Dorm Decor: Remake Your Space With More Than 35 Projects

Ok, so you're feeling crafty, and those ladies at The Kitschnettes have been slacking on the DIY ideas (don't worry, we'll have plenty in the near future), what do you do? How about taking a look at Dorm Decor: Remake Your Space With More Than 35 Projects? This book, originally intended to spice up dorm rooms with individuality, is chock full of great ideas to help transform your space (which, let's face it, will likely not have much more room than a dorm room anyway). These sewing projects add a little flair to your bed, study space, closet, common areas and bathroom. They vary in difficulty and wow-factor, but I could see myself attempting most of these projects (I might even have to have a crafting day tomorrow). My favorites are the towels embellished with birds (see my decorating scheme), the tongue-in-chic Magritte pencil pouch (Ceci n'est pas un crayon) and the cosmetics carryall. And, while I'm probably not making them, I love their idea of making a stuffed animal out of a blown up picture of your pet at home and a closet organizer shaped like a dress that hangs from a hanger. They also include information on how to buy and care for fabric and sewing tools, and there's a pocket on the back cover stuffed with templates and patterns.

Bonus idea! A few nights after you move in, invite a couple of similarly crafty friends over to each make a project from the book for a house-warming party that's both fun and useful.

Home Sweet...

I love love LOVE the handmade block printed textiles that Home Sweet creates for the home. She makes plain fabrics, pillowcases, table linens and lampshades. And, as is almost always the case with Etsy sellers, if you don't see something exactly matching your tastes, she offers custom work.

Decorating for Less... Way Less

Recently, I've been seriously thinking about how I want my new room to look & what I'd like to put in it. I've gone through several floor plans, but I still wasn't sure exactly how to get everything I needed on a tight budget. I considered various options (mostly including Target and IKEA), but I knew that even their prices might push me too far.

I know that there must be others like me, so I thought I'd share my solutions.

1. Do It Yourself.
Instead of buying things already made, take the time to do it yourself. Not only is this usually a cheaper & more satisfying route, but it is also a way to ensure you get exactly what you want. For example, I found an interesting picture frame consisting of four different black frames glued together at Target. It would be perfect for my room, but I thought that it would be a fun (& cheaper) project to do myself. I'm also considering sewing my own duvet cover & curtains as well. Obviously these projects take a bit more time than driving to a store & laying out the cash, but they'll be well worth it.

2. Yard Sales.
They're not always a guarantee, but if you plan ahead & wake up early, you might be able to grab a few deals. I tried for the first time this past Saturday & despite the fact that I didn't have much time, I still managed to find a few things. A large picnic basket for my sewing supplies & a single serve George Foreman grill, each for two dollars. I used Craigslist's Garage & Moving Sales section with Google Maps to help plan my route. You can also check out your local paper's classified sections.

3. Freecycle.
A few days ago, I was encouraged to check out the Freecycle groups on Yahoo! Groups. The groups are created by area and are a way to find things you need or give things you don't need away for free. The Freecycle mission statement: "Our mission is to build a worldwide gifting movement that reduces waste, saves precious resources & eases the burden on our landfills while enabling our members to benefit from the strength of a larger community." I ended up joining three in my area & on the very same day, I found a bedroom set. I only ended up taking a dresser & mirror, but both are real wood & will look incredible after a bit of fixing up. I've also seen offers for things like televisions, DVD players, & other useful items.

4. eBay.
I know that I've mentioned eBay before, but it really is a great way to decorate (or find just about anything). I want to fill my room with red votive candle holders next fall & eBay has plenty of deals. Make sure to check here for things you might need before splurging, especially if you need to buy several of something.

5. Craigslist.
Many people post things that they'd like to sell on Craigslist. Even though they're not free like Freecycle, it's definitely worth a look.

6. RetailMeNot.com.
If you're set on purchasing something from a store, however, make sure to check out this website. It's full of coupons, offers, & promotions that will help your wallet.

Good luck & happy hunting! :)

Dror For Target

Let's be honest with ourselves. When most of us think about decorating, the immediate thought after that is "Ikea!" Well, Ikea may be good for some things but Target has extended their designer collaborations to home goodies and has immediately shifted my focus. During June and July, they're launching a limited collection of Dror designs in bedding, decorating and stationary with his innovative designs and Target's friendly price tags.





Stackable book cases, $89.99 per set







Collapsable clock, $24.99












Pillow, $19.99










File folders with lid, $11.99 each











Snazzy pencil case, $2.99









Perforated stick note pad (which I think is genius), $1.99