Living from a Suitcase: How to Make a Temporary Home

Study abroad poses an interesting problem for making your living space your own. Because students usually only study abroad for a semester; decorating their space can feel like a waste of time and money. However, I firmly believe that no matter where you live, you can (and should) customize your living space on any budget. Your living space in a foreign country serves as a “home base” while you are there. It can provide familiarity and comfort as well provide a backdrop to decorate with souvenirs of your new country.

Before you go:

Find out as much as you can about where you will live and what you may need. Going to a new country can be extremely stressful, and the more prepared you are for daily life, the easier the transition will be. Living conditions can vary drastically depending on the country and city. Most students abroad live in some sort of furnished dorm living. If your space will be furnished, try to figure out what additional things you might need (i.e. desk lamp, trash can, etc.). Make a preliminary list of things you will need and put it in a safe place.

When you arrive:

Once in your new space, fully assess what you may need. Especially when abroad, try to live simply. It will be much easier to keep your space clean and pack up again for home. When you’ve decided what you absolutely can’t live without, ask knowledgeable people to recommend where you can buy these items. For larger items, such as rugs, lamps, and chairs, see if you can borrow them or get them used. If you want new items, see if you can buy them online and get them shipped to where you live. It’s worth a shot! While you are buying things, try to plan for your departure: figure out if you can recycle, donate or sell your stuff—be kind to the earth and don’t plan on throwing everything away. 

Ways to decorate your space:

Paper products can be inexpensive and easily recycled before you leave. You can make collages and patterns with photos and scrapbook paper pages at a fairly low cost. Not only is painters tape or masking tape the perfect way to secure things to the wall, but it’s also a great way to “frame” things.

 http://trendenser.se/2012/january/moodboards-med-papperstejp.html

Ethnic fabrics, with safety pins or tape, can easily be re-purposed into art, slipcovers, or headboards. 

http://www.homedit.com/small-bedroom-decorating-ideas-on-a-budget/  

Maps of your country or city are a classy alternative to posters.

http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/decorating/craftsman-style-home-decorating-ideas-00400000064639/page11.html

Blog Post Written By:

Hannah Zalusky

Design Intern

A Picture Truly is Worth a 1000 Words

Say cheese! Everyone loves a good candid snap shot; so why not make use of them! Whether it be from your family vacation or you’re overseas travels, those pictures deserve face time, and I don’t mean on Facebook. What’s the use of taking so many photos if they just live on your computer, or worse, your memory card. Print those Pictures out and get them up on your walls. It’s simple, you can choose how much money or effort you want to put into the project, and it gives new life to your space, with just the right amount of sentiment. By showcasing your own photos, you will find that your guest will take notice and take interest in your wall décor. 

Potential photo idea’s for you:

 1. Frame them. Seems reasonable enough? Choose a lot, or              choose a little. 











2. Print them on canvas for a modern look. 

3. Use your shelf space to show off those beautiful pictures.

Everyone has a streak of creativity in them, some more than others mind you. And in this day and age, anyone can take a professional looking photo thanks to the help of digital cameras. 

So get out there, adventure, explore, and know that those pictures you're taking can and should be used in your home. 

Blog Post Written By:

Ari Koehnen
Sales/Communication

"What I like about Photographs is that they capture a moment that's gone forever, impossible to reproduce."
-Karl Lagerfeld

Small Bedroom with Built-In Shelving Unit

http://www.ligiacasanova.com/images/portfolio/living-in-white_24.jpg

This well-designed bedroom by Ligia Casanova is lived-in yet organized. A neutral color palette forms the basis for this calming space. Repetition of colors and textures keeps a small space from seeming cluttered or crazy. In this room, the wood in the built-in is visually repeated in the chandelier. Different greige hues are repeated in the curtains, the carpet, and the bedding. Another small space solution? The wall of bookcases and drawers behind the bed is a more efficient use of space than freestanding dressers and shelves. Depending on how much display-worthy stuff you have, you can vary the amount of open and closed storage.

Blog Post Written By: 

Hannah Zalusky (Design Intern)

Meet Our Designers

Meet Our Design Team:

Jean Thimmesch

Jean Thimmesch has been in the design field for 30 years.

She graduated with a BS in Housing from the University of Minnesota and has been helping clients select and coordinate their interior furnishings ever since. Specializing in window fashions and flooring with an eye for color she brings it all together for residential and commercial settings.

Making the world beautiful one room at a time.

Barrie Seifert

Barrie Seifert has been creating unique interior environments for both homes and businesses for the last 12 years.

With a passion for designing for todays busy homes she uses a combination of distressed furniture, antiques, refinished items and various shabby chic elements to create comfortable and welcoming spaces yet able to withstand kids, pets and whatever else gets thrown its way. Currently enrolled in the Penn Foster decorating program she still manages to find time to peruse the estate sales always on the lookout for the next piece for her upcoming projects. Longtime Shorewood residents, Barrie and her family and pets still find time to relax and enjoy all the area has to offer.

Ari Koehnen

Ari Koehnen is the communication specialist for Excelsior Paint and Design. She is a student at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls where she is double majoring in Theater Arts Administration and Professional Communications. At school she works in creative design for theatrical productions and serves as the president of the theater honor society. Since her semester abroad in Scotland, Ari has fallen in love with international travel.

Hannah Zalusky

 Hannah Zalusky is a design intern from Chanhassen. She currently studies interior design at Cornell University and is interested in anything design-related, with a focus on commercial and sustainable design.  At Cornell University, she is vice president of the American Society of Interior Designers student chapter and is a librarian at the Design Library. In her free time, she loves traveling and trying new things; she is excited to spend fall 2012 studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark.