Picture, if you will, a sweltering day of heat and humidity and a miniscule dorm room without air conditioning. Add to that picture 3 grown women trying to decorate and you can imagine what yesterday was like. Heidi and I drove down to New Jersey (a 2 1/2 hour trip) to help Heidi’s daughter, Whitney, with her new dorm room. Whitney is a resident advisor this year, so she gets to move in early and she has a room to herself. Whitney had already moved in the day before and we were coming to ‘tweak’ everything.
The 2 and 1/2 hour trip turned into over 3 hours. On one of NJ’s famous roundabouts we encountered an overturned tractor trailer and had to find a new way to get to the campus. By the time we got there we were starving and went to lunch. Then it was off to Target and Home Depot with a list of things for the room.
Plant shopping at Home Depot. Heidi and I repotted everything on the lawn in front of the dorm.
Forgive the less than stellar quality to my photos – small dorm rooms and my camera don’t get along! The photo above is of a typical dorm room. Two people usually share one of these closet sized rooms.
This is Whitney’s room. She got to take out the extra desk and bed, thereby freeing up more space. Look at her wonderful sheer purple curtains from IKEA. Oh, look at that chair – what do you see?
Yes, yes, you see a cute teddy bear, but I’m talking about the beautiful green and blue throw! Who made that gorgeous thing? Oh...I made it! (It was Whitney’s graduation present.)
This is my favorite thing in the room. Whitney took a set of old bedsprings, spray painted it and then attached clothespins (also spray painted). It is on the wall behind her futon/sofa. Now she can attach photos, notes…you name it, and have a fun way of displaying everything.
Here is her trunk/coffee table. Also spray painted and decorated by Whitney. That’s an IKEA rug underneath.
Heidi – resting on the futon/sofa.
Futon/sofa and corner after we rearranged things.
New hanging spider plant from Home Depot – by this time, as you can see, Wheel of Fortune was on.
Tired Whitney – her bed is covered in pillows and a spread from Anthropologie. It was the basis for all the wonderful bright colors in her room.
All 3 of us were wiped out at the end of the day. Heidi and I headed home and stopped at McDonalds for the perfect pick-me-up: a giant chocolate shake and french fries. I headed for the shower immediately upon entering MHC.
I wish I had the photography skills to capture the whole dorm room. It is charming, full of color – the perfect place to nest and hang out. These girls are going to want to visit their RA! Great job, Whitney. You remember Heidi owns a home and antique shop nearby? She has a fabulous eye for presentation…and I would say the apple doesn’t fall very far from the tree!
What a TRANSFORMATION and such a clever way to use the bedsprings!!!
Love it, it’s so colorful and HAPPY!!!
Even though you must have been exhausted it looks like you guys had a lot of fun and a wonderful time together!!
Hugs,
Marsha
it was a GREAT day! I’m sure Whitney will remember her Auntie Claudia shopping and tweeking up her dorm room forever. I know, I will. Thanks for making the trip a pleasure. Heidi
It looks fantastic! Full of color and warmth. i bet you girls had a great time, even if you were exhausted. I’m sure Whitney really appreciated all your help too. I hope she has a great year at school!
LOVE IT! What fun!!
What a change! Whitney is for fortunate to have you and her mamma. Love the organizer bed spring. Ciao Rita
Oh your story brought back so many memories…thanks for sharing!
It is fabulous. Wow I bet she is a happy gal with all those beautiful colours. Great job. You created some wonderful memories too at the same time.
You all did a GREAT job … doesn’t even resemble a dorm room … looks more like her first studio apartment … well done …
hmmm, new business venture??
“Diva’s Dorm Decorating”
xo
Jill
…a Jersey girl who will NEVER get used to the humidity!
It is beautiful, Claudia. How fun for all of you to work on Whitney’s new, fab room together. It’s all bright and very cheery for the soul. Love the pillows, one can never have enough!
xo~Tracie
claudia!
what a completely delightful post. adorable.
whitney’s clever bedspring memo board idea should be submitted to someplace like “ready made” or “DIY” because that is so cool!
the throw that you made for her is also quite excellent! i love the ric-rac pattern.
what a sweetie you are for going to help. sounds like a great day.
xo
Oh super cool! This is a great one for a how to! I know she will love it!
Hugs, Lisa
What a wonderful dorm room! Wish I had been that adventurous (and creative) during my college days. I also went to school in NJ. Good times! Kudos to you and her Mom for being there to help her. A great memory for her, too, I’m sure.
Hi, Claudia,
Whitney did a wonderful job of decorating her dorm room. It reminds me a little of my era (the 60’s) with those bright colors. Using those bed springs to post pictures, etc. was a fantastic idea! Her comforter that you made was very pretty, love those two colors together. I know you must have been pooped after the drive and decorating. Thanks for stopping by for a visit with me. Have a good rest of the week. Vicki
Hello Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving such a sweet comment. Love your post here, dorm room is so pretty and colorful! Looks like a fun day had by all!
Bless you, Shirl
Shirls Rose Cottage
What a great dorm room! Love the colors.
What a fun day. It should be a TV show, Heidi and Claudia decorate Dorm rooms. I think it would be a big hit.
XO,
Mere
How fun! My dorm room was done in vintage street signs! It was really cool, but not as bright as yours!
What a wonderful room! I’m sure she’ll have fun making special memories of her school year there.
Whew . . . I’m tired just thinking of all the work the three of you did!
Hugs,
Teresa
Claudia! This is so cool this blog you did about your day here and my room decorating. Thanks for coming, I wouldn’t have had as much fun if you hadn’t. Thanks for the chocolate you left in my fridge too! Thanks to everybody about the compliments to my room!
I love the bedspring clothes pin idea!!