As soon as the girls had decided to go to Stetson University, Amanda and I began the process of dorm room designing.
So we asked our clients, my dear daughters, what look they wanted.
The answer came back–
Boho Chic.
Now I could have done Ralph Lauren Americana with my eyes shut. I could have done girly-preppy-lilly-look-alike with no problem at all.
But Boho Chic was something a little different.
So Amanda and I began to comb through Goodwills and thrift shops. We found this A-Maaaaazing quilt made of vintage clothes at World thrift for $6.99. This became our inspiration piece.
Then we found one of these at Goodwill and another TWO of the exact same kind at Superthrift. Blissy painted one navy, another teal blue, and the last one hot pink. Then she dry brushed gold over each piece.
We decided white, gold, and wild colors would bring out the fun in boho chic and then we could use the girl’s travel finds and crafts as accents.
We found this old bicycle rim and Blissy sprayed it gold.
The metal light up cross we found at Old Tyme Pottery.
Comforters we found at Target…white with gold embroidery. Then Amanda and I debated for weeks about bedskirts. We finally decided on burlap since we couldn’t know the drop length until we got there. No worries, Amanda brought her sewing machine and serger. We came prepared. One of my favorite moments of the weekend came when as we were sewing the bedskirts (keep in mind this was somewhere around 1:00 in the morning), we realized that they needed to have more fullness. We had forgotten to bring a seam ripper to undo our mistake…but their roommate’s father stepped right in, grabbed our tiny scissors, and began seam ripping away. What a guy. We love Taylor and her sweet papa, Messias. We were really blessed that the girls got such a sweet roomie.
The sign was a .99 Goodwill find that we nailed to a pallet board Amanda found.
The headboards are made up from a fence some lady was pitching in Juno Beach. Blissy and Amanda sanded the boards and rubbed them with a mix of wax and stain.
Why hats on the valances? Because Stetson University was in part founded by the famous maker of Stetson hats…so they are known as…The Hatters!
We recovered the desk chairs. And those tassels you see hanging down, Blissy made. About 60 of them. Took her hours.
And perhaps my favorite part is the lamps. We found them for $3.99 at Goodwill and Amanda used my father’s ties and gently pinned them to the shades. My father never got to go to college so it’s pretty cool that his business ties from 50 years of hard work finally make it to university.
The prayer tree is an idea adopted from the girls’ summer trip to India. The natives there had prayer trees and Bliss loved the idea of using the tree to bring people into her room if they wanted to pray. Before we left Sunday night there were already over 50 prayer ribbons on the tree and we had to go buy more ribbon. Upper and lower classmen alike came in and made their requests leaving ribbons on the tree. Evangelism. Culture. And a way to bring people into their sphere of influence who need a little love.
***Major props to my dearest husband who had to disassemble three lofted beds, an armoire, a desk and move the furniture around multiple times before we arrived at our final set up. He has so much patience with us and without his elbow grease and sweat equity, this room would be a total disaster.
Rachel Walls Godin says
So fun. And I LOVE the prayer tree idea. Could definitely be incorporated in our home. Thanks for sharing! I heard about your trip, and was anxious to see the final product. 🙂
Lyette Reback says
We actually used something similar at a friends wedding and then at a shower– but we adapted the idea to incorporate colors that represented each prayer request…Green for prosperity (because all college kids are broke!), yellow for joy, red for love etc etc etc…
Kathleen Smith says
Wow! Awesome ideas and work! All the best to Rylie and Bliss!
Lyette Reback says
Didn’t they turn out a cute room! Thank you!
Kelly Miller Buri says
Love it!!!!!
Kimberly Webb Lague says
Perfection! I love the ties, prayer tree, everything!!! Happy Lady Hatters!
Lyette Reback says
Thanks Kimberly!
Lori Mullins Ennis says
Amazing. Y’all all did amazing work!
Lyette Reback says
It was a team effort for sure!
Rankin Smith Holloway says
Just incredible!! Love.every.bit.
Lyette Reback says
Amanda and the girlies did so much work alongside of me…it was a real team effort!
Veronica Helsby says
You marvelous college dorm Moms are so creative and put so much love snd work into your kiddles’
rooms. They will always feel that love as they go through their college .years.
May zgod continue to bless you all and your students.🙏📚
Lyette Reback says
Thank you so much1 All the best to your granddaughters! xoxo
Heather Gosman Sargent says
It looks awesome! It is so neat to read all of the history, back stories, and LOVE that was put into making this space home for the girls. Best of luck in college 🙂
Colleen Starace Quinn Tress says
You and Amanda…the dynamic designer duo!!! Love it!!
Liza DeBartolo Burnham says
Amazing and love all the neat things you brought in for a great look!
Lyette Reback says
The treaure hunt for them and the repurposing and remaking was the fun part.
Lyette Reback says
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed!
Jerry Kyckelhahn says
Well, it certainly isn’t The Citadel….
Lyette Reback says
No it’s not…but that school probably wouldn’t approve of our decor anyhow 🙂 xoxoxo
Lyette Reback says
Thank you so much!
Michelle Wiginton says
WOW…just WOW. Would you and Amanda Yannotta consider adopting me?