Bernell DorroughThe average Washington University dorm room can be easily identified by its standard-issue furniture, “Fight Club” posters, the occasional throw pillow, and an homage to the resident’s alcoholic beverage of choice. For the most part, dorm rooms on the South 40 follow a pretty basic formula for interior design: a few posters, a few photographs, and an occasional knick-knack purchased from the Todd Oldham collection at Target. However, occasionally a resident will shock and amaze neighbors and roommates by going beyond the usual attempts at interior design and creating their own unique twists on the typical dorm room d‚cor. Below are several of the best dorm rooms the South 40 has to offer; some of them are beautifully cohesive and others are wonderfully eclectic, but all of them are true reflections of the resident’s personality and gathering places for their friends and floormates.
A Masterpiece of RA Proportions
Any dorm room that made the Wall Street Journal’s list of the most comfortable dorm rooms in America two years ago surely had to be included in this list of the 40’s finest abodes. Senior and freshman RA Ryan Lawson has transformed this Danforth 3 dorm room into a beautiful sanctuary for himself and for his residents. “I wanted it this way so that I could have a place for my residents to feel that they weren’t in a dorm room when they came to talk to me,” Lawson said. And with the room’s stunning artwork (most of which was created by Lawson himself), comfy couch, and African tapestries, any resident is sure to feel right at home in Lawson’s creation. Some day Lawson hopes to turn his knack for interior design into his profession. Lawson explained, “I’m interested in merging architecture and interior design, and working with clients to make their homes as comfortable as they can be.”
Cheap but Chic
If there’s anything that all college students have in common, it’s a budget. So, naturally, almost everyone is looking for the best d‚cor and the cheapest prices. However, pleasing aesthetic choices often get traded in for cheaper less visually stimulating alternatives. But buying on a budget couldn’t stop freshman Haley Licata from having one of the best rooms on the 40. “I bought almost all of the stuff in my room for school. Some of it came from IKEA, but most of it just came from Target,” Licata said. Even so, Haley’s room is chic, hip, and wonderfully coordinated. In fact, it has become the popular hangout for most of the students on Beaumont 3. “It’s a pretty popular place,” Licata admitted,” especially on the weekends. We all watch a lot of TV in here. We watch CSI. We’re obsessed.”
Cluttered and Eclectic
The only thing that college students need more than money is space, especially those students who are residing in freshman singles, which roughly have the same dimensions as a large walk-in closet. However, freshman Mark Potkewitz has made the most of his space (or lack thereof) by constructing a free-standing loft in his cramped Koenig single. “My cousin Bill is actually the mastermind behind it,” Potkewitz explained. “He saw the size of my room, took pity on me and decided to help me build a loft.” With his lofted bed, vintage tapestries, and hanging ivy, Potkewitz has created a cluttered but aesthetically pleasing environment, which has gained notoriety for not only its superb construction, but also its welcoming atmosphere.
Canopied and Cozy
Featuring two beautiful canopies, a windowsill lined with rose-shaped lanterns, and walls covered with the residents’ artwork, this Danforth 4 double is by far one of the prettiest rooms on the 40. Its owners, freshmen Jazzy Danziger and Jen Renner, did not attempt to coordinate their design efforts before coming to school this year, but, surprisingly, the room is still an extremely cohesive and elegant space. Danziger commented, “We kind of just said, ‘I’m going to bring what I want,’ and ‘I’m going to bring what I want,’ but it kind of all just worked out in the end.”
Delightfully Tacky Yet Unrefined
With its 7′ by 10′ Jimmy Hendrix poster, teal green lawn chairs, and large American flag, freshman RA Rob Collins’ dorm room hardly resembles a page from Better Homes and Gardens; in fact, it more accurately resembles a page from the Walnut Groves Mobile Homes monthly newsletter. However, with its glow-in-the-dark peace sign beads, neon chili pepper sign, and bright purple cowboy hat, the room reeks with personality and seems to beg visitors to join in on the fun. “All of this has always been with me,” Rob said. “I had it growing up, and I just like to have it all around me.”