Enialedam's Profile

Really, really, really creepy - I wouldn't hang that in a kids room or anywhere else in my house! There's enough sadness in the world; I prefer surrounding myself with happy or thoughtful art.

Nope - we have pretty set rules when it comes to the pooch: he`s allowed in the mudroom and in the dining nook, but nowhere else.

... of course: whether those rules are upheld is debatable ... he`s definitely NOT allowed on beds or couches, but somehow manages to find a spot in the family room in front of the fire.

Great list! :-)

I've lived in dorms and on-campus apartments ever since starting my undergrad in 2006. Residence isn't for everyone, but those who love it love it ... I'm a PhD student now, and the thought of leaving is a bit of a nightmare. It's so much easier living on campus when you're holding weird laboratory hours, and my university's cafeteria is simply AMAZING!

A couple comments on the list ...

1) Desk Lamp - in my experience, most rooms come with desk lamps, so it's not absolutely necessary. That said, many dorms are older, and lighting is not always fantastic - wait until you get into your room, get settled, and then decide whether or not you want another lamp.

2) Kitchens - All my dorms have had a kitchen for general use. While I would recommend a little beer fridge (just enough to keep milk, yoghurt, and booze in), you /should/ have access to a microwave through the Common Room. Again: don't buy anything until you arrive and see what's already there.

3) Bathrooms - sometimes they're great, sometimes they're horrible! Either way, pack a pair of shower sandals (flip-flops) and a housecoat for going back-and-forth from your room to the shower. A bath caddy will, literally, save your life!

4) Cleaning supplies - again, things like a vacuum and basic broom set /should/ be supplied by residence, and available in the Common Room. Some rags and a bottle of Vim will go a long way; don't worry about any fancy cleaning supplies.

5) Artwork - agreed! You can really have fun and spiff-up your room! (Or your laboratory!) Don't forget pictures of your family/friends ... being homesick is to expected, and it's always nice to have a picture of grandma/grandpa on the desk :-)

My room essentials:

- A tea kettle and a big, cozy pottery mug
- A rack for drying clothes on -- saves you laundry money!
- A folding camp chair - more comfortable for watching movies in, and good for company
- A sleeping bag, just in case you have guests
- Slippers
- A houseplant -- every room should have something alive in it! (Your zombie-like roomie doesn't count!)

@Sauveteur - Well, washing things twice per week will do it!

I've had three douvet covers my entire life ... washing every 3 weeks or so (showering, always, before bed) ... And, the sole reason I've abandoned two is because I outgrew them. No mending required -- no tears or rips.

I don't own a microwave, but my summer roommate does ... I've used it once since she moved in, to melt butter for popcorn.

It's not so much a dislike for the microwave (I'm not a huge fan of how it heats food ... but, when you're hungry you're hungry!) , just not in the habit of using it. I've gone without since leaving home in 2006, and have established other food prep patterns ... microwave dinners go into the oven, and I start defrosting meat in the morning, etc. You can live without, and it saves a TON of counter space!

@minilauren - I'm the complete opposite, lol! :-) Wood everywhere (real wood - not that fake snap-together laminate stuff!), except for the kitchen (canned food dropping on wood = MASSIVE dents!) ... the floors are warm and deliciously smooth to walk on. ... and so, so easy to clean! The only rugs in my place are a "welcome" mat at the door, and one by the shower!

@janetmc - You have my respect - That's quite a skill!!! - And, just goes to show: design your house the way that works for you! ... I think categorically ... if the books aren't arranged like your basic library/bookshop, I am absolutely hooped!

Most of mine have already been mentioned, but ... here it goes!

1. Too many pillows!

2. Using words, or overly-staged phrases, as decoration -
e.g. - "Shut Up and Kiss Me" over a bed; "Eat" in the kitchen

3. When the room is overly-staged and impersonal (photo-shoot style), or things are done exclusively for a trend's sake ... It's a room, and you live there. It can be pretty and well-designed, but make sure it's functional and comfortable for you!

4. Pictures that are hung too high - gallery height is NOT 2" below the ceiling!

5. Useless items, like fancy candles that are never lit, or balls of rope that just lie on the coffee table. - It's just more to dust!

6. Books organised by non-subject characteristics (colour, size, etc.) - yes, I understand that it looks kind of cool, and probably works if you have a small library. But I have over 700 books at home, and an addition 50 sitting here in my office. (academic and leisure reader!) I wouldn't have a hope of finding a book if they were organised by colour, or arranged in non-standard ways (e.g., pieced together like a jigsaw).

7. Flat screen TVs about the fireplace.

8. Garages that are front/crentre -- hide the drive-in, and feature your home!

9. Fake wood -- or, worse: ruining BEAUTIFUL wood with blah white paint

10. Too much of one colour ... a family friend just remodelled their house ... painted the exterior two shades of blue. Interior: blue carpets, blue walls, blue furniture, blue curtains, blue countertops, blue blacksplash, and blue framed art (with blue matting!) - it's too much!

Having lived in a 160 sqft apartment, I can completely empathize! Here are my suggstions -

1) Purge! Go through your things, and keep only what you need/love. Try moving some non-bedroom stuff out into the rest of your home ... jackets, for instance, can be hung by the entry; books in the living room.

2) Colour! I'm not sure if this is possible, but using light/airy colours will make your room feel a bit bigger -- even try a white area rug!

3) Wardrobe Space - yikes! That might be tough! Instead, try buying some rubbermade (etc.) containers, and placing them under your bed as a sort of temporary drawer system/captains bed.

Good luck!

... you can iron bed sheets?

I, honestly, don't iron anything -- I make a point not to own any clothing that requires such care ... of course, I'm a grad student, so can get away with showing up at the lab in jeans and a t-shirt ... I guess I'm going to have to eventually grow-up and buy adult clothes! But, until then, there shall be no iron in my house!

That's really cool! - though, bummer that it only goes down to 0*C -- it's -28*C where I am right now!

... though, I don't know why you'd even want to touch something that's -28 ...