Design Dreams

I haven't posted in ages! I have been having lots of thoughts about my love for design. I'm sure other people who like interior design, watch HGTV daily, and have homes that are constantly "under construction" can relate. How can we pour so much time and money into a hobby? Well, it's fulfilling. It's the same reason there are thousands and thousands of apps out there. Not every single app made for iPhones has been made by a company. In fact, many have been made my hobbyists. Maybe your hobby could turn into something big, maybe it won't. Either way, you get enjoyment out of it. That's all that matter, right?

Today, I want to share with you all my favorite spaces of all time. These are spaces I dream about at night. Heck--I daydream about them too! Anyway, onto the spaces. I'll leave little notes about what I love * and maybe what I don't love? #yourfaveisproblematic *

Right, so this is gorgeous, kind of old-world-colonialism-chic. I know that's probably super inappropriate to say, but hey it has Indian/Eastern elements with solid wood & large windows prevalent in the western world. I particularly enjoy the canopies for curtains and the fact that the windows actually just look like they don't exist. As in is there actually glass in there?

Cons--this room is probably a sauna. It's a converted attic with basically no insulation. So if there IS an AC unit, it won't be effective. Also I'm not a big fan of the exposed hay/straw/whatever roof. Clearly, I don't know enough about roofs, but I do not enjoy the exposed parts in this place. Also, I could do without that couch cover. 

The bedroom above used to be my inspiration for my freshman dorm room. I had a lot of posters back then (some have ripped in the past four years) and I really liked the idea of white everything. So, yeah I still think this room is cute. Currently, I'm not a big fan of covering the windows with the city scape or whatever that is, but I still dig the lucite chair. The posters are perfectly cute and the light fixture is also soft & sweet. It's no longer my style, but it takes me back to 18 year old me. Good times.

This is the most recent thing I've pinned (I think?) and it embodies a few elements I really love. The first is the LIGHTING. I have been looking for lights like that (vertical string with round bulbs) and I am at a loss. I remember target had something similar but not quite right. What is that thing on the bar cart? I don't know but I like it. The idea of having a bar cart was proposed to me (multiple times) but my lovely friend and former roommate, Shaguna. I'm warming up to it, but I don't exactly want to showcase what I drink & how much I drink. (Because I drink cheap wine and elderflower liqueur) I LOVE THOSE TASSELS ON THE WALL! I found red paper tassels, somewhat similar, at Ikea in England and I jumped. I bought two strings even though I had no idea where I'd put them. The hanging plant, sheepskin rug, very interesting tree-like flooring, and random geometric shapes/flowers just speak to me. I need it all.

Can you say coziest reading nook? I like the idea of piling pillows so high that you cover the wall. I wish the plants were a bit more lively, but the macrame and the dainty lights kind of make up for the lackluster foliage. Also, I have a very similar old camera. I need to display it now. 

Okay, a loft space is the dream. High ceilings are a dream. Also, I have seen that minimal bookshelf ALL OVER THE INTERNET but have no idea where to purchase it. It's maddening. I'm super into tweed-like grey couches and poufs. I could do without the cheetah-print chair, but I do like the oversized candle holder. Or at least that's what I think it is? The illuminated balls just rawk. Hands down.

You guys. I wanted this wall mural SO HARD. I had plans to recreate it, but then got dejected when I realized I can't paint the walls of my rented college apartment. The bed kind of sucks, but LOOK AT THAT ART. Ombre/watercolor/grey/blue mountains. What more could I want? I might get a bed sheet and recreate it still.

So, this room is a bit darker than what I usually like, but I love that I can look at it and kind of guess what type of person lives there. I like that the chairs are mismatched and you could probably get them all at goodwill (except for the Eames chair of course). I just think this could be a good space to share with a significant other. 

Hanging jewelry is my jam. My jewelry isn't pretty enough (not all of it anyway) to be hung in public, but if you've got it, flaunt it. But yeah, this desk is awesome because it has STORAGE!!! I wouldn't need to put everything on top of my desk, which leaves space to style my desk with ART! Also, I have that desk (but with two of the white legs so no storage)

I don't think I need to explain this one. At least I hope I don't. It's an outdoor movie night with like a potluck going on, right? Get a million pillows, a rooftop and some chill friends and you're set.

What spaces have you been dreaming about?

xx Madhu

Online Prowess

The main problem for college students who value their personal space & have a passion for design is budget. How can you fill your space with things you love that represent you when you're only there for a short amount of time? And you have to move constantly (especially if you live in a dorm), so it can't be too heavy & permanent?

Well, you're at least thinking wisely. Yes, you aren't going to be in this space long and you will have to move the items. So, you shouldn't sink oodles of money into decoration. Basically, you need to buy things that look expensive, but are in fact not expensive. Your best bet is online clearance.

Firstly, shopping for deals takes a good amount of time, planning & patience. Don't buy the first things you fall in love with, even if you think they might be a good price.

1. Make a list of the things that you NEED to buy.

This is a sort of multi-faceted step, because this means you must make a list of things you already have. I suggest taking everyday things that are out of sight & necessary from your parents' home. These are things like plastic cutlery & dishes & older pots & pans. All the kitchen stuff your parents can spare---take them. They don't need to be pretty, just functional. You will end up throwing them out after college, because you never know where you'll be going then. This will drastically increase your budget for big-ticket items that define your space more, like furniture! Furniture is particularly fun to shop for, too.

Also, try to inherit things from your upperclassmen friends or siblings. Of course, make sure they are smaller items that you still like (that will fit with your color scheme or design plan). These items can be end tables, picture frames, ottomans, cushions, shower caddies & storage boxes.

Then, and only then can you make that list. Here's my list--granted I have an apartment now so it's not like I'm moving from a dorm to an apartment, but these are items I actually need. Like cannot live without. I used the Notes app on my phone to keep track. (Note: my phone is on airplane mode because I am in England visiting my parents. Don't want to get charged astronomical bills, ya know. Living that budget life.)

2. Beware of hidden costs/requests.

Shipping is the big one. Also, don't forget tax. Online shopping seems so easy because you don't have to worry about it fitting in your car or even having a car/paying for gas. However, sometimes it might make more sense to do that. 

Also, if you are online shopping to look at reviews for items you intend on buying in the store, make 100% sure that item is sold & stocked in the store nearest you. Call the store up to be absolutely certain. Heck, have them set it aside for you and scurry on down there! Do all you need to do get that item. You want it, you need it, secure it.

3. Start cheap.

The first thing you need to do when you get to the website of a store you fancy is GO TO THE SALE SECTION. I cannot stress this enough. 

Mentally, it is a lot easier to realize that you need to increase your budget becuase you are not satisfied with the cheaper things. You don't want to see your dream $1000 chair before you start looking through the mis-matched & sort of sad clearance section of the store (I'm talking about you, IKEA clearance. You can have such GREAT finds like my $4 lampshade, but bury them in the pile of missing pieces & broken dishes.) Go to the clearance first and really use your imagination.

If you honestly can't find anything you love online or offline in the bargains, then you can check the full-priced items. But make sure this is something you not only really need & love right now, but that you could take with you after college or sell for a good price. 

4. Don't be afraid of ebay.

I'm aware of the stigma against ebay, but it is very easy to overcome and well worth it. Make sure you have these settings on:

• BUY IT NOW
• SORT PRICE: LOW TO HIGH
• NEW 
• US ONLY (or your respective country of residence)

Ebay is a glorious land of dupes & even nice items that are just priced very well because of
online retailers who works solely through ebay. It is a great place to buy snazzy cases & covers for your phones, tablets, laptops and e-readers. I also use it for nail polishes and books and things you don't need to physically inspect before buying. I would actually recommend smaller furniture items, but probably not something fragile.

I bought this camera strap from ebay for $11 over 4 years ago.

It was in The Amazing Spider Man and I'm pretty sure I saw Urban Outfitters selling the same one for about $30 or $40. Like what??

5. Exhaust yourself through all the options.

You don't want to buy, online or in-store, without knowing that you've found the best deal. I like to search for the item (like a desk) on all my favorite websites & calculate the total cost (with shipping) and then PIN that item with the link to the website on my "to buy" pinterest board.  This way, I can look at my board after researching for hours and see which desk is the best looking & cheapest. You can also just bookmark the items, but I am a visual person. Here are a few of the best websites!

• Ikea
• Target
• Overstock.com
• ebay (duh)
• Walmart
• Amazon.com

xx Madhu

P.S. Sorry this post wasn't as wordy---I had to rewrite it because it didn't save for some ghastly reason. I felt kind of rushed. In any case, I'll probably add to it as things come to me because I know that this can help a lot of people!

Inspiration

Maybe you're one of the people who has had her dorm room planned since applying to college. However, it's more likely you're the student that doesn't really know where to start. Well, how about you look at these spaces and see what you like about them! Be sure to read my comments on what their doing right and what probably wouldn't work in a college lifestyle. Enjoy!



This desk is great because it has personalization, but it's not completely full. You might want to get a tray to put important papers, because you will definitely end up having papers on your desk. Also, making sure each drawer has a purpose really helps when you're studying for midterms and need to know exactly where you put last week's graded test.



You already know I don't like those chairs, but I love the idea of making the area under your bed to divide the room and create a "chill space" of sorts. Usually people put their desk here but that's a bad idea because this is a dark space and natural light will really help keep you awake. However, it's perfect for snacking and watching TV! Also, it's a great place for your friends to sit when they come over and you're sitting at your desk.



I love this window. You don't even know how much I love this window. However, this student is doing next to nothing to make it awesome. There are beams there for curtains! Utilize them! Also, instead of putting Easy Mac and random food on the window sill, put some flowers or pictures or decorative things to make you happy. De-clutter the pretty areas of your room so you can let them be the center of attention.



This one just makes me itch. In a bad way. Do you see that brick wall? Correction---do you see that BEAUTIFUL exposed brick wall? That's an accent wall! THAT ACTUALLY ACCENTUATES! Some dorms come with accent walls, but usually they're a puke-gross color. This one is not. But this girl isn't taking advantage of that! If you have one beautiful thing in your dorm, exploit it. Put a huge picture or mirror on the wall. Buy a bunch of command strips and hang lights up at the top! Display your quirky button collection/any other collection you have! Get a wall guitar holder if you like that kind of thing! I sound really crazy but I don't think you guys understand how rare these things are. If brick isn't your thing, cover the whole things with posters / pictures (but tastefully arrange them. I will do another post about this).

Until next time,

Madhu