It occurred to me that although my older sisters have seen my dorm room, the other LMLD ladies have not. And hopefully I can cast it in an attractive enough light so that others will find it interesting, as well.
The idea was to make my room inviting and homey, working with remarkably little space, and on a budget of, essentially, $0.
Well, if that was my budget, then technically. I went over. I did go ahead a buy a few posters because I found some killer sales online. The French-themed posters are mostly by Mucha, of whom I'm a big fan. I also hung up the prints from an old Norman Rockwell calendar.
This is what you see from the hallway. One of my residents dubbed me “Mama Dee”… come on in, girls!
LawlerFamilyStalker is once again featured on the blog! She deserves it. I am, after all, able to make this posting because she's graciously lent me her camera. (Note my cute shoe rack tucked under the bed. And the awesome steamer trunk I bought a couple years ago when I convinced the yard sale lady to throw it in on a deal we were making over an IKEA dresser. I'm very proud of that trunk. And it holds my out-of-season clothes.)
This is not a Mucha, but I still like it.
The icon is sitting on the trick box Nick brought me from Japan (I love having that around so I can puzzle my friends! They all get it way faster than I did.) My old roommate Lorraine recently gave me the wooden egg as a souvenir from her trip to Poland. Being a pysanky artist = everyone thinks of you when they travel Eastern Europe! Lucky me!
In this shot, you can get a sense of the kind of longing looks I give my bed as I sit at my desk hour after hour working…
I'll have you know that in such a little room it's not easy to get great camera angles. I stood on my chair so you could see the corner of the room that get's hidden behind the door if it's propped open. That clever piece of furniture (canvas-type box/drawers on a simple frame) is something I picked up while I was doing rounds one night! One man's junk is another man's treasure… I'll admit that that's not the first time I've come home from RA duties with a find I'm very excited about! Haha – the little-known perks of the job.
I think this is gorgeous — and no, don't worry. I put in the research, and our Art Deco friend here is enjoying a cigarette, nothing untoward.
What would I do with my earrings if I didn't have a desk with a mantle thingy?
The view of my desk from my bed.
Look – I even have a cute little space tucked beside my dresser where I can drop my wet things when I come in from the shower.
The other little side of my room. There's my Counseling Couch, which comes with the territory. And yes, a fair bit of counseling does go on there.
Best decorating/organizational choice ever. One hook. One little hook that spares me many minutes of frantic searching and keeps my life afloat. We're talking about one small element of control. One variable eliminated. She walks in the door, she hangs up her keys. She always knows where they are. End of story.
Mon poster préféré! Les saisons.
Some pretty things on my dresser, including some little vases that Uncle Jerry made and the Russian box that Habou got me. For whatever reason, guys love that box. Pretty much every male guest who comes in comments on it.
Some pretty things *above* my dresser. A few things that were sent or given to me – it's a growing collage. Hmm. Some of those photos could use a little help sticking to the wall. That chart on the right is a floor plan so that I don't lose my head keeping track of which resident lives where.
And just so you know, the picture on the top right is of me with a friend… only I accidentally cut the friend out of this shot. I just don't want you to think that I randomly hang pictures of myself about my dresser.
This is a gift from my friend Luigi. He said he tried to find me a Peruvian rendering of my Patroness, Our Lady of Sorrows, but was unsuccesful. He was impressed that I guessed that it was St. Rose of Lima. “Hey,” I told him, “I know my Saints.” She is also wearing a crown of roses, and he was also coming direct from Lima… but never mind.
Leila says
So pretty! I love it. I'm glad you showed the earring ribbon that hangs above your desk. I remember that from last year — it's so clever, and I want one too, only there is no where to put one in my vast bedroom.Otherwise the earrings get in a jumble…I love all your posters, your clever storage, and your peaceful arrangements. And it's great to see dear Lauren peeking out!! Hi Lauren!! xoxo
Bridget says
Everything is SO cozy! I love it. It reminds me of when we shared our room. It reminds me of how my friends were so impressed by the seemingly Huge earrings hanging in the closet. It reminds me of the 'fight! join the Navy' poster, now rolled up in the other closet. It reminds me of the large Aragorn poster in the back of the door. hhhmmm. Don't actually want that. Truth is, I miss you. A lot. Bridget
Thomas says
So get this. I entered a google alert for Gidding today because my Oma was born Helena Gidding in 1878 in Holland, and I come up with your blog. Her mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Koyman or Kooyman and her father was Jan Gidding. BTW, nice and organized; are you a Gidding? Oma married a Smeenk, which makes me a Smeenk
Decadent Housewife says
I love, love, love how your earrings are displayed! Am always envious of dangly earrings too, look terrible in them!
LawlerFamilyStalker says
… and suddenly, my life has meaning. I'm on the blog.Hi, Mrs. Lawler!(Do you ever think… if they call Dee "Mama Dee", then, Mrs. Lawler, imagine the kick they would get out of meeting Mama Dee's mama!)
Goslyn says
Lovely! Thanks for sharing a few snapshots of your beautifully arranged room.
NorahS says
Looks very cozy! Great space-saving ideas.
Leila says
Thomas, you found us because Rosie and Sukie's apartment is called "Little Gidding" after an Eliot poem (I think? not an Eliot scholar).No Smeenks here either. However, we sincerely hope that you like it here and will visit us often, and tell all the Giddings and Smeenks to stop in as well!