Ever find yourself on Pinterest in the ZSR, or in between classes? Zombie-like, you click through the sea of pictures…. There’s that backyard with the sparkling topaz infinity pool, the shabby-chic kitchen in your dream Hamptons beach house…
You snap back to reality and realize, “oh right, I’m a college girl with a college budget…in a tiny house”.
But fear not! Your pad may not resemble a clipping from Architectural Digest, but with some savvy shopping skills and decorating know-how, even a piece from Target can look like a suave Restoration Hardware gem!
First off, you need some inspiration. So, I got to thinking…I wonder what the homes of some of Wakes’ most stylish gals look like? This first featured home certainly quenched my thirst for divine design…
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As I step into the family room of Ali Carlino and Bailey Jennings’ quaint abode, I am engulfed by a comfortable and serene feeling. Their soothing wall color is a key ingredient to my relaxed demeanor. The buttery tan is easy on the eyes, and blends into any design scheme, notably Bailey and Ali’s cozy country sofa and chaise, a hand-me-down from Bailey’s parents. Note to Collegiettes: Pillaging mom and dad’s furniture left overs is good idea when decorating your home on a budget. The burgundy plaid is quite inviting, and patterns on furniture mean you need fewer pieces to make the room feel full! (Once again, always great for a college budget…less is more!)
The most interesting component of this room is definitely the ‘pop of art’ above the fireplace. It breaks up the cozy country feel, adding a modern and edgy tone to the room. But art’s expensive, right? Nope! The piece, inspired by the book The Power of the Invisible Sun, was painted by Bailey herself. This funky addition definitely brings a lot of unique tones to the room. Bravo, Bails!
Moving on, the kitchen is simple, but ingenious. The small space can clearly handle a lot of color, so before moving in, the girls had their landlord paint a refreshing ‘mint julep- green’ on the walls. Offsetting the hue with some decently-priced dining decor was the perfect finishing touch. The table doubles as study space, and a happy hour corner. Another note to Collegiettes: Don’t be afraid to go dark with furniture, especially against a vibrant wall. Very chic.
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Now onto the bedroom, the haven away from your long days on campus. Ali’s bedroom is the definition of divine design.
To achieve this super-fun look, Ali utilized every girl’s most valuable weapon: her shopping skills! The basket at the end of the bed is from Target, and is durable enough to store tons of sweaters. Plus, it doubles as a bench when pulling on her favorite pair of Frye boots. Perfect piece! Practical, attractive, and at only $70, cheap!
Ali’s T.V. sits upon a black bookshelf, also from Target. A bit more pricy at $200, but, with the baskets, it’s a convenient storage unit and the perfect height to easily watch your favorite ‘betches’ on Revenge from the comfort of your bed.
Ali’s slanted ceiling might scare the ‘decorating-disabled’, but not Ali! She used a chocolatey-grey color to contrast the white ceiling, and play up the quirky slant. She also unhinged the bathroom door so it wouldn’t close in the room. A shower curtain rod and some breezy white curtain panels was the better option (how college-savvy). She can open it to get additional light from the window, but still have the nice option of hiding her bathroom when ‘guests’ come to play!
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But what really gives Ali’s room a pricy-eclectic vibe? It’s all about the linens. With such affordable furniture, Ali was able to splurge a bit on bedding. Mixing and matching Restoration Hardware linens with a Bed Bath & Beyond duvet gave the room that perfect sophisticated touch.
So, collegiettes, the next time you’re staring at your house, with feelings of decorating dismay…have no fear. Just think of your crash course in Wake Forest divine design, inspired by our very own. Happy decorating!