Dorm and Apartment Decorating

So you have a daughter or son heading off to college or their first apartment this fall.

Remember those days? Just spent last weekend with a college roommate and loved reminiscing about the good ole days. It's probably what inspired this post:)

 But back to the subject at hand...I have many clients and friends who fall into this category and I've  been asked by several for advice on decorating and bedding for college dorms.

Last year I designed a college room and loved how it turned out. 

May have hit the books a bit more if my space looked this.

You can read more about this room here.

So here are some fun items I found for a dorm, first apartment or even a teen's room...

First up check out this website

remodo boxed room

It's basically a room in a box. Like a bed in a bag but waaaay better.

Here is an example of what comes in the box

And here is what it looks like in the space

Fun, right?  They have several colors and patterns available.

Need art for above the bed or desk?

They have that too

So go check it out!

Some other bedding I found perfect for this group

is from one of my faves Urban Outfitters

And we can't forget IKEA the sweedish king of dorm decor

Have fun decorating!

Happy New Year, chair lust and budget-friendly decor

 

Happy New Year! Hope your holidays were both fun and fabulous. Back to reality today and I'll have to admit I'm sooo ready.

 

 

Everyone's sharing their New Year's resolutions so I thought I'd weigh in here. Why not? Bare with me. I only have two:) and then we'll get to some decorating stuff.

 

My first resolution..

 

 Pay more attention to the important things in life.

 

Years ago when I was working as a publisher of a magazine I was in NYC and was rushing to meet my boss across a crowded  hotel lobby. I was running late for a very important meeting.

 

As I reached my boss he had a big smile on his face and said "Do you realize that you literally just bumped into Nelson Mandela"?

 

Whaaat? As I was racing across the lobby I bumped into an older gentlemen and stopped to say sorry and we made some small talk. And I went on my merry little way.

 

I had no idea I had just rubbed up against greatness.

 

I turned around and stared across the lobby. My boss was right. It wasn't until I stepped back and took in the whole scene did I realize what was going on. It was a life lesson. Sometimes we need to step back and survey the whole situation to realize what's important in life. (I have been thinking about this moment a lot since his passing).

 

Okay, onto number two --- more concrete and way less impressive.



Try to eat vegan-ish.

You are what you eat. End of story. I've been vegan in the past and I'm telling you I never felt better when I ate better. Eating real, unprocessed food gives you more energy and helps you think more clearly. If think clearer and have more energy,  you have more time to notice the important things in life. See the connection??:)

 

Okay, moving onto a MUCH lighter subject.

Current room obsession. It's the color I'm in love with.

Feel free to discuss.

 

Have I shared with you that I have a full-on serious chair addiction?

My current chair loves include the below. I have access to them for very reasonable prices and am jumping at the bit to place them!! Anyone, anyone?

 

 Thoughts????? Do you love as much as I do???
 

 Last but not least...
 

Stylish for both your home and your wallet.

 

Lands End Bedding

I would buy the duvet only and zhush it up with:
 White shams with navy trim, add a large fancy monogram and call it a day for a simple clean look...
or
 Possibly Schumacher's chaing mai pillow or a rich velvet in an emerald green or hot pink... oh the possibilities!
I don't know but this could be fun!



Land End
$49.99


Stumped on how to freshen up a room inexpensively....
Here's a hint .... black and white looks chic in ANY room.
Trust me on this.

 $10 ikea

Texture = absolute must.

Faux sheepskin pillow

Land of Nod
$15.


Table lamp from Land of Nod - yes you can add "children's items" to your grown up rooms!

Land of Nod
?79

Thanks for reading!!! XOXO

How to make your storage stylish!

Merry Christmas to you and your family... I hope everyone had a fun-filled and safe holiday!
 

Back to biz over here. Although I LOVE Christmas the amount of stuff my family accumulates in one single day is both silly and sinful at the same time.

The days after a holiday and in particular Christmas has me asking how am I ever going to get back to neutral? It's a crazy disorganized mess over here. And I'll be honest I like my churches gothic, my wine red and my house somewhat organized.

 

So I thought maybe there are some others out there who feel the same way so I thought I'd gather a few stylish storage options out there for us who want to get it together before the new year hits us:)

And actually whether you celebrate Christmas or not the new year is a good time to get organized. Am I right? 

So after you do the
 

 

 

Take note of what you have left to put away and
you'll need to buy some of these for storage



wisteria



Serena and lilly

joss and main

 

 

West Elm

 

 

here

Target

 

serena and lilly
 

Baskets of Africa



overstock

overstock


Best way to increase storage space? Go up!
So you will most likely need ....SHELVING

My fave - the IKEA Expedit
If you 've never used --- you must. Here is what they look like

 

 

Here's how you can make them stylish  and functional...

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

 

 

 

 

 

 

To quote the Beastie Boys... She's crafty...

 

 

On it's side used as a window seat .... I would add a cushion of course:)

 

 

As a part of your kitchen banquette

 

 

 

And I'm pretty sure you can get this whole look at IKEA

 

 

 

 Need some ideas on how to store all of those decorations? You can read this post here from Organize and Decorate Everything.

 

Last but not least you may want to read this pretty awesome article with some great organizational tips.

 

You can read it here

P.S. My Christmas purge this year may include a call to 1 800 got-junk.  Anyone ever use this service before?? I'd love to hear!

Thanks for reading!! xoxo

GO EAGLES!!! AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!!!





 

Just a sprinkling of modern

 

 

House of Turquoise

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

all images via pinterest

 



Did you notice a theme?

Did you pick up on what I was puttin' down?

Would you like to add just a touch of modern to your room without breaking the bank? Are you afraid to commit to this trendy look? Yep, me too.

Keeping that in mind, here's a roundup of reasonably priced peekaboo furniture pieces that you can add to your teens room,  traditional dining room/living room or stodgy old desk to make it a bit more funky get-down:)

Did you see in some pics above even just one piece of this furniture makes a HUGE impact:)


 

Amazon
$139

Amazon
$135



 

Amazon
$116

 

Amazon
$419
 

Amazon
coffee table
$299
 

Amazon
coffee table
$99
 



Wisteria
$899
    
CB2
coffee table
$279

Acrylic décor
$279


Advantages to ghost-like furniture

1) Pretty indestructible
2) Goes with every color scheme and can be used in every room
3) Can take your room from stodgy to funky in a matter of minutes

What do you think?? LOVE or just too trendy?
I'm kinda digging it ... you?

Linking up with Kim at Savvy SouthernStyle

Thanks for reading and if you need to make your home more funky fresh and modern.... contact me here kraussteph@yahoo.com