When decorating your own space for the first time, it’s easy to fall into the Wal-Mart plastic bins, purple/green color scheme, and the haphazard bags of [insert your favorite snack here] cluttering the desk. If this describes your room, don’t miss our weekly installation of Behind the Door, where we unveil the best-decorated rooms on campus.
Although Grace Hammerstein ‘14 may be new to Skidmore, she is an old soul at heart. Grace, who hails from Westchester NY, spent her freshman year at the College of Charleston in South Carolina. Grace plans to pursue a degree in English while singing in Skidmore’s very own Sonneteers (an all female A Cappella group). Through her collection of folk music posters and brand new guitar (she’s teaching herself how to play), her passion for music can be seen everywhere in her Scribner room. When she’s not singing, she enjoys resting her voice with little catnaps. HC got to sit under her Christmas lights and learn a little bit more about this transfer Skiddie:
HC: How has being a transfer student affected the set up of your room?
GH: Being a transfer has definitely influenced the coziness of my room. I got a single, which is awesome, and decided to make it as homey as possible. I want my room to be a constant comfort since I can’t always control my comfort level at a new school.
HC: Has living in a house changed how you decorated your room?
GH: I think because I live in a “house” I treated decorating my room with more care and importance. I feel like no matter what, a dorm is a dorm—it can be cozy but you walk out of it and you’re still in a dorm… does that sound dumb? I walk out my door every morning and I have a kitchen, a bathroom and other rooms—a home!
HC: What’s your favorite part of your room?
GH: I love the far wall with the window-seat and my bed. My bed reminds me of a nest that I feel safe in. The wall is decorated with pictures of people I love and the window seat is pretty toasty as well. I wanted my room to be bright and colorful but at the same time relaxing and peaceful. I just think that wall has a warmth to it, especially with the christmas lights. Very welcoming.
HC: What is something in your room that you couldn’t live without?
GH: Instinctively, I’d say my bed, but I think that’s a given… I don’t know, maybe not. But besidesmy bed, my twinkly lights. At night I turn them on and the mood of the room totally changes. I put them on when I nap and watch movies. I’m convinced they can bring warmth to any room… Even a prison cell, to be extreme and unnecessary. You can cut that.
HC: Do you have any decorating advice for other students?
GH: I think if you love your room and love what’s in it, it makes college better in general. You don’t have to devote all your time into it or invest a buttload of money into it but the more you like it, the happier you’ll be going back to it. Also, christmas lights!
Think your room is a work of interior decorating genius? Email rstern@skidmore.edu to nominate your or a friend’s space!