While most of us refer to it as ‘graduation,’ schools always call the ceremony ‘commencement.’  And so it is.  The completion of an academic career must be the beginning of something else.  For my girls (who both graduate this weekend), it’s a bright new future: graduate school; a career in the museum field.

For me, it’s the commencement of another decorating project.  Because no matter what you’re commencing, you must live somewhere.  And that somewhere should be as comfortable and attractive as your vision and budget can make it.

And I must admit, I’ve really enjoyed the whole dorm decorating thing.  It would begin each August with major treks to their respective schools.

Yes, we filled the Suburban to the brim with every fall trip we made to the girls’ colleges.

Katherine, settling into her first dorm room

Embrace the dorm room and create the unique space that will become a sanctuary for your college student.  While all is pretty and comfortable, note the less-than-attractive necessities:  boxes of Raman noodle soup!

Sasha, her first day in college, ready for metriculation.

Somehow I don’t have pictures of Sasha’s dorm rooms over the years, but she did have them, and true to Sasha’s style: they were very different each year.

By senior year (this year for both girls, as Sasha went through in just 3 years), both girls enjoyed their best housing options.  Both had large, single rooms in vintage buildings.

Here’s a look:

I just LOVE Katherine’s senior dorm room! The floor-to-celiing window looks out over the historic front quad. The ceilings are about 12′ high. An exceptional space! Just right for her Bella Notte bedding and Chartreuse & co accessories.

 

Sasha’s senior year dorm room is in a mission-style house. She scored two windows and loads of square footage. The little sconces on the wall were original to the house. So cute.

And while I generally object to posters as a decorating tool, I had to admit that this one was pretty awesome. It was like she had a window looking out over Paris.
The comfy chair and ottoman didn’t hurt, either.

So now the rooms are being packed up.  This phase of our decorating lives has come to an end.  It’s been a blast, but I know it’s just the beginning of bigger and better things to come…(I’ve already stashed some great finds for their new apartment!)

Thanks for reading,

Virginia