DORM ROOM DECORATING

Deck the Residence Halls: College Week

08.21.2009

The Bite:
Little too early for boughs of holly? Of course. But students can still deck out their rooms with stuff that saves energy, is made from earth-friendlier materials, and looks hotter than a blazing Yule.
The Benefits: 
  • Being jolly about good-lookin' digs.
  • 'Tis a greener way to spruce up any pad. Opt for materials such as recycled paper and plastic, and organic cotton, and gadgets that help save energy.
  • Saving fa la la lots of cash. Buying used saves money as well as the planet.
Personally Speaking: 
Theresa hated using a flat sheet on her bed 'cuz it always seemed to make the bed look messy, so she craftily turned hers into curtains. Check out a project from her book, Dorm Decor, here.
Wanna Try: 
  • Bean Products Big Bean Chair - filled with recycled Styrofoam, and covered with cotton, denim, or hemp (rather than polyester or other petroleum-based fabrics); comes in 20 colors and the company'll stitch on a name ($129).
  • Green Home LED Desk Lamp Supreme Panel - futuristic-looking, energy-efficient lamp that is wired so that it doesn't soak up power when it's turned off but still plugged in ($100). Get 25% off until Sep. 6.
  • Mio PaperForms - graphic, 3-D wallpaper made from recycled paper that you hang with double-sided tape, so it'll easily come off at the end of the school year ($32-$34). Enter the code MIOSAVESGREEN during checkout, and get 15% off any order. Offer ends Aug. 28.
  • PBteen - organic cotton sheet sets and duvet covers with cheery prints ($22 and up).
  • Container Store Eco-Fabric Open Bins - cotton and recycled polyester, great to use as a more-stylish-than-your-average hamper or storage basket ($13-$15).
  • Nikki McClure - striking, colorful message posters printed with veggie inks on 100% recycled paper ($4-$9). Enter the code idealbite10 during checkout, and get 10% off any order.
  • Craigslist and Freecycle - find cheap (sometimes even free) used furniture.

Cocktail Fact

Democratic Representatives/Senators Bill Delahunt (MA), Dick Durbin (IL), George Miller (CA), and Chuck Schumer (NY) share a place in DC while Congress is in session.

Bang For The Bite

If 10,000 Biters choose a beanbag chair made with recycled Styrofoam, we'll avert the production of enough new 'foam to fill London's Big Ben almost three times.

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Tips Like This

This is an unproven, first generation product that is likely to fail in 2 years. Green Home does not provide any warranty for this product (2 years would be a minimum). Green Home does not provide CRI or Kelvin ratings for the light output NOR do they provide an incandescent equivalent (likely 30 to 40 watts) to the 9 watt LED. I teach lighting and work as a lighting designer so can speak from experience. This type of LED product will create resistance to further use of LED lamps because of poor performance and (likely) early failure. Some of the descriptors for this lamp are mis-leading and flat-out wrong. Someone at Ideal Bite needs to be more careful with product research and recommendations. You can recommend the new GE, Osram-Sylvania, and Philips LED R-20 and R-30 replacements, they work well. I can bring you samples to see and try. You can recommend the Philips LED Christmas lights for intense blue color. You can recommend the Pablo Link LED desk lamp though the cost is about $ 375.00. Please call or write should you need assistance with lighting recommendations.
Do you have any resources for recycled styrofoam beanbag filler? I have a homemade beanbag that we can wash and replace the filler, instead of a store-bought fake-leather-or-whatever beanbag. Occasionally the filler gets mushed and it needs to be refilled, and I'd love to be able to put recycled filler in it.

I've tried breaking up the heavy packing styrofoam that comes with computer monitors, but that's just slow and painfully tedious. (Instead I take that to our local pack-n-ship place, where he can cut it up and use it for packing.)

Thanks! -Deb
(PS, I'd love to see more do-it-yourself and make-it-yourself options in the biter tips.) :)
Not a new idea, but now days a very thrifty idea. Also you could try large towels on a bathroom window, esp. if you want privacy. You can purchase inexpensive,decorative sheets at many stores that you would like on your windows. Also for tiebacks, buy ribbon on sale in complimentary colors instead of hardware to hold them back.
IN terms of great organic bedding...try Amy Butler for Welspun 100% ORganic bedding. These are so pretty, soft, safe and wallet friendly. I think they are available on bedbathandbeyond.com but are def available on amybutlerdesign.com
I read your blog & it has really nice information. Do carry same stuff in future as well. Rugs are also considered as important factor of interior designing. A quality & stylish cheap rugs gives you nice look & also emphasizes the taste & tradition as well. There are many different types of quality & fascinating rugs like Silk Rugs, & it could be worth addition in element of decor of your home. If you are looking for some antique element with colors then Turkish Rugs is ideal for you, because it provides u nice look with glimpse of past as well. you can also find a quality variety of rugs of different types from rugs world at discount rates.
These are so pretty, soft, safe and wallet friendly. Benefits are quite interesting. Sell villa Dubai would be interesting as well.
Do you have any resources for recycled styrofoam beanbag filler? I have a homemade beanbag that we can wash and replace the filler, instead of a store-bought fake-leather-or-whatever beanbag games adventure games

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