I have a TV spot today on WWL-TV here in New Orleans talking about dorm decor.
I'm no Design Star ha ha, but I had a good time, and I thank Missy Wilkinson from
CUE Magazine for setting this up for me. I recently became a contributing writer for CUE.
Here are my suggestions for dorm decor -
- Keep it simple
- Make it personal
- Focus on your work area
- Down size
- Make your room more grown up and not a version of your high school bedroom at home
Get these things:
- Textiles: bedding, foam mattress pad, cute pillows, drop cloths for curtains
- Extra seating: storage cubes, poufs, stools that double as tables, comfy desk chair
- The floor: Add a rug - cowhide, seagrass, carpet tiles, outdoor rugs
- Walls: Temp decals or temp wall paper, fabric covered inspiration boards (cover a large piece of sheet rock with fabric - use a staple gun, add D-rings to hang it on the wall)
- Lighting: Desk lamps, floor lamps, temp hanging lamp
- Have one large mirror (get a large tall board and stick mirror tiles on it to make a leaning mirror)
- Don't buy it all at the big box store - shop local stores, and look for vintage pieces to make your room look unique
The majority of the products I showed this morning on WWL-TV came from a wonderful store we have here in New Orleans called Modern Market. If you haven't been there yet, you are missing out on a great store with modern design elements. Modern design is just making inroads in New Orleans, so Modern Market is an oasis and a breath of fresh air.
Modern Market is at 3138 Magazine Street, 504 898-2208
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| Great desk chair for the dorm from Modern Market |
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| Cute desk lamp or bed side lamp from Modern Market |
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| Do your bedding in solid colors and add print pillows like this one from Modern Market |
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| Cute pillow from Modern Market - These pillows were designed by Tulane graduate Andre Bernstein |
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| How great are these giant clips you hang on the wall - Very handy for that dorm room for another form of storage to hang purses or clothes or really anything - And yes you can get them at the very fab Modern Market |
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| Outdoor rugs are great for dorms - you can just hose them off! Rug from Modern Market |
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| Wall stickers get a bad rap, but they are great for dorm rooms when you can't paint the walls - Get these at Modern Market |
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| I love these cute house shape bookends from Modern Market - put them on your dorm room desk or bookshelves, and it will remind you of home and make your dorm room feel like a little bit of home too |
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| Temporary wallpaper is something new - Tempaper makes great modern prints that are so easy to put up and take down so it's perfect for dorm decorating - I actually have two double rolls for sale of this print I showed on television today for $45. each - email me if you would like them and I will gladly send them off to you - Also check out Casart Slipcovers For Your Walls |
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| Get a few storage cubes - two at the end of the bed make a bench - one by your bed can be a night table - and have extras for storage and seating when friends drop by - this cute one is only $16. at Wal Mart now |
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| Shop big box stores for bedding and storage - Also consider getting a great blanket instead of a comforter - The stuffing always shifts in a a comforter when you wash it, but a blanket holds its shape - choose solid contrasting colors for your dorm bed, and add print pillows for pizazz - Do contact your room mate to agree on color choice - Try to get away from what you had in your teen age room at home - This is your first grown up decorating experience - I chose lime greens and browns and white for as a more sophisticated color palette |
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| Cow hide rugs are the most durable rug you can have, so it is perfect for dorm rooms - World Market now carries them at a great affordable price of $250 - Invest in a cow hide rug that you can move with you when you leave college and move into your first apartment or home - I like the pale hides best, and I promise no one will notice if you don't vacuum |
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And of course you can watch the segment that aired on WWL - Watch out if HGTV starts a new franchise called
Design Star Seniors!!! Valorie Hart The Visual Vamp on WWL-TV Morning Show talks about Decor |
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Local New Orleans shops to get good dorm decor:
Big Box Stores in New Orleans for the basics for dorm decor:
- Wal Mart, 1901 Tchoupitoulas Street, New Orleans
- World Market, 1617 Westbank Expressway, Harvey
- Target, 1731 Manhattan Blvd, Harvey
- Anna's Linens, 64 Westbank Expressway, Gretna
- Steinmart, 5300 Tchoupitoulas Street, New Orleans
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| The Visual Vamp make this dorm room that looks like a jail cell into something very cute! Call me 504 289-8979 |
Call Valorie Hart The Visual Vamp to shop
(and deliver merchandise)
and style a dorm room for you
504 289-8979
