Customize your room: What’s your interest?
Are you sick of the typical girl dorm decorations? If you have one too many flowers on your wall, along-side a pink lamp, a pink chair, and pink drawers I’m talking about you. And don’t worry, I didn’t forget about your peace sign poster or your sorority swag.
Well, have no fear—dorm raiders is on a mission to tackle how to decorate your room based on your unique interests that make you well, you! This week we’re starting off with my interest, art (see there are some benefits of being in charge of this column after all). Anyway, if you’ve reached the same level of photography obsessed as I have this article’s for you! Check out the top decorations I’ve found for the photography lover. And then check out my photography on the photoblog!
1. The typical poster with a photography twist
I’m sure you have at least one friend with that “Keep Calm and Carry On” poster hung on their wall. You may even know someone with the altered versions such as “Now Panic and Freak Out” or “Keep Calm and Party On”. Before you go looking for one of these versions let me introduce you to another alteration of the phase you may not have heard yet: “Keep Calm and Snap On”. I’ve also seen “Keep Calm and Shoot On”—but I’d go with snap on for a less violent implication. So keep calm, shoot on, and get this poster!
2. Cameras can sharpen pencils too?
I bet you’ve never tried to use your camera to sharpen a pencil before—no, I’m not saying you should. But, leave it to Urban Outfitters to sell a product that combines the old school camera with the old school pencil sharpener. Leave this on your desk for a cute way to say, “Yes I love photography enough to buy this ridiculous item” and to sharpen all your pencils that are dying from overuse on your last calc assignment. It’s ridiculous yet functional, the perfect dorm decoration for the college student! Plus, I may or may not own one of these….
3. Out and Proud
If you’re like me and are guilty of having either one of those huge intense looking cameras or just more than one camera in general, find a spot where your machine will be noticed. Why hide your vintage Nikon film camera in a drawer when it could be sitting on your shelf for the world to see? Your camera can be a decoration in its own. Just be careful of visitors who may not share your opinion that your camera is more valuable than the Queen of England.
4. Film Borders
It may seem obscure, but people still do shoot with film, you may even be one of them! If you are, I’m sure you had one of those frustrating moments when you messed up developing your film. If this happens to you don’t panic and freak out just yet—you just made yourself a new dorm decoration! Hang the film around your closet, as a border to a poster, or just anywhere on your wall. Don’t worry—you don’t have to accidently ruin film to try out this decorating trick. Film may be cheaper than the posters you already have hung up, just go get a role solely for decorating purposes. If you don’t have access to a darkroom, just find a can opener and yank the end of the film canister off to reveal your newest dorm accessory.
5. Photos, Photos, Photos!
If you are as much of a photography lover as you claim, I’m sure you have a countless amount of photographs already! Black and white prints make the perfect artsy decoration while prints with bright, vibrant colors can give your room a fun mood. Just imagine how happy you’ll be when the compliments start up—“You mean you actually took that picture of Times Square yourself? You didn’t buy it?”. Your mom isn’t the only one who should be showing off the work you’re proudest of, and your dorm room is the perfect place for your display. If you’re into photography you probably have a bunch of photos of friends and family as well, which are also great to decorate with. Have art prints framed and friend pictures printed!
What are you waiting for? Go get these decorations before I do!
Remember Tulane…Defend New Orleans, Defend Your Dorm!
Do you think your dorm has what it takes to be raided? Email rshinner@tulane.edu