Decked out Dorm Room

This time of year a lot of kids are off to college for their first year in a new & exciting place! And while it's exciting for both the parents and the student, it's also nerve-racking, stressful, and even a little sad for everyone. You're sending your kid off to somewhere totally new, maybe far away from home, with a bunch of strangers and you just really hope they are complacent and happy--and your kid is really hoping this too! The best way to start off on the right foot? Create a comfortable living environment!

Help your child get settled in their new dorm or apartment and create an area where they will feel at home.

Below are some of our favorite Dorm Room essentials to use to design the perfect space for your child (or for yourself if you're the one going off to college).

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Dorm Products List:

1. Navy Curtains - Urban Outfitters - Dorm windows typically aren't pretty so use these curtains to bring in color and provide extra privacy.   2. White Desk Shelf - Container Store - This shelf collapses so it's easy to move.   3. Table Lamps -  West Elm - With the harsh lighting of the dorm these accent lamps will create a much warmer atmosphere.   4. Cozy Bedding - Urban Outfitters - nice bedding is the quickest way to brighten your plain room and bring in your own style. Since you probably will only have this for a couple of years, don't spend too much! But don't cheap out completely...you'll already have trouble sleeping if sharing a room with a new roommate.   5. White Desk Chair - Overstock - Desk chairs don't have to be ugly or expensive. This white number is sleek and will modernize any space.   6. White Desk - Urban Outfitters -  a lot of dorm rooms now provide a desk, but if they don't you'll want to invest in at least a small table. There will definitely be nights you don't feel like going to the library and the desk will come in handy!   7. Mini Fridge - Home Depot - A necessity for all dorm rooms! You'll occasionally want your own groceries to help prevent that Freshman 15.   8. Tall Bookcase - Overstock -  If you can fit it, definitely consider purchasing a bookcase. You will be acquiring a lot more books and it will add an upscale accent.   9. Record Player - Urban Outfitters - Want to be the coolest new friend on campus? Get a record player.   10. Dishware Set - Urban Outfitters - Just like a mini fridge, dishware is a dorm necessity. An affordable set should get you all the way through College too.   11. Framed Pictures/Art - Urban Outfitters - Decorate the walls! Create a photo collage or buy a bunch of cool, inexpensive prints--it will make your place feel a lot more home-y.   12. Blanket - West Elm - A super soft throw will help get you through those long nights of studying.   13. Mongrammed Towels - PB Teen - if your dorm has a community bathroom, monogrammed towels are essential...then you'll know if someone steals your soft, fluffy towel.   14. Wall Shelf - Urban Outfitters - the more shelving & storage the better. And this one is perfect for a cool plant!   15. Accent Mirror - Urban Outfitters - Mirrors always make the room feel bigger & are great for putting by the door to look at on your way out to class!   16. Seating Poufs - West Elm -  you probably won't be spending too much time in your dorm, but you'll still want some extra seating for when your new friends come visit.   17. Floor Lamp - Urban Outfitters - Just like the table lamps, this will make your dorm environment much more pleasant & calming.   18. Sheepskin Rug - Pottery Barn - Something soft to put your feet on every morning, to make you want to get out of bed for class.   19. Blue Accent Chair - West Elm - If you can fit it, you'll appreciate this pop of color and a comfy place to sit when you need to read all those new books!

We hope this long list of items inspires you to create a dorm room where you or your child feel at home and relaxed!

Sometimes you don't know where to begin with moving in and creating a home away from home...so if you need help we would love to offer our professional advice! Feel free to reach out to us.

Click here to see more Blog Posts by Paula Ables Interiors.

Mid-Century Moment

Modern, Mid-century styles are definitely having a moment right now and we are loving it! In fact, mid-century designs have become recognized as classic, American staples in today's design world, and we expect them to stick around for years to come. "Mid-Century modern" describes mid-20th century developments in modern design & architecture. After WWII this design movement evolved out of the need to replace pre-war styles with fresh, optimistic interiors and architecture. Veterans and their families felt the need to create  new homes with new styles, to put the war behind them. This style is now recognized worldwide as a significant design movement, and has made a major comeback in the design world--particularly interior design.

Some of the major leaders in this movement include: Charles & Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi, George Nelson, and many more amazing designers.  Today we are featuring some of these innovators who have provided so much inspiration for us over the years!

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Mid Century Moment Product Details [from top to bottom, left to right]:

Record Player - Crosley Dansette - Good news for you baby boomers: Record-player sales are up, so pull out all those dusty vinyls from the attic and look trendy while doing it! // Wood Dining Table - Eero Saarinen - A simple & classic, round, dining table with a white aluminum cast for a retro edge // Orange Dining Chair - Eames Molded Fiberglass Chair - The kitchen is always a fun place to add color & lucky for you, this chair design comes in any color you could imagine // White Bubble Lamps - George Nelson - An interesting but simple, elegant but edgy design all in one lamp // Black Ball Clock - George Nelson - One of the most recognizable designs of the mid-century movement, this clock has come to symbolize optimism & technological advances // Bentwood Teardrop Shelf - Urban Outfitters - A fun & functional wall accessory // Sheepskin Rug - Design Within Reach - This functions as a luxurious rug, or an elegant throw over a chair // White & Gray Pillows - West Elm - The crosshatch embroidery on the pillows was a common print of the 50s & 60s // Blue Shag Pillow - Urban Outfitters - Textured accessories add interest & life to a room // Ivory Lamp - West Elm - The organic shape & geometric pattern shine a vintage light on your room // Glass Coffee Table - Isamu Noguchi - With outstanding accuracy & attention to detail, this well-known Coffee Table will please even the most selective design fan // Black Lounge Chair - Charles & Ray Eames - An icon of American design, and comfortable too // Teal Sectional Sofa - Joybird - Merging mid-century with modern in any color you can dream of // Wood Mads Credenza - Rove Kure - Once again, white lacquer accents add a modern, retro touch to a simple storage unit.

As a contemporary Interior Design firm we love this mid-century era and incorporate modern elements in our designs whenever we have the chance. Below are some projects where we have been able to use mid-century pieces to compliment the design of our clients' homes.

See our Barton Hills Remodel/Addition house on Houzz for more photos of this amazing space.

See our Lake Austin Contemporary house for more photos of this amazing space.

See our Spanish Oaks Contemporary house for more photos of this amazing space.

As you can see, our mid-century elements usually come in the form of a chair or a table, but there are endless ways to use classic mid-century modern designs! If you are interested in giving your home a modern update but are not sure how, we would love to help! Feel free to reach out to us with any questions or inquiries.

Click here to see more blog posts by Paula Ables Interiors.