Hand-painted mugs; Anthropologie. $14 ea.
Whether your vice is coffee or tea, caffeine has allowed most of us to survive the university years. Hip mugs not only provide a vessel to get the goodness down, they offer a stylish statement. I’m super into the global chic appeal of these hand-painted mugs from Anthro; lush colours and texture create visual interest and add an element of design to even the most mundane routine. I’m loving the merchandising display of these mugs as well – with little or no cupboard storage, why not take advantage of wall or shelf space to showcase your fab ceramic-ware?
Graphic art prints, framed; Chapters Indigo. $31-$62.
Fun art doesn’t have break the bank and makes an ultra chic impact to a dorm room that can easily read as drab. These graphic typography prints come in a multitude of palettes and styles, offering up a modern decor piece with words to live by. With the streamlined white frames, they make a statement grouped together in various size, or are simple yet eye-catching with one or two hung gallery style.
Ikat area rug; Home Sense. $299 for 6.7ft x 9.6ft size.
As Jeff Lebowski knows better than anyone, a good rug can really tie a room together. This becomes especially key with ultra small spaces like a dorm room. I love this muted Ikat piece because it reads as fresh and fun when paired with stronger graphic elements and high contrast colours, yet can be super chic if paired with a more elegant, sophisticated palette. In a dorm setting where many of the larger pieces are already provided (and definitely non-negotiable), using floorspace to make a design statement can be high impact.
Handmade all-natural soaps; LUSH. Priced by weight.
One of quickest luxuries to disappear in a dorm is a lavish grooming routine. While you won’t be able to transport a fabulous claw-foot soaker tub to the school grounds, you can bring a little touch of “spa” with you. LUSH soaps are handmade, 100 per cent vegan and cruelty-free (a must in my world), and are created from natural soy, vegetables, fruits and essential oils. With names as creative as their ingredients, I’m all over the Karma Soap (spicy patchouli, lemongrass, and orange) and Honey I Washed The Kids (honey and caramel? Delish!).
Hipster Glasses toss pillow; Urban Barn. $29.
A high contrast colour scheme, a graphic social reference, and a soft place to lay your head is the ideal trifecta for dorm design. Pattern, texture and layers are what create successful design. I love neutral bedding (I’m a total white-sheet-fiend) so throw pillows are my fave way to dress up a bed. This 17”x17” toss is a fab find at only $29 including the insert, and is totally school appropriate with the scholastic-meets-street-smart imagery.
Back-to-school giveaway: Enter to win a Fjallraven backpack!
