apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time


Jesse's Dorm Room Design Debut
House Call


Name: Jesse

Location: Memphis, Tennessee

We heard from Jesse just in time to feature her dorm room on for the last day of "Setting Up Home" month. She pulled together her new place in just a few weeks - she moved in on August 19! She writes: I am currently a sophomore at Memphis College of Art and I am majoring in painting, but I plan on pursuing interior design...

 
 

...upon graduation. I am living by myself in one of the single person rooms on campus. The dorms here are pretty much old apartment buildings that the school bought. My personal dorm room consists of a small living room/bedroom, a very small kitchen, an office nook, a dressing room/closet area, and a tiny bathroom.

When I first moved in (August 19), the apartment was filthy and gross, but I could tell that it had so much character under all that grossness! Over the summer (before I moved in) I had been dreaming about what it would be like and started doing tons of DIY projects for my new place. I knew I wanted to transform it from a yucky old dorm to a sophisticated yet fun and funky apartment space.

One of the major challenges with decorating my place was not knowing at all what it looked like or how big it was while I was finding and making my decor. The first time I saw the apartment was when I was moving everything in!

Also another challenge was of course trying to make everything work in the space without painting, drilling or nailing in the walls, and the other things that you can't do when you live in dorms. I really loved all the challenges though.

My inspiration really came from things that I read in design magazines, and design websites (such as this one), as well as one funky green vase that I bought at a thrift store. I would say that my style is both retro and modern because throughout my space I mix old pieces with new sleek and modern pieces. I also love old hollywood glamour and fun and funky patterns, so throughout my apartment you will see the two used in many places. I have been so excited about my new place and I just love to have people over to enjoy the space with me! My apartment is definitely an on going project for me because I'm always thinking of things I can change and new, creative things that I can add to the space.

I have also started a blog called Just Flew the Coop and through the blog I am trying to help young people with a dorm room or first time apartment bring style to their room on a budget, but with a lot of creativity! I really hope you enjoy my space!

Thanks, Jesse!

We've had amazing response to our Apartment Therapy House Tour Submission Form. While we will work with homeowners of our favorite homes to feature full tours, we will also share the best as House Calls — short, quick tours of readers' homes. Submit your home here.

Tags

House Tours, House Call

Related Links

Share

Comments (11)

Very nicely done, although this is more of a minimal apartment than your typical dorm room. Congratulations!

posted by visualingual on August 31st 2009 at 2:54pm
view visualingual's profile

I wish my apartment I just moved into already looked this organized.

posted by michpc on August 31st 2009 at 3:39pm
view michpc's profile

Jesse, you're off to a good start! I would suggest you hang something bigger on the wall over the daybed and/or lower the sun mirror for better balance. Have a great semester at MCA, you lucky girl!
Katy
http://fengshuibyfishgirl.com

posted by fishgirl on August 31st 2009 at 3:43pm
view fishgirl's profile

that's one nice dorm room. i had to share a 10 x 14 room with another guy. with all the built in furniture, the only decorating decision we had to make was what color our bed spread was, and what poster to put up over the bed.

posted by davidsl on August 31st 2009 at 6:48pm
view davidsl's profile

mca has great dorms. before you start to promote yourself as an interior designer i suggest you check out the u of m's interior design program. formal education in design is a great thing.

posted by blkidsusan on August 31st 2009 at 6:50pm
view blkidsusan's profile

It's great to see a dorm room look a little less like a dorm room. Great start!

posted by LaurelJRyan on September 1st 2009 at 3:49am
view LaurelJRyan's profile

You're beyond lucky to get that much space as a dorm room - I would have been happy to have half of that to share by myself.

I find it funny I have that same futon in my guest room.

posted by ChrisGal on September 1st 2009 at 7:00am
view ChrisGal's profile

Great job! It looks fantastic for a dorm room.

posted by RedMaiko on September 1st 2009 at 7:46am
view RedMaiko's profile

Nicely done, but calling it a dorm "room" is a misnomer. It's a student apartment.

posted by mjs7640 on September 1st 2009 at 9:01am
view mjs7640's profile

A classic case of positive thought manifested into a brilliant space (despite initial grime) offering masses of opportunity. Would love to see it before you leave/qualify.

posted by EAM on September 1st 2009 at 10:17am
view EAM's profile

Agreeing with mjs7640.

But student apartments rarely rise to this level of style. I am not in love with the hanging CDs, but everything else says elegance and imagination.

posted by Usbek de Perse on September 1st 2009 at 12:59pm
view Usbek de Perse's profile

Feeds

RSS icon Chicago

+ City Feeds