Thriving in Student and Studio Housing
It can be hard to find enough room and individuality in small temporary dwellings such as student housing or studio apartments offered for professional international swaps, et cetera. Yet with a few rules, and some effort and forethought, such a raise-one-eyebrow kind of place can become a beautiful and unique favorite.
PAINT OR FINISH A WALL. A room can be revolutionized with a little paint, and landlords can be surprisingly lenient with a simple wall of paint that can be whitewashed over again at the end. Paint one wall with black chalkboard paint. Did you know that you can dip fabric into liquid starch and smooth it onto a wall--which will stay there until you remove it without a trace?
CREATE VERSATILE SPACES. Make the surface of your large kitchen table double as an oversized desk. Turn your living room, the cozy weekend space for curling up and watching a movie after Indian take-out, into a think-tank. This room is not only gorgeous, but shows how so much can go on in a small room while keeping to a distinct and organized aesthetic.
CREATE A HOSPITABLE ENVIRONMENT. Whether it's the living room or kitchen table for guests, or a bedroom just for you, make the most use of such a small space by making it inviting. Creating a logical, organized, and comfortable dwelling can occur regardless of square footage. Create good lighting, comfortable places to sit, and keep it free of space-cramping clutter.
ADD ONE UNIQUE THING. Whether it's that headless sculpture you grabbed in Florence that one time, or an abbreviated version of this wine rack for on-hand liquor for when friends drop by, add one conversation piece to your space. When in Palo Alto, I hung my collection of vintage E letters in our living room and was surprised at how many people I barely knew heard of and mentioned the collection--case in point that small efforts to distinguish your dwelling can be appreciated and remembered.
DRAPE. Though this room is beautiful and obviously not student housing, it shows how a simple draping over a table can create a simple elegance--perfect for covering a questionable piece of furniture, creating elegance for small apartment parties--and providing an appealing alternative to (shutter briefly with me:) mini blinds.
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