Lovely Undergrad

Chevron Chic Dining Room on a College Budget

noreply@blogger.com (Lovely Undergrad Jessica Hansen) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Chevron. I love to love it. And so does Tehrene of Love Twenty. While trolling her blog, the above photo caught my eye as it had hers. "I would love this to be my future dining room," she wrote, but then went on to say that "the rug, let alone anything else in the room, is completely over my budget." Turns out she got her chevron fix by picking up some super lovely pillows at Target. But this dreamy dining room inspired me to create a look for less.

And voila!

My "look for less" version is tailored for unique need college students face when decorating an apartment, including budget restrictions and a shortage of space. I've broken down my How-To for this space with products you can "buy" and projects you can "DIY."

Table

Buy: Ikea's MELLTORP Dining Table in white possesses the the same sleek lines as the parsons table in the inspiration room. But measuring in at about 30 wide by 30 deep, it's a smaller scale version perfect for tight apartment spaces. Plus, the top is melamine. (Say what? Melamine is scratch resistance, moisture proof, and easy to clean.) Oh, and it costs just $49.99.

DIY: If you're a real handy-gal in the garage (or have a dad who is), a parsons table can be built. Otherwise, scavenge garage sales and thrift stores for a simple table that you can makeover with a few coats of white paint.)

Chairs

Buy: While the butterfly chairs in the inspiration room are indeed gorgeous with their feminine curves, a pair of chairs from Ikea might give those butterflies a run for their money. These URBAN Chairs come in that same great shade of robin's egg blue. Lightweight and stackable, they are ideal for moving or just making space in the apartment. And they get bonus points for being suitable for outdoor use as well. It'll cost you $39.99 for one of the URBANs.

DIY: The chairs in the inspiration room have a slightly retro feel. Conduct a search. Thrift stores, antique shops, garage sales, Craigslist... look high and low for a pair of retro chairs of your own. Even if what you find isn't the right color, you can make it work with some paint or re-upholstery. (See Frugal Home Designs make a retro chair feel modern.)

Curtains

Buy: The inspiration room's windows are draped in classic white sheers. What does that mean for us undergrads? Easy peasy! You can buy floor-length white sheers just about anywhere... but it's all about the thrill of the bargain hunt! Sure, Wal-Mart and Target will give you a great deal on panels. But take a look at places like Hobby Lobby, Lowes, and dollar stores where you might snatch these babies up for a mere $3 to $5 a panel.

DIY: Option 1, pick up some sheer white fabric from the local craft store and get sewing. (If you're a seamstress like that.) Option 2, put some old white twin bedsheets to good use. Follow this simple tutorial to convert bedsheets into curtain panels. I'm dying to try it!

Shelves

Buy: Simple floating- and moulding-style shelves can be had nearly anywhere. Start with Target and branch out from there. Be sure not to neglect the hardware stores and craft/hobby stores. Along with the super-cheap curtain panels, killer deals on shelving are also lurking.

DIY: Buy pieces of unfinished moulding that you can stain yourself. (Young House Love built their own floating shelves.)

Pendant

Buy: As college students, we likely don't have the option to swap out ugly apartment lights for gorgeous modern pendant lamps like the one in our inspiration room. But in the off chance that you can (or choose to wholeheartedly surrender your security deposit), the CB2 pendant in my "look for less" room will set you back about $60.

DIY: This totally depends on the type of lighting fixture in your place, but it may be possibe for you to attach a big, plain white lampshade to your ceiling or existing light just to get a similar look. (Jesse from Just Flew the Coop attached a lantern over her ceiling lamp.)

Chevron Rug

Buy: Ooooh, that black and white chevron! It's the bold, sassy, yet refined pattern that really steals the show in the inspiration room. First, search online. Since it's a classic black and white, it won't be as difficult to track down as a more offbeat color combo. I stumbled across this one for a mere $47 on Overstock.com.

DIY: Betcha didn't think I'd have a project for the rug. Welp, here it is. Yes, you can paint chevron onto a plain rug. This is definitely on my to-do-it-yourself list.

Accessories

Buy: Now to accessorize! The inspiration keeps things simple and sweet. Display the favorite magazines in all their glossy glory on the floating/moulding shelves. Frame a small black and white photo in a thick-bordered frame. Hit up the local antique shop or thrift store and you'll surely find a white vase (or ceramic pitcher like the inspiration room's) for under $10. Fill it with pretty pink flowers---fresh if you can!---or some silk/fake ones from a local craft store.

DIY: Make flowers yourself using coffee filters!

We're all on tight college budgets. And even though all of the things in this room can be had at a cheaper-than-the-inspiration price, chances are if you you buy it all you'll still be pushing your budget to the limit. If you have money to spare, invest it in some of the larger pieces. If you need to be more careful with your spending, find the balance between what you buy and what you DIY. If you're living on ramen, you might have to get a little more creative and crafty. But glamorous looks can be had for less!

Chalk It Up... My DIY Coffee Bar Project

noreply@blogger.com (Lovely Undergrad Jessica Hansen) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:43:00 +0000

Happy Tuesday! I have a DIY project for you! All you need is some old candle jars, chalkboard paint, and your favorite coffee roast. I turned several old candle jars and containers into chalkboard-chic canisters to store ground coffee, tea bags, sugar, creamer, and even syrup. (But this project would be perfect for organizing office supplies or even bathroom items like cotton balls and swabs.)

For photos and how-to, you'll have to check out my Crafty Kitchenette feature in College & Cook Magazine. (It's the first issue!)

I've embedded it here for your convenience... (And wouldja look at that?! It felt open right to my project!)

C&C is an entirely student-run food magazine. The first issue is full of mouthwatering pictures, college friendly recipes, and the lowdown on making 5-minute mug cakes! Check out College & Cook Magazine's now!

Snapshots of Simple Pleasures

noreply@blogger.com (Lovely Undergrad Jessica Hansen) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Above: This is how I spent this past Friday afternoon. I live within walking distance of the coziest little coffee shop, Cafe Milo. I trot down on a regular basis to sink into an antique chair and enjoy a big cup of light roast coffee near the warmth of a fire. It's a lovely place.

When I was little, one of my grandmas gave me this funky piece of costume jewelry. Ornate gold and pink gems frame a really glittery center rectangle. I've probably had this ring for twelve years... and I love as much today as the day I received it. As a girl, I thought it was totally something a princess would wear. Today, I love it for its unique, vintage, costumey feel. It's probably not worth much at all, but to me it's priceless. :)

I'm trying to take more pictures of the little details in life: my simplest pleasures. Hopefully I'll get around to sharing them here on the blog more often.

Do you have a favorite coffee shop or treasured piece of jewelry?

Valentine's Day Fashion

noreply@blogger.com (Lovely Undergrad Jessica Hansen) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Blame it on Pinterest, but I'm already in the Valentine's Day mood. Whether you're single, crushing, or involved... there's no excuse for not taking some cues from Cupid when it comes to dressing up in the lovey-dovey spirit. The above fashion board is all about pink. I threw out the bold, garish shade of pink you often see throughout February and replaced it with the perfect blushing hue.
The pale mauve dress with its long lace sleeves, slight A-line skirt, and waist-cinching brown belt would look darling with a pair of over-the-knee boots and pocket-watch necklace A flirty, ruffly pink blouse would look oh-so-flirty with a pair of dark, slimming bootcut jeans---especially with crimson accessories thrown in. Lastly, I couldn't get over this romantic dress, especially with glitzy-toed heels and a classic bag. With blush, go big or go home. Give your face a glowing radiance with natural pink blush. Paint your nails to match ballerina slippers. A light rosy lipstick completes your lovely look.

The color I want to focus on for Valentine's Day is a neutral hue you'll want to eat up: chocolate brown! For a cozy couple hours at the coffee shop, get inspired by chocolate-covered cherries... put on a casual ensemble of skinny jeans, a brown long-sleeved tee, red scarf, and brown leather biker boots, accessorized with a bold ring and cute cross-body bag. The second outfit is reminiscent of the fluffy, delicious nougat center of beloved candy bars. Take the light brown lace dress to class by dressing it down with darker oxfords and a handsome bag. Lastly, we dive into caramel-filled chocolate. This deep brown tunic is sinfully sweet for a night out on the town when paired with milk chocolate pumps and a caramelly clutch. Warm up winter with a golden glow on your face: bronzer, neutral eye shadow, and gold-flecked lips. Cappuccino-hued nail polish will look delicious on your fingertips, might I add.

You know I wouldn't write a Valentine's Day fashion post without getting some red in there. And who doesn't feel sexy in a little red dress? For this board, I found a little red dress for every occasion. The first is a flowy, pleated, cherry-hued frock. It looks perfectly ladylike with peach, vintagey pumps, a coral clutch, and pearls---perhaps for a candlelit dinner? Strapless, formfitting, and red hot, the second dress is ideal for dressing up with glittery chandelier earrings, a satin clutch, and lavender heels for a more fancy affair. Finally, this short-sleeve dress is ready for the office. Keep it professional and chic with a classic watch, classy purse, and spectator-pump-inspired flats. Since you're wearing a bold color, go easy on the makeup and skip the red lipstick. Instead, go au natural with the cosmetics---putting on a little nude lipstick and a lot of thickening mascara for some sultry eyes. Paint your nails a pale, shimmery metallic.

Ok, tell me! What is your ideal Valentine's Day date? And which of these ensembles is your favorite?

Beautiful Laptop Skins

noreply@blogger.com (Lovely Undergrad Jessica Hansen) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

While you can't go wrong with classic and classy black... my lovely new HP laptop keeps dinging me for a makeover. I stumbled across Society 6 and immediately knew I'd come to the right place. The only drawback is that there are sooo many options! We're talking thousands! I rounded up a few of my faves, but I only skimmed through 50 of the 1,391 pages of options. Did you really think I was exaggerating when I said thousands? Anyway, isn't that laptop skin lovely?
The hopeless romantic in me likes to think that if I were to sit with my laptop (covered in that skin) in the library, some random passerby who was struggling with a major life decision would be inspired to... well, "choose happiness." (I know, I know... I'm corny.)

...Or I could hide between this falling row of books. I love the colors and patterns. And they're worn just the right amount. Charming, right?

I might consider this one because it combines two of my favorite things: bokeh and old street lamps.

I'm not sure what exactly it is about this one that I love. Something about it (the lace? the bow? the hands?) is just graceful, inspiring, and haunting. It could Jane Eyre for all we know. Or it could be a modern fashonista.

Or maybe I'll go with this scenic stunner with the giraffe.

Society 6's plethora of laptop skins are all a flat $30 each. Plus, most of the images used in on the laptop skins can also be purchased as art prints, framed art prints, or stretched canvases. (Perfect for dorm decor, no?)

This got me thinking... what if everyone decorated their laptop with a skin? What would the cute boy in your lecture class put on his laptop? What would your artsy friend stick on to her macbook? I think it's such a great way to express your interests and personality. These could make for great gifts, too!

What would you want on your laptop?

Delightful Pastels in Germany

noreply@blogger.com (Lovely Undergrad Jessica Hansen) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:09:00 +0000

I just have to gush over this pretty flat in Germany. The dweller, Kathrin, is a software designer who lives here with her boyfriend Max and four bunnies. She has an eye for lovely decor and a self-proclaimed "huge weakness for old furniture, which I love to paint in order to give it a second life." (Sound like my kind of girl!) She blogs about her life and home at WhereYourHeartIs.net/en/. Let's take a tour of her beautiful apartment, shall we?

First of all, the bedroom! Pictured above, it's a fresh white space that showcases a very colorful granny square quilt. I love the vintage chandelier hanging up above. The window lets in tons of light--very bright and airy for a small room.

I love love love love love (yes, love times five) the wallpaper. It's ultra feminine, especially when paired with the pretty pink curtains. Fresh flowers on the chest of drawers seem to blend right in, as if growing out of the wallpaper.

In the living room sits this chic, heather gray sofa. Accented with a colorful, granny square quilt and lots of floral patterned pillows, it's definitely a cozy place to curl up. I'm also quite crazy about the bright red cabinet. In a space with so much white and pastels, the red color definitely makes a statement.

On the other end of the living room (before the wallpaper went up) sat a sunny yellow armoire. Being a little extra tall, I imagine that cute white coffee table would be ideal for setting a laptop on to blog or even some snacks while indulging in tv.

One of the things I really have to applaud Kathrin for is how she styles shelves. She creates the sweetest vignettes! These shelves host charming floral tins, perfumes, printed boxes and cups for makeup, number prints, and a vintage candlestick holder. Sometimes having necessities like makeup and soap within view can look cluttered... but on these shelves they just look lovely.

If I thought I was crazy about the pretty floral wallpaper in the living room, take that times ten and you'll have how much I adore the kitchen wallpaper. It's a similar pattern and color scheme, but features cute little birds mixed in with the branches. (I'm such a sucker for cute little birds.)

Tall, slim canisters compliment the clean, modern lines of the apartment... while their colorful lids add to the charm. A simple clock, kitschy cardboard doll, and fabulous artwork dress up the wall above the backsplash. Kathrin keeps her oft-needed kitchen tools handy---a pale blue colander, turquoise scissors, light wood utensils, and sweetly patterned oven mitts... all so pretty!

Back to another delightful shelf display. On the gorgeous wood counter top are adorable pastel containers, a scale, blender, and coffee mugs. Floral mugs, colorful lidded jars, baby blue bowls, and an unexpected bunny statue occupy the shelves above.

I saved my favorite shelf for last. Everything in this vignette has such great color and pattern! From the stripped candelabra, polka dotted tea kettle, and Orla Keily radio to the spiral designed bowl, colorful cutting board, and cute little canisters.

All photos in this post belong to Kathrin of where your heart is. She has many more photos of her pretty home, adorable projects, yummy food, and super cute bunnies. So head over to her photostream and be prepared to be smitten. You should also check out her blog (in English) here: whereyourheartis.net/en or (in German) whereyourheartis.net.

One Futon, Five Ways | Studio Style

noreply@blogger.com (Lovely Undergrad Jessica Hansen) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

It's the piece of furniture we love to hate: the futon. But since we college students are often short on space and low on money, this bed-slash-couch monster is often a necessary evil... especially in studios and efficiencies. Lately, there are some handsome futon options appearing on the market. It's more likely that your futon resembles the one above. These pieces cause many a decor woe, but stylishly integrating a futon into your apartment is not a lost cause. Don't give up! Just check out these five futon makeovers for inspiration:

Option #1: Elegant Luxe

That's right. I just used elegant and luxe to describe a futon. To get this look, bring on the glam. Satin curtains in a neutral shade like beige have just enough sheen to catch the light. A simple floor lamp with a shiny lampshade provides light without taking up much floor space. At the other end of the futon, a small chest of drawers will keep clutter at bay. Top it off with a lovely lamp in a beautiful color. On the futon, dress it to the nines with posh pillows--velvet, satin, glitter, the works. Adhere a large scrap of damask wallpaper to a large canvas for statement-making wall art. Keep your bedding nearby but outta sight using a storage bench that also offers extra seating. Use small, easy to move tables in lieu of a bulky, heavy coffee table. And makeover a dining chair with paint for a pretty side chair. Who knew the futon could look so fabulous?

Option #2: Urban Industrial

If your taste leans toward the handsome, masculine end of the decor spectrum... this look is ideal for you! Start by hanging some gray curtains--bonus points if they have a steely sheen to them. For artwork, hang a trendy subway sign or black and white photograph. On one end of the futon, use an industrial cart on wheels as a side table to hold books and a lamp with a metallic base. On the other end, opt for a telescope-style floor lamp. As far as pillows go, anything black and white or burlap that features cool illustrations or typography will complement the decor well. Keep bedding in a large wicker ottoman that doubles as a coffee table. And a nicely worn-in leather chair handsomely completes the scheme.

Option #3: Exotic Comforts

Give your space an indulgent, worldly vibe. Rich red curtain panels instantly warm up a room. Skip the art and hang an ornate shutter or metalworking as art instead. A curvy modern floor lamp blends in while giving feminine curves. Pick Moroccan-inspired pillows for the futon, aiming for hues of red, orange, and gold woven in elaborate patterns. A sleek, lightweight dark wood coffee table is the perfect place to display beautiful colored glass vases. Keep bedding in an antique trunk painted to look like something the ancient Greeks might have used. Incorporate Arabian-esque accessories like a Taj Mahal-like birdcage. Poufs make for great extra seating.

Option #4: Girly Eclectic

Whether you have your own place or rent with other females, your college years are the perfect time to really decorate like a girl. (Once you're dwelling with a live-in bf or married to a hubby... your man might strongly oppose so much pink.) So draw inspiration from your Barbie-playing days by dousing your space in hot pink. Hot pink curtains make the ultra-feminine statement right away. Repeat the fabulous color in flowers, pillows, and accessories like a lamp. To balance out (or amplify) the pretty pink, bring in another hue like fresh neon green. I used a lime-hued stump on one end of the futon as a side table... and a simple modern wood table on the other end. Bring together the pink and lime with other colors using multi-patterned pillows. An ornate mirror over lends its luxurious spirit to the room, while its surface reflects light and opens up the space. A large storage ottoman is perfect for storing your bedding. And a funky Mid-Century Modern chair adds retro flair.

Option #5: Royal Drama

Flood your space with the sovereign shade of rich purple to get this look. Start with the curtains, going for heavy panels ripe with juicy plum color. Repeat the shade on an upholstered storage ottoman that you can keep bedding inside. Bonus points if you can find a metallic purple lamp as gorgeous as the one here. For the rest of the room, go for classic black! Black artwork, black floor lamp, elegant black side table, black magazine holder, black chair, and black mirror. Onyx can be so dark and romantic when used in the right way. To really bring out the royal inspiration, decorate the futon with throw pillows that feature members of the royal court. This futon would be the perfect place to curl up and watch The Tudors or The Other Boleyn Girl!

What makeover would you most like to give your futon?

Winter Office Style Contest | Win $50

noreply@blogger.com (Lovely Undergrad Jessica Hansen) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 03:20:00 +0000

It's that time of year again... internship searches, career fairs, and hopefully some interviews. You only get one chance to make a fabulous first impression. You want your interview attire (and workplace fashion in general) to convey how professional you are while still showing off your personality. Not sure where to start when it comes to putting together a get-up that says, "Hire Me!"? Check out this infographic:

Now comes the fun part! Lovely Undergrad wants YOU to come up with a Winter Office Style worthy of an interview and internship. And the best outfit's creator wins a $50 visa gift card!

Rules + How to Enter:

1. Read the above infographic for wardrobe tips.

2. Think of your dream internship.

Think about what you would wear if you

scored a winter interview for that internship.

3. Using Polyvore, (or any program of your choice...
even Paint!), create an outfit set showcasing what

you would wear to your dream internship interview.

4. Blog about your outfit! In your post, include

an image of your set and write about your dream

internship, how the outfit follows the infographic's

advice, and why you would wear the outfit to an interview.

5. For one entry, submit your link (below) to this post.

Simply click on the "Add Your Link" button and follow

the directions. Then, leave a comment on this post

including your name, email address, and another link

to your blog post featuring your outfit.

(Important: Entries that don't include a valid email address will be disqualified.

If you're worried about bots, spell out the words "at" and"dot" or putting [ ]'s around them.)

6. For an extra entry, tweet about this contest or share

it on Facebook. Let Lovely Undergrad know you did this by

tweeting @LovelyUndergrad or leaving a comment on

Lovely Undergrad's Facebook wall.

7. This contest is open to contestants 18 and older,

living in the United States. One entry per contestant.

8. You can vote for the outfits you like. A winner will not

be selected solely based on votes. Lovely Undergrad

will choose a winner, taking into consideration number

of votes, quality of the outfit, practicality, creativity,

style, and even things like thriftiness.

9. Entries will be accepted until 11:59 pm February 22, 2012.

10. A winner be announced on the blog

and notified by email on February 23, 2012.

Got all that?! Lovely Undergrad can't wait to see all of the pretty, professional Winter Office Style outfits you lovelies come up with! If you have questions or need clarification about the contest, please feel free to send an email.

Disregard my entry below. I'm not entering, of course, I just wanted to make sure the link tool worked. :)

This giveaway sponsored by Adecco USA who is running a “New Year, New You” contest through the end of January 2012. Check out the Adecco Facebook page for more details, and find out how you could win daily prizes throughout January 2012! One grand prize winner will receive a new interview suit, a new laptop and career counseling!

Winter Weaknesses

noreply@blogger.com (Lovely Undergrad Jessica Hansen) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:17:00 +0000

Now that the snow is here to stay in Iowa... I suppose it's time to share my weaknesses this winter. Here's what's getting me through the frigid days and frozen nights...

1. Malaia Perfume by Hollister Co. This summery scent, while reminiscent of sun-drenched days of seasons past, has floral tones just sheer enough and woodsy tones just warm enough to make it one of my favorite fragrances to wear in the chillier months. Plus, I love its subtle pink color, modern glass bottle, and vintage-like atomizer. And... it simply smells reeeeally good!

2. Gaudy Rings. I've always had a thing for ornate vintage costume jewelry. I blame it on both grandmas for giving me their discarded, bejeweled pieces. I remember wearing my giant, glittery gold ring or big cameo ring back in high school. One teacher chuckled and said, "You and your gaudy rings." Let's just say I'm thrilled to not be the only one flashing these costume-y jewels! Forget the mall. The best rings are hiding at your local antique and vintage stores for about five bucks a pop. ;)

3. Pocket-watch necklaces. Here I go placing the blame again... my fascination with pocket-watches is owed to Alice and Wonderland, specifically the white rabbit. I had a stuffed animal of him when I was little. My favorite part of him? His plastic gold pocket-watch. I. Was. Obsessed. Now... I wear my own pocket-watch inspired necklace with almost every outfit. I. Am. Obsessed.

4. Pink-tinted Softlips. In the Midwest, winter days' below-freezing temps and brisk winds can cause serious damage to lips. So a chapstick that keeps them moist, healthy, happy... and pretty is definitely a winner in my books. Right now, my go-to stick is a slightly shimmery, pink-tinted tube of Softlips. (And it tastes delish.)

5. Biker Boots. This is a trend I never thought I'd jump on, but they've grown on me. Then I got two pairs for Christmas---a brown pair from Grandma (she has a great eye for style!) and a grayish pair I picked up at a post-Christmas sale for a thrifty ten bucks. A little past my riding-boot kick, I'm still experimenting with these babies. So far, I'm loving them skinny jeans or leggings and ultra-feminine tops with lace details.

6. Bronze Mercury Glass. I'm a sucker for mercury glass. It makes me swoon. (Why can't there be mercury glass jewelry, eyeglasses, etc.?!) Anyway... I'm seriously in love with this chocolatey bronze spin on the classic silver mercury glass. I scored a few votive cups on clearance at Target recently and the gorgeous golden glow they cast around is beautiful!

7. Lemon Lavender. My gorgeous votive cups wouldn't be complete without a wonderful fragrance, would they?! I'm a loyal fan of Yankee Candle Company. While my fall months were full of delicious baked-goods scents, I wanted something different once the new year began. Something clean and fresh. Something that gets me excited for the upcoming Spring, without being too floral or sunshiney. My mom musta read my mind. She gave me some Lemon Lavender votive candles and they're perfect! The lavender color is so pretty and the fragrance is divine.

8. Coffee. How could I go a season without babbling on about my love affair with coffee? In the past month I've learned how to whip up lattes and a number of other coffee drinks. And my new apartment is literally fifty steps away from a lovely little coffee shop. Oh, how I love coffee!

Leave a comment with your top three (or eight!) Winter Weaknesses!

Five Decorating Ideas for a Brick and Blue Room

noreply@blogger.com (Lovely Undergrad Jessica Hansen) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

What's my hands-down, all-time favorite email to receive? Your decorating questions! I absolutely love coming up with personalized decor inspiration for you, lovely readers. I recently received an email from lovely Niamh, who said...

"I don't live in a dorm as I still have a year and a half of high school left before I start university. I would love it if you could give me some decorating tips as I am redecorating my room. It looks like it's for a 6-year-old! I have a white chest of drawers and bed. I got Graham & Brown brick-style wallpaper. And I'm painting my room a turquoise blue color. But I don't know what else to do and you always have great ideas. I'd love it if you could help. :)"

While Niamh is still a ways away from dorm life, I was instantly excited to take on the project! Niamh faces a problem many of us do, whether we're living at home with the 'rents or renting a room in a house... making a space feel age appropriate!

I tracked down images of the Graham & Brown wallpaper Niamh will be putting up---it'd a beautiful wallpaper that gives the illusion of exposed brick. Then, I looked up the pretty shade of turquoise blue she'll be painting. Going off of the photos she sent me of her current room, I found a metal daybed, desk and chair, dresser, bookcase and armoire that closely resemble what she has now. I'm all for working with what you have!

I was so inspired by the brick wallpaper and lovely blue that I couldn't just come up with one inspiration board! So I created five... :)

Option #1: Feminine Elegance

My first decorating scheme for Niamh's room centers on the glamor that every girl craves and the romance no girl can resist. Instead of bombarding the space with color, I focused on really playing up the beautiful blue. With this turquoise as the headliner, I expanded the color scheme to include the crisp white of her furniture and toasty browns of her brick wallpaper and armoire. I kept the curtains, bed linens, and lampshades creamy vanilla in color. Luxurious pillows--one flaunting unexpected chevron--liven up the daybed. The artwork, whether abstract or floral, picks up on the shades of blue. I thought it'd be a cute accent to include a small round nightstand painted to match the walls. A round ottoman, upholstered in cream and turquoise fabric, pulls the colors together and serves triple duty as footrest, side table, and extra seating. I included reflective accessories throughout the room to up the glam factor, such as a chandelier, beveled glass vase, and mirror-finish picture frame.

Option #2: Vintage Charm

My second idea for the room sparked off of my love for pairing robin's egg blue with bold crimson. It makes for a playful yet refined color combination. For the curtains, I selected simple panels in a shade barely lighter than the walls. I kept the bedding neutral again and spiced it up with pretty floral pillows that featured red and blue accents. Brown vintage suitcases stacked on top of each other make a perfect nightstand, especially when topped off with a vibrant red lamp. An old metal chair gets new life painted red. And if Niamh would be willing to work a little DIY magic, I think her white dresser would look amazing with a coat of scarlet-hued paint. Varied red accessories and artwork give the room personality and spunk.

Option #3: Eclectic Esthetic

You know I can't resist a good dose of eclecticism. ;) The brick wallpaper immediately brought to mind some of my favorite coffee houses and their cozy, eclectic vibes. While I wanted the room to be colorful, I didn't want a random array of colors. I started with a fresh lemon-lime hue that contrasted well with the brick while complimenting the turquoise---then I used it on the chair, nightstand, and clock face. Feeling the need for a little metal, I picked slightly iridescent gray panels. I repeated that with an industrial floor lamp, galvanized metal trash can, and super shiny silver lamp base. Splashes of orange--on the lampshade, artwork, and accessories--warm up the room a bit. I liked included rather curious accessories... tall orange feather rather than flowers in a vase on the dresser, a Grecian-style bust, vintage artwork, a faux bear rug, and book posters. Also, the pillows on the bed depict an octopus and mermaid---love 'em! Definitely a cozy, interesting room to curl up with a cuppa coffee, no?

Option #4: Girly Cheer

Sometimes you want your room to grow up just a little... just enough to retain some of its carefree, youthful attitude. That's what this grouping is all about. I went with a color scheme of turquoise, hot pink, and bright yellow. Pink because it's ultra girly. Yellow because it's ultra cheerful. The pink comes in on the curtains, artwork, fresh flowers, and an adorable owl pillow. The yellow gets a little more spotlight since its lighter. So it appears on the lamp base, desk lamp, rug, throw pillow, and furniture. I thought it'd be fun for Niamh to swap out her white desk chair for an antique store find painted yellow. A round nightstand, also painted yellow, would be darling. Simple, colorful, and fresh-faced... what's not to love about this room?

Option #5: Literary Chic

Lastly, I took a "novel" approach to Niamh's room, since she mentioned in her email that she's a bit of a bookworm (like me!). I went with a neutral-heavy black-white-and-cream scheme. Several accessories in the room give off a vintage schoolhouse feel--the lamp base, desk lamp, and metal message board. I went black curtains that really stand out against the brick wallpaper. A wicker nightstand adds nice texture to the room, while a metal cafe chair painted black would look right at home under the desk... especially with a black vintage typewriter! For artwork, I kept with the neutral, word-loving theme by picking two-tone cream and charcoal prints that feature words rather than pictures. Similarly, typographic pillows decorate the daybed. I added some warm color to the room with an antique oriental rug that features subtle sage greens, dark reds, and rusty corals.

Niamh, I hope you are richly inspired by my five ideas for your bedroom! (Please send photos when you complete your redecorating---I'd love to share 'em on the blog.)

To the rest of you, I love love love doing these personalized decor boards. So send your decorating questions (and pictures) to lovelyundergrad@live.com.

Making the Most of Tall Windows | Design Shuffle

noreply@blogger.com (Lovely Undergrad Jessica Hansen) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Hi! I’m Joanna, a writer for Design Shuffle, a premier interior design portal for interior designers to share their work and design enthusiasts to enjoy. I love my job. I get to spend each day finding the most beautiful interior designs and sharing them with blog readers like you. Thanks to Lovely Undergrad for allowing me to share today! Finding the best treatment for tall windows can seem daunting and overwhelming. Sometimes, it just takes a few decorating ideas taken from other rooms to find the perfect window treatments for your own space. We’ve gathered together several rooms with eclectic and classic styles.

Sometimes the best window treatment option for tall windows is no window treatment at all. The natural light floods through this apartment making it bright and cheerful.

Simple white panels at this transom window blends with the walls creating a nice soft canvas for the room’s furnishings.

A tall potted tree acts as a window treatment offering protection against high glare when reading or working.

Simple panels in a neutral fabric on a tall window create a lovely backdrop for the bed. Panels are carried through to the French doors, giving this bedroom design a seamless look.

A simple louvered treatment on these tall windows gives protection against harsh sunlight and adds an element of interest to the room.

Potted plants and accessories set on window ledges create a focal point and draw the eye to the outdoors.

A dreamy dressing room gets the royal treatment at the windows with a soft blue fabric. A sheer is added to block excess light so the desk can be used. Does this room inspire any interior design ideas?

Bathroom ideas are flourishing in this design. Large shades are easily maneuvered from open to closed when this bathroom is in use. The patterned wallpaper blends beautifully with the shades, giving the walls a seamless look. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 Tall windows do wonders for your home! Check out even more inspiration at Design Shuffle where you'll find out brand new interior design guide and connect with Boston interior designers and more!

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Thanks, Joanna for the inspiration!

For all the girls who read...

noreply@blogger.com (Lovely Undergrad Jessica Hansen) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

As a girl who reads, writes, and has indulged in a love affair with the written word since I was first able to put letters together... I fell in love with this passage by Rosemarie Urquico. And since I know so many of you lovely readers are bookworms and writers yourselves, I'm sure you'll appreciate the following, too:

A Girl You Should Date

by Rosemarie Urquico

Date a girl who reads. Date a girl who spends her money on books instead of clothes. She has problems with closet space because she has too many books. Date a girl who has a list of books she wants to read, who has had a library card since she was twelve.

Find a girl who reads. You’ll know that she does because she will always have an unread book in her bag. She’s the one lovingly looking over the shelves in the bookstore, the one who quietly cries out when she finds the book she wants. You see the weird chick sniffing the pages of an old book in a second hand book shop? That’s the reader. They can never resist smelling the pages, especially when they are yellow.

She’s the girl reading while waiting in that coffee shop down the street. If you take a peek at her mug, the non-dairy creamer is floating on top because she’s kind of engrossed already. Lost in a world of the author’s making. Sit down. She might give you a glare, as most girls who read do not like to be interrupted. Ask her if she likes the book.

Buy her another cup of coffee.

Let her know what you really think of Murakami. See if she got through the first chapter of Fellowship. Understand that if she says she understood James Joyce’s Ulysses she’s just saying that to sound intelligent. Ask her if she loves Alice or she would like to be Alice.

It’s easy to date a girl who reads. Give her books for her birthday, for Christmas and for anniversaries. Give her the gift of words, in poetry, in song. Give her Neruda, Pound, Sexton, Cummings. Let her know that you understand that words are love. Understand that she knows the difference between books and reality but by god, she’s going to try to make her life a little like her favorite book. It will never be your fault if she does.

She has to give it a shot somehow.

Lie to her. If she understands syntax, she will understand your need to lie. Behind words are other things: motivation, value, nuance, dialogue. It will not be the end of the world.

Fail her. Because a girl who reads knows that failure always leads up to the climax. Because girls who understand that all things will come to end. That you can always write a sequel. That you can begin again and again and still be the hero. That life is meant to have a villain or two.

Why be frightened of everything that you are not? Girls who read understand that people, like characters, develop. Except in the Twilight series.

If you find a girl who reads, keep her close. When you find her up at 2 AM clutching a book to her chest and weeping, make her a cup of tea and hold her. You may lose her for a couple of hours but she will always come back to you. She’ll talk as if the characters in the book are real, because for a while, they always are.

You will propose on a hot air balloon. Or during a rock concert. Or very casually next time she’s sick. Over Skype.

You will smile so hard you will wonder why your heart hasn’t burst and bled out all over your chest yet. You will write the story of your lives, have kids with strange names and even stranger tastes. She will introduce your children to the Cat in the Hat and Aslan, maybe in the same day. You will walk the winters of your old age together and she will recite Keats under her breath while you shake the snow off your boots.

Date a girl who reads because you deserve it. You deserve a girl who can give you the most colorful life imaginable. If you can only give her monotony, and stale hours and half-baked proposals, then you’re better off alone. If you want the world and the worlds beyond it, date a girl who reads.

Or better yet, date a girl who writes.

Selene's Room | Underworld

noreply@blogger.com (Lovely Undergrad Jessica Hansen) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:00:00 +0000

The only vampire movie series I've really gotten into is Underworld. I love Kate Beckinsale! And since I have a hot date with my guy tonight to see Underworld: Awakening... I couldn't help but put together a decor board of what I would imagine Selene's room to be like. Drenched in black. Gothic furniture. Ultra femme fatale. I'm particularly smitten with the black chandelier, bed, and chair. What do you think? Would you revamp your room in this style? (Re-vamp... haha... couldn't resist!)

Alison's Room Bonus | Pretty Little Liars Decor

noreply@blogger.com (Lovely Undergrad Jessica Hansen) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Surprise! Surprise! One last post in this series... Alison's room!

You know Alison as the very popular and very cruel friend (or is it frenemy?) of Hanna, Emily, Aria, and Spencer. Alison's room is a definite princess room. Think pink, feminine, and luxe.

We don't see a whole lot of Alison's room on the series, but from a few glimpses inside we can tell that it is full of pale pink, luxurious furniture, and shiny accents.

Here's the moodboard I created inspired by the peeks I saw of Alison's space...

Take feminine to the highest level you possibly can. Imagine what a modern princess might like... and go from there. Victorian and antique furniture is ideal. Look for tufted chairs, elaborate beds, curvy tables, and rich details. You can't overdo the sparkle--include shiny silver and glittery gold. Frame some pink floral wallpaper as art. Go for ruffled pink pillows on the bed. And something tells me Alison would've approved of a chandelier...

London Calling | Inspired by the British

noreply@blogger.com (Lovely Undergrad Jessica Hansen) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:10:00 +0000

I was definitely feeling a little UK love today when I entered the Poshtots Children's Bedroom Challenge on Olioboard. (Head over and vote for my entry, pretty please!)
Even though I designed the set for a kid's room--specifically a sophisticated little British girl--I thought it was a perfect inspiration board to also share here on LU.

The room began as an empty exposed brick space with beautiful hardwood floors. The major inspiration piece was the "Up, Up, and Away" pillow. And since I love how bold red complements pale blue, my color scheme was set. I threw in an aged ivory tone for a neutral. The bed is a simple corner daybed, which I dressed with red sheets and an assortment of pillows featuring map prints and floral patterns. What better nightstand for a travel-inspired room than a vintage suitcase on legs? A big dresser painted robin's egg blue steels the show with a red mirror hung overhead. An ivory and red desk is decked out with a map, lamp, and old books... with a galvanized can nearby for trash. I threw Brit-love all over the place--the rug, a cute little boat accessory, and an art print. On one window I hung solid red curtain panels, while I went with a fun floral panel for the window nearest the bed.

I've always wanted to go to London... and looking at this room makes me want to go all the more!

What do you think? Head over to Olioboard now to vote for my entry or submit your own!!

Hanna's Room | Pretty Little Liars Decor

noreply@blogger.com (Lovely Undergrad Jessica Hansen) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:13:00 +0000

Hanna's room is definitely the most feminine and fashion-forward of the four... which isn't a surprise considering Hanna Marin is the popular, fashionable, girly girl of the clique. Her bedroom fuses sleek modernity with fashionable luxe with perky charm... making for a Cheerful Glam look.

Hanna's color scheme brings together lots of white, beige, and gray... with a bit of pink and red, and then splashes of sunny yellow. Her bed includes an upholstered headboard and lots of patterned throw pillows. Her nightstands are shiny, white, and sharp-edged modern, accessorized with feminine lamps and girl favorites like pictures, magazines, and a colorful phone.

Here's my favorite item in Hanna's space: a dress form used as an inspiration board for fashion magazine scraps and clippings.

Hanna's desk doubles as a vanity. Filled with perfumes, nail polishes, and cosmetics---all kept tidy on pretty trays---Hanna probably does more primping here than homework. Another (smaller) mannequin inhabits the array of accessories. A glass lamp gives light. Flowers freshen up the desktop. And a funky, ornate mirror tells Hanna who the fairest of them all is. Nearby woven wicker boxes add storage. And I love her white chair with its yellow cushion.

Hanna's room also features a second bed---a daybed that she often lounges on. A huge canvas painted yellow hangs on the wall above as bright, cheerful artwork. I love the pairing of pink and yellow all over Hanna's room.

Speaking of bright yellow... check out that lamp! Its base adds a bold pop of color and visual interest to that corner of the room, hanging out among metallic picture frames.

A black and white photograph of the Eiffel Tower hangs on Hanna's wall.

Here's a close-up shot of Hanna's desktop/vanity. She organizes perfumes on an antique mirror-top tray and keeps track of smaller cosmetics on a square lucite tray. Just goes to show how organization can be glitzy and glamorous!

The other side of Hanna's desk features another square lucite tray, plus a lily-inspired jewelry stand.

Furniture: Hanna's room is a bit less eclectic than the other girls' rooms... all of her furniture is clean, white, and mostly modern. For the bed you'll want to go with a headboard upholstered in a white, cream, or beige fabric. (If you can't find one, there are tons of tutorials for this on the web.) Keep the bedding itself light and neutral. Opt for nightstands that are sleek and white---same goes with the desk. Rather than adding a daybed to my moodboard, I went with an armless chair for extra seating.

Pattern & Pillows: On the bed, add a pink blanket. Hanna's was a tie-dye floral design, but I love this hot geometric throw. In your array of pillows, include a pink one, deep red one, and gray and yellow one. Go with white curtains that have a bit of a pattern to them, like these trellis-printed panels. If you can't have floral wallpaper, add floral patterns in other ways---for example, a rug or floral-printed furniture like the armchair I used.

Accessories: Vintage dress forms aren't hard to hunt down if you really look. Antique stores, thrift and vintage shops, and Craiglist are great places to start. Check those same places for a great, ornate mirror that you can paint pink, silver or lucite trays for your perfumes and cosmetics, plus bright colored vintage telephones to display. Look for lamp bases that are clear glass or bright yellow. Keep the shades simple and white. Bring in some natural texture with some wicker storage bins or baskets. Hang a statement-making Eiffel Tower print on your wall, as well as fashion-inspired art sketches. A vase of flowers, pretty pink candles, and your favorite pair of pump amp up the feminine factor.

Emily's Room | Pretty Little Liars Decor

noreply@blogger.com (Lovely Undergrad Jessica Hansen) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:52:00 +0000

Today's the day for Emily's lovely bedroom. Emily Fields is the shy, sweet swimmer of the group. Her room manages to find the perfect balance between vintage country and preppy chic. At first glance, the room is light, sunny, and airy. It's any teen girl's dream room.

One of my favorite parts of Emily's room is her window nook. What girl doesn't want a cozy window seat to curl up with a good book in or just watch the world pass by outside the window. The window seat is kept fresh and young with a simple white cushion and cute white pillows embellished with colorful polka dots and flower designs.

Above, you can see the light fixture that hangs over Emily's window seat. Its modern silhouette contributes clean lines to the room, while its polka dot pattern keeps things from getting too serious.

I love love love love love Emily's ivory wrought iron bed in all its shabby chic glory. Next to the bed, a simple wooden wardrobe gives off a down-home country feel. Abstract art in pale green and baby blue hangs on the wall above her bed.

Emily's bedding is a girly mix of cottagey white quilts and updated gray and yellow floral prints.

Isn't the room soooo beautiful when the sunlight shines in? You can really see the pale, buttery shade of yellow on her walls and the crisp white trim throughout the room. A cute antique farmhouse chair, painted minty green, is situated by the window nook. At far right, a white bookcase compliments the room's trim.

Emily's workspace is really cute. Wicker basket drawers in an industrial metal shelf keep school supplies and clutter at bay.

A traditional-style console table functions as a desk in Emily's room, outfitted with colorful picture frames, a metal desk light, and her wicker bins. An antique chair, painted crisp white and upholstered with deep pink on its seat, is a lovely place to sit down and do homework.

Emily's room is simple, feminine, and fuss-free. Perfect recipe for a dorm room or apartment right? Well, let's proceed... ;)

Bed: Hit local antique and thrift stores for a wrought iron headboard and footboard that you can spraypaint white or ivory for a shabby chic look. Layer the bed in cottage style bedding---white quilts, lace trim, eyelet details. Add a few contemporary floral pillows like Emily's yellow and gray ones.

Furniture: Want a country-chic amoire like Emily's? A good place to start are unfinished furniture stores. You can leave the wood unfinished or lightly stain it. For a desk similar to Emily's, opt for a curvy console or sofa table. Pair it with an antique chair painted white---or mint green like the chair Emily placed beside her window.

Window Seat: Just because you don't have a built-in window nook doesn't mean you can't get the same cozy feel. A simple bench or long storage ottoman pushed up against the window will work just as well. Add a soft white cushion and a few folksy throw pillows. In my moodboard, I placed the bench and pillows at the end of the bed instead... but you could definitely move it under the window.

Accessories: Focus on simple accessories that are fresh and timeless. Since I loved Emily's wicker storage baskets so much, I dispersed a little more wicker throughout the room---with a wicker nightstand, under-the-bench bin, and basket on the desk. Pick a bedside lamp with a floral, vintage-inspired base and modern white shade. To get the same look as the ceiling lamp above Emily's window, go for an extended floor lamp instead. Cover the modern lampshade with some polka-dotted or floral fabric for a fun diy project. As far as art goes, pick small pieces that depict flowers and nature. Make the big abstract piece yourself by painting lines across a big piece of canvas. Shades of blue and green will look most like Emily's, but you can paint whatever your heart desires! (It is abstract, after all!) If your room doesn't come with carpet like Emily's does, use a neutral rug to add warmth under your feet.

Aria's Room | Pretty Little Liars Decor

noreply@blogger.com (Lovely Undergrad Jessica Hansen) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:50:00 +0000

Welcome back for LU's 2nd room in the PLL series! Today you're getting a glimpse into my favorite room on the show... Aria's room. Aria Montgomery is the artistic, imaginative, bookworm of the bunch. So it's no surprise that her room has an artsy, historic, romantic eclecticism atmosphere. Plus, it's full of books. My two words for Aria's attic space: Vintage Eclectic. (Those happen to be my two favorite decorating words... so brace yourself for my soon-to-come swooning.)

Tucked away in the upper-story of her parents' house, Aria's room is full of angles, alcoves, and historic character. In this photo, you can see how her room is mostly neutral (lots of linen white and latte brown). There's also lots of texture--the wicker, the woven rug, the hardwood underneath, the soft bedding.

Aria's room, with its angled ceilings and exposed beams, gives off a secret hideaway or tree-house kind of feel that I adore. Well, a tree-house decked out by Urban Outfitters, that is. It's a little dark, a little moody, but gloomy in a romantic, vintage, novel-reading kind of way. I love her three windows and the built-in bench beneath them. Ruffled curtains (sooo Anthropologie) add feminine flair right away. The colors that pop up most in this room are rich wine and raspberry hues.

Aria's room is bursting with character, even in the tiniest details. I love the gold-plated light-switch cover and the vintage sconce above it. Butterflies and scenic photos adorn the wall behind Aria's big, beautiful, antique desk. A retro chair bridges the gap between the ancient desk and 2012. And a metal waste basket lends its galvanized gleam to the space.

As I mentioned up above, Aria's room is full of books. Books everywhere. Stacked on the bench. Lined up in the window sill. Held on shelves hung over the bed.

Here, you can see Aria's artwork and easel on her desk... right next a stack of hefty books, of course! Simple materials and neutral colors---like the linen lampshade and beige bulletin board frame---fade away beautifully in the background with understated sophistication.

In this photo, you can see that the base of Aria's desk-top lamp is the Eiffel Tower. It's an unexpected and totally whimsical touch.

Not so dark and gloomy here! The colors really come alive. Her bedding is an almost iridescent champagne. The pillows range from purple to red to pink---but all being lush, juicy jewel tones.

I love the wallpaper in Aria's room. It's a muted grayish beige damask-style pattern.

Now's a good time to mention what I really like about Aria's bed. It's definitely not a daybed. It's a regular bed with a beautiful vintage headboard and footboard, but by pushing it up against the wall horizontally... it gives the impression of a daybed. Lots of pillows lined up against the wall adds to this daybed/bed-nook feel.

I can happily imagine myself dwelling in Aria's room with the damask wallpaper, ruffled curtains, and stacks and stacks of books. But let's talk how you (and I) can bring Aria's unique taste into our domains.

Wrought Iron: Scavenge antique and thrift stores, garage sales, and Craigslist for a vintage wrought-iron headboard and footboard. (Even if you can't get both... a headboard is better than nothing!) As usual, be open minded and creative. Just because it's the wrong color doesn't mean you shouldn't buy it. A coat of spraypaint works wonders---and you can definitely get spraypaint that looks coppery metallic. In this room, you could even getting away with mix-and-matching two different headboards. Push your bed up against the wall horizontally and deck it out like a daybed---lots of pillows, luxurious bedding.

Furniture: Aria's room features lots of dark woodwork that your dorm or apartment might not have. So bring in the dark wood with furniture. A big, dark brown bookcase to display all of your tomes. Instead of a desk like Aria's, I chose a desk that included a hutch. The shelves provide extra storage and contribute to the lots-of-dark-woodwork theme. Don't feel the need to match wood tones... just keep the wood dark and rich. Pick out a MidCentury Modern chair for the desk---one with curves will contrast nicely with all the masculine angles of the room.

Textile Textures: Texture adds dimension, coziness, and interest. Bring in a woven rug, neutral in color, to add texture to the floor. A wicker ottoman provides great texture, plus it can double as storage or additional seating. And let's not forget the gorgeous ruffled curtains. Ruffles are showing up everywhere right now---especially in our favorite online shops: Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters.

Accessories: While it's probably not feasible to do wallpaper, I still love the Victorian mood Aria's vintage wallpaper gives off. So instead, wrap a big canvas or foam board in damask wallpaper or fabric for a similar look. Go for something muted and gray or beige. The more books you can bring into the space, the more it will resemble Aria's room. Hang some butterfly artwork. Incorporate some industrial-style accessories, such as a metal floor lamp and that galvanized waste basket. Hunt through junk stores for old beaded chandeliers or pendants. It doesn't have to work--just hang it from the ceiling and enjoy its beauty. Shop online for an Eiffel Tower base lamp (Target had some for a while). I threw in a typewriter because I think that's one thing Aria's room should definitely have. ;)

What do you think? Is Aria's room the perfect hideaway? Or is it too gloomy or overwhelmed with books?

Spencer's Room | Pretty Little Liars Decor

noreply@blogger.com (Lovely Undergrad Jessica Hansen) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:47:00 +0000

You ladies seem to be loving the tv- and movie-inspired decor posts... so I'm going to keep them coming! By reader request, I've been working on a series of decor posts inspired by the bedrooms on Pretty Little Liars. Today, I'm starting with Spencer.

Since Spencer Hastings is the wealthy, competitive, intelligent, overachiever of the group... how could I not choose two big words to describe her style: Provincial Contemporary. Her space combines the antique patterns and provincial furniture of French cottage style with the abstract art and modern furniture of contemporary taste.

For starters, her bed is dressed-to-the-nines in provincial style. Her creamy toile duvet is oh-so-French-country. So are the floral and toile pillows. Mixing up the color scheme between cream-and-navy and cream-and-red brings an eclecticism to the pastoral vibe to keep it from getting too prim and proper. The art on the wall, being abstract and rough in texture, contrasts with the richly-illustrated toil.

Spencer's bed is a clean-lined, sleek take on the traditional four-poster canopy bed. Sheer white curtains soften the stark edges. The wallpaper in the room is a busy vintage floral, but ends up looking pretty subdued due to its subtle neutral tones of pale taupe, sage green, and ivory.

The lamps combine two different styles just like her room does: the bold red base reflecting contemporary taste, while the lampshade is a fresh, updated take on vintage. The bedside tables maintain modern lines, while the mirror surface and shining hardware add a hint of glamor to the space. A black vintage-inspired alarm clock, floral-patterned box, and color-coordinating picture frames accessorize the nightstands.

This corner of Spencer's room leans more toward the modern spectrum of her eclectic look, but it has tradition at its roots. For instance, the red leather chaise-lounge is undeniably 21st century... but its structure is the descendent of the centuries old fainting couch that appeared heavily in Victorian times. The chrome side table is sleek and shiny, but its silhouette is antique for sure.

To put it nicely, Spencer's desk area errs on the side of creative chaos. Her priorities are all in full view, and kept a little neater---you can spot her textbooks stacked on the bookshelf and trophies in a line up high. This space also shows off her artistic side. A huge fabric-covered inspiration board is jam-packed with paint swatches, magazine clippings, and wallpaper samples. (Does our Spencer have a future in interior design?!) All the furniture in the workspace is clean, sharp, and modern.

I think Spencer likes to keep two things within sight: her accomplishments and her inspirations. Here we have some of her awards and ribbons, plus a whole bunch of magazine scraps, paper samples, and fabric scraps.

Despite the inspiring chaos around it, Spencer keeps school stuff uber-organized on a whiteboard.

A peek at her artsy side. Lots of color pencils---perfectly stored and perfectly sharpened. I reeeeally love the paint can with the paint swatch inside of it. And the photo cube displaying patterned paper instead of photographs---great diy idea, Spence!

Spencer pushes all of her personal and sentimental objects into the desk area of her room. Here we have photographs and knickknacks surely close to her heart.

Alright! Time for the fun part. Here's my guide on working Spencer's contemporary-meets-antique style into your dorm or apartment.

Bed: The focal point of Spencer's room is her four-poster canopy bed. So if you can at all get your hands on one, do! Check out antique stores, thrift shops, and garage sales first. (I used to have a vintage cream four-poster I found on Craigslist...) Be open-minded. You might find a wooden one that can be painted white. You might find a plain four-poster rather than a canopy. Maybe your dad knows how to build one. If you live in a dorm and have a loft, consider turning your loft into a canopy bed by following the instructions of this furniture hack. As a last (more spendy) resort, shop online. Hang sheer white curtains on the canopy bed and on the windows.

Mirror Finish: Mirror-finish furniture can be expensive. For a while, Target was selling small mirror nightstands at a decent price. But if you want the luxurious mirror look of Spencer's bedside tables without having to spend a fortune, you have a few diy options. Spraypaint a plain nightstand with mirror spraypaint (like Looking Glass by Krylon). Glue small, unframed mirrors (available at hobby and party stores) to the trim of a white nighstand. Or simply set a plain piece of unframed mirror on top of the nightstand for a mirror finish top. You could also integrate mirror accessories (or just lots of mirrors) throughout the room to get a similarly inspired look.

Florals: Since you're probably not allowed to apply wallpaper (thanks to landlords and dorm directors), try to integrate an antique floral pattern elsewhere in the room. A big rug featuring vintage flowers would be great. Other ideas would be large pieces of art, floral patterned paper, or draperies.

Desk: As far as the desk and bed go, strive for clean, modern lines. Nothing too fussy. Use a chair that features shiny metal if you can. The simpler you keep the furniture in this area of the room, the more you'll be able to bombard it with your personality and creative chaos like Spencer did.

Toile: Toile can be difficult to find, especially as a comforter, but the bigger problem is that if not done correctly... too much toile equals granny style rather than French cottage style. So instead of risking overwhelming a small dorm or apartment with too much lovely toile, I dispersed it throughout the room. One good option is to cover your big inspiration board with toile fabric. A toile throw pillow is a good option. Or even small accessories such as a journal or lamp shade would word. A little toile goes a long way.

Chaise: While I wish we could all fit a modern, red leather chaise lounge or couch into our dorms... that's simply not the case. I could have plopped one into my decor board for fantasy's sake, but I decided to share an alternative instead. You can get the same look and vibe in a smaller package by giving up the chaise for a red leather ottoman. Plus, it offers storage.

Etc.: Hang a big piece of abstract art over your bed. Don't go out and buy this, ladies! Take a good hard look at Spencer's art. It's a square canvas (or piece of wood) with stripes painted across it. Hit your local craft store---the supplies will cost you less than $10 and set you back about 30 minutes. Vintage-style alarm clocks are always around; you can find 'em at an antique store or even Target. For lamps, focus on a contemporary base. Don't spend too much for a red one when you can simply paint one red. A basic white lamp shade will do fine. Accessorize the room with picture frames, neatly stacked books, your craft/art supplies, and all of your awards and trophies.

So tell me... could you see yourself living in Spencer's room? Or are you more like one of the other Pretty Little Liars? Come back tomorrow for another PLL room!

Relationship Revolutions for 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Lovely Undergrad Jessica Hansen) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Relationships are tough. And let's face it, college doesn't make 'em any easier. Throwing together the stress of class, work, money, friends, roommates, and college in general with the inevitable stressors of trying to date or maintain a committed relationship... it's overwhelming for many of us students. I've been thinking about this a lot lately and decided to put together a post of ways to change your relationship outlook this year...
and ways I can change mine. This post doesn't divulge the secrets of getting a boyfriend; it's not going to improve your datability. There are no magic keys. Just a few little changes to make, whether you're in a relationship or not, when it comes to what you value.

Less dance-floor-makeout-sessions. ^Really?

More stolen kisses that make you swoon.

More Coffeeshops, Less Dance Clubs

Ladies, as flattering as it may be when a guy buys you a drink at a a grimy bar on a Saturday night... wouldn't it be 100x better if a guy offered to buy you a latte at a cozy coffee house any night of the week? Instead of relying on alcohol to loosen your inhibitions, learn to loosen up yourself. Open up, make yourself vulnerable. Chatting with a cutie over coffee is far more conducive to building a connection than, say... slurring your words with a guy that appears to be a hottie through your rose-tinted beer goggles.

Precious? Yes. But it'd be sweeter in person, am I right?

Less Technology, More Connection

Wait, isn't technology supposed to improve connections? Being in instant contact with person, being able to hear their voice whenever you want, texting, instant messaging, stalking on Facebook and Twiter... oh, the possibilities are endless. But in your relationship, take a moment to unplug. Get a little old-fashioned. Make it a rule that when you're on a date with your man, both of you turn off your phones and put them away. Write an actual note or letter once in a while instead of a Facebook message. And have important conversations face-to-face. Texting and im'ing does not convey the appropriate messages hidden in tone-of-voice and facial expressions---how many times have simple communications led to a squabble because of a misinterpreted text? At least pick up the phone. But preferably wait until you can get together in person. Fighting in person is still better than fighting via emoticons and acronyms.

Let's see more of this.^

And nooo more of this!!

More Class, Less Pop-Culture

One thing I'd really like to see this year... more ladies and less Snooki's. Class it up a little, girls. Don't dress scandalously and act outrageously just because MTV tells you its ok. Place a high value on yourself and hold yourself to a high standard. Be ladylike, be polite, be kindhearted, and be classy. Carry yourselves with poise. When in doubt, reach for the dress instead of th sweatpants. Go for creativity and intelligence before promiscuity. Do not let anyone but yourself decide how much you're worth.

Less Rush, More Leisure

Stop and smell the roses together.

Modern life is so fast-paced. It's easy to get caught up running from one thing to another. It's tempting to rush into things for instant satisfaction. It's easy to move on from one thing to the next. And it's far too easy for your relationship to get left behind in the dust. So slow down. Whether it's emotional or physical, take your time. Cut back on all the plans you try to squeeze into one night so that you can really enjoy the plans you want to carry most. Take the time to really sit down and chat over a meal, be it in a restaurant or better yet... cooking something together. Even cooking up mac-and-cheese together and catching up on each other's lives is better than going to the McD's drive-thru and exchanging words between bites of cheeseburger. Take a breather, take a break.

More Quality, Less Quantity

This revolution, I feel, is the most important. If you take anything away from this post, if you attempt to incorporate one of these revolutions into your 2012 relationship experiences... let it be this one. Our society is trained to over-indulge. But too much of a good thing, really is a bad thing. Too much texting, too much checking up on each other, too much seeing each other, too much talking to each other... it can all have a detrimental effect on your relationship. So play it safe by placing significance on value. Isn't spending a really wonderful evening with your honey better than a whole week of meaningless encounters? Absence can make the heart fonder. So maintain your independence, your identity, and your life. Focus on making good memories rather than lots of memories.

I hope that I can focus on these as my relationship goes into the new year. I hope that maybe one or two of them helped you out as well!

Have an entirely different resolution for your love life? Leave it in a comment! I'd love to hear!

Bright, Lovely Scandinavian Apartment

noreply@blogger.com (Lovely Undergrad Jessica Hansen) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Oh, those Scandinavians--masters of spacious white rooms, pops of color, and the perfect mix of eclectic furnishings. This apartment tour was featured on Freshome. What first caught my eye was the big, beautiful arch window above. With a cushion, blanket, some books, and a pair of candlesticks... isn't this such a cheerful, cozy, bright space to curl up with a book or just watch the world go by outside?

Wide open spaces and lots of white. Lots of little details, but no clutter. I love the color poster, dresses displayed out in the open on a clothes rack, and the sleek console table beneath a big round mirror.

I love the unique, modern bookcase on the wall. And those pillows add just the right punch of pattern and color.

Ooooh, loving this workspace! Typography art always steals my heart.

I'm obsessed with the black deer antler hook on the wall. And the small black-framed mirror is just perfect for a quick glance on your way out the door!

This isn't all, lovelies! Head over to Freshome right now to take a virtual tour of the rest of this apartment... and many others!

Stalking: Know it. Name it. Stop it.

noreply@blogger.com (Lovely Undergrad Jessica Hansen) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Each year, 3.4 million Americans over the age of 18 are stalked. 3 out of 4 stalking victims are stalked by someone they know. 30% of victims are stalked by a current or former intimate partner. 10% are stalked by a stranger. 1 out of 4 victims report being stalked through the use of some form of technology, like email, instant messages, and text messages.

Persons 18-24 years experience the highest rate of stalking.

18-24 years old? That's us college students.

January is National Stalking Awareness Month. So to promote the safety of lovely undergrads, here are some tips if you may be being stalked.

Always have a phone nearby, with 911 and helpful family/friends on speed dial.
Treat all threats, direct and indirect, as legitimate. Inform law enforcement immediately!
Vary your routine. Change routes to work, school, the grocery store, etc.
Limit the time you spend alone. Try not to travel alone.
Identify escape routes out of your house, dorm, or apartment.
Inform your neighbors, landlords, on-site managers, and hall directors about the situation. Provide a photo and description of the stalker. Ask neighbors to call the police if they see the stalker at your place.
Give a picture of the stalker to security and friends at work and school. Inform your supervisors and coworkers. Tell your professors, friends, and classmates.
Ask a security guard to walk you to your car or the bus.
Do not interact with the stalker. Doing so may reinforce their behavior.
If the stalker contacts you, save any voicemails, text messages, and emails. Also keep letters and gifts the stalker may send. These can all be used as evidence!
Keep a log of everything that occurs regarding the stalking.
Make sure your school, workplace, friends, and family know not to give your address or phone number out to anyone!

Stalking is a serious, dangerous crime. Know it. Name it. Stop it.

Check out StalkingAwarenessMonth.org for more information and spread the word!

(Stats and tips in this post from StalkingAwarenessMonth.org.)

Stay safe, lovely undergrads!

Yes, a blog can have resolutions, too!

noreply@blogger.com (Lovely Undergrad Jessica Hansen) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:10:00 +0000

So back when I was thinking about my own aspirations for 2012, my blog started to feel a little left out. Since Lovely Undergrad has done sooo much for me and given me so much inspiration and direction, I decided that the least I could do would be to stick to some goals that LU chooses to give me. ;)

1. Comments!

From here on out, expect to get a reply to a comment you leave. I don't want to simply log into my email and your comments... I want to carry on conversations with you!

I want to get to know you, lovely readers. And I want to chit chat about decorating, college life, and everything else with you. :) So I'm going to reply to your comments on posts. And I hope it somehow notifies you so that you can reply back. Granted, I won't reply to every single comment. I won't be replying to the spam or the anonymous ones that don't make grammatical sense (must be spam, too?)... but I will be replying to reader comments! And I'm super excited about all the convos we're going to have.

2. More Comments!

I can't just comment on my own blog. Once upon a time I actually read other blogs, too. And we're not talking just flipping through Google reader and skimming posts for pretty pictures. I want to go back to that. And when I do, I'm going to leave a comment behind so that you know I was there and enjoyed your post. I'm going to read more blogs! And instead of thinking in my head, "I love this post/this blog!" I'm going to just tell the blogger so. Deal? Deal.

3. Posting!

So far, I've been on a fantastic posting schedule this month. At one point, I had ten days' of posts schedule in advance. Wowza. There's a few days sprinkled in this month that even get two posts! (Overachievers...) Haha. I'm going to strive to keep the ball rolling on all this inspiration. By keeping ahead of the game and scheduling posts ahead of time, I don't have to worry about those unexpected non-blogging stints that leave you guys thirsty for dorm decor inspiration for two weeks.

4. Social Networking!

Expect to see and hear a lot more from Lovely Undergrad on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest. We're talking more tweets per day. More interactive Facebooking. And a whole bunch more excitement and inspiration over in the pinning world. XD

Okay. So I'm buzzing with a serious heavily-sugared-coffee high right now. But I'm typing these blogging resolutions up and as soon as I hit "Publish", you can hold me accountable.

Here's to comments, scheduling, and social networking! Cheers, lovelies!

New Marie Antoinette Film

noreply@blogger.com (Lovely Undergrad Jessica Hansen) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:00:00 +0000

To know me is to know I'm borderline-obsessed with Marie Antoinette. So when I heard that a new Marie Antoinette movie was being made, I got a little giddy. First, Eva Green was rumored to play the infamous queen. Then, it was verified that Diane Kruger would be taking the role. I was a little wishy-washy at first about the thought of her in the part. But, with the release of these film stills... I'm starting to totally see it...

Above: Marie Antoinette (Diane Kruger) shares an embrace with her friend the Duchesse de Polignac (Virginie Ledoyen).

The new film, titled "Farewell, My Queen" is Chantal Thomas' novel. It centers around Sidonie Laborde (played by Lea Seydoux), a reader to the queen.

I'm swooning over the costumes and set...

Gorgeous, no?

Thanks to Lumiere for these stills! And to Tea at Trianon for pointing me toward the post on Playlist.

Psssst! Love Marie Antoinette decor as much as I do? Check out one of my early decor boards, inspired by none other than Marie Antoinette herself!

Cheer up this Blue Bedding | Decor Questions

noreply@blogger.com (Lovely Undergrad Jessica Hansen) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:38:00 +0000

Shelby (@sschoensee) tweeted at Lovely Undergrad, asking:

"@LovelyUndergrad...Any ideas on how to make a dorm room with blue bedding (rosette from anthro in new blue) more cheerful?"

Soo... since I'm always up for a decor challenge and up late drinking coffee anyway, I zoomed over to Anthropologie to check out how they decked the rosette quilt. I swooned at the bedding in all itsbillowy, blue glory! (Shelby, I'm overwhelming envious of you right now! Haha.)

Anthropologie styled the bedding on a charcoal-colored, modern four-poster bed. The room has concrete floors and is painted a cool bluish (almost periwinkle) gray. It's a moody, romantic room... but a little on the gloomy side for a dorm room.

I instantly had an idea for brightening it up...

Two words: primary colors! By bringing in bold gold and eye-popping cherry, the blue hue of the bedding becomes more vibrant and less gloomy. So, Shelby, here's my guide to bringing my moodboard's look into your dorm room.

Color Scheme:

Royal blue. Cherry red. Mustard yellow.

Furniture:

You're probably stuck with a bunch of plain, dorm-provided furniture. You'll want to work with what you have as much as possible. However, if you can, bring in two painted pieces of furniture... both being hand-me-downs or thrift-store-finds. Paint a nightstand a bright golden yellow. Pick a small, simple one so that you can easily bring it into your dorm without overcrowding. For the second piece, swap out your desk chair for a metal or wooden chair. Paint the chair a bold red hue.

Floor & Windows:

An easy way to bring texture and pattern into your room is via the rug and curtains. For both, select products with a neutral background... like a creamy white or latte beige. These can be simple solids, but if you want more personality... bring on the pattern! In my moodboard, floral-printed curtains tie together the three colors of the room, all against an antique ivory background. The rug is a warm beige that features a fun Moroccan pattern with hints of blue and red.

Accessories:

To dress up the bed, add a couple throw pillows. Pick one that features a pretty pattern, and another that is solid to balance it out. In my moodboard, I chose a yellow pillow with a blue toile-like pattern and a solid red pillow. Keep larger accessories neutral. I love the idea of bringing in some light brown vintage suitcases for extra storage and added vintage character. Go for artwork that is comprised of mostly neutral patterns---typographic art or quotes are ideal since they'll bring something new to the table without overwhelming the room with additional pattern. Throughout the rest of the room, disperse more yellow, blue, and red using smaller accessories. Try to do so equally. For example, when you add a blue lamp base, opt for a yellow desk lamp and then hang a red clock.

I hope you find my moodboard inspiring! Let me know how your dorm decorating goes---(I'd love to see pics when you're finished, of course!)

Have a decorating question for Lovely Undergrad? Tweet at LU like Shelby did, send it in an email, or post it on the Lovely Undergrad Facebook wall. Hope to hear from you soon!