My Houzz: Eclectic Dorm Living in Illinois

Left to right: Kristina Dieselberg, Bri Simmons, Stine Pflaum.

When it comes to decorations, "I'm inspired by things I already have," says Dieselberg. "Everything started with that picture with the yellow and accents of red," chimes in her roommate, Simmons, as she points to the Chicago cityscape digital print hanging over the sofa. The roommates chose to use the picture as a focal point, pulling the yellow and red as accent colors for the rest of the room.

Artwork: Ikea

Home looks different for everyone. For Dieselberg it is a place with a personal touch, seen through her DIY projects, or the vintage edge from secondhand items from thrift stores. She made Volkman Hall, a place where painting and structural change are prohibited, feel homey by "adding as much stuff without making it unorganized or messy, to hide the bare walls."

Picture frames and artwork fill another wall.

Dieselberg put her own DIY touch on her seasonal decorations. She says, "I saw something online using book pages from a concordance and Mod Podge. I chose words that were uplifting and interesting. I first put leaves on it and after that I thought it would be fun to make it seasonal."

Left to right: Dieselberg, Simmons, Walters, Pflaum, Terwilliger.

Dieselberg's biggest challenge was not the inability to paint or rip up the carpet, but to create a space where all the roommates feel at home. "I’m trying to make everyone in the room happy and avoiding tacky." Creating that dream space as a student is a tough balancing act, as each of the young women have differing dreams and aesthetics, but the apartment with its eclectic hodgepodge of found items and secondhand buys does the job of making shared student housing a home.

Dieselberg, senior, Intercultural Studies major: "I'm always searching for the living space that would make everyone happy, including a desire for a great bathroom with a rain shower, TV, jacuzzi tub, and big windows."

Simmons, senior, Education major: "My dream job is to work in the heart of Chicago as a teacher. My dream travel destination is Australia, and I dream of a big glass shower in my future dream home."

Walters, senior, Architecture major: "I want to enter the design industry after my studies, whether it be furniture or clothing. My favorite designer is William Morris, 1940s and 50s vintage clothing, and my biggest home desire is for a wall-sized south facing window."

Pflaum, senior, Elementary Education major: "I consider myself a "farm girl" with no affinity for the city I live in. My dream vacation spot is Mombasa, Kenya or anywhere along the Indian Ocean. My dream home would include a huge library with a lot of sofas and a big pool outside."

Terwilliger, senior, Psychology major: "My favorite designer is Jeffrey Campbell. My ultimate home item would be a rainfall shower and I want to move to downtown Chicago into an older apartment complex with hardwood floors."

Volkman Hall has been a part of Judson University's campus as a student dorm since 1963. It was named after Bill Volkman, a contractor and former school trustee. The building consists of 40 units at approximately 650 square feet, and every year, 150 students call it home.

More Houzz Tours:
Abbey's Aesthetic Outburst
Paula Coldiron's Affordable Elegance
Cozy and Crocheted in the Netherlands