Pictured above is a typical Dalhousie Howe Hall single dorm room.
Empty, it’s perfect for minimalist psychopaths. But you deserve
a room with personality that won’t scare the neighbours. So how and
where do you start? We asked Suzanne Saul, co-owner of Attica
Furnishings (1566 Barrington Street, 423-2557), to give us a few design
guidelines, and after a 12-hour HGTV marathon, we added a few of our
own tips.
1.Suzanne Saul: The biggest change to make is the bedding, and
there’s an opportunity here to make a statement and give the room some
life.
The Coast: See if your grandma has any old Hudson’s Bay
blankets with the iconic stripes. They scream Trudeau-era vintage chic,
as does anything with wildlife (deer, foxes and owls preferred).
2.SS: Cheer up the room with new curtains and an area rug.
Replace the dark, heavy curtains with something light. Cube drapery
panels (maybe in white) will brighten up the room and add a sense of
geometry.
TC: Band flags are not curtains. Sugar Ray was on
Cribs, and even he knows better.
3.SS: Use storage items to not only keep the room neat and
tidy, but to also add some colour and personality. Hampers,
wastebaskets, shelves and bulletin boards can be fun and functional.
For a more sophisticated look, place woven storage baskets across the
top of the wardrobe.
TC: Plastic milk crates are not sophisticated but old wooden
milk crates can look cool. Take a trip through the north end vintage
shops (mostly on and around Agricola) and see what you can find. Mix
and match.
4.SS: Add some wow with a clock, wall decor, frames and a
mirror. Keep photos of family and friends, as well as memos and
reminders on photo mobiles. Use a few for even more impact.
TC: Avoid Matisse posters. Puppies and boobies are also not
acceptable. Sign up for a screenprinting class at the Roberts Street
Social Centre (robertsstreet.org) and make your own
art, or if you have a little money, go to NSCAD’s Seeds Gallery (1892
Hollis) and support other students.
5.SS: Don’t forget that your main focus is to study, and buy
items that will help you do just that, such as a desk lamp and chair.
Having a comfortable desk chair is key—why not make it stylish to
boot!
TC: It’s so true. Beg mom and dad to buy you a decent chair,
or try to find one on Kijiji, before you get all gnarled up like us.
Your future carpal tunnel will thank you.
This article appears in Sep 3-9, 2009.
I lived in Howe Hall for 4 years, your picture of a ‘typical’ room is in fact the President’s room in Fountain, room 1. A room where I shared many a beer.
Arguably this is the nicest room in the Howe Hall, perhaps after the suite in Smith for the Howe Hall President.
Not typical at all. Perhaps show a Bronson or Smith room, or Cameron, that’s typical!
It’d be really great to see some dorm rooms that are actually pimped out. Maybe hold a sequel for this article and get some students to send in photos of their rooms (whether they be dorm rooms, or just rooms rented in apartments). Then we’d get to see some of the makeshift decorating talent halifax students really have to offer, and whether or not they adhere to some of the tips given in this article!
Also, a great way to make your own art, shred a magazine and put it back together. Or photocopy some cool stuff you’ve got laying around like leftover concert tickets and movie stubs, then blow them up a bit. Zerox does this for about fifteen cents down on Hollis St. Personalized and oh so trendy.