anything! Its called the Jersey Ruffle Euro Sham.
These are good examples of making a bed look spectacular! Thank you Elle Decor!
FURNITURE
The absolute best advice I can give is go to consignment stores throughout your city to find unique decorative items such as mirrors and furniture etc.. Some furniture in my husband and I's apartment is from a chic consignment store in Dallas, TX. called Again and Again. http://www.againandagain.com/
follow them on twitter @againdallas.
A couple of my favs in our apartment in Houston!
* Chairs: Again & Again - I had recovered and painted white lacquer
* Parson's coffee table: Again & Again Consignment
* Venetian mirror: antique mall in Auburn, Alabama
"Traditional design doesn't have to be so predictable it should just be about good design.. a successful mix.. old and new"
- Charlotte Moss
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